livendive 8 #1 July 13, 2004 Let's get something straight here, I normally can't stand subtitled movies. I want to watch and listen to movies, not read them. Still, last night I watched one of the rare exceptions that proves the rule. "Russian Ark" has, as the name might suggest, a Russian audio track. You have to read the English subtitles. However the movie is all shot from a first person perspective, as if you were inside the mind of the principal character, which somehow makes the subtitles easier to accept. Also, the main character never looks in a mirror, so you don't know what "you" really look like. Here's the bigger kicker though, the movie is 96 minutes long and was shot in one continuous 96-minute take. The film is essentially a homage to Russian art & culture, and especially the role the Hermitage has played in that arena. You (first person) wander through the Hermitage, sometimes alone, sometimes with a time-travelling "European" (presumably French) diplomat. You go through doors, climb/descend stairs, even float up above the other people on occasion, while watching different (non-sequential) aspects of the last 300 years of Russian history fold out in front of you, and all of it without a "cut!". I don't know how they kept the camera so stable through some of the transitions. Anyhow, this is a wierd, very "artsy" movie. My girlfriend had a hard time staying awake, especially because I didn't want her talking to me...I was engrossed. If you only like movies with dick jokes, nekkid chicks, or great stunts, this movie isn't for you. But if you feel like watching something dramatically different, you might want to give it a shot. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
