Carne trémula (1997)

Victor ne este prezentat in cele cateva evenimente importante din viata lui: nasterea, conflictul din dragoste, si intoarcerea la libertate.

'Carne trémula' este o drama complicata ce arata o varietate de relatii complexe umane, afectate de noroc, timp nepotrivit si alte consecinte ale vietii. Evenimentele sunt ca de obicei prezentate intr-un mod cat mai pasional si intens, fara a oferi o imbracaminte de basm tip holiwoodian, iar dezvoltarea intrigii ia intorsaturi neasteptate.

Regia:  Pedro Almodóvar    

Cu: Liberto Rabal, Francesca Neri, Javier Bardem, Ángela Molina

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Carne trémula (1997)

Victor is shown to us in the few important events of his life: his birth, an important love conflict, and the return to normal life and freedom.

"Carne trémula" is a multi-layered drama that shows a variety of complex human relationships, affected by luck, bad timing and other consequences of being. As usual, the events are presented in the most raw, passionate and intense way possible, without offering a Hollywood-type fairy tale embellishment, and the development of the plot takes unexpected turns.

Director:  Pedro Almodóvar    

With: Liberto Rabal, Francesca Neri, Javier Bardem, Ángela Molina, Penelope Cruz

Rating: 8/10

Out of the Furnace (2013)

Dupa disparitia fratelui sau, Russell Baze decide sa ia lucrurile sub controlul sau.

'Out Of The Furnace' este un film drama, cu ceva thriller. Contine cateva partituri puternice de la actorii principali si nu numai, dar pentru public va fi greu sa se mentina implicat emotional intr-o poveste ce nu ar fi avut loc fara deciziile nefericite si complet evitabile ale unora din personaje. Dar jocul actorilor de sine statator ar putea fi un motiv de ajuns pentru a-l vedea pana la final.

Regia:  Scott Cooper     

Cu: Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Woody Harrelson, Sam Shepard, Willem Dafoe, Forest Whitaker, Boyd Holbrook

Rating: 7/10

Also available in English

Out of the Furnace (2013)

After the disappearance of his brother, Russell Baze decides to take things in his own hands.

'Out Of The Furnace' is a drama with some thriller bits mixed in. It contains some strong performances from the main actors and then some, but it will be tricky for the audience to keep emotionally involved in a story that would not have happened without the unfortunate and completely avoidable decisions of some of the characters. But the acting of the actors alone could be reason enough to see it to the end.

Director:  Scott Cooper     

With: Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Woody Harrelson, Sam Shepard, Willem Dafoe, Forest Whitaker, Boyd Holbrook

Rating: 7/10

Vuelven (2017)

Cinci copii ce au suferit din urma violentei cartelurilor incearca sa supravietuiasca in realitatea ce le-a fost permisa.

'Vuelven' e un film de groaza, dar nu in sensul traditional. Prezinta trist si realist, printr-o fantezie nedreapta si fara speranta, adevaruri ce nu ar trebui vreodata facute cunoscute copiilor.

Regia:  Issa López    

Cu: Paola Lara, Juan Ramón López, Nery Arredondo, Hanssel Casillas

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Vuelven (2017)

Five children who suffered from direct consequences from the violence of the cartels world are trying to survive in the reality that was allowed to them.

'Vuelven' is a horror film, but not in the traditional sense. It presents truths that should never be made known to children in a sad and realistic way, through unjust and hopeless fantasy effects.

Director:  Issa López    

With: Paola Lara, Juan Ramón López, Nery Arredondo, Hanssel Casillas

Rating: 8/10

Circle (2015)

Cincizeci de straini se trezesc prizonieri intr-un joc in care ei aleg cine va fi sacrificat.

'Circle' este un thriller psihologic ce arata adevaruri dureroase despre aspectul egoist al naturii umane. Fara nevoia unui buget urias, filmul reuseste sa aiba un impact destul de puternic cu putin material.

Regia:  Aaron Hann, Mario Miscione      

Cu: Allegra Masters, Aimee McKay, Ashley Key, Autumn Federici, Carter Jenkins, Julie Benz

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Circle (2015)

Fifty strangers find themselves kidnapped and trapped in a game in which they choose who will be sacrificed next.

'Circle' is a psychological thriller that shows painful truths about the selfish aspect of human nature. Without the need for a ridiculous budget, the film manages to have quite a strong impact with little.

Director:  Aaron Hann, Mario Miscione      

With: Allegra Masters, Aimee McKay, Ashley Key, Autumn Federici, Carter Jenkins, Julie Benz

Rating: 8/10

Red Sparrow (2018)

A ballerina who sees her career destroyed, is forced by circumstances to learn the art of seduction and espionage.

'Red Sparrow' is an action thriller that seems a copycat given some current releases (Atomic Blonde, Anna, anything with Mila Jovovich). The film works well on its own, even with the mentioned comparisons (no one complains when Jason Bourne 13 or Mission Impossible 2000 is coming around the corner ...), and Jennifer Lawrence proves once again that she can alternate dramatic roles with more commercial ones.

Director:  Francis Lawrence      

With: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Ciarán Hinds, Mary-Louise Parker, Joely Richardson, Jeremy Irons, Bill Camp

Rating: 8/10

Red Sparrow (2018)

O balerina ce isi vede cariera distrusa, este fortata de imprejurari sa invete arta seductiei si spionajului.

'Red Sparrow' este un thriller de actiune ce pare copycat in trecutul curent (Atomic Blonde, Anna, orice cu Mila Jovovich). Filmul functioneaza bine de sine statator, chiar si cu comparatiile pomenite (nimeni nu se plange cand apare Jason Bourne al 13-lea sau Misiune Imposibila 2000...), iar Jennifer Lawrence demonstreaza inca o data ca poate alterna roluri dramatice cu cele comerciale.

Regia:  Francis Lawrence      

Cu: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Gwen (2018)

Gwen are doar pe mama sa si sora mai mica sa apere ferma familiei de lacomia industriasilor locali.

'Gwen' ar fi trebui sa fie un horror folk, aidoma lui VVItch, dar este un horror istoric, social ce are loc in tara Galilor in timpul Revolutiei Industriale. Bine facut, fetita in rolul titular si mama sunt nemaipomenite, dar nu creeaza un film ce poate fi revazut.

Regia:  William McGregor   

Cu: Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Jodie Innes, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Mark Lewis Jones

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Gwen (2018)

Gwen has only her mother and younger sister to defend the family farm with from the greed of local industrialists.

'Gwen' was supposed to be a folk horror, similar to VVItch, or so I thought, but it is a historical, social horror that takes place in Wales during the Industrial Revolution. Well made, the girl in the titular role and the mother are amazing, but this does not help create a movie that can be watched again.

Director:  William McGregor   

With: Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Jodie Innes, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Mark Lewis Jones, Maxine Peake

Rating: 8/10

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022 )

Doua clanuri de vrajitori sunt mereu in conflict, iar Nathan este un amestec din ambele.

'The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself' e un serial horror cu multa fantezie si supranatural. Dar mai mult decat toate, construieste personaje multi-dimensionale, cu un appeal masurabil si o interactiune foarte interesant de urmarit. Din pacate, nu a devenit viral, asadar nu a supravietuit procesului de eliminare adoptat de Netflix in ultimii ani. Pacat, dar macar nu se termina intr-un cliffhanger.

Regia:  Colm McCarthy si altii   

Productie:  Netflix   

Creator:  Joe Barton   

Durata:  1 sezon de 8 episoade (1 ora fiecare)   

Cu: Jay Lycurgo, Nadia Parkes, Paul Ready, Isobel Jesper Jones, Emilien Vekemans, Kerry Fox, Karen Connell

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022 )

Two clans of wtches are always in conflict, and Nathan is a mixture of both.

'The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself' is a horror series with a lot of fantasy and supernatural elements. But above all, it builds multi-dimensional characters, with considerable appeal and a very interesting interaction that's worth watching. Unfortunately, it didn't go viral, so it didn't survive the elimination process adopted by Netflix in recent years. A real shame, but at least it doesn't end in a cliffhanger.

Director:  Colm McCarthy and others   

Production:  Netflix   

Creator:  Joe Barton   

Duration:  1 season of 8 episodes (1 hour each)   

With: Jay Lycurgo, Nadia Parkes, Paul Ready, Isobel Jesper Jones, Emilien Vekemans, Kerry Fox, Karen Connell

Rating: 9/10

Chambers (2019)

O tanara de liceu incepe sa aiba schimbari de personalitate si amintiri straine dupa o operatie de transplant de inima.

'Chambers' e o miniserie cu supranatural si multa drama. Ideea nu este cea mai originala (desi finalul merita toti banii), dar executia este plina de rabdare, detalii intrigante, scene dramatice despre rani adanci si un mister bine nuantat si taraganat in cel mai potrivit mod posibil.

Regia:  Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Ti West si altii   

Productie:  Netflix   

Creator:  David Greenwalt, Joss Whedon   

Durata:  o miniserie de 10 episoade (1 ora fiecare) 

Cu: Sivan Alyra Rose, Marcus LaVoi, Nicholas Galitzine, Kyanna Simone, Griffin Powell-Arcand, Lilliya Scarlett Reid, Uma Thurman, Tony Goldwyn, Lili Taylor

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

Chambers (2019)

A young high school girl begins to have personality changes and strange memories after a heart transplant operation.

'Chambers' is a miniseries with supernatural elements and a lot of drama. The idea is not the most original (although the ending is worth all the money), but the execution is full of patience, intriguing details, dramatic scenes about deep wounds and a well-nuanced mystery and it's all dragged out in the most appropriate way possible.

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Ti West and others

Production:  Netflix   

Creator:  David Greenwalt, Joss Whedon   

Duration:  one miniseries of 10 episodes (1 hour each)

With: Sivan Alyra Rose, Marcus LaVoi, Nicholas Galitzine, Kyanna Simone, Griffin Powell-Arcand, Lilliya Scarlett Reid, Uma Thurman, Tony Goldwyn, Lili Taylor

Rating: 9/10

Fate: The Winx Saga (2021–2022)

Bloom se duce la o scoala speciala pentru zane, dupa ce a provocat un foc accidental.

'Fate: The Winx Saga' e o ecranizare live-action dupa un desen animat. Nu trebuie sa fii fan pentru a degusta, ba chiar e probabil recomandat deoarece fanii nu au fost..fani. Pentru cei amatori de fantezie si scoli magice, serialul nu e o alegere rea. Distributia e aproape exclusiv britanica, limbajul si comportamentul inclusiv. Intriga nu e cea mai interesanta sau originala, dar personajele si interactiunea lor au un acel ceva special.

Regia:  Edward Bazalgette si altii  

Productie:  Netflix   

Creator:  Brian Young   

Durata:  2 sezoane de 6 si 7 episoade (50+ minute fiecare)   

Cu: Abigail Cowen, Hannah van der Westhuysen, Precious Mustapha, Eliot Salt, Elisha Applebaum, Danny Griffin, Robert James-Collier, Sadie Soverall, Freddie Thorp, Eve Best

Rating: 7/10

Also available in English

Jumanji (1995)

Un baiat blocat intr-un joc este eliberat zeci de ani mai tarziu cand acelasi joc este incercat de un frate si sora.

'Jumanji' a devenit un film clasic dedicat imaginatiei bogate a copilariei. Cu un Robin Williams iubit de multi, filmul incanta prin originalitate si farmec nevinovat.

Regia:  Joe Johnston   

Cu: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Jumanji (1995)

A boy stuck in a board game is freed decades later when the same game is tried by a brother and sister.

'Jumanji' has become a classic film dedicated to the rich imagination of childhood. With the Robin Williams loved by many, the film enchants with its originality and innocent charm.

Director:  Joe Johnston   

With: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde

Rating: 8/10

The Unwanted (2014)

O tanara viziteaza un orasel incercand sa afle detalii despre disparitia mamei sale.

'The Unwanted' e un film dramatic ce promite horror fara a livra decat sugestii. De buget redus, calitatea nu se imbulzeste iar prezenta expresivei Hannah Fierman nu imbunatateste lucrurile.

Regia:  Bret Wood      

Cu: Hannah Fierman, Christen Orr, William Katt, Lynn Talley

Rating: 5/10

Also available in English

The Unwanted (2014)

A young woman visits a small town trying to find out details about her mother's disappearance.

'The Unwanted' is a dramatic film that promises horror without delivering anything but suggestions of it. It's low budget, and the quality leaves a lot to be desired and even the presence of the expressive Hannah Fierman does not improve things.

Director:  Bret Wood      

With: Hannah Fierman, Christen Orr, William Katt, Lynn Talley

Rating: 5/10

Scream (2015–2019)

Copiii celor implicati in evenimente nefaste cu 20 de ani inainte, sunt terorizati de un ins mascat ce pare sa cunoasca detalii intime ale faptelor vechi.

'Scream' e un serial aproape antologic ce creeaza un univers complet nou in care se desfasoara evenimente ce urmeaza reteta francizei Scream fara a o copia. Ghostface arata diferit, Sidney e un alt personaj, iar restul sunt mereu surprize, nu intotdeauna consistente, dar farmecul este in jocul ignorantei ce vrea sa ghiceasca.

Regia:  Jamie Travis si altii   

Productie:  MTV   

Creator:  Jay Beattie, Jill E. Blotevogel, Dan Dworkin

Durata:  3 sezoane de 10, 13 si 6 episoade (45 minute fiecare)   

Cu: Willa Fitzgerald, Bex Taylor-Klaus, John Karna, Carlson Young, Tracy Middendorf, Amadeus Serafini, Bryan Batt, Jason Wiles

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Scream (2015–2019)

The children of those involved in unfortunate events 20 years before, are terrorized by a masked man who seems to know intimate details of the old story.

'Scream' is an almost anthological series that creates a completely new universe in which the events follow the recipe of the Scream franchise without actualy copying it. Ghostface looks different, Sidney is a different person, and the rest is constant surprises, some more consistent than others, but the charm of it is in the not-knowing and in the guessing.

Director:  Jamie Travis and others   

Production:  MTV   

Creator:  Jay Beattie, Jill E. Blotevogel, Dan Dworkin

Duration:  3 seasons of 10, 13 and 6 episodes (45 minutes each)   

With: Willa Fitzgerald, Bex Taylor-Klaus, John Karna, Carlson Young, Tracy Middendorf, Amadeus Serafini, Bryan Batt, Jason Wiles

Rating: 8/10

Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)

Ani este o femeie moderna, fara obstacole, ce are tot ce isi doreste, dar cu un trecut ce ascunde rani vechi.

'Luckiest Girl Alive' e drama cu accente de thriller. Porneste indraznet, cu anumite sugestii legate de personajul principal (Mila Kunis e minunata in rol, aminteste uneori ca a fost protagonista unei tentative esuate de a recrea American Psycho), prezinta fapte ale trecutului asa cum sunt evidentiate de amintirile celorlalti, si doar subtil nuantate emotional si doar sugestiv in amintirile lui Ani, pentru a transmite un mesaj ce isi atinge tinta prin dezvaluirile finale.

Regia:  Mike Barker     

Cu: Mila Kunis, Chiara Aurelia, Finn Wittrock, Connie Britton

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)

Ani is a modern woman, with no obstacles, a woman who has everything she wants, but with a past that hides old wounds.

'Luckiest Girl Alive' is drama with thriller accents. It starts boldly, with certain suggestions related to the main character (Mila Kunis is wonderful in the role, reminding us that she was the protagonist of a failed attempt to recreate American Psycho), presents facts of the past as highlighted by the memories of others, and only subtly emotionally nuanced in thos of Ani, to convey a message that reaches its target through the final revelations.

Director:  Mike Barker     

With: Mila Kunis, Chiara Aurelia, Finn Wittrock, Connie Britton, Jennifer Beals

Rating: 8/10

1899 (2022-)

O tanara medic se apropie de diferite personaje cheie de pe vaporul pe care calatoreste pentru a ajuta la explicarea evenimentelor misterioase ce au loc.

'1899' e un serial mister/suspans cu accente dramatice si SF ce este creat de echipa ce ne-a adus Dark. Complex, dar mai usor de urmarit, dramatic dar derutant, serialul ofera un mix interesant de culturi si limbi ce incearca sa adanceasca impresia de veritabil. Creierul vizionatorului nu va inceta sa inchege teorii, ajungand la idei familiare din alte surse (si fara a fi neaparat gresit), finalul insa poate fi perceput dezamagitor, dar speranta pentru sezonul al doilea va sta nezdruncinata.

Regia:  Baran bo Odar 

Productie:  Netflix   

Creator:  Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese   

Durata:  1 sezon de 8 episoade (1 ora fiecare)   

Cu: Emily Beecham, Aneurin Barnard, Andreas Pietschmann, Miguel Bernardeau

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

1899 (2022-)

A young woman doctor approaches various key characters on the ship she is traveling on to help explain the mysterious events taking place.

'1899' is a mystery/suspense series with dramatic and sci-fi accents created by the team that brought us Dark. Complex, but easier to follow, dramatic but distracting, the series offers an interesting mix of cultures and languages ​​that try to deepen the impression of authenticity. The viewer's brain will not stop coming up with new theories, reaching familiar ideas from other sources (and without that necessarily being wrong), but the ending can be perceived as disappointing, however the high hopes for a second season stay strong.

Director:  Baran bo Odar   

Production:  Netflix   

Creator:  Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese   

Duration:  1 season of 8 episodes (1 hour each)   

With: Emily Beecham, Aneurin Barnard, Andreas Pietschmann, Miguel Bernardeau

Rating: 8/10

First Kill (2022)

Juliette and Calliope belong to two factions that hate each other: vampires and vampire hunters and they fall in love.

'First Kill' is a horror series with comic accents that wanted the be the new best thing with something similar to Buffy's cultural impact. But without paying attention to details, getting a script full of memorable lines or making sure there's some obvious clever humour. It has some interesting new vampiric lore, but: it's made in a rush, messy, some actors either don't have talent, or no one bothered to get them to redo some of their scenes when that was painfully needed, and the script leaves a lot to be desired with clichés and cringey lines. What brings it closest to what it should have been is the presence of the big sister.

Director:  Eriq La Salle and others 

Production:  Netflix  

Creator:  V.E. Schwab   

Duration:  1 single season of 8 episades (1 hour each)  

With: Sarah Catherine Hook, Imani Lewis, Elizabeth Mitchell, Aubin Wise

Rating: 6/10

First Kill (2022)

Juliette si Calliope fac parte din doua categorii ce se urasc: vampiri si vanatori de vampiri si se indragostesc.

'First Kill' e un serial de groaza cu accente comice ce se dorea o versiune noua a impactului avut de Buffy. Dar fara atentia pentru scenariu plin de replici memorabile sau umorul evident. Are ceva mitologie vampirica noua interesanta, dar: e facut in graba, unii actori ori nu au talent, ori nu le-a spus nimeni ca scenele trebuiesc refacute cand trebuia, iar scenariul lasa de dorit cu clisee si replici negandite. Ce il aduce cel mai aproape de ce ar fi trbuit sa fie este prezenta surorii.

Regia:  Eriq La Salle si altii  

Productie:  Netflix  

Creator:  V.E. Schwab   

Durata:  1 singur sezon de 8 episoade (1 ora fiecare)  

Cu: Sarah Catherine Hook, Imani Lewis, Elizabeth Mitchell, Aubin Wise

Rating: 6/10

Also available in English

The Perfection (2018)

O fosta violoncelista minune se intoarce la compania ce i-a finantat talentul dupa ce mama sa moare dar lucrurile nu sunt ceea ce par a fi.

'The Perfection' e un film thriller horror surpriza. Orice asteptari trebuiesc lasate la usa. Bine jucat, bine scris, multi-fatetat si bogat in evenimente ce creeaza suspans bine dozat, intrebari, derutare si iar suspans. Iubirea pentru muzica si intelegerea dedicatiei unui astfel de talent sunt si ele prezente pentru a ajuta cu sentimentul de realism si fidelitate povestii.

Regia:  Richard Shepard     

Cu: Logan Browning, Allison Williams, Steven Weber, Christina Jastrzembska, Glynis Davies

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

The Perfection (2018)

A former prodigy cellist returns to the company that financed her talent after her mother dies, but things are not what they seem.

'The Perfection' is a surprise horror-thriller film. Any expectations should be left at the door. Well acted, well written, multi-faceted and rich in events that create well-dosed suspense, questions, confusion and more suspense. The love for music and the understanding of the dedication of such a talent as the main character has are also present to help with the feeling of accuracy and loyalty to the story.

Director:  Richard Shepard     

With: Logan Browning, Allison Williams, Steven Weber, Christina Jastrzembska, Glynis Davies

Rating: 9/10

The Stranger (2022)

Henry Teague se imprieteneste cu un tip ce pare facut din acelasi material intr-o cursa de autobuz, si evenimentele se insira pornind de aici.

'The Stranger' e o drama thriller bazata pe un caz politist real ce s-a petrecut in Australia. Filmul incepe  nevinovat, fara sa lase de banuit in ce directie o va lua, si evolueaza incet, adaugand elemente abstracte combinand drama si efecte vizuale si audio bruste si "crapate" ce creeaza un efect de nepotrivire si da nastere unei nevoi de a repara universul. Excelent jucat de cei doi protagonisti principal.

Regia:  Thomas M. Wright    

Cu: Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Jada Alberts, Cormac Wright

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

The Stranger (2022)

Henry Teague befriends a guy who seems to be like-minded in a bus ride, and the rest of the events continue from there.

'The Stranger' is a thriller drama based on a real police case that happened in Australia. The film starts innocently, leaving no clue as to which direction it will take, and evolves slowly, adding abstract elements combining drama and sudden and broken visual and audio effects that create a feeling of mismatch and cause the viewer feeling a drastic need to repair the universe. Excellent acting by the two main protagonists.

Director:  Thomas M. Wright    

With: Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Jada Alberts, Cormac Wright

Rating: 8/10

Searching (2018)

Un tata singur foloseste toate uneltele online la care are acces pentru a-si gasi fiica disparuta.

'Searching' e un thriller experiment, ce are loc in exclusivitate online, numai prin prisma aplicatiilor pe calculator disponibile in zilele moderne. Interesant ca idee, si bine realizat, filmul retine atentia, interesul si curiozitatea, fara a pierde investitia emotionala.

Regia:  Aneesh Chaganty       

Cu: John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Searching (2018)

A single father uses all the online tools he has access to to find his missing daughter.

'Searching' is an experimental thriller, which takes place exclusively online, only through the lens of computer applications available in modern days. Interesting as an idea, and well made, the film retains the viewer's attention, interest and curiosity, without losing the emotional investment.

Director:  Aneesh Chaganty       

With: John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La

Rating: 8/10

Au-delà des murs/Beyond The Walls (2016)

Lisa mosteneste o casa de la un necunoscut dar curand descopera ca peretii ei ascund un labirint misterios in care se pierde.

"Au-delà des murs" e un film in 3 parti ce atinge mai multe genuri: drama, horror, SF. Plin de intriga si mister, privitorul este constant in suspans, mirare si in mijlocul unei furtuni de intrebari. Nu toate sunt raspunse, si nici nu e un fapt dezamagitor, dar in final lucrurile au o dependinta circulara logica ce satisface romanticii din noi.

Regia:  Hervé Hadmar   

Productie:  Lincoln TV   

Creator:  Hervé Hadmar, Marc Herpoux   

Durata:  1 miniserie de 3 episoade (2 ore si 36 minute in total)   

Cu: Veerle Baetens, François Deblock, Geraldine Chaplin, Cédric Lechapelier

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Au-delà des murs/Beyond The Walls (2016)

Lisa inherits a house from a stranger but soon discovers that its walls hide a mysterious labyrinth in which she gets lost.

"Au-delà des murs" is a film in 3 parts that touches several genres: drama, horror, sci-fi. Full of intrigue and mystery, the viewer is constantly in suspense, wonder and in the middle of a storm of questions. Not all are answered, and it's not a disappointing fact either, but in the end things have a logical circular dependency that fully satisfies the romantics in us.

Director:  Hervé Hadmar   

Production:  Lincoln TV   

Creator:  Hervé Hadmar, Marc Herpoux   

Duration:  1 miniseries of 3 episodes (2 hours and 36 minutes in total)   

With: Veerle Baetens, François Deblock, Geraldine Chaplin, Cédric Lechapelier

Rating: 8/10

Countdown (2019)

O sora medicala afla ca exista o aplicatie pe telefon ce iti spuna cat mai ai de trait si afla ca va muri in 3 zile.

'Countdown' e un film de groaza de duzina, cu o idee interesanta, ce ia in ras tendinta curenta de a avea o aplicatie pentru orice subiect posibil. Distractiv pana la un punct, in care devine banal si soporific.

Regia:  Justin Dec   

Cu: Elizabeth Lail, Jordan Calloway, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Peter Facinelli

Rating: 6/10

Also available in English

Countdown (2019)

A nurse uses an app that tells you how long you have to live and learns that she will die in 3 days.

'Countdown' is a run of the mill horror movie, with an interesting idea, which makes fun of the current trend of having an app for every possible subject. Enjoyable up to a point where it becomes uninteresting and clichéd.

Director:  Justin Dec   

With: Elizabeth Lail, Jordan Calloway, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Peter Facinelli

Rating: 6/10

Crooked House (2008)

A few horror stories around the same haunted house.

'Crooked House' is an anthology of 4 short horror stories, set around the same geographical context, at different time periods. Intriguing at times, it is a bit too mellow to have the desired effect and lacks intensity and depth.

Director:  Damon Thomas   

Production:  BBC   

Creator:  Mark Gatiss  

Duration:  one miniseries of 4 episodes (1 hour and 30 minutes in total)   

With: Lee Ingleby, Mark Gatiss, Beth Goddard, Derren Brown, Philip Jackson, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Samuel Barnett

Rating: 6/10

Crooked House (2008)

Mai multe povestiri de groaza in jurul aceleiasi case bantuite.

'Crooked House' e o antologie de 4 povesti scurte de groaza, in jurul aceluiasi cadru geografix, in timpuri diferite. Intrigant uneori, e cam moale pentru a avea efectul dorit si ii lipseste intensitate si adancime.

Regia:  Damon Thomas   

Productie:  BBC   

Creator:  Mark Gatiss  

Durata:  o miniserie de 4 episoade (1 ora 30 minute in total)   

Cu: Lee Ingleby, Mark Gatiss, Beth Goddard, Derren Brown, Philip Jackson, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Samuel Barnett

Rating: 6/10

Also available in English

The Devil's Hour (2022– )

O femeie se trezeste in fiecare noapte la 3:33, cu amintiri ale unor evenimente ce nu au avut loc.

'The Devil's Hour' e un thriller psihologic cu elemente SF si poate chiar horror. Excelent facut, se intinde peste sase parti meticulos gandite, fara a depinde de calitatea deznodamantului pentru a-si valida valoarea, deznodamantul poate nefiind la fel de impresionant ca asteptarile, dar foarte aproape. Personajele sunt bine creionate, multidimensionale intr-un mod mai mult decat suficient, si cuprinde partituri impresionante din partea personajelor principale, mai ales actorul copil. O miniserie ce va da impresia de film, de neratat!

Regia:  Johnny Allan, Isabelle Sieb   

Productie:  Amazon Studios, Hartswood Films

Creator:  Tom Moran

Durata:  1 sezon in 6 parti (1 ora fiecare)   

Cu: Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Benjamin Chivers, Phil Dunsters

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

The Devil's Hour (2022– )

A woman wakes up every night at 3:33, with memories of events that never happened.

'The Devil's Hour' is a psychological thriller with sci-fi and maybe even horror elements. Excellently done, it stretches over six meticulously thought out parts, without depending on the quality of the final episode to validate its overall value, with the ending maybe not being as impressive as the expectations make it, but it comes very close. The characters are well drawn, multidimensional in a more than sufficient way, and it includes impressive artistry from the main characters' actors, especially the child actor. A miniseries that will give you the impression of a movie, not to be missed!

Director:  Johnny Allan, Isabelle Sieb  

Production:  Amazon Studios, Hartswood Films

Creator:  Tom Moran

Duration:  1 season in 6 parts (1 hour each)   

With: Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Benjamin Chivers, Phil Dunsters

Rating: 9/10

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022– )

Guillermo del Toro prezinta fiecare episod dintr-o antologie pentru care a adunat povesti si talente care sa le aduca la viata.

'Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities' e un serial antologic unde fiecare episod e unic si de sine statator. Calitatea variaza dar efectul intregului este minunat.

E1: Lot 36: Elementele horror nu apar decat spre final, dar fascinatia ocultului si personajele tridimensionale mentin interesul in continuu.

Regia:  Guillermo Navarro 

Cu: Tim Blake Nelson, Sebastian Roché, Elpidia Carrillo, Demetrius Grosse

Rating: 9/10

E2: Graveyard Rats: Perioada istorica in care e fixata povestea devine o atractie in sine iar atentia pentru detaliu este de admirat. Comicul gotic este parte din farmec.

Regia:  Vincenzo Natali 

Cu: David Hewlett, Alexander Eling, Ish Morris, Cory Bertrand

Rating: 9/10

E3: The Autopsy: Un mister de elucidat, imbracat in suspans si curiozitate palpabile si un dialog intre personaje demn de un film noir si sinistru.

Regia:  David Prior 

Cu: F. Murray Abraham, Glynn Turman, Luke Roberts, Dan Beirne

Rating: 10/10

E4: The Outside: Aminteste de The Society ca stil si fundal, dar nu sare in evidenta decat poate prin curajul actritei principale de a intruchipa personajul.

Regia:  Ana Lily Amirpour 

Cu: Kate Micucci, Martin Starr, Dan Stevens, Kylee Evans

Rating: 6/10

E5: Pickman's Model: Un aer gotic interesant si arta amenintatoare. Imaginatia devine realitate iar socul finalului este ca realitatea a fost mereu inspaimantatoare dar am ales sa fim ignoranti.

Regia:  Keith Thomas 

Cu: Ben Barnes, Crispin Glover, Oriana Leman, Seamus Patterson

Rating: 8/10

E6: Dreams in the Witch House: Personaje si entitati din imaginatia lui HP Lovecraft prind viata in aceasta adaptare inflorita. O adaptare asemanatoare face parte din volumul 1 din Masters of Horror, dar versiunea curenta este net superioara, mai ales prin accesul la efecte moderne si un buget bogat.

Regia:  Catherine Hardwicke

Cu: Rupert Grint, Ismael Cruz Cordova, DJ Qualls, Nia Vardalos

Rating: 7/10

E7: The Viewing: Ecoul anilor '80 este prezent in fiece clipa, vixzual dar si auditiv. Pana si alegerea subiectului si a misterului din final. Bine facut, dar isi pierde audienta prin aroganta.

Regia:  Panos Cosmatos  

Cu: Peter Weller, Steve Agee, Eric André, Sofia Boutella

Rating: 6/10

E8: The Murmuring: O poveste dramatica ce atinge unde trebuie, cu o atmosfera de groaza gotica si fantome melodramatice.

Regia:  Jennifer Kent 

Cu: Essie Davis, Andrew Lincoln, Greg Ellwand, Daxton William Lund

Rating: 8/10

Regia:  Diversi   (vezi mai sus)

Productie:  Netflix   

Creator:  Guillermo del Toro   

Durata:  1 sezoane de 8 episoade (1 ora fiecare)  

Cu: Diversi (vezi mai sus)

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022– )

Guillermo del Toro introduces each episode from an anthology series for which he gathered stories and talents to bring them to life.

"Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities" is an anthology series where each episode is unique and independent. The quality varies but the overall effect is wonderful.

E1: Lot 36: The horror elements only appear towards the end, but the fascination of the occult and the three-dimensional characters keep the interest going.

Director:  Guillermo Navarro 

With: Tim Blake Nelson, Sebastian Roché, Elpidia Carrillo, Demetrius Grosse

Rating: 9/10

E2: Graveyard Rats: The historical period in which the story is set becomes an attraction in itself and the attention to detail is admirable. The gothic humor is part of the charm.

Director:  Vincenzo Natali 

With: David Hewlett, Alexander Eling, Ish Morris, Cory Bertrand

Rating: 9/10

E3: The Autopsy: A mystery to be solved, draped in palpable suspense and curiosity and a dialogue between characters worthy of a sinister film noir.

Director:  David Prior 

With: F. Murray Abraham, Glynn Turman, Luke Roberts, Dan Beirne

Rating: 10/10

E4: The Outside: It reminds one of The Society in terms of style and background, but it mainly stands out due of the courage of the main actress to embody the character.

Director:  Ana Lily Amirpour 

With: Kate Micucci, Martin Starr, Dan Stevens, Kylee Evans

Rating: 6/10

E5: Pickman's Model: An interesting gothic air and menacing art. Imagination becomes reality and the shock of the ending is that reality was always frightening but we just choose to be ignorant.

Director:  Keith Thomas 

With: Ben Barnes, Crispin Glover, Oriana Leman, Seamus Patterson

Rating: 8/10

E6: Dreams in the Witch House: Characters and entities from the imagination of HP Lovecraft come to life in this embelished adaptation. A similar adaptation has been done in Volume 1 of Masters of Horror, but the newer version is clearly superior, especially through the access to modern effects and a rich budget.

Director:  Catherine Hardwicke

With: Rupert Grint, Ismael Cruz Cordova, DJ Qualls, Nia Vardalos

Rating: 7/10

E7: The Viewing: The echo of the 80s is present at every moment, visually but also, and especially in the audio. Even in the choice of the subject and the mystery revealed at the end. Well made, but it loses its audience due to arrogance, the main cause of the dragged-out story.

Director:  Panos Cosmatos  

With: Peter Weller, Steve Agee, Eric André, Sofia Boutella

Rating: 6/10

E8: The Murmuring: A dramatic story that hits all the right spots, with a nice gothic horror athmosphere and melodramatic ghosts.

Director:  Jennifer Kent 

With: Essie Davis, Andrew Lincoln, Greg Ellwand, Daxton William Lund

Rating: 8/10

Director:  Various   (see above)

Production:  Netflix   

Creator:  Guillermo del Toro   

Duration:  1 season of 8 episodes (1 hour each)  

With: Various   (see above)

Rating: 9/10