Maksik Reviews

Amélie (2001)

It's just a Kind of Magic

[10/10 · 2 October 2001]

Bravo, Jean-Pierre! Bravo, Audrey! It's trivial so far, but THIS IS WHAT THE MOVIES ARE MADE FOR! Absolutely brilliant! Perfectly composed and geniously played masterpiece of rare quality. A MUST-SEE for everyone everywhere anytime!

Once Upon a Time there Lived a Dog (1982)

Unspeakable magic

[10/10 · 19 June 2000]

Probably, the best Soviet cartoon. It is based upon Ukrainian folk stories and tells us a story about friendship between dog and a wolf in critical moments of their lives. First a wolf saves a dog when the latter driven out from home, then a dog saves a wolf from hunger at winter. Unspeakable and untranslatable magic shines through every frame of this masterpiece. I highly recommend it to every person - it is continuous moment of truth.

She's So Lovely (1997)

Outstanding performance by Robin Wright Penn

[10/10 · 18 January 1999]

She's so lovely as a very talented actress! Travolta with his boring mannerisms don't deserves her love despite two common babies. We're told a story with a love so strong like earthquake, love that did not die even after ten years of separation. High-class acting by Robin Wright Penn, Sean Penn and Harry Dean Stanton. Older daughter is very good too. To Travolta fans: it is NOT HIS film, it IS film about true love between Robin and Sean (like in real life, I hope). A must-see picture (10 out of 10).

The Game (1997)

Good idea, but final is too smooth

[6/10 · 29 December 1998]

If only David Fincher could not changed the end of THE GAME it would be much better. I don't like happy ends when they are happens because of producer's wish. Anyway, Michael Douglas plays growing psychopathy very convincingly and Sean Penn is on the top.

The Ascent (1977)

One day you'll understand that to die is much truly than to live

[10/10 · 4 September 1998]

This greatest movie gives us clue to the depth of our souls in most deadly moments of our lives. My heart is shrinking every time I saw the scene of hanging. I have no words any... You must see this brilliant picture.

Seventeen Moments of Spring (1973)

All-time classic spy movie

[2 September 1998]

In the history of Soviet movie there are only two examples of transformation of screen heroes in folk story ('anecdote') heroes. The first was famous "Chapayev" (1934) and the heroes were Chapayev and Petka. The second is "Semnadtsat mgnoveniy vesny" and the heroes are Stirlitz and Muller. Despite of thousands of anecdotes, "Semnadtsat mgnoveniy.." is a very nostalgic, humane, sincere movie and it delivers to us moments of truth. I like it very much.

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

Great actors in a great landscape; very pleasant fairy tale.

[6 August 1998]

Really epic fairy tale, but it's disturbed by some pitiful oversights - like singing & dancing Moroccan folk motives in (probably depicted) Afghani mountains. And still great; Sean Connery - just as he is in every picture. Long live Sean Connery!