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Reviews
Carol (2015)
The relationship was lacking
These two actresses had no chemistry whatsoever as they were trying to portray lesbians so hard, Blanchet through some very slow talk and deep voice, Mara through a deer in headlights expression that didn't change during the entire movie. The intimate scenes were laugheable and unnatural, at one point Mara's face looked as if she is sick to her stomach. All the men were weak and one dimensional, madly in love with the women who weren't even capable to express some symphaty towards them. Most of the events in the movie were illogical, and thus acted in the same way. I only gave it 3 stars for the art direction good efforts at portraying the style of the era successfully.
Houston, We Have a Problem (2016)
A long awaited documentary about history that haven't been told
I enjoyed this movie, probably because being from the region and living through the demise of Yugoslavia I was left with so many unanswered questions. I am not sure if this movie answers them in the most truthful way, but it tries to give a plausible scenario. To counterpoint the previous review, this movie to me was foretelling the saying "if you play with the wolf you'll end up being eaten". There is no argument that Tito's charisma was not an equal match for American imperialism. If anything, he and his little country were the mouse that USA needed to play with in order to match up with the Soviet space program, if this story has any historical merit. Therefore, I felt that there were few essential questions still left out and that the movie was trying to play it safe and appeal to western audiences as a political thriller rather than a historical documentary. The main story of an engineer going back to Yugoslavia after living in the USA for 5 decades and meeting his daughter contained few inconsistencies and seemed over dramatized. The interesting commentator/narrator role of Zhizhek was also a bit over the top while offering simplistic analysis. I kept wondering "why isn't he wearing shoes" and "he needs a new pair of socks" throughout his energetic delivery. Nevertheless, I enjoyed all the documentary footage of Tito since for the first time I was looking at him as if he was an ordinary person. And I felt compassion towards him, even though this time I wasn't obliged to do so by the regime. Maybe after seeing other regimes fail in even more humiliating ways I realized the tough job he was trying to do. And this is the ultimate value of this docudrama.
I'm Not There (2007)
doing movie while induced
The movie failed to impress me. It wasn't about Bob Dylan, but about a filmmaker needing to satisfy his ego by satirically playing off some obscure bits of gossip about the musician. What was missing the most from the equivalent of a yellow paper editorial was the music and the feel that made this guy famous and rich if you want it. The actors were unconvincing, playing too much cockiness and arrogance rather then the self confidence that all talent exurbs. It was hard to tell who and what do they represent. I was lost in these stories that didn't connect and weren't compelling at all. The use of costume show/period drama element was confusing as well. What connection does this have to Bob Dylan? Or was it just cut in for visual enhancement? I hope that there is one purpose that this movie serves which is a mystery know if only to the filmmaker. As per Bob Dylan, I feel like he has hit a low point by authorizing this piece of psychedelic trash.
Lava Storm (2008)
natural disaster as a metaphor for a family coming apart
Lava Storm uses the lava storm as a metaphor for a family on a brink of destruction. The insightful dialog references the underlining problem well. The disaster makes the family members regain the trust and care for each other.
Great application of HD cinematography. The accomplished depth of field, contrast and application of multiple shades of warm colors indicate mastership on the cinematographer's side.
Cute and compelling cast. Ian and Valerie make a seductive couple. The locations and visual effects work well to depict the disaster. The visuals are nothing short of ones seen in big blockbuster movies depicting similar situations. It's great to see how much can be done on a 100 times lesser budget. If you are into the genre but also appreciate good plot, I recommend this movie.
Idi i smotri (1985)
humanist manifesto
I've seen the movie many years ago. Now that I've read one of the comments the last scene became a vivid memory. It is an ultimate humanist manifesto. You cannot shoot an innocent soul. Not even though you've suffered so much by the monstrosities it has produced as a grown up man. In some way it's defeatist. It says that the victims will remain victimized and the perpetrators will keep perpetrating. But how can we preserve our humanism if in the name of stopping a monster we become the monster itself? Otherwise, there is horror. Some of it might appear over the top at certain moments. It's the style present in many Russian movies about the Second Word War. Nevertheless, if one was strong enough to represent such enormous human suffering who are we to judge its stylisation?
Dust (2001)
see it
Overall Grade: A- Story: A+
Acting: B+
Direction: B
Visuals: A+What is DUST? by dreamings2001 Aug 23, 2003 It is hard for me to talk about this movie without thinking of all the reviews and things heard about it from other people - the movie was released in Macedonia immediately after it was made and two years later in the USA. In those two years it got so much negative critique from the film elite so that it will be hard for any mortal to admit they liked the movie.
So I'll be one of those mortals and speak in favor of the movie. It not only chronicles a period from the Macedonian history but through contemporary references it helps us understand the 'mystery' of the Balkan psyche and the ongoing collective traumatization of these people by the 'powers of the civilized world'.
It is an intelligent story that shifts between reference points of the narrator, listener and the protagonist while maintaining it's epic and adventuristic dimension.
The art direction and locations are so beautifully contrived, defining the Macedonian identity in such a successfully manner while escaping self- exploitation and exoticism so prevalent in cinemas of the 'developing' nations.
If there was one thing that bothered me it was how over-accentuated certain dramatic parts of the story were, speaking of some insecurity on the director's part.
If I am to say something good about the director, I will command him on the courage to tell a story that is hard to pitch as a box office hits hybrid, but it stands alone as a masterpiece.