Andrei Tarkovski’s Stalker is in my top 10 favorite films.  It’s a metaphysical mind-trip on many levels; an existential epic at 3.5 hours; an allegory that ponders man’s purpose through the journey of three men in search of cosmic knowledge from the zone.

With elements of surrealism and a dash of occultism, Stalker is a rare breed of cinema — and, to borrow a Janus term, it’s essential art-house.   Highly recommended and avoid watching the dubbed version.

The mystical dog.