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Gostya iz budushchego (1984)
Kir Bulychev, 100 years ahead went live and created this eternal gem
Special thanks and tribute to memory of outstanding book,100 years ahead, and talent of Kir Bulychev .
In traditions of old fashioned Soviet style art, these serial projecting a lot of morale. It teaches spectators how to hold on to real friendship and love, embedding the story into adventure and sci fi of time travelling.
I recommend to watch this serial without hesitation. Of course for everyone who understands and enjoys old soviet cinematograph.
Curious fact. Alisa Selezneva, in one of the scenes, was making predictions for her school mates. They were all predicted to become celebrities or at least some success. But in real life most of those young actors became simple taxi drivers or small shop owners.
However the elder part of the crew managed to stay in actors profession. Evgeniy Gerasimov, robot Verter, made good career as actor.
In the Name of the Father (1993)
Triumph of overall community and legal principles, not disrepute
The classic drama diligently turned into exciting story and movie with theatrical qualities, not Hollywood soap opera . I'll give it 9 out of 10. The only reason I would not give 10 because I want to correct Gareth Peirce speech in court room. She said that she had evidence to put all British system into disrepute. Well in fact what she achieved was triumph of legal system , not failure. It was the triumph of overall community and legal principles over dishonest people. Those people, even wearing uniform, committed crime and hid evidence and caused innocent people death. The counterbalance within community and system even after 15 years managed to restore justice, finally.
After Earth (2013)
Fear is not real. Danger is very real, but fear is a choice
After watching this movie myself I decided to write review immediately to counterweight all biased "Hate" critics. All the haters should start coping with idea that not all Sci-Fi films should follow paths of Star Wars, Event Horizon, Star Trek etc etc. Not every Sci Fi film should be filled with either scientific trivia or packed with alien's actions shooting each other.
After Earth is not any of the above. The main subject of this movie is in one citation from Cypher Raige:"Fear is not real. Danger is very real, but fear is a choice". And on that subject film delivers well.The ugly toad which hunts human beings only scared of him is great metaphor for sum of our fears following our lives.
Despite that holes in scenario and portrayal of events are noticeable sometimes, but this movie deserves a praise and good evening with pop corn and Coca Cola.( Of course this is not an prominent masterpiece, but who is saying it is?)))))
Sanctum (2011)
Caves are not place to play games. Do what Frank says or die.
I was utterly surprised with negative reviews of this movie. This is not existential "War and Piece" drama, this is action/adventure thriller. And I am writing this to restore justice. There are few main reasons to watch this good movie:
1. Superb underwater and terrain footage, both outstanding in beauty and realism. ( Compare to James Bond flicks with underwater footage which plausibility can be contested by kids) 2. The cast is doing very good job. Each character has time on stage to show his(her) evil and good features. And of cause they are all tested by nature. 3. The plot, although simple, yet realistic. 4. The conversations are short and even abrupt. But
.are you expecting metaphysical dialogs from people stuck hundreds of meters underground whose lives are on line? 5. Being thriller/action by nature this movie still delivers some moral lessons, or food for thought as I will call it. The nature ( wrath of God ) is testing each member of expedition. And under pressure they either crack or get forged into stronger people. Special thanks to Richard Roxburgh as Frank, he was superb."Sargent-major of caves" knows how to save lives,but he knows how when to sacrifice them too. At least 7.5 from me. Watch this movie and be thrilled.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
"People will not say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the Kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21
Watched directors cut version recently and could not hold myself from writing review. Good film which could potentially become everlasting masterpiece ended up as just "worth watching"
In brief.
Contras:
Portrayal of Christian Church and clergy as greedy, corrupt and deceitful. Did all priests order to behead suicides or quickly jump into Islam when enemy was in hindsight? True, Torquemada, Kramer Henricus and Pope Gregory IX had their names related to Christ. So were St. Augustine, St. Peter, Savonarola, Blaise Pascal and many others.
On the contrary Islam is given too fair and may be even biased go. Muslims are re-claiming Jerusalem as if they were returning to their backyard.The backyard built by Judaic, Roman gods and Christ followers? Hmmmmmmm
..
Historical facts are far fetched and twisted, sometimes I suppose for commercial purposes. There are no historical traces of sexual affair between Balian and Sibylla. The bed scenes are absolute pollutants. What for?This is not "Blade Runner"! Increase female patronage to cinemas to pay off original budget?
Balian and Patriarch Heraclius worked with each other to rescue Jerusalem from invaders.They never disputed , never mind Balian's blasphemy speeches. Patriarch was the one who proposed rescue of people offset surrender of city. So Balian can be portrayed as solely secular leader? He never was!
Pros:
Energizing works of cast: Liam N, Orlando B., Jeremy I., Eva G., David T, Ghassan M. etc etc Special thank for Ridley Scott and William Monahan for scenario and director work. Wow!!!! Balian who never was blacksmith still inspires in this story. Godfrey De Ibelin teachings. King Baldwin preaching. Scenes of defense, negotiations and surrender of Jerusalem, both on Christian and Islamic sides. Queen of Jerusalem has cut her hairs and is treating wounds of injured defenders. She is the one walking on foot from Jerusalem and here goes horse from blacksmith. Etc etc etc the number of astonishing and inspirational scenes is countless. Well thought and played, these pieces of art are shining!
Messages. Yes,and so many of them! There are few to mention.
Power corrupts everything. Even in Holy Jerusalem there are fights for throne and ascendancy. True to historical facts, barons attacked peaceful Muslims and plotted against each other. Well of course except Balian, whose conciseness can be cleared. ( Not exactly true due to other events in his actual life further on). Well how can anyone involved escape power fight without blemishes?
The sub plot of Balian looking to redeem his sins, heal his sorrows and connect to Jesus. True, so many of us may not find path to Lord via church rites. Does it mean that Lord refused to know us or does not exist at all? Mother Tereza diaries describe her in a stage of "spiritual dryness" and even denial of God's existence! Yet Jesus called her to slums of Calcutta to help poor and desolate. Popes and Presidents paid homage to her.
"I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. I have seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness" (Hospitaler) Balian has thrown grenade into bush and Lord has not spoken to him from it. Guess who sent Hospitaler to talk to Balian?
Even with the strongest blessings you can not win Hattin battle in desert without water. So are knowledge, common sense and science God's sent? This is where film is radiating. Religious institutions ( without detriment to Holy Farthers like Paul the Apostle, St. Joseph, John the Baptist etc etc) may not hold monopoly on Kingdom of Heaven. Well, Lord does.
Finale of this spectacle left me in question about Balian's and Sibylla's faith or denial. Is it for "pros" or for "contras"? Black and white only? How many colors rainbows have? Well, Balian is just another of us, sheep, stuck in our quirks, frustrations and complains. But we must not succumb to them and seek relentlessly faith and His Almighty in our lives. Just wait for that call for right action to come. And here goes courage and bravery for the former lame and weak. May be like reluctant Moses leading Jews from Egypt you may be told to lead columns of Christians from Jerusalem back to Europe
Sorry to everybody who molded this film. It could be 9,5 or even 10. But only 7 from me. Still good piece of art worth watching. Do not delay :))