Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

A child witness to a crime becomes the protégé of a specialist in survival and containment of forest fires.

"Those Who Wish Me Dead" is a thriller of a classic formula: the bad guys are very bad and obvious, even if slightly interesting, and the good guys are spotless and aren't aware of it. Despite the overused stereotypes, the film also has original ideas, an unusual context rooted in real life facts and warms the heart exactly as much as it should.

Director:  Taylor Sheridan   

With: Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Finn Little, Jon Bernthal, Aidan Gillen, Jake Weber, Tyler Perry

Rating: 8/10

By the Sea (2015)

A couple chooses to stay in a hotel in France so that he can write and they can recover their spark together.

'By The Sea' is a drama directed by the protagonist Angelina Jolie and has a very personal note considering the real and publicized drama of the marriage of the two. The film has depth and credibility and the comparison of the two couples: one with experience and a newly married couple has its place in a film that analyzes the degradation of relationships (maybe a little too much). It's not for everyone.

Director:  Angelina Jolie    

With: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Mélanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud

Rating: 7/10

Eternals (2021)

Eternals are a race of immortal aliens with powers of gods who were sent to Earth to defend the humans against their ancient enemies - the Deviants.

'Eternals' is another fantasy action movie set in the vast universe that is the Marvel Universe. The story is interesting but only just warm, but it is a welcome  change from all the attention paid to the infallible Avengers & Co. The cas is quite interesting and varied and the interest for a sequel is considerable and genuine.

Director:  Chloé Zhao   

With: Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Kit Harington, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Bill Skarsgård

Rating: 7/10

Taking Lives (2004)

An FBI peofiler is assisting the Canadian police following some serial killings in which the perpetrator steals the victims' identities.

"Taking Lives" is a forensic investigation thriller with some melodramatic moments. It involves a dream cast, and yet the film cannot refrain from a few weak spots when it comes to logic and natural reactions. The idea is interesting though.

Director:  D.J. Caruso   

With: Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, Kiefer Sutherland, Olivier Martinez, Tchéky Karyo, Paul Dano, Gena Rowlands

Rating: 7/10

The Tourist (2010)

Complet plat si fara sare si piper, filmul arata ca nu este de ajuns sa aduci doua vedete prea ridicate in slavi (nu ca nu ar merita, dar se invata sa fie apreciate fara sa depuna nici un efort) in istoria recenta, fara pic de chimie in asocierea lor, sa pui de o intriga gaurita, intr-un decor ce prin vechimea si popularitatea sa cantareste greu in masurarea cliseelor, si sa te astepti sa iti rezulte un nou "How To Steal a Million". Nu e sarcina usoara si cei implicati ar face bine sa isi aminteasca de ce si-au ales bransa asta. Cel mai merituos din intreg ansamblul s-a dovedit Paul Bettany, care desi intr-un rol in penumbra, arata ca stie sa pretuiasca minimul de teren de desfasurare alocat. De evitat!

Regie: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Scenariu: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, Christopher McQuarrie
Cu: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, Rufus Sewell

Salt (2010)

Film curat, entertaining, dar care nu prea iese din zona safe cu nimic iesit in evidenta, in afara de o scena de executie excelent ... executata. In rest e oarecum banal desi in nici un caz la fel de banal cum te astepti in primele 10 minute. Angelina isi duce cu succes rolul in spate, banalul nefiind defel vina ei, rol incarcat totusi cu o oarecare neverosimilitate care nu a insotit-o in partituri mai vechi cum ar fi cea din Wanted.

Regia: Phillip Noyce
Scenariul: Kurt Wimmer
Cu: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor