gudaulin

Openly speaking, I have a real problem with this film... Francois Truffaut is my favorite director and his direction is not a disappointment in this case either. The cast is luxurious, Jean-Paul Belmondo and Catherine Deneuve are first-rate stars and their mere presence on the screen is beneficial. Moreover, they don't even act badly. What bothers me, however, is the script, or rather the basic premise. This melodrama with a crime plot has a significantly unreliable outline, and it is fabricated to the point of misery. The film is clearly set in the time of its production, the late 60s, when the sexual revolution was at its peak, technology rapidly shortened distances and connected people from the other side of the planet, consumer society was booming, and at the same time, a successful businessman exchanges several letters with a completely unknown woman and arranges marriage with her without ever meeting her before. They don't even call each other to hear how their voices sound? If the story took place in the year 1900, I wouldn't have a problem with it, maybe in the 30s, but this? After the man learns that he has been robbed of all his savings and his fiancee murdered, by an incredible stroke of luck, he meets that fraudster, and then a short conversation culminating in the sentence: "I still love you," is enough for him to forgive that woman and plan a life together despite her criminal past, and what's more, he is willing to murder for her and lose all his standing. It just doesn't add up and I don't believe it for a second. Three weak stars for the direction and performances. Overall impression: 50%.

This is one of those evergreens that I always come back to and it never disappoints me. The five stars are not so much for the film, but rather for the theatrical source full of amazing dialogues, great lines, and bizarre characters. Adding a quality cast was enough to ensure the film's success. As many others have noted, the final form of the film is perhaps too faithful to the theatrical version. It definitely wasn't an expensive film, but that's not really important for the result. Cary Grant is great and the others helped him out nicely. Overall impression: 95%.

A typical product of the 1970s studio system - a conversation comedy about relationships with a recognized star in the lead role, which was supposed to guarantee commercial success. Walter Matthau is truly excellent and it is worth seeing the film simply because of his acting. Another plus is the quality of the dialogue and subtle ironic humor. Overall impression: 80%.

For fans of mainstream entertainment, it is slightly unsophisticated and lacking artistic ambition. For fans of B-movies, on the other hand, it is unattractive and essentially boring with a bizarre storyline. However, Brian Helgeland tried to handle the problematic script as best as possible, and I wouldn't deny the film its atmosphere. Overall impression: 35%.

In the 1960s, imitations of American westerns, called spaghetti westerns, became very popular in Europe (and saved the stagnating film industry). Although Barboni is not Sergio Leone, folk comedies and parodies were his strength. He was an experienced routine director who could rely on the popular comedic duo of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer. Man of the East, arguably his best film, only featured Terence Hill, but it was richly compensated by a screenplay full of parody humor and subtle irony. The dialogues, casting, music, and the scenery of the Plitvice Lakes together create an enjoyable spectacle that I like to revisit. Overall impression: 80%.

Undoubtedly a great film of its time, but it was marked by the director's attempt to portray the "Russian soul" and the persistent flaw of Soviet cinema, namely excessive length and generally slow pace. It is balladlike, with captivatingly beautiful shots of nature. I would say that Tarkovsky's influence is evident in this historical saga. Overall impression: 75%.

A mix of styles borrowed from the American independent scene lightly spiced with Tarantino (the protagonists are three little thieves and scammers) and the European film movement of the 90s focused on the young generation with flashy editing and techno music. It has a decent pace with some humorous situations. Though not groundbreaking, it is an above-average comedy. Overall impression: 70%.

A film that was outstanding for its time, with progressive animation, excellent drawings, and a strong storyline, which drew thematically from the myths of Far Eastern nations. Unfortunately, this well-known Soviet fairytale distorted these folk tales as part of its fight against religion and superstition, to the point where a timid hunter realizes that monsters don't exist and overcomes his fear in a "progressive" way. Fortunately, the animated fairy tale stays true to the original folk narrative. The resulting film remains impressive even today, in the era of full-length animated movies, and is fully suitable for young viewers. Overall impression: 75%.

A strange mix of a western and a religiously oriented film that will please especially Christian-oriented folks, a combination of an entertaining adventure spectacle exactly according to proven genre Western templates with biblical themes. It is decently acted and directed, but it did not appeal to me in terms of content, as it sticks to the traditional genre outline and numerous genre clichés, while the religious motifs, on the other hand, are not for me. Overall impression: 40%. By the way, as a horror film, it really doesn't work...

An atypical western distinguished by a nostalgic mood, enhanced by excellent music and color filters tuned to sandy hues. While the film breaks certain myths and genre conventions, it creates others in turn. Primarily, it constructs the romantic myth of outlaws as followers and protectors of freedom. They were, pardon the expression, rather ordinary thugs and thieves, who, as the film rightly points out, often, under the pressure of civilization and pragmatism, became guardians of justice, sheriffs, and their deputies. Former comrades from criminal gangs often found themselves pitted against each other. Essentially, Sam Peckinpah idealizes the old Wild West and sees the advancing civilization as the decay of old positive values. However, that civilization brought with it the rule of law and social certainties. Beyond that, those old gunslingers didn't have as good aim as Peckinpah's films might suggest. Overall impression: 75%. It's nonetheless a decently acted and directed western where style is elevated above substance.