Tag Archives: Real-life story

Manshin (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A shaman with ten thousands spirits

 South Korean documentary “Manshin” vividly presents the cultural value in Korean shamanic rituals through its haunting images which lingered on my mind for a long time after watching it. Looking around the long, dramatic life story of a woman who … Continue reading

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The Monuments Men (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Saving artworks during World War II

  As the biggest war during the 20th century, World War II still has many interesting stories to be told even after so many books and movies about it came out, and the story told in “The Monuments Men” is … Continue reading

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Philomena (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4): A long road to her lost son

 Any sensible person would feel angry about what happened to Philomena Lee, a woman who was unjustly treated just because of a small innocent mistake during her adolescent years. When she found herself getting pregnant after one passionate encounter with … Continue reading

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Another Family (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A promise to be kept for his daughter

 Inspired by a real-life story, South Korean film “Another Family” is a little better than you might expect from a melodrama about family love, terminal illness, infuriating injustice, and a long, tearful struggle for justice. Although I could not help … Continue reading

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Renoir (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A model and two artists

  While he was lucky enough to enjoy artistic success when he was alive, Pierre-Auguste Renoir(1841-1919), a French painter who was one of the prominent impressionists during the late 19th century, unfortunately got a serious health problem during his later … Continue reading

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12 Years a Slave (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A harrowing look at the brutalities of slavery

 Based on a harrowing real-life story reflecting countless inhumane atrocities committed under the American slavery during the 19th century, “12 Years a Slave” honestly and bravely faces its dark historical subject, and it will give you an unforgettable experience which … Continue reading

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Saving Mr. Banks (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A spoonful of medicine behind Mary Poppins

 As a dramatized version of the real-life story behind a beloved classic film, “Saving Mr. Banks” is as pleasant and gentle as it wants to be. It becomes sentimental at times, but its warm sincerity feels genuine, and it is … Continue reading

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The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Goodfellas on Wall Street

“You sharpen the human appetite to the point where it can split atoms with its desire; you build egos the size of cathedrals; fiber-optically connect the world to every eager impulse; grease even the dullest dreams with these dollar-green, gold-plated … Continue reading

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Fruitvale Station (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : One day of his life

 “Fruitvale Station” presents us the last slice of one plain life which was ended too soon by a sudden incident. As shown in the movie, his life was rather unremarkable before his death drew the attention of the media in … Continue reading

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Way Back Home (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : It’ll take very long for her and her family

As a tear-jerking melodrama, South Korean movie “Way Back Home” is so transparent in its plot that I always knew every bright moment in the story would be soon followed by another punishing moment for its ill-fated heroine and her … Continue reading

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