Gogol Bordello

I think I didn't use to give them enough credit. I listened closely to some of the songs and concluded that GB definitely have the "wow" factor. Actually: not concluded but surrendered. After all they are like a 1000 Volts generator, you can't fight it (listen to "Not A Crime"). Still wouldn't call anybody of them a "composer" and for some of them even a "musician" would be a stretch, but when it comes to drunken racket we Russians meet no match and take no prisoners :)

Death of Mr. Lazarescu

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Rent/buy/download this movie now (please?). This is one of the films that are able to remind you what kind of the art form the cinema is, and what it is capable of. Going through mediocre (highly marketed) movies we tend to forget how gripping, strong and totally believable it can be. What starts out as a satirical, somewhat dark comedy grows into the most involving drama right before your eyes and does no give you much time to notice.
Vivid reminder of the realities of life in Eastern Europe, perhaps resonating with my memories of the Soviet Union :). But after all, the film does not leave you depressed -- rather agitated. Overall it's a statement about human indifference. 5+ stars (a masterpiece).