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Reviews
Gladiator (2000)
Haven't we seen it already Or a bad case of deja-vu
I have to join the people who are disappointed by this movie. Yes, it's entertaining. Yes, it has some beautifully designed scenes. Yes, my wife was in tears at the end (which is seldom) - so it obviously touches some strings of one's soul. That's good enough. But... the Gladiator is full of cliches (pardon my French). Watching the movie I was constantly comparing it to other films. During the opening battle scene my wife whispered to me - "Well, it's Private Ryan set in ancient Rome". Yes, it is. Same jerky camera movements, same gore. The plot is almost scene to scene copy of Braveheart with overall atmosphere of Spartacus. We see the hero going through the field and touching grass tops - hell, I've seen this in dozens of Soviet movies about collective farms. Gladiators' cubicles are just like a modern prison - do you remember the episode when Maximus and his fellows come to the Colliseum for the first time dressed in blue (denim?!) outfits? Haven't you seen this in many movies like "Lock Up" or "Tango and Cash"? It's indeed a terrible mix of many previously seen movies.
But what disappoints most is the final - as pathetic as the ones from the Soviet Stalin era pictures. Though it is a common feature of most Hollywood products. Being an European I can not understand the love of American directors to endings that leave nothing to one's imagination. The Evil is punished, the Good wins. Well, maybe I'm asking for too much from dream factory (grin). But the problem stays. These endings spoil even the best movies like "Saving Private Ryan". Watching it I was praying "Good Lord, do not let this old Ryan salute Miller's grave". God did not listen to my prayer (another grin). Well, maybe its a punishment for my sins. Nevertheless the "Gladiator" is worth watching - for its sometimes really stunning visual effects, for very good performances of Russel Crowe and Oliver Reed. I've been really missing a good historic (even if pseudo-historic) movie about ancient Rome or Greece. Maybe I was expecting too much.
-six out of ten-
The Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-98 (1997)
A must-have.
That's the very first DVD I bought and it's terrific. Being a Stones fan of sorts, I hardly can be unbiased in my opinions, but nevertheless... It's a great stage performance by great group. The only thing I miss on this disc is guest appearance of Taj Mahal which is included on "No Security" CD made during the same tour. A must have for every RS fan!
Godzilla (1998)
Good cure for insomnia
Good cure for insomnia, that's how I see this film. And it's really strange. Why a movie meant to boil one's blood puts me to sleep? Wherever I watch it - in DTS equipped cinema or at home with my ten years old son - I fall asleep somewhere between Chernobyl worms and Long Island fish. What a mess!
The only plus is Jean Reno. Well, I love this guy. Since "Leon". "He's a French man in New York". My apologies to Sting.
By the way, did they kill that thing in the end?
Armageddon (1998)
Go, Russia, Go
Somebody speaks about American patriotism?
Comrade Andropov should be a national hero of Russia. Only we can make precise electronics work using rusty metal rod.
What? Hewlett-Packard? US-made? It's those little guys from Taiwan who make the world go round.
Americans? OK, they can drill!
In fact, I liked the movie. It's silly to be waiting for emotional depth or philosophic discoveries in a movie like Armageddon. It's done for entertainment and it entertains! It's fun. Fun for your eyes, fun for your ears. Do you need something else? Ok, what about Bergman? Well, people, there is Bach and there is Bobby Rush. Where do you go to dance? To conservatory? I doubt it. As for action films, Armageddon is not the worst one.