Movie reviews

A portion of past year's fare: 

THE PIPER

Watchable. The plot being set in an orchestra, with a folk tale inspiring the action is original in the genre. Mediocre music (Debussy and Bach). Not scary. The career plot is engaging.

NYAD

Recommended. Doctors thought it humanly impossible. She was a woman, over 60. And she proved them wrong. Battling herself, an ocean current, sea creatures, salt water, heat. She's cut out for achievement and for marathon swimming itself. It's a doozy story of a spunking woman and a gripping sports documentary. The actors are made look like the original crew. John Burtlett died in 2013.

KICIA KOCIA NA PIKNIKU (KITTY KOTTY ON A PICNIC)

The set comprises of:

KICIA KOCIA NA PIKNIKU (KITTY KOTTY ON A PICNIC), KICIA KOCIA GRA W PILKE (KITTY KOTTY PLAYS FOOTBALL), KICIA KOCIA: TO MOJE! (KITTY KOTTY. IT'S MINE!), KICIA KOCIA JEST CHORA (KITTY KOTTY IS ILL), KICIA KOCIA NA PLAZY (KITTY KOTTY AT THE BEACH), KICIA KOCIA NA TRAKTORZE (KITTY KOTTY ON A TRACTOR), KICIA KOCIA NA BASENIE (KITTY KOTTY AT THE POOL) 

Watchable. This set contains some bizarre ideas like setting up a tent which is meant to prevent flower petals from falling into food but I doubt this kind of tent would work for real, or to change into a dry swimsuit after swimming - what for?! On the other hand, it shows how a kid can play with a disabled one in a respectful and egalitarian way and it's very natural, or how a kid can enjoy a pool even without swimming. It's all warm-hearted and colourful with kitten-like Kicia Kocia cute as ever. 

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

KAJTEK CZARODZIEJ (KAYTEK THE WIZARD)

Switched off. I'm not sure if it's director Magdalena Łazarkiewicz's fault or if the tale by Janusz Korczak has aged so badly. In spite of the title it's not a fantasy flick for children. It's a sepia-toned gloomy drama about a bullied kid whose mother passed away and about racial segregation before the war. The movie looks and sounds like in the Polish 90s: screaming for more funding, with disastrously fake special effects, wooden acting and a totally implausible fantasy plot on top of all the heavy drama which I couldn't stand even as an adult. Outdated in all respects. 

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

KLANGOR EP. 1

Watchable. Maciej Musiał, Wojciech Mecwaldowski - miscast in a dramatic role, superb Konrad Eleryk, professional cinematography don't save this story. It's not completely comprehensible, partly due to poor recording of dialogue, and lacks suspense, even at the end of the episode. 

This episode is available free of charge on Canal+ online.