To my surprise, this was really enjoyable. I can't remember anything coming out of Hollywood and labelled "comedy" to so much as make me smile in the last 10 years, but I just laughed out loud on the plane all 2 hours of it:) Primitive plot alright, but some really funny dialogues and lots of smart sarcastic humour.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Heart of a Dog
(1988 TV Movie)
Great food for thought. Still tasty:)
27 October 2007
Having first watched the movie at 14, I remember being struck by hearing the word 'govno' (sh*t) for the first time ever on the then-still-Soviet TV (I bet it really was *the* first time in history anyone wants to add this to trivia section?:)... What an open boldness and freedom, I thought! As years passed, I was more and more impressed with the movie and the incredible acting, but my feelings turned to a kind of mixture of enjoyment from a genuine piece of cinematographic art and a bitter realization of a concept diametrically opposite to my 14-y.o. impression: helplessness. There's an air of inevitable catastrophe looming throughout the movie, of primitive degenerate tide (embodied by Sharikov) sweeping the lives of the finest minds advancing humanity in their areas... It's a great metaphor of Russian revolution in general, inspired by intellectuals ashamed of their superiority and hoping to 'upgrade' the lower classes, only to unleash the power of mediocrity and get swallowed by it... An extremely fine and talented piece, wrapping a truly sad idea in a brilliantly satiric and elegant form. Symbolically enough, the movie itself marked the end of the Soviet movie traditions era before the Hollywood tsunami had knocked them over for good, it seems, judging by most current Russian movies (most of them labeled 'blockbusters' in prerelease!!! trailers and posters:).
Funnily, that 'govno' episode is in no contradiction to Efenstor's comment above re rude language of current generation... From what I've already said it could seem that this might be the movie that showed the way for this, but it was not. A mild word by current standards, it was way too rude back then, and just rude enough to show the true nature of all Sharikovs... BTW, re Efenstor's lament, it is sooo naive to juxtapose being intellectual and using rude lexicon, especially for Russian speakers, where a single cussword could have meanings that take sentences in translation! But I join in regret that ALL the meaning in today's teenager's talk may be expressed by cusswords. I feel that this is the bigger problem than their choice of the medium that's most efficient for the task:) Well, this movie and the book are great food for thought that might change them, or anyone who might have a luxury of watching it.
Funnily, that 'govno' episode is in no contradiction to Efenstor's comment above re rude language of current generation... From what I've already said it could seem that this might be the movie that showed the way for this, but it was not. A mild word by current standards, it was way too rude back then, and just rude enough to show the true nature of all Sharikovs... BTW, re Efenstor's lament, it is sooo naive to juxtapose being intellectual and using rude lexicon, especially for Russian speakers, where a single cussword could have meanings that take sentences in translation! But I join in regret that ALL the meaning in today's teenager's talk may be expressed by cusswords. I feel that this is the bigger problem than their choice of the medium that's most efficient for the task:) Well, this movie and the book are great food for thought that might change them, or anyone who might have a luxury of watching it.
Day Watch
(2006)
Excellent entertainment
1 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I was reluctant to go see it because of unbelievable fuss about it soon after the premiere. And way too aggressive advertising (though I did find it funny to schedule first showing on 1 a.m. on January 1st and thus deservedly call it "The #1 movie of the year":). But having seen it recently I must say: no regrets. The movie does have it all, so not being into action stuff, I appreciated surprisingly good actor work (even from former pop stars), clever humor, and very sleek and funnily resourceful product placement:) The latter much unlike the first Dozor with "MTS" annoyingly in your face every other shot. The quality of cinematography is noticeably higher too - not like a music video anymore, and better taste in CGI use. This was a fun ride at a very professional level - everyone waiting for a sequel will be more than pleased. Good luck waiting for it in your country. One more thumb up for making it distinctly Russian in the Hollywood wrapper, though it's a shame much of the puns will get lost in translation. Most of these are just entertaining, but some are critical, like on the hotel party, the witch talking to Anton addresses him as "milok" (~my dear), which gives him a clue about "melok" (~the chalk). I wonder how they're going to translate it to keep it meaningful...
The Best of Youth
(2003)
A treasure - 6 moving hours of forgetting yourself
9 November 2003
Having just returned at 2 am from a festival showing of the movie that started at 5:30, I still can think of nothing but looking for anything and everything about this exceptional film that I came across more or less by accident. I can only sum up two points: it is an excellent yet easy-going overview of recent Italian history, and a truly moving, in an unbanal and unstereotypical, unpopcorny way, movie about the value of friendship, closeness, family. This film makes you want to live, to cherish the people you love and to be aware of the consequences of your acts. City living makes sour cynics out of teenage optimists (I'd count myself in until now), and this one is a lesson of keeping the best of yourself throughout life. A true inspiration! Bravo.
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