JoUK Reviews

Lord of the Dance (1997 Video)

Two words: Michael Flatley

[7/10 · 1 February 2006]

For those who've seen the Riverdance, Lord of the Dance won't be much of a surprise. Similar choreography, music and even the same dancer! But there is something about Flatley's group that makes you stuck to the screen. A definite Must Be Seen even if you're not a dance-type person.

Like somebody's said before this is really Michael Flatley at his best. Although he is copying the convention of Riverdance he's managed to make the show entirely his own and somehow 'fresh'. New costumes, the idea of telling the story with a dance and a bit of pop music added on top of it made Lord of The Dance one of the best dance-shows ever.

A genuine masterpiece although spoilt by a terrible director and montage. But still deserves 7/10.

Boys Don't Cry (2000)

Maybe not clever but surely funny!!

[9/10 · 19 November 2005]

I'm a great fan of polish cinematography, although I have to watch all these movies subtitled. However, I was told that "Chlopaki nie placza" is the worst movie ever. I've seen it, and I have to say: One of the most hilarious movies ever made! I can promise you will find this film amusing, when you'll see 'Laska' coming home, reminiscing his dad or 'Grucha' wearing his pink sweater and falling in love with the prostitute. Many people may have a lot of criticisms about this film; that it shows a very silly story or that it is a copy of Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction". Well maybe it is. But it definitely works for this film. MUST BE SEEN!!!

Stigmata (1999)

How is your faith these days?

[8/10 · 14 November 2005]

I'm not really keen on catholic movies, but I watched "Stigmata" and I have to admit, I really enjoyed it.

It tells us the story of Frankie, a common American young woman who loves going out, hanging around with her boyfriend and having a good fun. She leads a normal life, and as she says, she loves it. And she doesn't believe in God but when she starts suffering from stigmata, her life changes totally and the question: What if God really exists? becomes really important.

Both Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Byrne have done a really good job. Byrne is very convincing as a priest who struggles between his faith and emotional attachment that he's developed with Frankie. And Arquette? Wow, you need to be REALLY dedicated to your job to do something like that.

Many people say, that this movie, is pathetic and abusive for those who believe.And maybe it's true. But it is, as well, one of those films that once you've watched it, you want to see it again and again and it certainly gets you thinking...How is your faith these days? Highly recommended.

Teddy Bear (1981)

Not as stupid as it seems

[10/10 · 13 November 2005]

First time I've seen it, I didn't fully get the idea what this film is supposed to be about. Maybe a little bit funny, sometimes silly, but in overall, didn't make sense. At all.

But when you actually think about how life in Poland was at that time, and if you know somebody ( preferably from Poland ) who will guide you, you'll find this film hilarious and love it. It shows, very sarcastically though, how the life in Poland in early 1980s was, and how people were dependent on each other. I don't want to talk about it too much, but the score is 10 without doubts, and if you're looking for a clever foreign comedy, that's the one you should see.