Zhivik Reviews

Long Way Round (2004–2010)

A truly exceptional work

[10/10 · 22 January 2008]

It is difficult to write about "Long Way Round", because it is a truly extraordinary story about what people can do. I believe this is one of the greatest travel series done in the past few years, comparable only to marvels like Michael Palin's "Himalayas". I absolutely loved Charley and Ewan, and how honest they were, not trying to hide their annoyance or at times despair from the hardships they met. Yet, the entire team was really great, and it showed how much they started to rely on each other during the course of the journey, and I believe all the travails really pulled them closer, and made friends for life.

But this is just a small part of the series, because it shows a whole new world that you will probably never see elsewhere. The sheer vastness of Asia is probably best captured on a motorcycle, which also lets a much more intimate look at the countries and people you are passing by. I absolutely loved the approach they took, trying to feel what everyday life means in those countries, and I do feel sympathetic, when they got a police escort through most of Kazakhstan.

And of course I absolutely enjoyed the parts in Mongolia and Siberia, which probably showed what truly means to travel by a motorcycle from London to New York, the long way round. I could almost feel the enjoyment they had from each passed obstacle, and the sheer exhaustion they felt after it. Besides, you see that even though Ewan McGregor is a big film star, he doesn't get any preferential treatment, compared to anyone else on the team.

In the end, I like a lot what Ewan said about his growing optimism about the human race, and how this trip has really changed him (and Charley, of course). I really wish more people to see these series, because it does show that there might be hope for us, after all.

Long Way Down (2007)

A great series on its own, but not as good as "Long Way Round"

[8/10 · 22 January 2008]

I suppose I am slightly disappointed with this effort, though I guess anyone will admit that after "Long Way Round", it would take something really extraordinary to beat the feeling you got from it. I mean, "Long Way Round" is simply such an exceptional work that anything else will seem a little bit ... average in comparison. Thus, I don't want to write off "Long Way Down" right away, because it is also a great series, and certainly worth watching. However, it isn't as pure and adventurous as "Long Way Round".

The first part of the trip really seemed rushed, which took away from the series. I believe someone mentioned (probably Charley) that Ewan's film engagements made the window so tight, so I guess they didn't have a choice, if they wanted to do the same team, with both Charley and Ewan. I know this doesn't sound as a good excuse, but I guess everyone has to accept that Ewan McGregor is a big star and doesn't have as much free time as he would like to (certainly not the three months and more they had in "Long Way Round"). Nevertheless, I also wish it didn't have to be like this, because it made many people miserable, Charley and Ewan included, and it showed on camera.

The second part was really the most up to the feel of "Long Way Round", they took more time to simply enjoy the countries they passed through and talk to people, the same they did during the previous trip. Besides, it was the part of Africa that is less modernised (in what we in Europe or North America see as modern society), and somehow more enjoyable. Altogether, this is my favourite part of the series (that is, episodes 3 and 4, I guess).

As far as Ewan's wife is concerned, I don't think anyone, myself included, has the right to question the decisions they made. Since everyone on the team was OK with Eve being there for part of the trip, though people were apparently having doubts, but mostly for security reasons, then it's not our business to argue about it. I agree that maybe Eve's presence made it look like more like a family holiday, but hey, if someone so much wants to see the real thing, no one really stops him of taking a buddy and making the trip himself. There were a few people taking the same route, but up, so I guess it's not impossible.

Anyways, it was a good one, but it has the misfortune of being "Long Way Round"'s sequel. I think if it were the other way round, "Long Way Down" would get much better reception. I do agree that the fewer number of episodes also plays a part in that "not quite there" feel, so I'm looking forward to an extended DVD version, because I'm sure they have plenty of material taken during that trip.

And, of course, I'm looking to the next instalment, rumoured to be "Long Way Down Under", and I wish all the best to Ewan and Charley in doing it.

Magnolia (1999)

More than words ...

[20 November 2000]

'This is a definitely not something that I expected' were my first thoughts after I went out of the movie theatre yesterday, seeing 'Magnolia' for the first time. Indeed, how can you expect something like this - it just can't be describred. In fact, I was speechless after a movie probably for the first time in my life, although there are other films that have moved me over the years. However, I was simply appaled before this display of cinema art that Paul Thomas Anderson has presented us with.

I admit that I haven't seen the critically acclaimed 'Boogie Nights', but now I'm sure that P.T. Anderson is one of the people, because of whom cinema deserves to be placed among the other six arts. The whole idea of the movie was beyond anyone's perception - vision (extraordinary cinematography), charachters, music (here I give much to the choice of Aimee Mann to write most of the soundtrack) and of course the story, although it simply cannot be described in a few words. The cast is also magnificent - I did have some doubts about Tom Cruise, especially after the reviews that this was the best part in his career, but I must say that he convinced me that he can play not worse than the remaining great actors. I could give you just a short list - William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymor Hoffman, Jason Robards and many others, as each one of them contributes to the perfectness of the film.

Now I know that this review comes a little bit late - unfortunately we see lots of good movies quite a while, if ever, after the official premiere, but to everyone who hasn't seen 'Magnolia' and yearns for something different from everything else you have seen before - this is the place to go. If you don't feel that way - well, there are always the Farelli brothers and Jean-Claude Van Damme.