Tag Archives: Real-life story

Deepwater Horizon (2016) ☆☆(2/4): Lots of mud, water, oil, and fire

When I heard the news about the explosion on Deepwater Horizon for the first time, I was about to begin the first day of the 2010 Eberfest along with my critic friends and acquaintances. I thought it was just a … Continue reading

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Snowden (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The Snowden Files

As a story about one famous real-life whistleblower, Oliver Stone’s new film “Snowden” often feels redundant despite some fascinating parts. While its subjects are certainly relevant especially at this point, the movie does not have many things to surprise or … Continue reading

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Hidden Figures (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Three black female figures in NASA

Based on the remarkable professional careers of three real-life figures who worked in NASA in the early 1960s, “Hidden Figures” confidently moves forward along with its three main characters. While never overlooking how things were hard and difficult for them and … Continue reading

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Loving (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): On their quiet love and struggle

I admire the simple but profound storytelling of “Loving”. At first, the movie looks conventional on the surface, but then it slowly reveals itself as an intimate and sensitive portrayal of one plain relationship between two ordinary good people who … Continue reading

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Southside with You (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): One day of Barack and Michelle in Chicago

“Southside with You” is a small, humble drama about one day experienced by two people who would become one of the most famous couples in the world. I had no idea on how much the movie is close to what … Continue reading

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O.J.: Made in America (2016) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): See O.J. run and rise – and fall

Documentary film “O.J.: Made in America” is not only impressive for its ambitious scope but also remarkable for its revealing insight. Besides its detailed examination of the dramatic rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, the documentary also provides us an … Continue reading

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Almost Holy (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A gritty, tough shepherd in Ukraine

Documentary film “Almost Holy”, currently available on Netflix, gives us a darkly complex portrayal of a man of the cloth determined to fight against evil in his own unorthodox way. As the documentary shows more of the gritty, uncomfortable sides … Continue reading

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Spy Nation (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A persistent journalistic record against injustices

Because I heard numerous news reports about its subject, there are not many things to surprise or enlighten me in South Korean documentary “Spy Nation”, but I could not help but be angry about a number of infuriating cases presented … Continue reading

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The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The Beatles during its finest moments

As a tribute to one of the iconic pop bands during the late 20th century, Ron Howard’s documentary film “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week” may provide nothing particularly revealing even to the audiences with vague knowledge on the Beatles, … Continue reading

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The Infiltrator (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Follow the money

A real-life story which inspired “The Infiltrator” is an interesting tale worthwhile to be told. Using that inexorable connection between crime and money, American federal agents attempted to infiltrate into the money laundering network of Pablo Escobar’s infamous Columbian drug … Continue reading

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