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