Tag Archives: Real-life story

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A small decent bank under crisis

As watching documentary film “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail”, I could not help but roll my eyes at the absurd legal injustice shown in the documentary. Here is a small decent bank which has provided a considerable financial help to … Continue reading →

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A Quiet Passion (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The life and poetry of Emily Dickinson

While she is now regarded as one of the great American poets during the 19th century, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) did not get much recognition during her lifetime. Although she wrote nearly 1,800 poems, only a few of them were published … Continue reading →

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Battle of the Sexes (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Feminism Vs. Sexism

“Battle of the Sexes” is a mild but entertaining comedy drama which closely looks at an amusing sports event between two contrasting real-life figures. Although it sometimes feels a bit unfocused, the movie works as an engaging tale while supported … Continue reading →

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First They Killed My Father (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A girl in the Cambodian Genocide

“First They Killed My Father”, which is currently available on Netflix, is a dark, harrowing tale of survival filled with quiet but powerful moments of horror and sadness. Based on the memoir of the same name by Loung Ung, the … Continue reading →

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Keep Quiet (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The repentance of an anti-semite Jewish Hungarian

Joseph Martin and Sam Blair’s documentary film “Keep Quiet” presents one extraordinary human story. Here is a man who has tried to reach for repentance and redemption since he confronted a hidden truth which shattered what he had fervently espoused … Continue reading →

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American Made (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Cruise back in his element

Based on an absurd real-life story involved with CIA, a drug cartel, and the White House, “American Made” gives us some funny moments to savor as cheerfully flying up and down along with its sleazy opportunistic hero. Although it often … Continue reading →

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The Big Sick (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): While she is in coma…

Not only smart and thoughtful but also funny and heartfelt, “The Big Sick” brings some fresh air to its genre. Yes, it is basically another story of two different people getting romantically involved with each other, but this small but … Continue reading →

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The Lost City of Z (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Searching for a lost civilization in jungle

“The Lost City of Z” is something we rarely see these days: a contemporary epic film brimming with classic filmmaking style. As patiently following its hero’s life as well as his several risky explorations in the Amazonian jungle, the movie … Continue reading →

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Dunkirk (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A grueling but gripping war film from Christopher Nolan

“Dunkirk”, an ambitious World War II movie directed by Christopher Nolan, instantly grabs us right from its first moment and then never loses its grip on us till the end credits. Although looking rather modest compared to Nolan’s previous works, … Continue reading →

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Maudie (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Her artistry and their life

Besides illuminating the undeniable artistry of its real-life artist heroine, “Maudie” focuses on small intimate moments from her plain, shabby life with a man she came to live with for many years. While it is interesting to get the occasional … Continue reading →

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