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

Oscar and Lucinda (1997)

In the 19th century, an Anglican gambling addict meets an Australian heiress with the same vice.

'Oscar and Lucinda' is a romantic drama with a playful air, clever dialogue, fascinating characters and an unusual ending. The two main protagonists are wonderful as usual, and their chemistry is incredible and incredibly awkward at the same time. The film abounds in subtle humor and yet the dramatic overall effect is undeniable.

Director:  Gillian Armstrong   

With: Ralph Fiennes, Cate Blanchett, Ciarán Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Richard Roxburgh, Geoffrey Rush

Rating: 9/10

Wag The Dog (1997)

A spin doctor is assembling a team that includes a Hollywood producer in order to set up fake news meant to distract the public from a scandal involving the president shortly before the election.

'Wag The Dog' is a delight from start to finish. With first-hand actors working as a great team, the film is a political satire that still remains relevant more than 20 years after its release. The manipulation the characters put in place is well thought out and, the more obvious and ridiculous it is, the more subtle and efficient it actually is in highlighting the human weaknesses that are cleverly hidden under the necessary exaggerations.

Director:  Barry Levinson   

With: Robert de Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Anne heche, Woody Harrelson, Denis Leary, Willie Nelson, Kirsten Dunst

Rating: 9/10

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Intr-o lume in care monstrii sunt reali, o adolescenta tipica se adapteaza destinului de a fi cea aleasa pentru a distruge specia vampirica.

Un serial cult ce a definit o intreaga generatie. Plin de aventuri, intr-o combinatie minunata de elemente horror si comedie, are tot ce ii trebuie pentru a atrage toate gusturile.

Eroina atipica face parte dintr-un grup de prieteni adolescenti ce impreuna trec prin toate problemele specifice varstei intre luptele cu monstrii mai mult sau mai putin feroce, sub veghea bibliotecarului britanic plin de intelepciune. Plin de imaginatie, cu un dialog plin de potentiale citate, serialul a ajutat si fascinat generatia de la finele anilor '90 prin manevrarea unor subiecte populare ca probleme de adaptare, recunoasterea de responsabilitati precoce, cunoastere de sine, orientare sexuala si umorul ca forma de aparare fara a se lua prea in serios.

Creator: Joss Whedon   

Cu:  Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head, James Marsters, David Boreanaz, Eliza Dushku, Michelle Trachtenberg, Emma Caulfield Ford, Charisma Carpenter, Amber Benson, Seth Green, Marc Blucas

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

Contact (1997)

Am revazut cu deosebita placere aceasta mica bijuterie a copilariei mele. Departe de a fi subtil, el prezinta totusi complet benign o paralela interesanta intre credinta religioasa si obiectivul stiintific(sub alta forma de credinta) ca un laitmotiv ce apare sub diferite forme pe parcursul peliculei. 

Complet pacifist, nici o optiune nu este criticata, singura intentie parand a fi evidentierea punctele slabe si celor puternice ale amandurora in acelasi timp. Jodie Foster duce foarte credibil in spinare un rol neasteptat de generator de empatie, cu multa forta, energie si convingere. Niciodata nu a parut slabiciunea umana mai minunata.

Regie: Robert Zemeckis

Scenariu: Carl Sagan (roman), Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan (story), James V. Hart, Michael Goldenberg (scenariu)

Cu: Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Jena Malone, David Morse, William Fichtner, Tom Skerritt