SmugKitZine Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

robinski34 Perhaps the most stunning feature of How I Ended This Summer is its Arctic setting, the glorious wilderness presenting a grand, yet harsh spectacle every bit as sparse as the film's dialogue. It's a two-hander between Grigoriy Dobrygin's callow youth and the seasoned meteorologist played by Sergey Puskepalis. Writer/director Aleksey Popogrebskiy does an excellent job of conveying the pair's isolation and the monotony of their existence, and there is a convincing tension created by the gap in their ages and experience, although Dobrygin's young adult antics, which highlight the disparity, are a bit 'on-the-nose'. These strands form a solid tripod for the conflict that follows, however it's the catalyst for that conflict that introduces a wobble which, for some, might topple the whole construct, one decision that some viewers might struggle to reconcile with previous events or any kind of sensible human instinct. At this juncture it seems that nothing more complicated than a moral compass is needed to keep their mission on track, but its lack, along with the absence of an actual compass later on, causes no end of ructions. Despite common sense saying that their difficulties could have been avoided by a straightforward conversation, the end result is a convincing escalation and a compelling third act. If you can accept the single, arguably inexplicable (and certainly unexplained) failure to communicate, How I Ended This Summer is a highly satisfying watch and, either way, these three are ones to look out for in the future.

Sindre Kaspersen Russian screenwriter, trained psychologist and director Alexei Popogrebsky's third feature film which he also wrote the screenplay for, premiered In competition at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival in 2010, was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival in 2010, was shot entirely on location at the Valkarkay polar station in the Chuckchi Sea in Arctic Russia and is a Russian production which was produced by producers Roman Borisevich and Alexandr Kushaev. It tells the story about a middle-aged Russian man named Sergei Vitalievich Gulybin and his younger novice named Pavel Danilov who are stationed at a remote weather station in the Arctic. The two men have a good relationship, but when Pavel receives a message from the State Meteorological Network about Sergei's wife and son being sent to hospital in a severe condition, it frightens him and he chooses not to tell Sergei in fear of his own life.Distinctly and lyrically directed by Russian filmmaker Alexei Popogrebsky, this quietly paced, subtle and visually remarkable fictional tale about human relations, friendship and survival in a wide and isolated Arctic landscape where the trust between two men from different generations is put on a test, is driven by it's significant and captivating atmosphere which is accentuated by the efficient use of sound and the noticeable cinematography by cinematographer Pavel Kostomarov. While shifting between an examination of the relationship between human beings and their milieu and a kind of chamber-piece, this acute depiction of two internal studies of character gradually evolves into a psychological battle between two converging minds which envisages the distinction and correlation between trust and fear. This heartily, humorous, existentialistic and consistently engaging drama from the late 2000s which set in a majestic landscape close to the sea where only two human beings are living and are as drawn away from each other as they are drawn towards each other, is impelled and reinforced by it's loose narrative structure, substantial character development, subtle continuity, silent and cinematographic moments, graceful aura and the substantial acting performances by Russian actors Grigoriy Dobrygin and Sergei Puskepalis as the weathered main characters. A reflective, humane and gripping independent film which gained, among several other awards, the Silver Bear for Best Actor Grigoriy Dobrygin and Sergei Puskepalis and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 60th Berlin Film Festival in 2010.

filmalamosa Pasha is a young apprentice spending the summer at a completely isolated arctic weather station (on an island) with Sergei an old hand who had been there for years.Sergei doesn't think the young kid is serious enough about the job.While Sergei is gone for a couple days Pasha (Pavlov) hears by radio that Sergei's wife and child have been in a serious accident and have been killed.He doesn't know how to break it to Sergei and ends up not telling him until a lot of time has passed and he thinks a helicopter is there to pick them up.Sergei in his anguish fires some gun shots. Pasha thinks he is trying to kill him and hides.It is one of those nightmare scenarios. Will not spoil it further.The cinematography is great this movie will definitely keep you on edge (in a good way).

dslacker If you're into action movies, Hollywood flicks, comedies (romantic or otherwise) you can stop here - this is not the film for you. Two hours of dazzling Arctic scenery with a psychological battle between the only two inhabitants of a Russian scientific data gathering team. The Older man has served there for many years - the Younger is learning the ropes for the first time. Older doesn't appreciate Younger's lack of dedication, but they get along as well as can be expected. Then while Older is away fishing, Younger receives a shocking radio message meant for Older. He makes his first serious mistake by not passing it along. Because he's afraid ? or crazy ? or just to keep things from getting strange? We're left to decide for ourselves. One mistake leads to another and another and the all-too-real consequences drive the rest of the film. I've said too much already.The real joy from this film comes from the magnificent photography, the mood the director gives us, and a story that continues to surprise us. I was fortunate enough to see it on the big screen that these scenes almost demand. It's available from filmmovement.com on DVD. I suggest sitting real close to your widescreen TV to let the mood and the place surround you. For me, this is the best film I've seen in 2010. It really crawled into my gut as it unfolded. If you appreciate film for the art that it CAN be - but so rarely is - I highly recommend this one. If you're looking for entertaining fluff, try something else.