Comments on: Friday Afternoon Movie: Stalker

By: Tequila

Tequila — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:32:47 +0000

@The Madman named Ross Rosenberg…It’s been fairly recent that Criterion has been releasing more of Tarkovsky’s work. Could just be the case of finding all the proper elements like a print that’s not scratched to hell and back.

By: christine

christine — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:45:37 +0000

Both Solaris and Stalker have these longs scenes (esp. a certain hallway scene in Solaris) where not much happens and they give me the feeling that I am simply hanging out in the movie.

By: Ross Rosenberg

Ross Rosenberg — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:24:25 +0000

Tequila – I keep wondering why the hell Criterion hasn’t released an edition of it yet. Maybe copyright issues or something.

By: paola

paola — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:56:27 +0000

STALKER is the best movie in the world. Even for poor people like me who don’t understand Russian and must rely on the subtitles, knowing we’re missing a lot.
it’s not only about the amazing formal beauty of some scenes (sepia might look a bit passé now, but Stalker’s imagery influenced many of the artists that shaped my life). Or the chilling idea that everything was actually going to happen quite soon (everybody now gets permits to go to the real-life Chernobyl Zone and makes Tarkovskij-like shots).

I feel the need to point out I am ferociously atheist, but Stalker seems to me like the only movie ever that can explain what is the nature of what is sacred, and why do we need to think there is something sacred in our world, or whether do we need sacred things at all (apparently we do; the writer and the professor spout cynicism and skepticism for two hours but never cross the line at the end), even at the cost of possibly totally fabricating a sacred Zone in our head.
There is no moment in the movie where we are not certain whether the Stalker is a saintly figure or just a delirious madman. Even the daughter may or may not be psychic, and her apparent telekynesis might have a very mundane reason if you watch the scene attentively (which you will not if it’s the first time, because you’ll just be amazed at the poetic beauty of it all).

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:27:50 +0000

I just recall watching Solaris, and thinking “Why am I watching the main character driving through Moscow? For twenty minutes?” The rest of the movie was amazing. Slow, but amazing. I, myself, couldn’t get through Roadside Picnic (my dad found a copy of it online somewhere), it got to depressing about halfway through (the sudden jump in time after the heart attack). He does own Stalker, and I’ve been meaning to watch it at some point, but haven’t gotten around to it, yet.

By: Tequila

Tequila — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:42:01 +0000

This was a hard film to track down not too long ago. Thanks to the PC games based on this and the book (S.T.A.L.K.E.R – Shadow of Chernobyl and the more recent sequel Clear Sky.) it became easier to find. The atmosphere and the long takes are what I enjoyed the most…I’d be nice to have a quality DVD released in the US though. It may be a bit slow for most audiences but if you’re the type to be grabbed by what you see in it…shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Then again I’m the type that sat through the 5-hour plus screening of the directors cut of Gods & Generals. You can add that film to the list Ross if you ever want to make people glad they have a mind numbing office job. :D

By: toro

toro — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:19:56 +0000

I wanted to say that I love this movie, however it seems that christine was first to say it. :)
I doubt the fact that Roadside Picnic or Solaris would be better for me, simply because this movie is too personal for me. Only when you grow up so close to the nature, can you appreciate such a movie. Is pretty sad that I will never enjoy nature like this for the rest of my life. Also the movie theme is just brilliant. Slow burner, but it pays off pretty well.

By: nagash

nagash — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:13:01 +0000

That movie is nice, but I think Solaris is much better!

By: christine

christine — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:26:59 +0000

I love this film. One of my favorites. Now I will have to read Roadside Picnic so thanks for mentioning that! Things happen in real time–which I love about it–and I have the patience for it; but I think that aspect weeds some viewers out.