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Reviews
In Bruges (2008)
Too great to miss
First off, I'd like to mention that this IS a Black Comedy, it's meant to be funny in a morbid way. Also, this is not a movie that should be seen for those with a faint heart as is suggested by the 18A rating (in Canada at least, no idea for other countries).
Moving on, I have to say that this was a great movie, much better than I anticipated and I was already ready for something fantastic. The scenery and music are really amazing, especially as a balance to the extremely foul and crude language that are rampant. Though that might put some people off it adds to the hilarity of the situation, the contrast between this beautiful and melancholic music and scenery and the dialog that goes on between the two main characters.
There is, of course, a great deal of violence, but that is to be expected of a movie about hit men. THe fact that everything took place in Bruges makes it all the more funny, especially with all the jokes that are made about both the town and Belgium in general.
There is much more that I can say but I think that the film should speak for itself, go watch it. Please do keep in mind though that this is not a slap-stick comedy, nor a sit-com as generally perceived. A lot of it is laughing at the absurdity of what is happening and the dialog which is witty and great. Once again, go watch the movie, you won't regret it.
Nebesnyy tikhokhod (1946)
Cutest war movie ever.
This is one of my favourite movies of all time. The plot centers around a fighter pilot who is shot down by the Nazis and after recovery, due to not being allowed to fly at the speeds of a fighter plane, he is put in charge of a squadron made up of women all flying the U-2 (Po-2), the slowest and leas prestigious of all the planes. After bemoaning the loss of his fighter plane, he starts seeing the value in the old, slow, training bi-plane. Along with that, he meets and falls in love with a young journalist who comes over to interview him. This is a big no-no as he and his friends had a pact to not fall in love till the end of the war. Slowly, the pact is broken, first by one of the friends then by him and in the end everyone has a significant other.
Beyond the sugary sweetness of the plot, this is a good movie. It's happy and bright and has wonderful songs. The acting is fantastic and the script very funny and at times very touching. If you like romantic comedies, watch this one, you won't be disappointed.
If you have the time, check out the Po-2 bi-plane as it is one of the greatest planes ever built and is seriously undervalued. Oh, and the all female squadrons did in fact exist and they did fly the Po-2 (then known as the U-2) and they were feared as stealthy night bombers by the Nazis. Do check it out.
Shchit i mech (1968)
Best spy movie I've seen yet
This is the most realistic spy movie that I've seen yet. As opposed to American movies and more modern stuff, with fancy gadgets and lots of action and explosions (James Bond), Shield and Sword realistically portrays the life of a soviet spy in Nazi Germany moving up in the army ranks from a driver to a high ranking officer in the SS.
The "movie" is actually four full length films of about an hour and a half long focusing on a specific event during each year of the Second World War. The war itself is mentioned little and the only shots of it are in passing which adds realism to the film (at least I think so).
Very little is explained to the viewer which is in a way a flaw in the films. All four start on a random day, they don'e explain anything and it takes a lot of mind power to figure out where and what everything is but once that is through it is quite enjoyable. Some parts are also rather long and can be seen as drawn out so I do not recommend watching any part of the movie late at night after work, especially with the thinking that must be done to understand it all.
I found this film better than the more famous "Thirteen Moments of Spring" (Trinadtsat' Mgnoveni'i Vesni) as that one was long and though it did have a voice-over explaining the events, I found it too long. If you understand Russian or can find a subbed or even a dubbed version of the movie - watch it. It really is very good.