Orphan (2009)

A family adopt a little girl which starts behaving strangely and is hiding unexpected secrets.

Expecting yet another boring horror on The Omen&Co theme, I watched this movie without much hope in the resulting entertainment, and instead I found myself experiencing a tense by-the-book thriller, built in the classic pattern and efficiency. It's a production that switches really easily between ridiculous and terrifying, also giving light ironic and funny vibes and at the same time it is an extremely serious film in its story with a very well-constructed plot (which is only obvious towards the end) and it overall keeps a natural course. Despite several predictable elements, and other more or less common mishaps, the film effectively maintains the tension at a low fire, never leaving it die out, helped by the strong cast, most notably the children - Isabelle Fuhrman is impressive in the role of the evil Esther, but without stealing little Aryana Engineer's thunder as the impressionable deaf-mute Max.

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Screenplay: David Johnson (screenplay), Alex Mace (story)
Featuring: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman, Aryana Engineer, CCH Pounder, Jimmy Bennett

This is a translation of an older post, see it here

1922 (2017)

A farmer organises the murder of his wife for financial benefits and convinces his son to help.

A well-made and very well-acted movie. The film shows the adverse consequences of such an action, including the pressure of the perpetrator's guilty conscience. Something doesn't fully add up though, and I think it is related to the main character having contradictory traits. The simplicity of the farmer is emphasized on various occasions and I do not think that any doubts can arise about that fact but instead the struggles of his consciousness seem unexpectedly complex, like a wisdom that you just cannot associate with the same individual.

The horror element is almost non existent so don't watch it for that.

Still a good watch.

Directed / Screenplay: Zak Hildich
Following a novel by: Stephen King
With: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid, Neal McDonough

1922 (2017)

Un fermier pune la cale omorul sotiei sale pentru avantaje financiare si isi convinge fiul sa il ajute.

Un film bine facut si bine jucat. Filmul arata consecintele nefaste ale unei asemenea actiuni inclusiv apasarea constiintei faptasului. Ceva ceva nu se leaga cum trebuie, si cred ca este legat de personajul principal ce detine trasaturi de caracter contradictorii. Simplitatea fermierului este evidentiata in diverse ocazii si nu cred ca poat aparea indoieli asupra acestui fapt dar in schimb luptele constiintei sale par neasteptat de complexe, ca o intelepciune pe care nu poti sa i-o atribui aceluiasi individ.
Nu este aproape in nici o masura horror asa ca nu trebuie urmarit ca unul.
Merita vazut totusi.

Regia/Scenariu: Zak Hildich
Dupa un roman de: Stephen King
Cu: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid, Neal McDonough

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Los Cronocrímenes (2009)

A man accidentally enters a time machine and that triggers unexpected events for him.

Somewhat awkwardly, this little movie makes great use of Doctor Who-worthy material. Without the scientific babble of that one, and much darker and tragic, it puts completely unextraordinary characters in an extraordinary situation and manages to fulfil a whole and almost (multi-) circular puzzle.

Directed by: Nacho Vigalondo
Screenplay: Nacho Vigalondo
With: Karra Elejalde, Nacho Vigalondo

Rating: 8/10

This is a translation of an older post, see it here

This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

Four very different siblings are required to spend a week together under the guise of a religious ritual triggered by the death of their father.

A family movie but a dysfunctional family one. Pleasant to watch and well written, it may seem a little slower for those who are not fans of the genre. With the typical topic of a life lesson learned at a rather late adult stage, this film contains enough elements and currently popular actors to appeal to various types of audience.

Jason Bateman and Tina Fey are already veterans of the comedy with meaning genre and Adam Driver is best known to current audiences from the latest Star Wars series, although he does a really good job in many less commercial films. Jane Fonda needs no introduction.

Corey Stoll and the gorgeous Connie Britton will look familiar from The Strain and from American Horror Story respectively.

Directed by: Shawn Levy
Screenplay: Jonathan Tropper
With: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hann, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard

This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

Patru frati foarte diferiti sunt nevoiti sa petreaca o saptamana impreuna sub pretextul unui ritual religios declansat de moartea tatalui lor.

Un film din categoria de-familie-dar-de-familie-disfunctionala. Placut de vizionat si bine scris, poate parea ceva mai incet pentru cei ce nu sunt fani ai genului. Cu tipicul subiect al lectiei de viata invatata la o varsta adulta tarzioara, contine destule elemente si actori ai momentului ce ar trebui sa atraga varii tipologii de public.

Jason Bateman si Tina Fey sunt deja veterani ai genului comic cu mesaj iar Adam Driver este cunoscut publicului curent cel mai bine din ultima serie de Star Wars desi face treaba foarte buna si in multe filme mult mai putin comerciale. Jane Fonda nu are nevoie de introducere.

Corey Stoll si superba Connie Britton vor parea familiari din The Strain si din American Horror Story respectiv.

Regia: Shawn Levy

Scenariu: Jonathan Tropper

Cu: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hann, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard

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Colossal (2016)

A party girl always in trouble discovers that she can control the movements of a giant monster that is ravaging South Korea.

Mostly entertaining and clever, the film gives cause for deep thoughts about cause and effect particularly towards the end. Anne Hathaway is pleasant and well suited for a role that's quite similar to others in her repertoire. What is more unusual is the subject of the film, an apparently implausible and childish one. Through the two characters who have the power to destroy, one can draw parallels with several levels of negative realities, either regarding people who affect those close to them through their seemingly benign but selfish actions, or about people with influence in international events who are capable of destructive decisions only because they cannot see the immediate effect or the affected parties.

The director is the same one who gave us Les Cronocrimenes.

Directed/written by: Nacho Vigalondo
Cu: Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, Tim Blake Nelson

Colossal (2016)

O petrecareata mereu in incurcaturi descopera ca poate controla miscarile unui monstru gigant ce face ravagii in Coreea de Sud.

In mare parte comedie filmul este antrenant si istet si spre final cauzeaza ganduri adanci despre cauza si efect. Anne Hathaway e simpatica si potrivita intr-un rol similar cu altele din repertoarul ei. Ce e mai neobisnuit este subiectul filmului, aparent neverosimil si neserios. Prin cele doua personaje cu puterea de a distruge se pot face paralele cu mai multe nivele de realitati negative, fie cu privire la persoane care afecteaza pe cei aproape prin actiunile lor aparent benigne dar egoiste, fie cu privire la persoane cu influenta in evenimente internationale care sunt capabili de decizii destructive doar pentru ca nu pot vedea efectele imediat sau pe cei afectati.

Regizorul este cel ce ne-a adus Les Cronocrimenes.

Regia/Scenariul: Nacho Vigalondo

Cu: Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, Tim Blake Nelson

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Swamp Thing (2019)

The complicated stories of the inhabitants of the city of Marais in the marshes of Louisiana, with a fantastic character as the main focus.

A new adaptation of a superhero story from the DC universe, namely Swamp Thing. With Len Wiseman involved (Underworld) as both producer and a director of 2 episodes, it raised expectations of a fantastic surreal imagined world quite believable in its individuality. The expectations are partially fulfilled because its quality and creativity were limited by too many precocious ambitions and the sudden cancellation of the series as early as episode two. So the story is interesting but too complicated with its multiple story lines and the ending fails to tie all the loose ends in a satisfying way. It feels like a real end with somewhat of a closure but one made in a rush. A shame.

Interestingly some famous names appear in it either as a comeback (Virginia Madsen - Candyman, Highlander II - or Ian Ziering! - from Beverly Hills and Sharkanado) or as an unexpected cameo (Adrienne Barbeau who was in the original Swamp Thing movie from 1982).

Creator: Gary Dauberman, Mark Verheiden
Featuring: Crystal Reed, Andy Bean, Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Beals, Will Patton, Kevin Durand, Derek Mears, Ian Ziering

Swamp Thing (2019)

Povestile complicate ale locuitorilor orasului Marais din mlastinile Louisianei, cu un personaj fantastic in centrul atentiei.

O noua ecranizare a povestii unui supererou din universul DC si anume Swamp Thing. Cu Len Wiseman implicat (Underworld) si ca productie si ca regizor a 2 episoade, promitea un mediu fantastic suprareal si credibil in individualitatea lui. Asteptarile sunt partial realizate deoarece calitatea si creativitatea au fost limitate de ambitii precoce prea mari si anularea brusca a seriei inca de pe vremea episodului doi. Asadar povestea este interesanta dar prea complicata cu itele sale multiple si finalul nu reuseste sa descalceasca diferitele paralele intr-un mod satisfacator. Se simte ca un final intr-adevar dar unul facut in graba. Pacat.
Interesant de adaugat ca isi fac aparitia unele nume celebre fie ca un comeback (Virginia Madsen - Candyman, Highlander II - sau Ian Ziering! - din Beverly Hills si Sharkanado) ori ca un cameo neasteptat (Adrienne Barbeau ce a fost in filmul original Swamp Thing din 1982).

Creator: Gary Dauberman, Mark Verheiden
Cu: Crystal Reed, Andy Bean, Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Beals, Will Patton, Kevin Durand, Derek Mears, Ian Ziering

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Peaky Blinders (2013-)

The story of a Birmingham gangster family, as led by Tommy Shelby who's guided by his ideal of turning the family's mini empire into a fully legal business.

We saw the Italian-American, Irish, Russian ones and it was time for the English gangsters to be represented. In an era parallel to that of Downton Abbey, their representatives are more stylish, more dual and more subtle. With five seasons so far, each counting 6 episodes representing a certain fragment of the family history, each with its own plot and unfolding, the series manages to maintain interest through the complete lack of monotony and the passionate and flawless interpretations of the main actors. The historical period's representation feels genuine, with all the expected embellishments, and we can forgive the writers for confusing the Rroma people language with Romanian for the first two seasons. Also worth mentioning is the soundtrack of mostly modern rock music, generally British (Radiohead appear very often), which makes an interesting contrast to the vintage vibe from the screen.

During all of the 5 seasons, one will notice some very well known faces in guest roles such as Sam Neill, Sam Claflin, Tom Hardy and even Adrien Brody, who give life to some very interesting and well written figures.

Creator: Steven Knight
Featuring: Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Helen McRory, Sophie Rundle, Annabelle Wallis, Natasha O'Keeffe, Joe Cole, Finn Cole, Ned Dennehy, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Tom Hardy, Sam Neill, Adrien Brody, Aidan Gillen, Sam Claflin

Peaky Blinders (2013-)

Istoria unei familii de gangsteri din Birmingham, asa cum a fost condusa in viziunea lui Tommy Shelby ghidat de idealul sau de a converti mini imperiul familiei in afaceri complet legale.

Am vazut italo-americani, irlandezi, rusi, a venit si vremea gangsterilor englezi sa fie reprezentati. Intr-o era paralela cu cea din Downton Abbey, reprezentantii acestora sunt mai stilati, mai duali si mai subtili. Cu cinci sezoane pana acum, fiecare a cate 6 episoade reprezentand un anume fragment din istoria familiei, fiecare cu propria intriga si desfasurare, reuseste sa mentina interesul prin lipsa de monotonie si interpretarile pasionale si fara pata ale actorilor principali. Reprezentarea perioadei istorice este veridica, cu toate infloririle de rigoare, si pot fi iertati ca in primele doua sezoane au confundat limba populatiei Rroma cu limba romana. Demna de mentionat este coloana sonora ce foloseste muzica rock moderna, in general britanica (Radiohead apar foarte des), si care face un contrast interesant cu impresia de clasic de pe ecran.
Pe parcursul celor 5 sezoane vor fi observate cateva fete foarte cunoscute in roluri temporare ca Sam Neill, Sam Claflin, Tom Hardy si chiar Adrien Brody, ce dau viata unor figuri foarte interesante si bine scrise.

Creator: Steven Knight
Cu: Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Helen McRory, Sophie Rundle, Annabelle Wallis, Natasha O'Keeffe, Joe Cole, Finn Cole, Ned Dennehy, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Tom Hardy, Sam Neill, Adrien Brody, Aidan Gillen, Sam Claflin

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In The Shadow Of The Moon (2019)

A passionate policeman becomes obsessed with a  female serial killer who seems to return every 9 years.

An almost police movie that uses popular elements to maintain interest, which it mostly manages. The plot is somewhat more complicated than necessary and many elements are very predictable, probably because similar ideas have been screened before.

More suitable for those who are missing variations on the time travel theme (no worries - this is not a spoiler as that suggestion first pops up within the first 10 minutes), although it is probably better to re-watch a vastly superior 12 Monkeys.

Directed by: Jim Mickle
With: Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Michael C. Hall, Bokeem Woodbine

In The Shadow Of The Moon (2019)

Un politist pasionat devine obsedat de o criminala in serie ce pare sa revina la fiecare 9 ani.

Un film aproape politist ce foloseste elemente populare pentru a mentine interesul, ceea ce reuseste in mare parte. Intriga este mai complicata decat era necesar si multe elemente sunt foarte predictibile, probabil pentru ca idei asemenatoare au mai fost ecranizate. 

Mai potrivit pentru cei carora le era dor de variatiuni pe tema calatoriilor in timp (fara grija - asta nu e spoiler deoarece sugestia apare in primele 10 minute), desi e probabil mai bine de recomandat o revizionare a unui 12 Monkeys mult superior.

Regia: Jim Mickle

Cu: Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Michael C. Hall, Bokeem Woodbine

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Absentia (2017-)

An FBI agent is kidnapped for 6 years and then released. Without any memory of the 6 years, her life is completely rewritten and she has to personally investigate the disappearance and apparent conspiracy behind it.

An entertaining series, a bit uneven in the two seasons so far, but interesting enough to keep the attention to the end. With some plot holes, it manages to progress its first season slowly and sometimes frustratingly, but then that patience is rewarded with an exceptional second season, as if written by a completely different team. If in the first season things go in a difficult to believe way and the heroine's wrongdoers plan goes a bit too perfectly, in the second season things are more credible and more intense, the heroine being finally caught up by the effects of her trauma and her post-traumatic stress which she experiences fully at the same time as showing incredible efficiency and facing new events and facts.

It was just renewed for a third season.

Created by: Matthew Cirulnick, Gaia Violo
Featuring: Stana Katic, Matthew Le Nevez, Patrick Heusinger, Cara Theobold, Angel Bonnani, Richard Brake, Neil Jackson

Absentia (2017-)

O agenta FBI este rapita timp de 6 ani si apoi eliberata. Fara vreo amintire a celor 6 ani, viata ei este complet rescrisa si este nevoita sa investigheze personal disparitia si aparenta conspiratie din spatele ei.

Un serial antrenant, un pic inegal in cele doua sezoane de pana acum, dar destul de interesant pentru a mentine atentia pana la capat. Cu ceva gauri in intriga, reuseste sa progreseze primul sezon incet si uneori exasperant, dar rabdarea este rasplatita cu un al doilea sezon de exceptie, parca scris de o alta echipa. Daca in primul lucrurile se desfasoara un pic incredibil si planul rauvoitorilor eroinei merge un pic prea perfect, in al doilea sezon lucrurile sunt mai credibile si mai intense, eroina fiind ajunsa din urma de efectele traumei sale si de stressul post traumatic, pe care le traieste din plin in paralel cu o eficienta incredibila si evenimente si fapte noi.

Tocmai a fost reinnoit pentru un al treilea sezon

Creat de: Matthew Cirulnick, Gaia Violo

Cu: Stana Katic, Matthew Le Nevez, Patrick Heusinger, Cara Theobold, Angel Bonnani, Richard Brake, Neil Jackson

A Simple Favor (2018)

A widowed homemaker mother reports the progress of her own investigation into the disappearance of her best friend on her vlog.

A clever film that highlights two very different female typologies, both strong but with their own shortcomings. Partially satirical-comic, it manages to build the interest / intrigue like  a rolling snowball, forcing the viewer to have lots of delectable fun and to look forward to the outcome of each new mini situation. Both actresses fulfil their part with great talent but Anna Kendrick is particularly wonderful in a role full of contradictions which will not instantly win any popularity contest. A perfect movie!

Directed by: Paul Feig
Cu: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding

A Simple Favor (2018)

O mamă văduvă și casnică relatează online progresul investigației sale personale asupra dispariției prietenei sale celei mai bune.

Un film isteț ce pune în valoare două tipare feminine foarte diferite dar ambele puternice și cu propriile neajunsuri. Parțial satiro-comic, reușește să construiască interesul/intriga ca rostogolirea unui bulgăre de zăpadă, forțând privitorul să se distreze copios și să aștepte cu nerăbdare deznodământul fiecărei mini situații noi. Ambele actrițe își susțin rolul cu talent dar Anna Kendrick este minunată într-un rol plin de contradicții ce nu va câștiga voturile de popularitate instantaneu. Un film perfect!

Regia: Paul Feig
Cu: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding

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Down A Dark Hall (2018)

A rebellious teenage girl is sent to a girls boarding school by her family as a last resort to straighten her out. But the new school seems to mysteriously uncover unexpected talents in its students.

A horror movie made for those who don't enjoy horror movies very much. It has a somewhat original idea but it's not really executed to its full potential. It has a few interesting characters (Uma Thurman is adorable as the strict and very French Madame Duret) with more or less suitable fates and a bit of excess in negativity. I could easily imagine the same plot in a much more optimistic context where everyone collaborates willingly in a disciplined manner.

Isabelle Fuhrman has an interesting appearance as one of the affected students. She is the girl from Orphan, now a teenager.

Directed by: Rodrigo Cortés

With: AnnaSophia Robb, Uma Thurman, Isabelle Fuhrman, Rosie Day, Pip Torrens

Down A Dark Hall (2018)

O adolescentă rebelă este trimisă de familie la un internat de fete ca ultimă soluție în a o îndrepta. Dar școala nouă reușește în mod foarte misterios să descopere talente nebănuite în elevele sale.

Un film horror făcut pentru cei care nu prea digeră filme horror. Are o idee cât de cât originală dar nu e pusă în valoare suficient. Are câteva personaje interesante (Uma Thurman e adorabilă ca stricta Madame Duret) cu sorți mai mult sau mai puțin potrivite și cu un pic de exces în porția de negativitate. Îmi pot ușor închipui aceeași intrigă într-un context mult mai optimist unde toată lumea colaborează disciplinat.

Isabelle Fuhrman are o apariție interesantă ca una din elevele afectate. Este fetița acum adolescentă din Orphan.

Regia: Rodrigo Cortés

Cu: AnnaSophia Robb, Uma Thurman, Isabelle Fuhrman, Rosie Day, Pip Torrens

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Polar (2019)

A professional assassin retires but he soon becomes the target of a group of younger assassins hired by his ex employer .

Entertaining and violent, sometimes funny, often cartoonish, this shows Mads Mikkelsen only a little bit different to how we know him. With a style mix of Léon: Le Professionel meets Smokin' Aces, it states indirectly - quite early - that this film is not John Wick (there are a few scenes involving a dog). It's not boring at all - despite its duration - , it has a most probably unexpected ending but it does not bring anything new to the genre, contrary to its aforementioned muses.

Directed by: Jonas Åkerlund
With: Mads Mikkelsen, Katheryn Winnick, Vanessa Hudgens, Matt Lucas, Richard Dreyfuss

Polar (2019)

Un asasin de profesie se retrage dar se trezește ținta unui grup de asasini mai tineri contractați de fostul său angajator.

Antrenant și violent, uneori amuzant, foarte des caricatural, îl arată pe Mads Mikkelsen numai un pic diferit de cum îl știm. Într-un amestec de stiluri gen Léon: Le Professionel meets Smokin' Aces, declară indirect, destul de devreme că nu este John Wick (sunt cateva scene implicând un cățel). Nu este deloc plictisitor - în ciuda duratei; are un final cel mai probabil neașteptat dar totuși nu aduce nimic nou genului, contrar muzelor sale mai sus menționate.

Regia: Jonas Åkerlund

Cu: Mads Mikkelsen, Katheryn Winnick, Vanessa Hudgens, Matt Lucas, Richard Dreyfuss

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I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House (2016)

A nurse is hired to care for an elderly horror author, but she begins to have strange experiences in the house that seems haunted.

An atmospheric, gothic film. It's labelled horror but it's more like poetry. Full of contradictions and slow at a first impression, it is a particular class of film that will not have many fans, to the same extent that for example rhyme-less poetry  doesn't. It presents ghosts in the only way that really makes sense, reminiscent of another film that divided opinions, namely A Ghost Story (2017). Still, a delight for those patient enough.

Director / Screenplay: Oz Perkins
With: Ruth Wilson

I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House (2016)

O asistentă este angajată să aibă grijă permanent de o autoare în vârstă, dar începe să aibă experiențe ciudate în casa ce pare bântuită.

Un film atmosferic, gothic. Se vrea horror dar e mai mult poetic. Plin de contradicții și încet ca primă impresie, este un tip aparte de film ce nu va avea prea mulți fani, în aceeași măsură în care de exemplu poezia fără rimă nu are prea mulți fani. Descrie fantomele în singurul mod care are cu adevărat sens, amintind uneori de un alt film ce a împărțit părerile în tabere foarte diferite și anume A Ghost Story (2017). Un deliciu pentru cei cu răbdare de ajuns.

Regie/Scenariu: Oz Perkins

Cu: Ruth Wilson

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Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot (2018)

Fragments from the life of illustrator John Callahan in which we are presented with the history of his alcoholism, the context in which he became a paraplegic, the discovery of his artistic talent and the relationship with those closest to him.

A bit different from other biographies and less dramatic than you would expect given the subject, this film manages to attract and keep the audience's attention through sincerity, bluntness and more or less black humour. It's not trying to inspire mercy, guilt or regret, but only acceptance and objective empathy, managing to bluntly highlight the negative effects of self-pity and the importance of trying to help ourselves before counting on others.

With a great team of actors lead by the multi-talented Joaquin Phoenix, the one who actually steals the show is Jonah Hill, unrecognisable in an atypical role of a Jesus-like figure, a romantic but rational wise-man, full of profound truths about life.

Interesting to see Beth Ditto in an unusual role; I didn't even know she ever acts in movies.

Screenplay: John Callahan
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
With: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black, Beth Ditto

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot (2018)

Fragmente din viața ilustratorului John Callahan în care ni se prezintă istoria alcoolismului său, contextul în care a devenit paraplegic, descoperirea talentului său artistic și relația cu cei mai apropiați din viața sa.

Un pic diferit de alte biografii și mai puțin dramatic decât te-ai aștepta având în vedere subiectul, filmul de față reușește să atragă  și să mențină atenția audienței prin sinceritate, lipsă de perdea și umor mai mult sau mai puțin negru. Nu încearcă să inspire milă, vinovăție sau regret, ci doar acceptare și empatie obiectivă, reușind să evidențieze foarte direct efectele negative ale auto-victimizării și importanța încercării de a ne ajuta singuri înainte de a conta pe alții. 

În frunte cu multi-talentatul Joaquin Phoenix, cel ce fură atenția este de fapt Jonah Hill, de nerecunoscut într-un rol atipic de figură mesiatică, romantic și rațional în același timp, plin de adevăruri profunde despre viață.

Interesant să o văd pe Beth Ditto într-un rol neobișnuit; nici nu știam că joacă în filme vreodată.

Scenariu: John Callahan

Regia: Gus Van Sant

Cu: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black, Beth Ditto

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