Movie reviews

KOS (SCARBORN)

Recommended. Structured like "Django Unchained", it tells about the commonality of fate of American slaves and Polish serfs - one actor, Jason Mitchell, is actually a black American and in this Polish movie he's as excellent as all the Polish cast. I'm not listing the numerous names, the performances are all superb. Top-notch cinematography, editing and virtually everything are world-class. The best, however, is the script: with smart dialogue, lots of humour, it's a game between Polish nobility, peasants and Russian occupiers. It's intense, with just perfect lines. It's an intelligent remake of history, with levity, with a large dose of wit and smart adjustment to the Polish reality. There's one famous line from the current war in Ukraine as well.The dialogues, with lots of quips, are a work of genius. The movie's absolutely spotless.

ROBOT DREAMS

Recommended again. I spotted the mugshot with name Dog Varon - like the surname of the original comic book author. The song is 1978 "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. This time round I didn't perceive the movie as as sorrowful as before. It's still for adults rather than for kids - those would get bored and impatient, even though the story's rich in little events. This time I saw it as a tale about in how many ways we're useful to others, about how we cherish our relationships and how everyone needs someone. It's very life-like, including some malicious people, but told with love. Animation-wise, Dog's tail speaks volumes at times. 

ORLY FESTIVAL 2024 - POLISH FILM AWARDS CANDIDATES

МИ НЕ ЗГАСНЕМО (WE WILL NOT FADE AWAY)

Walked out. Ukrainian-controlled part of Donbass, 2019. Daily life, smalltown youth's longings, soldiers passing them by in the street, distant sounds of artillery. Nothing you wouldn't expect. Nothing to make a film about. 

HER DOCS FORUM

ЩОРАЗУ ЗАТИНАЮСЯ ВІД ЗВІСТКИ З КИЄВА (I STUMBLE EVERY TIME I HEAR FROM KYIV)

Switched off. A short documentary in which a refugee talks to people in Kyiv and parallelly undergoes a trauma therapy. Incomprehensible in details, in disarray.  

Reviewed from the organizers' screener, cinematic reception might differ.

THE BEEKEEPER AT IMAX

Recommended. Jason Statham is one of the producers in the actioner with conscience he stars in. While it starts with con artists hacking into elderly people's bank accounts, the plot takes you higher up the social circles. Expertly crafted action sequences, gripping, perfectly designed, shot in London, UK and Boston, Ma. Josh Hutcherson is a wonderful hipster villain as Derek Danford.