XeniaGuberman Reviews

30 Rock: The Collection (2007) Season 2, Episode 3

Turning back into a dude from a tiger

[7/10 · 19 July 2022]

The Collection (2007)

This is a truly remarkably funny yet multilayered episode. However, after watching it, I was wondering what was the origin of Tracy Jordan's phrase "You can't ask a tiger not to turn back into a Chinese dude at midnight!". Curiously, at first I couldn't locate a Chinese proverb or a tale on that, of course not being a specialist in oriental studies. However, there is a story "Sangetsuki" by the author Atsushi Nakajima, featuring a Chinese guy with an ability to turn into a tiger. From there, one could find both Korean and Chinese legends with a similar premise. If it is indeed the reference, it makes that exchange with Liz even funnier!

Dragged Across Concrete (2018)

Amazing

[10/10 · 5 August 2021]

This is a remarkable work in its honesty and realistic feel all around. Should be shown in high school as a part of the curriculum, maybe as a double feature with the "Requiem for a Dream". Some moments are hard/painful to watch, due to brutality and naturalism, but it would be a loss to skip over them, as the work is truly poetic, believe it or not. Highly recommended.

The Words (2012)

The story is compelling but not original

[4/10 · 5 August 2021]

This movie's plot is quite similar to a French movie. So I wonder , which one is the original. Though, good actors though made me forget that ....

Annihilation (I) (2018)

Like Solaris meets Stalker, but with so many holes one cannot see the point.

[2/10 · 24 February 2018]

I went with an open mind, as I've never heard of the corresponding book. Alas, I was already laughing half way through, at the scene with bear shooting - so poorly constructed the plot was. However, the bear episode was just the first culmination of the incoherent pileup of plot stretches and pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo that badly needed a comic relief.

For starters, one has to wonder why the biggest army in the world did not employ its might, or, say, just an armoured regiment, to investigate the phenomenon, but instead was sending tiny groups of volunteers for three years. Or, for example, why the gals abandoned a secure position on top of the guard tower just to be attacked. Or, one has to constantly scratch the head how come those pesky genetic mutations were able to merge different kingdoms of life and even fragments of conscience into all those new life forms. Or, on a related subject, where did the Cambridge physicist disappear to? Or, what happened to the leader of the team, really? Let's assume, it was magic. If so, why it was never acknowledged, but instead we hear laughable mumbling about HOX genes? These inconsistencies at some point become just really hard to bear. Without giving away too much of the "plot", or the lack of such, all ends pretty bad. Namely, after a spectacular animation sequence, which makes no sense whatsoever, all gets back to quasi normal, except there is an alien clone (or two?) in our midsts. The end.

Of course, one also has to wonder, if it all was just a lie by the lead character. If so, why so elaborate? And what really, really happened with that "little green man" at the lighthouse... In short, easily - one of the silliest SciFi movies in decades.

Elena (2011)

vulgar plot, great camera work

[2/10 · 15 October 2011]

I just watched this movie in a full theater. Oh my God, is this guy for real? What is it all about? Folks from the projects moving to take the place of Nouveau riche? Or, no holds barred, blind motherly love? Or about daughter-father chemistry? Or even about a hope for Russia's rebirth as a great people and a great nation? It could have been (considering actors' talent and an exceptional cameraman), and an evidently fat budget. But, no, this comes out as a vulgar, banal, simple-minded, yet pretentious opus. I liked the character of Katya, brilliantly cynical and very modern, something that younger Russians could relate to, but it did not develop, and the whole picture was a flop for me. Another thing I couldn't ignore was the relentless product placement of Russia's TV Channel 1, an official government outlet (tres bizarre!).

Mammoth (2009)

Budget wasted. I miss the real Moodysson

[3/10 · 26 May 2010]

I assume it was a great break for the director - a big budget movie with real pan-American stars. What a disappointment! I can completely relate to his plight for abandoned and exploited children, but as an art form - pardonne moi! It was fresh, groundbreaking and believable in "Lilya Forever" showing a Russian kid abandoned by her government and parents, and exploited in Estonia and then in Scandinavia. Here - a much weaker artistically, emotionally, and logically, attempt to develop the theme into a more global tell-all tale. Too bad, it paints a couple of hard-working (and yes, sorry to mention this, well-off) new-yorkers as complete morons, incapable not only of any rational move, but also of any true or at least understandable emotion. If Michelle Williams character is more or less believable, assuming she is severely overworked and terribly depressed, the lead "first lover" is just a walking caricature. There is literally nothing good to be said about this lead character played by Bernal. If people this inconsistent could reach adulthood in reality, they would never achieve any success in life, unlike in the movie. There are also other characters that are so cliché that one could just wonder if the screenwriter/director exercised any self-editing at all after compounding these two "heroines": a "good whore" and a "wise Philippina woman". The conclusion - even as a satire, it does not fly. Nobody needs a lesson on class struggle in such a naive and distorted form. Equaling being poor with "wholesome goodness" is even more superficial. One good thing though - the movie stimulates some thoughts of "downshifting". That is, why work hard, if harder you work - the less happy you apparently are, even if you do achieve your "goal" of living cushy life. A sort of stab at the American Dream. I guess many people could relate to that.

Eastern Promises (2007)

Garbage! Stay AWAY!

[1/10 · 1 March 2008]

I stay away from reviewing American movies, but here - I cannot pass. How did this script get made into a movie? The story and the characters are complete absurd. Not a shred of believable premise or action. None of the irrational behavior of a dozen of characters makes any sense. As a result of incomprehensible script - really bad stains on Croneberg's, Viggo's and Naomi's track records. And, being a Russian, I was breaking into hysterical laughter every time "authentic" Russian element was brought in. This really tests the intelligence not just of of any Russian or expert on Russia/Russians, but also of any psychologist, any person with kids, any law enforcer and especially any person in medical profession. If intended as a Tarantino/Rodrigez-like prank - it worked! Otherwise - it is complete and utter waste, of our time and of good actors.

Finally, this movie's multiple over-hyped ratings here are totally mysterious for me, unless there was organized "gray" marketing via movie reviewing sites.

Palais royal! (2005)

A bit long, but witty

[7/10 · 14 September 2007]

This is, of course, a comedy. So, let's talk funny: three testicles theme, the whole Deneuve character, the opening London sequence, personal trainer guy - very funny. The whole thing is a bit long, but quite enjoyable. I'm just wondering if they also ridicule the Belge (the only French-speaking continental people with royalty), as it goes along, but I don't know French enough to catch the nuances. One interesting quality - since it is a poke at the English, the humour is very held-back (not the usual French buffonade), easily the "English gentlemen"-like comic routine, perfectly in line with stuff like the "Stiff upper lip". I guess it is THE stylistic gimmick used here, apart from the obvious Diana satire, to our delight.

Paris, I Love You (2006)

it is not Paris that is great in this movie

[9/10 · 7 May 2007]

The segments in this movie are not really connected, despite the pretence, and are of vastly uneven aesthetic value, so it is not productive to discuss the film as a whole, especially as there is no obvious logic in the fragment ordering. So the good stuff is: Gus Van Sant, segment "Le Marais" - Perfect! Has nothing to do with Paris substance or spirit, though.

Nobuhiro Suwa, segment "Place des Victoires" – Very touching spiritual sketch. Has this inexplicable sense of culture-meltin-pot, so Japanese.

Sylvain Chomet, segment "Tour Eiffel" – excellent rendition of the Paris myth. More classic than original, still a very funny cartoon-like film. Mimes at their lighter side.

Alfonso Cuarón, segment "Parc Monceau" – This is a runner-up to be the strongest piece here. Make no mistake – Cuarón is magnificent in everything he's done. This is as pure and crystal-honest as all by him. Also, here he uses a remarkable trick: camera (slowly!) moves closer to the characters, as our understanding of the situation grows. Pure witchcraft! BTW, Ludivine Sagnier is great even with her clothes on. I must know why Parc Monceau was chosen! Olivier Assayas, segment "Quartier des Enfants Rouges" – this is a movie in itself, kinda Chekhov story, how imperfect French can cost you an adventure (or something bigger?).

Tom Tykwer, segment "Faubourg Saint-Denis" – another self-containing movie, not a sketch. Very well done. It is a bit contrived, though, and the female lead actress is a turn-off, as usual. However, Tykwer has shown "them" what a master director can do in such a short piece. Fabulous.

Alexander Payne, segment "14th arrondissement" – could have been the best segment (contests Cuaron's), but lacks cinematic qualities – it is pure literature. Nevertheless, it is a genial humanistic piece; Paris is just a backdrop, kinda sculpting clay. Placing this at the end is the only obvious success of the segment ordering. However it is doubtful it would have been done without the last phrase consonant with the main title. Nevertheless…great

The Boss of It All (2006)

a play, not a movie, but so darn good at it!

[7/10 · 7 May 2007]

This movie is undoubtedly an ideological departure from the recent LVT endeavours. It has no tear-jerking aspirations, except as a matter of laughs. In a way, it is self-ridiculing, adding an extra layer of hilarious logical traps. It is a bit slow in the third quarter, but then picks up. Special noteworthy inventions: the Icelandic buyer (a riot!), his translator, mythical Gambini and the "Hanged Cat"! Acting, acting, acting is very witty and plastic. It makes the piece (with mostly indoors setting) less cinematic, more of a filmed play (which is undoubtedly the intention of the director). Good entertainment and fairly original.

Pédale dure (2004)

surreal happening

[5/10 · 18 November 2006]

I saw this movie in theater in the first week of its release, with about only three other patrons in a huge theater. One reason for this lack of interest from mainstream public could be related to the fact that this this movie CELEBRATES GAYNESS, quite literally and at length at times. Saying this, I cannot be sure that it was the only intention of the creators. If such kind of agenda is irrelevant to you, it could be quite interesting as an absurdist happening kindathing. There is a great scene with a "turk" pianist. Transplanting the female lead from "Pedale Douce" is another ioneskian bit, this is not a sequel by any stretch of imagination. So, if you have some spare time on your hands it is not so bad to spend it on this piece, however such things are usually only good for fresh "shock and awe" showing, I doubt I would enjoy watching it again.

Pasha (1968)

very entertaining and a bit touching

[8/10 · 17 November 2006]

The movie is an unanticipated gem! I was expecting something of a hybrid between A. Delon's "Un Flic" and "Le Samouraï", but this one is fast paced and stylish. I enjoyed the inserts with "hippies" dancing and The Serge cameo, both lending some documentary feel to the movie. It is also one for a fan of coolest mid-century period, with characters carved out of the 40ies b&w gangster movies. Gabin's character is funny, policemen are efficient and gangsters dull-n-dumb: feels good. Music is an added bonus, especially if you pay attention to the words of the song that Serge sings: nice refrain to the plot. In short, great contemporary mix, very entertaining and a bit touching.