André Crous has 21 articles published.
Remnant of social realism stands the test of time — and so does its name It has borne many names, among them Hotel Družba (Friendship), Hotel Čedok, Hotel Holiday Inn and Hotel Crowne Plaza Prague. But for most of its nearly 50-year existence, the 88-meter tall luxury accommodation establishment in Prague’s upper-class Dejvice neighborhood was… Keep Reading
Science-fiction film based on popular young adult novel is superficial but engrossing A little knowledge can go a long way, but once we’ve bitten the apple, there is no turning back. Although never explicitly mentioned, the story of Adam and Eve is central to the events of The Giver, a new film by Phillip Noyce… Keep Reading
It’s always back to the present for Tom Cruise in a rather enjoyable futuristic action film In The Edge of Tomorrow, mimics are taking over the world, and it’s up to one man to save mankind from certain destruction. “Mimics” are violent aliens that look like metallic tree roots, in other words, something organic we… Keep Reading
New project encourages people to use video to add life to a street map When we look at a street map, we see two-dimensional space, unless we have one of those pop-up maps that used to be so popular. But even then, the rather lifeless map comprising lines, curves, text and a handful of colors… Keep Reading
A list of things you may not have known about the Czech capital The Golden City has seen kings and queens, and it has gone from monarchy, empire and independence to occupation, totalitarianism and liberation. The City of a Hundred Spires, with its shining castle on a hill and its river that inspired a work… Keep Reading
Rosy documentary about former first lady tells a lot, shows rather little Nobody will remember Livia Klausová, and Ivana Zemanová is all but invisible — a complete unknown, hidden from view — to the general public. Perhaps not since the short-lived first ladyships of two of the first holders of the office, Charlotta Garrigue Masaryková… Keep Reading
Historical epic points out the danger of religious intolerance, and of the intolerance of religion A story about the dangers of religious extremism and the wonders of the Orient, The Physician is a 150-minute film that uses a great deal of computer generated images to conjure up a tale as stunning as anything told to… Keep Reading
U.S. president drew some 20,000 to hear him speak at Prague Castle in 2009 Tomorrow, five years ago, then–newly inaugurated U.S. President Barack Obama spoke on Hradčany Square in front of Prague Castle, where he laid out his vision of a world without nuclear weapons to a crowd of some 20,000. On April 5, 2009,… Keep Reading
Tracking down the last car the “Butcher of Prague” ever drove in is no easy task Reinhard Heydrich got what was coming to him. On May 27, 1942, his car was stopped at a hairpin turn in the Prague neighborhood of Libeň by a man wielding a Sten machine gun. The gun jammed, and as… Keep Reading
Début of director Ali Ahmadzadeh takes top honors at Festival of Iranian Films The third Festival of Iranian Films, which took place at the Světozor and Oko cinemas Jan. 8–12 and showcased nearly two dozen motion pictures from the Islamic Republic, announced the winning titles Jan. 13. Kami’s Party (Mehmouniye Kami), the début film of… Keep Reading