Thread: Films & TV: Russian & Non - Q&As/Reviews/Links all in here!

Originally Posted by rockzmom

There are many older movies, pre-1970, which I have always enjoyed and depending upon my mood

I haven't seen either of these movies while I've heard a lot about "Butch Cassidy ...".

I am interesting in your milestone marking "pre-1970". As for Russia I would certainly use two milestones 60's and 70's. The 1960 I would mark as the milestone where the characters stopped singing and dancing, and movies moved from being a window to a musicals stage and become a self-consistent art. Of course this is very rough division. Non-musicals were before and musicals were after but I think that the mainstream was changed somewhere about 1960. The 1970 probably can be the point when filming process stopped to be magic and become and instrument for artists.

So, what about American milestones?

I wonder how did you devise these "milestones"??? It looks like you bended the facts a little for the sake of your "magic" theory. Please give us examples of the movies you kept in mind, if I'm mistaken,

As for my opinion...
The most popular Soviet "musicles" (yes, everybody was singing and even dancing) were filmed in the late 70's. This decade was a "musical" era in the USSR.

Just to name the few:
Truffaldino from Bergamo (Труффальдино из Бергамо), 1976, filmed in 1972 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281303/
The Dog in the Manger (Собака на сене), 1977 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076732/
D'Artanyan and the Three Musketeers (Д’Артаньян и три мушкетёра), 1978 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076998/
An Ordinary Miracle (Обыкновенное чудо), 1978 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186408/
About the Little Red Riding Hood (Про Красную Шапочку), 1977 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076569/
Magicians (Чародеи), 1982 - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083730/ , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charodey
... and others...

These films are "classics", I don't think they can fall under the category "musicals were after", because they ARE the main musical gems of Soviet cinema. I probably may agree that there were two waves of musicals (50's - "Mister X" and something else, and 70's - the films I listed).

I'm sure that Kin-dza-dza and White Sun of the Desert were already mentioned. The third one I'd recommend watching is Come and See by Klimov. It is brutal, but truly unique in its genre I believe. I read live ammo was used for some scenes, don't know if it's true.

Come and see. It's a playlist all parts are playing one by one.

Once again, sorry for my absence from this thread but I was having a few bad days.

My next question for this group… Besides our beloved MasterAdmin (who has an avatar of Totoro) is there anyone else who is a fan of Hayao Miyazaki? Have his films been translated into Russian? Are they popular in Russia? If so, is it only with children or do adults appreciate them as well?

My daughters are very much in love with his work and last year, their school even had a class grade field trip to see Spirited Away. This past weekend we again watched Castle in the Sky. In addition to Kiki and Castle, we also have:

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind - watch or download http://stagevu.com/video/boatvrbeszny

Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke - watch or download http://stagevu.com/video/szubrwyblidh

Howl's Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle - watch or download http://stagevu.com/video/atvgrwaytvks

Spirited Away
Spirited Away - watch or download http://stagevu.com/video/ssasemyqhezc

Whisper of the Heart

The Cat Returns

The newest one, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, is slowly being released this year, August for U.S. and September for Russia. The English version voice over has a great line up including Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, and Betty White.

mm... Well Japaniese animation in general is not that popular here. Of course there are people who watch it (called animeshniki here =).
And I've actually even been at the Japaniese Animation Festival in Kiev about half a year ago.

The movies you've listed are also quite popular among non-anime viewers.
I tried to watch "Howl's Moving Castle" but didn't like it. And heard a lot about other movies.

Hmm... I (on the contrary) think that anime and Japanese animation in general is VERY popular here, maybe even more than it deserves, he-he. At least two of my friends are crazy about it (keep in mind that my friends are mostly ppl over 25, the persentage is much bigger among teenagers). One of them is watching anime series non-stop. Grrr..

I'm not into anime myself. I really don't like the dominant anime drawing style (huge eyes, little sharp noses, feminine/unisex men, etc.), so I really can't watch it without getting irritated fast, but even I watched a few Miyazaki's films (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and one more, can't remember the title). Didn't like them too much (again, I'm not a not into anime), but Miyazaki is a true artist, that's for sure.

By the way, I did enjoy one Japanese animated film - "Tekkon Kinkreet" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekkon_Kinkreet ). I liked the animation and the plot and the feeling it gave me. Did you watch it? What do you think of it?

Last year, their school even had a class grade field trip to see Spirited Away.

Cool. We had the similar trip in my school when I was 7 or 8, they took us to watch "Barefoot Gen"/"Hadashi no Gen" (1983) ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_Gen ). It was a first anime I've seen in my life and I was VERY impressed. Also I was carefully watching for a stray planes for a while afterwards, in case they'll want to dump a nuclear bomb on us. :"":

I don't think I've even seen any anime, and I don't exactly because of the drawing style - I really hate it.

Well... I've started watching anime about 2 years ago. And now I'm full. It was something new and special for me.
Still my favorite ones are:
1) Neon Genesis Evangelion - this one is.... well it changed me... probably for worse but it did :fool"
2) Furi Kuri - this one is pretty "kind" but crazy %)
3) Excel Saga - heh.. not that kind but much more crazy
4) The Melancholy Of Haruhi Sudzumia - still makes me smile when I think about it
5) Kachou Ouji
6) xxxHolic - no it's not some adult movie =)) It's very mystic I would say.
7) Lucky Star
Azumanga Daiho

7 and 8 are well. This is anime about schoolgirls. But the style is something undescribable.
My first impression on Lucky Star was "no sane person would want to watch THAT!". Well the first episode moslty concentrated on the problem "which side of the cream tube is the proper one to start eating?" And yes there is no plot in general. The whole series are like that =))

Originally Posted by rockzmom

Once again, sorry for my absence from this thread.

My next question for this group… Besides our beloved MasterAdmin (who has an avatar of Totoro) is there anyone else who is a fan of Hayao Miyazaki? Have his films been translated into Russian? Are they popular in Russia? If so, is it only with children or do adults appreciate them as well?

I can't speak for the whole nation, but I do enjoy his movies immensely, although I don't think I am a child anymore. I look at myself in the mirror and I am almost positive I am an adult . I wish more of his films were translated [in English] and available for "foreign" public, because he certainly is a very talented fella.

Japanese animation used to be very popular in the USSR times, it was something different and refreshing, but I'm not sure about what happens now.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

By the way, I did enjoy one Japanese animated film - "Tekkon Kinkreet" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekkon_Kinkreet ). I liked the animation and the plot and the feeling it gave me. Did you watch it? What do you think of it?

No, I have not, but I found it online and will watch it with the girls! http://stagevu.com/video/tlyuvjxeclnj

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

Well... I've started watching anime about 2 years ago. And now I'm full. It was something new and special for me.
Still my favorite ones are:
1) Neon Genesis Evangelion - this one is.... well it changed me... probably for worse but it did :fool"
2) Furi Kuri - this one is pretty "kind" but crazy %)
3) Excel Saga - heh.. not that kind but much more crazy
4) The Melancholy Of Haruhi Sudzumia - still makes me smile when I think about it
5) Kachou Ouji
6) xxxHolic - no it's not some adult movie =)) It's very mystic I would say.
7) Lucky Star
Azumanga Daiho

7 and 8 are well. This is anime about schoolgirls. But the style is something undescribable.
My first impression on Lucky Star was "no sane person would want to watch THAT!". Well the first episode moslty concentrated on the problem "which side of the cream tube is the proper one to start eating?" And yes there is no plot in general. The whole series are like that =))

Waterlaz, The xxxHolic, I looked on Wiki for that and it seems like something the girls would like. they are into all that wizards and fantasy stuff. I see that there are episodes and a movie, like this episode on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx28WrsqhII and a movie - A Midsummer Night's Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3_YNRSPW44
Do you have a suggestion as to where to start or which ones are better than others?
Of the other ones you listed, are any of them something you think my girls might like?

Originally Posted by Pcloadletter

I can't speak for the whole nation, but I do enjoy his movies immensely, although I don't think I am a child anymore. I look at myself in the mirror and I am almost positive I am an adult . I wish more of his films were translated [in English] and available for "foreign" public, because he certainly is a very talented fella.

PC, I know what you mean about that nasty mirror!! I ignore mine as much as possible.

Of all the hupla that Michael Eisner caused at Disney, the best thing he did was to bring these movies to the English speaking world!

I have found that most of his movies have a message within them... saving the forest, animals, peace and mankind, not judging people by the way the look or who they are, that even children can make a difference and change the minds of adults if they are passionate enough about an issue. Of course, life is not always so neatly tied up in a pretty ribbon and works out in a two hour movie; but, if children AND adults watch and then talk, as with the school group, then maybe a small change can happen.

To me, an artist at heart, art has always been a form of communication. A way to get people to talk about things that they might not otherwise want or be able to talk about. Topics that are taboo. A starting point, a jumping off point. A way to open the door without having to be the first to speak, because the art spoke first. One can speak about the art work first and then calmly work their way into the nitty gritty about the real problem and usually remain calmer because they can always circle back to the art work as a reference point as a means of support or even escape.

Hayao Miyazaki does this well because he uses children as the main heroes, yet there is always at least one adult figure who helps them in their quest. The children see that there is something wrong with the world or society and want to fix it, yet they need a little help or guidence from another child and the adult to accomplish their goals. It is a team effort, no one can do it all by themselves. These are very valuable lessons for anyone to learn and at the same time, the story, music and graphics are enjoyable to watch and listen to. This is why I believe his movies have done so well while others in this genre may not have.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

I'm not into anime myself. I really don't like the dominant anime drawing style (huge eyes, little sharp noses, feminine/unisex men, etc.), so I really can't watch it without getting irritated fast,

Originally Posted by Оля

I don't think I've even seen any anime, and I don't exactly because of the drawing style - I really hate it.

There are a lot of things about anime that keep me from saying that I'm a fan, like the drawing style, and for a long time I simply refused to watch anime or even pay any attention to it. Then I saw Cowboy Bebop -- the series, not the movie, which came out later. Everything changed, and my eyes were opened -- there's good anime! Then I found Trigun. After that, Furi Kuri.

I still don't like the drawing style in most anime, but I can tolerate it if the story, characters, and music are good enough, and I was surprised to find out how often they are good enough.

Waterlaz, The xxxHolic, I looked on Wiki for that and it seems like something the girls would like. they are into all that wizards and fantasy stuff.
Do you have a suggestion as to where to start or which ones are better than others?

I think you should just follow the plot starting with season1 (xxxHolic) and then season2 (xxxHolic:Kei).
There are 2 things I would like to point here though:
1) I don't know if the English dub is good or not. I've watched it subtitled.
2) At least wikipedia states that this is seinen. Which means that this one is a male oriented anime.
I would say that it's pretty neitral. Well. I've never understood them with their classifications.

Of the other ones you listed, are any of them something you think my girls might like?

There's the other one I didn't mention:
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
And I think this would be just right. I think you should start with this one.

As for the others you could and probably should also try Azumanga Daioh.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

No, I have not, but I found it online and will watch it with the girls! http://stagevu.com/video/tlyuvjxeclnj

Oh, just check it without you girls first. I'm not sure they will like it, and I'm not sure if you approve it. This is not Miyazaki, there's much more violence.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by rockzmom

No, I have not, but I found it online and will watch it with the girls! http://stagevu.com/video/tlyuvjxeclnj

Oh, just check it without you girls first. I'm not sure they will like it, and I'm not sure if you approve it. This is not Miyazaki, there's much more violence.

Some time ago I accidentally left a "South park" tape at my mom's. She had grandchildren coming over and she wanted to show it to them, because it's a cartoon...

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

There's the other one I didn't mention:
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
And I think this would be just right. I think you should start with this one.].

I found this on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_lis...me%20eng%20sub

and here http://stagevu.com/video/hqmgvudkncjs

We started watching the first 10-15 minutes of it and are enjoying very much! Great call on this movie

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

As for the others you could and probably should also try Azumanga Daioh.

We also found this one on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOh-0BGj7YE and Waterlaz... cough, cough... did you really honestly watch this series for longer than 5 minutes? We are laughing here and not for the right reasons "cooking is so fun!" I can just watch her IQ coming out her ears....

Originally Posted by Pcloadletter

Some time ago I accidentally left a "South park" tape at my mom's. She had grandchildren coming over and she wanted to show it to them, because it's a cartoon...

Daughter wants to go to YOUR mom's house!!! Great job dude! Her dad won't even let her watch Family Guy and she loves Stewie! She thinks he's so funny.

Waterlaz... cough, cough... did you really honestly watch this series for longer than 5 minutes?

I honestly watched the WHOLE series.
In my defense: I took a look at your youtube link and the English dub there is just painfull to my ears. I've watched this one in Japanies with Russian subtitles.
And you'll be surprised at how much people find this one enjoyable

PS don't watch Lucky Star then...

Originally Posted by rockzmom

Rockzana wants to go to YOUR mom's house!!! Great job dude! Her dad won't even let her watch Family Guy and she loves Stewie! She thinks he's so funny.

In her defense - she doesn't speak any English. Fortunately, some people who do were there to stop her. In my defense - hmmm, I don't have one

Stewie is da best!

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

Waterlaz... cough, cough... did you really honestly watch this series for longer than 5 minutes?

I honestly watched the WHOLE series.
In my defense: I took a look at your youtube link and the English dub there is just painfull to my ears. I've watched this one in Japanies with Russian subtitles.
And you'll be surprised at how much people find this one enjoyable

PS don't watch Lucky Star then...

Waterlaz,
Thank you sooo much! After school today the first thing daughter said was, "Can we watch some more of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time?" And of course me being the mean mom that I am replied, "After you do your homework."

I also told her about your comment on Lucky Star and that of course makes her want to see it!!!

Originally Posted by Pcloadletter

Stewie is da best!

PC, you can now stand tall and proud as having daughter's seal of approval of awesomeness, which I believe up until now, only Rtyom has only received!


By any chance are you a fan of Married With Children?

I love comedies the funnier the more. And I definitely like Married With Children. But there’s nothing funny in an animé so I don’t like it. Although I like South Park despite its drawing style is animélike. BTW transparent background is preferable for a seal because the forum’s one is not white.