2020.
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- DirectorJohn HarrisonStarsJonas ArmstrongSophie WardClive RussellA paranormal expert discovers a house that is at the intersection of so-called "highways" transporting souls in the afterlife."Everybody is a book of blood; wherever we're opened, we're red."
01.01.2020.
My great love for Barker began with reading "Books of Blood," a collection of horror stories in 6 volumes. This movie is a pretty good adaptation of the title story. Don't expect it to blow you off your chair, there is no deep or complex story here, no breathtaking effects, and it's not particularly scary. The story is a variation on the haunted house theme, it's a bit confusing, and the pace is too slow for my taste. The acting and directing are decent, the sound effects are really good, but what really elevates this movie from mediocrity is the atmosphere exquisitely evocative of Barker's original, and for that very atmosphere, I recommend it.
6/10
"The dead have highways, running through the wasteland behind our lives, bearing an endless traffic of departed souls. They can be heard in the broken places of our world, through cracks made out of cruelty, violence, and depravity. They have signposts, these highways, and crossroads and intersections. And it is at these intersections where the dead mingle, and sometimes spill over into our world." - DirectorJacques TourneurStarsSimone SimonTom ConwayKent SmithAn American man marries a Serbian immigrant who fears that she will turn into the cat person of her homeland's fables if they are intimate together."A cat just walked over my grave."
02.01.2020.
For this movie, the studio set aside a ridiculous $ 150,000, but the producer in less than three weeks and under budget made the film that many consider one of the best films of its time, and it was even nominated for the American Film Institute's Top 100 Greatest American Movies. At first glance, this was achieved despite a small budget, but I think that the small budget is responsible for the success of this film, because it has forced the authors to be creative. In the absence of money for special effects, they were forced to emphasize the dramatic development of the story, characterization, and the construction of a tense atmosphere, with the horror elements merely hinting and letting the audience's imagination run wild, which is far more effective than explicit special effects that, with the then (and in most cases today's) technology, are too unconvincing to cause anything but ridicule. This time, the small budget did the movie a huge favor.
7,5/10 - DirectorPenelope SpheerisStarsMike MyersDana CarveyRob LoweTwo slacker friends try to promote their public-access cable show."We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"
04.01.2020.
Feature film debut by irritating Mike Myers is a comedy/parody full of wasted pop culture references and spoofs. From moment to moment I was recognizing piles of them whose potential to be hilarious was destroyed by an unbelievable lack of wittiness and charisma. The movie is too stupid for a quality humor comedy, and not retarded enough for an "it's so bad it's good" movie. And for a comedy, it's incredibly boring. It seems to me like they tried to cling to the success of "Bill and Ted." The only good thing about this movie is the music, and the only scene I laughed at was the one with Alice Cooper.
4/10 - DirectorStephen SurjikStarsMike MyersDana CarveyChristopher WalkenThe inseparable duo try to organize a rock concert while Wayne must fend off a record producer who has an eye for his girlfriend.Slight improvement
05.01.2020.
The sequel is in the same fashion as the original, but is slightly better. This time the story makes sense, the references are more interesting, the spoofs better measured and sometimes really funny, and the whole movie is much more entertaining. It's still light years away from a good movie, but unlike the first one, this at least isn't a waste of time. If for no other reason, it's worth a look for big names such as Christopher Walken (in one of the lead roles), full Aerosmith, James Hong, Heather Locklear, Heather Locklear, and Charlton Heston.
6/10 - DirectorJalmari HelanderStarsJorma TommilaOnni TommilaPeeter JakobiIn the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus."Looks like we've been naughty"
05.01.2020.
Nice Christmas movie. Like most Christmas movies, this one is not a masterpiece of cinema, but at least the Finns tried to break the monotony of merry Christmas stories with the one a little darker. I wouldn't classify it as a horror, though there are some elements. It's more of a dark fantasy adventure, also suitable for slightly older children. Kind of like "Gremlins" (1984), for example. The script is simple but effective, based on: "The real Santa was totally different. The Coca-Cola Santa is just a hoax." The acting and directing follow an example of a scenario - simple and effective. A very interesting idea, not a particularly tense but compelling atmosphere and a healthy dose of black humor, with a very witty plot twist at the end. I'm not thrilled, but I'm quite pleased.
7/10 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRichard DreyfussFrançois TruffautTeri GarrRoy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches."You can come and play now"
Spielberg's classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" is not so much SF dealing with aliens as it is a drama that predicts humanity's reaction to an event like this. While, on the one hand, it depicts ordinary people and the ways in which UFO encounters change their lives, as well as how they respond to these encounters, on the other, it is a critique of how the authorities intervene in these situations. The story is simple, down-to-earth, human, and acting convincing. The visual effects are fascinating for the seventies, and for the sound effects it won the Special Achievement Award of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. There are also eight Academy Awards nominations, of which it won the Best Cinematography. But aside from the spectacular visual and sound effects and overall atmosphere, the movie is nothing special. The story itself is not especially interesting and I do not believe it would hold my attention without visual spectacle, nor does the film have a particular strength that would make a deeper impression. I think its greatest value lies in the influence it has had on the genre and our view of aliens.
7,5/10 - DirectorAnthony DiBlasiStarsJackson RathboneHanne SteenLaura DonnellyThree college students set out to document what other people dread the most. However, one of the three turns out to secretly be a sadistic psychopath who uses this knowledge to gruesomely torture the subjects."I suppose that is the worst part of it all. You live with the notion that the thing that causes you the most terror could come back at any time."
Perhaps this film does not deserve such a high rating, but as the adaptations of my favorite horror stories are too often tragicomic, one that really deserves to be associated with Barker's name had to acknowledge with a higher mark.
Three young people decide to do a thorough study of human fears, but interviewing volunteers with traumas from the past is not enough for their "leader", so he decides to take the research to the next level, experimentally facing his subjects with their greatest fears.
The movie is R-rated for "strong bloody violence, disturbing sadistic content, graphic sexuality, nudity, and language", but it doesn't come down to these elements like most classic slashers, but they are there to spice up and amplify a pretty good psychological horror-thriller, which is based on a strong story, good characterization, and a tense atmosphere. Another big plus is that it starts slowly and casually, in the style of "Kinsey" (2004), gives us half the movie time to get to know the characters and bond with them, and only then does the drama gradually grow into a thriller and then into a horror, so once we get attached to the characters, the horror elements are really effective.
8/10 - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsGene HackmanJohn CazaleAllen GarfieldA paranoid, secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that the couple he is spying on will be murdered."He'd kill us if he got the chance."
Technically, the movie is well-made, but nothing really stands out. As a mystery and a thriller, it fails terribly, because the story is totally uninteresting, it never held my attention for a moment, and there is not even "t" from the tense atmosphere. The only bright spots are the performance of Gene Hackman and the characterization of his character, whose moral dilemma classifies this Coppola's achievement into mediocre psychological dramas, as well as sound and music in the film. The finale is slightly stronger, but not enough to improve the overall impression.
6/10 - DirectorGeorge MillerWarren ColemanJudy MorrisStarsElijah WoodBrittany MurphyHugh JackmanInto the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!"I do not want to live in a world without Penguins!"
During the mating season, male and female Emperor penguins seduce each other with song. Until one day a penguin came into the world completely unable to sing, but an incredible talent for tap-dancing.
The script is somewhat original, but it essentially delivers the good old story of growing up, of sticking out, of seeking your true self and the need to be accepted and loved. A story of genuine friendship, courage, and true love. Nothing new, but it doesn't make it any less wonderful. The powerful emotion this movie conveys from the start is complemented by good animation, a strong cast that gives voices to cartoon characters (Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, ...) and a superb soundtrack (John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Lionel Richie, ZZ Top, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury,...).
The film won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year and brought Prince the only Golden Globe of his career. But even if all this means nothing to you, can you really resist a movie about Penguins?!
8/10 - DirectorStuart RosenbergStarsPaul NewmanGeorge KennedyStrother MartinA laid-back Southern man is sentenced to two years in a rural prison, but refuses to conform."What we've got here is failure to communicate"
24.01.2020.
Paul Newman is Cool Hand Luke, a man who has been sentenced to two years in prison for drunkenly damaging public property and who uses that time to openly but subtly irritate guards and warden, while slowly gaining cult status with prisoners. Unfortunately, his stubbornness and unbreakable spite eventually destroy him.
Technically, the movie is brilliantly done. Everything from acting, through the camera and directing, to music is at a really high level. But the story, although well developed, with excellent characterization and a healthy dose of humor, just does not work for me. I understand that this is a character study of a non-conformist and rebel and I get a message that the film conveys, but no one would be driven to death this absurdly and unnecessary. If our main character was a mental patient, sentenced to life, or if this was some surreal movie, it would be something else, but in a realistic drama, a capable, intelligent, charismatic man, sentenced to just two years... It just doesn't make any sense. This movie has the potential for a maximum rating, but for that, it needs a much more serious and compelling story and a more powerful emotion. It appealed to me, but it did not leave an essentially strong impression.
8/10 - DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway."I think the boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most."
25.01.2020.
The first animated film to have the honor of opening the Cannes Festival. Ranked 120th on IMDb Top 250, Metascore 88, won two out of five Oscar nominations... It's good, but is it truly that good?
The story of an elderly widower who, after the death of his wife, embarks on an adventure to pursue their shared childhood dream, and learns something about himself and the true values of life. The story is well-written, emotional and laced with humorous moments, but it did not leave a particularly strong impression on me. The animation is good, with an interesting use of color, but nothing breathtaking. Everything in this movie is very good, but not great. Other than two completely unnecessarily cruel scenes (miscarriage and death of the main villain), I have nothing specific to complain about. But the movie just didn't move me. It amused me and is a handy choice if you want to watch something with younger children, but I believe soon I won't remember it at all.
7/10 - DirectorLee UnkrichAdrian MolinaStarsAnthony GonzalezGael García BernalBenjamin BrattAspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer."Walking like a skeleton"
On the Day of the Dead, Mexicans make home altars to which they place pictures of their ancestors so that their souls can cross into the world of the living and visit families and friends. Once completely forgotten in the world of the living, the dead also disappear from the other side. Miguel is a boy who dreams of becoming a famous mariachi, but his family has banned music for generations. It is up to Miguel to change this unfortunate tradition with the help of the late great grandfather.
Beautiful animation, which does not skimp on colors, a story that is both fun and emotional and, although twist is somewhat cliche, essentially powerful and edifying. A movie that will entertain the youngest, teach them a little about life, and at the same time, elicit a few tears even from those whose emotions are long since numb. Alongside with "WALL-E" (2008), perhaps the best collaboration between Pixar and Disney.
8,5/10 - DirectorAndrew MorahanStarsChristopher LambertMario Van PeeblesDeborah Kara UngerDeceived that he had won the Prize, Connor MacLeod awakens from a peaceful life when an entombed immortal magician comes seeking the Highlander.There can be only one
They should have applied this legendary motto to the franchise itself. Even the original film is not a masterpiece of cinema and, except for the fact that it has acquired a cult status, nothing elevates it above average. The second is even weaker than the first, but at least it's fun. The third is so disgraceful that I can't believe that Christopher Lambert has agreed to star in it. Even if he was bound by a continuation contract, I think any court would grant him a unilateral termination after reading this scenario. And I wish it was just a screenplay that was bad. Aside from acting, which for the most part is decent, the film is pathetic in almost every aspect, technical and essential. I was most bothered by the tempo that leaves the impression of watching a movie trailer or a music video, as well as music that, while not bad in itself, is totally inadequate. Although, this is not a surprise if you know that this was the director's movie debut and that he directed only music videos before it. And the final clash is almost copied from "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991).
4/10 - DirectorTerrence MalickStarsRichard GereBrooke AdamsSam ShepardA hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune."Nobody's perfect. There was never a perfect person around. You just have half-angel and half-devil in you."
Richard Gere and Brooke Adams are a couple of manual workers, who in the early twentieth century survive as day laborers in the grain fields. They are posing as siblings, and when a wealthy farmer dying of an incurable disease falls in love with Brooke, the "brother" persuades her to marry him in order to inherit the estate. Of course, such conspiracies usually do not go as planned ...
The movie won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and that aspect of the film is really brought to perfection. Ennio Morricone was deservedly nominated for the music and that would pretty much be all I enjoyed. The whole plot can be recounted in detail in a few sentences and, when you stretch it to ninety minutes, the story gets so indescribably slow and boring that I was on the verge of quitting a few times. Also, Richard Gere is somehow always Richard Gere to me. I can not seem to see him as a character he plays. Whatever movie of his I watched, he always bounces off, like a color detail in a black and white movie, as if he had wandered into the wrong set. I can't say his acting is unconvincing, he just sticks out of the movie and keeps me from delving into the story.
Still, even though I was pretty bored and planned to bury it with the grade, it ended leaving me with surprisingly strong impressions and I don't believe I'll easily forget it. Maybe my rating is not adequate to what I wrote above, but I subjectively feel it as an eight and no objective reasons can change this rating either upwards or downwards.
8/10 - DirectorDouglas AarniokoskiStarsChristopher LambertAdrian PaulBruce PayneImmortals Connor and Duncan MacLeod must join forces against Kell, an evil immortal who has become too strong for anyone to face alone."Men, for the most part, can mend their ways only after they have made a mistake."
04 February 2020
Somewhat better than the previous one, but still far from a well-shot movie. The special effects are lousy for its time, especially considering that it came out just one year before "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." The story is confusing and rushed, as in the previous movie, but it's worth a look, not so much as a sequel to the franchise, but because it deepens Highlander's "origins story" and fills in the holes from the original movie.
5/10 - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsWalter HustonRuth ChattertonPaul LukasA retired auto manufacturer and his wife take a long-planned European vacation only to find that they want very different things from life."I suppose people travel to get away from themselves."
"Love has got to stop someplace short of suicide."
These are two sentences that have left an impression on me. The rest of the movie has not. The story about the rich middle-aged couple who, after twenty years of marriage, embarks on a journey across Europe and, while traveling, their marriage is falling apart. While the somewhat older husband, a retired car factory owner, wants to settle down and devote himself to family and grandchildren, the younger wife is in midlife crisis and, in fear of aging, is desperate for the attention of the men she meets on the journey, which after many turmoils ultimately destroys their marriage. This romantic drama, with six nominations and one Academy Award, is fairly realistically portrayed and well-acted, and the technical aspects of the film do not fall behind. Perhaps, from the perspective of time that originated this movie, it is remarkable and compelling, but it aged badly and, from my perspective, it is just a mediocre drama that I will soon forget. Although I have nothing specific to criticize, it was quite boring and left me completely indifferent.
6/10 - CreatorDavid BenioffD.B. WeissStarsEmilia ClarkePeter DinklageKit HaringtonNine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.LOTR of the TV world
4 October 2016
TV shows I rated 10 are rare, I could count them on one hand. And this is one of them. The excellent crew did this based on the fantastic book and in cooperation with the original writer. I do not want to compare this show with anything else because it is beyond any comparison, but speaking only about its quality, this is for the TV world what "Lord of the Rings" is for movies. I doubt anyone will top this any time soon.
New books are not out yet, and producers decided not to wait for them, so series are ahead of the books now. I did not watch the latest season yet, and I see many bad impressions and comments on the web, but even if they really did a lousy job on this last season, the previous five seasons are so good that last one cannot spoil average grade below ten out of ten. Unfortunately, I did not see the famous "Breaking Bad" yet, so I cannot be 100% sure, but for me, this is the very best TV show ever made. For the first time in my life I will give money for the series and, when the series is completed, buy the original box-set edition. It pains me to admit, but Tolkien is overthrown - I prefer "GOT" over "LOTR", both in a written and screened version.
I am not writing about its contents, there is more than enough spoilers all around the web, so no need for me to add some more. Thou, I do not understand all that noise and complaining about spoilers, especially if the movie/series is based on a famous book. In my opinion, you should always read the book before you watch it on TV, and if you did it then you already know most of what you'll see, so complaining about spoilers is ridiculous. And believe me, even if it is not always the case, in this case, you really SHOULD READ THE BOOKS FIRST. It is impossible to put all those thousands of pages in a TV show, and reading the books will allow you a much better understanding of what you see and you will enjoy the show much much more. I'm not saying that books are better. Not this time. Both are great in their own way. But the show will hypnotize you even deeper if you read the books first.
10/10
And what am I supposed to watch now that won't seem totally lame after seeing "GOT"…
11 February 2020
The eighth season is over and with it the already cult "Game of Thrones". The flood of spoilers and complaining over the last season receded, the dust settled, and it's time for me to finally see it in its entirety. I decided not to continue where I left off, but to start from the beginning and watch it without gigantic breaks between episodes and seasons.
Even before it starts, the series leaves you breathless with its phenomenal opening credits. Although a bit too long for my taste, it is certainly one of the most impressive introduction clips I have ever seen, mostly because of beautiful music by Ramin Djawadi.
"Game of Thrones", the first book of the cult saga "A Song of Ice and Fire," I first read in the summer of 2007. When I first sat down to watch the series in 2011, it seemed like the book was coming alive. Most of the scenes were shot exactly the way I imagined them while reading, and the cast is predominantly perfectly selected. I remember that only young Targaryens, and especially their hair, were torn in my eye. Emilia Clarke, in my opinion, is not beautiful/handsome enough or good enough actress for the role of Daenerys, and it took me more than a season to get used to her. Maisie Williams was initially very antipathic, but she quickly gained me with quality acting. The rest of the cast has been so impressive since the start that, when I continued reading the books, I began to imagine them exactly as they were shown in the series. What separates "Game of Thrones" the most from the majority of representatives of the genre is realistic characterization. There are no good guys and bad guys here, no black-and-white struggle between good and evil. All the characters are deeply layered and their good and bad sides take turns from situation to situation.
The first episode starts the series with force and ruthlessness, and although it is only a preliminary introduction to the story, it already manages to shock us on several occasions with its explicitness, vulgarity, and brutality. If you, while watching this episode, even for a moment felt discomfort, better stop here, because of what follows in the episodes and seasons that are in front of you your stomach will turn inside out.
Already in the second episode, Martin begins to kill innocent, ruthlessly introducing us into a world in which no one is safe, and in which the main characters are dropping like flies, alongside extras. Characters that die without any order, sense, and logic, whose stories remain incomplete because they are suddenly stricken by bad luck, are Martin's trademark. The series, as well as the source novel, constantly keeps you in a state of tension, because deaths, intrigues, and plot twists are totally unexpected and unpredictable, as is the real life.
Which brings us to the controversial last season. As far as I noticed, nagging about the last season is focused primarily on the script and the characters' illogical and unprovoked moves. I was bothered by the chaotic directing and editing. The episode depicting the battle against the army of the dead made my eyes literally hurt and, in my opinion, music was inadequate and irritating. But I have no major objections to the story itself. We are used to movies where the end logically follows from the introduction and plot, but it usually happens only in stories. Life is not logical, and I have already mentioned that Martin is quite realistic. People change, evolve, make plans, wage internal struggles, fight for a goal and, while the endings of most films show them failing or achieving those goals, life often stops those life paths with unexpected death and makes the whole journey meaningless. Death simply undoes us. Likewise, in the last season, Martin just canceled out a bunch of characters and their stories, while others acted impulsively, made fatal mistakes, or simply went mad. Many have completed their journeys in somewhat karmically acceptable ways, and the fates of some have surprised us. The season is a little hectic, but I don't think this story could have ended much differently, and I'm definitely not disappointed.
Last season, in my opinion, deserves no more than a week or eight, but the overall impression of the entire series remains
10/10 - CreatorJack ThorneStarsDafne KeenKit ConnorRuth WilsonA young girl is destined to liberate her world from the grip of the Magisterium which represses people's ties to magic and their animal spirits known as daemons.What's this all about?
When viewing an adaptation of something you read, especially if you are a fan of the source material and know it by heart, you subconsciously intertwine the book and the adaptation, and often do not notice the holes in the script because your foreknowledge fills them. I guess the high rating of this series comes right from Pullman's fans. To me, who have not read the book, the first season of "His Dark Materials" wasn't boring. I enjoyed the visual appeal of the series, though it doesn't come anywhere close to "Game of Thrones" I just finished a few days ago, the interesting characters and the action, but to ask me what it's about - honestly, I have no idea. The first season raises countless questions and gives little to no answers. Everything is vague, confusing and without much sense. If they wanted it to be a mystery that unfolds in the end, the end that is coming in a few seasons, they should have given us at least some hints and cliffhangers that would motivate us to wait for the next season. It may be just me, but even though the series is within my favorite genre, I'm not at all interested in waiting for the continuation. That may change if in the meantime I find the time and the will to read the book, but by itself, without foreknowledge of the story, the series left me completely indifferent.
6/10 - DirectorJonathan S. KuiStarsLori PyzochaJeremy YostAllison BlumIn this fan film crossover, Lucifer blackmails a young woman into solving the Lament Configuration, in hope of bringing the Cenobites into the Second Angelic War.An interesting addition to the franchise
Lucifer recruits a Theology student to solve the puzzle and summon Cenobites, to support him in the war against Gabriel and his angels. But while manipulating an innocent girl, he doesn't even suspect that he was being manipulated too.
This is a twenty-minute fan-movie shot with practically no budget and all participants on both sides of the camera are complete amateurs with no film experience. Within that frame, this is quite solidly written and shot, and the costumes and effects are great. The rating on IMDb is 3.9 and, in my opinion, it is quite objective, but it deserves at least eight for the first attempt by complete amateurs.
6/10 - DirectorJonathan S. KuiStarsPete MizzoAvrill MacCuliashGina MontroneExplores the background of the character Winter, while intersecting events from three entries into the series."Fear is the place we go to learn"
Three years after "Hellraiser: Prophecy", Jonathan S. Kui returns with another fan-movie, which builds on the previous one and gives the "origins-story" to the main character from "Hellraiser: Deader" (2005). The budget, as with "Prophecy," is negligible, and so is the experience the creators have gained in the meantime. The movie is technically slightly better, but the story is confusing, uninteresting and redundant. While "Prophecy" is worth a look for a good idea and effort, this one is a waste of time.
5/10 - DirectorNicolas RoegStarsJulie ChristieDonald SutherlandHilary MasonA married couple grieving the recent death of their young daughter are in Venice when they encounter two elderly sisters, one of whom is psychic and brings a warning from beyond."The one who's blind. She's the one that can see."
The '70s on film have a distinctive flavor that has always been repulsive to me. Here and there, some movies thrilled me, but for the most part, '70s were painfully boring to me. This one is no exception. At one point, I thought - I saw more than half the movie but still nothing happens - and then realized that I only watched it for thirty minutes out of a total of two hours. I can not recall half an hour that lasted longer. Stretched and chopped sex scene in this segment of the film is anything but sexy, it is totally unnecessary and in no way contributes to the film, except that it gives it another distinguished mark of that decade.
For some reason, many consider this movie one of the best films and most memorable horrors of all time. It's classified as a horror thriller, but it's neither scary nor tense. Well filmed and acted but somewhat boring drama, the story of which hardly makes sense. The characters' actions are quite pointless and unconvincing, and the whole thing looks to me like a misunderstanding between Argento and Lynch.
5/10 - CreatorDavid E. KelleyStarsReese WitherspoonNicole KidmanShailene WoodleyThe apparently-perfect lives of upper-class mothers of students at a prestigious elementary school unravel to the point of murder when a single mother moves to their quaint California beach town.Season 1
Slow start but an awesome finale
I came from work around eight, got some food and coffee, and sat to watch this seven hours long movie in a single run. I say movie because this is not a regular TV series, but more TV movie cut to pieces because of length. Fact that I saw seven hours show in less than eight tells you that it's a good one, but, in my opinion, they failed terribly at the beginning. It starts slow and after the first episode, that lasts nearly an hour and nothing happens at all, I almost gave up. Still, reviews are mostly good and many friends did recommend it, so I decided to give it a shot. I watched the second episode and started to question who's crazy, bored me or thrilled reviewers. After three episodes I was seriously annoyed. It reminded me of "Desperate Housewives". Although it's better written and done, but also less fun. A story about people who's life is too good so they invent problems where there are none and then exaggerate them to epic proportions, until they hit the ceiling. In everyday common issues, they react like crazy and if there are people like that in real life I do not know them and I'm glad about it. Both characters and the story were completely redundant to me. I rated it weak six and continued to watch only because I hate leaving things unfinished. But when the show was over and impressions were settled I completely changed my mind. It still reminds me of "Desperate Housewives", maybe even more, and some things are really retarded, but characters are phenomenally developed and acted, and every succeeding episode is better than previous. Finale nailed it. If the story wasn't so lengthy, but made as a movie two or three hours long, I would probably rate it even higher, but as the seven hours long mini-series it deserves
8/10
(there are some spoilers below)
P.S. Until the last episode, I had no idea who was dying, but as soon as I figured out who the victim will be, I knew immediately who will kill. Although it's totally unpredictable who the killer is, I knew. Maybe it was because I was expecting an unexpected end, so I bet on the most illogical person. That spoiled the ending a little, because the surprise effect is important here. Overthinker...
Season 2
When I heard that there would be a second season, I wondered why, because the first is a well-rounded whole that needs no extension. On the one hand, I was right, the second season is not really necessary, but on the other, it is not superfluous and did not spoil the impressions the first one left. The season brings seven episodes that deal with the psychological and practical consequences of the heroine's decision to hide the murder. The fear of being discovered, paranoia and guilt slowly erode them, gradually destroying their mutual relations and their families. The script maintains a great characterization from the first season, and maybe even rise it to a slightly higher level. The season also introduces some new characters, most notably the Mary Louise character played by the fantastic Meryl Streep. In all the roles I've seen her so far, Meryl captivates with her incredible charisma and you just can't help but love her. But here she played the role of "villain" so convincingly that I hated her from the first episode. The series finale, though somewhat expected, spoiled my impressions a bit, because that decision, however morally right, leaves seven children without mothers, and some even without both parents. Overall, the rating remains the same.
8/10 - DirectorEdgar WrightStarsAmy BowlesGregory CurtisMartin CurtisThis home movie features a cop named Barry Stern who has to hunt down a serial killer. In the style of Dirty Harry meets Airplane."This film is certified 18, which means that, while it may be of an adult nature, it may also be extremely infantile. Viewers are warned of poor jokes, bad production values, and frequently painful acting."
A very honest and accurate description of Edgar Wright's film debut. "Dead Right" is a low-budget (or more precisely no-budget) forty-minute crime-horror-action comedy that suffers from all of the above. Filmed on weekends over the whole year on VHS, it was written, directed and edited by then-eighteen-year-old Edgar Wright, who entrusted the roles to his amateur friends. But despite all the objective flaws, this film already shows Wright's great talent for screenwriting and directing, a specific sense of humor and a subtle feel for details. There's also Wright's distinctive ability to successfully combine multiple genres, not just into the same film, but into the same scene, which will make him famous a decade later in the "Shaun of the Dead", "Hot Fuzz" and "The World's End" trilogy. What's more, "Hot Fuzz" was in a way derived from this film, with which it shares many qualities, including some scenes. If you love Wright, don't miss this one.
7/10 - CreatorNeil GaimanStarsDavid TennantMichael SheenMiranda RichardsonThe End of the World is coming, which means a fussy Angel and a loose-living Demon who've become overly fond of life on Earth are forced to form an unlikely alliance to stop Armageddon."All tapes left in a car for more than about a fortnight metamorphose into Best of Queen albums."
Therefore, in all the scenes where the demon Crowley (a reference to Aleister) drives his Bentley oldtimer, you will listen to Queen hits.
In 1990, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman published "Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch," one of my favorite books, which finally received a screen adaptation in 2019 as a six-episode mini-series. I'm not sure how much the story of the series is faithful to the source material, since I last read the book in 2003, but while I was swallowing it in one breath, I felt like I had watched it before (which is impossible), which means that it perfectly conveyed the spirit and atmosphere of the book, as well as that many of the scenes are filmed exactly as I imagined them while reading. I really liked most of the cast, and the phenomenal David Tennant and Michael Sheen nailed the leading roles.
The story is intelligent and witty but, unfortunately, Pratchett's storytelling style is simply impossible to transfer to a TV screen. As much as the plot and the dialogues are faithful, Pratchett's hilarious descriptions and comparisons cannot be filmed, so the series is not nearly as funny as the book. While this has somewhat disappointed me, I am aware that Gaiman and the BBC could hardly have done a better job.
Fans of "Easter egg" details will appreciate the references to the "Doctor Who" series, which shares a good part of the cast with "Good Omens," other works by Neil Gaiman and the like.
9/10 - DirectorGyörgy PálfiStarsIsabelle AdjaniAnouk AiméeWoody AllenA simple yet timeless love story between a man and a woman, told using scenes edited together from hundreds of other films."Umro je drug Tito"
One of the most original films I've ever seen is composed entirely of scenes stolen from other films. Hungarian director György Pálfi has made a universal romantic drama, skillfully and humorously combining clips from several hundred films, so black and white and color scenes, different genres and shooting techniques, actors, locations and epochs, rapidly alternate before our eyes, all followed by nicely blended music, also borrowed from other films and series. Clips were reportedly downloaded from torrent sites and, in order to avoid copyright lawsuits, the film was published as educational material by the Hungarian University of Film and Theater. It may seem confusing and even unwatchable at first, but do not let it deter you, because you will get used to it very quickly and after a few minutes you will no longer need extra concentration. The idea is ingenious, a realization hypnotizing, and I am afraid to even speculate how extensive his knowledge of world cinema is, as well as how much time and patience it took to assemble and edit this madness. Even if we disregard all the other qualities, the effort itself deserves a maximum rating. Bravo!
10/10 - DirectorJim JarmuschStarsBill MurrayAdam DriverTilda SwintonTwo pioneers fight for their lives and their love on the American frontier during the Civil War.Shamefully underrated
I can't understand why people are disappointed with this movie. If you are a fan of classic zombie horror, you have nothing to look for in a Jim Jarmusch movie, to begin with. On the other hand, if you're a Jarmusch fan, I don't know how you didn't expect exactly what you got. I'm honestly surprised by Jarmusch's choice of theme and genre, but when I accept that choice, the realization is more than satisfactory. An excellent satire of both modern consumer society and the zombie genre itself, filmed in typically Jarmusch's style. For those who complain about the slow pace and lack of real plot, I have only one question - have you ever watched anything from Jarmusch? It is not one of his best, but it is a great movie, very well shot, interestingly played and quite humorous. I only missed the excellent music that distinguished his previous films, which on this occasion was sacrificed for the sake of a pretty good joke.
8/10 - DirectorRichard DonnerStarsSean AstinJosh BrolinJeff CohenA group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure.Indiana Jones for kids
A group of kids in the attic discovers a treasure map from the seventeenth century and goes in search of the lost pirate ship. A children's adventure, typical of the '80s, reminiscent of movies about Indiana Jones or the "Pirates of the Caribbean". It's nothing special, but it's interesting, witty and nicely shot.
7/10 - DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsWilliam H. MacyFrances McDormandSteve BuscemiMinnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.WTF?!
This movie ranks in the IMDb top 250 and has won two Oscars out of seven nominations, not to mention its cult status. If I didn't know all this, it would have left me without a special impression. But this way, it left me completely shocked. I honestly wonder who's crazy here. "Fargo" won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Okay, on paper this story really has great potential. I can also understand William H. Macy's nomination somewhat. But nominations for Best Picture and directing?! Really, WTF?! All the characters in the film, except the cold-blooded sociopath, are portrayed as slightly falling behind in their mental development. Both their actions and how they are portrayed by the cast cause chronic embarrassment transfers throughout the film. Something like that would work in some types of comedy, but with such characters and acting, to call this movie a drama or a thriller ... WTF ?! Directing also has nothing to do with these genres. Drama and tension do not occur even in trace amounts. The story may be a true event, and in reality it was probably a drama and a thriller, but the way it is presented in this movie is totally frivolous. It had the potential for upsetting drama, for a suspenseful thriller, and even for a morbid comedy, but this mix of the Coen brothers looks like a clumsy result of their hesitation to opt for the genre. Watchable, but probably the most overrated movie I saw in years.
6/10 - DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution."Oh my god... that was really violent."
Unlike the first one, which had great characterization, good dialogues, and witty remarks, and the second one that had Scarlett Johansson and AC/DC, this one is just a shallow action. A completely redundant template extension. The choreography and effects are spectacular, but that's all you can expect from this movie. Disposable adrenaline injection.
6/10 - DirectorBob RafelsonStarsJack NicholsonKaren BlackBilly Green BushA dropout from upper-class America picks up work along the way on oil rigs when his life isn't spent in a squalid succession of bars, motels, and other points of interest.Bergman liked it
Bergman stated that he enjoyed watching this movie. No wonder, because it is quite similar to his style. The story itself is stretched and boring, but the story here is just the backdrop for characterization of our anti-hero, and that part is fantastically done. Nicholson was deservedly nominated for an Oscar for this role, and his performance somewhat reminded me of the one in "The Shining", though here his character is much more realistic and easier to relate to his state of consciousness. I think many men will at least partially find themselves in this character, which adds significantly to his credibility and strength. On the one hand, we have a superb character study, excellent acting, and a technically well-made movie, but on the other hand, at times it was almost unbearably boring and the music (I don't mean classical) was driving me crazy.
7/10 - DirectorBobcat GoldthwaitStarsJoel MurrayTara Lynne BarrMackenzie Brooke SmithOn a mission to rid society of its most repellent citizens, terminally ill Frank makes an unlikely accomplice in 16-year-old Roxy."And, Frankly, Frank, I don't fucking care."
Not particularly original or subtle, but very effective and entertaining social criticism, which realistically portrays the modern world and pop culture that have gone to hell, with a caricatured reaction of the individual who has had enough. Anyone intelligent and educated who keeps his dignity in Frank's thoughts will recognize their own, but most of us are not sociopaths so we keep our disgust with the world around us under control. I would never kill anyone, but I would be very happy to live in a world where people like Frank's victims do not exist. That is why watching this movie came in handy as an exhaust valve and I didn't pay much attention to its objective qualities and disadvantages. Joel Murray and Tara Lin Bar act quite naturally and have good chemistry, and their "killing spree" is not as violent and torturous as in "Natural Born Killers," but a fun adventure imbued with black humor. The very end is a decent homage or a parody (or both) of the deaths of some cult movie antiheroes. However, the movie at first promised much more than it eventually managed to deliver, and Frank's monologue at the end of the movie and bringing Roxie back on stage go beyond good taste, but that didn't spoil the overall impression too much.
8/10 - CreatorDaniel CeroneDavid S. GoyerStarsMatt RyanHarold PerrineauCharles HalfordA man struggling with his faith who is haunted by the sins of his past is suddenly thrust into the role of defending humanity from the gathering forces of darkness.You won't miss anything
Compared to the 2005 film with Keanu Reeves, Matt Ryan is more faithful and striking John Constantine in appearance, character, and acting, but the series itself gives the impression of an inferior copy of "Supernatural" or "Charmed" in better production. After watching the first season, if there were any further, I probably would have continued watching, but I can't blame them for canceling it.
6/10 - DirectorJohn LandisStarsDan AykroydJohn GoodmanWalter LevineElwood must reunite the old band, with a few new members, and go on another "Mission from God."A guilty pleasure with great music
"Blues Brothers 2000" recycles the original 1980 movie and acts more like a remake than a sequel. Almost the same cast performs variations on the scenes and jokes from the first film which, though technically not far behind the original, no longer have the edge and do not achieve the effect. The only major difference in the scenario is the over-the-top finale. This excursion into voodoo fantasy is somewhat entertaining, but it in no way fits in with the rest of the movie and turns it into a bad parody. Seen only from the angle of the script, the movie is redundant rubbish, but the movie is not just a screenplay. John Goodman, who "replaced" the late John Belushi, did a great job and his charisma is a big plus to this movie. Also, the sequel brings together a lot more top musicians than the original and delivers great tracks, so I simply can not bury it. While this soundtrack will always be overshadowed by the one from the first movie, the mere fact that the film brings together greats like B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes, Dr. John, Billy Preston, KoKo Taylor, Jimmie Vaughan, Steve Winwood, and others adds a few stars to my rating.
7/10 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption."Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go home and have a heart attack."
Last night I watched it again for the umpteenth time. And it never gets old. The movie is simply perfect. I still haven't seen Jackie and Hollywood, and all the other Tarantino's films are nines and tens, but this one will always hold a special place. It won an Oscar for the screenplay, has an awesome cast that plays rarely impressionable characters, ingenious dialogues and monologues, and legendary soundtrack. The perfect balance of drama, action and twisted humor that guarantees top entertainment and impressions that never fade.
10/10 - DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppMichelle PfeifferEva GreenAn imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection."Ugliest woman I've ever seen"
After centuries of captivity, Barnabas Collins, a vampire, returns home to Collinsport to regain his cursed family's glory. The film is based on the series of the same name from the 1960s, replacing the more serious and darker tone of the original with typically Barton's humor and fairy-tale atmosphere. Vampires, werewolves, witches, and ghosts are never outdated, especially not when played by Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, and Chloë Grace Moretz, with cameo appearances by Christopher Lee and Alice Cooper.
8/10 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsLeonardo DiCaprioBrad PittMargot RobbieA faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.Three hours of beautifully shot nothing... or is it?
I saw the new Tarantino last night and I think my impressions haven't settled just yet. At first glance, this is a beautifully filmed, but empty film in which almost nothing happens, and seemingly without a point, so I understand the people who didn't like it. Honestly, I'm not even sure I fully understood it. On the other hand, the top cast, beautiful camera, Tarantino's directing, and some typically Tarantino's elements (although, at first sight, the film overall isn't his style), and most of all the nostalgic atmosphere of Hollywood from the setting of the Golden Age, leave an unexpectedly strong impression, and even in the slowest and seemingly the most pointless of moments it is not boring and has kept my undivided attention from start to finish. And those more versed in the era that the film portrays and events it skillfully insinuates will find additional satisfaction in innumerable details that will go unnoticed by the average viewer. I can not say that it is a masterpiece, but it certainly is a work of art, and is definitely worth watching, whether you're a fan of Quentin Tarantino or not.
8/10 - DirectorJoachim RønningStarsAngelina JolieElle FanningHarris DickinsonMaleficent and her goddaughter Aurora begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play."What an awkward situation"
Although visually more diverse and impressive than the first, "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" gives an impression of a film forcefully made just to milk some more money on the account of old glory. While the 2014 movie brings an original and interesting twist to the original story, the sequel is totally unoriginal and clichéd, at the same time a feast for the eyes and fasting for the brain. In addition, I resent it too much violence and death, which, in my opinion, makes it unsuitable for the youngest, who are Disney's target audience. I can't say it's bad, but I find it completely unnecessary, even superfluous, which is the case with most of the sequels to Disney films I've had the chance to watch.
7/10 - StarsRichard CoyleCharles DanceDavid SuchetA con artist is conned into taking the job as Postmaster General in the Ankh-Morpork Post Office."Books must be treated with respect, we feel that in our bones, because words have power. Bring enough words together they can bend space and time."
02 July 2016
Terry Pratchett is one of my favorite writers. I have every single book published in my country, 41 to be precise, and that's not even half of his bibliography. He is best known for his Discworld series, dozens of novels placed on a flat world, carried through space on the shoulders of four elephants, standing on the back of Atuin, gigantic turtle. Sounds familiar? In these novels, Terry parodies the whole history of humanity in all its aspects. I cannot choose the favorite one, because every single one is awesome. Some of his work is adapted to movies, TV series and cartoons and I think I saw them all. On par with "The Colour of Magic", this is by far the best adaptation. I won't go into the story itself because I will assume everyone has read the book. And if you still didn't, do yourself a favor and put it on your priority list. Like Terry's books, this movie is extremely entertaining, hilarious and joyful. It may not be a masterpiece of cinematography, but it surely is the masterpiece of clever and meaningful comedy.
9/10 - StarsDavid JasonSean AstinTim CurryA cowardly wizard is roped into a life of adventure. A tale from the first two books of Terry Pratchett's fantasy series "Discworld"."I think I've just had another near-Rincewind experience"
30 June 2016 / 28 March 2020
Like in "Hogfather", Death is pretty much lousy done, which is a shame because Death is the most awesome character in Discworld series. But besides that, it is absolutely fantastic. I thought it would be impossible to adapt Pratchett to feature film and preserve its original charm, but the movie definitely possesses the spirit of the written Discworld. The Luggage and legendary Del Boy in the role of Rincewind are an inexhaustible source of entertainment.
9/10 - DirectorChris WeitzStarsNicole KidmanDaniel CraigDakota Blue RichardsIn a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization.Better than the series
George R.R. Martin cited this movie as one of the reasons he wanted "Game of Thrones" to be adapted into a series rather than a movie. I'm glad about that decision, but ironically, this movie is quite better than the current series. I haven't read the books, so I can't judge the faithfulness to the source material, but as the stories in the movie and the series differ only in nuances, I believe both are fairly faithful to the novel. However, I prefer the approach to the story in the film, because the film is a fairly clear and rounded whole, while the series is confusing and, frankly, if I didn't have a fan of the book next to me, I would have no idea what I was looking at. I also prefer the cast choices in the movie, and the fairytale atmosphere, as opposed to the overly dark atmosphere of the series. I was most pleasantly surprised by the effects, which are much better in the movie, in spite of the movie being more than a decade older than the series. I am not thrilled with the movie either, and according to Philip Pullman fans, without prior knowledge of the book it is quite understandable, but compared to the series, this is a significant improvement, not to say that the series is a step backwards from the film.
7/10 - DirectorGeorge MillerGary EckDavid PeersStarsElijah WoodRobin WilliamsPinkMumble's son, Erik, is struggling to realize his talents in the Emperor Penguin world. Meanwhile, Mumble and his family and friends discover a new threat their home -- one that will take everyone working together to save them."If you want it, you must will it. If you will it, it will be yours."
I sincerely hope that the insistence on this sentence is a mockery and not a tribute to the life-coach craze. There is also unavoidable environmental propaganda, also taken from the first film. In fact, the whole movie gives the impression of recycling the first one. Talented animators and high budgets allow studios to endlessly string sequels to popular films that, at first glance, seem fantastic. The movie is more diverse and visually perhaps even better than the first, with slightly weaker but still excellent music, a superb cast, and decent humor, but it's somehow hollow. It lacks the emotional strength by which the first one took me out of my shoes. I have nothing specific to complain about, but it left me quite indifferent. And Will and Bill, however entertaining at times, are an obvious rip-off of the "Ice Age" squirrel.
6/10 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
"One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all
And in the darkness bind them"
Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" is a book that has introduced me to the world of epic fantasy and, while no longer in the top of my favorites, will forever hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget how I eagerly awaited this movie trilogy, as well as the thrill of the movies when I first saw them in the cinema. And with each new viewing, enjoyment is no less. Although I don't like movies this long, the twelve hours of "The Lord of the Rings" just fly by.
It is far from being the perfect movie, as many seem to perceive it. I find many changes to the book to be unnecessary hollywoodization. Elijah Wood never felt right in the role of Frodo, and his latently gay relationship with Sam will never stop poking my eyes. It may be up to me, but I've never experienced it in a book. There are a lot more of all sorts of minor complaints, but in spite of them, the overall impression of this epic trilogy in every respect is an unforgettable experience. A very well adapted story, camera, directing and effects that take your breath away, mostly excellent cast choices and ingeniously blended music that greatly enhances the already perfect atmosphere, make this film a masterpiece of the genre and, in my opinion, one of the best film achievements of all time.
10/10 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
"One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all
And in the darkness bind them"
Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" is a book that has introduced me to the world of epic fantasy and, while no longer in the top of my favorites, will forever hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget how I eagerly awaited this movie trilogy, as well as the thrill of the movies when I first saw them in the cinema. And with each new viewing, enjoyment is no less. Although I don't like movies this long, the twelve hours of "The Lord of the Rings" just fly by.
It is far from being the perfect movie, as many seem to perceive it. I find many changes to the book to be unnecessary hollywoodization. Elijah Wood never felt right in the role of Frodo, and his latently gay relationship with Sam will never stop poking my eyes. It may be up to me, but I've never experienced it in a book. There are a lot more of all sorts of minor complaints, but in spite of them, the overall impression of this epic trilogy in every respect is an unforgettable experience. A very well adapted story, camera, directing and effects that take your breath away, mostly excellent cast choices and ingeniously blended music that greatly enhances the already perfect atmosphere, make this film a masterpiece of the genre and, in my opinion, one of the best film achievements of all time.
10/10 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
"One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all
And in the darkness bind them"
Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" is a book that has introduced me to the world of epic fantasy and, while no longer in the top of my favorites, will forever hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget how I eagerly awaited this movie trilogy, as well as the thrill of the movies when I first saw them in the cinema. And with each new viewing, enjoyment is no less. Although I don't like movies this long, the twelve hours of "The Lord of the Rings" just fly by.
It is far from being the perfect movie, as many seem to perceive it. I find many changes to the book to be unnecessary hollywoodization. Elijah Wood never felt right in the role of Frodo, and his latently gay relationship with Sam will never stop poking my eyes. It may be up to me, but I've never experienced it in a book. There are a lot more of all sorts of minor complaints, but in spite of them, the overall impression of this epic trilogy in every respect is an unforgettable experience. A very well adapted story, camera, directing and effects that take your breath away, mostly excellent cast choices and ingeniously blended music that greatly enhances the already perfect atmosphere, make this film a masterpiece of the genre and, in my opinion, one of the best film achievements of all time.
10/10 - DirectorJames WhaleStarsColin CliveMae ClarkeBoris KarloffDr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses."It's alive! It's alive!"
Although technically fascinating for its time, the duration of just an hour leaves little room for further elaboration of the story and characterization that would make us relate to the characters. On the one hand, the film has captivated me with the perfect atmosphere and visually, but on the other, it is so rushed and undeveloped that the characters and the story left me indifferent. This story should convey the message that things are not always what they seem and that the essential villain is not always a monster, but rather that human ambition in playing God, recklessness, and uncontrollable rage of a blinded mass rushing to lynch is true evil. But just an hour of the movie did not give us time to get to know the Monster, understand it fully and develop sympathy and pity for him. The only scene that made a really strong impression on me is the one with the girl on the waterside. Still, given the circumstances in which this classic originated, I can't go below
8/10 - DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonBilly BurkeWhen Bella Swan moves to a small town in the Pacific Northwest, she falls in love with Edward Cullen, a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire.Yuck...
I have not read the books, and I have no intention, so I am only talking about the movie here, without favor or prejudice. The film is simply bad. There is not one single aspect I can praise, but nothing is so catastrophically bad to be worthy of bashing. An uninteresting tale that desecrates vampire mythos, told in a ludicrous and pathetic way, played by non-charismatic actors who have no chemistry between them and all the while feel as if they are bored. The effects are bad for 2008 and such a big budget, the makeup is ridiculous, to say the least, there is no drama, tension, no emotion at all, and if the film has some subtext and conveys a message, I failed to notice it. It is not boring or tiring to watch, but it is so lame, that in an endless sea of good movies, even in this genre, it is a shame to waste time on it.
4/10 - DirectorChris WeitzStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonTaylor LautnerAfter Edward leaves because of an incident involving Bella, Jacob Black becomes her best friend. But what Bella doesn't realize is that Jacob also has a secret that will change their lives suddenly.Still better love story than Twilight
Or at least slightly less bad. There is obvious progress in production, but unfortunately, not in acting and directing. The story is a bit more interesting and the pace is faster, but the movie is still full of cringe, too lame for a serious film and not ridiculous enough for a parody. Watchable, if you really do not have anything better to do.
5/10 - DirectorDavid SladeStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonTaylor LautnerAs a string of mysterious killings grips Seattle, Bella, whose high school graduation is fast approaching, is forced to choose between her love for vampire Edward and her friendship with werewolf Jacob.Same shit, different package
In fact, the packaging is also the same. Everything I said about the first two applies to this one as well.
5/10 - DirectorBill CondonStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonTaylor LautnerThe Quileutes close in on expecting parents Edward and Bella, whose unborn child poses a threat to the Wolf Pack and the towns people of Forks."No measure of time with you will be long enough. But we'll start with forever."
And so on for two hours ... The love triangle, the emotional-moral dilemma of a misunderstood teenage girl, everything that most of us experience in our youth, but which we cannot relate to because of the lame scenario and acting and the complete lack of any sympathy for the non-charismatic actors of this story. Even inter-species sex they have failed to utilize to spice up this pathetic lemonade a little and make it at least acceptable, if not interesting. Unlike the previous parts, this one does not even have action scenes that somewhat helped me not to fall asleep.
5/10 - DirectorBill CondonStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonTaylor LautnerAfter the birth of Renesmee/Nessie, the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi."My time as a human was over. But I've never felt more alive"
It was not enough for her to twist and ignore everything that makes vampires vampires (except for drinking blood), so she had to cross them with meta-humans. X-men bloodsuckers, wtf. This one also has all the flaws of its predecessors, but still, it is undeniably the most fun in the series and I liked the plot-twist.
6/10 - DirectorJohn BoormanStarsSean ConneryCharlotte RamplingSara KestelmanIn the late 23rd century, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements."The Gun is good! The Penis is evil!"
This one definitely goes to "WTF I Just Watched ?!" list. Low-budget independent SF with Sean Connery in the lead role, whose fee of $200.000 makes one-fifth of the total movie budget. Given the very low ratings on the movie sites, I probably would never have looked it up, but when I saw Sean's outfit, the film immediately jumped to my priority watch-list. The movie definitely lived up to my expectations, and Sean's red panties are not by far the silliest thing to see. The whole aesthetic of the film screams the seventies and is reminiscent of the odd blend of "Flash Gordon" and "A Clockwork Orange." But all the cheapness of the production, as well as the over-the-top moments and acting are not a flaw here, but are at the service of the surreal atmosphere and messages that the film conveys. And there are quite a few, and if you don't allow yourself to be distracted by cheesy colorfulness, the movie will give you some interesting topics to contemplate. The symbolism of this film and the philosophy behind it could be discussed broadly, but I think it is better if you experience this unusual and, I believe, unforgettable experience yourself.
7,5/10 - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsEmilio EchevarríaGael García BernalGoya ToledoAn amateur dog fighter, a supermodel, and a derelict assassin, all separately struggling to find love, find their lives transformed by a devastating car wreck in Mexico City."If you want to make God laugh... tell Him your plans."
The movie debut of the already cult Iñárritu brings us three torturous life stories of love and hate. The name of the movie, which could be translated as "Love is a Bitch," is a play on words, as all three stories are closely related to dogs. Classified as a thriller, but in my opinion, the elements of the thriller are negligible in relation to the drama, a story so convincing and powerful that the film is, for the most part, painful to watch. Great, somewhat complicated directing, and excellent characterization for whom both the high-quality script and the superb performances of the cast are equally deserving. Although the film's theme and genre are not my cup of tea, it has left quite a strong impression and definitely deserves cult status and awards won. If his debut is this good, I can't wait to see other Iñárritu films.
8,5/10 - DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsGene HackmanRoy ScheiderFernando ReyA pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.What a disappointment
A cult thriller, one of the best films in the genre, eight Oscar nominations, five of which were won and a bunch of other awards and honors ... Besides Hackman's Oscar-winning performance, this is a totally mediocre narco-crime movie that I watched until the end only because it was too late to start something else, and given how it ends, it wouldn't make much difference if I gave up halfway through.
6/10 - DirectorJason FriedbergAaron SeltzerStarsJenn ProskeMatt LanterDiedrich BaderIn this spoof of vampire-themed movies, teenager Becca finds herself torn between two boys. She and her friends wrestle with endless dramas that crescendo at the prom.Now I regret that I spent the "Still better love story than Twilight" title on "New Moon"
IMDb Bottom Rated Movies # 45 is a 'so bad it's good' over-the-top parody of "The Twilight Saga". Objectively, the movie is bad and ridiculous, but unlike the original, which with a budget of $ 400 million and serious intentions turned out to be bad, stupid and boring, this one with dozens of times smaller budget is deliberately bad and stupid and immeasurably entertaining. They dug up actors who mostly resemble those from the original franchise and mimic them pretty well, and Jenn Proske is both hotter and a better actress than gloomy Kristen Stewart's she skillfully mocks. The movie does not deserve the rating I gave it, but considering all of the above, I simply have to rate it at least one star more than the original.
6/10 - DirectorJames MangoldStarsHugh JackmanWill Yun LeeTao OkamotoWolverine comes to Japan to meet an old friend whose life he saved years ago, and gets embroiled in a conspiracy involving yakuza and mutants."Everything in the world finds peace. Eventually."
This movie pleasantly surprised me. I was expecting yet another meaningless blockbuster which relies on high-budget production, mesmerizing effects and a pace that does not allow you to stop and ask yourself - why am even I watching this? - but got a kind of spin-off movie that is neither directly related to the X-Men franchise, nor is it one of the characters' "origins story", but a completely separate, well-told story, with better characterization, and which doesn't come down to non-stop action, but the action scenes are well-measured and purposeful. It's far from a top-notch movie, but it is a welcome refreshment.
7/10 - DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsMaribel VerdúGael García BernalDaniel Giménez CachoIn Mexico, two teenage boys and an older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life and each other.
- You have to make the clitoris your best friend.
- What kind of friend is always hiding?
"And Your Mother Too" is a Mexican road-trip drama about growing up, imbued with a bit of vulgar humor, a teenage look at life, friendship, love, sex ... It is slow-paced, but the atmosphere held my undivided attention. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and it is its strongest asset.
7/10 - DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsBurt LancasterMontgomery CliftDeborah KerrAt a U.S. Army base in 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his commanding officer's wife and top aide begin a tentative affair.Army version of the "Cool Hand Luke"
This drama by Fred Zinnemann brings us the story about the life of American soldiers in Hawaii just before Pearl Harbor. A realistic portrayal of a soldier's life, with an emphasis on two romantic relationships and a stubborn soldier that is irresistibly reminiscent of the protagonist of the 1967 movie "Cool Hand Luke". The film won eight Oscars out of thirteen nominations. The Academy Award for Best Black and White Cinematography seems to me deserved, and even the Oscars for sound and the best supporting role that went into Frank Sinatra's hands, but thirteen nominations is really too much. I wonder what the competition was like if this was the best movie that year. On the other hand, I may not be able to look at it objectively because I have a big problem connecting with characters like these. Similar to Japanese films, where the cultural gap is almost insurmountable to me, the military mentality is so alien to me that their perspective on things, their motivation, and decisions, seems totally illogical and even sick, so I am not able to sympathize with them and for the most of the movie I was thinking - God, what a moron, no normal person would do this. Because of this, the end of the film was not distressing to me but rather irritating and, although I cannot say that I did not like the movie, it did not leave a particularly strong impression, so I give it one extremely subjective seven.
7/10 - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsSean PennBenicio Del ToroNaomi WattsA freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician, a grieving mother, and a born-again ex-con."Life has to go on, Jack. With or without God."
Excellent performances by Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio Del Toro, and Charlotte Gainsbourg in a powerful, dramatic and upsetting story, which is totally spoiled by maniacal directing. To be clear, I prefer non-linear storytelling to linear, but this is too much.
7/10 - DirectorDrew BarrymoreStarsChloë Grace MoretzTyler PoseyAlia ShawkatTwo gangs. One ruled the streets by day. The other by night. It was only a matter of time before their paths crossed."Two gangs. One ruled the streets by day. The other by night. It was only a matter of time before their paths crossed."
Drew Barrymore has directed a video for the band Best Coast as a ten-minute film, which bears a suspicious resemblance to "West Side Story". Whether it's a rip-off or a homage, judge for yourself. The roles of lovers from warring gangs are entrusted to Chloë Grace Moretz and the star of "Teen Wolf" Tyler Posey. The song is quite good, the video beautifully shot, but the story is an unoriginal pathetic cliché.
6/10 - DirectorPeter BonerzStarsBubba SmithDavid GrafMichael WinslowThose bumbling cadets take to the streets when three inept goons successfully orchestrate a metropolitan crime wave."Bad jokes is where I draw the line"
If I were in the younger grades of elementary school, this would have been ... in fact, even then this would not have been hilarious, but I would certainly laugh here and there. From the perspective of a forty-year-old, this is rubbish. They recycle the same story and the same jokes for the sixth time, and what was original in the first movie, still fun in the second and third, has now grown boring to death. In fact, it became tiresome even back in the fourth movie and, if they weren't smart enough to stop on three, they should have stopped after the fourth, which turned out to be a total failure. Now I have to see the seventh, to see how low they were ready to fall.
4/10 - DirectorJoseph H. LewisStarsJohn DallPeggy CumminsBerry KroegerTwo disturbed young people release their fascination with guns through a crime spree.Bonnie and Clyde before "Bonnie and Clyde"
The main characters and their adventure are inspired by this famous duo, but the movie does not come anywhere close to its 1967 successor. The acting, while somewhat irritating, cannot be called bad, and the film is interestingly shot and directed, with some clever solutions to save on budget, but the house is built from the ground up and when the movie is based on such a bad scenario all other qualities are futile. I couldn't wait for it to end.
6/10 - DirectorThor FreudenthalStarsZachary GordonRobert CapronRachael HarrisGreg Heffley is a 12 year old who is fresh out of elementary and transitions to middle school, where he has to learn the consequences and responsibility to survive the year.
- My mom said to just be myself, and everyone would like me.
- That would be good advice if you were somebody else.
This is a film for children. It's considered a family movie, but if you graduated from school you better skip it. The story of a 12-year-old who wants to be popular at a new school at all costs, but tries in the wrong and ugly ways, and after much peripeteia finally learns his lesson. The classic story of friendship, selfishness and sacrifice, bullying, complexes, and responsibilities ... there's nothing new that could interest anyone older than the movie's protagonists. It's not bad in any aspect, but it doesn't really stand out in any way either.
6/10 - DirectorAlan MetterStarsG.W. BaileyGeorge GaynesMichael WinslowThe Russian government hires the veterans of the Police Academy (1984) to help deal with the Mafia.Guilty pleasure
The last part of the "Police Academy" franchise is on the IMDb Bottom Rated Movies list and its Metascore is 11, and I laughed to tears at its reviews. The movie inspired a bunch of people to hilarious bashing. And it is a fact, the movie is disastrously bad. The script is retarded and the humor is even worse. The few jokes that could pass as humorous are the recycling of the previous films in the series, so this is not particularly funny either. But for reasons I can't explain, I liked this movie better than the previous three. While four to six made me yawn, this one relaxed and somewhat amused me. And you can't imagine my surprise and delight when no less than Christopher Lee appeared on the screen. Plus I've always been weak on Claire Forlani.
5/10 - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsOlivia de HavillandMontgomery CliftRalph RichardsonA naive young woman falls for a handsome young man her emotionally abusive father suspects is only a fortune hunter."Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters."
"The Heiress" is a drama set in the mid-nineteenth century, about a girl who is already running out of years to marry, and who has little to offer besides inheritance. When a suitor finally appears, her father protests, firmly convinced that the poor young man is only interested in her money. The heiress, of course, refuses to believe it ...
Impeccable black-and-white cinematography and directing by William Wyler, and theatrics of Olivia de Havilland, who deservedly took home the Oscar, followed by nothing worse performances by Montgomery Clift and Ralph Richardson. But, to me, the story was too lukewarm and the ending utterly disappointing. The film has eight Oscar nominations, but the screenplay is not one of them, and for me, without a good story, there can not be an exceptional movie, no matter how good the other aspects are.
7/10 - StarsEssie DavisJessica BardenSam ReidLambs of God is a dark, gothic tale about three nuns, each a generation apart, living in an isolated convent by the coast, and an unwelcome visitor who enters their lives and changes their world forever.Mesmerizing
"Lambs of God" is an Australian Gothic drama about three nuns living in the ruins of an island monastery, cut off from and nonexistent to the world, until the Church decides to sell the property to build a luxury hotel. The young priest, Bishop's secretary, comes to scout the officially abandoned ruin, and the situation develops in, for both sides, completely unexpected direction.
The film combines drama, thriller and psychological horror, with a touch of fantasy and romance. The story is multi-layered and powerful, with just the right amount of mystery and plot twists. Beautiful photography and quality directing fall into the shadow of the fantastic acting of all four main actors, whose performances bring a captivating restlessness to the heart. I watched four hours in one breath, sitting on the edge of the chair quite a lot, and impressions after viewing will not soon fade.
9/10 - DirectorJohn FordStarsWalter PidgeonMaureen O'HaraAnna LeeAt the turn of the century in a Welsh mining village, the Morgans, he stern, she gentle, raise coal-mining sons and hope their youngest will find a better life.It swiped the Oscar in front of Citizen Kane's nose
Best Picture in 1941, Academy Awards for directing and black-and-white cinematography, a total of five Oscars out of ten nominations. Nine out of ten were clear to me long before the movie ended, but for most of its duration, I wondered how the hell something so boring and needless was nominated for Best Screenplay. During the first hour, I had thought of giving up. I didn't. And so I kept watching and watching until the end and a good chunk of time after the movie was over I was still staring at the black screen. Maybe there's not much going on in this movie, but the atmosphere of one past time, the emotion it conveys, and the impressions it left, totally dazed me. And now I can not even understand anymore how this could have been boring... It defeated "Citizen Kane" and it beat it deservedly.
8/10 - DirectorMarc WebbStarsZooey DeschanelJoseph Gordon-LevittGeoffrey ArendAfter being dumped by the girl he believes to be his soulmate, hopeless romantic Tom Hansen reflects on their relationship to try and figure out where things went wrong and how he can win her back."This is a story of boy meets girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story."
Yes, it is, this is a love story. But this is not a typical love story we are used to seeing on film and the kind we are used to reading in love novels. This is neither a romanticized tragic love from heartbreaking dramas, nor a "lived happily ever after" fairy-tale, nor a romantic comedy. This is the story of love as it really is - silly and serious, gleeful and pathetic, seductive and painful, enlightening and ignorant, energetic and depressing, full of unexpected joy and disappointing, all of that randomly and at the same time ... and above all unpredictable, like life itself. Few of us can identify with Romeo and Juliet, or Don Juan, but I believe that most of us have at least once experienced something similar to this, and this makes this film much stronger and more lifelike than most love stories. Because this is not so much a story about love, as it is about life.
8/10 - DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoLee Sun-kyunCho Yeo-jeongGreed and class discrimination threaten the newly-formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan."With no plan, nothing can go wrong"
Metascore 96, IMDb Top Rated Movies #26, higher than " The Green Mile", "Léon", "The Usual Suspects", "C'era una volta il West", "Django Unchained", "The Shining", "A Clockwork Orange", even "2001: A Space Odyssey"... Oscars for Best Picture (first one ever for a film that's not in English), directing and screenplay and Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival... close to five hundred nominations and awards... I honestly don't get it.
The movie really is good, but in any of the categories I could possibly classify it, it wouldn't be at the top. I came across comments that the film successfully combines almost all genres. I don't know what they were watching, but I was watching a morbid drama about a "con-artist" family and social stratification. Comedy, thriller, horror, ... were we watching the same movie. And if someone asked me to recommend him a good South Korean movie, I don't think, in a few months, this one would even come to my mind at all. In a similar fashion, I would probably recommend "Oldeuboi," which, although I saw it a couple of years ago and gave it a seven, I remember as I saw it yesterday. And regardless of the genre, the first association with a South Korean film would definitely be "A Moment to Remember."
I'm not saying it's not worth a look. Those who love well-shot sickness and modern South Korean cinema should definitely not miss it, but I certainly won't re-watch it.
And finally, one question - does the movie's title refer to the Kim family or the Park family ?! I think this is an interesting topic to think about. I guess the author meant poor fraudsters, but from my perspective, their employers are essentially bigger parasites.
7,5/10 - DirectorRobert RossenStarsPaul NewmanJackie GleasonPiper LaurieAn up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match."You bum, you pool room bum"
Paul Newman is a young talented pool player who wanders from town to town, living from hustling mediocre players into playing for money. He is convinced that he is the best, and he dreams of proving it by defeating the famous "Minnesota Fats" and taking him at least ten thousand dollars (the equivalent of today's hundred thousand). Unfortunately, as with most things in life, talent and skill are not enough, and the difference between winners and losers is largely determined by maturity and character.
"The Hustler" is, on the one hand, one of the best billiard films. Games were choreographed by fourteen-time world champion Willie Mosconi, who was also in charge of performing the most complex shots. And, on the other hand, this is an excellent character study of a man incapable to snap out and make something of his life until he touches the bottom first. The film deservedly won Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White Oscars, and all the main actors were nominated. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing, so there is no need to rattle about technical qualities. My subjective impression is a strong eight and I warmly recommend it.
8/10 - DirectorEdgar WrightStarsGraham LowMartin CurtisOli van der VijverA comic western about a cowboy who seeks a wanted and evil man who caused for the death of his beloved horse Easy."The greatest western ever made...in Somerset"
Edgar Wright's official directorial debut, because for some mysterious reason his high school "Dead Right" doesn't count, is a parody of the spaghetti westerns, with an obvious emphasis on Leone, Eastwood, and even Morricone's music. The film is low(no)budget and the actors are amateur kids, as is the author himself, but you can already see all the elements that characterize his future masterpieces. From his trademark parody stories, through completely wacky characters and silly dialogues, to specific directing and editing, and refined sense of rhythm and detail. The humor is very reminiscent of Monty Python and, although it has some good and original jokes, it is mostly worn out and forced, but when you take into account the age, (in)experience and budget of the author, this film is astonishingly good.
7/10 - DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsPaul MuniGlenda FarrellHelen VinsonWrongly convicted James Allen serves in the intolerable conditions of a Southern chain gang, which later comes back to haunt him."What are you taking the rap for, kid? - For looking at a hamburger."
After the First World War, the decorated veteran returns in the middle of the Great Depression and, during a long and arduous search for a job, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. For robbery of five dollars, which was committed under duress, gets sentenced to ten years of hard physical labor. The labor camps in the south of the United States are ruled by brutal, cruel, completely inhumane conditions, so he decides to flee. He goes to Chicago and progresses over the years from an ordinary laborer on a construction site to one of the most respected civil engineers. But after a few years, the dark past starts to haunt him. He is discovered and, although the authorities of his new home refuse to extradite him to Georgia, he voluntarily returns to serve his sentence because of the promise that he will be pardoned after three months. They tricked him, and after a year he flees again, and this time remains underground, forced to turn to crime to survive.
The film is, with some changes, based on the autobiography of a man who really experienced this. At the time, this was an extremely bold move by Warner Bros. The film was banned in Georgia for a long time, caused numerous controversies and a lot of lawsuits, but it achieved great popularity, attracted public attention and eventually led to the pardon of our hero, as well as to the improvement of conditions in prisons in the South.
On the technical side, the film was masterfully done, it was nominated for Oscars for best film, best actor, as well as for sound. The powerful and bitter story without idleness, the grim and tense atmosphere that kept my undivided attention from beginning to end and the convincing acting of Paul Muni left the impression as I was a participant in these events, as well as a serious stomach cramp. After such an explicit social critique, a stormy reaction from the public was inevitable, and the film has not lost much of its relevance even today, almost a hundred years later.
9,5/10 - DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsNoah HathawayBarret OliverTami StronachA troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book."Never give up and good luck will find you"
This film is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Michael Ende, one of the first serious ones I read in my life and one of the ones that marked my childhood. I have strong emotions and great respect for this novel, and therefore it is difficult for me to watch the film impartially. The novel tells the story of a boy who miraculously connects with the main character of the book he reads and with whom he experiences countless adventures in a world made up of children's imagination. Essentially, this is a story about child psychology and the gradual extinction of the imagination that goes hand in hand with growing up. The film is, for its time, technically very nicely done and, viewed independently of the book, it is quite fun and pleasant to watch, but it butchered the original material in ways that I cannot forgive. And the dragon is, without any competition, the most moronic dragon I had the misfortune to encounter in my forty years. The dragon is one of the main characters in the book and should represent the embodiment of luck and happiness, but when I was a child it was so creepy to me that I had nightmares, while now it just looks catastrophically bad and stupid to me. The author of the novel himself was so disappointed with the film that he demanded that the title must be changed and that his name be left out of the credits. When his request was denied, he initiated court proceedings in order to distance himself and his novel from this film. All in all, drop the film and read the book, regardless of age and genre preferences, because in my opinion, "The NeverEnding Story" belongs to the domain of general culture. You won't regret it.
6/10 - DirectorTim HillStarsJason LeeRoss Bagdasarian Jr.Janice KarmanThree musical chipmunks are discovered by an aspiring songwriter who wants to use their amazing singing abilities to become famous.Forgettable
Three talking squirrels leave their forest home and, by chance, end up in the home of a musician, where they start a musical career. But the life of rock stars is not exactly what they imagined it to be.
Judging by my eight-year-old, the film is a complete hit for the youngest, but from my perspective, this is, although somewhat entertaining to watch and with a couple of witty jokes, a totally mediocre clichéd story translated into a barely mediocre film. I do not recommend it, except for prepubertal age.
5/10 - DirectorNicholas RayStarsHumphrey BogartGloria GrahameFrank LovejoyA potentially violent screenwriter is a murder suspect until his lovely neighbor clears him. However, she soon starts to have her doubts."I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me."
Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame are breathtaking in this tragic noir romance. Bogart very convincingly presented the role of an explosive and violent, but essentially positive man, sincerely in love. Perhaps because the character of the eccentric screenwriter Dixon is the role most similar to real-life Bogart's, as actress Louise Brooks stated in her essay "Humphrey and Bogey." On the other hand, at first glance an ice queen, Gloria Grahame perfectly portrays the soul of a woman at the same time madly in love and mortally frightened by the same man. The film does not bring us much action, but relies mostly on the characterization of the pair and the development of their relationship, as well as on the building of simultaneously romantic and very tense mysterious atmosphere. The result is mesmerizing and charged with diverse, often conflicting emotions. The overall impression reminded me a bit of Hitchcock's classic "Rebecca". A warm recommendation.
8,5/10 - DirectorKevin SmithStarsJoey Lauren AdamsBen AffleckFred ArmisenJay and Silent Bob inadvertently sign away their names and rights to the new Bluntman and Chronic movie. Now they head to Hollywood to stop the film from being made. Along the way Jay discovers that he is a father.A sequel, remake, and reboot that mocks sequels, remakes, and reboots
"Jay and Silent Bob Reboot" is the latest work by the cult Kevin Smith, in which he mercilessly mocks himself. The film is at the same time a sequel, remake and reboot of the "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (2001), a homage and a parody of Smith's previous filmography, in which, as before, he mocks pop culture, but this time also his own movies, and even personality and private life. I've always had a fondness for people capable of making fun of themselves, especially when they're witty and ruthless, and the film, as I am a big fan of Kevin Smith, has also awakened nostalgia. But, as its name suggests, "Reboot" brings a little new and relies almost exclusively on a rehash of old jokes, aiming at the nostalgic emotions of the audience rather than their intellect. Compared to his early classics, which are never outdated and are equally fresh and fun even after many reruns, I must say that Kevin has lost the edge here. While it isn't bad, it's a quite forgettable and somewhat pathetic movie for one viewing.
6/10 - DirectorDon SiegelStarsKevin McCarthyDana WynterLarry GatesA small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates."Only when we have to fight to stay human do we realize how precious it is to us."
Don Siegel's classic B-horror brings us the story of the invasion of aliens who take over the bodies and personalities of humans, turning them into insensitive and uniform individuals. The film is a satire of socialism and communism, which was very current in the 1950s, but it is still relevant today, because the story easily can be applied to consumerism and conformism. On the other hand, if we ignore the subtext, the film works quite well as a horror. A subtle alien invasion, which we can't be sure won't happen or isn't already happening, characters we can easily identify with and their realistic behavior, lack of special effects and excessive action and violence that would take the story away from reality and make it fantastic and unconvincing, all of which contributes to building a tense and disturbing atmosphere that won't leave you indifferent. However, I would rather classify it as a tense SF drama than a horror. The prologue and epilogue, which the studio added to the original material, suggest a more optimistic development of events, which greatly undermines the strength of the rest of the film, and I think that move was a big mistake. That there was no prologue and if the movie ends with a scene in which Dr. Bennell panics on the highway, as originally envisioned, this film would be a strong eight, but in the form in which I saw it I can't go over
7/10 - DirectorPhilip KaufmanStarsDonald SutherlandBrooke AdamsJeff GoldblumWhen strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, replicating the city's residents one body at a time."The rest of the world is trying to change people to fit the world. I'm trying to change the world to fit people."
This is not a remake, but rather a reboot because, although the premise is identical and the films share some common moments, the story is elaborated quite differently. These are completely different characters, with different occupations and mutual relations, a different environment, and the development of events. Although the 1978 film has an impressive cast and better performances, a more complex script and better technical aspects, the original has a better atmosphere and it left a stronger impression on me. Maybe it's partly because I saw the original first, but I don't think it's just that. This story works well as a psychological drama and mystery thriller, but not as an explicit horror. This film made mistakes that its predecessor skillfully avoided, and with too much action, violence, and explicit effects, it spoiled the atmosphere, broke the tension, and made the story unconvincing and ineffective. What could have been a powerful psychological drama was almost turned into a corny B horror in the manner of the eighties. I also resent it for the completely unneeded introductory scene, which at the very beginning dispels the mystery and the potentially strong surprise effect. It is the fact that, since this is a remake, this movie is spoiled by the first one, but why ruin the surprise and mystery to those who did not watch the original ... The only thing I really liked about this film was the "cameo" appearance of Kevin McCarthy, in which he "replays" the final scene of the original.
6/10 - DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathStarsChris RockBen StillerDavid SchwimmerA group of animals who have spent all their life in a New York zoo end up in the jungles of Madagascar, and must adjust to living in the wild."I'm ten years old. My life is half over and I don't even know if I'm black with white stripes or white with black stripes!"
The zebra got tired of living in the New York Zoo and decided to run away and try his hand at life in the wild. His best friend, a spoiled and egocentric lion, a protective hippopotamus and a hypochondriac giraffe embark on a rescue mission, and by a combination of unfortunate circumstances, they all end up in Madagascar, where their true natures come to the fore, and friendship must resist animal instincts and struggle for survival.
This already cult animated comedy brings a lot of interesting situations and fun or even hilarious characters. The cast is great, and the performances of Chris Rock in the role of the zebra Marty and Sacha Baron Cohen in the role of the lemur king are unforgettable. And there are of course the awesome penguins who also have their own spin-off series and movie. It is not a masterpiece, but it is a great choice when you want to relax and smile, simple and colorful enough for the youngest, and intelligent and witty for the mature audience.
8/10 - DirectorNorman Z. McLeodStarsW.C. FieldsKathleen HowardJean RouverolA henpecked New Jersey grocer makes plans to move to California to grow oranges, despite the resistance of his overbearing wife.
- You're drunk!
- And you're crazy. But I'll be sober tomorrow and you'll be crazy for the rest of your life.
Imagine Charlie Chaplin, having a family and in a sound film, without a political subtext. This is how this film seems to me. Although it lasts only an hour, the story is excellently elaborated and rounded and, in a simple but effective way, it makes a hilarious comedy out of an ordinary man's life. There is no idling at all. Classic gags follow one another without a break, complemented by silly and witty dialogues. Even the most cliché gags that I've seen hundreds of times before have landed here so naturally. After all, almost a hundred years ago they weren't so cliché. The whole movie exudes irresistible charm. It may not be nice to laugh at someone else's misfortune, but I've been laughing out loud for a good part of this hour. No worries, a happy ending will ease your conscience.
8,5/10 - DirectorVíctor GarciaStarsJolene AndersenSteven BrandDan BuranTwo college friends unwittingly release Pinhead and his minions.Fake Pinhead
On its own, regardless of the franchise, this is a mediocre low-budget slasher, which is not boring, but not particularly noteworthy. Within the franchise, this is complete nonsense. It recycles what has already been seen, with an emphasis on the first film, and does not bring anything new. For those who, like me, have seen all (or at least some) previous parts, there is no tension or fear, but only a series of multiply repeated nastiness that has lost effectiveness a long time ago. Even Doug Bradley, who plays Pinhead in all the previous parts, many of which are pretty bad, turned down the role after reading the script.
3,5/10 - DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsJeff BridgesJohn GoodmanJulianne MooreJeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it."That rug really tied the room together"
I am delighted with the choice of actors and their performances and that's the only thing that impressed me in this film. Not stupid, but not particularly witty. Not boring, but not particularly fun either. Holds your attention, but in a few days I won't remember what it was about. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, Peter Stormare and John Turturro all in one place are reason enough to recommend this movie, but don't expect too much. Reputation far surpasses it.
7/10 - DirectorAlan CroslandStarsAl JolsonMay McAvoyWarner OlandThe son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of becoming a jazz singer.Silent musical
Although "The Jazz Singer" is the first musical, this film is for the most part still a silent film, with synchronized sound only in music performance scenes. It is significant as a turning point in the history of cinema and has a quite emotional ending, but the overall impression it left on me is rather weak and there is no chance that I could force myself to watch it again.
5/10 - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsBette DavisHenry FondaGeorge BrentIn 1850s Louisiana, a free-spirited Southern belle loses her fiancé due to her stubborn vanity and pride, and vows to win him back."Maybe I love her most when she's her meanest, because I know that's when she's loving most"
New Orleans, 1852. A spoiled and stubborn southern girl overdrives with defiance and games until her fiancé leaves her and goes to New York. In solitude, she realizes what she has lost and decides to bring him back at the first opportunity. But when, a year later, the former fiancé returns to New Orleans in the middle of the Yellow Fever epidemic, she realizes that she has waited too long.
A story of love, growing up, self-sufficiency, and redemption, set in vivid images of the South in the middle of the nineteenth century, much resembling "Gone with the Wind". This movie doesn't even come close to its more famous peer, but it is elevated from mediocrity by the masterful performance of the legendary Bette Davis in one her strongest roles, for which she won an Oscar.
7/10 - DirectorGarry MarshallStarsRichard GereJulia RobertsJason AlexanderA man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love."I want the fairy tale"
The story is a classic "lived happily ever after" romantic cliché, I don't like either Gere or Julia, and by all objective criteria, the film should be just another one in a sea of similar ones. But it's not. "Pretty Woman" is a cult classic of the genre that marked the nineties and one of those unforgettable movies that you can't help but love. Julia earned an Oscar nomination, she and Gere have incredible chemistry and charisma, and the great atmosphere of the film is further enhanced by music that includes Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bowie, Robert Palmer, Natalie Cole, Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", Roxette, and Roy Orbison's legendary song "Pretty Woman " after which the film was named.
7/10 - DirectorRobert SiodmakStarsBurt LancasterAva GardnerEdmond O'BrienHit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins."If there's one thing in this world I hate, it's a double-crossing dame"
Burt Lancaster's debut film is considered one of the best noir films, was nominated for four Academy Awards, and has 100% at Rotten Tomatoes. At the time, the film was so popular that cinemas worked 0-24 to meet demand. It is based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway, who was extremely pleased with the film after the private screening. A classic story of robbery, murder and double-crossing, told in an unusual way. It starts with the murder of the main character, and then, through a series of flashbacks, it nonlinearly unravels the story. Ava Gardner did not leave a special impression on me in the role of femme fatale, and Edmond O'Brien in the role of the investigator is a pale copy of Bogart. Although I can't say that their performances are bad, none of the entire cast left a memorable impression on me, and the story itself is a noir cliché, so I can't go over
7/10 - DirectorTim MillerStarsLinda HamiltonArnold SchwarzeneggerMackenzie DavisAn augmented human and Sarah Connor must stop an advanced liquid Terminator from hunting down a young girl, whose fate is critical to the human race."I won't be back." - Hope not...
"Dark Fate" is a direct sequel to Cameron's original "Terminators" and ignores movies and series that have come out in the meantime, treating them as alternate timelines. I count that as a plus because the films in question are a desecration of Cameron's legacy. Also, I was glad to see Linda Hamilton and Schwarzenegger again in this franchise. But to be fair, this is no sequel, but a rather pathetic recycling of the first two films bordering on a remake. It is effective in arousing nostalgia among fans, but if we ignore that, the film is completely redundant and its only goal is to milk a few more dollars on account of the old glory.
5/10 - DirectorRobert AldrichStarsRalph MeekerAlbert DekkerPaul StewartA doomed female hitchhiker pulls Mike Hammer into a deadly whirlpool of intrigue, revolving around a mysterious "great whatsit"."I'd rather have the blues than what I've got"
A phenomenal song and the only thing in this film that left a stronger impression on me. I must also praise Ralph Meeker's performance in the lead role, as well as the strong anti-nuclear message that the film sends. I am aware of the objective qualities of this film and the impact it has had on many films and directors to this day, and I can roughly imagine what effect it had on the audience at the time, but it just doesn't work for me. From the beginning to the end, it didn't really hold my attention for a moment and, apart from the aforementioned Nat 'King' Cole song, it left me completely indifferent.
6/10
Fun fact - Albert Dekker and Jack Lambert both play in "The Killers," the last noir I watched just a few days ago, and play very similar roles to these in "Kiss Me Deadly." - DirectorKatt SheaRobert MandelStarsEmily BerglJason LondonDylan BrunoA horrible massacre strikes up after an outcast teenage girl is taunted by a group of high school jocks, all of them unaware of her cutthroat telekinetic powers."We're missing another killer party"
The sequel to the cult film "Carrie" from 1976 is more of recycling or reboot. It tells the essentially same story, placing it in a somewhat different environment, and the way it connects with the original is totally unimaginative. Flashback scenes taken from De Palma's film, as well as excursions in black and white, are completely unnecessary and even irritating, and the ending is pathetic. On the other hand, Emily Bergl in the leading role is very cute and she handled her movie debut quite well, and the film is a "horror" version of a classic high school romantic drama-comedies or a series like "Beverly Hills", so if you like that style you will probably enjoy it. It was a decent pastime for me to relax after a hard day's work.
6/10 - DirectorPaul SchraderStarsDennis HopperPenelope Ann MillerEric BogosianIn a twisted 1950's where everyone does magic, a private detective investigates a murder case without it."If God doesn't strike down Hollywood, then he owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology!"
In a world where magic is a part of everyday life, a private detective who refuses to use magic tries to solve a murder, while a corrupt senator organizes a witch hunt, including public burnings.
An unusual fantasy-noir, with a dose of humor that seriously flirts with comedy, comes from the pen of Joseph Dougherty, as a sequel to "Cast a Deadly Spell" (1991), but apart from the basic premise, two films have nothing in common and, although the author is the same, the story is much weaker, and the whole film is worse in every aspect. Dennis Hopper replaces Fred Ward in the lead role, but although I appreciate him as an actor, he did not suit me as a detective Harry Phillip Lovecraft. Penelope Ann Miller is just a pale shadow of Julianne Moore, and the only actor who made some impression in this movie is Julian Sands, although it's not one of his better ones either.
Still, the interesting use of magic and acceptable effects, pleasant music, and a light relaxed atmosphere (which should not fit with mystery, noir, and thriller as genre determinants) make "Witch Hunt" a decent pastime for one viewing.
6/10 - DirectorOtto PremingerRouben MamoulianStarsGene TierneyDana AndrewsClifton WebbA police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating."Murder is my favorite crime."
A police inspector investigates the mysterious murder of a young woman and, as he snoops around her apartment and talks to people from her environment, the better he gets to know her, the more he falls in love with her. This unusual premise sounds very interesting, and Dana Andrews is very good in the role of an obsessed detective. Through the questioning of people close to the victim, this morbidly romantic film noir shows the decadence of the high society of that time and works quite well as a study of eccentric and pathetic characters. Among them, especially stand out the characters played by Clifton Webb and Vincent Price, who considered this film his best. The film deservedly won an Oscar for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, and it also has a pretty good soundtrack. But the story itself did not leave quite an impression on me. The "Whodunit" mystery is characterized by a multitude of unexpected twists, as well as seemingly confusing but intelligent and effective ways in which the investigator more or less subtly leads the killer to reveal himself. "Laura" of course also contains these elements, but I was neither intrigued by the way the inspector handles the case, nor were I surprised by the twists. Moreover, for the most part, they were predictable and even naive. When you watch a crime mystery, top cinematography, interesting characters, and good acting are in vain, if you know from the very beginning who the killer is ...
7/10 - DirectorRade MarkovicStarsDragan JovanovicRade MarkovicDejan MaticA street-slang-filled parody of "Little Red Riding Hood", written and acted by the members of Belgrade music band "Kuguars"."But this is not that fairy tale, this is another fairy tale."
New Year's parody of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs performed by Belgrade band "Kuguars". The Wolf is played by Dragan Jovanovic, Little Red Riding Hood by Dejan Matic, and Rade Markovic is responsible for the script, directing, and all other roles. Slightly retarded spoof of slang and primitivism of the nineties in Belgrade, with an animated background and cheap effects, which was hilarious to me twenty years ago, but now has only nostalgic value, and if it lasted more than half an hour I probably wouldn't have the nerve to rewatch it in its entirety.
7/10 - DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsEdward G. RobinsonDouglas Fairbanks Jr.Glenda FarrellA small-time criminal moves to a big city to seek bigger fortune."Mother of Mercy! Is this the end of Rico?"
"Little Caesar" is considered the founding father of gangster films. Its success at the time when it came out and the influence on the development and popularity of the genre are indisputable, but "how little kid imagines the rise and fall of the mafia boss" story seemed so silly to me that I can't take this film seriously. With all due respect
6/10 - DirectorJay HolbenStarsTonya IveyMark ReynoldsPatrick GealogoTwo girls named Pamela and Rebecca wake up after a night of heavy drinking and get paronoid about what they got up to the night before.....Monodrama
I came across this short film while digging for screen adaptations of Stephen King's work. This is not a classic adaptation, but a seven-minute monodrama in which Tonya Ivey recites and acts King's poem of the same name. The reviews I came across were mostly extremely positive, but, honestly, to me, this was pretty much pointless.
5/10 - DirectorJohn M. StahlStarsGene TierneyCornel WildeJeanne CrainA writer falls in love with a young socialite and they're soon married, but her obsessive love for him threatens to be the undoing of them both as well as everyone around them.Colour Noir
The obsessively possessive psycho-woman leads the chosen man into marriage after only a few days of knowing, and then does her best to have him all to herself. She wants his attention twenty-four hours a day and, in order to separate him from all other people, she is ready and capable of anything, even the unthinkable.
This film is considered a color noir and that paradox aroused my curiosity. I could hardly wait to see how they pulled it off and I have to admit that I was quite disappointed when I realized I was watching a classic melodrama of its time. Morbid, yes, and with a touch of thriller, but still only a melodrama. Cornel Wilde seemed stiff to me, Gene Tierney has amazing eyes, and Vincent Price is Vincent Price, I like him too much to be objective. Its story is unusual and interesting, and it deservedly won the Oscar for color cinematography, and yet, possibly because I had different expectations, the general impression that the film left on me was rather weak.
7/10 - DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathStarsBen StillerChris RockDavid SchwimmerThe Madagascar animals fly back to New York City, but crash-land on an African nature reserve in Kenya, where they meet others of their own kind, and Alex especially discovers his royal heritage as prince of a lion pride."Someone's been knotty"
The sequel to "Madagascar" (2005) is by no means inferior to the original, and maybe even surpasses it. The reason probably lies in the fact that the same team made both films. Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria, accompanied by the inevitable penguins, cross from Madagascar to Africa and join their species with a lot of vicissitudes and healthy humor. "Escape 2 Africa" is full of witty remarks, puns, and references to cult movies and pop culture in general. It relies largely on "The Lion King," but I've also noticed allusions to "West Side Story," "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," "Planet of the Apes," "Airplane," Indiana Jones, "Twilight Zone" and many others. Beautiful and entertaining for all ages.
8/10 - DirectorBilly WilderStarsRay MillandJane WymanPhillip TerryThe desperate life of a chronic alcoholic is followed through a four-day drinking bout."One's too many an' a hundred's not enough"
"The Lost Weekend" is an adaptation of the eponymous autobiographical novel by Charles R. Jackson from 1944, known for its realistic depiction of a man destroyed by alcohol. This drama strikingly conveys all the horror, despair, and pathetic of alcoholism in a way that could easily disgust the very thought of drinking. The film picked up numerous awards. Ray Milland was so convincing in the role of a ruined man that he won first prize in the Cannes Film Festival, Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar and a Golden Globe. The movie itself also won all three awards, and Billy Wilder is the first person to win Oscars for screenwriting and directing for the same film. Subjectively, I think the film is quite strenuous, but worth the effort.
8/10 - DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppHelena Bonham CarterAlan RickmanThe legendary tale of a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the rape and death of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett."At last! My arm is complete again."
Tim Barton's "Sweeney Todd" is a horror musical set in Victorian London, the story of a barber who returns home after years of exile to take revenge on a man who broke up his family and ruined his life. Although extremely dark and foul, the film is visually beautifully done. It possesses typically Barton's mesmerizing atmosphere and a phenomenal cast, also typically Barton's. Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ed Sanders, all fit perfectly into their roles and perform their own music tracks. The film is an adaptation of the famous Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim, and the only adaptation of any of his works that this composer has approved and supported. However, for me, music is the only reason why I will not give this film the highest rate. Although the lyrics of the songs perfectly guide us through this story and the mental states of its characters, the compositions themselves do not fit into this film in any way. The music was too intrusive and not dark enough and all the time it was diluting otherwise magical atmosphere.
8/10 - DirectorZack SnyderStarsGerard ButlerLena HeadeyDavid WenhamIn the ancient battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. They face insurmountable odds when they are betrayed by a Spartan reject."This is Sparta!"
Zack Snyder's epic spectacle about the Battle of Thermopylae in the fifth century BC, when the Spartan king Leonidas tried to stop the Persian army with three hundred soldiers, does not pretend to historical credibility, but is an adaptation of the comic book of the same name by Frank Miller. The film mimics the comic-book visuals, with an interesting use of colors and contrasts, spectacularly directed fight scenes, and the amount of "monsters", violence and gore that surpasses most of the slasher horrors I've seen. The criteria by which films receive R rating are quite puritanical and conservative, and in most cases, the reasons for this rating are ridiculous to me, but with the explicitness of violence and to some extent sex, "300" definitely deserves it. But although it has an epic atmosphere and is visually breathtaking, overall it is not particularly strong or impressive. I saw it about a decade ago, and now while watching it again I remembered almost nothing. The story and dialogues occasionally step in unconvincing and even a comic exaggeration, and I think it is too morbid for a story it tells. As a fan of horror and all kinds of twisted movies, it was somewhat suitable for me, but I don't recommend it to a faint-hearted audience and by no means for children.
7,5/10 - DirectorJohn FrankenheimerStarsFrank SinatraLaurence HarveyJanet LeighAn American POW in the Korean War is brainwashed as an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy."I've been having this nightmare..."
This political thriller has great characterization thanks both to the screenwriter and the excellent cast, among which stand out in the first place Angela Lansbury, who was nominated for an Oscar, and then the always welcome Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey and, although in a small role, John McGiver. The purpose of Janet Leigh's role is not quite clear to me. The film is about a group of American soldiers who were captured during the Korean War, and then, after thorough brainwashing and reprogramming with hypnotic techniques developed at the Pavlov Institute, returned to America as a secret weapon. Until the collapse of the USSR, the film was banned in most countries behind the Iron Curtain. Visually, it left no impression on me, and the tempo in the first half of the film makes it seem like a year. If it didn't have such a good reputation, I might have given up. Only in the middle does the film take off, the main characters and their complicated and dramatic relationships begin to reveal, there is a real plot and the atmosphere is tenser, all the way to a great, although quite predictable final twist. I think it's a bit overrated, but it's definitely worth a look.
7,5/10 - DirectorRodman FlenderStarsDevon SawaSeth GreenElden HensonA teenage slacker's right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent."The touching story of a boy and his right hand"
The teenager wakes up on Halloween and discovers that his right hand is possessed and murderous. After unsuccessful efforts to control it, he decides to cut it off, but the hand continues its killing spree on its own. A premise that is irresistibly reminiscent of "The Evil Dead" and the hand is the same one used for "The Addams Family". The film was shot in the area we remember from "Halloween", and the gym where the school dance is held is the one from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Everything in this film is obviously "secondhand", but it works great. It is classified as a horror-comedy, but I would rather call it a silly horror that is both a homage and a parody of B horrors and teenage comedies from the end of the last century. Plenty of violence, gore, and disgusting scenes, dull stoned teenagers, a few zombies, a bit of nudity, good music and, like icing on the cake, seventeen-year-old Jessica Alba. The film is somewhat in the style of the series "Ash vs. Evil Dead", but it mostly reminded me of "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil". I really enjoyed it.
7/10