ajgorek Reviews

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Great, warm and reflective story

[10/10 · 18 November 2006]

What a beautiful story...Childhood dreams and loves, which are so strong, that make possible everything. But also an old man dreams about calmness, couldn't to achieve, when the past isn't ordered.

Great warmly portrait of small Italian village. Almos felt like you've been there. Characters which you can love by the first sight on the screen.

Great score by Morricone, at his best.

This movie is marvelous, poetic piece of art. Two hours of magic of the cinema. Cinema paradiso! I wish to see more movies like this. Excellent cinematography.

Casino Royale (2006)

Well done, Mr Bond

[8/10 · 17 November 2006]

What a relief... The new 007 movie was one of the anticipated films of the year. Fortunately it was worth waiting for.

Daniel Craig is superb in this character. I think he fit the role better than Brosnan, he actually IS a new Bond (I always thought Pierce was only a temporary one).

The story is more realistic, without too much politic emphasis (it might be a fault for some watchers), and too many gadgets (lack of Q is a little miss;)). The whole thing keep the suspense, it's one of the best 007 stories.

Acion is incredible, top pitch film-making.

A Good Year (2006)

A good year, and good movie

[8/10 · 14 November 2006]

I have to admit, that I'd like new Scott's movie very much. Speaking about the problem ('cos it's a problem) of yuppie-style living, making money and nothing else is important thing in modern society. We're living in artifficial environment like skyscrapers, surrounded by cell phones, laptops and stuff, often we forget what is important. Things like friendship, love , passion. But we can rearrange our life, revalue it, if we give ourselves a chance. Finding our own balance in life is important.

Decent acting by Crowe, and awesome film making. Scott is a editing Master, correlation between story and it's rhythm is perfcet. Good movie to think about.

Watch the Skies!: Science Fiction, the 1950s and Us (2005 TV Movie)

Ted's Evaluation

[6/10 · 4 November 2006]

I'd like to confront my personal opinion about 'Watch the skies' movie with Ted's one.

First of all, I suppose that your personal dislike with Spielberg movies make you blind on the whole movie. Please remember, it's not only Spielberg's point of view. There are interviews with J.Cameron, R.Scott and G.Lucas here. Of course, it's only a brief take of the issue. I'd like to watch some more depth, insight production someday.

One of the subjects of this movie is looking back on 50s SF movies, which can be interpretated like express of society fears. Fear of space invaders might symbolize fear of the "others", which can be Russians or any different culture. And of course there is H war anxiety also.

What selfish is in that interpretation of SF movies by Spielberg and rest the directors? It's not they invention. We have many examples of movies or even the whole genres in film history, which represents some fears and havocs in given societies - like the German Expresionism.

Of course first SF movies arised shortly after Lumieres invention, f.e. G.Melies movies, but it's not a untrue (form my POV) that SF as a separately genre appears in early 50s. From that era, SF movies, and authors have began to be taken seriously.

I think 'Watch the skies' is a good introduction to history of science fiction movies. It's definitely not exhaust the topic, but might be a nice foothold to further searchings, for those who are interested in the issue.

Ubu król (2003)

Interesting but not satisfy attempt...

[5/10 · 2 November 2006]

This move is an interesting commentary to political situation in Poland, after the fall of Eastern Block. Corrupted politics, poverty, birth of fundamentalism. Most of the society are disappointed with the political and economical reality. It's a short way to anger and fury.

However it's not a very good movie. I like the idea of portraying country and it's society in grotesque way, but the whole plot could be better. In the rush of mad and exaggerate events, there is distinct lack of good, interesting story. There isn't an single character to be liked in this movie, which I can understand, while it's a critical overview of politics.

Overall I rather recommend it for those who'd like to see unusual (in many aspects) polish movie or Szulkin fans.