The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

Nick Cage superstarul este acostat de CIA pentru a-i ajuta sa captureze pe Javi - capetenie de cartel si cel mai mare fan al sau.

'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' este o comedie de actiune in care Nicolas Cage se parodiaza pe sine insusi. Umorul este prezent dar nu in cantitatile asteptate, iar cea mai buna parte a intregului este prezenta lui Pedro Pascal care este adorabil in rolul lui Javi

Regia:  Tom Gormican   

Cu: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, Sharon Horgan, Sharon Horgan, Neil Patrick Harris, Lily Mo Sheen, Ike Barinholtz

Rating: 6/10

Also available in English

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

Superstar Nick Cage is approached by the CIA to help them capture Javi - cartel boss and his biggest fan.

'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' is an action comedy in which Nicolas Cage parodies himself. The humor is present but not in the expected quantities, and the best part of the whole thing is the presence of Pedro Pascal who is adorable in the role of Javi

Director:  Tom Gormican   

With: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, Sharon Horgan, Sharon Horgan, Neil Patrick Harris, Lily Mo Sheen, Ike Barinholtz

Rating: 6/10

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016–2017)

Dirk Gently e un detectiv holistic ce investigheaza cazuri misterioase, interactionand cu personaje foarte interesante.

'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency' este un serial comedie SF, un fel de Doctor Who ce nu se oboseste sa incerce sa inventeze o stiinta logica, totul fiind despre caracterizari de personaje, interactiunea lor si regulile misterioase ale hazardului si soarta. Fantezie, nonsens, elemente SF, scepticism si chiar si idiotenie bine plasata, toate isi gasesc loc si rost in intamplarile fara plictis din serial.

Regia:  Michael Patrick Jann si altii   

Productie:  BBC America   

Creator:  Max Landis  

Durata:  2 sezoane de 8 si respectiv 10 episoade (1 ora fiecare)   

Cu: Samuel Barnett, Elijah Wood, Hannah Marks, Jade Eshete, Fiona Dourif, Michael Eklund, John Hannah, Aaron Douglas, Alan Tudyk, Julian McMahon, Amanda Walsh

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016–2017)

Dirk Gently is a holistic detective who investigates mysterious cases, interacting with very interesting characters.

'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency' is a sci-fi comedy series, a kind of Doctor Who that never bothers trying to invent a logical-sounding science, everything being about poeple characterizations, their interaction and the mysterious rules of chance and fate. Fantasy, nonsense, sci-fi elements, skepticism and even well-placed idiocy, all find their place and purpose in the non-boring events of the series.

Director:  Michael Patrick Jann and others   

Production:  BBC America   

Creator:  Max Landis  

Duration:  2 seasons of 8 and 10 episodes (1 hour each)   

With: Samuel Barnett, Elijah Wood, Hannah Marks, Jade Eshete, Fiona Dourif, Michael Eklund, John Hannah, Aaron Douglas, Alan Tudyk, Julian McMahon, Amanda Walsh

Rating: 9/10

The Baytown Outlaws (2012)

Trei frati de caracter problematic ajuta o femeie sa isi salveze nepotul de fostul partener.

'The Baytown Outlaws' e un thriller-comedie ce aminteste de stilul lui Robert Rodriguez dar mai ponosit si ponderat. Are o distributie interesanta si cantitatea de personaje cu caractere gri este un atu ce ridica proportia de entertainment.

Regia:  Barry Battles     

Cu: Billy Bob Thornton, Eva Longoria, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Clayne Crawford

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

The Baytown Outlaws (2012)

Three morally gray brothers help a woman save her godson from her ex-partner.

"The Baytown Outlaws" is a thriller-comedy reminiscent of Robert Rodriguez's style but more shabby and tamed. It has an interesting cast and the proportion of morally gray characters is an asset that usually increases the entertainment ratio.

Director:  Barry Battles     

With: Billy Bob Thornton, Eva Longoria, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Clayne Crawford, Travis Fimmel, Andre Braugher, Paul Wesley, Michael Rapaport, Zoë Bell

Rating: 8/10

Dune: Part One (2021)

O familie primeste sarcina de a guverna planeta ce produce cea mai importanta resursa naturala, dar miscarea are motive ascunse si forteaza mostenitorul familiei in a-si asuma responsabilitati timpurii.

'Dune: Part One' este prima parte dintr-o ecranizare noua a preaiubitului roman SF. Mai moderna si negrabita decat varianta lui David Lynch (sau varianta TV de la inceputul secolului), filmul curent beneficiaza de prezenta unuia dintre cei mai talentati regizori curenti, ce are rabdarea si ambitia necesara pentru a reda seria asa cum merita. Distributia este plina de talent mare, cinematografia este superba iar misterul si intriga lumii prezentate si misticismul ei sunt pe deplin accentuate.

Regia:  Denis Villeneuve   

Cu: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Golda Rosheuvel

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

Dune: Part One (2021)

A family is given the task of governing the planet that produces the most important natural resource, but the movement has ulterior motives and forces the heir of the family to assume early responsibilities.

'Dune: Part One' is the first part of a new adaptation of the beloved sci-fi novel. More modern and unrushed than David Lynch's version (or the TV version from the beginning of the century), the current film benefits from the presence of one of the most talented current directors, who has the patience and ambition necessary to do the seriesjustice. The cast is full of great talent, the cinematography is superb and the mystery and intrigue of the world building and its mysticism are fully given their due.

Director:  Denis Villeneuve   

With: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Golda Rosheuvel

Rating: 9/10

X (2022)

O echipa de producatori de filme pentru adulti alege ca locatie casa de inchiriat a unui cuplu de batrani.

'X' este un film horror de tip slasher. Are o introducere destul de lunga in care toate personajele ce participa in filmari sunt introduse si interactioneaza prelungit, iar la un moment dat, ca la activarea unui switch, filmul isi schimba vocea si trece pe slasher. 

X a primit multe laude anul trecut, probabil mai mult pentru faptul ca e un produs A24, dar punctul forte al filmului e jocul tuturor implicati (mai ales Brittany Snow), in rest nu e impresionant.

Regia:  Ti West   

Cu: Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, Kid Cudi

Rating: 7/10

Also available in English

X (2022)

A team of film makers thar produce adult films chooses the rental house of an elderly couple as a filming location.

'X' is a slasher horror film. It has a rather long introduction in which all the characters participating in the adult filming are introduced and interact for a long time, and at a certain moment, as if activating a switch, the film changes its voice and switches to slasher.

X received a lot of praise last year, probably more for the fact that it is an A24 product, but the main strength of the film is the sum of the performances of everyone involved (especially Brittany Snow), otherwise it it's not that special.

Director:  Ti West   

With: Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, Kid Cudi

Rating: 7/10

Barbarian (2022)

Doi calatori sunt accidental cazati in aceeasi vila Airbnb, dar locatia ascunde secrete vechi.

'Barbarian' e un film horror ce amesteca elemente slasher, mister si monster feature. Misterul si intriga sunt interesante, suspansul e decent, jocul actoricesc acceptabil, dar povestea are unele elemente cam trase de par, dar in mare functioneaza ca ceea ce se doreste a fi.

Regia:  Zach Cregger     

Cu: Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long, Matthew Patrick Davis

Rating: 7/10

Also available in English

Barbarian (2022)

Two travelers are accidentally accommodated in the same Airbnb villa, but the location hides old secrets.

"Barbarian" is a horror film that mixes elements of slasher, mystery and monster feature. The mystery and plot are interesting, the suspense is decent, the acting is acceptable, but the story has some far-fetched elements, but in general it works as it's meant to be.

Director:  Zach Cregger     

With: Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long, Matthew Patrick Davis, Richard Brake

Rating: 7/10

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)

Harley Quinn ajutata de Black Canary, Huntress si politista care o urmareste incearca sa salveze o fetita de un sef interlop.

'Birds of Prey' e o urmare/spinoff dupa Suicide Squad ce nu era necesara. Fanii lui Margot Robbie vor fi fericiti. Filmul e dragut dar usor de uitat.

Regia:  Cathy Yan  

Cu: Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Ewan McGregor, Chris Messina, Ali Wong

Rating: 7/10

Also available in English

Moon Knight (2022)

Steven descopera ca are personalitate multipla, inclusiv un Marc ce are puteri supranaturale prin prisma unui zeu egiptean.

'Moon Night' e un serial din universul Marvel, ce nu pare sa aiba vreo legatura directa cu restul eroilor bine cunoscuti. Original, adesea comic, serialul reuseste sa fie atragator fara a ajunge sa fie plictisitor aidoma filmelor mai mari.. Oscar Isaac este minunat in rolul cu personalitati multiple si foarte diferite.

Regia:  Mohamed Diab si altii   

Productie:  Disney  

Creator:  Doug Moench   

Durata: 1 sezon de 6 episoade (42-50 minute fiecare)  

Cu: Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke, May Calamawy, Michael Benjamin Hernandez

Rating: 7.9/10

Also available in English

The Invitation (2022)

O tanara americana isi regaseste rudele de sange care apoi o invita la o nunta in mijlocul familiei, in Anglia.

'The Invitation' e un film de groaza in stil al monstruilor clasici, aproape Hammer. Povestea este romantata intr-un mod credibil, vizual modernizata, si cu o a doua jumatate plina de actiune si satisfactie.

Regia:  Jessica M. Thompson  

Cu: Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Sean Pertwee, Hugh Skinner, Alana Boden, Stephanie Corneliussen

Rating: 7.8/10

Also available in English

Stowaway (2021)

O misiune spre Marte cu un echipaj de 3 persoane trece prin alegeri dificile dupa ce un pasager accidental este descoperit.

'Stowaway' este un film SF cu o intriga si desfasurare dramatice. Cu o distributie de admirat, filmul reuseste sa mentina suspansul si tensiunea emotionala la nivele inalte. Unii il declara un slow-burn, dar motivele sunt neintemeiate, deoarece nici un moment nu a fost risipit. Masura de suspans este poate mai mare decat ar trebui, probabil pentru a maximiza efectul emotional, dar filmul e cu siguranta o experienta de exceptie.

Regia:  Joe Penna     

Cu: Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, Toni Collette

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Stowaway (2021)

A mission to Mars with a crew of 3 faces difficult choices after an accidental passenger is discovered.

'Stowaway' is a sci-fi film with a dramatic plot and development. With an admirable cast, the film manages to maintain the suspense and emotional tension at high levels. Some label it a slow-burn, but their reasoning is unfounded, because not a single moment was wasted. The amount of thrills is perhaps higher than it should be, probably to maximize the emotional effect, but the film is definitely an exceptional experience.

Director:  Joe Penna     

With: Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, Toni Collette

Rating: 8/10

Doraibu mai kâ / Drive My Car (2021)

Un actor ce si-a pierdut sotia este angajat sa regizeze o productie a Unchiul Vanea intr-o locatie unde ii este atribuit un sofer permanent.

'Drive My Car' e un film de succes, bazat pe o povestire de Haruki Murakami. Are o dezvoltare inceata, ce nu va fi pe placul multora, in ciuda cinematografiei de admirat (ceva ce nu poate duce in spate un film intreg doar in sine), uz de mult simbolism si dureaza 3 ore. Are la baza o multitudine de sentimente ca regret cauzat de lipsa de comunicare in ciuda unui front comun, regret, regret si .. indurerare, precum si un contrast interesant unde doua persoane complet diferite, reusesc sa comunice si sa se inteleaga aproape fara efort. Paralela cu punerea in scena a piesei de teatru cu un amestec de indivizi ce nu se inteleg unii pe altii (unii vorbesc doar japoneza, unii doar coreeana, altii doar limbajul semnelor) si care reuseste sa fie un succes aproape armonios este iar interesanta.

Regia:  Ryûsuke Hamaguchi   

Cu: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Tôko Miura, Reika Kirishima, Masaki Okada

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Doraibu mai kâ / Drive My Car (2021)

An actor who lost his wife is hired to direct a production of Uncle Vania in a location where he is assigned a driver.

'Drive My Car' is a successful film based on a story by Haruki Murakami. It has a slow development, which will not be to the liking of many, despite the admirable cinematography (something that cannot support an entire film by itself), uses a lot of symbolism and lasts 3 hours. It is built around a multitude of feelings such as regret caused by the lack of communication despite a common front, and regret, regret and .. grief, as well as an interesting contrast of that to the case where two completely different people (the 2 main characters) manage to communicate and understand each other almost effortlessly. The parallel with staging the theatre play with a mixture of individuals who do not understand each other (some speak only Japanese, some only Korean, others only sign language) and which manages to be an almost harmonious success is again interesting.

Director:  Ryûsuke Hamaguchi   

With: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Tôko Miura, Reika Kirishima, Masaki Okada

Rating: 8/10

Till Death (2021)

Un sot incornorat isi pedepseste sotia lasand-o atasata cu catuse de cadavrul sau.

'Till Death' e un thriller comercial ce bifeaza destule casute pentru a fi foarte entertaining. Megan Fox e potrivita in rol si il duce in spinare cu succes.

Regia:  S.K. Dale    

Cu: Megan Fox, Eoin Macken, Callan Mulvey, Jack Roth

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Till Death (2021)

A betrayed husband punishes his wife by leaving her handcuffed to his corpse.

'Till Death' is a commercial thriller that ticks enough boxes to be very entertaining. Megan Fox is suitable for the role and carries it successfully.

Director:  S.K. Dale    

With: Megan Fox, Eoin Macken, Callan Mulvey, Jack Roth

Rating: 8/10

The Menu (2022)

Un cuplu calatoreste pe o insula unde un club de gurmanzi exclusivisti au experienta unei cine de renume.

'The Menu' e un thriller ce aminteste de obsesia serialului Hannibal pentru estetica gatitului, cu reguli stricte si consistente despre ce este vina, ce este vinovat, ce este gresit, si care sunt actiunile potrivite pentru fiecare tip de neajuns, amintind uneori despre codul Bushido, unde onoarea este esenta unei persoane. Interesant, neobisnuit si neasteptat, filmul e frumos dus in spate de protagonistii principali si grupul lor de suport.

Regia:  Mark Mylod       

Cu: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

The Menu (2022)

A couple travels to an island where a club of exclusive gourmands experience a prestigious dinner.

'The Menu' is a thriller that reminds one of the predominant obsession of the Hannibal series for the aesthetics of cooking, with strict and consistent rules about what is blame, what is guilty, what is wrong, and what are the appropriate actions for each type of failure, sometimes seeming similar to the Bushido code, where honor is the essence of a person. Interesting, unusual and unexpected, the film is beautifully supported by the main protagonists and their supporting actors group.

Director:  Mark Mylod       

With: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau

Rating: 9/10

Knock at the Cabin (2023)

O familie in vacanta este sechestrata de 4 straini care cer un sacrificiu pentru a salva lumea de la propriul sfarsit.

'Knock at the Cabin' e un film mister/horror de M. Night Shyamalan. Cu cateva fete celebre, si un mister anuntat, filmul reuseste sa fie vag si incet cand nu era necesar, exagerat de dramatic si totusi consistent in imperfectiunile lui.

Regia:  M. Night Shyamalan    

Cu: Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird

Rating: 6/10

Also available in English

Knock at the Cabin (2023)

A family on vacation is house invaded by 4 strangers who ask for a willing sacrifice in order to save the world from its own end.

'Knock at the Cabin' is a mystery/horror film by M. Night Shyamalan. With a few famous faces, and an announced mystery, the film manages to be vague and slow when it wasn't necessary, overly dramatic and yet consistent in its imperfections.

Director:  M. Night Shyamalan    

With: Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rupert Grint

Rating: 6/10

Behind Her Eyes (2021)

Louise incepe o relatie adultera cu seful sau dar in acelasi timp se apropie de sotia acestuia, ce are un trecut misterios.

'Behind Her Eyes' e o ecranizare dupa un roman de mister ce eventual adauga un pic de supranatural. Miniseria are un aer misterios, bine intretinut, cu o intriga ce atrage, dar cumva explicatia din final se simte ca o inselare a privitorului, deoarece amestecul de elemente supranaturale nu era evident de asteptat. Bine jucat si interesant

Regia:  Erik Richter Strand   

Productie:  Netflix   

Creator:  Steve Lightfoot   

Durata:  1 sezon/miniserie (4 ore 58 minute in total)  

Cu: Simona Brown, Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman, Robert Aramayo

Rating: 7/10

Also available in English

Behind Her Eyes (2021)

Louise starts an adulterous relationship with her boss, but at the same time gets close to his wife, who has a mysterious past.

'Behind Her Eyes' is an adaptation of a mystery novel which adds a bit of the supernatural towards the end. The miniseries has a mysterious air, well maintained, with an intriguing plot, but somehow the explanation at the end feels like cheating to the viewer, because the mixture of supernatural elements was not expected in an obvious way in the initial attention grabbing. Well acted and interesting enough

Director:  Erik Richter Strand   

Production:  Netflix   

Creator:  Steve Lightfoot   

Duration:  1 season/miniseries (4 hours 58 minutes in total)  

With: Simona Brown, Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman, Robert Aramayo

Rating: 7/10

Black Books (2000–2004)

Bernard Black detine o librarie, dar nu are talent pentru relatii cu clientii si il angajeaza pe Manny ca ajutor.

'Black Books' e un sitcom britanic popular. Umorul este tipic britanic, bine scris, original si in proportii generoase, personajele sunt usor de apreciat si placut iar situatiile sunt variate de la foarte ridicol la in ridicol decent.

Regia:  Martin Dennis si altii  

Productie:  Channel 4  

Creator:  Dylan Moran   

Durata: 3 sezoane a cate 6 episoade (25 minute fiecare)   

Cu: Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig, Paul Beech

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

We Summon the Darkness (2019)

Trei prietene apropiate conduc intr-un road-trip catre un festival heavy metal de unde aduna prieteni noi pentru o petrecere la casa de vacanta a parintilor.

'We Summon the Darkness' e un film de groaza ce se vrea in stil clasic, al anilor '80, dar nu reuseste sa prinda aura prea bine. Povestea nu e imprevizibila si nici prea bine scrisa, dar aerul neserios ii da sansa de a parea cat de cat comedie neagra, cu ceva masura de fun.

Regia:  Marc Meyers    

Cu: Alexandra Daddario, Keean Johnson, Maddie Hasson, Amy Forsyth

Rating: 6/10

Also available in English

The Empty Man (2020)

Un fost politist investigheaza disparitia unei adolescente dar gaseste dovezi ale unei conspiratii misterioase.

'The Empty Man' e un film horror-mister. Misterul exista din abundenta, este intretinut bine, aproape deloc dezvaluit, efectul usor frustrant. Partea de horror exista, dar nu este in stilul ieftin, obisnuit, ceea ce ajuta si nu ajuta. Filmul e bine facut, dar un slow burn in adevaratul sens al cuvantului.

Regia:  David Prior      

Cu: James Badge Dale, Marin Ireland, Sasha Frolova, Samantha Logan

Rating: 7/10

Also available in English

The Empty Man (2020)

A former policeman investigates the disappearance of a teenage girl but finds evidence of a mysterious conspiracy.

'The Empty Man' is a horror-mystery film. The mystery exists in abundance, it is well maintained, hardly ever revealed, the effect slightly frustrating. The horror part is there, but it's not in the cheap, usual style, which helps and doesn't help at the same time. The film is well made, but a slow burn in the true sense of the word.

Director:  David Prior      

With: James Badge Dale, Marin Ireland, Sasha Frolova, Samantha Logan

Rating: 7/10