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Reviews
Skazka stranstviy (1983)
Very unusual tale
A good movie but certainly not suitable for children. Some episodes can give nightmares even to a grown-up. More of that, though "The Story of the Voyages" is sort of a magic tale, it has some complicated psychological themes in it that only an adult can comprehend. It's a weird movie to say the least, filled with strange images that seem to have come from a hallucination of some kind. But it's still very, very good. The acting in this movie is superb. Andrey Mironov playing Orlando is one of the best Soviet actors, that's all one needs to say. And Tatiana Aksiyuta is very touching and believable as Martha, the girl in search for her little brother. The atmosphere is dark, haunting and heartbreaking, filled with hope that shines through despair.
I can think only of one movie that "The Story of the Voyages" resembles me: "The Labyrinth" with David Bowie. They are alike in some ways, I think. Probably because of the dark and bizarre atmosphere and psychological implication. But "The Story of the Voyages" is much, much more grim and dark. This movie is unique, so it's worth watching at least for that. Though you probably wouldn't want to re-watch it for a long time after.
Kenpuu Denki Berserk (1997)
Pure madness
Good Lord, this was one of the most horrifying movies I'v ever watched in my life. Whoever thought it out, was probably insane.
The first part of the show is good medieval fantasy/drama that would have been nice to watch, if not for crude animation and a LOT of blood and gore. Still, the three main characters are very interesting and two of them (Griffith & Caska) are even nicely drawn. The development of their relationship is also fascinating and especially good thing is character development. For Griffith in particular. He is remarkable - proud, self-assured, brave, noble, handsome, ambitious and firm of purpose... until episode 20 and on. From that point the good-quality medieval fantasy that is very realistic for such a genre turns into sheer madness. As if Hell itself broke loose from the author's borders of imagination. Good Lord. That is _too much_. No one should ever create such a horror. The worst thing of all is not the complete absence of hope, not the senseless deaths of almost all characters but this rapid, sudden and absolutely unexpected change of one of the most attractive characters in the anime. Unbelievable and illogical change. The second part of "Berserk" is indescribable. It is Hell in all its terror, beyond the borders of nightmares, irrationally cruel, incredibly violent, absolutely senseless, death for the name of death, joy of demons, lusting for blood. Before such even God himself steps aside.
So... My conclusion is: if you want, watch this anime till episodes 19-20. And no more. If you want to keep sanity.
Alye parusa (1961)
Very beautiful and romantic
"The Scarlet Sails" is one of the most beautiful and romantic tales I know. The movie follows Alexander Green's novel perfectly. It presents the story about how a miracle can happen when faith and love join together. A small girl was told once that a noble prince will come for her on a ship with scarlet sails. She believed the story and kept this faith even when she grew up. She was considered strange, the town's people laughed at her and her life wasn't easy, but she managed to preserve a golden heart and pure eyes of a child. And when a brave young captain saw her, he fell in love with her and decided to fulfill her dream.
This movie is for everyone who has a romantic soul and believes in miracles. It's very air is full of beauty, dream and poetry and it has a lot of Christian motives in it, though this may seem strange when speaking about a Soviet movie. But it is so, because eternal virtues that this movie is about are common for all people, whether they are Russian or not. I highly recommend "The Scarlet Sails" for family viewing and for those everlasting romantics that world would have been so dull without.
Rating: 10/10
Goluboy shchenok (1976)
Oh my, why do people always see something that isn't there...?
I just can't imagine how it is possible to accuse this wonderful, naive, children cartoon of homosexual motives! Look at the time of its production - 1976! I wasn't even planned to be born then! At that time in USSR few but psychiatrists and lawyers knew what homosexuality meant. Ordinary Soviet people were absolutely innocent and naive about such topics. And the word "goluboy" began to be used as a slang term "gay" only in mid-90s. So don't give free rain to your spoilt imagination. It's a cute children cartoon and nothing more.
"The Blue Puppy" has kind humor, nice songs and suits wonderfully for children. And Andrei Mironov as the Black Cat is superb. Well, he always was, one of the best Russian actors of all times.
Crying Freeman (1995)
Brilliant work of art
Some spoilers may follow.
"Crying Freeman" is one of my favorite movies ever. I can watch it again and again many times. This movie is first of all a work of art. It is uncanny beautiful, in every small detail. Almost each episode I can watch through as if it were a picture of a talented artist. Graceful, elegant, very aesthetic - CF is a masterpiece of visual art. I fell in love with it when I first saw the starting credits: a wonderful katana sword turning and revealing the title in a flash: "Crying Freeman". And the rest of the credits, no less beautiful. I thought that if the creators of this movie could make the opening title so stunningly beautiful, then the movie itself would not disappoint me as well. And it didn't. But besides visual beauty, CF has a marvelous plot, actors and... Well, I'll simply say the whole blend of all things that make a movie is perfect in the "Crying Freeman". And again, when I try to describe my impression from some part of the movie, I can think of only one word - beautiful. No, even "fair". Yo Hinomura, deadly and elegant, as a katana blade. Beauty of death. And his another side - soft and artistic. Beauty of art and poetry. Emu O'Hara, fair and tender. Beauty of peace and modesty. Lady Hanada. Even she has the beauty - of pride and honor. Beauty can be found in every detail.
And deep layers that accompany each Christophe Gans' movie... You might watch "Crying Freeman" a hundred of times and on the hundred and first you'll something you haven't seen before.
I am very grateful to all the people that made the creation of "Crying Freeman" possible.