dvds are kind of a pain in the a-- (movie is split between 2 discs), but great movie. criterion needs to release this title.
July 27, 2008 |  | The Emperor has no clothes |  |
This is a long, BORING movie. It's just unbelievable how self-indulgent the pacing is. I cannot figure out how people can enjoy this film. (I have a suspicion why they praise it, though -- see the title above.) Even if you like serious films (as I do), don't subject yourselves to this boredom. The whole point of the movie could have been made in 30 minutes. Instead, we have to endure nearly 3 hours of endless shots. Just an example: There are three men in a field. The first man walks toward the viewer, slowly. The whole trip takes perhaps 2 minutes -- just walking. Then the second guy starts walking -- another 2 minutes. Then the third... And then there is a cut, finally. Next scene: the first man starts walking again, this time shot from the back -- 2 more minutes. Then the second -- another 2 minutes. Then the third... Did you enjoy reading this verbose description. If so, then perhaps you may like this film. Normal viewers, beware!
July 7, 2008 | | No Word Exists to Describe This Movie | |
STALKER is truly an amazing movie. It's one of the greatest movies ever made and if not number one in my list, then in the top 3. The title is a little lost in translation, most of us thinking it means 'to stalk.' The Russian word for stalker, can be translated many ways, including guide, angel, pathfinder, and demon. Any and all of these translations apply to Stalker, but it just depends on your point of view which translation you use. Likewise, there are many different ways to describe The Zone and The Room, and each one makes sense.
This movie requires your full attention. Sure, it is over 3 hours long, but it feels like 1.5.
June 14, 2008 I am too simple a person to understand anything that happened. I forced myself to finish it. Boring action, boring dialog.
May 27, 2008 | | cinema is an art form, not an exercise | |
After seeing the masterpiece 'Ivan's Childhood' by Tarkovsky I was determined to find his other films on DVD. 'Stalker' which, if my memory serves me, is photographed by Tarkovsky, but not directed by him; it's a film that lacks the subjectivity of 'Ivan's Childhood'. Tarkovsky's 'Ivan's Childhood', is a wonderful piece of cinema that places the audience within its' frames and reigns you through a devastating story and not rob you of essential and hypnotic moments, 'Stalker' tends to do the opposite. Even if this was a novel, I can't believe that there would be moments in the story where the reader and in this case the viewer would be toyed like this until an important surprising moment in the film arrives, with no foreshadow or even a slight forboding in its' narrative... an approach this intense story would have deserved ... so it just lays an egg.
Why would you make a film with stunning photography and moments of incredible mood, with an interesting, compelling story, a wonderfully written script with great actors and rob us of the experience?
My review will not give away any details and my disappointment is not generally about pacing; I love slow moving art, but there are some slow moments that mean nothing in this movie. It takes away the experience of cinema, yet expects us to enjoy it as cinema. I do not highly recommend this movie, but for cinema buffs, when it gets it right, it's worth at least one viewing. To be specific, when it does succeed we are reminded of Kubrick and Hitchcock, so don't look for originality in camera shots but look out for the great photography; there are sublime moments.
If you are wanting to see a Tarkovsky masterpiece, see 'Ivan's Chilhood' one of the greatest films I've ever seen!
May 1, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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