Category: Movies

Just watched “The Mothman Prophecies” on DVD. This was one scary movie I must say. Although take that with a grain of salt, because I get scared easily by the movies.

The story was interesting and all visual and audio effects were just right. Enough to make me scared, but not overdone at any place. Really good.

The film was going to be pretty high in my ranking table, but… the ending spoiled it totally and completely. In more than one way. That was a bad ending for the story. Effects of the collapsing bridge were way below average. And the whole thing generally went out of control.

Down from heavens to 6 out of 10. And they needed more romance between Richard Gere and that cop lady.

Watched “Gosford Park” on DVD. It is a very nice film. I liked it for several reasons.

Firstly, it had the biggest number of characters that I can remember seeing in one movie. Despite of that, character development was excellent. And it was totally not intrusive. I didn’t notice how all of them were introduced to me, but I was pretty comfortable with that amount of new faces. There must have been about 30 or 40 people. Or at least that is my impression.

Secondly, I liked the way human relationships were pictured. No matter what bars you raise to separate people of one social group from the other, they will blend and bend if they are to interract, not to mention depend on each other. Like, say, lords and servants.

Thirdly, this film had an excellent atmosphere. It felt a lot like 1930s, but it wasn’t too distant. Everyone was smoking a lot, dialogues were modernized a bit, and few other small touches here and there. Excellent soundtrack helped to create and maintain the atmosphere.

I wish there was a tiny bit of suspense in there though. I am all for dialogue-only films, but suspense is what keeps me interested. Like the “Reserviour Dogs“, for example.

I would rate this movie as a 7 out of 10. Watch it if you are not folling a sleep and need something slow with many people in one house, lots of talk, relationships, and intrigues.

Olga and I watched “Vozvrashcheniye” (also known as “The Return”) on the DVD. I know I said before that I was not going to watch any Russian movies in the near future. But this one was recommened by a few people who’s opinion I trust. Also it had a pretty hight rating of 8.1/10 on IMDB and it was available from the local DVD club (in Cyprus!). All of these pushed me into watching it.

The film was not a disappointment. Camera work and photography were really impressive and by far better than in any Russian movie that I have seen so far. Any. There was no usual depression, violence, and abuse of all forms of culture too, although the film was kind of dark and dessaturated. Very ARTistic.

The story was boring. I suspect it has something to do with Russian classic literature. Turgenev maybe, with his “Fathers and sons”. Acting was good. Especially on the part of the younger brother Ivan, delivered by Ivan Dobronravov. Somehow I find him to be very similar to Haley Joel Osment. Interesting bit of trivia – Vladimir Garin, who played the role of the older brother, drowned shortly after the end of shooting in the same lake where several of the picture’s scenes were filmed.

Anyway, this movie is worth watching, at least to make your opinion on Russian cinematography of recent years a little bit more complete and multicolored. 7 out of 10.

Vladimir, Olga, and I just watched “Shallow Hal” on DVD. It is a really nice and relaxing movie to enjoy after Friday evening dinner and few pints.

I like this kind of movies. Romance makes it very easy to watch. Comedy makes it even more relaxing and enjoyable while in the company of good friends. Drama adds few points and raises few issues to think about. All of these are nicely combined, wrapped in a good soundtrack, and stuffed with a few interesting details (puppy tail, eh?).

7 out of 10. Rent it some time for some easy relaxation.