Movie reviews

WYSZYNSKI. ZEMSTA CZY PRZEBACZENIE (WYSZYNSKI - REVENGE OR FORGIVENESS)

The movie's coming out in mid-September and is going to tell the wartime story of Wyszyński. The Warsaw Uprising shaped future-Cardinal Wyszyński, as he said later. This 90-minute war drama, Syka's actor's film debut, under Krzysztof Zanussi's artistic supervision, is, according to director Tadeusz Syka, going to be not about a priest but about a human dilemma during WW2 of whether to forgive or get revenge. Lead actor Ksawery Szlenkier decided not to play a 'monument' yet present the dilemma of: "Czy ja jestem w stanie wybaczyć i pomóc komuś, kto chce mnie zabić?" ("Am I able to forgive and help someone who wants to kill me?") - SS-men were recovering in the same hospital as Polish soldiers. Wyszyński smuggled weapons during the war which is a curious fact about the priest. Young people, hearing his name, ask if he's a Legia footballer. So what's going to lure them to the cinema? Lots of action, good music, human dilemmas - as producer/director Tadeusz Syka promises. - "Nie tylko dla katolickiego widza" ("Not only for a Catholic viewer"). Effort was put into authenticity: 80% of the film was shot in the original locations, including the first floor of the hospital in Laski. Another actor, Marcin Kwaśny, was handed in an original Vis by Artur Sobieraj with words: "Uważaj, bo broń się za-za-zacina." ("Careful, 'cause the gun stu-stu-stutters."). A vicar from a parochy in Saska Kępa gifted his casscock to be used in the movie. Apart from the cinematic release in Poland, the producer has international festival hopes. He's also planned screenings for Polish expats in the US, South Africa, Australia, Europe.

THE FOREVER PURGE

Recommended. I'm addicted to the annual "Purge" movie. This one doesn't disappoint. It's another time of creative violence e.g. mysteries trucks with people captured in or a person dragged behind a car. There's a red herring in the story - it's not that obvious who will pick which side. Numerous twists of action, perfectly matching music. "The Gun Symphony" - a fantastic sound mixture in the film - is the sound of America. But, best of all, is the social subtext, common to the series. This time it's the reversal of the immigration situation and some deeper undertones of what divides America and what values unite the nation. So let the purge begin.

FREE GUY IMAX 3D 

Recommended. Ryan Reynolds is fantastic in the leading role. So is Lil Rel Howery as his buddy named Buddy. And actually everyone else. Whether the role big or small, it's always acted spot on. And Taika Waititi is the arch villain Antwan. I'm supposed not to spill the beans on details but let me say you can enjoy spotting a number of cameos, though some hard to realise, e.g. Hugh Jackman provided only the voice, Dwayne Johnson only the muscles - for Dude - and numerous Easter Eggs in the form of movie titles, dances, gadgets. Taika Waititi is the arch villain Antwan. The whole story is ingenious and tremendously entertaining, hilarious at times, e.g. when a famous artefact appears and the actor who used it originally is watching the game in dismay. The presented world is utterly creative scenario-wise but also awesome technically. It boasts Atmos sound effects but Imax 3D, due to superb CGIs, is probably the best format to see this film in.

ANDRA SIDAN (THE OTHER SIDE) 

Recommended. This Swedish horror starts with a scene which comes back an hour later - it's dragging someone on the floor by a supernatural force. The rest is just as scary. Relentlessly. I was watching with lights on.

Available on a number of platforms.