Editor’s Note: Although Kyiv theaters rarely show films in the original language, there are other ways of getting hold of movies without irritating dubbing or subtitles. Buy a film at an online video shop (some of them deliver to the door) or pick up a movie in DVD stores across Kyiv. Here’s a list of the latest releases.
Sucker Punch
USA 2011
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens
Genre: Brutal Fantasy
Where to buy: Yakaboo, Hr 55
http://www.yakaboo.ua/ru/catalog/all/sucker-punch-194891
A young girl is institutionalized by her evil stepfather. He is afraid she could kill him for abusing her younger sister. The madhouse is horrible and she sees no chances to escape. So she invents an alternative reality and starts planning her way to freedom.
This movie was one of the greatest expectations in Hollywood this year. Zack Snyder, creator of 300 and Watchmen, promised a new visionary gem. In fact, he held his promise. The alternative reality is awesome.
A bunch of beautiful girls killing thousands of German-like zombie-soldiers, monsters and dragons on the fields of World War I – it’s something you shouldn’t miss.
But in general the movie is no masterpiece. The screenplay looks like a draft that needs a significant editing. Actors don’t try too hard. And overall it seems all the efforts were targeted to special effects. And girls’ makeup. Nice time killer if you like to switch your brain completely off for two hours.
X-Men: First Class
USA 2011
Directed by Frances Lawrence
Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon
Genre: Sci-Fi
Where to buy: Petrovka.ua, Hr 60
http://www.petrovka.ua/product.php?code=113492
Did you know that boringly kind Charles Xavier and funny evil Magneto once used to be friends? How they met and why separated, how mutants became the secret force of the US – that’s the beginning of the X-Men series.
The initial trilogy was very successful, it rocketed Hugh Jackman to the top of the Hollywood. Now the producers decided to earn some more money on this story and released a prequel.
The movie is not bad at all, though it will never become as popular as the initial trilogy. Maybe because the audience is a bit tired of the mutants. Maybe because Hugh Jackman appears on screen only for a few seconds.
Young Xavier is a very, very boring character even though talented Scottish actor James McAvoy tries really hard. Magneto is much more charismatic thanks to amazing performance by Michael Fassbender, who is one of the most talented actors of his generation.
The story of their friendship and splitting is very primitive. But it’s a comics after all, one shouldn’t expect a touch of Shakespeare here. The special effects are pretty good, though nothing new has been invented since the initial X-Men movie (2001).
