Ostrov

Big surprise is this movie, it has good story it is good visual and actors are fine. Somehow, I'm not religious, but I think this movie maybe must have higher score then mine.

This is a really well-made film that feels like it has a deeply spiritual message, but the depth seems to evaporate the more you think about it.

w/ Buket

i might just be more dense than everyone else, but i interpreted it differently. most reviewers take the miracles to be sincere and literal, but i saw no real verification that the things anatoly said would happen, actually did. in fact, if he truly was clairvoyant, then how could he have not known what was coming at the end? i believe that he was simply a man, so ridden by guilt that he's gone insane, the only reason he could help nastya was because she was the same. good movie, very beautiful.

I don't think it's much deeper than the average religiously-themed film, but at least it seems more sincere.

I quite liked it. It has an interesting take on guilt and belief and the way we seek to live with our feelings on the subject. I also really enjoyed the film's tone, the humourous bits help contrast with the solemn parts and there's a lot between the lines in how the characters deal with managing the expected solemnity of their lives and the reality of life itself. The use of visuals is very strong as well, with color sometimes vibrant and other times muted working in tandem with the content.

Minus 5 points because I can't stand religious hogwash.

conscience always sanctify the human.

A little seen Russian film with an eccentric monk as a quirky saint. The characterization is top notch, and the scenery is starkly beautiful.

The deliberate pace of the film gives the impression that this is a spiritually contemplative piece. However, the strict and well-defined storyline ties up so neatly that what should be a rousing conclusion for its meditative possibilities, falls flat. The lead actor is excellent, and director Lungin finds the beauty in the cold and barren landscape surrounding the monastery. I also appreciated the matter of fact way in which the miracles were handled--no fanfare, just action.

Despite it is religious propaganda and despite the main plot is easily predictable, the movie has its charm - I liked it.