Tag Archives: War

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

Posted on July 22, 2017 by kaist455

“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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Wonder Woman (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Here comes Wonder Woman!

Posted on June 2, 2017 by kaist455

Besides being more exciting and exhilarating than expected, “Wonder Woman” finally gives what its genre has desperately needed during recent years: strong, independent female superhero character. While this is another quintessential origin story, the movie is refreshing mainly thanks to … Continue reading →

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The Innocents (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A terrible secret in their convent

Posted on April 1, 2017 by kaist455

Loosely inspired by a sad real-life story during the aftermath of the World War II, French film “The Innocents” is an understated period drama with thoughtful moments to appreciate. While never overlooking the dark, tragic aspect of its story, the … Continue reading →

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Land of Mine (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A small, dark epilogue of the World War II

Posted on February 17, 2017 by kaist455

Through its fictional story, Danish film “Land of Mine” illuminates a small, dark epilogue of the World War II which has not been known well to most of us. Although it often feels heavy-handed especially during its third act, the … Continue reading →

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Hacksaw Ridge (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A pacifistic medic struggling in a brutal war movie

Posted on February 10, 2017 by kaist455

“Hacksaw Ridge” is rather interesting for its ironic contradiction. While evoking those sincere old-fashioned Hollywood war films such as Howard Hawks’ “Sergeant York” (1941) on one side, the movie is also far more brutal and sanguinary than them on the … Continue reading →

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): The Force is strong in this spin-off…

Posted on December 30, 2016 by kaist455

Whenever it works well, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” feels like the best Star Wars movie since the original Star Wars trilogy. Although it is riddled with several weak spots in terms of plot and characters especially during its … Continue reading →

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Under the Shadow (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Something wicked this way comes with the war

Posted on December 22, 2016 by kaist455

There are two different types of horror in “Under the Shadow”. One comes from a stark, harrowing allegory based on one harsh, gloomy historical background. The other comes from a creepy, insidious tale about the possibility of some unknown evil … Continue reading →

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A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Looking at her from the distance

Posted on September 18, 2016 by kaist455

Israeli film “A Tale of Love and Darkness” is frequently frustrating in its distant attitude toward its sad, depressing human tale. Here is a woman who has probably been quite unhappy throughout her gray, melancholic life which has not given … Continue reading →

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Eye in the Sky (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Dilemmas of modern drone warfare

Posted on July 17, 2016 by kaist455

Through its gripping drama revolving around one tricky military operation, “Eye in the Sky” presents thought-provoking dilemmas of modern drone warfare without easy answers. If the ends can justify the means, how far can they go for preventing the next … Continue reading →

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Good Kill (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): His unbearable lightness of following orders

Posted on July 10, 2016 by kaist455

“Good Kill” wants to be a thought-provoking drama about the disturbing sides of modern warfare technology of our time, but it only keeps spinning its wheels with no sense of direction. While there are a number of darkly absurd scenes … Continue reading →

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