Reviews

In last few days I've made my own home festival of Czech movies. Today in cue was Hrebejk's "Pelisky". Some times ago I've watched his Musime Si Pomahat so I expect great film. But today's movie touched me very deep, reminding some moments from my life. I was born in 1952 so in 1968 I was in same age as young characters of the movie. In august I was on my holidays in the little town in south Poland where my granny lived - just about 150 km from the border of Czechoslovakia. For the rest of my life I will remember the sound of the soviet warplanes heard 20/21 August. I've been watching this movie with the tears in my eyes. I knew all the songs from the CSR big-beat groups because in 1967/68 I've everyday listen the Stanice Hviezda from Ostrava - 80 km from my home town. Really, really great movie. Understandable not only for the Czech & Slovak people.

The movie is based on the book of Moris Simaszko, Kazakh writer, who writes in Russian. The book has been printed in late 80's and was one of the first attempts to describe the truth about the infamous "Sztrafnyje bataliony" (Penal battalions) formed during the WW II in Soviet Union from the political prisoners, criminals and regular soldiers who broke the military law. The penal battalions has been sent to the first line for impossible missions, badly armed and with the NKWD units behind the back who shoots to the soldiers who tried to retreat. The movie is not so true like the famous TV-mini "Shtrafbat" (highly recommended and thrilling) but nevertheless really worth seeing

I have read Aksionow's "Moscow saga" app. one year ago and I have found this book rather bad, overblown and pretentious (especially pseudo-poetical "interludes") so my expectations about the TV-serial wasn't big, indeed. But, let me say, I'm more then satisfied watching the DVD (now 16th episode). The characters are more likable comparing with book. Action is comprehensible, lot of twists, lot of thrills. Some moments drove me almost to tears. This serial is really must see to all people interested in the cruel history of XX century Russia showing the extreme inhumanity of communism. And when you listen Kristina Orbakaite singing wonderful song "Tuczi w golubom" ("Clouds in blue") you'll to listen it over and over again.

I purchased this flick as a insert to polish home video magazine with the strong cover recommendation. Never heard indeed about the Mr Sarossy and about the actors so it made me really curious but suspicious (british gangster movies are not my favorite especially made by overrated Mr Ritchie). But "Aniol Smierci (Angel of death)" (polish title) was a great surprise for me. For the long time I haven't seen so tense, disturbing and depressive movie. It shocks even with the rather low amount of gore on screen. My wife started to watch withe me but after 20 minutes she runs away saying "it won't be happy end". She has damned right. There was no happy anding but happy ending is impossible. Perfect evil can't be redeemed by the money and even love. Why Neil Jordan?? In some moments the film reminds me "Mona Lisa" and "Crying games". Why David Lynch?? Tattooed Man looked like he escapes from "Blue Velvet" or "Mulholland Dr". I've also in mind some movies of Kieslowski and - of course - "Leon" (comparing with the "Aniol smierci" a good-old-family-cinema)

When I saw the flick for the first time about 30 years ago I've found it very funny, very hippie but absolutely surrealistic. Now I'm reading Antony Beevor's "Berlin - The Downfall 1945" and I've the capital about the west allies behavior after the crossing Rhein. MP settled many billboards with the words "No speeding, no looting, no fraternizing but the scale of plundering was enormous so one of the officers from Scots Gurd, wrote in his memories that crossing the Rhein should be named "Operation Plunder". One of the SAS divisions robbed paintings collection and hide canvas in the mortars barrels. Beevor wrote that in "one or two cases" safes with jewelry were robbed out from the deserted mansions.

For the first time I've seen this movie in 1988 under, rotting and toothless, but still red regime in little movie in Bytom, Poland. Without subtitles but only with man reading the dialogs from the book. Atmosphere was tensed and with the taste of conspiracy. This time Pokajanije was for me thrilling experience with breathtaking performance of Macharadze and Ninidze. Once again I watched it in TV few years later and I've found a little dated and emasculated in uncovering communist's crimes. But still it was great cinematic, beautifully filmed experience. Now, I've ordered DVD in dvdplanet (it's still unavailable in Poland) and I'm really curious for my nowadays impression.

25 dec 2004

Today I've watched the movie once again after the reading of Montefiore's book "Stalin - the court of the Red Tsar. In this book I've found the story of Kawtaradze family. Sergo Kawtaradze, old revolutionist and comrade of Stalin during the great purge, in 1936 was arrested with his wife Sofia. Both were cruelly tortured in Lubianka. Daughter Maya, 11 years old, wrote many letters to Stalin, begging for the parents' life. After 3 years of imprisonment Kawtaradzes were freed but still in danger of arresting again. Few weeks later suddenly at 6 AM Stalin & Beria came to Kawtaradzes. Stalin kindly spoke with daughter Maya. In her memories she wrote that he was charming and kind. He also sang a song with "pleasant tenor". They also ate dinner (Stalin ordered it in the best georgian restaurant in Moscow, Aragwi. I'm sure that episode in the movie when Warlam and Doxopulo visits Sandro's home is loosely based on this event

Yesterday i" 've bought this movie on DVD, today I've read ca 40 comments in IMDb. I share the opinion of this-movie-lovers, but..... There is one character in this film and one subplot that I found unnecessary and tapering the level of movie. For what is this perverted girl who likes to be hitting and loves licking puke from the mouth of her lover. This character seems to be in kind of Dorothy Valance from Lynch's "Blue Velvet" but really don't fits in "The Believer". Explaining antisemitism and nazism by the sexual perversion is rather cheap. For this reason many years ago I dismissed Visconti's "Fall of the Gods". Such sexual undertones made very good, indeed, movie a little bit closer to such exploitation craps like "Elsa She-Werewolf from SS" or "III Reich's last orgy".

I've bought the DVD during the trip to Ostrava in Czech Republik, only 70 km from my home in Poland. For years I'm a big fan of Jaromir Nohavica. One time I've even have seen him on Hlavni Trida in his hometown Ceski Tesin, walking from the checkpoint on the Olza River which divides this town between two countries. This movies shows Nohavica's life philosophy and his struggle with alcohol addictions but also gives a chance to hear some of his ballads. Other great moments are about CZech folk group Cechomor (Ceskomoravska Nezavisla Hudebni Spolecnost), now a great stars in the republic and dealing with growing popularity. Worth seeing for all cost. Last month the movie was in polish cinemas, greatly applaused by the critics but, I'm afraid ignored by the audience who is hungry only for next Matrix, Harry Potter or Lord of Rings. Sad.

PS : DVD is with polish subtitles (woow!!). Important for the people who are not familiar with Czech language

Krajobraz po bitwie like many films of Wajda is, perhaps, not understandable for the "rest of the world". Story based on the few short stories of Tadeusz Borowski, who during WWII was the prisoner of Oswiecim, Dachau and Dautmergen camps. Borowski in his books describes inhuman life in the Nazi camps from the point of view vorarbeiter Tadek - porte parole of author who also was on the privileged position among the prisoners. Borowski was merciless for the humanity and merciless for himself. He describes the human history as the endless chain of exploitation and humiliation. Ironically, after the returning to Poland he stopped writing artistic prose and became communistic propagandist, producing stream of anti-imperialistic and anti-american press publications. After few years he committed suicide. In the movie Wajda changes point of view. Vorarbeiter Tadek - character created by the Tadeusz Janczar - plays only supporting role. Story is focused on the poet, destroyed, burned out by the war and imprisonement and his one-day love affair with Nina, Jewish girl who escaped from communistic Poland although she actually hates jewish life and mentality. As the background we can observe sad grotesque of so-called "dipis" (displaced persons) life, who after the liberation are settled by the Americans in SS barracks. Marches, patriotic kitsch mixed with hunting for the extra dose of food and/or prostituting German girls.

I've dug this DVD from the discount rack in local TESCO. King?? Ohhh, I like this guy and 10 polish zloty (ca. 2 euro) is not too big for good movie. But this movie isn't good. It's rather mediocre, low budget production. Characters looks like never saw any horror movie (who with the IQ more then 50 tries to visit and explore such town? Who escapes to the room on the floor ? and many such questions). Two main bad guys were not bad, especially Malachi and Linda Hamilton looks nice. Final battle with the Evil reminds me some moments from "cult" serial McGyver

Ohh, God!!! I am big fan of Kieslowski's late works, I admire Tykwer's "Lola rennt" but, sorry, "Heaven" is bad, simply bad. Empty, pretentious, kitschy,boring, immoral and so and so on. For Christ sake, this women killed 4 innocent people (and 1 scum for personal revenge). She's not f*****n' heroin. So why "Heaven"??? Why guardian angel (BTW where was this angel when her marriage went to ruin because of the drugs??). Kieslowski was big film maker with a lot of good taste. He knew what he is doing dropping this screenplay to the litter.

If you're not Pole you have great luck not to know this kind of music. Disco-polo in 90's was the very popular in Poland. Strange mix of cheap keyboards, stiff oompa-oompa beats, cretin lyrics. Add singers looking like cheap hookers or (male) like members of german football team or russian mobsters and you can imagine what is disko-polo. Main character of the movie,Slawek Wisnik, played by the son of famous actor Daniel Olbrychski is a talented church-organ player, would-be a composer of "Requiem" who by the twist of fate falls in the world of disco-polo and begins to play on plastic keybords instead organs. His MC is a great hit and he became a big star. Now he can wed beautiful sweet blond daughter of local person of substance and enjoys home on the lake island and elephant (his father-in-law is rich enough to buy an elephant). In the one of the last scenes his conservatory professor arrives to his town with great news: Germans are enchanted by Slawek's organ mass and big contract with german record company is in the way. But Slawek says to old man "I'll be writing "Dotted panties" song". Explanation: "Dotted panties" was one of the great hits of disco-polo. You might be thinking that this movie is ironic but no. Seriously. Director seems to be fascinated by the disco-polo as the medium of true feelings and national identity. Very confusing but amusing movie. Document of polish mentality in mid-80's

Some people in Poland love this movie. Some quotations, especially containing dirty words , are used as the "signs of initiation" among the "Dzien Swira" lovers. But for me this movie (like all Koterski's films) is sick and disgusting. Koterski's "hero" is disenchanted polish teacher, divorced and compulsive. The way in which he expresses his anger is sh***ing on the lawn, crying "kurwa mac, ja pierdole" or "pojebalo was" (polish idioms with high concentration of profanity) and desperately trying to fit his d**k in proper trouser leg. Gimme a break !!!!!

PS- and in addition: It's boring !!!!

Director Slesicki is in Poland rather notorious than famous. Frankly speaking he worked very hard for such opinion. His sitcom "13 posterunek" ("Precint 13"), initially funny, slowly decayed into the kingdom of bad taste and stupid gags. The numero uno in this crap was Cezary Pazura, years ago good actor (brilliant as a strange polish chekist in Wajda's "Pierscionek z orlem w koronie") but now jerky imitation of Jim Carey. So is no surprise that another Slesicki's movie with Pazura in main role made me very distrustful. "Another stupid comedy with Pazura, oh no!" I said. But the movie is surprisingly well. It's scathing satire about the reality shows, especially Big Brother. Pazura plays a small rascal escaping from the revenge of his accidental lovers brothers and casted to the SHOW. He plays without imitating JC and reminds that actually he is real actor. I don't want to tell more about plot with some references to Agatha Christie, "April Fools Day", "Someone to watch over me" and even "Cape Fear". The movie was flop in Polish cinemas pre-rejected by people who don't want to see another "13 posterunek" and rejected by the disappointed "13 posterunek" fans.

I have real trouble with this movie. I admire Douglas' talent, I'm enchanted by the camera work and colours, Zeta-Jones although a little bit fat is really gorgeus, gen. Salazar's role is breathtaking and "bigger than life" but stupid and pathetic end ruins the movie. Mr. Douglas' panic attack during the press conference, bug under the table of scum (preparation for "Traffic II" ??) and - finally - cheesy family pseudo - community: Gooooooood !!!!!!!

Another comedy with Olaf Lubaszenko (and other known polish actors) in the main role(s). Director uses similar licks as Lubaszenko in his three movies (Chlopaki nie placza, Poranek kojota and MCsquare. But overall result is much more disappointing. Set together flat script, low budget, some stupid jokes and few dirty words, shake or stir and on in input You'll find this film. Garbage in - garbage out. Watchable only if You like some pretty girls.

Extremely stupid but sometimes funny sitcom made by the director of "Sara" about the police precinct full of retards. Cezary Pazura as the clone of Jim Carrey is simply boring, endlessly repeating same wacky gimmicks. Only brighter moments of this sh** are beautiful Agnieszka Wlodarczyk (main role in "Sara") and long, long, long and and exposed legs of Aleksandra Wozniak.

No, I'm definitely not the fan of J.C. and I went to the cinema on my daughter wish (as a sponsor). What a nice surprise for me. It's really wonderful, uplifting movie comparable to Capra's work or - better say - to the my beloved Groundhog Day. Lot of laugh, little bit of tears, clear moral message. And credible performance of JC, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Aniston. Oh, and I would forget - I like polish jokes. Kowalskis were extremely funny

Really excellent movie. Although the plot is rather frail and the movie seems to be a chain of skits the overall effect is terrific. Old, good Woody once again says us the simple truth about life, death and love (not necessarily in this order). Music is really moving in this context but why without my favourite thing "Ev'ry time we say goodbye" which really fits in.

Oh, Geeeee. This is really most stupid movie I've ever seen. But some stupid films are funny. YYYREEK is simply disgusting. Director, the veteran of comedy in Poland under Reds and under Democracy shamelessly exploits polish edition of Big Brother. Movie has been shot in 3 months and with low budget. We can see the results of such acting. Undecipherable dialogues, miserable camera work. Gruza hires the cast filled with the "heroes" of polish BB so the main character, YYREEK the Cosmic Reproductor, is played by the person who during the BigBrother showed symptoms of nervous breakdown and must be withdrawn, then admitted to mental hospital. This case has been described in polish tabloids. One and only gem of this crap are cameos made by Rewinski and Talar.

I've just saw "Biegnij, Lola, biegnij" on VCD and I'm enchanted, amazed and nearly driven to tears. Beautiful movie for sensual people but I don't wanna write about the plot. This has been described in 250 comments to date. It's very strange for me that in this commennts users recalled Tarantion, Truffaut and other filmmakers but nobody recalled Krzysztof Kieslowski. Now after Tykwer's "Heaven" such link is quite obvious but really nobody watched Kieslowski "Przypadek" or at least "Three colours" ??? It's not only matter of three versions of the same story affected by The Fate, The God or call it what You want. It's the same feeling, same sensibility (call it CentralEuropean if You want) And - Frank Potente is really gorgeous as Redhead (or Red Hat if You want)

Very important although for TV only made, adaptation of the Jozef Rembek's novel about Polish policeman who collaborated during WWII with the nazis in holocaust. Terrific performance of Miroslaw Baka is strongest side of this dark and upsetting film.

Rather flat attempt to describe brutal life of salesman in polish early capitalism. Sex,brutality and good dose of dirty works, as usual in Polish movies. "Ziemia Obiecana" definitely it is not but Krzystek is not Wajda. Good thing is cast with many promising new faces although their performances are a little bit naive

I's, oh, so wonderful film. I saw it for the first time in my 19, in 1971 in small bioscope in Poland. Soviet film were not very wanted by the teenagers but it was long, dull summer and I haven't nothing better to do. And, what a surprise - film full of humor, action and irony. Song sung by me beloved Bulat Okudzava. After a long, long time I've seen it again in 2000 (You know , Soviet films were almost banned in Polish democracy. A moment of anxiety how it will be work and - ohhh, same feelings, same thrills, same chills. No, not the same, even deeper.

Absolutely must-see for all western fans. Directors uses western cliches mixed with Eastern European scents /some references to Dracula/ to make thrilling movie about the "perfect evil". Beatifully filmed with breathtaking performances of Boguslaw Linda and Olaf Lubaszenko. One bad thing - I've seen this film in Polish TV with the Czech actors dubbed in Polish. I'm afraid I've lost a lot of climate. But once again - come and see and you won't be disappointed