pashav Reviews

July Rain (1967)

A delicate illustration of the middle 1960-s turning point mood.

[9/10 · 17 October 2004]

The movie has rather a loose plot of a perished love as a background for displaying the Moscow life in the 60-s. It's mostly a set of shrewd observations with a clear premonition and question mark at the end.

It shows the time of the choice of a future way for the country. In fact the choice was already made in October 1964, when conformist climbers and unprincipled egotists (Volodya) took a lead of the Soviet society and eventually destroyed it. The most charming and human figure of the movie is Alik, played by the famous Russian bard Yuri Vizbor. Alik represents the honest and skeptical part of Soviet society, that didn't have much hope for the bright future and tried to enjoy the life, avoiding ranting and bargaining with the conscience.

One of the most brilliant films of the ending Khruschiov's "thaw", reflecting its hopes and vague apprehensions. The vivid scenes of Moscow 60-s intellectuals life are portrayed with a slight irony and melancholy, that makes the movie an enjoyable souvenir for a couple of Soviet generations.

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)

A simple and human tale not only for bikers.

[10/10 · 29 July 2002]

It seems that Mickey Rourke own personality is somewhat close to the one of his hero. Even in robbing banks he's charming, as well as his partner Don Johnson. It's hard to believe that they could serve the evil. The plot is simple, but the actors play with great sincerity and although they represent reckless persons, you should admit some moral strength and righteousness in them. Sure if you are obsessed with avoiding triviality at any price, this film is not for you.

Blue Puppy (1976)

nice songs of the cat

[9/10 · 28 July 2002]

A very nice and remarkable voice and songs performance of Black Cat(Anrei Mironov) in this old animation film for children. The voice of other famous actor Mikhail Boyarsky (Pirate) is also easily recognized and very characteristic. The whole film was a new word in late soviet animation culture.

The Diamond Arm (1969)

Best of Soviet post-war comedies.

[10/10 · 28 July 2002]

It's the mostly liked by the several generations of the Russian people comedy of Leonid Gaidai together with 'Operatsiya Y' and 'Kavkazskaya plennitsa', full of light irony and brilliant folksy humor of the late soviet time. The performance of the main actors (Andrei Mironov, Yuri Nikulin and Anatoli Papanov) is absolutely superb. Perhaps though it's not much appreciated amongst some high-minded intellectuals, which have their own cinema.