Russia: a journey to the heart of the country and its people

Advantages: informative, well reported historical facts and interesting encounters with locals
Disadvantages: too much personal life of the journalist in the book (not inherent to the context)

...?. The book is filled with essential historical facts, from the origin of the Russian state to present ?Putin Russia?, via the Tzar?s dynasty and the Communist Revolution. I give full credit to Dimbleby in exposing the atrocities perpetrated by the Communists during their dictatorship, without skipping quickly over the subject, or blaming only Stalin for that. Dimbleby makes quite clear that the atrocities were perpetrated by an ideology, not just by a crazy man. I was a bit surprised and relieved by this, given the well known Left-winger bias of the BBC, the producer of the book. Dimbleby is also very critical of Vladimir Putin and it couldn?t be otherwise. Russia is basically a dictatorship with a puppet government, but what infuriates Dimbleby is that to many Russians (young people included) this is not a problem. They like a strong man...

Lelo 13.09.2009 (14.09.2009) · Read review
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Review of Russia - Jonathan Dimbleby

From Russia with Pfeiffer and Connery

Advantages: Cast, premise...
Disadvantages: ... just too long for its own good.

...The Russia House is an international espionage thriller which, according to the blurb, is "A filmmaking tour de force and incredibly sophisticated, suspenseful and sexy entertainment". Don't believe the blurb - but don't necessarily be put off watching this film, either. Sean Connery stars as British publisher Barley Blair, who is sent a manuscript by Katya (Michelle Pfeiffer). This manuscript was written by a Soviet scientist and contains details of an extremely sensitive nature. British and American intelligence get wind of this potentially earth-shattering document and rope Blair in to work for them. When Blair eventually meets Katya, he realises that he wants to protect her more than anything else - or is he bluffing - or even double-bluffing?? With an excellent cast including not only Connery and Pfeiffer but also Roy...

CaptainDisaster 17.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of The Russia House (DVD)

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

Advantages: City of such beauty
Disadvantages: Locals tend not to be overly friendly

...I took Paul to St Petersburg, Russia in November 2003. It was his birthday/Christmas present. It had been a destination we both always fancied, and whilst looking through the Sunday Telegraph travel section, we saw a tour company advertising trips. After looking into that deal and then independent travel, we decided to go it alone!! So we booked our flights out of Heathrow, direct to Pulkovo airport with BA. Traveling from Belfast meant connections but we are well used to that now! Another web search along with the aid of a guide book (TIME OUT ST PETERSBURG) found us our hotel – a reasonably priced local hotel Pulkovoskaya. Also required for trips to Russia are a visa – we had to send our passports along with forms and photos off to the Russian embassy in Edinburgh – something l was not too happy about...

purdy 02.01.2004 · Read review
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Review of St Petersburg (Russia)

Revolution on the Locks!

Advantages: Variety of vodka shots, free water, nice sofas, good atmosphere
Disadvantages: Not to everyones taste

...There are two Revolution bars in Manchester, one being in the studenty Fallowfield area and one in the rather more up market area Deansgate Locks. I have never been to the Fallowfield one so this review is based entirely on my experience at the Locks. Deansgate Locks is a strip of bars situated by a canal with access to the clubs via bridges. It all looks very nice as you approach. Towards the far end is Revolution. The bouncers are ok usually but I have once been told it is over 21s when I presented my ID which was news to me but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. As you enter there is a fairly large room with a lot of big black leather sofas. If you can manage to grab yourself one (you will be lucky as it is very busy!) you will find a table and probably a shot menu. There are all sorts of flavours of Vodka shots...

missixty 29.10.2004 · Read review
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Review of Revolution

Join the Revolution, Vodka! Vodka! Food! Yah!

Advantages: Classy, Clean and very relaxing, great value deals
Disadvantages: Vegetarians may struggle with menus

...What a crappy, rainy horrible day it's been today! Now usually on days like this I just want to slouch about on the sofa with a cup of coffee and watch some DVD's cuddled up to my boyfriend but I had arranged to meet up with some friends in Sheffield for a spot of lunch and a few drinks this afternoon. We made the trip from Mansfield to Sheffield and met my friends who then directed me into Sheffield town centre. Now they know what's hot and what's not better than me and they suggested we go to Vodka Revolution at The Plaza, Units 1 + 2 Fitzwilliam Street Sheffield. Located pretty centrally the bar itself specialises in Vodka drinks (hence the name no surprise there). Located in Sheffield's fashionable West One development the bar offers a light and open atmosphere which is welcoming at day or night. The bar is instantly...

shazzaspannered 13.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Revolution

Why were there two revolutions in Russia in 1917?

Advantages: May help anyone studying Russia
Disadvantages: Not Perfect

...Why were there two revolutions in Russia in 1917? There were two revolutions in Russia in 1917 due to many long-term factors, which caused opposition to the regime before 1914; economical, social and political discontent; and the unpopularity, mistakes and problems of the Provisional Government. Also, the appeal of Lenin and the Bolsheviks, Trotsky's organisation of the coup, and the failures in the First World War were key factors. The long-term factors in the two revolutions contributed to the weakening of the regime, and helped create a revolutionary atmosphere of unrest and discord. The main factor was the rapid Industrial revolution and growth that Russia experienced in the early twentieth century. The massive boom in industry had negative effects on the quality of life of the ordinary Russian: both living and working...

HazKL003 17.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of Essays

The Matrix Revolutions review

Advantages: Jaw dropping visuals
Disadvantages: Can be rather boring

...The Matrix Revolutions is the final part in The Matrix saga. In it, Zion is preparing for the oncoming onslaught of the machines in which they stand no chance of survival. Meanwhile, Neo is held captive by the Merovingian at a train station so Trinity & Morpheus set out on a journey to rescue him so he can save everyone. This one suffers from the same thing Reloaded did. It's too pretentious and some of the philosophical aspects feel forced. The actions scenes aren't as good either, so there's less to keep you entertained as some scenes can drag on a bit. I was probably more psyched for this one than Reloaded because of one thing: The war with the machines. I remember being stunned when I saw it first, it looked absolutely incredible. hundreds of thousands of sentinels moving so effortlessly, almost as one giant mechanical creature...

Walter_Kovacs 19.12.2008 · Read review
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Review of Matrix Revolutions (DVD)

The survivor of imperial Russia

Advantages: The first major biography in English of an often-overlooked figure
Disadvantages: None

...have thought of herself as a particularly clever woman, she had more comonsense than the rest of them put together. Coryne Hall tells the colourful yet ultimately tragic story superbly - the Tsarina who often feared for her husband's life, stalked by terrorists, and who was condemned to watch the disintegration of the family and empire she loved, when Russia was severely weakened by the Great War, and St Petersburg witnessed the riots of 1917 which led to the Tsar's abdication and the bolshevik revolution. She paints a poignant portrait of the Tsarina's exile, when she and several other members of the family managed to make good their escape to Europe, steadfastly refusing to believe that her son and his family had been shot by their unforgiving captors, seeking sanctuary in England and then finally her beloved Denmark, where she died...

JOHNV 23.07.2001 · Read review
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Review of Little Mother Of Russia - Coryne Hall

Revolution? No Blindingly Obvious!

Advantages: It completes the trilogy,amazing animated effects
Disadvantages: wooden acting,is only a partial film.

...Love and war are often illustrated together. War is bloody, horrific and a waste of life. Love is the opposite of that. It is the start of life. Throughout history love has been pictured on the background of war. Romeo and Juliet, Captain Correlli?s Mandolin and The English Patient are all films/books that come to mind when you think of this stark contrast. Now you can add Matrix revolutions to that list. Ok first off folks a real significant warning. Do not even attempt to watch this film if you?ve not seen The Matrix or Matrix Reloaded. You will be totally lost. I have a mind which is sieve like. Only big bits of information get stuck in it so I spent a lot of this film trying to remember what had happened in reloaded and then assimilating that knowledge into watching Revolutions. In fact if you didn?t see this film in...

VickyVickster 15.02.2004 · Read review
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Review of Matrix Revolutions, The

Rocket To Russia

Advantages: See review
Disadvantages: See review

...By 1977, the punk scene had exploded. It began on the lower east bowery in New York City, in clubs like CBGBs, and spread across to the United Kingdom, where bands like the Sex Pistols and the Clash were starting to make a racket. After Johnny Ramone had heard the single release of "God Save the Queen," he was ready to record the next album, and prove to the people that were "ripping them off" who the real punks were. Rocket to Russia was mainly written on the road throughout late 1977, and released the same year as their second album, Leave Home. Rocket to Russia is the Ramones' best album. Every one of the songs on here is perfect, and none of them fail to impress me. The Ramones were the true masters of simplicity. Rocket to Russia possesses a very clean, well-produced sound. This is very evident from the beggining, and is...

Bobster123 16.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of Rocket To Russia (Remastered And Expanded) - Ramones