NinadeL

Grapes is an absolutely typical example of the fact that a relatively decent film, one that is nothing special, but still functional, is considered a great success in the Czech Republic. Which is absolutely tragic. Instead of everyone being happy that one quite acceptable summer film has been made, we have to watch miserably as the original modest idea turns into a not-very-successful trilogy full of nonsense and kitsch. That’s too bad, because the first film from Bařina was interesting at least in its individual aspects. But the attempt to continue the new tradition of post-revolutionary summer hits in the style of The Ride seems to be a bit beyond the capabilities of the current creators.

A superb drama from a literary milieu. Editor Maxwell Perkins is responsible for such greats as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, and now faces a new challenge in the form of Thomas Wolfe's magnificent novel. This eventually became Look Homeward, Angel, and its loose sequel Of Time and the River. It's a great meeting of acting concerts over spirit-lifting substance. The likable Colin Firth at a crossroads, Kidman (different and wonderful again, this time as the emotionally-tested lover of a selfish literary artist), and of course the unhinged wildcat Jude Law.

A cheap Canadian western that pretends it's all set in Wyoming. Unless you are a die-hard fan of any of the actors, you shouldn't waste your time with this mistake.

An adaptation of the 2013 novel of the same name by award-winning Canadian author Lisa Moore. It is set in the 1970s in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, and in New Brunswick. It's the type of classic retro crime drama that is in demand these days, and the CBC didn't want to miss out on it so they made their own miniseries. The episodes directed by T. J. Scott maintain a classically high formal standard, and the first episode is graced by the beautiful Vicky Pratt.

Well, it's an experience. I had no idea there could be a pure Mormon western, but here it is. This adaptation of Gary Stewart's adventure novel is seemingly a classic tale of an outlaw in the wild west. But on closer inspection, we can see that it all takes place in the Salt Lake City area at the end of Brigham Young's life. Life within the church and the city is shaped by efforts to build an independent state and its planned annexation to the United States. Yet the lives of the individuals and their moral compass resemble nothing we would know from the classic westerns we have seen in Europe. It's therefore a different viewing experience, but in the end, it's not a bad excursion outside the classic genre clichés. Berenger is an interesting anti-hero, Heston is well chosen for a prophet late in life, while Leslie Hope is just tender enough to survive in a polygamous marriage.

The story of Brigham Young and his faithful's journey to Salt Lake City in the mid-19th century looks and functions like a classic biblical epic in the Hollywood rendition of the time. There is no shortage of symbolic magic at the end, the only "minor" difference being that we are following the first era of Mormonism and not a biography of Moses. As a supplement to education, it's not a bad experience; the context of modern American history and the development of American film in the 1940s is important. Any viewer boredom is prevented by the young love interest played by Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell, but it really is skillfully shot, so if you know what you're getting into, it can be a solid experience. A little epic and a little pathetic. Considering that Mormon stories are part of the classic western narrative, I'm slightly surprised I didn't know about it before. That’s probably due to the European romantic view of Wild West stories that were never about more than Old Shatterhand or Elke Sommer.

Unfortunately, today's Zelenka is still yesterday's Zelenka. Yet in terms of its individual aspects, Droneman is an excellent film. And as a bonus, there are two well-written supporting roles for Fialová and Kubařová, mature actresses who are regularly forgotten.

The 2nd season of JOAT is on the same lines as the 1st season, the creators just added more brutal humor. For example, Catherine the Great (Danielle Cormack) and her penchant for stables... or a puppet orgy with a stuffed cow. That format couldn't be pushed forward much longer, so after 8 episodes, enough was enough and the 2000/2001 season was completed by Cleopatra 2525, a series from the first half of B2B Action that could go from half-hour episodes to a double-feature format.

A series exclusively for fans of Bruce Campbell and fans of the Hercules comedy episodes. It's unbelievable nonsense, and the humor comes from the strange tradition of The Scarlet Pimpernel and goes even further. Campbell becomes a kind of Zorro of the island of Pulau Pulau in 1801 with the help of the cunning blonde Angela Dotchin (Campbell and Dotchin are matched from the first moment, because they met in the Xena episode from season 3 - Tsunami). Of course, the most deviant episodes of JOAT Season 1 include the legendary encounter with the Marquis de Sade on his island of suffering and the final opera bouffe. As tacky and awkward as it is, it's funny.

A surprisingly good early drama with Mae Murray and Frank Borzage. This is a purely American theme, a combination of the classic western (redskin raids against white-skinned people) with Mormons. Yet if you're familiar with the issue, there's nothing here to hinder the viewer experience. There are many opinions about the legend Mae Murray, but this first meeting was excellent. She displays a natural talent as a young girl in a difficult situation. Frank Borzage was soon to become an Oscar-winning director, and it's nice to associate that name with a particular face as well.