alx_bu Reviews

Detka (2023)

Decent acting, really bad screenplay.

[1/10 · 17 March 2024]

Most probably this movie won't make much sense for a non-russian speaking viewer.

The acting is not bad, but the movie is barely watchable. The characters are poorly defined and sometimes just too cliche seen before in a number of teenage dramas.

Many story lines feel unfinished and disconnected. Overall, the main character looks and behaves not just neurotic, but erratic, which destroys the plot line coherence.

It's OK, a surface slice of current (circa 2021?) of Russian society, but there are much better examples of movies about upper and lower classes.

I only hope that Maria will have a better opportunity to show her acting.

Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023)

Could've been good, but...

[2/10 · 22 September 2023]

Overall, I liked the idea. Execution was not too bad either. But the casting... It made this movie a wannabe contender according to Oscar's diversity criteria, yet the actors' selection was so poor it hurts to watch.

I am not a quitter but was seriously tempted to press the stop on the remote.

Moreover, now I am tempted to check out the original book ad see if the screen version reflects the actual intention of the book, or it was an outcome of producers' vision.

If anything, this is the movie would be a great candidate for a remake.

With that, I will not discouraging people from watching it, but get ready for disappointment - if you have a problem with the first 10 minutes of visuals, it won't get any better.

A Man Called Otto (2022)

A swan song of the Hollywood

[1/10 · 10 March 2023]

Why? Please tell me, why?

Once there was a good movie about 'A Man Called Ove". It was very whole and that made it believable.

Then came Hollywood and: 1. It hired an A actor (Tom Hanks), 2. Used a European-inspired HOA setting - it took me a while to realize (primarily thanks to license plates on the cars) that it was supposed to be a suburban PA. Although I am yet to see such a subdivision with my own eyes.

3. Spiced it with the "Grand Torinish" attitude of the protagonist (sorry, but Tom Hanks is no Clint Eastwood.) 4. Brough in some sentimental flashbacks ( it includes a wheelchair- weeping uncontrollably).

5. Sprayed it with some ridiculous, clown-like secondary characters (is it supposed to be a comedy now?).

6. And infused with a healthy dose of the Trans-youth character (so anybody who criticized this opus magnum can be labeled a Trumpist).

... and we got "A Man Called Otto"

In the end, the solid Tom Hanks act makes it watchable. But even that goes that far. So if you can, check out "A man called Ove" and you won' tt miss anything by passing the Hollywood reincarnation.

Girls to Buy (2021)

A surprisingly good movie

[9/10 · 12 November 2022]

The average rating wasn't that high, so I was putting this movie away or some time. And I am glad I watched it.

Frankly, I do not understand the all the 1s. This movie feature some serious topics and can be visually hard for many. If you can't stand visuals of sex, violence and... sexual violence, then save yourself and do not watch it. It is not a happy movie.

For those aware of serious moral issues in this world, the movie delivers. It is really well made and played.

My only complaints would be that some scenes are unnessisarily streched. The movie could be well under 2 hours to deliver the same message but more distilled. But anyway, there is afast forward button for that.

The Gray Man (2022)

What's wrong with these people?

[10/10 · 1 August 2022]

I don't understand all the whiners here. If you are expecting "Gone with a wind" level deepness, you won't find it here.

It is a solid spook action movie. A few good jokes. Nice (unbelievable) action sequences. Hand to hand and a "blow-it-all" types. In that, don't complain about repetitiveness. In the end - how many ways you can stab, shoot and blow people and things?

Take it for their face value. It is exactly what it is claimed to be - an action movie. So, if you are up to that, it's a great way to spend 2 hours on a weekend.

The Professor (I) (2018)

Great movie that is NOT 2+ hours long

[10/10 · 3 January 2020]

Gone are the times when usual movie would be 1.5 hour long. Now every director thinks that it is impossible to tell the story in under 2 hours. And the longer it is, the more artsy it is. The Professor proves otherwise. Depp has his top Depp performance. Witty, to say least. Script is well developed and captivating, still leaving some space for interpretation. Just see it for yourself!

Once Upon a Time in London (2019)

Mediocre at best

[4/10 · 20 May 2019]

I was trying to understand how this movie got such a high rating, and can't. Math doesn't seem to add up! Movie itself was "bleah". Wasted time.