gudaulin

A typical case where film critics and fans sharply disagreed; immediately after its release, I believe it had an 80% rating. I really liked it on the big screen. After leaving the movie theater, I would have given it a 75% overall impression, but I'm convinced that on a second viewing, my rating would drop by about 15%. Films like this are akin to meeting a charming girl who shows up to the second date without makeup... Decent acting and special effects, visually flashy, but the script and dialogue quality are nothing to write home about.

A fairy tale classic that relies on the acting mastery of Jiří Sovák and Rudolf Hrušínský, based on the eponymous work by Jan Drda. The 1950s are somewhat evident in the film, and the sets are a bit kitschy, but overall, my impression is 75%. This is largely due to a number of enchanting dialogues and memorable quotes, like "You can't even hang yourself here!"

This handling of the classic fairy tale seems somewhat unfortunate to me, and especially the "modernization" where disco is danced at the royal ball still makes me cringe. Additionally, Jan Hrušínský, I fear, is the weakest actor in the whole family clan. On the other hand... Considering the performances of the other actors, a few catchy songs, and especially the post-November fairy tale productions that have brought the average down significantly, an overall impression of 50% seems sufficient.

This film had such poor reviews at its premiere and such a lukewarm reception from film fans that I avoided it by a wide margin and only watched it years later on television. Maybe because I expected nothing, I was pleasantly surprised. The result, admittedly, is not dazzling, and there are certainly much better films in the genre, but it’s enough for a 60% overall impression. I actually suffered at times with the film version of Mr. Bean, and Johnny English is at least a class better. Although the film suffers from inconsistency, the dull moments are interspersed with genuinely funny ones, and most importantly, Rowan Atkinson can do more than just Bean-like grimaces; his acting range is much broader.

Yes, I was quite entertained. However, the question is whether a documentary should primarily aim to provide information... This piece is very far from the classic concept of a documentary, and the term "documentary" wouldn't come to mind at all in relation to Supervolcano. The film features only fictional characters and is set in the near future, so it's more of a science fiction "what if..." scenario, portrayed as a disaster drama. It has a decent budget for a TV project, good special effects, and a passable atmosphere. On the downside, it has a long runtime and only average acting performances. Overall impression: 70%.

The Salton Sea is neither flawless nor groundbreaking. It's simply a well-made genre film with a functional script and a range of interesting, fully realized characters. The film ventures into uncertain territory with its attempts at psychological, artful scenes, but fortunately, the crime storyline prevails, featuring wild, tragicomic camera excursions into a bizarre community of addicts. Val Kilmer delivers a strong performance, Deborah Unger provides reliable acting, and the repulsive criminal types portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio and Luis Guzmán, create a mix that can satisfy even more discerning film fans. Overall impression: 75%.

For a serious history enthusiast familiar with the era and seeking a deep dive into the subject, watching Genghis Khan would be a disappointment and a waste of time. However, for someone looking for a basic understanding of the era and the founder of the Mongol Empire, this dramatized documentary is a good choice. While the appeal of the presentation compromises historical accuracy to some extent, it is not in a significant way. Overall impression: 55%.

I don't quite understand the high rating on FilmBooster, because Spare Parts matched exactly what we expect from German TV movies in terms of quality. It's a thriller that tries to mimic well-known patterns from major American studios. It’s based on the widespread modern urban legend about the "black" ambulance that hunts victims for organ harvesting for wealthy patients in need of transplants. Overall impression: 45%.

An animated film clearly aimed at very young viewers, which is evident not only in its realistic artistic style and moralistic plot but also in the lack of irony and detachment. The film takes itself too seriously, preventing it from being an excellent animated film. It's not the typical Disney cliché, but even so, the positive characters exchange loving, smiling looks, and it's full of "sparkling and heartfelt chatter." Additionally, it wouldn't hurt to shorten the film by fifteen minutes... Overall impression: 40%.

A cinematic delicacy that emerged as a side product and poorer sibling of Markéta Lazarová. The plot is fundamentally very simple, yet it is filmed poetically and rawly, making for an extraordinarily evocative cinematic experience with perfectly tailored music, excellent cinematography, and stellar performances by Petr Čepek and Jan Kačer. In this film, the saying "there are no small roles" holds true. I assert that if it were made in color, The Valley of the Bees would be half as impactful; the black-and-white material contributes significantly to the ballad-like atmosphere of the story. Overall impression: 95%.