7tavern: Nochnoy dozor

Nochnoy dozor

Sound (3)
2.8
Plot (3)
3
Cast (3)
3
Special Effects (3)
2.7
Length & Pace (3)
2.8
Cinematography (3)
2.8

Directors: Timur Bekmambetov

Writers: Timur Bekmambetov (screenplay) and Laeta Kalogridis (screenplay)

Release: 8 July 2004 (Belarus)

Tagline: All That Stands Between Light And Darkness Is The Night Watch.

Plot: A fantasy-thriller set in present-day Moscow where the respective forces that control daytime and nighttime do battle.

Cast: Konstantin Khabenskiy - Anton Gorodetsky, Vladimir Menshov - Geser, Valeriy Zolotukhin - Kostya's Father, Mariya Poroshina - Svetlana, Galina Tyunina - Olga, the sorceress, Yuriy Kutsenko - Ignat (as Gosha Kutsenko), Aleksey Chadov - Kostya (Anton's young vampire neighbor), Zhanna Friske - Alice Donnikova, Ilya Lagutenko - Andrei, Viktor Verzhbitskiy - Zavulon, Rimma Markova - Darya Schultz, the witch, Mariya Mironova - Irina, Yegor's mother, Aleksey Maklakov - Simeon, Aleksandr Samoylenko - Ilya (Bear), mage-transformer, Dmitriy Martynov - Yegor (as Dmitri Martynov)

Runtime: 114 min

Country: Russia

Language: Russian

Company: Bazelevs Production

Links: IMDb Profile

Categories: Action, Fantasy, Horror

Main

Trailer

Squish
Reviews: 740
Points: 0 (Level 1)
Reviewer

Sound:
Plot:
Cast:
Special Effects:
Length & Pace:
Cinematography:

2.5

Night Watch (2004)

You know, some posters just deserve top props. Kudos

Genre: Fantasy Action Vampire Horror Thriller (Russia)

Starring: Konstantin Khabensky, Vladimir Zolotukhin

Directed By: Timur Bekmambetov (The Arena)

Overview: For centuries 'The Others' have stood guard against one another to ensure that peace is maintained. Now, with war again on the brink, we follow one of The Other of the Light as he polices the Dark on his Moscovian night watch.

Performance:

Horror films: Toilet acting? No Problem! Foreign Films: Some of the most spectacular you'll ever see. Foreign Horror? Compromises on each side with the budget having veto rights. Over 4 million bucks might put it on the low end of Hollywood, but that's basically Russia's GDP right now, so yeah, good times.
Rating: 8

Cinematography:

For the second half of the movie, this had an artistic quality that sets the mood in that subtle Fight Club filters and mild special effects way, as well as some professional camerawork that proves the skill of the crew. For the first half of the film though, I was convulsing on the ground at the Aronofsky-class editing, the stylishly bleak sets and the intense action. My friends laughed at how moved I was. That's why I hate them.
Rating: 9

Script:

"...And so it will be, until a man emerges who is meant to become the Great One. And, if he chooses the side of Light, then Light will win. But those to whom the truth has been revealed say that he will choose Darkness, for it is easier to kill the Light within oneself, than to scatter the Darkness around..."

Thought I'd spare the confusion about the basics of what this story is about. If you follow the tale as it unfolds, you might be a smidgeon confused, and I wonder how much of that is because of the culture-specific Moscow and how much is the script itself. I doubt it was due to horrible translation because it looked right, but being this confused while watching such a well thought-out production can't be right. Scripts are more than pretty words; you have to let us know what's happening.
Rating: 6

Plot:

In recent explorations of the Avant-Garde film, I've come to appreciate the misunderstood, the deep subtlety that comes from a nuanced storyline. It still bugs me when it's like that in films that AREN'T Experimental though. This picture is hated by many, and I'm betting it's for this reason. It's confusing and it was either done on purpose or it was just weak storytelling. As for the core Act elements, we have touch of cheese intro that redeems itself, followed by a pretty terrific middle, if not that well written, and an open yet satisfying ending that makes you wonder if there's going to be a sequel. Hint: trilogy means three...
Rating: 8

Mood:

Pretty intense. Not knowing all the powers of the vampiric 'Others' keeps the mystery alive as to exactly what they are but at the same time it might detract from bringing us closer to the protagonist, his cause and his reasons. I'll chalk up all the mood-killers to a lack of understanding, but it's gorgeous, and even if we don't get what's going on, there's no doubt that these things have been fighting an ages-old battle that they know inside and out.
Rating: 8

"Heeeere vampy vampy vampy! Follow the blood jar!"

Overall Rating: 78% (And We Even Watched It At Night)

Aftertaste:
It's unfortunate that this failed in the explanations and the lack of mythology, but on the upside, a horror flick that goes on and on blabbing about prophecies and 'The End' and how it's gonna be with the eternal struggle, that gets tiring too. There's a happy medium there somewhere and perhaps the sequel will do a lot to clarify the time between the truce and the present. Either way, I'll be there waiting.

Recommendations: Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino, 2009), Requiem for a Dream, Dawn of the Dead

2010-05-19 11:37:40

AlexDelarge
Reviews: 71
Points: 0 (Level 1)
Reviewer

Sound:
Plot:
Cast:
Special Effects:
Length & Pace:
Cinematography:

3.5

Night Watch: Those Who Walk in Daylight

Not just another slick vampire flick, NIGHT WATCH bleeds with viscerally engorging action and hemorrhages human pathos. The basic story concerns the battle between light and dark; equally matched, this war shall lead to the destruction of both. A truce is formed and each forms a Police Force until the coming of the Chosen One…who will ultimately decide the war. Enough exposition. NIGHT WATCH is confusing and puzzling, a visual conundrum but an outright enjoyable genre blend of science fiction, mythology, and horror.

The story evolves around Anton and the fateful decision he made twelve years earlier out of anger, frustration, jealousy, and revenge…without knowing his true power. The film’s structure is fairly straightforward (thought it utilizes a few flashbacks/forwards) and doesn’t waste time with “talky” explanations; information must be gleaned from quick dialogue and visual queues…or not at all. Just go along for the ride. The generic special effects are the film’s weakness; they’re technically effective but none too original.

What carries the plot is the theme of redemption, of carrying the burden of guilt, and mistakes that haunt our past can still change the future. Anton’s characterization is the key to connecting with the drama because he’s conflicted, capable of killing, and filled with remorse over his murderous acts…no matter how justified. The dark atmosphere is physical as well as metaphorical and this births nihilistic dread, a vortex of spiritual annihilation in the audience and sets the tone for the entire trilogy. Director Timur Bekmambetov lets his camera linger with the characters, moving freely and intimately towards medium close-ups, the editing subtle and barely discernable; it’s when the visual gimmicks begin that it becomes uninteresting. Anton must make two fatal decisions in the final act but it’s his humanity that saves his soul…but could destroy the world. Final Grade: (B-)

(Read Less...)

Recommendations: The Birds, Breathless (Jean-Luc Godard, 1960), Funny Games

All reviews copyright Korova, Ltd. Visit Alex at his Home Theatre Blog, http://korovatheatrepresents.blogspot.com/

2010-03-09 08:38:47

Squish
Reviews: 740
Points: 0 (Level 1)
Reviewer

Night Watch (2004)

You know, some posters just deserve top props. Kudos Genre: Fantasy Action Vampire Horror Thriller (Russia) Starring: Konstantin Khabensky, Vladimir Zolotukhin Directed By: Timur Bekmambetov (The Arena) Overview: For centuries 'The Others' have stood guard against one another to ensure that peace is maintained. Now, with war again on the brink, we follow one of The Other of the Light as he polices the Dark on his Moscovian night watch. Performance: Horror films: Toilet acting? No Problem! Foreign Films: Some of the most spectacular you'll ever see. Foreign Horror? Compromises on each side with the budget having veto rights. Over 4 million bucks might put it on the low end of Hollywood, but that's basically Russia's GDP right now, so yeah, good times. Rating: 8 Cinematography: For the second half of the movie, this had an artistic quality that sets the mood in that subtle Fight Club filters and mild special effects way, as well as some professional camerawork that proves...

(Read More...)

2010-05-19 11:37:40

AlexDelarge
Reviews: 71
Points: 0 (Level 1)
Reviewer

Night Watch: Those Who Walk in Daylight

Not just another slick vampire flick, NIGHT WATCH bleeds with viscerally engorging action and hemorrhages human pathos. The basic story concerns the battle between light and dark; equally matched, this war shall lead to the destruction of both. A truce is formed and each forms a Police Force until the coming of the Chosen One…who will ultimately decide the war. Enough exposition. NIGHT WATCH is confusing and puzzling, a visual conundrum but an outright enjoyable genre blend of science fiction, mythology, and horror. The story evolves around Anton and the fateful decision he made twelve years earlier out of anger, frustration, jealousy, and revenge…without knowing his true power. The film’s structure is fairly straightforward (thought it utilizes a few flashbacks/forwards) and doesn’t waste time with “talky” explanations; information must be gleaned from quick dialogue and visual queues…or not at all. Just go along for the ride. The...

(Read More...)

2010-03-09 08:38:47

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