ДАУ. НАТАША (DAU. NATASHA) 

Watchable. For the most part of this 145-minute long drama the plot is tediously developed and characters as well as the relationships between them meticulously built. No detail is spared, including middle-aged average-looking people's sex down to a sticky penis tip. But the final act, lasting less than an hour, is harrowing. The whole movie leaves an indelible mark.

MEMORIES OF THE EICHMANN TRIAL 

Recommended. The black and white simple documentary from 1979 shows both what type of person Eichmann was and a wide range of Jews' reactions to the trial. A unique psychological insight.

Seen online.

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE 

Recommended. Far from scandalous, the movie's steeped in sympathy for the protagonists who live their dream, or their illusion of love. I'm also personally amazed at how she was always able to disarm opponents and at their unwavering faith in God's love and how it actually worked. They both appear childishly gullible but it works miracles. Andrew Garfield and Jessica Chastain excel in the leading roles. She has an impressive vocal range. There's 

a brief, insignificant post-credit.

ALLA VI BARN I BULLERBYN (THE CHILDREN OF NOISY VILLAGE) (1986)  31.01

Watchable. The 90-minute movie is based on Astrid Lindgren's book from 1947. The childhood is carefree in a safe, very social environment, in a three-house community, with lots of freedom, no supervision, a lake with crabs, constant adventures, where boys would play pranks on the girls and the girls would get even. Swedish folk tales appear but songs are nothing special.

COMBAT WOMBAT 

Watchable. Part of "The Tales from Sanctuary City" franchise. It's Aussie-made which is reflected in the range of animals. Combat Wombat/Maggie and her flying squirrel sidekick have big eyes. Other characters' faces reveal their thoughts well. But the colour palette, though warm, is pretty basic, cheap comic book kind and quality. The same goes for the music. It's pleasantly voiced, especially Maggie by Lila Wassermann in the Polish version - the only version available in this country. Written notes in the background contain numerous puns but puns like Pawlice or Butt Woman disappear in the translation. All in all it's a forced superhero tale for kids. It follows the set of the rules of the genre without adding any novelty or depth. Fun but no emotions are engaged. At least it teaches that too much sugar is bad for kids. The opening husband-missing-in-the-disaster plot is only superficially continued and never concluded.

SEE FOR ME

Recommended. The road in the opening is being shown upside down for a while so you can expect a reverted perspective. Thumping techno beats by Menalon lift you up and set the mood for a modern story from the beginning. And it is one. A unusual set-up, twists of action, an ambiguous main character make for an engaging plot. As for the rhythms, they only return along with the end credits.

Available on online platforms.

LE TRESOR DU PETIT NICOLAS (LITTLE NICHOLAS' TREASURE) 

Recommended. Goscinny and Sempé's books are immaculate. It may be even impossible to ruin them. The movie is obviously funny, with distinct characters, engaging, never quite predictable. Maybe apart from dweeb Agnan who's happy with an announced test. Tomasz Kot and Maja Ostaszewska - both famous actors in Poland - dub Nicolas' parents.

MYSTERE (VICKY AND HER MYSTERY) 

Recommended. Not only is it warmly acted in the original, you get to hear truly warm dubbing, including Marcin Dorociński as the girl's father, in the Polish version. Alpine vistas and the wolf story will delight all wildlife lovers. It's deeply touching, yet uncomplicated.

NIGHTMARE ALLEY 

Watchable. Barely. Guillermo del Toro's visions have always been morbid but at least they tended to be dark fantasies. This sepia-toned film comprises of a circus, a carneval, an odd-i-torium, shocking cruelty to animals and humans. All people appear to be monsters. The second geek resembles Stan. Still, that sick imagery is just plot development, no real action. Mid-way through, together with Cate Blanchett's character, action begins. The finale is largely predictable. From the moment you see the protagonist on the truck with caged hens, you know where it's heading. He realizes: "I was born for that!" when his destiny fulfills. A few touching moments when Stan consoles the bereaved don't lighten the tale. It's recorded in Atmos but it doesn't matter in this movie. Again a sick vision for Guillermo del Toro's fans only.

MAGDALENA

Watchable. Starts with an employer telling a new employee she doesn't have to wear a mask - a typical example of Polish disregard for safety. That repeats several times through the film. There's little of a story. It lacks a beginning and an ending. The plot abounds in pathologies: crooks, rapists, alcoholism. Poor Polish music is featured even though the protagonist is supposed to be a DJ. It depicts only the bottom end of the society. Very realistic in that though. A typical Polish drama. An amateurish one. Skippable.

Reviewed from the distributor's screener, cinematic reception might differ.

CYRANO 

Watchable. A theatre-like adaptation of the 1897 play. Few locations, lots of costumes, make-ups, wigs. It's a musical and the main song resembles "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You" by George Benson. Excellent acting by everyone and catching singing by the beautiful, fresh-faced, amiable duo: Haley Bennett as Roxanne and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Christian de Neuvillette. American-acted, British-spoken, it's engaging even if the story's far-fetched. Cinematography based on obscuring silhouettes with mist fails to attract. At least choreographies, fluid, never forced, are easy on the eye. From the moment of her beloved's departure the film tugs on your heartstrings a few times. 

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG 

Recommended. That it's for all dog lovers, is obvious. And, expectedly, the dog is super cute. The boy is the odd one out so subject to school bullying. The movie's touching but with action and many hilarious lines, e.g. when Casey dubs the tiny pooch "radioactive micro dog". The sound offers surrounding phone ringing - at first I thought someone's mobile rang in the audience! John Cleese and Polish voice actor Janusz R. Nowicki both excel as Mr. Bridwell.