Change Your Image
nikolova-assya
Reviews
Brooklyn (2015)
Glad it had nominated as I liked it very well
I haven't seen all of Saoirse Ronan's movies but she was impressive spoiled brat in the Atonement and since How I live now I really count her amongst the most promising actresses. So I watched Brooklyn to see her and she delivered once more. The scene at the end with Nettles Kelly was a powerful performance. Very graceful without any over the top reaching for dramatic effect. This what I loved over all about the film-the intimacy of the story. Just regular people dealing with regular problems, seeking a better future. Even death is not a dramatic exaggeration but a family matter that naturally stirs the fate of the family in a new direction. Also all the supporting cast performed magnificently, especially my favorite Mrs. Weasley, Julie Walters and co-star in HP, Jim Broadbent. But just as another part of the cast, the cinematography made the story look almost magical at moment with great shots of the Irish coast and the lovely choice of colours overall.
But there's a thing that I didn't quite like and this is how things unfolded in the love triangle. First of all I didn't find Tony sympathetic at all. But my problem was that the performance of Emory Cohen just didn't make the cut. At times I felt he was trying so hard "to be Italian" that I just didn't buy it. Also he was sweet and nice and respectful and all that, but besides he didn't feel to be a great match for the brave young girl that traveled across the world to find her fortune and goes to night classes so she can be an accountant one day. And forcing her to marry him so he can control her to come back, not nice dude, not nice. Especially as I felt she was a bit hesitant about her feelings for him. I know that's a way too modern outtake on a 50' lifestyle, but still I couldn't not notice it. And then comes my biggest issue with the plot- Domhnall Gleeson. I love the guy, he is very interesting and promising actor. So for me he did a great job here as well. I read somewhere that the movie made great work making you hate his character which left me in disbelief. His character was intelligent, well spoken young man who knows there is much more to life than his small town. So pairing him the newly bloomed into women power Eilis was very logical. I recognize that being married and having consummated it, there was not a lot of choice for Eilis but going back, but somehow I felt the story should be- a girl is young and inexperienced as well as homesick, meets a guy who makes her feel better, but then she blooms, she changes and maybe wants something different from life than being attached to an illiterate though good natured man. Instead the plot made an easier choice gossipy little backwards town vs the land of opportunities where the old simply didn't stand a chance. The same small town that was kind enough to offer her job immediately after she came back and everyone were so sweet after the loss of her sister, kind of flat, I should say. So ultimately it was a choice of where she will live and whom she will live to be and we got answer to the easier one.
But all that rant out of the way it was exquisite film that I enjoyed and recommend.
Lost Girl (2010)
Petition for better writing
Dear writers of the show, Without any desire to rant or be petty and pesky I just want to ask you why you keep dragging trough mud the great premises and great characters of this show. And I do care to elaborate. It is only so often, despite the best efforts of the guild that we end up with a strong self-reliant female character like Bo that goes on, learns new stuff, grows and enriches her personality. And her side-kicks do miracles for forming a complex world of emotions, intents and deeds. Also this Goth/ fantasy world, hidden in the human world that our characters inhabit is quite delicious. And the villains, oh boy, the villains, especially my personal favorite Vex are pure delight. So why, having all this in your bag of tricks and the almost infinite possibility to invent fantastic evil forces for our heroes to battle you chose the lamest, most predictable narrative to go by. I get it, Bo is a succubus, a fae that feeds on sexual energy. So she's bound to have sex here and there and presumably with more than one partner. And not be a stuck up, I enjoy portrayal of LGBT sex and straight sex as much as the next person. But after all the show is supposed to be fantasy and not a sexual fantasy at that. It doesn't look beneficial to the plot or the character development. It feels like just the easiest filler and cheap ratings boost. At the same time the main plot goes unsteadily and at times is honestly illogical. A simple example – the characters are about to face their arch enemy, but just when you think it will happen, they hop by Bo's place or any given unrelated place, to get, hum, all kinds of useless stuff (like change their clothes) and when they do meet this supposed enemy, it doesn't have any emotional impact anymore (and it is usually finished in 2 mins) so it feels like the whole season was building to, well, nothing. If you could say that some "building up" occurred in first place. It becomes tiresome trying to figure out all these hints about events or characters being presumably important to the plot. And you wait and wait and NOTHING comes out of it. Pardon my obvious frustration about it, but how do you want us to care as we don't even get what is happening anymore? Spoiler alert for season 4 – so first we learn the Wanderer is bad, bad news; but then he is just a new hot guy for Bo to sleep with; then he is supposed to be super powerful and help Bo lead fae into new era; but then, once written back into history, he is pure evil, the kind with horns and fangs, literally; then he get killed in 5 seconds by the human joke of a druid, while Bo (who is convinced Rainer is her destiny) just stands aside and watches???? And it is actually her father who is evil, but we never even get to see him, let alone get some narrative about why and what the heck is happening. And Bo never even breaks a sweat on this beautiful overly exposed cleavage of hers. So with all due respect, please make note that we deserve something better as an audience and there is certainly so much more to this show than the easy – peasy "Some like it hot!" that you are giving us.
Divergent (2014)
The best one yet
I love this line from the youtube series "honest trailer" - "they had the romance of a lifetime, expressed entirely in stares" in honor of the epic Twilight love flop. And this is what I was hoping not to see again in the Divergent series. There was too much supernatural soap opera going on the last couple of years, it's the time for something much less smooching and much more plot than chasing shirtless hotties. And here it comes - yes undeniably the romance is still on, but so far much more clean and painless. Beside that, the story offers some the food for thought, the point being how you build your character when you are young and how the choices make us who we are. It is to be argued if Tris is more or less or the same level of complexity as Katniss but definitely there is much less darkness to her than to the Hunger games' heroine and I must say this is very likable. So the story is quite real to keep you invested throughout the whole 2h of it. The end is nice though not much of a cliffhanger for the next movie. But the cast delivers quite engaging performance so you would love to see them again. I really enjoyed the progress of Shailene Woodley after "The spectacular now" and I believe there are more great performances from her to come. The rest of the cast was charming as well - very hateble villains, very reliable boyfriend, dedicated friends and above all - marvelous bad, bad, bad Kate Winslet. Enjoy this new series and don't forget - the easy way tends not be the right one.
You Instead (2011)
Tender is the night
Somehow right from the start, when I saw the UK National Lottery logo, I knew I was going to like this movie. And it was one of most intimately heartfelt movies I have seen in months. The plot in itself is neither a big bang discovery nor it ends with an unexpected twist. The events follow the inevitable logic of a fairytale, leavening everyone happy and where they have to be in life. But make no mistake, it doesn't cause the story to be ant less interesting because what you want in this movie is to soak into the atmosphere of the music festivals, the great music in itself( if you are into this indie kind of stuff) and of course the boy-meet-girl-than-both-get-handcuffed love story. It was so imaginary and so real at the same time that I completely fell head over heals for it. I always liked Natalia and Luke, being two of the most peculiar, unforgettable faces in cinema today. They delivered great performances with very believable chemistry.That topped with Luke's singing in the beginning made all this music fairy land so organic and tangible, pretty impossible to look away. Also I very much appreciated how the romance was sprinkled with few good laughs that totally kept the presumed mushiness aside. Great film to enjoy, excellent hangover antidote.
Reign (2013)
Have a good look
Let's get serious for a bit, shall we? This is a great show so far. A really, really good one. I had the chance to see the first 8 episodes all at once and to be honest, I devoured them urgently, one after the other. Didn't I notice the not-quite-16th century dresses? Sure! Was I bothered by the heavy English accent of prince Francis? Well , I was slightly amused by the irony of it. And how about the easy going and booming with street smarts kitchen staff easily bonding with the ladies in waiting? Hm, yes, that one was really on the other side of believable, to be sure. But put your hand over your hart and tell me which Romeo and Juliette movie you liked best – the one from 68' or the modernized, glamorously delicious yet still heart breaking one of Buz Lurmann? So does it matter that the soundtrack actually has nothing to do with whatever you might call 16th century or that the hair do's would have been somewhat unthinkable back then? Nope, not really. Much of the rest was true, to the very core of the series - Nostradamus, making a horoscope for Catherina Medici's sons . And to be honest even little knowledge about the Renaissance is better than none. So let's put aside the boy, oh,boy! historical accuracy and see what the series really has to offer. For one, both lead character and actress are very appealing by looks and behavior and I really appreciate a bit more depth to a story than just the young-love-in-peril thing. I love this level headed heroine, who despite all, understands the meaning of responsibility and tries hard to respond to the call of being a leader the best she can. The portrayal of her groom-to-be also doesn't fall short of intricate layers. Streaks of ardor opposed to youngster's insecurities, struggle to be the man who he should be, despite the fact that he doesn't know how to yet, brings some freshness to his nostalgic knight- in-shining armor pattern. Well, Francis being some sort of a stud was a bit over the top, really detached from the overall mood of this character, but still you know how this things work in the show business. An unexpected plus is the character of the queen who somehow you easily hate, but cannot deny her the guts to do whatever it takes to save her son. Then finally to put it in fewer words – I wholeheartedly recommend this non supernatural, non entirely sex/lust centered and yet magical drama, because it is great entertainment and if you accidentally learn something about history, don't be scared, I won't tell.
Almost Human (2013)
Absolutely awesome
It's been a long time since a pilot made me want to watch ep.2 right after. Though the storyline is note completely unexpected and the theme of unlikely friendship / partnership is not a first timer on the screen it is so perfectly elaborated that you forget all the 1356 time you have seen it before. All leads are so believable and with such a remarkable chemistry between them that this show looks like a comfy glove your mind has been retiring to season after season , though you have only watching ep.1! Karl Urban is downright killing it - not too lost in his macho performance neither too softy to possibility of friendship. I couldn't picture any other actor in this role. Plus the effects and the Sci-fi polish i is impeccable without being way to obvious and carrying out the show, it gives the sweet taste of glam the science always ware so well. Can't wait for ep.2 and totally recommend it to Sci-fi fans.
How I Live Now (2013)
Sad, tense, beautiful
There is some extraordinary sensitivity in Saoirse Ronan that made me watch the trailer that eventually led me to the movie. It is beautifully shot drama. Its dynamics created by the sequence of light and darkness, nature and civilization is so captivating that you are up in it right till the end.The portrayal of a nuclear war is not too light so it is believable, but not too dark so it leaves you hope. The film deals with the great theme of significant vs petty in life which makes you once again to think about what you really care about in this raw nerved life. There is some reaffirming conclusions about the one's will power that can do much greater deal that helping restrain the desire for chocolate,which could've been brought a bit further. But overall it is an interesting movie that asks the right questions, the only right answers being within each and everyone of us.
Anna Karenina (2012)
The gluttony is no love
Truth to be told I have not yet read the book, to my shame probably. Therefore the story of this poor woman seeing no other solution, but to end her life has haunted me forever as I'm a person made to believe there is always another choice but taking your own life. And very thrilled I was, when I saw the trailer, promising lavishing decors and new cut to the classic story.So I took a leap of fate and here I am, two hours and 10 minutes later on may way to share my deliberations with you. And the first thing to say is that film did deliver - a mouthwatering roller - coaster of colours, textures, a turbulence of flamboyant visual. And it was good. Indeed I caught myself musing "You think you are very clever, don't you, cher director", but he is, no doubt. The costumes are beyond reproach, as Karenin would say, and this fairy tale of decor fits very well the story and the vision it was chosen for it. But of course the form is only to enhance the beautiful cast. Wonderful surprise to see Michelle Dockery and I loved Dolly as Kelly Macdonald. Matthew Macfadyen struck me as a perfect choice for Oblonsky, though I would have never thought it would fit. And I have to saw that though quiet and secondary, I loved Jude Law as Karenin. He was most human and touching and one could easily put oneself in his shoes. I liked the lead couple as well, though once again I failed to understand their romance, but not because they didn't give their best. I love the idea of having modern cut of the story, because when non Russian cinema tries to film Russian classic it better make it in a non orthodox way or not do it at all.I do see lots of layers (because pardon me all, but it has layers in its fabric, this new one), a lot of mundane stupidity and turmoils we see in our day to day as well. No matter how much has the society changed since 1874 (actually not that much, we just stopped "receiving" only at fixed hours of the day and the week) we still ask ourselves on what is love is and what is duty, what is selfish and what is pure, what is pleasure and where lies the border with gluttony. So yes, I do think the ideas of the novel and film are quite alive still today and I love the character of Levin who says all the right things there is to say to this madness we call life. But actually the rightest and the truest if such words existed were the words of Levin's peasant : You just know what is right by knowing it. How else?
Da Vinci's Demons (2013)
Promising first episodes
After the huge add coverage, the new series were begging me to give them a chance and I did. I was really hoping for a new take on this extraordinary personality that was always wrapped in thick layer of mystery and speculation. It should be interesting to reevaluate his genius and creative power vs today's claims for creativity and self expression in every single act of our common everyday routines. But the first episode left me unimpressed, too much common ground with other running fantasy and semi-fantasy series. Too many obvious eye-catchers, and must have lust and brutality made just to appeal to your looking for and used to easy entertainment audience. But after few days I kept thinking about it and decided to give a chance to episode two. And suddenly there was a small revelation. OK the annoying common ground was still there, but let's be honest people are trying to sell it and make money out of it. Yet the plot thickened and new features to Da Vinci 's character were added, both only to the benefit of the show. So it was all there, the great mind born in semi dark times, when people were as usual preoccupied with power games, preferring to suppress what they didn't know to be inevitable – the progress. And amongst them you find this passionate young man, who just sees things for what they are, something we could use today as well as ever in human history. Of course there's your chance to compare your mental picture of the genius with its alternative as the writer of the show see it, sweetened with adventure, mystery, friendship, love good looking bad guys and so on. So we hope for the best as there is a lot to be developed in the characters as to behold a nicely put entertainment.
Un heureux événement (2011)
The poetic way to show it
I guess today the questions about when and how to have kids and especially how to stay in a couple afterwards are becoming more and more difficult to answer. Actually in every movie I see on the topic, they try to persuade me that the only way to do it right is your way, but this usually doesn't'go without about a bit of socio-cultural propaganda about mothers, father and families. And this is the what I like about this movie - it doesn't lead you to preset conclusions, in fact it dos quite the opposite. Every time during the movie, when I thought I knew where this was going, it actually turned the other way around. But never the less when you look to the whole string of events, everything fits, everything is believable and actually can picture yourself or someone you know closely in such a situation. I actually quite remembered saying and thinking the same things as Barbara though the kid-having moment hasn't come to me yet. But apart being so honest and sincerely questioning our stands on the points of having kids, this movie has other great quality and this is the chemistry between the Bab and Nico. It's just that you feel their connection, you feel what is like to "love someone so much that the bet thing to do out of this love is to have a child". And this is great, because this is the answer of all the questions - love and slefgiving. You loose your way when you forget that. So in conclusion - you want to see this movie because it is gentle, it is sincere and will put you in the mood for love.
A Walk to Remember (2002)
How come just now
I saw th adds when it cam out and i was crazy about Shane West back then, OMG!, only 10 years ago. but somehow I never saw it up until two weeks when it came on TV, but the again I couldn't see th whole of it because I was actually at a party. So today was the day and it was great! Although the Nicholas Sparks' touch can be felt here and there, the movie managed to escape the cheep cheesiness and leads you throughout the 101 min with feeling of freshness and reminder of what is good and pure when you are young. Although I'm not a teenager for quite some time now, the movie still speaks to me and reminds me things in life that we all so easily forget in the monotonous day to day - we can actually be good to each other and do a little effort to make each other happy every day, that being cool has nothing to do with being happy and especially that love is : "always patient and kind; it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end" Great acting, great story, great thing to remember.
A Thousand Words (2012)
The best Eddie Murphy's movie in my humble opinion
I really am not a big Eddie Murphy's fan. Although I acknowledge he's one of the most talented comedians of our times. But I should say that he really nails this one. This is one of the best movies I've seen the last couple of months. Looking at the trailer you might sense a bit of cheesiness, but as familiar as it may look- the bachelor in family stereotype, the top salesman-with-issues poster boy, the whole spiritual journey crap this is a bloody good story, that reminds of a simple truth about life. We have this tendency of complicating our life, filling it with stuff - material and all sort of "viral" "on-line" eventing bullshit that we tend to think our problems can have only outrageously intricate and complex solutions which is mostly not the case. So I wholeheartedly recommend this nice, fresh and warm movie about the good and important things in life sprinkled with some very nice comedy touches and amazing role by Eddie the Murpfy and supporting actor's team. Enjoy!
Intouchables (2011)
Je n'croyais pas
At first I thought - they say it's a comedy, but I don't see this story about handicapped person finish in other way but in tears. And I was right...only they were tears of pure joy! Both actors Omar and Francois deserve great acclaim for their roles. The chemistry between them is so flawless that by the end they convince you that you are rather looking a documentary then a movie inspired by a true story. Special honors to Omar as his role is what makes the movie. Though he may appear having the happily ever after end of a Cinderella story he fails to fall in the cliché and makes the audience twist and turn till the very end, most of the times laughing out loud. I very much liked the humor - fresh, well pitched, never overboards. So if you are seeking to lighten your spirit yet entertain yourself - try the nice touch of Les Intouchables!
The Decoy Bride (2011)
That's mi movie
Do you like Scottish accent? Or you are just a fan of the lovely English humour? Then may be you are up for some stunningly peaceful landscapes and views of sun setting over bluish cliffs while harmonious tide splashes against them? But I guess you'd fancy some romance - something nice but not sugary, yet not overly dramatic? Well whatever it is, you will find it in this beautiful, funny movie, quite not cliché and honestly quite enchanting. It totally made me forget where I was for an amazing hour and a half and filled me up with salty dreams of a fresh start. Great work from Kelly ( she got my heart ever since "The girl in the café")- so sweet and honest, brilliant match with David, who makes a nice turn from "Fright night". Go ahead and watch it!
The Boondock Saints (1999)
Haha and oh, yeah!
I actually saw it for the first time last week. Always have been huge fan of Sean and of course he didn't fail me once more. First of all I'm in love with the "The Blood of Cuchulainn" and the opening scene. More than a decade from airing but still doesn't feel cheesy if though calls up some smiles for remembering my teen years. Putting aside the opulent bloodshed, there are a lot of things to see and feel watching the movie. For once the story goes your way and the heroes, though a bit crazy and out of the law, are really heroic and yet humble and down to earth. Strange things is, though you understand how unbelievable the story is, you actually believe every bit of it and it makes sense - both brothers coming down of the broken air shaft and still managing to kill every damn Russian mobster in the room, Willem Dafoe successfully portering a female prostitute and almost having sex with a mobster, yeah, right! But still - Connor dropping with a toilet bowl form the roof to save his brother and the unearthly connection between them - hell yeah, this kind of thing everyone wants to believe in. Briefly - the movie makes you feel free, yet humble, though filled up with pride to be on the right side.
We Bought a Zoo (2011)
What is good and noble
It made me cry... It made me cry in the most purifying way that I haven't cried in a long, long time. It set me free! It also made me laugh of course, and sent out some butterflies in my stomach, so you have it all. I loved it because of the great actor's play - Matt strikes as The Dad, nice to see Scarlett so laboring and down to earth with no drama involved and I should say that Thomas is my N1 grumpy uncle ever. Even better - the kids are great, especially little Maggie who at her soft age is already so truthful that takes hold of your heart right away. But of course behind all that we have great story. At first I anticipated some cheesiness, but, Oh deary, how wrong I was. In this hard times that we are leaving, getting more and more complicated and painstaking, everyone of us can relate to a story of getting over hardship and find something true in it. Especially when you get some animals and outdoors involved and show what is good and noble in people. So after a hard day or for a moment you want to make special and connect to the people dear to you, you should really go and BY A ZOO.
Great Expectations (2011)
Beautifully portrayed classic tale
Fine work of all of the cast relating a story that has been told so many times, that you cannot expect to feel it fresh and deeply touching, but they do. The journey of young Pip from simple kindhearted boy to knowing, kindhearted man is so capturing that, although knowing the story, I couldn't stop asking myself "what will happen at the end". The richness of the human soul have always captured me and in the this beautiful story you can see it all in one go - betrayal so bitter that makes a heart full of pride so angry and mean as to destroy several lives in a cold, premeditated scheme vexing deeply two young hearts, but mostly its own designer. You will see avarice and ambition of twisted little souls. But mostly you will see kindness - perfect scene in ep1-you will see friendship, honest and lasting, and you will see love, above passion and simplicity. I love Dickens and his way of unfolding his characters, so I was very pleased to see the series keeping close to his book, but in a fresh way suited for the understanding of 21st century audience. I very much recommend!