gudaulin

I am surprised by the very low rating on FilmBooster, which, in my opinion, does not correspond to reality. Secret Agents loosely draws inspiration from a few-year-old scandal when the French Secret Service sank a Greenpeace organization ship in the Pacific Ocean. The low rating stems from the fact that the film, with its screenplay and direction, is miles away from the typical popcorn action production with exaggerated stylized action and a fast-paced plot. This film shows the more prosaic and realistic side of secret service work, endless hours of waiting for orders, tiresome surveillance that often leads nowhere, but also the uncertainty of what awaits the agents after the mission. It has a very decent cast, with Monica Bellucci in particular showing that she is not just a decoration, but that she also possesses a considerable amount of character acting. You will also get to see a few fights, corpses, and chases, but they are certainly not essential in this film. Overall impression: 75%.

This is an undemanding mainstream animated series for the youngest audience with a slightly didactic focus, which neither in its script nor in its visual execution strays from the boundaries of a mass product intended for the international market. Overall impression: 45%. If nothing else, it at least teaches children that life isn't just fun, but also involves work, and things don't just create themselves. :-)

This fun animated series is primarily evidence of the sad fact that the pinnacle of animated creation is currently happening somewhere completely different and, above all, is increasingly distancing itself from us. The overall lightness and charm of the series, given by its humor, which is well understood anywhere in the world, is a huge plus. In a way, it's a genius masterpiece, both in terms of visual conception and the script of individual episodes. Overall impression: 95%. The younger "sister" of the dog Gromit.

The fourth Alien film is indeed the weakest in the tetralogy, but it is still a significantly above-average addition to the science fiction genre. It has a clearly different atmosphere from the previous three installments - it is not an intimate horror like the first or third one, nor an action-packed military spectacle like the second one, but rather a comically colorful spectacle, featuring the often-used humorous lightening in comics, and there are also self-parodic moments. The characters correspond to the comic book concept as well. We meet a gang of variously diverse cosmic pirates, eccentric self-centered scientists, and ruthless monstrous military officers. However, the flaw is that it is no longer a purely genre spectacle, but an uneven film where great moments, such as the famous underwater clash in the flooded restrooms or the duel on the elevator shaft, alternate with hesitant moments, like the use of a poorly executed mutant and above all, the rushed ending that is unquestionably the weakest part of all the films. In short, the script was hastily patched together. Unlike the previous installments, it does not work even from a logical point of view, when one considers what the aliens (including nest construction) managed to do in an hour and a half, during which the story unfolds in real-time, it is truly unbelievable even for a die-hard fan. The cast is above standard, Sigourney Weaver is great as always, Dominique Pinon is entertaining, Ron Perlman is negatively charismatic, and Winona Ryder is fragile. Overall impression: 70%. Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a great director, but Alien: Resurrection should have been entrusted to someone else.

While the theme of the twists and turns in a romantic relationship is viable, and the script contains a certain Boccaccio-like playfulness and occasional delightful hyperbole, and there are several appealing humorous situations, the entire film is very typically Italian. The comedy, though more refined, still reminds me a lot of the bland style of Paolo Villaggio, and I am more a fan of dry English humor. Additionally, the film evidently features second-tier Italian actors. It's purely a relaxing, undemanding affair. Overall impression: 45%.

I had high expectations, enticed by glowing reviews and high ratings, and if not for that, I might have been more satisfied. Stir of Echoes is a genre average that neither offends nor excites, whether it's the script, casting, acting performances, or directorial work. The ending is quite predictable, and the beginning with the child motif seemed more promising than the actual development and resolution. At times, I felt obvious inspiration from other famous films, for instance, the black character in the park reminded me of a figure from Kubrick's The Shining. Overall impression: 55%.

This anthology film, which essentially lacks anything binding it together, is a collaboration among directors of different schools, generations, nationalities, and themes. Consequently, it's uneven, with Pasolini's tale set within a film crew representing the absolute peak for me - a masterful analysis of human selfishness and ruthlessness. I was also struck by the overlooked Gregoretti with his dark satire on consumer society, based on well-observed situations and absurdities brought by a modern prosperous society. Rossellini's story is weaker, resembling a more elongated filmed anecdote, and Godard's treatment of an otherwise interesting theme did not resonate with me either. Overall impression: 70%.

Air America is a mix of action comedy and anti-war film with parodic elements. It disappoints all those who go to see stars and wanted to watch this film as a typical Mel Gibson action ride, because his role is rather secondary, and he acts unusually moderately. It is a film that, like the vast majority of films balancing on the edge of genres, disappoints those who wanted to see a great comedy or a great action film. From each, there is simply a piece, but this mix actually worked for me. It is not an exceptional affair, but a few absurd scenes, several successful gags and sparkling dialogue, plus a decent dose of character acting, were enough for me to have a 75% overall impression and give it four stars.

This kind of expressive humor with elements of burlesque, on which Christian Clavier has built his career primarily, simply doesn't sit well with me. The humor also stems from parodying the Hong Kong action school, which again, is something I do not particularly enjoy. Attempting to exaggeratedly parody something that is already a farce in itself is challenging. A number of comedic situations are not well punctuated, and the film has many dull moments. The stellar cast is a positive aspect, and I would be lying if I said I didn't laugh at all, but those moments were too few. An uneven film that floundered on a weaker script. Overall impression: 40%.

Michel Ocelot has been trying for many years to create a counterbalance to American animated productions in the spirit of mainstream pop culture and based on classical Disney slapstick. More or less, he succeeds in doing so, although his results are naturally limited from a commercial perspective. I consider this film to be Ocelot's masterpiece - the most original, conceptually densest, and visually remarkable. Flat silhouetted animation is, more than any other Ocelot film, inspired by the work of German artist Lotte Reiniger. The film helps develop the imagination and poetry of everyone who doesn't want to settle for seeing the same things for the hundredth time. However, everyone who grew up with the Smurfs or Ninja Turtles and was satisfied with them will have a problem with this film. Overall impression: 95%. A treat for connoisseurs.