galinavladi Reviews

Camp (I) (2015)

I want to go to Camp!

[9/10 · 17 August 2015]

I watched this film out of curiosity because I know a couple of kids that went there. And now I am in love.

The most important thing about this documentary is how honest and unrehearsed it is. Nothing is scripted, Kids are filmed doing whatever they are doing - playing, laughing, competing, learning, singing, overcoming (and sometimes not overcoming) their fears of doing something for the first time. And you find yourself getting to know them, cheering for them, laughing with them.

Nicely filmed, with some impressive aerial shots that convey how beautiful the place is, it also gets plenty of closeups of so many emotions, hugs, smiles and tears.

Owners and CITs (Counselors In Training) is another reason I loved watching this film. The way they talk about the kids and tell their own stories of 'why' and 'how's, you will want to meet these people and you will want to go (or send your children) to this FUNtastic place!

This film held my attention for an entire hour, it did not get boring or too long. I am watching someone else's children in a summer camp and I am loving every minute! Well done documentary, I recommend it.

Anastasia (1997)

DA!

[8/10 · 12 November 2004]

I absolutely LOVE this movie! I am a little amused by all the people having a problem with this movie not being historically accurate. Need I remind people that this is a cartoon, not a documentary? I was actually impressed with the attention to details: Nicholas looks very much like he did in life, Anastasia's little brother's sickness is not overlooked (he is walking with a limp), 'Once upon a December's words 'Someone holds me safe and warm... ' sound so much like a Russian Gypsy song!

That said, I do have to say that there are a few things that could have been prevented by hiring one Russian speaking person. Examples: When Dimitry and Anya first meet, he has a problem pronouncing her name. That would never happen. Anya is a very common name in Russia and would not be mistaken for anything else. Also, when Sophie opened the door she says something that IS NOT a Russian name, very silly. Another example would be Anastasia looking through her family album, when they make her memorize thing, remember the picture of uncle Vanya? ("Loved his vodka, got it Anya?") Well, he just looks like a common peasant, not a member of royal family.

Bartok…. I wonder who thought of the name…. It is not a Russian name… My guess is that it was meant to be 'BRATOK' which means 'little brother', used to address a companion, a friend.

So.. those are my thoughts. All in all, I highly recommend the movie. Not as an educational historical reference, but as a wonderful entertaining musical animated movie! The fact that is NOT Disney is actually a big plus for me!

Enjoy!

Switch (1991)

I love it!

[9/10 · 10 September 2004]

I could not believe some of the comments about this movie! Unfunny???!!! Depressive???!!! I thought it was wonderful! Ellen Barkin is brilliant! Brilliant! Her first 5 minutes on screen is hilarious! I think this movie is misunderstood. Pink Panther fans expect certain things that just do not happen in this movie. It is funny from the beginning, bitter-sweet at the end, it is about love, friendship, meaning of life, soul searching, men and women, God and Devil, and even has a pretty good basketball one-on-one. I love it. I watched it many times over the years, I keep finding new little things to love about this movie, it is one of my all-time favorites and I give it an awesome 8 out of 10!!!

Elephant (2003)

Don't bother

[1/10 · 23 June 2004]

This movie is nothing more but a piece of pretentious junk. I watched this movie waiting for some profound message that never came. There is no plot. You don't get to know anything about any of the characters. You would have to be a complete moron not to know that this movie is about a high school shooting the minute you picked it up, but it would be good to have some kind of a plot. Was this an attempt to make people think about violence in schools? Was this a tribute to Columbine? What is this movie about? Acting is pathetic-but in their defense, there is not much for the 'actors' to work with. OK, now that I got that out of my system, bottom line: not everyone can be a movie maker. Really. Don't insult my intelligence. I am giving this move a W – for Waste of my time!