list ilyusha's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ ilyusha's Recent Activity - Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg ilyusha's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 Spout Group:Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here! http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Customer_Care/420/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here!
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Have a general question? Need help with some thing on the site? Have a bug you would like to report? Well then, you have come to the right place. No matter what you are having trouble with, we would like to help you find a solution. And maybe, through your own experience with the site, you will want to help other users too. That's what communities are all about. 


Created: 8/1/2007
Number of Members: 79
Number of discussion posts: 513
]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTSpout Customer CareWed, 01 Aug 2007 09:06:04 GMT790513Group Spout Group:HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES http://www.spout.com/groups/HORROR_MOVIES_101/222/default.aspx Group Name: HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES
Group Description:    " I bid you welcome...  Enter freely and of your own will..."
Created: 12/17/2006
Number of Members: 414
Number of Lists: 6
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:53:17 GMTHORROR MOVIES 101Sun, 17 Dec 2006 01:20:09 GMT41462333Group Spout Group:foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts. http://www.spout.com/groups/foureyedmonsters/338/endorsed.aspx Group Name: foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts.
Created: 6/4/2007
Number of Members: 322
Number of discussion posts: 56
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:42:31 GMTfoureyedmonstersMon, 04 Jun 2007 15:28:43 GMT322056Group Spout Group:Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety" http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/625/default.aspx Group Name: Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety"
Created: 6/30/2008
Number of Members: 52
Number of Lists: 12
Number of discussion posts: 701
]]>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:20:23 GMTWeekly ThemeMon, 30 Jun 2008 15:13:45 GMT5212701Group Spout Group:Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited. http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Mavens/366/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited.
Group Description:

A group of Spout's best reviewers.
Read the requirements.


Created: 6/20/2007
Number of Members: 36
Number of Lists: 9
Number of discussion posts: 451
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:10:52 GMTSpout MavensWed, 20 Jun 2007 10:13:29 GMT369451Group Spout Group:missing a film - we'll help you find a film http://www.spout.com/groups/missing_a_film/263/default.aspx Group Name: missing a film - we'll help you find a film
Created: 3/5/2007
Number of Members: 131
Number of Lists: 1
Number of discussion posts: 234
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:05 GMTmissing a filmMon, 05 Mar 2007 16:37:43 GMT1311234Group Spout Group:Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American. http://www.spout.com/groups/Friends_of_Foreign_Flicks/591/default.aspx Group Name: Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American.
Group Description:

At some point you just want more than what's right in front of you.


Created: 4/24/2008
Number of Members: 30
Number of Lists: 1
Number of discussion posts: 92
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:05:26 GMTFriends of Foreign FlicksThu, 24 Apr 2008 11:44:11 GMT30192Group Spout Group:The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary. http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Documentary/79/default.aspx Group Name: The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary.
Created: 4/2/2006
Number of Members: 49
Number of Lists: 4
Number of discussion posts: 53
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:05:39 GMTThe DocumentarySun, 02 Apr 2006 00:58:55 GMT49453Group Spout Group:Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more. http://www.spout.com/groups/Sound_on_Sight/529/default.aspx Group Name: Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more.
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Sound on Sight proudly brings you two podcasts each week. Voted best podcast in 2008, these hard working hosts cover everything from mainstream Hollywood films to noir, horror, science fiction, cult cinema, documentary film making and more. Look out for a new show added every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

http://www.soundonsight.org/

 

 


Created: 1/6/2008
Number of Members: 104
Number of discussion posts: 150
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:03:03 GMTSound on SightSun, 06 Jan 2008 21:24:34 GMT1040150Group Spout Group:Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too. http://www.spout.com/groups/Worst_Movie_Ever/104/default.aspx Group Name: Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too.
Created: 5/5/2006
Number of Members: 200
Number of Lists: 10
Number of discussion posts: 412
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:43:26 GMTWorst Movie EverFri, 05 May 2006 20:20:45 GMT20010412Group Spout Group:Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/657/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss
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Each week I will post a new poll.  Please vote in the poll and reply to the discussion thread to discuss the question.  Please do not vote more than once.


Created: 11/25/2008
Number of Members: 66
Number of discussion posts: 414
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:42:29 GMTMovie PollsTue, 25 Nov 2008 16:54:38 GMT660414Group Spout Group:Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite! http://www.spout.com/groups/Zombie_Obsession/329/default.aspx Group Name: Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite!
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Join us to discuss your favorite or most horrifying Zombie Movies or just your most memorable Zombie Moments.  From Funny to Scary to Gory to Bizarre...

 


Created: 5/28/2007
Number of Members: 104
Number of Lists: 1
Number of discussion posts: 594
]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:29:56 GMTZombie ObsessionMon, 28 May 2007 02:04:45 GMT1041594Group Spout Group:A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We? http://www.spout.com/groups/A_World_of_MSTies/590/default.aspx Group Name: A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We?
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Glorify the best show ever (MST3K) with wit, wisdom and downright wackiness!


Created: 4/23/2008
Number of Members: 10
Number of Lists: 2
Number of discussion posts: 23
]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:25:25 GMTA World of MSTiesWed, 23 Apr 2008 20:21:48 GMT10223Group Spout Group:It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys http://www.spout.com/groups/It_s_a_Wonderful_Night_for_Oscar/46/default.aspx Group Name: It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys
Group Description: Year after year, movie lovers and non movie lovers alike discuss ad nauseum the fate of films nominated for the utmost honor, the Academy Award. Some people watch it for the fashion. Some people watch for the haute couture. Some people watch for their fill of celebrity sightings. If you are a member of this group, you love everything about the Super Bowl of movies, especially the movies themselves! You love to make predictions, guess at the politics, discuss and dissect who should have been nominated and who should have won...or, you're just an avid movie lover that likes to pay attention. Come join the group!
Created: 3/4/2006
Number of Members: 41
Number of Lists: 58
Number of discussion posts: 226
]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:11:33 GMTIt's a Wonderful Night for Oscar!Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:24:32 GMT4158226Group Spout Group:Movie Marathons http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Marathons/693/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Marathons
Group Description:

This is a group for members to start and organize movie marathons. Its primary purpose is to get more people exposed to more film. And to watch these films and discuss them as a group.

Anyone can start a marathon and marathons can be organized in many different ways to showcase the films of a director, actor, genre, theme etc...

Check the Guidlines and Suggestions discussion for ideas.


Created: 7/22/2009
Number of Members: 15
Number of discussion posts: 22
]]>Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:33:02 GMTMovie MarathonsWed, 22 Jul 2009 01:35:58 GMT15022Group Spout Group:Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies! http://www.spout.com/groups/Movies_we_do_not_want_to_see/70/default.aspx Group Name: Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies!
Group Description: Want to be a member? Send me a message with a list of at least 5 movies that you do not want to see. There are many movies that I do not want to see. I'm not sure if its right of me to decide never to see a movie without seeing it. You know...like when a kid says they hate mushrooms even though they admit never trying them. So maybe this is a good spot for people to display movies they don't think they want to see, and see if anyone can convince us to try them out.
Created: 3/22/2006
Number of Members: 20
Number of Lists: 3
Number of discussion posts: 190
]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:31:56 GMTMovies we do not want to seeWed, 22 Mar 2006 14:27:50 GMT203190Group Spout Post: Re: Technical Help http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Customer_Care/Re_Technical_Help/420/38696/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: ilyusha
Post To: Spout Customer Care
Post Date: 12/22/2008 8:50:53 AM
Body: Hi, For a couple of days now, my ratings to movies do not stay. I am seemingly able to select the appropriate number of stars, but when I access the page with that movie the next time, all of the stars are blank as if I never rated them. It only happens to the movies that I newly rate. All older ratings appear fine. Any ideas? Thanks, Ilya
]]>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:50:53 GMTilyushaSpout Customer Care12/22/2008 8:50:53 AMHi, For a couple of days now, my ratings to movies do not stay. I am seemingly able to select the appropriate number of stars, but when I access the page with that movie the next time, all of the stars are blank as if I never rated them. It only happens to the movies that I newly rate. All older ratings appear fine. Any ideas? Thanks, Ilya Spout Post: A delightful fantasy http://www.spout.com/blogs/ilyusha/archive/2008/3/14/26212.aspx Post By: ilyusha
Post To: ilyusha Blog
Post Date: 3/14/2008 1:15:17 PM
Body: As an admitted fan of fantasy, I was very much looking forward to finally seeing Stardust. It did not disappoint. Engaging plot, a universe populated by well-developed characters, a healthy sprinkling of magic - it all comes together to serve as a wonderful stage to explore The Big Idea. Which happens to be not about an affirmation of some philosophical credo or a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, - make no mistake, the good does prevail, - but a simple lovely truth.A young man sets out to capture a fallen star, so that he can win the hand in marriage of the fairest girl in his village. Little does he know that the star - who turns out to be a beautiful, if slightly neurotic, young woman - is greatly prised by two less-then-good forces: A clan of old witches who seek to recover their youth and the remaining members of a family of fratricidal princes who seek to assert each of their claims to the vacant throne. Many perilous adventures ensue, the boy transforms himself - with a little help from an unconventional captain of the flying pirate ship - from a naïve shop assistant to a strapping romantic hero, and discovers that true love is about lighting up when the person that you love is with you.That the story is delivered in light tones makes it all the more entertaining - there is plenty of comical happenstance and dialogue interspersed with all sorts of wickedness. It also makes the movie seem less than serious at times, which could be viewed as a negative.The heavyweights, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro - the latter, especially, - steal the show on more than one occasion, but the rest of the cast gives convincing performances all around. The supporting characters, among them the devotedly protective pirate crew, the goat turned into a man, the fast-talking trader in magic goods, and the improbably good-natured troupe of specters, contribute their share to the delightful narrative, adapted from the novel of a contemporary fantasy luminary Neil Gaiman.One for my DVD collection, surely.This review is also posted on my personal website.
]]>Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:15:17 GMTilyushailyusha Blog3/14/2008 1:15:17 PMAs an admitted fan of fantasy, I was very much looking forward to finally seeing Stardust. It did not disappoint. Engaging plot, a universe populated by well-developed characters, a healthy sprinkling of magic - it all comes together to serve as a wonderful stage to explore The Big Idea. Which happens to be not about an affirmation of some philosophical credo or a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, - make no mistake, the good does prevail, - but a simple lovely truth.A young man sets out to capture a fallen star, so that he can win the hand in marriage of the fairest girl in his village. Little does he know that the star - who turns out to be a beautiful, if slightly neurotic, young woman - is greatly prised by two less-then-good forces: A clan of old witches who seek to recover their youth and the remaining members of a family of fratricidal princes who seek to assert each of their claims to the vacant throne. Many perilous adventures ensue, the boy transforms himself - with a little help from an unconventional captain of the flying pirate ship - from a naïve shop assistant to a strapping romantic hero, and discovers that true love is about lighting up when the person that you love is with you.That the story is delivered in light tones makes it all the more entertaining - there is plenty of comical happenstance and dialogue interspersed with all sorts of wickedness. It also makes the movie seem less than serious at times, which could be viewed as a negative.The heavyweights, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro - the latter, especially, - steal the show on more than one occasion, but the rest of the cast gives convincing performances all around. The supporting characters, among them the devotedly protective pirate crew, the goat turned into a man, the fast-talking trader in magic goods, and the improbably good-natured troupe of specters, contribute their share to the delightful narrative, adapted from the novel of a contemporary fantasy luminary Neil Gaiman.One for my DVD collection, surely.This review is also posted on my personal website. Spout Post: A great romcom http://www.spout.com/blogs/ilyusha/archive/2008/3/7/25952.aspx Post By: ilyusha
Post To: ilyusha Blog
Post Date: 3/7/2008 11:07:23 AM
Body: I admit that I am biased when it comes to travel flicks. Show me a knockout beauty with the backdrop of gorgeous vistas, and I start salivating. Sprinkle in some cultural subtext, fortified by the prominent role of local food and wine, and I am so ready to live vicariously through the on-screen characters, that the actual plot becomes rather unimportant. Make the locale one of my favorite places on Earth, and I will invariably give you a thumbs up. The events in A Good Year occur in Provence (Favorite place? Check! Vistas? Check!). The female lead is the ravishing Marion Cotillard (now, a newly-minted Oscar winner for her role in La Vie en Rose). The setting is nothing less than a vineyard estate. Everything is properly aligned for my enjoyment. And the movie is enjoyable, despite certain lack of believability around Russell Crowe as a romantic lead. He is, on the other hand, just flawless as a ruthless and haughty trader Max Skinner. Several members of the cast produce no less delightful performances, especially Archie Panjabi as Gemma, Max's witty assistant. Ms Cotillard shines as the local Provençal goddess, even though there is something inexplicably "only in a movie" about how she lets Max win her over. Flashbacks of Max's childhood that he spent with his late uncle at the estate, are seamlessly interwoven with current events and provide an insightful backstory to Max's [re]awakening from the world of cutthroat corporate finance to the world of unhurried country living (inheriting a vineyard does not hurt in this kind of journey). London, with its drab weather, acts as a perfect contrasting setting to the bliss of the sunny southern France, making an answer to the question "Which of the two places would you rather be at right now?" quite obvious. As behooves a romantic comedy, the movie is quite funny with enough situational mishaps supported by crisp dialogue. The exclamation of "Lance Armstrong!" may sound a bit incongruous coming from an Englishman (but then, who else can a Brit refer to in order to annoy a bunch of French cyclists?), but you'll feel an urge to cheer. "Remember: In France, the customer's always wrong" reinforces such a strong American-held stereotype that you won't be able to hold a snort. And "McDonald's - in Avignon. Fish and chips - in Marseille. Allez!" in response to insufferable American tourists doing their lamentable change-everything-on-the-menu-to-our-specific-tastes ordering routine is nothing short of priceless, an instant winged phrase. I suppose the credit for the dialogue goes to the author of the book on which the movie is based, Peter Mayle. Then, this is one of those movies that make me want to read the book.This review is also posted on my personal website.
]]>Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:07:23 GMTilyushailyusha Blog3/7/2008 11:07:23 AMI admit that I am biased when it comes to travel flicks. Show me a knockout beauty with the backdrop of gorgeous vistas, and I start salivating. Sprinkle in some cultural subtext, fortified by the prominent role of local food and wine, and I am so ready to live vicariously through the on-screen characters, that the actual plot becomes rather unimportant. Make the locale one of my favorite places on Earth, and I will invariably give you a thumbs up. The events in A Good Year occur in Provence (Favorite place? Check! Vistas? Check!). The female lead is the ravishing Marion Cotillard (now, a newly-minted Oscar winner for her role in La Vie en Rose). The setting is nothing less than a vineyard estate. Everything is properly aligned for my enjoyment. And the movie is enjoyable, despite certain lack of believability around Russell Crowe as a romantic lead. He is, on the other hand, just flawless as a ruthless and haughty trader Max Skinner. Several members of the cast produce no less delightful performances, especially Archie Panjabi as Gemma, Max's witty assistant. Ms Cotillard shines as the local Provençal goddess, even though there is something inexplicably "only in a movie" about how she lets Max win her over. Flashbacks of Max's childhood that he spent with his late uncle at the estate, are seamlessly interwoven with current events and provide an insightful backstory to Max's [re]awakening from the world of cutthroat corporate finance to the world of unhurried country living (inheriting a vineyard does not hurt in this kind of journey). London, with its drab weather, acts as a perfect contrasting setting to the bliss of the sunny southern France, making an answer to the question "Which of the two places would you rather be at right now?" quite obvious. As behooves a romantic comedy, the movie is quite funny with enough situational mishaps supported by crisp dialogue. The exclamation of "Lance Armstrong!" may sound a bit incongruous coming from an Englishman (but then, who else can a Brit refer to in order to annoy a bunch of French cyclists?), but you'll feel an urge to cheer. "Remember: In France, the customer's always wrong" reinforces such a strong American-held stereotype that you won't be able to hold a snort. And "McDonald's - in Avignon. Fish and chips - in Marseille. Allez!" in response to insufferable American tourists doing their lamentable change-everything-on-the-menu-to-our-specific-tastes ordering routine is nothing short of priceless, an instant winged phrase. I suppose the credit for the dialogue goes to the author of the book on which the movie is based, Peter Mayle. Then, this is one of those movies that make me want to read the book.This review is also posted on my personal website. Spout Post: Disturbing but beautifully made http://www.spout.com/blogs/ilyusha/archive/2008/1/22/24215.aspx Post By: ilyusha
Post To: ilyusha Blog
Post Date: 1/22/2008 2:28:14 PM
Body: I should note right from the start that I probably would not pick up the book on which this movie is based. Nonetheless, I came across its showing on cable completely by accident and one fleeting look was enough for me to record its subsequent re-run and watch it beginning to end. Despite my natural aversion to these types of stories, I am a bit surprised to admit that Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is one of the best dramas that I watched in a long time.A young man in mid-eighteenth-century Paris develops unparalleled olfactory abilities while growing up in an orphanage and then slaving away in a tannery. His sense of smell is the guiding force in his life, to the extent of stunting his other senses and feelings. Upon an unfortunate encounter with a young and presumably full of fantastic smells woman, he becomes obsessed with capturing the essence of virginal beauty, and to that effect first seeks instruction from an accomplished perfumer and later engages in murdering beautiful women all over the famous perfume town of Grasse to gather their scents in his quest. He achieves his life's ambition just as he is caught, but with a few drops of his concoction he manages to bewitch the entire town and escape the execution. Observing the effects of his perfume on the townsfolk, he realizes how empty and devoid of love his life has been, and, instead of using the elixir for power and riches, he uses it to leave the world.Ok. As fables go, this one is rather too disturbing and messianic for my taste, but it is, after all, a fable. I keep wondering how a sensitive nose can operate and continue to be refined in constant conditions of grime and slime (and whether a woman of less than noble descent would, in fact, smell wonderfully in the 18th century France), but again, this is meant to be a legend, not a factual history lesson. And it is a legend quite beautifully made.Everything from recreation of the times to depiction of the single-minded obsession of the unfortunate Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, to visual clues of the plethora of smells that influence him is done magnificently. The graphic palette that accompanies the development that we cannot ourselves, pardon the pun, get a whiff of, is simply breathtaking. Conversely, the murders are pretty much all implied, rather than acted out, and the victims are never savaged, which allows the notion of the magical perfume that is harvested from their bodies and ultimately brings joy to people to remain untainted. Heretofore unknown to me Ben Whishaw, who plays the main character, projects anguish, maniacal obsession and absence of moral values in a powerful and restrained way. You cannot help but want Jean-Baptiste to be thwarted in his pursuit of his innocent prize victim, yet at the same time, you want to know what the ultimate perfume will be about. I liked Dustin Hoffman's turn as a declining master of perfumery, but less so Alan Rickman's as a wealthy Grasse merchant. But the acting, in the end, is secondary in this picture, overtaken by the portrayal of smells that surround us, not least of them the scent of a woman.If you cannot get past the turns of the plot, you will not think highly of this movie. But this is a case where you need to stop thinking and start sensing... This review is also posted on my personal website.
]]>Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:28:14 GMTilyushailyusha Blog1/22/2008 2:28:14 PMI should note right from the start that I probably would not pick up the book on which this movie is based. Nonetheless, I came across its showing on cable completely by accident and one fleeting look was enough for me to record its subsequent re-run and watch it beginning to end. Despite my natural aversion to these types of stories, I am a bit surprised to admit that Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is one of the best dramas that I watched in a long time.A young man in mid-eighteenth-century Paris develops unparalleled olfactory abilities while growing up in an orphanage and then slaving away in a tannery. His sense of smell is the guiding force in his life, to the extent of stunting his other senses and feelings. Upon an unfortunate encounter with a young and presumably full of fantastic smells woman, he becomes obsessed with capturing the essence of virginal beauty, and to that effect first seeks instruction from an accomplished perfumer and later engages in murdering beautiful women all over the famous perfume town of Grasse to gather their scents in his quest. He achieves his life's ambition just as he is caught, but with a few drops of his concoction he manages to bewitch the entire town and escape the execution. Observing the effects of his perfume on the townsfolk, he realizes how empty and devoid of love his life has been, and, instead of using the elixir for power and riches, he uses it to leave the world.Ok. As fables go, this one is rather too disturbing and messianic for my taste, but it is, after all, a fable. I keep wondering how a sensitive nose can operate and continue to be refined in constant conditions of grime and slime (and whether a woman of less than noble descent would, in fact, smell wonderfully in the 18th century France), but again, this is meant to be a legend, not a factual history lesson. And it is a legend quite beautifully made.Everything from recreation of the times to depiction of the single-minded obsession of the unfortunate Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, to visual clues of the plethora of smells that influence him is done magnificently. The graphic palette that accompanies the development that we cannot ourselves, pardon the pun, get a whiff of, is simply breathtaking. Conversely, the murders are pretty much all implied, rather than acted out, and the victims are never savaged, which allows the notion of the magical perfume that is harvested from their bodies and ultimately brings joy to people to remain untainted. Heretofore unknown to me Ben Whishaw, who plays the main character, projects anguish, maniacal obsession and absence of moral values in a powerful and restrained way. You cannot help but want Jean-Baptiste to be thwarted in his pursuit of his innocent prize victim, yet at the same time, you want to know what the ultimate perfume will be about. I liked Dustin Hoffman's turn as a declining master of perfumery, but less so Alan Rickman's as a wealthy Grasse merchant. But the acting, in the end, is secondary in this picture, overtaken by the portrayal of smells that surround us, not least of them the scent of a woman.If you cannot get past the turns of the plot, you will not think highly of this movie. But this is a case where you need to stop thinking and start sensing... This review is also posted on my personal website. Spout Post: Hot Fuzz - Entertaining, a bit too grotesque http://www.spout.com/blogs/ilyusha/archive/2008/1/12/23813.aspx Post By: ilyusha
Post To: ilyusha Blog
Post Date: 1/12/2008 7:12:03 AM
Body: A cop par excellence is re-assigned from his London beat to a small town in England's West. He arrives to find a serene and tight-knit community and a lax and not exactly competent police force service. As he follows his policeman instincts, he causes a lot more disturbance than the town is used to. Of course, nothing is what it seems in this sleepy place, and very soon a string of gruesome deaths ensues... Hot Fuzz starts nothing short of brilliant. Simon Pegg projects both single-mindedness of Sgt Nicholas Angel and his general bafflement over why other people do not share his attitude with the perfect blend of body language, facial expressions and quietly impeccable speech. I love the quick cuts that bridge the narrative. Angel's equanimity, coupled with the haplessness and indolence of his new comrades-in-arms, makes for great situational comedy.Unfortunately, when the plot picks up speed, the movie slides into grotesque and loses its brilliance. Nicholas starts questioning his sanity, showing emotions, and that process somehow looks very formulaic and not entirely convincing. The murder scenes are very brief and perfectly in line with the quick-cut technique, but at least one of them is graphic enough to leave a lasting image, which is hardly a desirable outcome for what is essentially a comedy. The climactic gunfight is splendidly staged and brilliantly results in not a single death; but the effect is somewhat negated by a follow-up penultimate scene, which has Nick Frost's big-child Danny Butterman complete his conversion to Nicholas's cause by taking a bullet for him. Completely unnecessary plot twist, for my money. At least, Danny's loyalty is largely based on the bond that he developed with Nicholas over time; the other members of the police department - who have dismissed and ridiculed the sergeant throughout the movie, - radically turn to the two partners' help in a span of 60 seconds.Despite these shortcomings, the movie is worth watching. Think of it as a live-action cartoon, and you will be quite entertained.This review is also posted on my personal website.
]]>Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:12:03 GMTilyushailyusha Blog1/12/2008 7:12:03 AMA cop par excellence is re-assigned from his London beat to a small town in England's West. He arrives to find a serene and tight-knit community and a lax and not exactly competent police force service. As he follows his policeman instincts, he causes a lot more disturbance than the town is used to. Of course, nothing is what it seems in this sleepy place, and very soon a string of gruesome deaths ensues... Hot Fuzz starts nothing short of brilliant. Simon Pegg projects both single-mindedness of Sgt Nicholas Angel and his general bafflement over why other people do not share his attitude with the perfect blend of body language, facial expressions and quietly impeccable speech. I love the quick cuts that bridge the narrative. Angel's equanimity, coupled with the haplessness and indolence of his new comrades-in-arms, makes for great situational comedy.Unfortunately, when the plot picks up speed, the movie slides into grotesque and loses its brilliance. Nicholas starts questioning his sanity, showing emotions, and that process somehow looks very formulaic and not entirely convincing. The murder scenes are very brief and perfectly in line with the quick-cut technique, but at least one of them is graphic enough to leave a lasting image, which is hardly a desirable outcome for what is essentially a comedy. The climactic gunfight is splendidly staged and brilliantly results in not a single death; but the effect is somewhat negated by a follow-up penultimate scene, which has Nick Frost's big-child Danny Butterman complete his conversion to Nicholas's cause by taking a bullet for him. Completely unnecessary plot twist, for my money. At least, Danny's loyalty is largely based on the bond that he developed with Nicholas over time; the other members of the police department - who have dismissed and ridiculed the sergeant throughout the movie, - radically turn to the two partners' help in a span of 60 seconds.Despite these shortcomings, the movie is worth watching. Think of it as a live-action cartoon, and you will be quite entertained.This review is also posted on my personal website. Spout Member:The_MOW - Mickey Micklon http://www.spout.com/members/148616/default.aspx Identity: The_MOW
Name: Mickey Micklon
Interests: movies, sci-fi, professional wrestling
Occupation: Unemployed
Location: Salem, NH
Films listed: 369
Number of lists: 4
Number of groups: 2
Blog posts: 372
Blog post views: 11337
Number of times tagged: 25
Member since: 4/4/2009
Last login: 10/13/2009
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTThe_MOWMickey Micklon369Uberlister (>100)Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:50:30 GMTMember Spout Member:horror http://www.spout.com/members/144661/default.aspx Identity: horror
Films listed: 1
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 1/17/2009
Last login: 1/17/2009
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMThorror1Beginner (<10)Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:27:41 GMTMember Spout Member:butterknife http://www.spout.com/members/127080/default.aspx Identity: butterknife
Films listed: 1
Number of lists: 4
Blog posts: 1
Member since: 4/2/2008
Last login: 4/2/2008
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTbutterknife1Beginner (<10)Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:18:37 GMTMember Spout Member:rnt2630 http://www.spout.com/members/95208/default.aspx Identity: rnt2630
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/13/2007
Last login: 9/13/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTrnt26300Beginner (<10)Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:16:00 GMTMember Spout Member:dsalaski http://www.spout.com/members/94482/default.aspx Identity: dsalaski
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/10/2007
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTdsalaski0Beginner (<10)Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:47:53 GMTMember Spout Member:jennkp http://www.spout.com/members/94443/default.aspx Identity: jennkp
Number of lists: 4
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Last login: 9/10/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTjennkp0Beginner (<10)Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:45:31 GMTMember Spout Member:Don0262 http://www.spout.com/members/94195/default.aspx Identity: Don0262
Films listed: 2
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/9/2007
Last login: 9/9/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTDon02622Beginner (<10)Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:33:14 GMTMember Spout Member:martinluthar http://www.spout.com/members/93901/default.aspx Identity: martinluthar
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/8/2007
Last login: 9/8/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTmartinluthar0Beginner (<10)Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:58:58 GMTMember Spout Member:clwoolfe http://www.spout.com/members/93885/default.aspx Identity: clwoolfe
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/8/2007
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTclwoolfe0Beginner (<10)Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:09:50 GMTMember Spout Member:XtreamDenny http://www.spout.com/members/93661/default.aspx Identity: XtreamDenny
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/7/2007
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTXtreamDenny0Beginner (<10)Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:49:41 GMTMember Spout Member:bofo http://www.spout.com/members/93627/default.aspx Identity: bofo
Number of lists: 4
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTbofo0Beginner (<10)Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:57:17 GMTMember Spout Member:seanjoneswrexham http://www.spout.com/members/93570/default.aspx Identity: seanjoneswrexham
Number of lists: 4
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTseanjoneswrexham0Beginner (<10)Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:31:57 GMTMember Spout Member:nny921 http://www.spout.com/members/92277/default.aspx Identity: nny921
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTnny9210Beginner (<10)Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:27:22 GMTMember Spout Member:mr_lol http://www.spout.com/members/92275/default.aspx Identity: mr_lol
Number of lists: 4
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTmr_lol0Beginner (<10)Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:25:57 GMTMember Spout Member:fire1311 http://www.spout.com/members/91742/default.aspx Identity: fire1311
Number of lists: 4
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTfire13110Beginner (<10)Sat, 01 Sep 2007 21:48:24 GMTMember Spout Member:Argueta http://www.spout.com/members/91469/default.aspx Identity: Argueta
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 8/31/2007
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTArgueta0Beginner (<10)Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:52:15 GMTMember Film:Funny Games http://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspx Title: Funny Games
Year: 2007
Director: Michael Haneke
Times Tagged: 27
Number of Lists: 24
Number of blog posts: 14
Number of discussion threads: 8
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTFunny Games2007Michael Haneke27Tag Target (>10)241483http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288707.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspxFilm Film:The Dark Knight http://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspx Title: The Dark Knight
Year: 2008
Director: Christopher Nolan
Times Tagged: 149
Number of Lists: 98
Number of blog posts: 156
Number of discussion threads: 55
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:13:34 GMTThe Dark Knight2008Christopher Nolan149Tag Target (>10)98156554http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288704.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspxFilm Film:H2 http://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspx Title: H2
Year: 2009
Director: Rob Zombie
Number of Lists: 1
Number of blog posts: 1
SpoutRating: 1
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:45:58 GMTH22009Rob Zombie111http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s397884.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspxFilm Film:Eleanor: First Lady of the World http://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspx Title: Eleanor: First Lady of the World
Year: 1982
Director: John Erman
Number of blog posts: 1
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:47:51 GMTEleanor: First Lady of the World1982John Erman1http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspxFilm Film:Black Test Car http://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspx Title: Black Test Car
Year: 1962
Number of Lists: 2
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:01:54 GMTBlack Test Car196224http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u37747stl5z.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspxFilm Film:Dumpster Baby http://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspx Title: Dumpster Baby
Director: James Bickert
Number of Lists: 1
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:53:10 GMTDumpster BabyJames Bickert1http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t76920jjhow.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspxFilm Film:Rick http://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspx Title: Rick
Year: 2002
Director: Curtiss Clayton
Times Tagged: 1
Number of Lists: 1
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:32:48 GMTRick2002Curtiss Clayton1Slightly Tagged (1-5)12http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t51978e8qnf.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer
Year: 2008
Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Times Tagged: 90
Number of Lists: 16
Number of blog posts: 41
Number of discussion threads: 16
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:21:45 GMTSpeed Racer2008Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski90Tag Target (>10)1641163http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s297765.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer [Anime Series] http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer [Anime Series]
Year: 1967
Number of Lists: 1
Number of blog posts: 1
Number of discussion threads: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:20:43 GMTSpeed Racer [Anime Series]19671113http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspxFilm Film:The Raven http://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspx Title: The Raven
Year: 2007
Director: Ulli Lommel
Number of blog posts: 2
SpoutRating: 1
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:13:53 GMTThe Raven2007Ulli Lommel21http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u08974fjkcg.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspxFilm Film:The Ballad of the Sad Cafe http://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspx Title: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe
Year: 1991
Director: Simon Callow
Number of blog posts: 2
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:25:24 GMTThe Ballad of the Sad Cafe1991Simon Callow22http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t54643em1b1.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspxFilm Film:New York, New York http://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspx Title: New York, New York
Year: 1977
Director: Martin Scorsese
Times Tagged: 23
Number of Lists: 12
Number of blog posts: 57
Number of discussion threads: 2
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:22:40 GMTNew York, New York1977Martin Scorsese23Tag Target (>10)125722http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u47828gvtpe.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspxFilm Film:St. Nick http://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspx Title: St. Nick
Year: 2009
Director: David Lowery
Times Tagged: 3
Number of Lists: 2
Number of blog posts: 5
SpoutRating: 5
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:01:06 GMTSt. Nick2009David Lowery3Slightly Tagged (1-5)255http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s402616.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspxFilm Film:We Are the Strange http://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspx Title: We Are the Strange
Year: 2007
Director: M dot Strange
Number of Lists: 3
Number of blog posts: 3
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:25:52 GMTWe Are the Strange2007M dot Strange334http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s314016.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspxFilm Film:The Sadist http://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspx Title: The Sadist
Year: 1963
Director: James Landis
Number of Lists: 4
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:08:29 GMTThe Sadist1963James Landis43http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t27402rl1sl.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspxFilm Film:The Alligator People http://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspx Title: The Alligator People
Year: 1959
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Number of Lists: 2
Number of blog posts: 1
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:04:19 GMTThe Alligator People1959Roy Del Ruth212http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t46806zj8ua.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspxFilm Spout List:Films I've seen in 2009 by ilyusha /films/1282327/ViewFilmList.aspxFilms I've seen in 2009
Description:


Created: 1/2/2009 7:26:08 PM

]]>Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:42:40 GMT1/2/2009 7:26:08 PMList Spout List:Films I've recently watched by ilyusha /films/1003553/ViewFilmList.aspxFilms I've recently watched
Description:


Created: 1/1/2008 2:43:08 PM

]]>Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:42:40 GMT1/1/2008 2:43:08 PMList