Marat-2 Reviews

Return from India (2002)

Nice B Movie

[7/10 · 28 September 2002]

Menahem Golan hasn't directed a movie in Israel for 25 years. This film version of A. B. Yehoshua best-seller was Golan's dream for many years and the bottom line is it was worth waiting for. The story evolves around a young Israeli doctor, who comes to India determined to bring back the sick daughter of his boss, but finishes falling in love with her mother. Fast pacing, hot erotic scenes, nice plot. There are some flaws in the adaptation, sometimes the pacing is too fast, but this movie is certainly a B Movie success made by the father of Israeli cinema. A. B. Yehoshua may be disappointed, but average film viewer gets here everything he looks for. See it!

Ubit drakona (1988)

A great russion masterpiece

[10/10 · 4 May 2002]

And It's a shame nobody actually knows this miracle exists. "Killing the Dragon" is the only film Zakharov, a genious theatre director, made for the big screen after quite a few TV masterpieces. He talks about freedom and human nature using fairy tale motives. His voice is pure, rough, powerfull and totally amazing. I cry every time this film comes to its amazing ending. SO GREAT!!!

Shablul (1970)

An important israeli rock flick

[8/10 · 24 February 2001]

"Shablul" is affected by The Beatles' films, presenting most of the songs from the famous Einstein-Hanoh albom. It's semi-documentary, showing the life of Arik Einstein and his creative partners, who try to escape the reality by singing light rock songs and making nonsense. Boaz Davidson made here his directorial debut and it's a must see, especially for those who know and love Einstein and israeli culture in general.

Grade: ****

Elective Affinities (1996)

So so beautiful

[9/10 · 27 July 1999]

Taviani brothers are extremely talented filmmakers, and every movie they make is worth seeing. "Elective affinities" is a wonderful film. Based on a novel by Goethe it shows us how human lives are unable to match mathematic formulas. Tavianis direct the film with amazing simplicity and preciseness, with very few flaws. It is unlike their Italian films, but the art of those wonderful brothers is breathtaking. My Grade: **** 1/2 (out of *****)

Kadosh (1999)

A Postcard From The Holy Land

[6/10 · 11 June 1999]

I saw "Kadosh" when it was screened in Israel for the first time, following its participation in the Canne Festival. Amos Gitai, the most acclaimed Israeli film maker abroad, made me understand here why he is not exactly known inside his country. Well, "Kadosh" is a postcard. It shows the ultraorthodox jewish society in Jerusalem in an extremely stereotypic view, developing a story, that most of it looks too much "Hollywood like" to any person living in Israel. I must say the movie is totally uneven, moving between interesting and entertaining towards grotesque and melodramatic. Yael Abekasis, Yoram Hatab and Uri Klausner make wonderful parts, unlike the newcomer Meital Barda as an orthodox girl cheating her husband with a music band leader (Sami Hori). Both of them get mostly irritating lines, which often bring the movie towards being shallow and childish. Anyway, I wouldn't watch it again, but I guess it was worth spending a couple of hours in the movie theater. My Grade: *** (out of *****)

Dangerous Acts (1998)

Entertainment for intellectuals

[8/10 · 19 May 1999]

"Dangerous Acts" is one of the most pretentious Israeli movies I have ever seen. It tries to be a thriller, a satire about the merchandising of culture, a psychological drama, a black comedy and even a musical. Shemi Zarhin, who proves to be much more talented director than in his previous "Leylasede", tries to be Fellini mixed with Coen brothers, and most of the time, the result is very very interesting. It is difficult for a film maker in Israel to have a total control of his work, because of financial difficulties, but it looks like Zarhin got here exactly what he planned in the first place. I will have to watch this movie at least two more times to understand it really, and I think that's a wonderful achievment. My mark: **** (of *****)

Blind Chance (1987)

Surprisingly boring

[1/10 · 30 March 1999]

I may be stupid, but being Kieslowsky's fan and loving his "Veronic" and the color trilogy, I guess I have the right to say the man failed, when I think so. And "Przypadek" is one of the worst films I have ever seen. Its plot is totally irrational! One can not understand a thing, except of some talk about Communism and Politburo. I was so bored and disappointed, that I even considered leaving the theatre. But finally I just fell asleep near the end. And so will you. My Grade: 1/2 (out of *****)

Afula Express (1997)

It might be the best Israeli movie of all times!

[8/10 · 24 March 1999]

This movie is one of the best I have seen in 1997. Julie Shlez, a wonderfully gifted documentary creator made her first motion picture and proved again, that even with a limited budget one can make a little cinematic masterpiece. Shlez creates magic on screen. Her film is funny, sad and funny once again. The actors are wonderful: Zvika Hadar is amazing, Esty Zakheim is unforgettable and Orli Perl is so so sweet and sexy. "Afula Express" touches your soul so deeply, you will never forget this unique feeling. My grade: **** 1/2 (out of *****)

Dune (1984)

Problematic, but worthy

[7/10 · 16 March 1999]

I heard a lot about "Dune" before I rented it on DVD. Even though, I was surprised. David Lynch succeeded in making "his" movie even under "Universal" roof. And it is quite an achievement. It's a shame, that eventually, he agreed to massacre it so terribly. I mean, you practically see the editor's scissors cutting the movie while watching it. "Dune" suffers from the same old problems as other potencial masterpieces killed by the commercial needs: Ridley Scott's "Legend", Wim Wenders' "Until The End Of The World" and many others. It's our loss. My Grade: *** 1/2 (out of *****)

Orchestra Rehearsal (1978)

Disappointing, but worth a look

[7/10 · 16 March 1999]

Fellini's "Prova d'orchestra" was originally made for television, and there it should have stayed. As a cinematic event, it does not deliver. Yes, it's well directed and nicely acted, it has an interesting idea in it, but it's not enough for me to enjoy it. Eventually it looks like an exercise by some cinema student and not like a piece by Fellini, one of a few cinema genius of our time. I was disappointed, even though I enjoyed parts of it. My Grade: *** (out of *****)

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

A Beloved Classic

[8/10 · 16 March 1999]

Disney's "Alice In Wonderland" may not be as ecstatically enjoyable as "Aladdin", "Lion King" or "Mulan", but it is a classic. Smart script, great songs and wonderful characters will conquer you. I'm sure I will watch it again. My grade: **** (from *****)

Twilight (1998)

One of this year's best

[9/10 · 6 March 1999]

This may be one of the most underrated movies ever. Robert Benton's sharp, smart, moving and funny tribute to the "film noire" genre was undeservingly scolded by most of the critics and it is a real shame. "Twilight" is one of a few movies I saw this year, that reminds us the taste of a really good cinema. It stars a team of Hollywood's greatest stars, it has a truly great script, it's relatively short (and you will be sorry it ended that fast) and it is a total enjoyment for any movie lover. And if it's not enough, there is an incredibly hot sex scene with an amazingly sexy Rhis Witherspoon. You shouldn't miss that, I guarantee you.