gizmiak Reviews

Aria dla atlety (1979)

Goralewicz - physical and intellectual power

[10/10 · 2 July 2004]

I was really eager to see this movie as it comes from the Golden Age of Polish cinematography. Didn't actually know or hear much about "Aria dla atlety" before seeing it on TV screening. Well it seems like this feature production was forgotten and stored on a dusty shelf in Polish TV archives.

Movie tells the story of Polish wrestler Wladyslaw Goralewicz famous at the beginning of XX century. Goralewicz, former wrestling world champion, offers his awards collection to an opera recalling his way to wide world, beautiful women and fame. Beginning as a small town circus performer, with his elegance and art awareness he quickly climbs onto wrestling tops. Goralewicz represents a man of intellectual and physical power.

I was impressed by Krzysztof Majchrzak's (Goralewicz) acting, real and powerful. Surely this actor is underestimated regarding acting offers. Another stunning performance was the one of Roman Wilhelmi (Bolcio), what an excellent actor! Artwork of the highest quality. Characters vividly played by Bogusz Bilewski (Cyklop) or Wojciech Pszoniak (Siedelmayer) and others who i didn't mention complete the movie.

"Aria dla atlety" is a must see for real cinema lovers interested in the core of cinema, not only SFX.

Mariusz

Fresh (1994)

Multilayered chess puzzle

[21 March 2004]

Many comments confirm the strength of this movie in simple manipulation of an camera eye. Well, that's true. You will not find any fancy FXs here. But, does it make the picture less spectacular? Of course not. Script is brilliant. Whole plot resembles well played chess game telling the story about violence and losing innocence. This is not only a game in an explicit chess meaning. Main characters , wonderfully played by S. L. Jackson and Sean Nelson, are playing chess with themselves, struggling with their lives. There is another aspect of chess game that accompanies the plot till the end. Throughout duration of the movie chess puzzle gets clear. We can finally see where 'Fresh' is heading to and what he wants to achieve through his plan. Anyway, Boaz Yakin made one of the best movies of 94' , really worth seeing.

Mariusz Pelka