DAY FOR NIGHT
Here at ArsonPlus Entertainment, we're serious fans of Russia's so-called answer to the Matrix, Timur Bekmambetov "Night Watch," (i.e. "Nochnoi Dozor" ...and so-called because I'm convinced that it was a Russian's answer to Luc Besson) which was supposed to be the first entry of a trilogy. The second two movies were made, but for reasons related, somehow or another, to the Weinstein Bro's dislike of the word trilogy (they had Lord of the Rings before New Line but only wanted two films, remember) they've been edited together to form a very long—and from what we've seen, via 100% legal means by the by, was very good—but very lonely sequel called: "Dnevnoy Dozor" (Day Watch).
Evidently the "plot" turns on the quest for the "Chalk of Destiny", whatever that is.
Following a butt-kicking super-powered Tamerlane the great style opening sequence Day Watch offers up …Time's passed since the spectacularly blood-soaked finale of Night Watch and Anton (Konstantin Khabensky) has continued both his battle against the "forces of Darkness" and his quest to find and save his son from the clutches of those forces of Darkness. That's when the vampires of the Dark side start being killed in mysterious ways, and Anton winds up framed for the murders, so he must put his ultimate goals on hold to try and escape, the titular, Day Watch that's out for a taste of his blood.
Our full review of "Dnevnoy Dozor/ Day Watch" will be along shortly...why this movie isn't yet released in the U.S. is a mystery. Chalk it up to the usual haphazard attitude we get from the industry for this sort of thing.
I *somehow* ended up with a copy of Day Watch in my DVD player. Whatever the circumstances of its mysterious appearance, I fully enjoyed the movie.
I have to admit I'm partial to comparing the two Russian flicks to the Matrix series, if only for this: Day Watch surpasses its precedent, as the action becomes increasingly fantastic the film never loses grasp of general human concerns and necessities—in fact it becomes more empathetic despite the mounting chaos; the Matrix series devolved (I know this is either heresey or whimsy, so sue me) into an often beautiful and technically innovative yet fundamentally unengaging colossus. Some have pointed out its enormous financial success; I find such a measure orthogonal to my enjoyment of a film as well as a bit Calvinist.
That being said, I know very little about Bresson (or movies in genera). Coincidentally, I caught just the last bit of The Fifth Element. Oddly enough, the credits had me wondering who this Bresson character was. So please, if you feel the need to contest my statements, keep in mind that I gave my honest opinion and would like an honest response.
Oh hell, nobody is even going to read this, and if they do chances are 50% they aren't wearing pants.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:24 PM
Bresson? I guess you meant Besson.
Posted by
Anonymous |
12:36 PM
Maybe not, there's a Robert Bresson too ...He directed "A Man Escaped"
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:58 PM