Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-25 19:09:42

horrible movie

horrible movie, it started slow, the story unfolded horribly the action in it was weak, unless you want to waste both your time and your money, you should skip this one...

2012-05-25 03:35:14

Potential to be better

A reasonably good drama/thriller that focuses on the lives of two women enduring a depressing and difficult existence albeit in very different circumstances. The film concentrates on their developing relationship highlighting the human weakness in both as events unfold. The grim and bleak prospects they face and endure are effectively portrayed throughout with a number of violent scenes in which they suffer at the hands of the men in their lives. The story line is believable enough but in my view the ending which, in their circumstances, is inevitable deserves a rather more realistic treatment. It suspended belief just a little too far and took something away from a movie that had the potential to be a little more thought provoking. Nonetheless, a watchable and entertaining offering with good performances from the main characters.

2012-05-21 07:09:18

AN EXCEPTIONAL FILM

YOU HAVE 2 FEMALE NEIGHBORS: ONE IS FORCED TO BE AN ASSASSIN FOR A SADISTIC MOB,THE OTHER A VICTIM OF AN ABUSIVE HUSBAND. THEY FORM A CLOSE BOND SINCE BOTH ARE TRAPPED IN A RUTHLESS AND VIOLENT LIFE. TO ESCAPE THEY MUST UNITE AND BE JUST AS VICIOUS AS THEIR TORMENTORS.

2012-05-20 18:35:44

Right step in the wrong direction

Being familiar with Israeli cinema and hating it, I have to say that Iwelcomed the idea of this movie when it was announced. Among tearfulmelodramas, unnecessary and unfair political films, boring war picturesand idiotic romantic dramas, Kirot stood, at first, as the refreshingexample of the much needed genre cinema in Israeli film industry.Just imagine following pitch: sexy Ukrainian woman is forced to work asa prostitute after being threatened and violently beaten. Then she getsa gun and forced to become an assassin, also becomes involved in alesbian relationship with her neighbor. But when she is given anassignment that she doesn't like, she rises against her abusers and herformer pimps in old fashion bloody revenge.Sounds great, isn't it. Juicy, violent and gory exploitation flick inpotential. In some places such idea could turn out to be "Thriller: ACruel Picture", in others it could turn to be ""Female Prisoner #701:Scorpion", even "Kill Bill", but for some reason in Israel it turnedout to be "Kirot", which is more an insult than a compliment.So maybe no one actually intended to make an exploitation flick here(and really why not?), but this is besides the point. The movie "Kirot"is a pale shadow of any good expectations I've had about the film.Instead of daring plot, bold direction and uncompromising violence allwe got here is a boring story with carton characters without anyability to be liked, crude and dull direction, forceful and artificialmanipulation on the viewer, and finally many rip offs and littleimagination.And although camera work is somewhat innovative, sometimes even verynice (single shots), it feels disconnected and pointless in connectionto the movie itself. Because every part should work together, here eachpart is pulling to a different direction.Lerner is not a good director and even worse screenwriter. His rise asthe next big thing in Israeli cinema is not surprising, because he isnot representing anything new, only an upgrade of the old. You canimagine how bad the old school is if even the younger upgrade stillfails where the majority of world cinema succeeds for many years.A viewer should not spend his time justifying narrative flaws andimplausible events, viewer should not be forced to feel sorry for afemale character for a sole reason of her being abused by a man, and aviewer should not have only that feeling alone towards her. Seriously,for each character in this film you can only have one single emotion,so underdeveloped and caricature they are. It's like being back inkindergarten when they said to you - "a cow goes moo", because this isthe only thing she goes.Instead of telling a story, defining the characters by their actions,Lerner decides it is time to play very sad piano music while showingthe heroine walking on the street and crying, for like 3 minutes. Thento show the depth of her inner desires, wishes and hopes he shows herpainting a sad picture on the wall with black colors. So sad (wipingtears). Instead of showing characters trying to deal with the worldaround them, he shows them escaping it. Instead of showing some kind ofcharacter development, because people do change under harsh conditionsof reality, he decides that his characters will remain the same,keeping same faces, same attitude, same problems, same idiotic ideals.The characters are stuck in their private hell, each one of them,without any ability to evolve and change. And maybe that was the pointof the movie, but doing stupid things intentionally doesn't make themsmart.Which illustrates my point exactly - Israeli filmmakers are simplyunable to change, unable to adapt themselves to the current world offilm goers and filmmakers. All the talking about new approach, newstyle, are false statements from someone who doesn't understand whatdoes it mean to be different and innovative. Same all drama, same oldforced tears, same old unconvincing conflicts and same old dramaticweaknesses.Looking for a new path, a fresh start, a new wave in Israeli cinema isstill not dead, but it sure will not start with 'Kirot' or Lerner. I amstill looking for a day when Israeli filmmakers will not act likehomeless beggars, going to film festivals just to collect their seasondonations. Still looking for a day an Israeli movie will be actuallyremembered one year after its release, or at least will have more thanone comments page on IMDb board.When announcing the film production Lerner said that the movie will beabout two chicks and lots of guns. Far from the truth. More like adepressing love story about people accepting their fate and unable tochange. How very relevant in that area of the world.

2012-05-10 18:30:44

BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR

This review is from: The Assassin Next Door (DVD) It's a shame it took so long for THE ASSASSIN NEXT DOOR (KIROT) to be released, as it is by far the best movie of the year.Anyone expecting an action-packed shoot 'em up might be disappointed though. KIROT fits better in the thriller/drama section and that makes the film so compelling. It is a serious and very touching movie about forced prostitution and abuse.Both stars of this picture, Olga Kurylenko and Ninet Tayeb deliver outstanding performances (it is a pity that Kurylenko hasn't been offered better roles in the US, but that should change after this).All in all I can only STRONGLY RECOMMEND this movie!!

2012-05-10 03:45:20

A compelling, moving, and exciting film

This excellent film - which is well written, directed, and acted - is the story of a woman who has to fight tenaciously to regain her freedom, and to redeem herself (in her own eyes). The central character, Galya, is charismatic and psychologically strong, but she made a terrible mistake four years previously and her subsequent life has become a nightmare - trapped by a criminal gang, forced first into prostitution, then into becoming a gangland assassin. Her fight for freedom is symbolized by her attempts to regain possession of her passport, and her quest for redemption is symbolised by her desire to return home (to the Ukraine) to a hoped-for happier life with her five-year-old daughter. While trying to save herself from the criminals, she attempts to save her friend from her friend's abusive husband.From the opening scene, where her eyes magnetically draw the viewer into Galya's world, Olga Kurylenko plays her part intelligently and skilfully. She's very good at emotional depth and complexity, and she convincingly projects Galya's conflicting emotions. Also well done is the way she shows Galya's fight for her life and her struggle to maintain her fundamental purity of heart, while being engulfed in the gang's earthly version of hell. She's superb at conveying feelings even when she's not interacting with the other characters. For example, on one wall of her apartment Galya creates a large drawing of herself and her child (it's a symbolic doorway to her paradise) and while she draws, Olga beautifully expresses the fleeting serenity of Galya's creativity, and the way it brings her closer to her daughter (in her imagination). Ninet Tayeb is excellent as Elinor, Galya's next-door neighbour. For example, there's a nice scene where Elinor tries to excuse her husband. Galya dismissively says "it's not your fault" but Ninet conveys in her eyes that Elinor thinks it really is her fault. Thus, by good acting she shows that Elinor is abused both externally (by her husband) and internally (by her inner critic). Writer/director Danny Learner cleverly structures the relationships of the characters by placing Galya at the centre, with everyone else in concentric circles around her. Galya is the sun, with Elinor in close orbit. The two women have fully developed characters, with faults as well a virtues. In the cold outer reaches of the film's solar system orbit the men, none of whom have any redeeming features: they have no love, no compassion, no sense of justice. Their only interest is in power (especially power over women). The gang leaders (well portrayed by Liron Levo as the heartless Roni, and Vladimir Friedman as the lyingly manipulative Mishka) are a collection of lost souls who have adopted enslavement and murder, including deliberate murder of the innocent, as a way of life. Their system of "business" would not be complete without its routine betrayals, and of course they betray Galya - the smaller betrayals building up to a larger betrayal.The film has lots of fine details. For example, the reality of Galya's life is nicely contrasted with idyllic dream sequences (which, nevertheless, are never quite free of anxiety) where she tries to reach her daughter. The interior physical space of her apartment is used as a metaphor for Galya's interior mental space - a place where she tries to find refuge and solace from external events which she can't control. The apartment is grim and mirrors the grimness of her life. But like her spirit, it also has the beautiful door to paradise - the picture on the wall, which symbolises Galya's hope of returning to a better life. The scenes where the women turn animosity into friendship, and later on friendship into love, are especially good. For example, early on Elinor manages to upset Galya very much by brusquely refusing her help, and a little later Elinor changes her mind and tries to befriend Galya, but by then Galya has her emotional armour in place and her response is frosty. Elinor has to work hard to break through to Galya, and Elinor/Ninet is irresistibly charming in thawing out Galya, and Galya/Olga is delightful in the way she lets herself be thawed out. In another scene, when they're on the bed together, there's a beautiful intimacy where the two women create a little bubble of love round themselves. It's a tender moment in a pair of desperate lives. Lyrical scenes like these constitute a humane slow movement in the violent symphony which is the rest of the film. The music is good and enhances the plot. I can't understand why such a good film hasn't been put on general release; it deserves to be much better known.

2012-05-01 14:45:10

Thinly disguised violence-porn

This is a gritty Israeli movie set in the Tel Aviv underworld of prostitution and organized crime. There are some good ingredients in the film; the two women leads are hard working actresses, although Olga is rather wooden. The dark moody scenes of Tel Aviv noir are well photographed. Unfortunately what director Danny Lerner does with these potentials is crude. The film is packed with ugly gratuitous violence from frame one. The first scene is an extremely graphic, bloody beating of two beautiful Eastern European prostitutes which ends with the knife murder of one, shown in fine detail - closeups of the knife, the sound of it entering her abdomen, the gasps she makes, etc. The other woman, after further kicks, blood, and abuse, is forced to assassinate victims designated by the mob. Not very believable. Then the film goes on to render various shootings, at least a dozen. Most of this violence is not really necessary to the story line, and I found it difficult to watch. The supposed theme of the movie - women trapped in criminal activity or abusive marriages - could have made a compelling drama, but Lerner dissipates it in an orgy of violence-porn. The director is himself clearly a pervert who revels in this stuff. I suspect he also has in mind building his resume so he can go to Hollywood and make bigger-budget versions where he can fantasize abuse of more expensive and famous actresses - Angelina Jolie?In the meantime, some of the events portrayed here are so stupid as to be laughable. The Israeli co-star, who states she's been in the army, nevertheless claims not to know how to fire a gun and asks for lessons. Really? Audiences in Israel must have hooted at that one. And although hundreds of loud gunshots are fired in the heart of the city throughout the film, there never once appears a single cop or emergency responder. This in Tel Aviv, the city in the world most on alert? Then we have the depiction of the Jewish observance of the mikvah (ritual bath), about which Danny Lerner appears to have only the sketchiest understanding (the woman attendents are dressed as Catholic nuns). Finally we have the dream sequences of Olga drifting through a cornfield with her faraway little daughter or floating underwater - laughably amateurish and would get a C- in first semester film school.This is the second movie written and directed by Lerner. He scores a coup by recruiting Olga Kurylenko, who starred in the last James Bond movie. But the result is cynical, straight-to-video exploitation. Lerner presents this film as if championing women freeing themselves from abuse, while in actuality he himself is eroticizing violence against them.

2012-05-01 04:41:33

Decent, But Works Better as a Drama Than as an Action

Olga Kurylenko is Galia, the titular heroine of "The Assassin Next Door" (original title "Kirot"). She is a Ukrainian prostitute-turned-assassin currently living in an old apartment room in Tel Aviv. With her passport confiscated by the gangster who hires her as assassin, she spends her days waiting for the assignments to kill, dreaming of one day meeting her daughter she left in Ukraine again. But her life changes drastically when Galia meets Elinor (Ninet Tayeb), a woman living in a room across the hall, abused by her wife-beating husband. The Israeli-French-US film stars Olga Kurylenko, "Bond girl" of "Quantum of Solace," but those who are looking for Hollywood-style "big" actions would be disappointed. Obviously director Danny Lerner is less interested in staging shoot-outs and explosions than presenting the gritty atmosphere of the world Galia and Elinor are living. This approach, together with effective photography, brings tension and realism to the film, especially in the description of the friendship between the two exploited women, but we also have to turn a blind eye to the film's incredible storyline and situations (so, where is the police?)"The Assassin Next Door" has the brooding mood of "La Femme Nikita," but its theme is close to that of "Thelma & Louise," and the film benefits from the strong performances from the two leads. See the film for its fine portrayal of two women played by Olga Kurylenko and Ninet Tayeb.

2012-04-27 12:53:42

Not what I expected, but still good.

This review is from: The Assassin Next Door (DVD) This is a solid 4.5 star movie, imo. The plot flows in a straight forward way with some exceptional scenes and how it unfolds makes sense. The only failing is there's no training or preparation for the assassin. Though the character matures somewhat in a haphazard and lucky fashion, she's still an amateur and reacts more than she thinks.It's a decent movie.

2012-04-26 18:50:28

Tragic slice of life controlled by fate & the world of poverty & crime

Olga Kurylenko is Galia an unfortunate woman who finds herself becoming a Ukrainian prostitute and later a assassin to 'save herself'. While some may rate this tragic slice of life lower, it does reflect the `what if' of the back streets of life. The ending lets you draw your own conclusion, I wanted escape and happiness, but it also leans towards the unfortunate spiro of crime and those that exploit others for profit. As with all my review, I do not write a 3 page book report or try to encapsulate the story, but rather evaluate what I saw. If you want to know the story, read the reviews of others, or take my recommendation and purchase or rent this video. I have watched it twice in the last month, and may watch it again soon catching details I missed in previous viewings.

2012-04-26 06:28:23

Thinly disguised violence-porn

This is a gritty Israeli movie set in the Tel Aviv underworld of prostitution and organized crime. There are some good ingredients in the film; the two women leads are hard working actresses, although Olga is rather wooden. The dark moody scenes of Tel Aviv noir are well photographed.Unfortunately what director Danny Lerner does with these potentials is crude. The film is packed with ugly gratuitous violence from frame one. The first scene is an extremely graphic, bloody beating of two beautiful Eastern European prostitutes which ends with the knife murder of one, shown in fine detail - closeups of the knife, the sound of it entering her abdomen, the gasps she makes, etc. The other woman, after many further kicks, slaps, punches, blood, and abuse, is forced to assassinate victims designated by the mob. Not very believable. Then the film goes on to render various shootings, at least a dozen. Most of this violence is not really necessary to the story line, and it became difficult to watch. The supposed theme of the movie - women trapped in criminal activity or abusive marriages - could have made a compelling drama, but Lerner dissipates it in an orgy of violence-porn. The director is himself clearly a pervert who revels in this stuff. I suspect he also has in mind building his resume so he can go to Hollywood and make bigger-budget versions where he can fantasize abusing ever more expensive and famous actresses - Angelina Jolie?In the meantime, some of the events portrayed here are so stupid as to be laughable. The Israeli co-star, who states she's been in the army, nevertheless claims not to know how to fire a gun and asks for lessons. Really? Audiences in Israel must have hooted at that one. And although hundreds of loud gunshots are fired in the heart of the city throughout the film, there never once appears a single cop or emergency responder. This in Tel Aviv, the city in the world most on alert? Then we have the depiction of the Jewish observance of the mikvah (ritual bath), about which Danny Lerner appears to have only the sketchiest understanding (the woman attendents are dressed like Catholic nuns). Finally we have the dream sequences of Olga drifting through a cornfield with her faraway little daughter or floating underwater - laughably amateurish. Would get a C- in first semester film school.This is the second movie written and directed by Lerner. He scores a coup by recruiting Olga Kurylenko, who starred in the last James Bond movie. But the result is cynical, straight-to-video exploitation. Lerner presents this film as if championing women freeing themselves from abuse, while in actuality he himself is eroticizing violence against them.

2012-04-25 13:49:44

Surprising

Surprisingly good. I didn't know what to expect at all going into this, and I cannot imagine being more happy with what I found. One of the most impressive displays of acting by both female leads, and there is certainly so much more going for the characters than the dialog.

kosmasp 2012-04-24 11:58:41

Traffic

The action is pretty decent and it stays true to it's origins (languagewise, you will hear a few languages spoken throughout the entiremovie). It has a strong leading performance by Olga K. (also known forher role in the most recent Bond movie, not that much for her Hit-manturn-up). Apart from that you have good to decent acting throughout,but a few scenes fall short of the premise.This is a very sensible theme and the director did a decent job inportraying that. Still there are quite a few flaws (like length anddialogue choices, clichés) that might hinder you from rating this moviehigher. Than again, I just read a 10/10 review and the user soundedpretty convincing. So it's up to you, if you see more than I did oragree with me

2012-04-23 20:47:26

Great watch

Movie is a great watch. You really get into it. The beginning can be a little rough to watch because of the different language but you'll figure it all out. But please if anyone knows what the name of the song is at the end with the piano send me a link or a name! I love it!

charles000 2012-04-19 13:25:10

Compelling, gutsy glimpse, with a unique twist, into the dark world of human trafficking, the mob and so on- incredibly well done

For anyone even mildly interested in this genre' of drama, this film issmartly done, intelligent, absolutely well crafted . . . could not havebeen done better. It's not just the dark and murky world of humantrafficking, the mob and all that mixed into the interesting backdropof this piece, but also the amazingly well articulated relationshipthat evolves between the two central female characters.The ending is a bit rough, as in it's gut wrenching and then some, butthe entire story moves along at a pace that makes every scene count forits maximum potential value.As for Olga, who co-stars in the leading role . . . what can I say? Sheis seriously smoking hot, and in her own unique way, delivers hercharacter like no other actress possibly could.This film may not be for everyone, but for those who can connect tothis genre' of story and filmcraft, it's beautiful, harsh, and tragicall at the same time, hits every button that can be imagined in suchcontext.This is a work of art . . . well done. 10+ in my book.

maskygen 2012-04-18 18:20:01

Nice try

-- Review contains spoilers I liked the actors,I hated the story andmusic.The movie has some really powerful scenes, in which we get a glimpse ofthe real human trafficking.The story is beyond stupidity: A runaway mother from her mentallyretarded child, which somehow is sold as a sex-slave in Israel, reachedto become a bad ass assassin which kills all her owners + bodyguardsand become friends with a sexy husband abused woman.The action, is not really good and frankly the Hollywood stereotype ofspaghetti arms assassins, it's getting boring. Actually the only goodscenes are the ones where the girls talk and when we see some Europeanhuman trafficker mentality towards his salves.

2012-04-16 22:40:50

BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR

This review is from: Assassin Next Door, The (DVD) It's a shame it took so long for THE ASSASSIN NEXT DOOR (KIROT) to be released, as it is by far the best movie of the year. Anyone expecting an action-packed shoot 'em up might be disappointed though. KIROT fits better in the thriller/drama section and that makes the film so compelling. It is a serious and very touching movie about forced prostitution and abuse. Both stars of this picture, Olga Kurylenko and Ninet Tayeb deliver outstanding performances (it is a pity that Kurylenko hasn't been offered better roles in the US, but that should change after this). All in all I can only STRONGLY RECOMMEND this movie!!

keremrs 2012-04-16 14:29:10

A must see!

This film is really good. Although there is more than enough adrenaline, I don't think of it as an action flick. The story and the characters are very good. The human aspect of thestory is very well conceived. Everything is brutally natural andrealistic. Although there are some scenes with some problems, I was sograsped by the film that I didn't care. Although the story is kindasad, it is never boring. The cast and especially Olga Kurylenko is very good too. Some may saythe opposite but yes; I do believe that an ordinary woman without aspecific background can be a hired gun as good as Galia. (Dont worry,this is not a spoiler) There are many things in every scene that is so familiar with everydaylife but also striking. The "trivialised" woman trafficking andprostitution could not be told any better without the audience lookingaway once in every 10 minutes. The directing hides itself behind the natural flow of the story butsilent quality of storytelling is in every scene. If you are lookingfor an "entertaining" action movie with a lot of bloodshed, this one isnot for you (except for the bloodshed) Well done to all the crew.

2012-04-12 13:59:47

Not what I expected, but still good.

This review is from: Assassin Next Door, The (DVD) This is a solid 4.5 star movie, imo. The plot flows in a straight forward way with some exceptional scenes and how it unfolds makes sense. The only failing is there's no training or preparation for the assassin. Though the character matures somewhat in a haphazard and lucky fashion, she's still an amateur and reacts more than she thinks.It's a decent movie.

Bruce 2012-04-11 21:48:06

Scene stolen directly from the movie The Outfit (1973)

Two spoilers for the price of one!I just happened to have watched The Outfit (1973) with Robert Duvalfour days ago. If you like mid 70's movies, it's worth watching on arainy afternoon.Spoiler #1:In the movie, The Outfit, Robert Duval's character kills a Mob Boss inhis home, while exiting the Mob Bosses 2nd floor bedroom, a goon startscharging up the stairs. Duvall, at the top of the stairs gets the dropon the goon, the goon stops half way up on a landing.Duval calls out from the top of the stairs, "Stay out of it, he's dead,you're unemployed."Spoiler #2:In this movie, Galia is at the top of the stairs, she gets the drop onthe goon, the goon stops half way up on a landing.Galia says to him, "Your Boss is dead. You are out of work. Go...(slight pause) Go.". These two scenes are nearly identical, only thedialog is different.How the camera shots are set up are pretty much the same in bothmovies.Seeing these two nearly identical scenes really lowered my opinion ofthis movie because the similarity of the two scenes was so blatant.It's one thing to pay homage to a movie but it's entirely somethingelse to do what they did here.I assume that the writer & director think we have short memories andwon't find shortcuts like this. They are wrong and I may think twiceabout buying tickets to, renting or collecting any of their future workbecause the odds are, I may have already seen it elsewhere before.Bruce