Movie: East/West (Est/ouest), Sony, 1999, by Regis Wargnier, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So now I've found some worthwhile Russian films. This one makes the Communist regime look horrible. It's about the Russians who were invited by Stalin to return after WWII. Will they stary or will they go? Sergei swims miles in his attempt. You should see it.

Movie: Prisoner of the Mountains (Kavkazskii Plennik), MGM, 1996, by Sergei Bodrov (the star's father).---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm watching it right now. Looks good.

Movie: Brother, Kino Video, 1997, a film by Alexei Balabanov, starring Sergei Bodrov Jr.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At first I thought the protagonist was an anti hero, but his morality is non existant. He's not good--he's not bad--he's not even neutral--We find out practically nothing about what is going on inside this guy as he kills those around him. We do know he likes rock music, although Russian "rock" is more like speedy folk songs. Somehow, it's still entertaining enough. The best Russian movie I've seen so far. Woo woo! Compare this to those Clint Eastwood movies where he comes into town and blows everyone away.


Movie: Curse of the Puppet Master: The Human Experiment, Full Moon Pictures, 1998, starring George Peck---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I wondered about the Puppet Master after I saw the toys advertised. They look sort of crappy. I have to say In Motion, they look better. The action and colors are very eye catching and enticing. Don't get me wrong, this is a B movie, but a good B movie. One twist in this nerd/bully revenge story is that instead of killing underwear clad cheesecake, the puppets go after underwear clad beefcake.

Book-Graphic Novel: Cave-In, by Brian Ralph, 1999, Highwater Books, Cambridge, MA. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A nice short picture book. No words. You might think it's for kids, but the little caveguy is doing something. Is his face an African mask?