Russian Language Hall of Fame

[jiraffejustin]

If I've PM'ed you, you can join up. Otherwise we are going to stick with the confirmed members. I'm down for this being a super-small hof, but with Russian language films, we could get some long ones. (If you nominate War and Peace.... well, we could be here for awhile.)

I need the nominations from everybody except neiba

Camo
rauldc14
CosmicRunaway
TokeZa

cat_sidhe if you think you can swing it and are down, I'd love to have you. Don't join up if you don't think it'll be fun though.

If cricket or Citizen Rules are interested, they are very welcome to join up.

Same goes for seanc if he changes his mind, same goes for Swan. If you are interested in this and I didn't PM you, you might be able to join up depending on numbers. PM if you think you might want to join.

Deadline is fluid. Like my gender. As long as every member checks in and gives a steady progress report, we'll be good.


Camo 8/8:

Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1932729#post1932729)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933109#post1933109)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934948#post1934948)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1938121#post1938121)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948144#post1948144)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948555#post1948555)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948852#post1948852)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1949191#post1949191)

jiraffejustin 4/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1932746#post1932746)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934374#post1934374)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1936561#post1936561)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1933741#post1933741)

CosmicRunaway 8/8:

Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933092#post1933092)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933486#post1933486)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935866#post1935866)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1937054#post1937054)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1939339#post1939339)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1940119#post1940119)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941718#post1941718)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1944488#post1944488)

Tokeza 3/8:

My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933199#post1933199)
Planeta Bur & Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934846#post1934846)

Ultraviolence 4/8:

The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933565#post1933565)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934988#post1934988)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935676#post1935676)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1942344#post1942344)

Citizen 7/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935888#post1935888)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1937831#post1937831)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1939743#post1939743)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1942584#post1942584)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1945900#post1945900)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1947800#post1947800)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948848#post1948848)

Neiba 1/8:

Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941426#post1941426)

Raul 4/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941673#post1941673)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1943576#post1943576)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1946180#post1946180)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1946758#post1946758)[/QUOTE]

[jiraffejustin]

I'll go ahead and posts the nominations as they come in:

Nominated by jiraffejustin
The Cranes are Flying (1957; directed by Mikhail Kalatozov)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjpAuRFSuPU/U3hCZpu3KaI/AAAAAAAAJMU/h9462t9rr54/s1600/008-the-cranes-are-flying-theredlist.jpg

Nominated by Raul
Ballad of a Soldier (1959; directed by Grigoriy Chukray)
https://oldschoolmanblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/0022.jpg

Nominated by CosmicRunaway
Planeta bur (1962; directed by Pavel Klushantsev)
http://www.lpafilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ESTRELLA_PLANETA-BUR_DE-Pavel-Klushantsev_800.jpg
jiraffejustin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1932746#post1932746)

Nominated by Citizen Rules
Solaris (1971; directed by Andrey Tarkovsky)
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wx7ate6Vj7w/WcNkvC1VcHI/AAAAAAAAIR8/ZBQvl_oFj4Uu24Y5yAgkKvvStAYSq2SvQCLcBGAs/s1600/Solaris%2B2.jpg

Nominated by Ultraviolence:
Stalker (1979; directed by Andrey Tarkovsky)
http://www.cageyfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/stalker_10.jpg
TokeZa (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1932489#post1932489)

Nominated by Camo:
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (1985; directed by Aleksey German)
https://s3.drafthouse.com/images/made/ivanlapshin3_717_426_s.png

Nominated by TokeZa
Visitor of a Museum (1989; directed by Konstantin Lopushanskiy)
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/69/c0/cb/69c0cb3ad769d3c0a447f348858bbf31.jpg

Nominated by neiba:
Leviathan (2014; directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev)
http://sensesofcinema.com/assets/uploads/2017/12/LeviathanHEADER-750x400.jpg
Camo (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1932729#post1932729)

[Camo]

jiraffejustin i rounded up the reviews throughout the thread if you want to put them in a post, if not i'd be willing to maintain a post with them by editing one of mine on the first page. The size of the thread so far probably means it doesn't matter much but it could be useful in the future if people are looking for their reviews.

Camo 8/8:

Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1932729#post1932729)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933109#post1933109)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934948#post1934948)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1938121#post1938121)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948144#post1948144)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948555#post1948555)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948852#post1948852)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1949191#post1949191)

jiraffejustin 3/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1932746#post1932746)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934374#post1934374)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1936561#post1936561)

CosmicRunaway 8/8:

Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933092#post1933092)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933486#post1933486)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935866#post1935866)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1937054#post1937054)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1939339#post1939339)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1940119#post1940119)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941718#post1941718)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1944488#post1944488)

Tokeza 3/8:

My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933199#post1933199)
Planeta Bur & Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934846#post1934846)

Ultraviolence 5/8:

The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933565#post1933565)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934988#post1934988)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935676#post1935676)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1942344#post1942344)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1953064#post1953064)

Citizen 8/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935888#post1935888)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1937831#post1937831)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1939743#post1939743)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1942584#post1942584)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1945900#post1945900)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1947800#post1947800)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948848#post1948848)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1952563#post1952563)

Neiba 3/8:

Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941426#post1941426)
The Cranes are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1949470#post1949470)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1949896#post1949896)

Raul 6/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941673#post1941673)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1943576#post1943576)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1946180#post1946180)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1946758#post1946758)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1950789#post1950789)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1950822#post1950822)

[Camo]

Oh wow, didn't realize it was from the Hard To Be A God director. Haven't seen that either but i've had it for ages.

[jiraffejustin]

Neither have I. I still don't know exactly what I am going to nominate. I don't usually go with "blind" noms, but I might pull one out for this.

[Ultraviolence]

This looks like great fun!
Damn you jiraffejustin for not invite me!
😁

[jiraffejustin]

This looks like great fun!
Damn you jiraffejustin for not invite me!
😁

We might have a spot open, so if you want, you can send me what your nomination would be. If the numbers work, then I'll add you.

[Mr Minio]

Deadline is fluid. Like my gender. Noted Justine !!!!!

[jiraffejustin]

Noted Justine !!!!!

My feminine of center name is actually Consuelita

[Mr Minio]

My feminine of center name is actually Consuelita Will you console me?

[Ultraviolence]

Sended my obvious nomination!
:)

[Mr Minio]

Sended my obvious nomination!
:) Hopefully Camo gotted. ;)

[Ultraviolence]

hehe

[rauldc14]

Hopefully someone nominates what I was going to. Went blind on this one.

[CosmicRunaway]

I have a couple of films in mind but I haven't actually seen any of them in their entirety, since I'd only caught half on tv ages ago, or caught parts of what the Russian society was screening at University (since they shared a room with the German society I was part of). So I might be going with a half-blind nomination if I don't have time to watch either of them today haha.

[Camo]

Hopefully Camo gotted. ;)

Huh? I had to sign out to make sure this wasn't bbusername, did you mix me up with JJ or does this mean something else?

[Mr Minio]

did you mix me up with JJ or does this mean something else? Actually, I did! I meant jiraffejustin!

[Ultraviolence]

Yes! I'm in!!
:)

[Camo]

I've watched Stalker and Cranes Are Flying but they could do with a rewatch, haven't seen Raul's one.

I'm planning on watching Leviathan either tonight or tomorrow, will i wait for all the noms to be in before posting my review?

[neiba]

Only watched Stalker from all those (including my own nom, which was a blind one), and I'll probably rewatch it. This is starting to feel a epic but heavy HoF! Bring it on!

[CosmicRunaway]

I assumed that Stalker would get nominated, but I was kind of hoping it wouldn't. I didn't really enjoy rewatching it for the Sci-Fi Countdown, and don't particularly want to watch it again.

[Camo]

I assumed that Stalker would get nominated, but I was kind of hoping it wouldn't. I didn't really enjoy rewatching it for the Sci-Fi Countdown, and don't particularly want to watch it again.

You don't have to if you remember it well. I know you already know that just saying as i don't think people should force themselves to watch something they don't like if they remember it well enough.

I liked but didn't love Stalker, thought about it a bunch since though which i think can only be a good sign. Liked but didn't love Cranes Are Flying too, barely remember it.

[CosmicRunaway]

You don't have to if you remember it well. I know you already know that just saying as i don't think people should force themselves to watch something they don't like if they remember it well enough.
My problem with rewatching it is mostly due to its runtime.

Also when I rewatched it for the Countdown, I had misremembered it as being more...like Annihilation (2018) ended up, I guess. So that was a bit of a disappointment at the time. Maybe I'll like it more a third time around haha.

This is starting to feel a epic but heavy HoF!
Noticing this as well, I bucked the trend and nominated something that, while still having some philosophical leanings, is much lighter (and on the shorter side). :cool:

[Camo]

Yeah this HoF's subtitle is definitely the Mental Breakdown Hall of Fame.

[jiraffejustin]

I'm very excited about this hof. A lot of very interesting nominations so far.

[Camo]

Never heard of Cosmic's nom, looks interesting. The Leviathan pic isn't working for me btw, jj.

[Camo]

YES JJ IT WORKS NOW, GOOD JOB BUDDY!


Fake edit: Whoops this was supposed to be a post comment.

[jiraffejustin]

YES JJ IT WORKS NOW, GOOD JOB BUDDY!


Fake edit: Whoops this was supposed to be a post comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd9muK2M36c

[jiraffejustin]

TokeZa we still need your nomination, buddy.

[Siddon]

Meh this Hall of Fame looks boring, predictable and extremely obvious.

[rauldc14]

For the record, Cranes was going to be my nom until I went blind. Thank God it's here.

It's kind of stinky I have to watch Stalker again. But I don't remember enough of it to intelligently talk about it so I will. And i would be surprised if it didn't win here.

[jiraffejustin]

Meh this Hall of Fame looks boring, predictable and extremely obvious.

:up:

[rauldc14]

Is Tokeza the last one? This won't be bad if it's kept small.

[jiraffejustin]

Is Tokeza the last one? This won't be bad if it's kept small.

The last confirmed one, but it'll still be open to cat, CR, and cricket if they want to join.

[rauldc14]

Yeah I'm down with them if they so chose.

I got a lot of 30s to watch yet so I will admittedly be a tad slow but obviously no concerns about me not finishing. I've finished every one I've been in and I'm pretty sure it's more than 25 by now.

[jiraffejustin]

Yeah I'm down with them if they so chose.

I got a lot of 30s to watch yet so I will admittedly be a tad slow but obviously no concerns about me not finishing. I've finished every one I've been in and I'm pretty sure it's more than 25 by now.

I'm not worried, bruh. I trust you.

[rauldc14]

I so look forward to rewatching Cranes though!

[TokeZa]

TokeZa we still need your nomination, buddy.

I have send you a pm with a nomination.

Of the nominated films i have seen Stalker, The Cranes Are Flying and Leviathan. I dont intend on rewatching any of these as i am currently finishing my thesis in social work. Both Stalker and The Cranes Are Flying are both down my alley, and i regard them as masterpieces. I was quite ambivalent about Leviathan when i saw that, in some regards its to straight forward to be interesting, its still a good movie, though i do not rank Andrey Zvyagintsev as one of the best Russian directors. I tend to like the contemporary Aleksandr Sokurov more, who also seems to push the boundaries for contemporary filmmaking, while Zvyagintsev plays it more safe.

Here is what i wrote about Stalker back in February:

Stalker (1979) by Andrei Tarkovsky

It has been quite some years (maybe 4 or more), since i last saw Stalker by Tarkovsky. It is a very visceral and meditative experience going into a film that mostly works as reflexive lyrical and visual poem. It is a film who constantly ask question without certain answers, which in that regard makes you (me) reflect on the very existence of man. There is a certain modus of alienation and estrangement trough out the film which me in think of the marxist existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre and his work Being and Nothingness. In relation to that it also made me reflect upon Heideggers Sein und zeit, especially the terms being-towards-death and being-in-the-world. I dont see Stalker as much as a sci-fi as a reflection on the existential dispositives of man. A very metaphysical film and a masterpiece as such.

[neiba]

Was hoping someone nominated Solaris! xD Any volunteers?

[resopamenic]

My friend ivan lapsin always wondered me. Not sure where to watch it

[Ultraviolence]

I only have watched my own nomination and I never heard about Planet bur.
I'm exciting about this films! I was planning to nominate Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears or some Serguei Eisenstein masterpiece, instead I chose my favorite director of all time.

[Ultraviolence]

Was hoping someone nominated Solaris! xD Any volunteers?

Two Tarkovsky's films in the same HoF?
That would be wonderful :D

[Mr Minio]

Bitch please, I've seen all nominations.

[Ultraviolence]

Bitch please, I've seen all nominations.

https://i.imgur.com/rrpgWcT.gif

[Ultraviolence]

I'll be cheating if I start watching the nominations tonight?

[CosmicRunaway]

Was hoping someone nominated Solaris! xD Any volunteers?
I considered it for a brief second, since I didn't get around to rewatching it for the Countdown and this HoF would be a good excuse. But I wanted to nominate something on the shorter side since I figured most of the nominations would be between 2.5 and 3 hours long.

[Mr Minio]

If I were a troll I'd join this HoF only to nominate Bondarchuk's War and Peace. Then again, this is a masterpiece, so by exposing you guys to it I'd be doing you a favor. Then again, the length of this thing. I'd be Lawful Evil!

[Ultraviolence]

If I were a troll I'd join this HoF only to nominate Bondarchuk's War and Peace. Then again, this is a masterpiece, so by exposing you guys to it I'd be doing you a favor. Then again, the length of this thing. I'd be Lawful Evil!

Do it, please!!!!

[jiraffejustin]

I'll be cheating if I start watching the nominations tonight?

Nope. Unless CR, cricket, or cat decide to join up for sure, all of the nominations are in the second post. I've already watched one of them. I'll be posting my thoughts on it later today.

[jiraffejustin]

If I were a troll I'd join this HoF only to nominate Bondarchuk's War and Peace. Then again, this is a masterpiece, so by exposing you guys to it I'd be doing you a favor. Then again, the length of this thing. I'd be Lawful Evil!

I would have allowed it if you really wanted to join, but it's a little too late now... despite how much I would like to see that behemoth.

[Ultraviolence]

Nope. Unless CR, cricket, or cat decide to join up for sure, all of the nominations are in the second post. I've already watched one of them. I'll be posting my thoughts on it later today.

Nice!
I'll watch one tonight.

[Mr Minio]

I'm not joining any HoFs! That's beneath my dignity!

[jiraffejustin]

I'm not joining any HoFs! That's beneath my dignity!

*looks at Minio's ratings of pornographic pinku eiga films* .... yep, beneath your dignity.

[neiba]

I vote in favour of forcing Minio to join this thing!

[Mr Minio]

*looks at Minio's ratings of pornographic pinku eiga films* .... yep, beneath your dignity. Nope, closer to erotica or softcore, or whatever. Still, much more legit than joining a HoF.

[rauldc14]

I have seen War and Peace actually. How I actually managed it I have no idea.

The movie was a pretty epic accomplishment, but I'll never see it again

[cat_sidhe]

I have seen War and Peace actually.

Useless CatFact #6 I was named after one of the characters.

[Mr Minio]

I was named after one of the characters. Sonya? :)

[cat_sidhe]

Sonya? :)

Nope. The beautiful idiot who couldn't decide what she wanted. :rolleyes:

[Siddon]

Lets see do I nominate the fun Total Balalaika Show or revolutionary Man with the Movie Camera or should I go blind with First Squad or work towards completing the Tarkovsky oeuvre with The Sacrifice.



Oh wait I wasn't invited enjoy your boring misery picks jerkfaces


https://d3uc4wuqnt61m1.cloudfront.net/films/images/000/005/988/5988.D_1200_700.jpg?1478224418


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0uZo86Mfd3c/hqdefault.jpg


https://www.moma.org/media/W1siZiIsIjczOTY3Il0sWyJwIiwiY29udmVydCIsIi1yZXNpemUgMjAwMHgyMDAwXHUwMDNlIl1d.jpg?sha=856920c5acbfa85 a


https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRsU-9-QLoYCxHSPjLbw2unFhhMhkVQn_uof4p1hWtoxukzB7QE

[Citizen Rules]

All the noms look interesting to me, good choices! I haven't seen any but it's a good group of films. I might have went with Solaris as my choice.

Planeta bur looks interesting. I wanted to see that but never could find a decent copy. I've seen Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968) which is a recut of Planeta bur, dubbed with additional film footage added by director Derek Thomas...later to be known as Peter Bogdanovich.

[rauldc14]

The Sacrifice is my favorite Tarkovsky so far.

[jiraffejustin]

Nope, closer to erotica or softcore, or whatever. Still, much more legit than joining a HoF.

lol "legit"

Yeah, man.

[jiraffejustin]

All the noms look interesting to me, good choices! I haven't seen any but it's a good group of films. I might have went with Solaris as my choice.

Planeta bur looks interesting. I wanted to see that but never could find a decent copy. I've seen Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968) which is a recut of Planeta bur, dubbed with additional film footage added by director Derek Thomas...later to be known as Peter Bogdanovich.

I watched Planeta bur on youtube. It wasn't the highest resolution, but I think it might have added to the experience for me.

[jiraffejustin]

Oh wait I wasn't invited enjoy your boring misery picks jerkfaces



The only jerkface is me, so don't be mean to the others.

[Camo]

Only got 40 minutes left of Leviathan, had to go out. Finishing it now and jj said it's cool to start reviewing after. So remember as always it's full of spoilers.

[Ultraviolence]

The Sacrifice is a masterpiece, but it isn't a russian movie... It's more a swedish movie.

[pahaK]

Lets see do I nominate the fun Total Balalaika Show

I'm pretty sure this counts as a Finnish movie.

[Camo]

Leviathan

https://i.imgur.com/iAOg5nD.jpg

Always see this on best of the 2010's lists, had no clue what it was about, expected depressing and that's what i got of course. This isn't a new favourite but it is good and i totally get why some love it. My only issue is i could see a lot of it coming a mile away. For example i knew Lilya and Dima were going to have an affair right from their first private conversation when Kolya left the room for a second and they got into small talk which lead to her asking Dima to talk to her husband. It was following the classic affair set up of preoccupied and difficult to talk to but loving husband being cheated on with close friend who is easier to talk to, even had him leaving them alone for a second and her mentioning he wasn't easy to talk to. Having it so he didn't actually do anything wrong but it was also easy to see how this could happen, an attempt at keeping everyone likeable. Feel from there i could see where a lot of it was heading and it reduced my interest somewhat. It's an interesting social commentary but it's never going to get past respect, if it doesn't suck me into the means it chooses to tell that social commentary.

Enjoyed the setting as it felt different. I'm used to either large cities or remote snowy locations in Siberia in Soviet/Russian films, this felt more like the middle ground between the two. Felt more like Scandinavia or something to me, of course i realize Russia is the largest Country in the world it encompasses a tonne of different landscapes. Felt the movie was very cozy and quiet making it easy to watch even during its harsher moments and i think the location played a big part in this.

Weird thing is i didn't realize this was from the Loveless director somehow. I knew he directed The Return but i thought this was someone else. It was definitely similar to Loveless, dude revels in bleakness and trauma i'd be shocked if any of his movies have happy endings or even a strong sense of hope, guess some could be read that way though. I preferred Loveless by quite a margin but that was mostly due to relating to it more since it was partly about a long destroyed relationship, i'd say they're similar in quality overall. All i'd personally say is i don't think some humour would kill him, even just irony that's not laugh out loud funny. Dunno, that's definitely a selective criticism with me, i don't apply it to everyone and sometimes i heavily praise directors for their unrelenting bleakness. Sometimes i also feel lightening up a bit could only improve things and that's personally what i felt here. May be a visual thing too, Stalker for instance blows my mind when we first get to The Zone, it's like the most beautiful thing i've ever seen but truthfully it's mundane it's because outside The Zone is so harsh and nightmarish. This is well shot and has pretty lake shots and stuff but it just feels like neverending grey to me. Don't think Loveless had the same problems for me, first thing that comes to mind there is the nighttime scene where Zhenya is walking around naked, not we are literally living inside a big bubble of depression here. Who knows, it works for the film but everything put together keeps this from becoming a favourite. One last complaint is i don't think it had to be as long as it is. The film wasn't so long that it was hard to get through or anything, i'm more saying i don't think it used its time as well as it could have. There's quite a few talking and hanging out scenes which i didn't feel developed the characters or the plot much, following the affair being revealed for instance there was so much moping about and scenes with no talking and i just felt okay i get the point this isn't doing much for me tbh let's move on.

One thing i did like a lot was Kolya himself. So often in these criticisms of society films the person suffering from it is a really good, impossible to dislike person. It's sort of manipulative that way because it makes those just doing their jobs easy to hate as stand ins for society, like a shortcut, it also asks nothing of you as a viewer to root for him coz how could you not? You don't even need to engage with what the film is saying it's as simple as wanting a good person to be treated well. Kolya feels a lot more real than those types of characters, he's can be a bit of an a-hole, he doesn't do anything horrible for the majority of the film but you get the feeling if you knew him in real life it'd be much more likely you wouldn't get on than you would. It isn't the opposite either he's no villain, he's just a run of the mill dude who the film isn't trying to make you think of as a friend or someone to look up to, it just doesn't present him as the last person this should ever happen to because it often isn't and it shouldn't need to be to make you care. I love that he barely smiles even before the bad news and that he always looks unkempt. There's honestly very little attempt to make you feel sorry for him outside the circumstances, it doesn't even go for the he's a great father despite his flaws cliche, he seems fine as a father but there's nothing notable about his relationship with his son. He'd never be the poster boy for a cause basically. Most importantly though he looked like Sid Justice/Vicious and that's always a plus.

Wasn't a fan of the Mayor character, felt too cartoonish to me. The moment he said "tear down that bastards place" i could no longer take him seriously. This sorta felt to me like a condensed version of The Wire. Showing you how the people in power use it and how it effects members of society, difference is there'd be more to him than bland crook. He was shown as some drunken foulmouthed slob, the sort of dude you know has killed at least four hookers. Yeah okay, i'm sure they are sometimes exactly like the caricature i have in my head but i'd have cared more about his scenes if there was a little more to his character. Like the scene he showed up drunk did absolutely nothing for me, felt like an unfunny comedy scene because it was so ridiculously overdone. His relation to the church and how he was clearly beholden to it despite his power was interesting, but it didn't save him from those initial scenes and i think that scene he's talking to the Bishop was another thing which was too dead on as i guessed then it was a church he was building. There was no need to have him say "we are working on this together".

Kinda struggled with Lilya too. She just looked mopey and barely said anything for large parts of it, understandable, i don't even know what i'm asking of her but i wasn't that into her scenes for quite a while. Think it could be unintentionally expecting certain things after seeing Loveless, as i found the main female character in that captivating. They were very different though the one in Loveless is a lot more brash and confident so it's unfair of me to complain about something that wasn't even intended. Was just flat out weird how the affair happened too, not that i have a problem with the way it was done it actually felt unique. No buildup, no passion between them, she was dealing with the exact same stuff as her husband so no extra pressure, not even any alcohol. It just happened. Actually, everything about it was utter insanity. Why on earth would they have sex on that trip with their kids? I find it amazing that's how they chose to have them get caught, guess it was to add in the embarassment of others being there but man, nuts. Kinda loved it because it was so weird.

Sorry, this is way longer than i intended it to be and most of what i said isn't interesting, just ended up all over the place. Good nom Neiba. From all this moaning you'll probably assume i hated it but i honestly didn't. I think it acheived most of what it set out to do and i often defended it in the middle of some of my criticisms because i know it's only a personal reaction i had to some of it (could have even been just the mood i was in) rather than the film failing. Zvyagintsev is a good director but i feel Loveless may end up my favourite of his largely because i saw it first, the more i dwell in these kinds of worlds the less it does for me.

[Camo]

Rewatching Stalker next i think.

[jiraffejustin]

Citizen Rules decided to join and he nominated Solaris

[Camo]

Love Solaris. Not positive i'm going to rewatch it though as i remember it a lot more than Stalker or The Cranes Are Flying and i already think highly of it so don't feel i need to give it another chance. We'll see towards the end though.

Glad to have you Citizen :up:

[CosmicRunaway]

I just finished Leviathan but I'm not sure if I'll get around to writing something about it this evening or not, since I'm quite tired now and also I have no idea what to write haha.

Nice to see that CR is in, and that I finally have motivation to rewatch Solaris. :up:

[Camo]

I just finished Leviathan but I'm not sure if I'll get around to writing something about it this evening or not, since I'm quite tired now and also I have no idea what to write haha.

Same. That's why that's a big nonsensical mess haha. Quite liked it but didn't love it: that should of been my review!

[pahaK]

I must admit most, if not all, of these look quite interesting.

[jiraffejustin]

Spoiler alert. I spoil the ending in the first paragraph
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QalOQrUcUHI/UHchSJX4vJI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/UL5CQInABmQ/s1600/planetabur_24.png

Planeta bur

The propaganda in this one was a little much and right on the head. Masha is in space with vocal exposition about how she has been commanded to stay in space as it is the only hope. She leaves a message saying she's abandoning her post to check on her friends. At the end we find that she has potentially doomed all of the cosmonauts by disobeying her orders, which means choosing yourself and your friends/family over the good of the country is bad. Only to find at the end that she did the righteous thing and followed orders that benefited the country and everything worked out great because of it. I can take some propaganda if it has other valuable qualities, but that was a little much. And I know that description isn't great, but you'll see when you watch it. The plot doesn't really feel that important or powerful to me though, so maybe it was just tacked on because the government insisted on that sort of thing back then.

I also didn't really care for the dialogue or acting most of the time, but it wasn't necessarily distracting or bad. I will say that before they got to Venus, the movie was super-duper tedious. I was forcing myself to pay attention and just kept dozing off. I turned it off thinking maybe I was just sleepy, but then I couldn't sleep. I did some other stuff and went to bed. After I woke up and was awake for a little bit, I went back to it and still started dozing off. And this was only like 20 minutes. That's not really a valid criticism of the film, because there could be any number of factors that lead to that.

Business picked up when they get to Venus though. And while I never really cared about the plot, the visuals, music, and atmosphere all clicked for me. The soundtrack was nothing new or groundbreaking, but it was solid sci-fi electronic music that worked with the murky visuals, not-quite good rubbery monsters and silly Venus Soviet-traps. I really dig how everything looked like it was being filmed through a weird color and water filter. I watched it on Youtube in 240p; usually inadvisable, but it looked fine. And it either desperately needs a remaster or it needs for nobody to ever touch it. I liked the dated look of the colors being faded and seemingly being on a foreign planet too long and being exposed to some sort of weird radiation that causes everything to bleed together. I felt like the whole thing looked very foreign and odd. It was very fitting for a movie about being on another planet. This movie could have had no plot at all, maybe an adventure movie or something, and just toured the planet and I would have loved it. That said, I do like it despite the stuff I said before. It's not great, but it is unique. The visual component of the film is great, and I expect that to be the trend in this hall of fame.

[Camo]

Yeah there's a major spoiler in like my third sentence so don't read it until you see it. I now have a warning above and below it so you can only blame yourself haha.

[CosmicRunaway]

I will say that before they got to Venus, the movie was super-duper tedious.
Maybe that's why I don't remember anything about the film before they got to the planet haha. I plan to rewatch this one next, so I guess I'll see for myself.

[Citizen Rules]

I found a good quality link of Planta Bur, if anyone wants it just say so.

[CosmicRunaway]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=46755

Leviathan / Левиафан (2014)
Directed By: Andrey Zvyagintsev
Starring: Aleksei Serebryakov, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Elena Lyadova

Leviathan moves at a slow pace, and focuses on the consequences of actions more so than the events themselves, with a number of key plot developments being understood through context and dialogue alone. It's a film that doesn't provide all the answers, and instead dwells on the reality of injustice and wide-spread corruption, and its affects on the lives of ordinary people.

There are plenty of establishing shots of the surrounding area and its lack of vibrancy, giving the film a barren and isolated atmosphere. It does a great job reflecting the rather bleak lives of the main characters, and the cinematography is definitely one of the film's highlights. I also rather enjoyed Anna Ukolova's performance, and would've liked to see more of her and her sarcastic charm.

When this film first came out, I heard a lot of high praise for it, so I was a little disappointed when the story turned out to be quite predicable. I lost a bit of interest towards the end of the film after Dima's involvement came to an end, and I think I personally would've preferred something that had more mystery or political intrigue, though that wasn't the point of the film. Despite suffering a bit from high expectations, I'm glad I finally got around to seeing it.

[Camo]

Stalker

https://i.imgur.com/EZOSEsq.jpg

Have to admit i was a bit disheartened when this was the only Tarkovsky, purely because i've already seen it though. I would bump this up quite a bit on rewatch but not quite into all-time favourite territory, just outside (no pun). Thing is it does bore me at times and i think that's the case for even some who love it, i've heard it referred to as the "best boring film" before, similar to 2001. It's not constant or i'd hate the film, there's just some parts i struggle to care during. I honestly think it could be sort of intentional, it's a long arduous journey making the viewer struggle along makes sense. Anyway, just like the first time i was glad i saw it by the end, it's extremely well done.

My favourite scene is easily when they first enter The Zone, it feels like a magic trick. How for a bit it's one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen (even on rewatch when i was expecting it) before my eyes/mind adjusts and i realize it's not that special, it's just that i'm seeing bright colours and wildlife for the first time, i feel like a blind man regaining his sight before the initial wonder is over and i realize "oh yeah, the world is sht" :laugh: The most impressive thing about it is how he created such a hellish dystopian world outside the zone far beyond what i normally imagine when reading dystopian literature that anything would be like paradise in comparison, feel like that world is what my mind wants to imagine but i'm just not depressed enough to conjure up those types of images. The reactions to and characteristics of the two are deliberately wrong and jarring too which is so unsettling. Outside the zone is intensely ugly/grim in appearance and exiting it is the one time they are definitely in danger of dying (not including The Professor, i more mean by things/people outside the group), while they obviously aren't calm this is the easy part of the journey. The Zone is mostly normal looking (in comparison and on the outside of course) and the danger is only possibly there yet it's where they start truly cracking. Even if you don't consider what it's about those contradictions are distressing. Maybe others don't feel the same. Was thinking about it for ages the first time i thought about it, what it reminds me of was when i was very young and first got introduced to the concept of stranger danger. Like, being told if i'm lost or something to not just go with any adult and trust them completely as they could be bad people. That shook me to my core at that age, up to that point adults were automatically good, wise people who were concerned for my safety obviously because the only adults i knew were family, family friends and teachers. Sorta think it's a similar feeling i get with the zone where it initially looks like a much more desirable location then suddenly it isn't at all. And it's not just a stylistic thing it of course goes with the story/themes, and it works especially well with the Wizard of Oz comparisons i've heard before. Just like Dorothy after the initial wonder of the Colourful world of Oz fades all she wants is to return to B&W Kansas, these dudes never go all the way and actually enter The Room instead returning to Morbidsville where they belong. The end, various conversation scenes and the whole action scene dash to get into The Zone at the beginning are awesome too, but i think this works much more as a whole, the thoughts and weird feelings it leaves me with are absolutely its strength.

Anyway, not going to go into anything i think about the film, if some discussion starts and i'll happily join in. I do think this film is complex (simple if you think about it, but a lot of ways to read it) and i weirdly think that's a detriment, because it is sorta overdiscussed. Doubt much we talk about here will be new to me, not the films fault it's just an interesting film to talk about so it gets talked about a lot.

[CosmicRunaway]

Warning: Spoilers for Leviathan below.

For example i knew Lilya and Dima were going to have an affair right from their first private conversation when Kolya left the room for a second and they got into small talk which lead to her asking Dima to talk to her husband.
I thought the same thing during that scene. It just really felt that if they weren't already having an affair, that one was definitely on the horizon.

Wasn't a fan of the Mayor character, felt too cartoonish to me.
I didn't like him for the first few scenes he was in, but he kind of grew on me for some reason. I never liked him as a character, but I started to like his performance. I'm not sure if he was intended to be a caricature or actually taken seriously, but his mannerisms started to amuse me, so he actually lightened the mood more often than not.

Now that I think about it, that probably wasn't what the filmmakers were going for, considering how sombre the rest of the film is haha.

[Camo]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=46755

Leviathan / Левиафан (2014)
Directed By: Andrey Zvyagintsev
Starring: Aleksei Serebryakov, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Elena Lyadova

Anna Ukolova's performance, and would've liked to see more of her and her sarcastic charm.



I didn't pick up on any sarcastic charm. Starting to think i didn't follow this film properly because it was so purposefully uninviting and i was expecting something different, Loveless is kinda the same but it feels more outwardly angry and just emotional in general.

[CosmicRunaway]

I didn't pick up on any sarcastic charm. Starting to think i didn't follow this film properly because it was so purposefully uninviting and i was expecting something different
She had a few playful jabs at her husband, and had a sort of spirit that was lacking in the other characters. That's why I wanted to see more of her. I should probably learn the character's name, since I've just been referring to her in my head as "the friend" haha.

I do get what you mean about the film being uninviting. It is quite cold, both in atmosphere and in colour. That's why I think it would've been more engaging if it was less focused on the characters, and more involved with something else.

[TokeZa]

https://criticsroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/my-friend-ivan-lapshin-still2-526x295.jpg

My Friend Ivan Lapshin (1985) by Aleksei German

I was really interested in seeing this film, therefore it was the first of the nominated i chose to see. I have only dabbled into Germans film by seeing the first 15 minutes of Hard to Be a God from 2013, and i still have that one to see.

My Friend Ivan Lapshin was released at a interesting point in the history of the Soviet Union, after the end of the detente politics, but under the rule of the last of the old men, just before Gorbachev and the start of glasnost and perestroika. With that in mind, i am sure, many historians, find the movie interesting, in terms of how the Soviet Union was depicted.

The film itself takes an autobiographical look at the Soviet Union in the 1930's, just before the great purge by Stalin, and offers intriguing insights to the development towards the purge. While it may not be an aesthetic masterpiece like The Cranes Are Flying or Stalker, its non-linear narrative focusing on everyday moments, with offscreen sounds and offbeat happenings, makes it, in my opinion, a very good film.

However i would only recommend this for people keen on Soviet Cinema and the history of the Soviet Union, as the (historical) context matters a lot, at least in the way i saw it.

[Camo]

Glad you thought it was interesting, it's a blind nom so who knows what i'll think. Read a tonne on Soviet History last year so hopefully i'll feel the same.

[rauldc14]

Sounds interesting to me too! I think this will be an interesting Hall of Fame

[CosmicRunaway]

I just finished watching Planeta Bur. There was this sound I kept hearing throughout the film that I thought was part of the ambience. However now that I've turned it off, I can still hear that strange noise.

I can't even describe what it sounds like. I need to discover its origin before I go crazy trying to figure it out haha.

[pahaK]

I have a feeling I end up watching most of these even not being in the HoF :D

[Ultraviolence]

I'll writte some reviews later today!
Thank you jiraffejustin for your nomination, THANK YOU!

[CosmicRunaway]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=46774

Planeta Bur / Планета Бурь (1962)
Directed By: Pavel Klushantsev
Starring: Vladimir Yemelyanov, Gennadi Vernov, Georgi Teich

This is the type of science fiction film that I love to watch: full of matte paintings, model spaceships, bulky robots, puppets, and men hopping around in lizard suits. It looks amazing, which is probably why a lot of its footage was repurposed for the American films Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet, and Voyage to the Planet of the Prehistoric Women. The latter of which completely disregards one of the original Russian film's central themes, because it apparently couldn't be sold to American International Pictures if it didn't contain more women.

Planeta Bur is not exactly a scientifically plausible film. After all, we now know that the temperature on Venus is over 450 degrees Celsius, and due to its slow rotation, by the time a single day on the planet has passed, its been over 4 months here on Earth. However when this film was made, very little was actually known about Venus, and the opening screen indicates as much to the audience. So the film-makers relied heavily on their own imagination, and created a vision of Venus that aligned with their own dreams for what the other planets in our solar system might contain.

That kind of hopeful speculation is missing from a lot of sci-fi films these days, and its something I always appreciate when watching older films in the genre. I also enjoyed the discussions some of the crew had about the origins of mankind, and whether or not humans could have evolved on other planets. While most of the cast were fine, I wasn't a fan of Kyunna Ignatova. Because of her lacklustre performance, Masha's crisis in the middle of the film didn't have any weight to it. Luckily her scenes are rather limited throughout the rest of the film, so she didn't impede my overall enjoyment.

[Citizen Rules]

I was going to watch Planeta Bur last night, I was psyched for it! So I put the file on a USB stick and then put that into by BD player...The movie starts and looks great, but damn I don't speak Russian:cool: and there's no subs. They must have been soft coded. So I grab a .srt file and combine them and play the movie but the dialogue and subs were way off by a couple seconds. It was so goofy that way. But I did find a web site that allows one to tweak the timing of a sub text file, so I'll give that a go and then I'll have one nom under my belt.

[Ultraviolence]

The Cranes are Flying (1957)
http://forestrowfilmsociety.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/cranesAreFlying.jpg

The film begins with a passionate couple walking the streets of Moscow during a night (pre-war), they are hopelessly in love, so the hours goes by like magic. When they arrives at the door of the building where she lives, it is almost daytime, and after saying goodbye, she climbs up the snail staircase in a rush. Almost by impulse, the camera accompanies her up the stairs with a panoramic. He's behind her! The camera accompanies the bustle and speed they run the stairs wonderfully summing up the gale that is their love. I held my tears when I saw this sequence.

Further in, there's a travelling scene of Veronika's face in the middle of a crowd, one of the most beautiful travelling that I have ever seen. When she wants to kill herself, there's a dazzling, insane, and once again beautiful sequence: A confuse montage with lot's of vults and fast images (an it ends with a incredible 'twist').

In the war zone, we see mud, danger, explosions, and a long take -- a great example of how to shot a long take with a great camera work!

The fusion between Image and sound, poetry through camera work, body language, this is some things that I search in cinema. Of course I like a good script, but I'm more interested in how it is telled, for this reason, The Cranes are Flying is one of the most beautiful films that I ever saw!



★★★★★

[Camo]

She had a few playful jabs at her husband, and had a sort of spirit that was lacking in the other characters. That's why I wanted to see more of her. I should probably learn the character's name, since I've just been referring to her in my head as "the friend" haha.

LEVIATHAN SPOILERS

My god :facepalm: I just assumed you were talking about the wife, definitely know what you are talking about with the friend and agree, although i'd say it worked well that we didn't see her much (at all?) after the affair was revealed as it piled outside disgust onto the families misery.

I read this post yesterday and wondered why you'd refer to the wife as "the friend" :laugh: No idea what drugs i was on yesterday, dang.

[rauldc14]

The Cranes are Flying (1957)
http://forestrowfilmsociety.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/cranesAreFlying.jpg

The film begins with a passionate couple walking the streets of Moscow during a night (pre-war), they are hopelessly in love, so the hours goes by like magic. When they arrives at the door of the building where she lives, it is almost daytime, and after saying goodbye, she climbs up the snail staircase in a rush. Almost by impulse, the camera accompanies her up the stairs with a panoramic. He's behind her! The camera accompanies the bustle and speed they run the stairs wonderfully summing up the gale that is their love. I held my tears when I saw this sequence.

Further in, there's a travelling scene of Veronika's face in the middle of a crowd, one of the most beautiful travelling that I have ever seen. When she wants to kill herself, there's a dazzling, insane, and once again beautiful sequence: A confuse montage with lot's of vults and fast images (an it ends with a incredible 'twist').

In the war zone, we see mud, danger, explosions, and a long take -- a great example of how to shot a long take with a great camera work!

The fusion between Image and sound, poetry through camera work, body language, this is some things that I search in cinema. Of course I like a good script, but I'm more interested in how it is telled, for this reason, The Cranes are Flying is one of the most beautiful films that I ever saw!



★★★★★


Glad you love it. And I can see my second watch bumping it to all time favorite territory.

[Camo]

I'm watching yours next Raul. Weird that so many of us went blind, you could hate your nom while i love it and vice-versa. Will be interesting being part of a "no mine sucks more" debate.

[jiraffejustin]

I rewatched Solaris the other day. I'll try to post some thoughts in here soon. I was more prepared for what I was getting this time around and I absolutely loved it. It's terrifying at times and it makes me wonder why there really haven't been that many notable Russian horror films.

[Camo]

I rewatched Solaris the other day. I'll try to post some thoughts in here soon. I was more prepared for what I was getting this time around and I absolutely loved it. It's terrifying at times and it makes me wonder why there really haven't been that many notable Russian horror films.

Captain Steel (member here) told me the scariest thing he's ever seen in a film is the dwarf trying to escape that one rape dung...i mean room in Solaris. Difficult to disagree with that especially as an adult.

[jiraffejustin]

Captain Steel (member here) told me the scariest thing he's ever seen in a film is the dwarf trying to escape that one rape dung...i mean room in Solaris. Difficult to disagree with that especially as an adult.

It was incredibly jarring and almost felt like Kubrick or Lynch or something. It felt out of place, yet fitting at the same time. Definitely sticks with you.

[Citizen Rules]

Yeah the dwarf scene, yikes, poor guy!

I'm thinking of watching Solaris in 3 parts, with the idea that I might be able to get more out of it that way. Don't know for sure, I might just watch it in one go.

[jiraffejustin]

The Cranes are Flying is one of the most beautiful films that I ever saw!


Same.

The scene where she decides not to take cover during the shelling is one of the most spectacular scenes I've ever witnessed. Dazzling is the only word I can think of to describe it.

[CosmicRunaway]

My god :facepalm: I just assumed you were talking about the wife, definitely know what you are talking about with the friend and agree
No worries. :up:

But yeah, more of her character wasn't necessary. It's just that like you, I didn't find the wife particularly interesting, so if I had the choice between more of Lilya or more of the friend, I would definitely choose the friend (I clearly still haven't learned the character's name though haha).

[Camo]

(I clearly still haven't learned the character's name though haha).

don't think you need to do this with the dude who gets unmistakable characters mixed up :p

IMO.

[jiraffejustin]

I am not going to do a regular write-up on Solaris. I don't know what I can add to it. I'll say that it's an all-time great film. It's one of the all-time greats at causing you to feel absolute dread. It plays into Tarkovsky's hypnotic style. He can put you in a trance, but with this film it's not as much a trance as it's a trap. I've used this description for Come and See, but Solaris can suffocate you too. Natalya Bondarchuk knocks it out of the park in this film with her portrayal of Hari. Her performance puts this film even further over the top. Every bit of dread, despair, and confusion Hari felt just further clogged my windpipe.

I'm starting to think he might be my favorite director of all-time, and it's pretty obvious that Blu-Ray was invented for his films. Doesn't need to be said, but this film is gorgeous too.

[Citizen Rules]

...it's pretty obvious that Blu-Ray was invented for his films... You watched this on Blu-Ray? Lucky you! Totally agreed with what you said about the film, especially Hari. I don't know if you're interested but I did review the film here at MoFo link (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1208476#post1208476) I'm not going to read my own review until after I've watched the film and did a write up. I want to see if my opinion changes or not.

[cricket]

Out of what I've seen, I liked Solaris, loved The Cranes are Flying, and didn't care for Stalker. The others all look good.

[Camo]

I had toothache and was nauseous when i first watched Solaris, made it to the first scene inside the Station then i passed out. When i woke up i was no longer sick but i was still sorta dizzy, made it so much more trippy and atmospheric. One of my favourite experiences watching a film so everyone needs to get toothache before watching it.

[jiraffejustin]

Ballad of a Soldier

I'm struggling to make up my mind with this film. On one hand, the technical hand, it's a very good movie. It looks really good most of the time. It has some truly great moments, some truly powerful moments, and the premise of the film is one that is unique (from my experience anyway). It, perhaps, courageously spoils itself in the opening moments of the film. It builds a romance that you know can't end on a positive note. Yet, somehow, I just don't think the tone really matches what we are seeing, and maybe that is a purposeful juxtaposition that will work for most of you. I also don't really care for the music that feels pretty hamfisted or heavyhanded. I'm really torn though, because the whole film had me bouncing back and forth on whether or not I actually liked it. I think I need to see it again, and maybe another time after that. I am not trying to talk myself into liking it, but some of those moments were fantastic and I just wish I felt that way about the whole thing. For instance, the scene with the woman who was going on two days without sleep that was driving the truck was great. So was the scene after Alexei and Shura split up with two of them dealing with their strong feelings for each other and realizing the lost opportunity the two of them just had. I will say that something about the actor portraying Alexei wasn't doing it for me. I can't put my finger on it, but it's kind of like when you are playing a video game and the camera angle just isn't working for you so you try to change it to find the right one but it just never seems to work out for you. Or maybe like a color setting on a tv. Or the bass/treble settings on a radio. I don't know where it needs to be, but I know where it is at just doesn't click for me. There are some minor propagandizing issues that I didn't care for either, but those are overlookable. I'm stuck somewhere in the middle on this one and it really bums me out. There was a lot of potential here that was missed.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulbiDYWBsVs/VikntbOXU1I/AAAAAAAAusI/TwLCr8bCDYM/s1600/BOAS.gif

[rauldc14]

It was a blind nom so I haven't seen it, and I didn't read much into yours but sorry you didn't like it.

[jiraffejustin]

It was a blind nom so I haven't seen it, and I didn't read much into yours but sorry you didn't like it.

Nothing to apologize about, in fact, I'm glad I saw it. It's a good nomination. I would feel weird saying I didn't like it, because I loved parts of it. It's worth watching, but I don't really know how to rate it. I went with the half-of-five rating because it's neutral.

[TokeZa]

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Planeta Bur (1962) by Pavel Klushantsev

I am not going to say to much about this film, as i dont like to berate films. This is mostly a reiteration of JJ's review, that this was a very tedious film, with sub-par acting and in my opinion it would only be interesting in terms of looking into Soviet propaganda.


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Ballad of a Soldier (1959) by Grigoriy Chukhray

Aesthetically this was an immensely beautiful film. The story however was rather romanticized, with how it dealt with being a young soldier during war torn Russia in the second world war. I would guess that for some, the love story combined with the wonderfully depicted Soviet Union, could be regarded as a masterpiece. In my opinion it lacked nuanced characters and the nationalist propaganda go over board (which is a general problem of movies portraying wartime). I think that The Cranes are Flying is a slightly better film and overall that its interesting to see Soviet films depicting the second world war, in view of how big a tragedy it was for the Soviet Union, loosing millions and millions of lives. All in all, thought of it as a good movie, but not without it flaws.

[Camo]

Ballad of a Soldier

https://i.imgur.com/xJJTL3L.jpg

Good film. This film was absurdly cheerful at first, everyone in the Army was at least outwardly fine and mostly happy. Of course i know a positive portrayal of the Soviet Army was the only way a film like this would ever be allowed in the Soviet Union, at this time at least. Because of that i think the film is interesting from a Soviet censorship (or just ingrained guidelines in artists that would prevent them from ever having to be censored as they'd not be dumb enough to stray) point of view. As i'd be very surprised if the director who fought in fudging Stalingrad and was injured three times has such a positive view of the Army, even if the Soviet Army is exaggerated it was clearly not so calm and jolly during ridiculous pressure situations like the one at the start.

I like what he has done with his constraints, he's been clever about making a film showing that war has a miserable effect on people in a way acceptable to the authorities. Making it about the soldiers missing their homeland and family which makes them something worth protecting. It's very interesting that this made it through and it seems purely based on the portrayal of the Army to me. The Army is shown as a family, they are kind they'll let you go home for a week despite it being against the rules, the General is the one that allows it showing that even the higher ups are good people. But even though Alyosha has an endearing spirit everything back home is subtly horrifying, every character he meets on his little jorneys is dealing with some type of tragedy, back home didn't look good even though it was sorta palmed away with following such a positive person throughout the film and not dwelling too much on those moments. I know the Soviets were big on emphasizing the devastation the evil Germans caused later films like Come and See going to the extreme end of that but the Germans aren't even mentioned much at all and i found that surprsing especially in a film this early. Then i remembered it was made during Kruschev's time when Stalin's influence was being condemned, initially i thought it was a sneaky attempt at an anti-war, anti-soviet policy film but i actually think it was an official soviet policy statement that Stalin's policies and handling of the war greatly effected the SU. I dunno, maybe i'm reading into the timing too much and it's statement is simply that war is devastating and should be avoided at all costs which is the most apparent, i just think it was portrayed in a surprising way for its time and in its political atmosphere if that was the case. Just never thought i'd see a Soviet approved war film that shows devastation and war related sorrow without any mention of the enemy, at least not this close to the war.

Yes some of the romance/love was overdone but i dunno i think the camerawork saved it in some places, some of the odd angles and close-ups used almost made scenes seemingly meant to be powerful, grotesque and suffocating. I'm thinking of Vasya and his wife as well as Alyosha and Shula renuiniting that would have been worse if it wasn't all shot so interestingly, still wasn't well done as a whole though i accept. I do get the focus on love potentially ruining a film like this for some, but i mean there's tonnes of morbid war is hell films (and it's not as if this was far removed from that) out there i think emphasising how desirable and strengthening love is, is just as powerful a statement on war and it felt unique because i don't remember ever seeing this approach (unless Pearl Harbour was supposed to be that :laugh:). I wouldn't call this one of the great cinematic love stories and i don't think it hit all the marks it was attempting to but some of it was powerful and it was well acted. His brief scene with his mother was incredible, and also the road at the start and the one he travels on to get to his mother reminds me of the one in the Koker Trilogy haha.

Alyosha annoyed me at first but he grew on me. It's very refreshing seeing such a positive protagonist in a war film of this nature, he may not feel realistic and he was probably at least partly the way he was for propaganda purposes but it was different. Shura looked scarily like an ex of mine which was distracting and weird, i didn't notice it until she was eating and laughing with him in the barn then i couldn't unsee it. She was good, haven't seen that many Soviet films but honestly every single female performance i've seen in them has been good. Think i just find Soviet women fascinating, even when they're playing a part.

The visuals were great and pretty nuts at times. Don't have much else to say about them other than the tank on the ceiling shot near the start was hilarious and awesome. The main thing holding this back from being a favourite is the romance was of course extremely underdeveloped and it could've been great too as i felt they had chemistry, was so relieved to see this was only 90 minutes considering how long most of the others are but i actually think it should've been longer. Her waiting for him at the train station and them suddenly having feelings for each other and acting like a seperated couple was just weird. They did have their moments tho, the train scene was beautiful even though it wasn't fully earned, again largely because of the way it was filmed. Good nom Raul. Planeta Bur next, then my own.

[Ultraviolence]

Planeta Bur (1962)
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Planet Bur was an enigma for me at my first view, I was a bit tired so I don't think a paid much attention in the plot, so I watched again with a fresh mind and was bored with the plot and with the characters. I really liked the setting (dinossaurs in Venus, why not?) and I liked the robot and the practical effects. The actors and the plot itself aren't a good thing. There was some times that I was thinking: "Now it will start to improve!" but nothing happens. Sometimes interesting but predictable film.

★★

[Ultraviolence]

Leviathan (2014)
http://movieboozer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/leviathan-main-review-660x330.jpg

Just now I noticed that this film was directed by the same director of Loveless (2017), a film that denounces the bad state of Russian society in the face of love, the lack of attention we have with others, and how we open space for futility and alienation.

In 'Leviathan', Andrey Zvyagintsev does an exercise in detachment, the few characters look like ants in the midst of the immensity of the world around. We see the coast often, mostly painted with solitude. On the only occasion when the coast is filled with more than one person, a tragedy draws near.

The moment we saw Kolya sitting in the chair of the police station, listening to all those accusations, I knew with him that there was nothing more to be done, only to preach the truth, that he is innocent. Kolya is alone, from the beginning, his only companion is the vodka. The lack of love that his wife has with him is heart breaking, Kolya shows affection, in his way, was not enough to fill Lilya's heart.

I like how Mr. Zvyagintsev leaves to our charge the construction of the meaning of the work, causing us to meditate when the credits roll. I've only seen two of his films so far, I'll certainly see the rest of his filmography.

★★★★

[CosmicRunaway]

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Ballad of a Soldier / Баллада о солдате (1959)
Directed By: Grigoriy Chukray
Starring: Vladimir Ivashov, Zhanna Prokhorenko, Yevgeni Urbansky

I knew nothing about Ballad of a Soldier before I watched it, but judging by the title I was expecting something ground a little more in reality rather than State-issued idealism, so the unbelievably accommodating army really caught me off guard at the start of the film. The story focuses on the life of an individual soldier, and attempts to take the war down to a personal level that would be easier for audiences to relate to. That was a clever approach, however I often struggled to take the film seriously due to its occasionally blatant propaganda, so it ultimately lacked any emotional impact.

I did rather like the story of Vasya, the wounded soldier having second thoughts about returning home. I actually started to get a little invested towards the end of his screen time, however that didn't last long because Shura's introduction actually made me turn the film off for awhile. I just could not take her shrieking, and the realization that the story was probably going to focus on a romantic relationship between Alyosha and her for the rest of the runtime had me rolling my eyes and dreading watching the rest. When I later returned to the film, I fortunately found her to be far more palpable, and to my surprise the romantic subplot never became overbearing.

The propaganda also became far less intrusive, practically dying out for the final act. It became a much easier to watch film, though somewhat less interesting than how it started. Luckily the cinematography was incredibly well done, with plenty of great camera angles and lighting throughout. I didn't dislike the film, but it did feel a little conflicted to me. It was trying to paint a picture of the individual personal costs and impacts of war, however the tone of the film and the demeanour of its lead character clashed with those ideas. That may entirely be the fault of the political climate in Russia at the time, but I would've liked to see a more consistent ideology.

[CosmicRunaway]

That four reviews for Ballad of a Soldier on one page haha.

[Camo]

That four reviews for Ballad of a Soldier on one page haha.

I'm watching Planeta Bur tomorrow so there could be three reviews of that on the same page!

[CosmicRunaway]

Because of that i think the film is interesting from a Soviet censorship (or just ingrained guidelines in artists that would prevent them from ever having to be censored as they'd not be dumb enough to stray) point of view.
I agree with this. It makes me wonder how different the film might've been if it were made free from any regulations, whether they were official or unofficial at the time. I don't think it would've been quite as romanticised, as TokeZa described it, and probably would've leaned much harder in the anti-war direction.

[Citizen Rules]

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Planeta Bur (1962)


A beguilingly deep film about altruistic social ideas, that gets overshadowed at times by the prerequisite sci-fi creatures who draw attention away from the deeper concepts that the film offers.

I liked it!...I love sci fi and have always been interested in reading about the Soviet space program. One of the primary goals of the Soviets was the landing of probes on Venus. So I'm not surprised that a Soviet era film would be about a manned mission to the 2nd planet in our solar system.

I enjoyed both the space flight part of the film, and the look and feel of Venus. If Venus wasn't 800 Fahrenheit, it conceivably could have looked like it did in the film. NASA scientist believe that Venus might have very well had oceans and been habitable for 2 billion years of it's existences. That's before the run away greenhouse effect took place and turned the planet into a hell.

Back to the movie!....The story concept is deceptively deeper than the images of rubber dinosaurs would seem to present. I was impressed with the underlying theme that all life in the universe might stem from one single source, which then makes us all brothers. I see this as the director countering Soviet propaganda with some very progressive ideas of his own.

There's only a few blatant propaganda lines about the heroic Soviet people achieving space goals for the Soviet Union, and that was at the beginning of the film. I was very surprised to see that as the film progressed the Russian cosmonauts talked about getting home to Earth, not the Soviet union. I think that is the beauty of the film. In other words the director had balls!

The end credit song:
Planet of Storms, we'll see you soon, don't worry / And in your harbor, our ships will gladly berth / For not in vain are we the sons of Earth / For not in vain are we the sons of Earth / Earth, dear Comrades



And the discussion of the commonalty of the origins of life was far ahead of it's time in sci fi ideas. To me it seemed like the film maker was saying, life everywhere is akin.


What about a stone age rock painting in Sakhara? This drawing shows a man wearing a space suite. What about those ancient rust resisting columns in India? The way they treated the iron of the columns is yet unparalleled on Earth. And the mystery of the Atlantis? And the extraordinary knowledge of the ancient astronomers?
...
I'm convinced that interstellar flights are an inevitable step for development of life elsewhere. There's no isolation between the worlds. And Life immigrating in cosmos is as natural as spreading the plants seeds by the wind on Earth. And perhaps, the solar system planets are populated with one and common tribe of living creatures, who are
developing like different branches, Of the solar tribe.

That's ahead of it's time and later that idea appeared in the 1968 book, Chariots of the God by Erich von Daniken. Maybe the movie inspired the book?I found the film haunting with the siren voices in the wind and the mystery of an ancient civilization laying lost under the ocean...And oh that last shot in the reflecting pool, sublime.

Maybe the production values aren't always in line with the films more enlightened ideas, but I can overlook that and focus on the deeper meaning of the film.

[CosmicRunaway]

A beguilingly deep film about altruistic social ideas, that gets overshadowed at times by the prerequisite sci-fi creatures who draw attention away from the deeper concepts that the film offers. [. . .]

Maybe the production values aren't always in line with the films more enlightened ideas, but I can overlook that and focus on the deeper meaning of the film.
I actually like that the film has both. But I love hilariously fake sci-fi creatures, so they won't necessarily detract from other elements of a film for me haha.

I'm glad you liked it, and that I'm not the only one who didn't think that there was a lot of overt propaganda (outside that "trust in Russia" opening text and maybe the collecting samples montage). I didn't even think it was as preachy as some classic Star Trek episodes.

[Citizen Rules]

I actually like that the film has both. But I love hilariously fake sci-fi creatures, so they won't necessarily detract from other elements of a film for me haha.

I'm glad you liked it, and that I'm not the only one who didn't think that there was a lot of overt propaganda (outside that "trust in Russia" opening text and maybe the collecting samples montage). I didn't even think it was as preachy as some classic Star Trek episodes. Yeah for sure, the fake creatures didn't detract for me. I love old 50s-60s sci fi, like the stuff American International and Roger Corman put out. Gosh I feel like watching more know!

I loved the ships and thought it was interesting that they showed one being destroyed. The hoover craft was cool. John the robot was cool too and his voice! Intimidating until he got drunk on rainwater:p. I really liked that they were shown doing actually science: gathering lava samples and gases, soil, etc. So many older American sci fis would never have shown that.

[CosmicRunaway]

I really liked that they were shown doing actually science: gathering lava samples and gases, soil, etc. So many older American sci fis would never have shown that.
That's true for a lot of other genres as well. I took an Archaeology in Film class in University, and what I learned was that practically no fictional archaeologists ever do any actual archaeology haha.

[jiraffejustin]

Visitor to a Museum

I don't know what to write. First of all, the film looks great, or maybe awful. I don't mean the awful as far as artistic quality, but dingy and miserable. Lopushansky is the dirty version of Tarkovsky. And considering how I've recently come to love Tarkovsky, that's high praise. Visitor has the best post-apocalyptic aesthetic of any film I've ever seen, Fury Road or otherwise. It's the Jigoku of post-apocalyptic films. It's an ambiguous film that even if you pay attention to, you have a decent chance of coming away confused. It'll stick in your head. I don't have a good interpretation, but I also don't think that matters. It means more to me that I can watch something so well put together and gorgeous and painful and mesmerizing.

[CosmicRunaway]

I rewatched Solaris, and now I kind of want to rewatch the 2002 version as well, even though when I saw it before I kind of hated it.

[Citizen Rules]

I rewatched Solaris, and now I kind of want to rewatch the 2002 version as well, even though when I saw it before I kind of hated it.I liked the 2002 version, though I seen it first and so didn't have the original to compare to it. I think I might very well revisit it after I watch my nom.

[CosmicRunaway]

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Solaris / Солярис (1971)
Directed By: Andrey Tarkovsky
Starring: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri Järvet

Solaris is a slow moving, contemplative film that handles its introspective themes more subtly than most other films in its genre. It tackles topics that are both grounded in reality and easier for audiences to relate to, such as those of love and conscience, while also including more philosophical concepts such as our inability to comprehend ourselves, let alone the scope of the universe or alien life that cannot be defined by our limited Earthly experiences.

I really liked the design of the space station, with its wires and machinery on display instead of hidden behind pristine, glossy white panels. The excess trash in the hallway and sparking cables don't exactly inspire confidence, but it definitely feels real, and as though it's been lived in for many years. The first shots of that interior help set the tone for the remaining portion of the film, and I think it's quite effective. The Solaris ocean was also really well filmed, and I liked the use of practical effects to create what we saw.

It's a very interesting film, and since I haven't read Stanislaw Lem's book, its supposed divergence from the novel is completely irrelevant to me. Some people complain about the opening segments, but I quite like how the film starts. The scenes where they're watching the footage of Berton recounting what he experienced while trapped in the thick fog to the other scientists were quite compelling, and I would've watched a film solely about that. I do however have some reservations about the extended drive through Japanese traffic, but I think there's probably just something about that segment that I still don't quite understand.

[Citizen Rules]

Solaris / Солярис (1971)
Directed By: Andrey Tarkovsky

I do however have some reservations about the extended drive through Japanese traffic, but I think there's probably just something about that segment that I still don't quite understand.


It's symbolic for the impetus of mankind's journey to a higher plane of self-. It's a empty road that the lone soul journeys before reaching one's own self-imposed heaven or hell (Solaris).

Ha, that sounded pretty heady, I almost believed that myself...

Nah the reason is more like this: the director was given permission to leave the Soviet Union to film at the Worlds Fair in Japan...but by the time he got to Japan the Worlds Fair had already closed, so most likely the freeway scene is in the film to justify the expense of his trip to the Soviet film board and so keeping his ass safe:p

[Citizen Rules]

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Ballad of a Soldier (1959)

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It hooked me right at the start and held my attention fast, all the way to the poignant ending. It was a heart felt and very personal story, which resonated with me. I liked how we learn of the devastating effects of WWII on the Russian people by seeing the changes the war has forced on the population. We never see a direct result of the German onslaught, the director keeps the focus on the Russian people and that was effective.

I liked how there were vignette stories within the main story, as the young solider encounters people on the move and they briefly move into his life, then in a fleeting moment they're gone. This rush of time is ultimately reflected in the soldier's own rush to make it home, before his limited freedom runs out.

So glad to have seen this.

[Camo]

Won't be rewatching Solaris so here's what i wrote when i did. It's terrible but in my defence like i mention i was sick. Would bump the rating up to 4.5 now i've had time to digest it.

Solaris - 4+

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First of all i was watching this and digging it then really painful toothache came out of nowhere. I ended up taking a couple of Ibuprofen as i was starting to get a headache, then things escalated :laugh:. Long story short i ended up super sick; falling in and out of sleep for around four hours then i woke up feeling fine. The good thing about having to stop Solaris and come back to it later was that it was at the perfect time; pretty much 2 minutes into Kelvin first arriving at the station. Thanks to that madness and going right back to sleep after i watched it last night then being out all day i've forgot half of the stuff i was going to say about it.

Just watched my first Tarkovsky the other day: Stalker and i enjoyed but also struggled with it, mostly due to the pacing. Well this was much slower since the characters weren't always on the move like the Stalker ones, it was alot quiter/calmer than Stalker too for the most part. Particularly the first 45 minutes of Stalker with all of the loud machinery, gunfire, etc. The majority of this was calm talking; instead of getting bored by it i was completely transfixed on what they were saying. I thought this film was powerful which was a surprise; i often see Tarkovsky's films called cold and i can definitely see that from Stalker; this worked for me on a very subdued level though. Scenes like just before Kelvins departure at the bonfire with his mum crying and him needing to confront the idea that he'll most likely never see his parents again was very well done. I was surprised how long it took them to get into space; it must've took the film around the same amount of time as Stalker took to get into The Zone. No doubt it was needed particularly for Berton's story but i do think it got better once he went into space. I love that it became much more of a psychological film rather than sci-fi oriented; i didn't know much about Solaris so that came as a welcome surprise since i personally prefer psychological films. Could see similarities to Stalker here; ignoring the ending of Stalker we really don't know whether any of the traps or what the room is claimed to be are real, here it's much the same until later in the film with it not being clear if this is hallucinations or madness or what. I thought it was well done how one of the scientists had killed himself and the other two had clearly lost their minds; the damage was done to them, but we get to see everything actively happen to Kelvin. It's kind of like looking at a before and after picture then watching the effects take a hold of him. Was surprised how fast they got into it, for such a slow-moving film they jamp right into Kelvins hallucinations, i mean 10-15 minutes after he arrived he started seeing Hari and about 30 minutes after he arrived he was completely disheveled sending Hari off in a rocket.

Anyway, great film that'll be high on my sci-fi list. Great performances, visuals, interesting themes and psychological aspects and i loved the ending.

[CosmicRunaway]

I watched The Cranes Are Flying but haven't had a chance to write anything yet since I decided to do some spring late summer cleaning.

The only nomination I haven't tracked down yet is Visitor of a Museum, and of course that's the one I think I want to watch next haha.

[rauldc14]

I haven't started yet but really look forward to this. I just have 2 more 30s noms to finish.

[Citizen Rules]

...The only nomination I haven't tracked down yet is Visitor of a Museum, and of course that's the one I think I want to watch next haha. I need that one too, give me a shout out if you get a link. (found out that Russian site only had 20 minutes of the movies...unless you paid them, it figures;))

I haven't started yet but really look forward to this. I just have 2 more 30s noms to finish. Have you seen you're own nom? If not I think you might like it, I did.

I'm going to try and watch another nom tonight:p

[rauldc14]

No CR I decided to go blind on this. Although Cranes was a consideration.

[Citizen Rules]

No CR I decided to go blind on this. Although Cranes was a consideration. Well it will be cool to see if you like your own nom. Have you read the write ups on it? Or are you waiting till after you've seen it?

[CosmicRunaway]

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The Cranes are Flying / Летят журавли (1957)
Directed By: Mikhail Kalatozov
Starring: Tatiana Samoilova, Aleksey Batalov, Aleksandr Shvorin

I was expecting The Cranes are Flying to be drenched in propaganda, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that that was not the case. Although the story is incredibly predicable, it's still enjoyable thanks to the actors' performances, and timeless central themes that would still apply if you completely changed the film's setting. While I did not like the score for the opening sequence, it certainly provided a stark contrast against the tone found in later parts of the film, and it does at least succeed at setting up the events that follow.

The cinematography for this film is simply astounding, and features a lot of fantastic camera work. Not only are the static, angled shots great to look at, but the camera's movement is very impressive, as it follows a character up a seemingly never-ending flight of stairs, or weaves through a tightly-packed crowd. The scenes that take place in those large crowds are among my favourites, and the final one with the flowers was a great sequence to end the film on.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the fact that we see Veronika return to the same location a few times throughout the film, and each time she's there, the area is more heavily fortified. It's a simple but effective way to show the progression of time, as well as how the local situation has changed drastically over that period. We also never see the enemy combatants; we only hear their gunshots and witness the physical and emotion destruction left in their wake. Since the film focuses on the effects of war, particularly on those left behind, I thought that was a very clever choice.

[Citizen Rules]

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Leviathan (2014)

I haven't read the other reviews of Leviathan, so I don't know what you guys thought of this film. I'll be reading your reviews as soon as I post this.

It took me awhile to figure out that this is one gutsy film! That photo I used, says it all: look at Putin there on the wall looming over the scene? That's the first key that this is actually about current Russian politics with all of its ugly corruption and abuses of power....Later in the movie when they have a picnic and target practice at a remote lake, one of the men pulls out a bunch of old portraits of past Soviet leaders, to use as target practice! Now shooting at the image of Lenin or Brezhnev is just kind of funny in and of itself. But it's what happens next that ties in the movie's themes with political commentary. The man says he has some current portraits too, and he mentions Yeltsin is more of a drunken conductor (meaning he was a harmless buffoon)...but he never directly mentions the other leader that he has a portrait of, which is Putin.

Leviathan is a monster that can't be controlled, we hear that in the church sermon and by the events that befalls Koyla. I thought all that innuendo was pretty bold seeing how a number of Russian newspaper editors and opponents of Putin have been poisoned. So I give the movie high marks for it's daring social commentary. I enjoyed it too, though it was a bit slow to get started, but once it did I was interested in it. And of course it was great seeing a part of northern Russia I've never seen before.

[CosmicRunaway]

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My Friend Ivan Lapshin / Мой друг Иван Лапшин (1985)
Directed By: Aleksey German
Starring: Andrei Boltnev, Andrei Mironov, Nina Ruslanova

My Friend Ivan Lapshin was a little difficult for me to watch. It had nothing to do with the film's content or themes, but rather the use of handheld cameras and a number of shaky point-of-view shots from characters not standing still. It's strange because I don't experience motion sickness in the real world, but this style of film making frequently gives me headaches and occasionally makes me feel dizzy or even ill. As such, it's difficult to really enjoy a film that's physically making me unwell.

I wish I knew more about Russian history, because I think that having some idea about the social and political climate at the time would help to understand what was happening in a number of scenes. I had to do some reading afterwards, because I found myself quite lost during the film, feeling as though there was something looming on the horizon or some commentary waiting to be discovered, but it couldn't figure it out at the time. I still haven't determined the significance of why select scenes are in colour, so I might have to do some more digging or rewatch parts of the film later on.

Despite all that, there is something compelling about the film's story and the manner in which it is told. Due to its narration, I initially thought that the plot would have a more rigid structure, but that was not the case at all. It's an interesting film to follow, and I know I'd be praising the cinematography if the camera would just stay still long enough for me to appreciate it. There were some foggy scenes in the later parts of the film that I particularly liked the look of, as they gave off a slight noir vibe which I always enjoy. My head is still pounding a little, but luckily I don't regret sitting down to watch what turned out to be an intriguing nomination.

[Citizen Rules]

I can't find My Friend Ivan Lapshin (1985) and Visitor of a Museum (1989) (Cosmic said she needed that one too). Any links anyone?

[CosmicRunaway]

I'll send you a message, CR.

I have a link for Lapshin but it's Russian only and requires adding your own subtitles. The ones I found first were absolute garbage (though they synced nicely haha), and unfortunately I didn't save where I got the better subs. I did also locate Visitor of a Museum after, but not through an online stream.

[Citizen Rules]

I'll send you a message, CR.

I have a link for Lapshin but it's Russian only and requires adding your own subtitles. The ones I found first were absolute garbage (though they synced nicely haha), and unfortunately I didn't save where I got the better subs. I did also locate Visitor of a Museum after, but not through an online stream. Thanks Cosmic! Lapshin worked but I still need
Visitor of a Museum, anyone?

[neiba]

Ballad of a Soldier (1959; Grigoriy Chukray)

A very beautiful anti-war film that focused on the russian experience of thw WW II.
It has a very strong opening, and even if it doesn't quite keep the level through out the film, it ends very beautifully.
I liked the sountrack and the cinematography very much and the acting is surprisingly good! Also, it's nice to see a russian film, particularly about war, that's not inherently a very heavy and hard watch! It makes this HoF more balanced!

Nice nom!

3.5 -

[rauldc14]

Planeta Bur

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52fbe871e4b060243dd758d6/5786898409e1c4bfec4d2a6f/5a3a997771c10b949c1474fb/1522149671112/Planet-of-Storms.jpg?format=500w

Finally got to kicking off this HOF last night. I'll echo what a lot of people have said, I thought it was a pretty tedious film for only being 79 minutes long. The concept of the film was very intriguing though, and I liked what went on when they were on the planet, much to the point that I thought even more excitement would end up happening. I wish the execution of the story would have been a bit better, and that I would have felt some more connectivity to the characters. I also am not sure if it was just the copy I watched but the subtitles we're difficult to read at times with the font of it and also at times the speed. All this combined made me not care for the film as much as I could have. Still, it's interesting to watch films like these even if they aren't that good, as strange as that sounds.

1

[rauldc14]

I could also use links for Leviathan, Visitor, and Ivan

[CosmicRunaway]

Ivan is on Vimeo and I found Museum on Youtube, but neither have English subtitles. If you're able to download the streams and add your own subtitles, I can send you those links.

[CosmicRunaway]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=47346

Visitor of a Museum / Посетитель музея (1989)
Directed By: Konstantin Lopushanskiy
Starring: Viktor Mikhaylov, Vera Mayorova, Vadim Lobanov

Visitor of a Museum reminded me of Tarkovsky's Stalker at times, though it has its own distinct style and atmosphere. The post-apocalyptic setting of Visitor is never outright explained, but rather it is slowly constructed through the film's visuals, themes, characters, and small lines of dialogue that occasionally refer to ecological disasters, flooding, and chemical waste. It's a clever way to build the film's world while maintaining an air of mystery and intrigue, and I thought it was incredibly well handled.

Colourized scenes, particularly the dark reds that accompany every night, help set the tone, and provide a stark contrast against the blinding light and pale blues found in some of the daylight shots. The interesting visuals are definitely one of the film's highlights, and they helped alleviate some of the problems I had with Visitor of a Museum overall. The performances were not exactly consistent, which often proved to be a distraction. The main character in particular frequently jumped from being completely fine to hilariously overly dramatic, sometimes in a matter of seconds.

While I quite enjoyed the first half of the film, I did find the latter half to be a bit of a chore. Some of the scenes seemed to drag on for much longer than necessary, and the shift into a more ambiguous plot with overtly religious messages were not that appealing to me. I might have found it more interesting if some of those scenes were edited down a bit, or at the very least if there wasn't so much screaming during the last half of the runtime. I'm not sure what to make of the film, because parts of it are amazing, while other parts are almost unbearable. It's definitely a memorable film though, and I'm glad it was nominated because I likely never would have stumbled across it on my own.

[CosmicRunaway]

I guess I'm technically done now, but I'm going to rewatch Stalker before I finalize my list. I was planning to rewatch at least parts of it, but Visitor sharing some similarities has me interested in watching the entire thing again.

[Mr Minio]

It's so amusing to see how Planet of Storms surpassed so many people. It's not a great film, but a pretty good one.

Ballad of a Soldier is a total masterpiece, and anybody who thinks otherwise... has the right to their own opinion. Now who'd thought that would happen?!

[rauldc14]

I guess I'm technically done now, but I'm going to rewatch Stalker before I finalize my list. I was planning to rewatch at least parts of it, but Visitor sharing some similarities has me interested in watching the entire thing again.

You are done and I just started. Funny.

[Camo]

I'm halfway through, probably won't be able to watch much over the next two weeks due to the US Open but i'll finish quickly after that.

[Ultraviolence]

A Visitor to a Museum (1989) by Konstantin Lopushansky

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f2/aa/3c/f2aa3c9a9661c537cb869c44c6b93a10.png
★★★★★


The Sorrow!
The sensory fear of a post-apocalyptic universe has never been so well realized. The red lights that melt the colors of hell are the tens that make up the narrative of this enigma of sensations. An ambiguous world filled with despair and tragedy. The world of A Visitor to the Museum is a true picture of hell!

From the initial moments on the way to the 'museum', until we contemplate the end of sanity amid the chaos, Konstantin Lopushansky does not let the tension cease. Even amidst the most relaxed scenes, the reddish illumination was there, to remind us constantly that misfortune hangs over this world!

The horror sequences are made up of noises and screams of despair. The waves illuminated by the apocalyptic redness is an image that will stay in my memory forever!

The fantastic camera work is so well done that made me stop to accompany it! A rare case, since I'm always in constant contact with the composition of the movements. This is just another reason to rewatch this fantastic movie!

The long walk through the void at the end of the movie made me gasp, when the credits rolled, my first reaction was to rewind the last seven minutes, and then watch again and again. One of the most impressive endings I've ever had the pleasure of seeing! The birds, the illumination, the cries, the despair!

The film does not deliver conventional dramaturgical solutions. Honestly, after the first thirty minutes I no longer wanted to know about any museum, I just wanted to contemplate this character surrounded by this obscure world.

And I'm not interested in a solution to this puzzle, what disaster could have happened? What exactly it's in the museum? -Maybe I'll find some answers watching a second time but it doesn't matter. The questions that drive the movie are the reason I got scared, that's the kind of horror that scares me, that makes me feel chills! The sensory horror that enters my brain and makes me think of horrible things.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=47441&stc=1&d=1535418291

The Cranes Are Flying (1957)


About a week ago I was watching I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978) a film about the Beatles' American invasion in 1964, and outside a movie theater was a poster...The Cranes Are Flying. I thought that was kind of cool.

Very impressive film. Tatyana Samoylova who played the lead, Veronika was amazing. When I was looking for photos for this write up I noticed she almost always had a distant far away look in her eyes, and her face was taunt like she was deeply focused and burying pain deep inside. You can see that in the above photo.

The opening scenes reminded me of Fellini before he delved into surrealism. It was like every scene was imbibed with energy and the joy of life. Then in the second and third acts, the film is more claustrophobic, with tight camera shots on the actors stressed faces. That all worked well.

I loved the story too, young love: devoted, ethereal and all encompassing. Then comes the war and that innocents in shattered by the German onslaught. I like the way the film captured that dichotomy. There was one camera shot that really brought home what it must have been like for the Russian population to know the Nazis were close to marching into the heart of their city.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=47442&stc=1&d=1535418297

All the actors were very good, in that they seemed very personable and not at all like actors. I loved it when Veronika went to get her squirrel back. What a jerk her husband was!

Definitely a landmark in Soviet film making.

[Ultraviolence]

Guys, I'm going to travel tonight and I'll be offline for the next five days! When I get back, I'll finish the missing films!

[Citizen Rules]

Guys, I'm going to travel tonight and I'll be offline for the next five days! When I get back, I'll finish the missing films!Have a good trip, and we'll be here when you get back:) I won't probably be done with the movies by then. I have 4 more to go, I think?

[rauldc14]

Ballad of a Soldier

https://waldo.villagesoup.com/media/Common/CourierPublications/2015/11/18/1752027/f-BalladOfSoldierBW.jpg

Very good film, I was worried I wouldn't like my blind nomination bit that was not the case.

There were actual times I was wondering if I would consider it a masterpiece. It does fall short of that though. I actually didn't like the beginning of the film, because I didn't like what it spoiled. But it didn't ruin the film for me either.

It is a beautiful film and is shot very well. The best of it being that very end scene, where the main character rides away in the vehicle with the mother watching. Very powerful. I also liked the relationship between Aloysha and Shura. It felt genuine to me that something liked this could have really happened. The acting itself isn't groundbreaking but it's certainly good enough.

I think it's just that beginning for me that doesn't make it be at the highest level, because while I felt emotionally invested, it felt like it played it's card too soon. Although I can't wrap my head around exactly why. Real good film though.

4

[Citizen Rules]

Ballad of a Soldier

...I actually didn't like the beginning of the film, because I didn't like what it spoiled. But it didn't ruin the film for me either.... Somebody else said that too. I must be dense cause when I seen the opening scene and then the film flashed backwards, I thought the end of the film would be very different. Maybe I missed something? What I though would happen in the end was:

That the mother was left waiting on the road for her son that never returned from the war.

[rauldc14]

Oh I had no clue that it would certainly end that way, but it may have been stronger of an ending if the beginning was different. If that makes any sense.

[Camo]

All i could think during the start was that reminds me of the road in The Koker Trilogy

https://i.imgur.com/7qPkQY1.jpg

[Citizen Rules]

Oh I had no clue that it would certainly end that way, but it may have been stronger of an ending if the beginning was different. If that makes any sense.I guess I see what you're saying. I should look for the other review that mentioned the opening as giving away the ending (it didn't for me, but maybe I missed something? It wouldn't be the first time!) Anyway great nomination, my wife really like it too. So far all the noms have been very good.

[rauldc14]

I'll probably just watch Cranes next. Still looking for 3 of them to find too

[CosmicRunaway]

I was under the impression that his mother never saw him again after he first left to go to war, so the fact that he did get back to see her for a few minutes seemed a bit odd to me. I think it would've been far more effective if he wasn't able to make it around the collapsed bridge at all. It would be heartbreaking for him to make it so close to home, only to have to return to his post, where we know from the opening narration that he will perish.

[jiraffejustin]

I don't have wifi where I live yet, so I can only get online when I go to school. But most of the time I'm at school, I am occupied by other, more pressing needs. Once I get situated, I'll be here more often. Just a little update so nobody thinks I've ran away. I plan on watching the rest of my leftovers next week sometime.

[rauldc14]

I don't have wifi where I live yet, so I can only get online when I go to school. But most of the time I'm at school, I am occupied by other, more pressing needs. Once I get situated, I'll be here more often. Just a little update so nobody thinks I've ran away. I plan on watching the rest of my leftovers next week sometime.

It's all good. I just started so there's always me to blame too for holding things back:p

[neiba]

Yeah, I only watched one yet. But I promise I'll get things done soon!

[Camo]

I'll start watching again as soon as/if Nadal goes out! Will be another week if he wins like he should.

[CosmicRunaway]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=47588

Stalker / Сталкер (1979)
Directed By: Andrey Tarkovsky
Starring: Aleksandr Kaidanovsky, Anatoli Solonitsyn, Nikolai Grinko

Stalker is a rather quiet film, with a focus on ambient sound and noises rather than a more traditional musical score. There are a lot of long takes, with very low, deliberate movements, or even a completely steady camera. It gives you time to take in the scene, its tone, and what the film is trying to convey. The visual distinction between the world the characters inhabit and the Zone is fantastic. Outside the Zone everything is bathed in sepia, and it's intentionally mundane looking and quite bleak. The Zone is not exactly vibrant, but the use of full colour gives it a completely different atmosphere.

One thing I didn't previously like about the film was the lack of evidence regarding the supposed dangers that lie within the Zone. We're told that it is filled with traps, and that the landscape can change at any time, but we never witness any of that. However this time around, I saw that choice in a different light. The Stalker clearly has an overtly religious view of the Zone, and he wants others to give the area the respect he thinks it deserves. But without any concrete proof, he seems a little superstitious to the Professor and the Writer, who don't initially take his warnings seriously. It's effective at establishing his reliance on faith rather than science, and puts the audience in a similar position to the men he is escorting, who have to decide whether or not to trust that the threat is indeed real.

One of my favourite parts of the film happens shortly after the main characters enter the Zone. The Stalker talks about how his mentor had trampled down a flower bed, but that the smell of those flowers lingered for years afterwards. It's a rather simple line of dialogue, but I thought it was really great. The idea that things continue to exist within our minds after they've physically ended is not the most profound revelation, but I appreciated how something a little philosophical was inserted without any fanfare at all. That was something the film really excelled at.

While I did enjoy the final scene in the Zone, I'm still not a fan of the wife's monologue that comes after it. It just doesn't feel necessary to me, and I would've been happier if the film ended outside the fabled Room instead of continuing back past the blockade. I think that I respect Stalker more than I actually like it, but I am glad that it was nominated since I was feeling a bit sour on the film when I rewatched it for the Sci-Fi Countdown, and fortunately this viewing was far more pleasant.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=47722&stc=1&d=1536074748
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (1985)

An impressive style of film making and a very interesting nomination. I'm afraid some of it went over my head at first, as I got lost in so many secondary characters. Which is actually OK, as it felt like a fly-on-the-wall, you-are-there film.

That first person, historical effect was made even more so by the use of hand held cameras and non fancy cinema techniques, like panning to characters versus film edits to shift character focus. I think a more artsy approach would have been a deterrent to the first person telling of the Stalin Purges back in 1935, so kudos to the film maker.

I didn't remember exactly what year the film was made while watching it, I knew it was in the 80s. So I kept pondering was this made after the fall of Communism? Or during Gorbachev and the new openness? Anyway, I was quite interested in what Russian/Soviet era this was made. Now I see it was made in 1985...

Pulp Fiction, that's what this movie reminded me of, with it's multiple personable characters...who are - but aren't part of the main story, and along with the everyday common vernacular gives the feeling that we're watching real people going about their lives the best they can. We see them banging their heads on low hanging shacks and complaining about spilling a can of petro, or drinking out of a bucket, etc. All of those little 'extras' made it seem very real to me.

I read where the film maker said of his fim: My aim was to convey a sense of the period, to depict as faithfully as possible the material conditions and human preoccupations of Soviet Russia on the eve of the Great Purge. He achieved that! In story, dialogue, structure, cinematography, editing, sound...in all, it felt like he had a time machine and made his film back in 1935.

[Ultraviolence]

https://i.gifer.com/XjA.gif

[rauldc14]

Hmmm, some of these are gonna be tough for me to find, but I won't give up!

I'm watching Cranes tonight. Then I'll for sure crack into those 2 Tarkovsky films. Heaven help me with Stalker again. I hope I was just in the wrong mood first go around.

[rauldc14]

Cranes are Flying

https://gregneville.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/cranes-11.jpg

I really liked this the first time I saw it. The second time around it was just as good though. There are two main things that I love about the film. The first is the amazing performance by Samoylova. Just a truly emotional performance. She kind of reminds me if Audrey Hepburn in a way and boy can she act. Put in a lot of tough spots with her character and she nails every opportunity that she is given. Aecondly, it is a beautifully directed film by Kalatozov and there are a lot of beautiful shots. As sad as it was I think the war scene where Boris dies is very well done. And that ending, while heartbreaking is poetic beauty. Close to being an all time favorite for sure and it still can be.

4+

[rauldc14]

Stalker

http://prettycleverfilms.com/files/2014/06/dog-stalker-620x350.jpg

I really despised this film the first go around and was hoping a second watch would help change that. But it didn't. The hardest part for me is that it seems quite intentionally drawn out and could have been much shorter as there were certain times where nothing was happening. Another thing is that The Zone really didn't peak my interest either. It was kind of a blah atmosphere for me and it would have been nice to be mesmerized by it. The characters weren't likeable not that they had to be but I didn't care about what happened to them on this journey. I'm done ripping the film apart but I'd be lying if I said I didn't think it was quite overrated.

1

[rauldc14]

I found a suitable way to watch Levathian and I got Solaris ready. I'll tackle one of them this weekend.

[Citizen Rules]

I found a suitable way to watch Levathian and I got Solaris ready. I'll tackle one of them this weekend. I think I'll watch Stalker soon. I've not seen it before but you review and my recent viewing of Annihilation, has got me curious about it.

[neiba]

Is there any idea of a deadline for this jiraffejustin? I have been quite busy and I need to organize my watches! :p

[Mr Minio]

drags on for much longer than necessary
nothing happens
boring
too long
didn't care about the characters
should've ended differently
style over substance
didn't get it
Forrest Gump was better
:leo:

[jiraffejustin]

Is there any idea of a deadline for this jiraffejustin? I have been quite busy and I need to organize my watches! :p

Give me until Monday to come up with an answer, but also maybe remind me on Monday if you can. I'll check the temperature and hopefully come up with an agreeable deadline.

[rauldc14]

I have enjoyed the loose "deadline" if only because I trust all of us that are in this to get it done eventually. I still got 4 but have been able to take my time.

[Camo]

Tennis is finished tonight so i'll start up again on Monday with Planeta Bur. I've only got four left so it should only take a week, two at most if things come up.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=47863&stc=1&d=1536509071

Stalker (Andrey Tarkovsky, 1979)

My first time watching Stalker and I was impressed! Oh, the beauty of it! I loved the opening scene that seemed to go on forever like time had been slowed down, and yet my attention level was high...I was engrossed. What a thing of beauty the gold monochromatic look gave to the film. But what really blew me away was the textures. It was so richly textured, the walls, the furniture, the floor, even the deeply lined face of the Stalker was textured. That my friends is a stunning use of side lighting. BTW, I seen this on a fully restored Criterion DVD, and damn did it look good.

I really liked how the film used monochrome color to represent the world of the Stalker, where he merely existed. But it's in the zone where he comes alive and so did the colors! I loved the look of the zone with the early morning soft light and mist...mist everywhere, like a soft blanket concealing the mysteries of the zone.

And such wonderful shooting locations through out the entire film. Way too many to mention but each location was a treat to the eyes and really made the story...So did the cinematography and lighting. The use of negative space in the compositions really impart an emotion of poetic peace and yet there's this understated uneasiness that occurs in the zone.

It's amazing how by the actor's reactions, we believe the zone is this place with ever changing mazes, where the laws of physics don't seem to apply and danger is only a misstep away. Yet, we never seen any evidence of that...but I totally believed it, and that's thanks to an intelligent script and really strong acting by the lead (the Stalker). The score too went well with the film and it was used very lightly. Stalker is about a personal experience...it's reflective, as four people go into the zone...The fourth person is the movie viewer. I really felt like I was on the journey with them.

rating_4_5

[rauldc14]

Hmmmm

[Citizen Rules]

Hmmmm Raul, got I ask you: why did you think I would hate it?

[rauldc14]

I didn't expect such a connection and feeling part of the film. I was wrong.

[Camo]

Sounds like he liked the technical aspects more than anything and it's hard to deny how well it's done.

[Citizen Rules]

I didn't expect such a connection and feeling part of the film. I was wrong.Ok. I know you said (and probably joking) I would hate it because I hated Annihilation. But then you loving Annihilation you should have loved Stalker. I felt the two films were as different as night and day, even though they had a similar theme.

[Citizen Rules]

I just read all the reviews for Stalker. I'm still thinking about this movie...



Stalker / Сталкер (1979)

...It gives you time to take in the scene, its tone, and what the film is trying to convey.

I'm glad you said that, I had planned on mentioning that in my review, but forgot. I don't know if there's a cinema term for what you described, but I do appreciate it when a film gives me ample time to look around and see the sights...so to speak.

...I'm still not a fan of the wife's monologue that comes after it. It just doesn't feel necessary to me, and I would've been happier if the film ended outside the fabled Room instead of continuing back past the blockade...I wasn't a big fan of that scene either and I would agree that ending it outside of the Room would have been my choice. I also wasn't a fan of the three scenes that had long blocks of philosophical monologues with the 3 men just setting or laying still. That was the only time I felt myself getting bored. Luckily most of the film wasn't like that. I'm not faulting the film as I know Soviet literature is heavy on philosophy and the director's father was a renown poet. Still, no matter what movie I'm watching long speeches aren't my thing.

[Citizen Rules]

Stalker
My favourite scene is easily when they first enter The Zone, it feels like a magic trick. How for a bit it's one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen (even on rewatch when i was expecting it) before my eyes/mind adjusts and i realize it's not that special, it's just that i'm seeing bright colours and wildlife for the first time... I felt the same way, I swear I rubbed my eyes like that would help me take in all the new color.

The reactions to and characteristics of the two are deliberately wrong and jarring too which is so unsettling. Outside the zone is intensely ugly/grim in appearance and exiting it is the one time they are definitely in danger of dying (not including The Professor, i more mean by things/people outside the group), while they obviously aren't calm this is the easy part of the journey. The Zone is mostly normal looking (in comparison and on the outside of course) and the danger is only possibly there yet it's where they start truly cracking. Even if you don't consider what it's about those contradictions are distressing. Maybe others don't feel the same. I had this innate feeling that the Zone was a calming place, which I guess is coming from the Stalker's reverence for the Zone and the feeling that in the Zone he's somebody while outside of the Zone he's a louse.

[Camo]

I had this innate feeling that the Zone was a calming place, which I guess is coming from the Stalker's reverence for the Zone and the feeling that in the Zone he's somebody while outside of the Zone he's a louse.

Yeah that's basically what i meant. The Zone feels calm and much preferrable to the outside yet that's where the traps are which even if they're not real make you lose your mind, and where his daughter was cursed or whatever. The instinctive feelings i get from both areas makes me feel like their characteristics and lore should be switched which is a jarring/distressing feeling. It's such an eery feeling thinking things genuinely shouldn't be this way, somethings out of place. It makes The Zone feel like an actual dangerous, mysterious place to me without having to make it outwardly dangerous which is an incredible achievement and goes really well with the traps possibly not being real. I don't get scared from movies anymore but Stalker probably comes closest as an adult.

[Citizen Rules]

You know what grossed my out, was inside one of the zone buildings they had to walk through this really disgusting looking stagnate water, that was waste deep....And I read this:

According to the film's sound designer Vladimir Sharun, at least 3 members of the crew (including director Andrei Tarkovsky) died as a result of chemical contamination encountered on location in Estonia.

[Camo]

You know what grossed my out, was inside one of the zone buildings they had to walk through this really disgusting looking stagnate water, that was waste deep....And I read this:


Yep. There's conspiracy theories that Tarkovsky was killed by the Soviet Government because he was making Anti-Soviet propaganda. There's actually some evidence for it mainly former KGB Agents, but i'm skeptical.

[Citizen Rules]

Yep. There's conspiracy theories that Tarkovsky was killed by the Soviet Government because he was making Anti-Soviet propaganda. There's actually some evidence for it mainly former KGB Agents, but i'm skeptical. Wow, I hadn't heard that and usually I'm not a believer in most conspiracy theories, but I did read that Soviet Cinema board didn't like his film Stalker and he defected. So it's plausible. It's too bad he didn't get to make more film. Have you seen other of his films? I know you've seen Solaris.

[Camo]

Wow, I hadn't heard that and usually I'm not a believer in most conspiracy theories, but I did read that Soviet Cinema board didn't like his film Stalker and he defected. So it's plausible. It's too bad he didn't get to make more film. Have you seen other of his films? I know you've seen Solaris.

Just those two, Solaris once and Stalker twice. Have Ivan's Childhood and Andrei Rublev ready to watch, should get to them. Feel comfortable taking my time with him since he only made seven films.

[Citizen Rules]

Just those two, Solaris once and Stalker twice. Have Ivan's Childhood and Andrei Rublev ready to watch, should get to them. Feel comfortable taking my time with him since he only made seven films.Same with me, just those two I've seen.

[Camo]

Planet of Storms

https://i.imgur.com/U1r4qL2.jpg

Expected to hate this with everyones reaction but actually found it enjoyable. First of all, so glad it's short haha. It takes a while to get going and it's not the best visually at first, the inside of the ship looks so shoddy. What this reminded me of initially oddly were the shows: Thunderbirds, Stingray and Captain Scarlet. The three of them are Marionette's shows set in space or the military. So like this they were low budget depictions of things that were supposed to be futuristic or high tech, which is a jarring juxtaposition. I find it very charming though like Doctor Who (which i'm not a fan of) is immensely popular now but a lot of it still looks silly and dated despite them having the budget to improve exactly for that reason, that whole aesthetic is deliberately built into it with the ridiculous looking Daleks and The Doctors weird suits and bowties. The robots, intercom system, pretty much everything in the sets were so "Saturday Morning Kids Show" to me, like some college pantomime group put the whole thing together with stuff they found in dumpsters :laugh: Okay, i'm greatly exaggerating it looked nowhere near that cheap, but this is supposed to be complimentary anyway as it took me back to my childhood in a strong way. That's a big thing with space set shows and movies for me particulary B Movies, space exploration is supposed to be the peak of humanity venturing into somewhere we know so little about that complete dwarfes us so when it's dated my brain short circuits or something.

As soon as we landed on Venus with the practical effects and more detailed surroundings it became fantastic to look at though, something i definitely didn't expect considering how i found the inside of the ship. It kinda made me love it by default because it made me think of how fun and hilarious it must have been to construct and interact with all this ridiculous stuff would've been. Also while the monsters looked absurd the actual surface of the planet and weather conditions were very well done. And i found the monsters themselves hilarious anyway because there was absolutely no stakes coming from them, there's no way Marlon Brando could pretend he was scared of any of it and these dudes didn't even really try which i loved. The opening tentacle plant monster thing trying to eat that dude was one of the most pathetic feeling danger scenes i've ever seen which is why i loved it. I'm still not quite sure what i was watching here, whether those were genuine attempts at scary situations or if it was purely supposed to be funny and i kind of tuned out of the dialogue a lot so i'm sure i missed things. Either way it was just ridiculous fun. Also tuning out of the dialogue even though it wasn't deliberate probably made this better because there'd be random lines i'd catch that made zero sense and were hilarious out of context. Should have probably paid more attention but it was honestly difficult with all this nuts stuff going on.

I did struggle at times with this, the acting was mostly very bad at worst and bland at best (i also suspect there was some comedy i just didn't get because of the way it was performed and my aforementioned not following the dialogue all the time), and i'm not the biggest fan of Sci-Fi in the first place so was bored at times, mostly when they weren't dealing with hilarious monsters and conditions on Venus. It looked great and was a lot of fun at times too though. Thanks for nominating Cosmic, normally i wouldn't go within a million miles of something like this and i did enjoy it so i should probably keep more of an open mind.

[Camo]

Is TokeZa still in? Just curious because i've got three left including his and i'd like to know before watching it.

[rauldc14]

I haven't heard from him in here lately so let me know too. I can't afford to watch something I don't have to with football cutting into film watching.

[TokeZa]

Im still in and i have finished the films, though im not participating so much in the discussion, because im finishing my social workers education.

[jiraffejustin]

Watching Lapshin tonight and if I can stay up late enough I'll get to Leviathan as well. Not sure if I'll rewatch Stalker, but I probably will just because it's kinda been a Tarkovsky renaissance for me the last two months.

[Camo]

I'm watching My Friend Ivan tonight too. Then a rewatch of The Cranes are Flying before finishing with A Visitor To A Museum. Should be finished this week.

[Camo]

My Friend Ivan Lapshin

https://i.imgur.com/RboKcTT.jpg

I've seen very few Soviet/Russian films so i didn't have much choice but to blind nominate. Briefly considered a Tarkovsky or Sokurov but decided on this because i've seen praise for it yet only peripherally, i had absolutely no idea what this was about all i knew was some people think pretty highly of it. I'm glad i went for it as i thought it was fantastic, it's my favourite of the three films i've blind nominated for Hall of Fames by quite some way.

I do think it takes a bit to get going but it's already intriguing right away. The war is coming, you have adults entertaining kids by mimicking battles and neighbours both playfully and seriously threatening each other with the secret police. In just a few brief lines of dialogue it's already set up the current mood and thoughts of the people up really well. That's what i think it did better than anything showed us a collective view of what Soviet Russia was like just as it was going into its harshest period, and not just a small group of people, it was genuinely difficult to keep up with and at the same time it completely slowed down and meandered off into random side characters doing whatever they were doing whether it had any relevance to the plot or not. We see the people with power and some degree of comfort, the ones without and the ones in the middle albeit briefly often. I definitely didn't wrap my head round everything here but i think that's a good thing, both because it makes me want to learn more about it and most importantly it makes me want to see it again. I'll need to see it four or five more times to get who half of the characters were and what was going on in various scenes and if it held any significance outside of creating the feel of a town and a wide group of people. And i don't think you need to get everything he was going for to appreciate the film otherwise i imagine he'd have made it alot more conventionally, the gorgeous look and recreation of a specific time, and people, and culture was enough to drag me in. That's basically why i both love and hate period pieces, i have to be convinced i'm watching something at least somewhat accurate and i'm sure my ignorance of various times in history results in me unfairly maligning films because of it, but sometimes a films depiction just connects with you right and that's what i felt here. I mean it's not just that it feels like 30's Soviet Russia to me, it's that this absolutely doesn't feel like an 80's film, it feels like it was made much closer to the period in the 50's or something.

Thought this looked incredible. At first when it was in black and white it felt like it was going to be a slow, moody film and i thought yeah this had to be in black and white but then we were suddenly blasted with colour and the tempo immediately picked up with that. I loved that, one stylistic choice initially felt like the right one before i got a sample of the alternative and realized this is going to look good whichever we get. The colour shifts were nuts there's literally a scene in black and white but when Ivan looks out the window it's in colour. I'd have to watch it again to make sure because i've already forgot which scenes were in colour and which weren't, but i think the scenes the narrator was directly reflecting on in the "sad story" he was telling were in black and white and all the sidequests haha were in colour, curious if i've got that right. If i am then it would be a lot easier to sort out everything on rewatch by only watching the black and white scenes or the colour ones, probably isn't though. Actually nah i'm wrong because the vast majority of it was in black and white and it was divided much more evenly, well whatever it was great anyway. Think a lot of the Soviet films i've seen are purposefully ugly or maybe "harsh" is a better word and i appreciate that look a lot, but this i traditionally beautiful. Can see the shaky cam annoying some but i actually thought it really contributed to the authentic feel of the film. It sort of felt like we were the one with the shaky cam following the action before we see something interesting happening off to the side making us go and see what's going on over there. A steadier cam and more traditional cuts would've made it feel a lot more staged i feel, this way it felt like we were just travelling about a town documenting how these people lived. The dialogue was the same unless i just had a crappy subtitle file as the camera was seemingly focused on the important characters in that moment but the dialogue shown would often be the others by them or even passing randoms. It kind of reminded me of the episode of The Simpsons: 22 Short Films About Springfield in that we would see small parts of these characters before another character within that scene or at least nearby takes over and becomes the focus.


Anyway wish i had more to say but i don't, i may later though. Was planning on deleting my copy right away to make space but i'm going to keep it around and possibly rewatch some of it as it comes to me, as i do think this will stick in my head. I've not said anything about the characters, i did find them interesting. Like how the self-assured harshness Ivan operates under as a policeman conflicts with his unreciprocated feelings for the actress. But, i think i'd need to spend more time with them and wrap my head more around the structure to have anything interesting or conclusive to say about them. Either way i loved it, think it's the first potential favourite i've blind nommed :cool: Just a rewatch of The Cranes are Flying and a first watch of A Visitor To The Museum left now.

[Ultraviolence]

Already watched: Stalker, Solaris, The Cranes are Flying, Planeta bur, Visitor of a Museum and Leviathan. Didn't write about Stalker and Solaris though.

Need to Watch: Ballad of a Soldier and My Friend Ivan Lapshin
I'm planning to watch both of them next weekend!

[rauldc14]

Started Leviathan but I don't speak Russian. Access is tough here.

[CosmicRunaway]

i think the scenes the narrator was directly reflecting on in the "sad story" he was telling were in black and white and all the sidequests haha were in colour, curious if i've got that right. If i am then it would be a lot easier to sort out everything on rewatch by only watching the black and white scenes or the colour ones, probably isn't though. Actually nah i'm wrong because the vast majority of it was in black and white and it was divided much more evenly, well whatever it was great anyway.
I was wondering that while watching the film as well. I tried afterwards to figure out what the meaning behind it was, but couldn't find an explanation that made sense.

I'm hoping that someone here will have a clever idea to explain it, because not understanding the choice makes me feel a bit daft haha.

[Camo]

Started Leviathan but I don't speak Russian. Access is tough here.

Download and add the subtitles yourself. The files are tiny and you should definitely be able to do that on an IPad.

[Camo]

Started Leviathan but I don't speak Russian. Access is tough here.

Clear your PM's i found a link with subtitles.

[Citizen Rules]

I couldn't figure out why some color scenes were used either. I'm trying to watch Night in a Museum tonight, then I'll only have a rewatch of Solaris.

[Camo]

I'm trying to watch Night in a Museum tonight,

Didn't know this had secret Kremlin backing :p

https://i.imgur.com/IiIwTtA.jpg

[Citizen Rules]

Ha! I think I'll do a double bill.

[rauldc14]

Clear your PM's i found a link with subtitles.

Just saw this now.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=47909&stc=1&d=1536763390

Visitor of a Museum (1989)


I was blown away by the opening scenes! I've never seen a dystopian sci-fi film create a world that was so bleak and yet so interesting. It must have been the juxtaposition of the haves and have nots, that made the opening of the film so compelling. I've seen a lot of sci fi too, it's one of my favorite genres, and the world and the feeling that went with it, is unlike anything I've seen before. Maybe it was the use of the burnt umber tinting that gave the film this other worldliness, or perhaps it was the huge fires that burnt in front of the windows that cast an eerie glow in the buildings interior that made this film so different.

I liked how the tourist traveled deeper into this strange world, over the huge trash piles he went and past giant scrap metal heaps, into what could only be called a post apocalyptic bed & breakfast run by mom and pop. All that was pretty darn cool.

But as the film took on overt religious tones and waxed philosophical I felt like I was being preached at, and the exploration of this strange land stopped. There wasn't many other movies sets in the second half besides what we seen in the opening. At least none that floored me.

I've said before I don't like long monologues, I prefer the visual or a well told story or even deep character exploration. So the last half of the film lost me and I didn't really care about the plight of the degenerates, like the film intended. Though I do have very mixed feelings about using actors that looked to me to have real physical and mental disabilities. I hope they were treated well on the set. At any rate they looked to real which took me out of the movie and I began to wonder about their lives and the quality of care in Russia at the time. I would have preferred a post apocalyptic sci fi to use actors with chemical-biological mutations, you know some gnarly bumps and skin lesions, the usual sci fi stuff. Oh the girl with the big fake teeth also took me right out of the picture, to distracting. It's an uneven film with a brilliant first half but the rest of the film didn't do much for me and the final scenes at the museum were a let down.

[Camo]

Visitor To A Museum

https://i.imgur.com/lUIC7qK.jpg

Another i had no clue about going in. I'm aware of its general acclaim but what i actually associate it with more is SC losing his mind when it turned up on the 80's Countdown because it had so few IMDB votes :D Man, this film is a nightmare, it's great. Same deal with Stalker, Soviets know how to create the scariest looking worlds that also seem sort of plausible if everything goes wrong in our future. I was thinking of Adaptations of the most acclaimed western dystopian novels (or at least how i'd envision them) and most of them look ridiculous even though they work on paper, think Soviets had much more of a flare for a visual representation of these hellworlds, which is probably to do with them living in a much more hellish, potentially collapsing, uncertain society. My Friend Ivan Lapshin sort of seemed like a confused farewell to Soviet Russia (or at least Stalinist Russia), like it may not have always been good but it was our home while this just seems like the sky is falling personified. I definitely agree with JJ in that i don't really know what this was trying to say i have some boring ideas about faith and worship and abandonment and whatever but they aren't fleshed out at all, and it easily could be a lot more positive/hopeful than i'm taking it, but how could you take it any other way this is hell on earth. The worst thing about it at first was how used to it the characters weref. This throws us right into this well established world and the characters struggle with it obviously and aren't happy exactly but they're used to it now. It's a weird feeling of dread i also got from documentaries like ABC Africa and Streetwise in that their horrible situations had just became their existence, they hadn't experienced anything better in a long time (or possibly ever in ABC Africa's case) so there was nothing better. I'm probably not explaining this well, to use a ridiculous example when i was a kid KFC was incredible to me because i had it rarely and i had never tried any other fried chicken (i know :eek:), it was the peak of fried chicken to me until i tried something better. It's kind of a very positive thing actually as it shows humans amazing ability to adapt to our surroundings no matter how harsh which is how we've come this far in the first place.

The main character himself was pretty unnerving. He was clearly searching for something that wasn't revealed or obtained, and for large parts of it he came across as a normal curious tourist. There's something crazy about this film that it always feels on the edge of showing something horrifying, sometimes it does but sometimes it doesn't. It's like someone constantly making you flinch by pretending they are going to hit you before they finally do. And i think it's similar to the film always feeling like it's going to give you answers right up until the end, then it kind of doesn't or if it does it's vague and/or i missed it. I dunno, this is another i definitely want to see again. Man, the Soviets are fantastic at distracting me with weird imagery and filming techniques, this is the third film in a row :laugh: I didn't even think of acting at all until the nightmares then i realized the main dude was incredible, his screams and terrified howls, jesus christ.

The film looked amazing in the most horrifying way. I've mentioned a lot that i haven't been properly scared of a film since i was about 9 years old and i really miss it, that's still true but this is definitely the sort of thing that has a shot. All the fire and smoke and dust definitely conjured up images of hell. Several other things too actually, the machinery, metal scraps laying about, red lights and sounds (particularly all the screaming and shouting) made it seem like the image i have of hell where people are forced to operate machinery by pushing big levers which i think i got from The Simpsons haha. Actually the whole underground factory place was exactly what i picture when i think of hell. The beautiful scenes were just as horrifying both because of the imagery and what was happening in the scene, the first nightmare for instance when he's floating through some snowy landscape with a greenish/greyish tint to the scene. That scene was like the best representation of sleep paralysis i could imagine even though i know that wasn't its goal, particularly the silence when there should have been noise which reminds me of the feeling of trying to talk or scream to wake yourself up during it and being unable to. Another thing i noticed is that there's some very traditionally beautiful looking scenes particularly his view of the sea yet when shown there's always something ugly/unsettling on screen. While looking out at the sea either a storm will be brewing in the sky or the mutant woman will be on screen or something, it was relentless. Anyway great film, definitely could have enjoyed this just as much without subtitles as it's such a unique and crazy audio-visual experience. I mean i had no idea what was going on at times, and i really didn't care.

Great nom Tokeza. Only a rewatch of The Cranes Are Flying left, will probably be on Sunday or Monday.

[Camo]

Also very random, but this shot near the end:

https://i.imgur.com/d7v49Tx.png

Reminded me of this from The Exorcist since it kind of looks like he has no head (at least when it was in motion):

https://i.imgur.com/jrtPZ4O.jpg

[jiraffejustin]

I've been so busy with school that I keep forgetting to check in with everyone to set a deadline. I swear I'll try remember to do it tomorrow.

[Camo]

The Cranes Are Flying

https://i.imgur.com/PmYjUBx.jpg

Not got much to say about this. Firstly because i suspect you guys have already pointed out all the things the film does well. But also because while i recognize this as a well made film i don't like it anywhere near as much as most of you, and i'm not quite sure why. Personally hope one of the Tarkovsky's win instead, as i figure those are the three with a shot. I get it, it looks gorgeous and is very well acted. I feel this should have been perfect for me right now after so many, inpenetrable, cold, hostile films in this Hall of Fame, this is devastating but heartfelt. But i wasn't feeling it as much as i would have liked to, and i think i felt similar the first time as i had it rated 3/5 on Letterboxd which i'd still give it. A film with so much going right for it that just doesn't quite connect with me, my rating is largely for the craft which is undeniably great. Genuinely hate this obviously the ideal scenario would be loving a film i recognize as good, but if not i'd at least like to point to specific criticisms/reasons for why i do not. Sometimes it's just a feeling though and in that case all i can really say is the vague "didn't connect", sadly. All i can really say is the only film in this hall of fame i felt the length of more was Leviathan, and that shouldn't be the case considering this is one of the shortest.

Anyway, this feels more like a Hollywood film plotwise to me and it reminds me of Hitchcock and German Expressionism with the way its filmed. Then again from what i've heard of Eisenstein and his tilted/rotating camera it is probably like his films visually as well, i just haven't seen any yet. Doesn't feel Soviet to me but of course i've seen barely any and most of them have been long and slow and horrifying. The music more than anything feels like it's part of a classic dramatic hollywood tragic romance. More than anything it's of course because the characters aren't intentionally cold and distant, they are outwardly loving and emotional. The acting is very good, especially Tatiana Samoilova. It wasn't an easy role as her character went on quite a journey she had to convey a lot and she pulled it off well. She is gorgeous too reminded me of Audrey Hepburn, my favourite thing about the film may be the way her face was filmed.

Good nom, i just don't quite connect with it like most.

[Camo]

Sent my list. Good Hall of Fame. I didn't hate anything which is surprising because i really expected to despise Planet of Storms and it turned out a lot of crazy fun. It was nice with the relaxed pace and small amount of us, usually i rush these things and end up the first finished but i took two whole weeks off halfway through. I'll stick around and read the remaining reviews plus join in any discussion that might pop up. Thanks a bunch for coming up with the idea and hosting JJ! :up:

[Camo]

jiraffejustin i rounded up the reviews throughout the thread if you want to put them in a post, if not i'd be willing to maintain a post with them by editing one of mine on the first page. The size of the thread so far probably means it doesn't matter much but it could be useful in the future if people are looking for their reviews.

Camo 8/8:

Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1932729#post1932729)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933109#post1933109)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934948#post1934948)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1938121#post1938121)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948144#post1948144)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948555#post1948555)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948852#post1948852)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1949191#post1949191)

jiraffejustin 3/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1932746#post1932746)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934374#post1934374)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1936561#post1936561)

CosmicRunaway 8/8:

Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933092#post1933092)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933486#post1933486)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935866#post1935866)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1937054#post1937054)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1939339#post1939339)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1940119#post1940119)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941718#post1941718)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1944488#post1944488)

Tokeza 3/8:

My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933199#post1933199)
Planeta Bur & Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934846#post1934846)

Ultraviolence 4/8:

The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1933565#post1933565)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1934988#post1934988)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935676#post1935676)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1942344#post1942344)

Citizen 7/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1935888#post1935888)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1937831#post1937831)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1939743#post1939743)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1942584#post1942584)
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1945900#post1945900)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1947800#post1947800)
Visitor To A Museum (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1948848#post1948848)

Neiba 3/8:

Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941426#post1941426)
The Cranes are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1949470#post1949470)
Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1949896#post1949896)

Raul 6/8:

Planeta Bur (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1941673#post1941673)
Ballad of a Soldier (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1943576#post1943576)
The Cranes Are Flying (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1946180#post1946180)
Stalker (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1946758#post1946758)
Leviathan (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1950789#post1950789)
Solaris (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1950822#post1950822)

[Citizen Rules]

Good idea on the review links, I was keeping the URLs of the reviews on my computer so I could go back and read the reviews once I watched a movie. I have one more film, a rewatch of Solaris. Think I'll do that in 3 parts as the film has 3 acts. I'll get to that over the week end and then I'm done. It's been a very educational HoF and I'm glad I was invited and joined. I feel like I learned a bit about the Soviet/Russian condition and psyche. Like Camo just said it was a good HoF idea!

[jiraffejustin]

Would anybody object to the deadline being two weeks from today?

[Citizen Rules]

Would anybody object to the deadline being two weeks from today? That's fine with me. I should be done in a week if not sooner.

[Camo]

Would anybody object to the deadline being two weeks from today?

I'd contact neiba about it as he's got seven left assuming he hasn't watched any others.

Despite having already finished, i strongly object and will take you all the way to the Supreme Court over this :coleman:

[rauldc14]

Would anybody object to the deadline being two weeks from today?

Honestly I probably wouldn't have enough time to finish. I'm pretty busy these next couple weeks.

[Citizen Rules]

Honestly I probably wouldn't have enough time to finish. I'm pretty busy these next couple weeks. A longer deadline is OK by me too. I'm not in a rush, no worries on my part:)

[Camo]

Yeah, i'm cool with whenever.

[jiraffejustin]

Honestly I probably wouldn't have enough time to finish. I'm pretty busy these next couple weeks.

A month good?

[rauldc14]

I can do a month certainly. I probably watch Leviathan and Solaris early next week.

[MijaFrost]

I'm going to watch all of these even though I'm not in this HOF. :D

On that note, does anyone have a link for My Friend Ivan Lapshin? That's the one I couldn't find.

[jiraffejustin]

Is there any idea of a deadline for this jiraffejustin? I have been quite busy and I need to organize my watches! :p

Sorry I took so long to get back to you on this, I am figuring that October 11th or 16th should be the deadline unless I get all the votes sooner. You might have to do some cramming to meet that, I hope that's okay.

[neiba]

Ok, I can do 1 month! :)

[neiba]

The Cranes are Flying (1957)

This looked gorgeous, like a masterclass in photography, and that's perhaps the thing I loved the most about it.
I also liked the soundtrack and the script is quite solid though I was thinking the story would take a different path.

The acting is a bit stiff, especially from the lead couple, even if Veronica is absolutely stunning!

Overall, there are some pretty impressive moments. The one when she's running to suicide, or the moment she's probably raped by Mark, are truly amazing but I didn't feel any weight in the final 15 minutes as I thought I would, even if I can't point to what went wrong.

3.5 -

[Citizen Rules]

I'm going to watch all of these even though I'm not in this HOF. :D

On that note, does anyone have a link for My Friend Ivan Lapshin? That's the one I couldn't find. @CosmicRunaway (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=90868) sent me a link, maybe she can help you?

[CosmicRunaway]

I sent Mija a PM earlier. Though if anyone has a link with subtitles, they might want to send it along in case Mija can't add them manually.

[neiba]

I'll tackle Planeta Bur tonight!

[neiba]

Planeta Bur (1962)

Things that impressed me about this: it was shot 7 years before man went to the moon for the first time, during the Cold War and the Space Race, so you can detect some dream to take Mother Russia to explore other worlds.

I liked some shots, and the overall look of the film didn't bother me, even if I admit it's not exactly a nice film to look at.

It had potential and I spent the entire film waiting for something to happen but I got disappointed. It ends being really boring. I checked the running time more often than in a 3 hour Tarkovsky film. The acting is also pretty bad!

I realize this must have been hard to shoot in a low budget, and I'm still glad to have watched it for historical reasons. But it's not what I'd call a good movie.

2 -

[rauldc14]

Leviathan

http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/leviathon.jpg

I don't have a whole lot to say about this film other than I found it to be dull. Don't get me wrong, I like the premise and the plot of the film, I just don't like the execution and a lot of the dialogue felt like a lull in time. It very easily could have chopped off about 45 minutes of film time and still sent the same message and story. The performances were ok but no noticeable standouts for me. The highlight of the film was certainly the cinematography. There were a ton of beautiful shots, especially the ones with the mountains near the end. Overall, rather than call it a bad film, I'll just call it one that didn't connect with me.

2.5

[rauldc14]

Solaris

https://indieethos.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/solaris_6.jpg

I don't have enough intelligent words to say about how mesmerizing this film was. It was like an upgraded version of 2001 for me. And I do like 2001, although I don't love it. The characters, particularly Kelvin and Hari are interesting and make you care for what happens to them. Of course it also helps that Tarkovsky builds a fantastic world on this space station. Shot for shot I'm just in awe that this film was made in 1972. I think he makes you want to come back to the film by drawing you into this world that you almost feel like you are aboard yourself. In particular, the last half hour of the film is among the greatest endings to a film perhaps ever. I know this is a really weak review but I feel I would need another viewing or two to speak to the greatness of this film.

4.5

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48301&stc=1&d=1537715547

Solaris (1972)This was a very emotionally moving watch for me. That's why it's one of my favorites. Tarkovsky in the first part of the film..on Earth, sets up the somber & reflective mood that Kris Kelvin feels about his own life. The cinematography and narrative in the first part of the film gives the viewer this feeling of withdrawn seclusion. The setting is beautiful in it's contemplative mist covered isolation, which reflects Kris' inner turmoil. We don't know at this point what his turmoil is, or why he burns his past when he throws his personal letters into the fire. Tarkovsky knows how to set the mood.

In the second act on the space station, Tarkovsky wisely goes for the human story and not a sci fi tech story. We don't need an expose on how the space station works, instead we're immersed in the mystery of Solaris and the key to the mystery is the ghost that haunts Kris. When Hari appears she's both illuminating and pitiful. She reflects the guilt that Kris feels over the loss of the real Hari. And yet she's helpless and alone, not even knowing her ownself. Tarkovsky shows us her bare feet, then in the next scene in a soft voice she ask Kris, 'where are my shoes'...She looks for them in Kris' backpack but that's futile and he can only watch her suffer as she slowly learns the truth about herself and the fate of the real Hari. Through that understanding, Solaris with it's mysterious ocean understands what love and humanity is.

[Camo]

Updated the post with the reviews and added it to my first post in the thread (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1931751#post1931751), in case anyone is looking for it.

Edit: Sorry if you get a second mention for that JJ haha, i just copy and pasted the whole thing.

[jiraffejustin]

Thanks, Camo. I have a calculus exam tomorrow, studying for that has been kicking my ass. I'll be able to write some stuff about a few of the films I've seen not posted about after I finish up that exam.

[Ultraviolence]

Stalker (1979) by Andrei Tarkovsky
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZDY4MjIzMmUtNzVjZi00Y2U0LWI4YmEtMDRlZjk1YjMxNzlhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTA2ODMzMDU@._V1_.jpg

What if the world ceased to have faith?


From the moment they head towards the Zone, Professor and Writer, are guided by the Stalker to 'the room' of truth, where their deepest desire will be realized. The truth is that not always what we want in words, out and loud, are the ones we really want. The subconscious is a black abyss full of selfish thoughts.

The camera that sculpts time makes us observers of this journey of self-knowledge in the silent and mysterious zone; What is the zone? How did the zone settle into our world? These are answers that the viewer must seek along with the characters, we are his accomplices.

There is an atmosphere that revolves around nature in Stalker, nature is almost a fourth character. Our subconscious is our greatest enemy, Writings says at some point: My conscience wants vegetarianism to win over the world. And my subconscious is yearning for a piece of juicy meat. But what do I want? - They are constant pieces to which we are preached by ourselves.

Writer also said that he believes that the Zone is the product of a super civilization without any God - The evolution of man lies in the absense of God! For the Stalker, faith is what moves the world, which is why it takes people there in the first place. When he realizes that they have no faith, he breaks down, weeps, despairs, "I will never take anyone else there." While some have lost faith in God, others have lost faith in humanity.
Stalker is a film about faith, about how the world is without it and how the world is with it.


★★★★★

[rauldc14]

Accessibility hurting my chances of finishing this early enough. Grr.

[CosmicRunaway]

Which films do you still need to find?

[Citizen Rules]

Accessibility hurting my chances of finishing this early enough. Grr.Did you find them?

[jiraffejustin]

My Friend Ivan Lapshin

It's been 15 days since I watched this movie, but I haven't found the time to write anything up. It actually took two attempts to get through it. The first attempt was a couple days before the time I finished it. I watched about twenty minutes, and decided to cut it off. It just felt meandering and the overlapping dialogue was bothering me; I just couldn't focus on everything that needed focusing. I started it over a few days later with determination in my heart. Determination was not needed once the ball started rolling. I was actually drawn in a lot more than I thought I would be after the first try. I didn't realize that the fellow that directed this also directed Hard to be a God, or more likely, I did know but had forgotten. If I'd had that in mind the first time, I would have known what to expect. It's like Altman on Test 200. It's beautiful to look at, but can be maddening in how it flows without a traditional structure, like a paper boat rushing down a creek after a hard rain. It bobs from left to right, occasionally snagging a loose branch before being swept away again in the current. The pace isn't as fast as that, really, but the erratic motion is more how I feel. It doesn't seem to care if you keep up or not, especially if you have to read subtitles, like I think most if not all of us have to. Despite that, or because of it, the film really was able to strike an emotional nerve with me. Like the best Soviet cinema, there is a palpable sensation of doom looming. It looks gorgeous, but expect your feels to be tugged on from somewhere underneath and hidden and in a more existential way. Seeing the way those people are all packed in together and on top of each other just darkens the whole thing too. I really like this film.

[rauldc14]

Did you find them?

Nope :(

[Citizen Rules]

Nope :( Which ones do you need? Is it
My Friend Ivan Lapshin (1985) & Visitor of a Museum (1989)

I think you might like them both. Cosmic helped me out, but I didn't save the links. CosmicRunaway

[rauldc14]

Yeah it's those two. I feel bad because it feels like I'm whining, but I really can't seem to get anything to work. The downloading subtitles thing really doesn't work on an iPad either at least when I tried.

[Citizen Rules]

Yeah it's those two. I feel bad because it feels like I'm whining, but I really can't seem to get anything to work. The downloading subtitles thing really doesn't work on an iPad either at least when I tried.I'm not expert, but some of the streaming sites allows you to upload a .SRT subtitle file, then you play the movie and you get English subs.

[MijaFrost]

Yeah it's those two. I feel bad because it feels like I'm whining, but I really can't seem to get anything to work. The downloading subtitles thing really doesn't work on an iPad either at least when I tried.

I sent you a link for Visitor to a Museum.

[CosmicRunaway]

I hardcoded subtitles onto copies of Ivan Lapshin and Visitor of a Museum for Raul, so hopefully they'll work for him now. If anyone still needs access to those films, PM me your gmail address and I'll forward them to you as well. They're the same copies I had previously found on Vimeo and Youtube, just with subtitles permanently added (so they do not require adding your own separate subtitle files).

[rauldc14]

Yes they both work! Thanks Cosmic

[CosmicRunaway]

No problem! :up:

[neiba]

Stalker (1979)

Second run on Stalker, same reacting. One of the most mind challenging films I've ever seen and one that keeps inside your head longer than anything I've ever watched.
It's visually stunning and so freaking poetic! There's many things I understood in a different way since last time I watched it and others I felt someday I'd understand better. It's one of those films that requires a kind of maturity to fully appreciate.

4