Amour (2012)

The love of Georges and Anne is tested when, at the age of 80, Anne has a stroke, after which she remains completely physically dependent on her husband.

'Amour' is a realistic, and very emotionally rough drama, which demonstrates the unforgiving flip side even in the case of a suitable, cultured couple who love each other deeply and sincerely. The two protagonists are wonderful in their role, another big role added to a career that can only be described as impressive, almost right before leaving this world (Emmanuelle Riva died 5 years later and Jean-Louis Trintignant in 2022).

Director: Michael Haneke 

With: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud

Rating: 9/10

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

Elementary (2012–2019)

Sherlock Holmes is a detective in the present New York and is helped by Watson in controlling his drug addiction.

'Elementary' is a modern reimagining of the pair of detectives formed by Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, in which Sherlock is a drug addict and Watson a woman. The tandem of the two and the chemistry of the actors work perfectly in the new recipe and the cleverness of the cases and the staging of the investigations are all elements that maintain the quality of the entire series at a high and constant level. To such an extent that those who have tasted Elementary will no longer be able to look at something like Criminal Minds with the same eyes.

Director:  Guy Ferland and others

Production:  CBS   

Creator:  Robert Doherty   

Duration:  7 seasons of 13-24 episodes (1 hour each)  

With: Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, Aidan Quinn, Jon Michael Hill, John Noble, Ophelia Lovibond, Nelsan Ellis, Desmond Harrington, James Frain, Rhys Ifans, Natalie Dormer, Betty Gilpin

Rating: 9/10

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Beca, passionate about DJ-ing, joins the Bellas group and participates in competitions between universities.

'Pitch Perfect' is a musical comedy with teenagers. It's become a series in the meantime, and the film is very popular and offers light entertaining with very well done musical moments. In terms of a story though, there's nothing special about it, it's quite mundane and derivative.

Director:  Jason Moore     

With: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Adam Devine

Rating: 6/10

The Master (2012)

Un veteran instabil si cu stress post-traumatic intalneste un suflet cu care rezoneaza in persoana carismatica a liderului Cauzei. 

O drama marca Paul Thomas Anderson, ceea ce inseamna intensitate, personaje cu un caracter chestionabil, interpretari variate, cinematogafie in tonuri reci si contraste tangibile, cu un efect coloristic daramator. Philip Seymour Hoffman este o prezenta care fura scena, dar forta jocului lui Joaquin Phoenix este imposibil de trecut cu vederea (un lucru fals din punctul de vedere al Premiilor Academiei se pare, deoarece nu a primit Oscarul pentru care a fost nominalizat in 2013, acesta mergand la Daniel Day-Lewis). Abilitatea acestuia de a portretiza personaje antipatice, victime a multiple lupte interne si o intensitate a expresiei ce taie este aproape de nedescris. Povestea in sine este interesanta, oferind o bucatica de istorie, usor inflorita, ce se bazeaza pe radacinile Bisericii Scientologice.

Regia:  Paul Thomas Anderson       

Cu: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Doua povesti legate intr-una singura: un cascador pe motocicleta isi incepe o cariera de spargator de banci pentru a avea grija de familie, fapt ce are efecte monumentale asupra vietii unui politist boboc ce ajunge pe urmele sale.

Un concept dramatic foarte interesant ce poate lua spectatorul prin surprindere daca se aventureaza in vizionare in necunostinta de cauza. Bine jucat, original, The Place Beyond The Pines e o poveste interesanta despre diferitele situatii in viata cand optiunile nu sunt un clar alb sau negru, desi poate tendinta e de fapt spre un gri inchis in filmul de fata.

Regia:  Derek Cianfrance    

Cu: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Craig Van Hook

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

Battleship (2012)

O flota navala trebuie sa confrunte pe neasteptate o flota extraterestra.

Blockbuster de actiune ce urmeaza retetele infailibile ale trecutului, fara acelasi succes. Explicatia vine probabil de la lungimea inutila a expozitiunii, lipsa de personaje interesante bine definite, dialogul si contextul pueril. In ceea ce priveste actiunea si efectele speciale, nu e asa de rau.

Interesant: Tadanobu Asano l-a jucat pe Kakihara (antagonistul principal) in Ichi The Killer.

Regia:  Peter Berg    

Cu: Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Rihanna, Hamish Linklater, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

Cockneys vs Zombies (2012)

Doi frati jefuiesc o banca in mijlocul unei epidemii de zombie.

Comedie fara pretentii ce nu e interesata de genul horror ci doar de comicul de situatie si ocazia de a crea un dialog amuzant si interesant pentru amatorii de curiozitati lingvistice. Comicul nu te da pe spate dar filmul e distractiv de ajuns.

Regia: Matthias Hoene

Cu: Harry Treadaway, Michelle Ryan, Georgia King, Tony Gardner, Alan Ford, Dudley Sutton, Richard Briers

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

Jack Reacher (2012)

Film in perfect acord cu standardul Tom Cruise al ultimilor ani. Curat, benign, rapid, vindicativ, deznodamant eliberator. Nu se coboara sub asteptari dar nici nu genereaza asteptari teribile sau ecouri ale izbandelor de altadata. Perfect pentru o seara relaxanta in asteptarea unui nou Jack Ryan (contestabil), James Bond sau Jason Bourne (as fi putut spune sau Ethan Hunt, dar conform regulei mai sus mentionate, misiunile imposibile recente se complac din pacate standardului descris).

Regia: Christopher McQuarrie
Scenariu: Christopher McQuarrie, Lee Child (carte)
Cu: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Werner Herzog (huh?!), Richard Jenkins, Robert Duvall (sa spunem...)