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Durak (2014)
Disgust and hopelessness
I have heard before that Bykov's films tend to be depressing and cruel, so I was ready, but it still exceeded my expectations.
The storyline depicts a harsh reality where all authorities are corrupted and rotten and don't care about the danger which their citizens are facing. What strikes me most is that the ordinary people are too wasted and indifferent to all the injustice and corruption around - they only drink and turn a blind eye, or maybe they just act stupid. As a citizen of Russia myself, I found the described reality there quite convincing.
And only one guy was willing to help these hopeless people and was brave enough to change something. Or stupid enough, perhaps that's the word. He didn't realise that those people don't need to be saved or that he might fall victim to his own good will.
I recommend watching it only if you are ready to see a harsh social drama about faults of humanity.
Soul (2020)
Sentimental and philosophical
What's it about? A middle-aged school band teacher considers himself a failure and desires to become a successful jazz musician. But his intentions get interrupted by an unfortunate accident, after which his soul ended up in an alternative dimension where afterlife and before-life are entwined.
His reflections on his past remind us to enjoy every second of life. Sometimes we just stop noticing small wonders around us being too absorbed in our worries. And what we consider our life's goal is sometimes merely a fixated idea in case it brings us only pain or anxiety. No matter how many problems you have, your life is still worth being loved; you just gotta be more grateful and attentive.
It's a good film, well-made, with a certain amount of cliches, but what can we do? The atmosphere reminds of such films as Inside out and Coco The only thing I didn't like about this film is that it was trying so hard to be sentimental and moving that it wasn't convincing at times.
For some people it might seem too naive, too touching and that's why a bit unattractive, especially because of the cliches.
Moskva slezam ne verit (1980)
An inspiring story about the difficulty of finding one's happiness
I saw this film for the first time just the other day, and it was probably a sign from the universe for me to finally take actions in my life, since at the moment I have similar life circumstances just like the three young women in the beginning of the film. They decided to set off on a journey to Moscow in search of a better life and true love, leaving behind their countryside life.
Katya has a personality similar to mine in some way (at least that's how I see myself, maybe I'm more adventurous and humorous than her). She sets high-level goals, she is righteous, conservative enough and upholds moral standards. She is smart, pretty, good-natured, and throughout the movie I kept asking myself, how on earth can she (we) be single?! Why is it so hard to meet a soulmate? Perhaps she was doing something wrong, but what exactly?!
Lyudmila is more outgoing, communicative, determined, active, calculating and practical in comparison to Katya (and me). She wants a big catch, preferably someone successful with a thick wallet
Antonina is simple, shy, very conservative, she is satisfied with what she has got. She doesn't look for a soulmate, just the good guy would be enough for her. And because of that perhaps she is the happiest and the smartest of the three of them.
The overall atmosphere of the movie is very charming, cozy and truthful, and even though I didn't live during the Soviet Union, I still had a pang of nostalgia while watching some scenes.
Hotaru no haka (1988)
It will break your heart and fill you with hopelessness
Before actually watching this anime I was mentally prepared for its sad plot. It didn't help though. It starts with the death and ends with the death, reminding me of Nietzsche's theory of the eternal recurrence.
Desperation and hopelessness accompanied me throughout the entire storyline till the very end, despite all the efforts of the two lovely main characters - a brother and his little sister - to resist and stay strong and righteous. And as long as they had each other they somehow in a mysterious way managed to overcome all their obstacles.
This story is in fact a description of true consequences of war which destroyes society on all possible levels and reveals the worst traits of human nature. I was full of anger and despair watching how indifferent the people are towards the siblings.
All in all, if initially you are feeling low, just like I was feeling, and nevertheless you decide to watch this film, then you are making a huge mistake.
Missing Link (2019)
Simple and unpretentious
The first association which came to my mind when I started watching this film was that it reminded me of a similar animated story Smallfoot (2018). They both involve going on adventures and dealing with such humanlike mythical creatures as Yeti. Besides, the atmosphere of both films is quite alike.
General impression of the film is very pleasant, the plot is easy-going and undemanding, although every now and then the viewer comes across unexpected plot twists along with the adventurous spirit of the three main characters - the ambitious investigator Sir Frost, his passionate ex-girlfriend Adelina and the adorable Sasquatch.
To some extent, I found the film a bit predictable with many clichees, but nevertheless it kept my interest till the end. It is worth seeing if you want something chilling and relaxing.