Tag Archives: World War II

The Battleship Island (2017) ☆☆(2/4): Spectacle over history

Posted on July 27, 2017 by

While inspired by one of many dark tragedies during World War II, South Korean film “The Battleship Island” ultimately chooses spectacle over history. That could not be much of a problem if it were equipped with engaging story and characters … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 22, 2017 by

“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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Snowy Road (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two girls in a sad, harrowing tragedy of war

Posted on March 5, 2017 by

The historical subject of South Korean film “Snowy Road” is one of many sad tragedies of the World War II. During that time, numerous Korean women were forced into sex slavery by the Japanese Army, and many of them could … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Allied (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Pitt and Cotillard in old-fashioned World War II movie

Posted on January 13, 2017 by

“Allied” attempts to be an old-fashioned World War II movie, and I enjoyed it to some degrees. During its first half, it tries a classic wartime romance, and this is mostly successful thanks to its authentic period atmosphere and two … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Spirits’ Homecoming (2015) ☆1/2(1.5/4): These women deserve better than this

Posted on March 1, 2016 by

I am angry about South Korean film “Spirits’ Homecoming” for two reasons. I was angered as thinking about those many women forced into sex slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II. I was infuriated about how … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Son of Saul (2015) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): The Holocaust viewed from inside

Posted on February 28, 2016 by

Unflinchingly grim and despairing but undeniably powerful and astonishing, Hungarian film “Son of Saul” will haunt you for a long time after its last shot. While never feeling artsy or exploitative at all, this extraordinary film firmly stays around the … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Suite Française (2014) ☆☆(2/4) : The German Lieutenant’s Woman

Posted on December 3, 2015 by

During its epilogue, “Suite Française” belatedly reveals to us its most interesting aspect. The movie is based on a novella written by Russian Jewish novelist Irène Némirovsky during the World War II, and it was a part of her planned … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment