First off, I did my home work and re-watched the original movie a day ago. This really helped with the sequel as no references were lost on me (or so I hope). Highly recommend for everyone to do the same, as it has been a while since the release of the first one. Secondly, I watched this film in IMAX, to get 20% extra experience. I am glad I did both, as I was rewarded with cinematic sci-fi treat of highest grade. I've seen some reviewers complaining it being slow. Well, I did not even notice how 2.5 hours passed. I was waiting for more. So, if it is slow - it's in a good way - giving a viewer a chance to savor every scene. There is not much else that can be said without spoilers. This is an old-fashion sci-fi that does not rely on CGI visuals to carry the story. The visuals are great, but they are what they should be - backdrop. Also, IMHO a rare case when sequel surpasses the original. I do hope they will go for a sequel, and I do hope they will not make us wait another 35 years.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Hacksaw Ridge
(2016)
Saviour Private Doss
2 November 2016
Just watched this movie at the pre-screening and feel like I owe it to the creators to write a review. Having read other reviews, it is hard to stay original, so first are few thoughts that I shared with the others. Great to have Mel Gibson back in the directors seat. I will be surprised if we don't see this film in a few Oscars categories. Now, few thoughts of my own. The movie depicts brutality of war in gory details, so much so, that I had to turn my eyes away from screen couple of times. However, I do understand why this was important to the story line. It was done so that we could truly appreciate Doss's act of bravery, feel it like we were there and witnessed it firsthand - nothing was left out. The story grabs you from beginning and does not let you off until very end - after the movie I turned back and half of the girls in the theater were still wiping tears. Bottom line - instant classic that will find it's place on the shelf next to the likes of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers.
War Dogs
(2016)
War is a terrible thing, but it is a terribly profitable thing
9 August 2016
Just got to watch this movie on the pre-screening. It is so good, that I wonder if I somehow can pay for the tickets? Everything is good about this movie: story, acting, camera, humor. I was glad to see the director getting over the Hangovers and doing something different for a change. To me it is definitely a step up for Phillips. Two hours went by so fast that ending seemed to be a bit rushed, but I have to trust that that how the original story went. It is not an instant classic of the Revenant proportions, but if the subject is appealing to you at all - it is worth watching. The voting is not yet enabled, but when it will be I give this title 8 out of 10.
August 8
(2012)
The movie is good at making you feel
15 March 2012
Of course this movie is a propaganda, but a very good one. That's how propaganda movies should be made! The movie is not about the message that is shouted in your face, but rather about how it makes you feel - at the right time, for the right reason, with the right character. I liked pretty much everything about this movie - the script, the dialogs, character development, action scenes. I've read some concerns about main girl character who's acting did not seem to be convincing early in the movie, but I think it was done on purpose, as a contrast, to show that behind urban glamour still hides Russian Woman that was praised in the world art and literature. Thus dedication of the movie to the mothers. Bottom line is: at last we see some nice action drama coming from Russia that we would not be ashamed of. Highly recommend.
I grew to respect the guy even more
9 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I was biased against watching this movie by poor reviews and I was glad that I did not listen to them. Shame on these reviewers. Too much of Hollywood, I gather. The movie cannot be considered outside of the context of timeframe. It is 1979. Exactly a year before his death. Anyone who knows anything about Vysotskiy knows that he was very ill at that time - his heart started giving in. It was rumored that he had 2 or 3 clinical deaths before he passed away. That's how he is shown in the movie: weak body, but indomitable spirit. And all these talks about money - he only needed money as a tool to be free, to do what he wanted - to move around freely and see his people, his audience. It was clearly shown when he comes out to the scene to meet the spectators, when he should not have to, over enormous chest pain knowing full well, that he could drop dead right there. Nobody needs money that much and whoever accused Vysotskiy (or creators of the movie) of that should be ashamed. The scene with KGB colonel is just perfect - the dialog of truly free person and a faithful servant of the communist regime. And the highlight of this whole movie - when he boards the plane, pulls out a wrapper from the cigarette box to sketch down his next masterpiece poem: it's all in the eyes of his companion looking over his shoulder - all the suffering she went through was just repaid. Yes, there was some wardrobe malfunction: in some scenes the mask did not work really well and one can guess the actor behind this mask. I have two things to say about it: 1) You can't hide dirt from a pig 2) Yes, it was a mask, because real Vysotskiy died in 1980 and if one one really demands perfect special effects to believe, than they should be watching movies that require no imagination whatsoever...
Anyway, sorry for the tirade. You can tell I feel too passionate about the subject.
Anyway, sorry for the tirade. You can tell I feel too passionate about the subject.
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