Pu840 Reviews

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)

Money- and time-sucking machine. Avoid this aberration! Unless you're a die-hard fan.

[3/10 · 15 August 2006]

Dear Final Fantasy VII fans! We have been cheated! The FFVII original game was, certainly, a masterpiece for its time - no one who played it would question that. I anticipated that the movie could only be two things - either great, or crap. Unfortunately, it turned out to be crap.

Taking into account all the positive feedback that Advent Children has received from FFVII fans, you, probably, would like it too. However, if you're like me - that is, quickly getting tired of achingly similar, protracted battles, poor dialogues and a weak "existentialist" story - you shouldn't watch it. This horror doesn't have anything to do with the original game, it's just another FFVII money-time-draining franchise.

I can't imagine the reaction of someone who, despite not having played the video game (i.e. knowing the characters beforehand), would have risked to see this nightmare of a film.

Not recommended. Unless you're a die-hard fan.

A Few Days from the Life of I.I. Oblomov (1980)

Excellent! "Oblomov" has a charm.

[9/10 · 29 July 2006]

Now, this is not a story about Russian apathy, or the rot of aristocracy that, as some "historians" claim, led to the October Revolution.

This is a story about the immortality, and fragility of love. Love dies only to be reborn anew, it will not perish until the end of humankind. "Some days from the life of Oblovomov" is a deeply touching movie, with kind humor and some really sad scenes.

The actors are exceptionally talented and fit their roles perfectly - Oleg Tabakov, as a through-and-through melancholic and Yuri Bogatiryov deliver a really memorable performance. Even though it takes quite a while to get used to the movie's pace (it was filmed in USSR 30 years ago!), it's worth as it you see the story unfold.

Highly recommended for everyone with a taste for thoughtful movies.