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imikhaylov
Reviews
Murder by Numbers (2002)
1920's Murder Case
I wonder if this movie is based on a 1920's "Leopold and Lobe" Murder Case, which took place in Chicago. The case involved rich, affluent families in which two sons decided to commit a perfect crime. Both boys had IQ's above between 160-200. The boys drove around the neighborhood and kidnapped a child, killed him and decided to get away. The way they were caught is one of the kidnapper's eyeglasses were left behind (a stupid mistake for being so smart). Both went to prison for life, and in prison they repented their crimes, organized the jail system and fought for prisoners rights. One of the boys received a Ph.D. and is credited in discovering a new species of birds. One of the boys was killed in prison during a prison riot, and the other one after serving 33 years was released and became a missionary in Puerto Rico. Both shared homosexual feelings towards each other and had large paintings of each other. Movie, "Murder by Numbers" seems to have a lot related to the case.
Moonzund (1988)
War Movie
"Moonzund" is based on a novel by Valentine Pikul. It is a great war film about an incident that happened during World War I on a small island Moonzund, several miles of shore from Saint Petersburgh, Russia. Russian sailors defended this island and the city of Saint Petersburgh from the advancing German Fleet. This movie also explores the events leading to the Communist Revolution in 1917 and shows different mind sets of sailors and officers of the Russian Navy, and their loyalty to each other, and Russia.
Birthday Girl (2001)
Good Movie
I am Russian, and I fit Russian stereotypes, but I got to say that whoever wrote the script for the Russian parts in this movie is brilliant. I have never seen in any foreign movie, such an accurate yet still stereotypical portrail of my countrymen. The dialogue in Russian is superb, I loved the slang. Also Nicole Kidman was very good, her Russian for a foreigner receives A+. Her accent is good, her pronunciation is good, and her grammar is good (obviously it is written by a writer :) ). The other actors speaking Russian are also good. This movie versus The Hunt for Red October in terms of Russian dialogue, blows out of the water the Red October or any other movie where foreigners are speaking Russian. This movie had the best, authentic Russian dialogue!!!
Akwarium (1996)
Spy Thriller
Akwarium is a true story of a Soviet spy operating in Western Europe. An organization he is with is called G.R.U., which is more secret than the K.G.B. Again, the movie is a true story and worth while watching. This is not only an entertaining thriller, but also can be used as educational movie about the Soviet spy agents.
D'Artanyan i tri mushketyora (1979)
One for all and all for one
I was born when this movie came out, so I saw it much later. Some times even now in my twenties I take out that film and watch it. The movie is very simple; it is about good and evil, adventure and misfortune. The whole romanticism with being a hero, a true hero. It is an absolute escape from the reality, but that is what it supposed to be.
Even now when we go camping with my friends we always sing the memorable songs from this movie.
The silliest and most ironic part about the movie is the duet between de'Treville and d'Artagnan, where de'Treville sings, "How old are you my child?" and d'Artagnan (Boyarski with huge mustache and is about 30-35) answers back, "I am 18 years old!" That is the greatest silliness.
Iskusstvo zhit v Odesse (1989)
Gangster Film
This has to be one of my most favorite movies of all time. I love Isaak Babel's stories of the Jews living in Odessa during the turn of the century. This movie portrays the culture of Odessa that is rich in its absurdity with its characters and jokes. This is a great gangster movie about a Jewish gang in Odessa. You don't need to be Russian or American or whoever to understand and enjoy this movie. A real good gangster movie made from the point of view of the gangsters and the narrator himself, Isaak Babel.
Svoy sredi chuzhikh, chuzhoy sredi svoikh (1974)
Action Film
This is a great movie. It reminds me a little bit of "Beloye Solntse Pustini" or in English "The White Sun of the Desert", same type of the 1920's action movie. I think this movie has some of the best cinematography that I have ever seen in any film. This is a very easy going-enjoyable-smart action film. Mikhalkov did a great job.