gudaulin

An incredibly inexpensive film, when Kevin Smith used his experience from working in a shop and wrote a script based on crude humor and bizarre characters of urban slackers, street dealers, and misfits of all kinds. The plot is not important, what matters are the dialogues filled with slang, vulgarisms, and an incredible cadence of various phrases and mostly well-functioning jokes. Thanks to this film, Smith became a recognized icon of the American independent scene and could afford to launch the production of provoking, disrespectful, and in many ways provocative films in a grand style. Clerks is certainly not a perfect film, the technical quality is poor, but it has so much energy, courage, and non-conformity in it that I forgive it for many more things. Overall impression 95%.

A pleasant comedy that toys with a cleverly mystifying idea, essentially exploring the possibilities that today's technology either provides or will provide in the near future. It's well-cast, and Al Pacino certainly doesn't know how to deliver a bad performance. Overall impression: 80%.

A professionally and creatively shot crime thriller that utilizes a decent budget and can afford to have an exceptional cast. Al Pacino and Robin Williams are great actors, and especially the screenplay gives significantly more space to Williams compared to the original Norwegian film, making him an exceedingly dangerous opponent. Compared to the European version, the American film is, of course, more polished, with the role of the policewoman played by the charming Hilary Swank, and the showdown between the criminal and the policeman naturally ends with catharsis and punishment of evil, which cannot be said for the European version. Nevertheless, it is a film fully comparable to the original. It is just not as authentic and raw, but instead indulges in beautiful shots of Nordic nature and provides the viewer with additional emotionally charged experiences such as well-executed intense fights to the death. Overall impression: 80%.

One of the best gangster films ever made, a stellar piece by Brian De Palma, with an outstanding performance by Al Pacino in the lead role. It's the story of a man with immense willpower to change his life, but unable to change his surroundings. Overall impression: 95%.

The attribute 8 MM deserves above all is EFFECTIVE. The story from the porn industry is appropriately brutal and repulsive in its subject matter, with a range of twisted characters from the gallery and the decadent environment of high society. The film is energetic and attractive due to the positive hero played decently by Nicolas Cage, complemented by a diligent improved sidekick, and several very skillfully crafted scenes. Overall, it has a depressing tone, which led to exceptionally great commercial success and acclaim from movie fans. It's not Joel Schumacher's best film, but it ranks among the better ones in its genre. Overall impression: 70%.

In the 80s, major studios in America came up with a barrage of action films that overshadowed the more artistic creations of the 70s and successfully filled movie theaters even in Europe. It was a period when European national cinemas could produce their own films, which, however, didn't reach distribution and merely filled the drawers of production companies. Luc Besson introduced the concept of a European action thriller, which may not have thrilled critics, but it renewed fans' trust in the ability of European creators to deliver gratifying entertainment to theaters. The film has a strong story, fascinating characters, and pervasive tension. Anne Parillaud became a recognized actress, offered several opportunities by Hollywood and overseas, and a remake of lesser quality was even made in America. Overall impression: 80%.

During the flood of films of both better and worse quality, one rarely has the opportunity to return to what they have already seen, and I personally only do it with films that I remember as remarkable and strong. I saw this film during its premiere in the mid-90s, and even though I wasn't a teenager anymore, it impressed me as a cleverly and impressively directed popcorn movie with an excellent cast and an emotionally perfectly functioning screenplay. The film hasn't changed, but the genre has gone through rapid development, and above all, I have changed, so this kind of action genre doesn't affect me the way it did years ago. Nowadays, I prefer a dynamic and realistic style, like the one director Greengrass promotes, so my favorite films include the Bourne trilogy, Green Zone, and Blood Diamond. Luc Besson's films are overly marked by the effort to cater to a mass audience, so they are naive, unrealistic, almost comic book-like, sometimes sentimental, and overall calculated. What remains is an excellent cast, with Jean Reno creating a star status for himself after a significant minor role in La Femme Nikita and being catapulted among the best French actors at a relatively mature age, and also gaining a few roles in Hollywood. Gary Oldman, on the other hand, created the wonderful character of a perversely debauched corrupt cop, who holds an honorable place in his gallery of villains. Young Natalie Portman also showed in this film why she would become a world-famous film celebrity in a few years. Overall impression: 55%.

Friends was and remains the flagship of all sitcoms and from the beginning, the series had exceptional commercial success practically wherever it was shown. Top screenwriters were involved in it and that amounted to the teamwork of ten to twelve screenwriters and the series also had strong advertising support. Its success was based on the model of six well-defined contrasting characters, and it relied on humor derived from the attitudes and thinking of teenagers, which the characters still maintained in adulthood. The immutability of the behavior of the famous six is typical even in later seasons. They still fall in love, break up, argue, and reconcile, as if they were sixteen years old, even though they are in their thirties. A child or marriage is merely a backdrop. The laid-back atmosphere that radiated from the series, along with plenty of wordplay and the performances of the main characters led to success. I would give the first season 95%, but over time, the series somewhat became repetitive with the same patterns. Overall impression: 65%.

One of a series of films attempting to deal with the painful Vietnam syndrome, symbolized by the unsuccessful military campaign in Vietnam, with many dead, missing, and disabled soldiers, and ultimately, the alienation of Vietnam veterans in American society during the 70s and 80s. Unlike Platoon, which was full of wartime action, the crucial part of this drama unfolds after the main protagonist's return home. The life of the paralyzed young man is full of bitterness, and Oliver Stone knows how to work with human emotions very well. Moreover, he intimately understands the subject matter, having his own war experience in Vietnam. One of his best films and also one of the finest films about the Vietnam War. Tom Cruise delivers a solid performance, and this was one of the movies that propelled him to stardom. Overall impression: 85%.

Whether due to the cast, script, or the performances, I must say that this comedy stands above average Czech productions, and I give it four stars with a clear conscience. The theatrical inspiration is evident, but that's not essential. Ivan Trojan portrays his character very convincingly; after all, he has it well-trained from the theater stage. It's not an exceptional film, but a decent, relaxing comedy without awkward moments or cheap pandering. Overall impression: 70%.