Movie reviews

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.