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DeepGrey
Reviews
Khottabych (2006)
An update on the Soviet fairy tale
Sam L. Jackson had it that the Star Wars movie was "for everyone who has a kid inside them". Khottabych is fairy tale that caters to the new generation of kids the internet generation which was born in the last decade or so. It is light-hearted, funny and connects to the dreamer inside of us. A classic tale of genie in the bottle has been updated to encompass the evil corporations, Russian mafia and the brand new online culture. If you've ever spent hours in chat rooms or chasing each other around in online shooters, this movie is for you! Of course, I've no idea how it might work for a non-Russian audience. It is, after all, a very Russian movie and a very well done one, too.
Freejack (1992)
Comparative values
It may well be that this movie deserves the low praise it got from the IMDb voters, but then how many newer sci-fi movies getting higher scores have really done better? This 1992 flick has been sitting on my DVD shelf for some time now and I've decided to re-watch it after seeing the new sci-fi blockbuster "The Island" (I've seen some parallels between the two that brought "Freejack" back to my mind). Special effects notwithstanding, I still believe that the older movie comes out a winner. There is just that much of a better story telling, coherence, actor play and a general ambiance that makes "Freejack" a movie one would want to watch over and over again. The movie is WELL-DONE. It's driven by a simple plot yet its imagery is clear and consistent and the characters have enough development for the audience to care for. A definite must for any sci-fi movie collection.
Braveheart (1995)
Overrated
Not good. Mel Gibson just itches for an excuse to act in bloody, violent movies (such as Patriot) and this one is no exception. A heavy historical drama falls short with its shallow characters, macho Wallace and predictable, boring battle scenes. For some reason I kept thinking "Highlander" and "Conan the barbarian", which were much simpler, yet tremendously more enjoyable movies. If "Patriot" is your thing, you might probably enjoy this one; otherwise see Mad Max, Lethal Weapon and Payback instead.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
You should pay the price of a full admission to avoid this movie.
If you should not see some movies even if "they" paid you, for this one you should go even further and pay money to avoid it! Tomb Raider is grotesque parody of a movie, a gross insult thrown to the moviegoers across the world. Action movies are bad nowadays, but Tomb Raider beats everything by its stupidity. There is nothing that could justify such a failure. At least the industry is true to its style and proves that video-to-movie schemes never work (Street Fighter, anyone? Or Wing Commander? At least the last one came with a Star Wars preview). Anyway, back to the Tomb Raider, the plot is non-existent, the actors are flat, the word "acting" cannot be associated to this production, the fighting scenes are ridiculous. People, The Matrix was The Matrix, no need to endlessly rip it off, you can't just reproduce it! Even the "russian" girl was speaking a terrible russian... could not they hire a real? Conclusion: Run screaming! Or do yourself a favor and see "Return of the Mummy" (silly, yet entertaining).
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Not the best animated movie, rent Titan A.E. instead
I went to see Atlantis with great expectations, remembering such Disney and Toy Story 2. However, I failed to get impressed. Of course, the animation is very nice, even if I sometimes grew tired of "Disney-style" drawing. It is nice they have a signature-style, yet I would love to see more variety. Anyway, back to Atlantis, I found the story to be way too sweet. It felt too much Disney, even if we were spared from the tunes. It didn't have a strong plot, it didn't build the tension, it was just simply flat.
As a bottom line, don't see it for 10$, maybe for 5$ at most. You'd be better to rent Time Masters, Titan A. E. Or even Ghost in the Shell instead.
The Patriot (2000)
Bad, bad empty movie!
This movie fails in everything, expected or not. Tons of gratuitous violence that serves no cause, cliches all over the place, and all that develops over a very comfortable span of time, allowing viewers to sink into boredom. Mel Gibson is definitely at his worst.
Titan A.E. (2000)
The very best Sci-Fi animation feature.
You like Star Wars, The Matrix, Transformers...? Tron...? Titan A.E. is the next best thing, and whatever is going on at the top of the box office doesn't give justice to this film. Only 33 votes so far, for maybe the best animation feature of the year, and beyond! This movie has everything: next-generation of drawn animation, great music, and Action! It's a non-stop instant classic that anyone who likes the genre has to see. Am I pushing it here? Maybe I'm just awed.
Mission to Mars (2000)
Unremarkable, flat, movie.
When you see a movie, you live through it, but when it's over, all you have left is the Impression. That is what will remain of it for the time to come, and that's what you tell the people about when you want give a brief description. Some movies shock you, some make you feel happy and joyful, some scare you... this movie, Mission to Mars, can be described as leaving a hollow impression, a nothing. Maybe it depends on one's background, but for me, the movie was extremely flat. Everything was... sterile. The plot, the acting, the mixture of stunning visual effects, everything felt like a rip-off which was stripped of all substance. The movie doesn't carry a message, it doesn't entertain, and it doesn't incite to think. What else should there be? Suggestion: no need to rush for this one. Odyssey 2001, Solaris and Apollo 13 have already happened. 5/10 for the lack of excitement a sci-fi movie should have.