Tenet (2020)

The Protagonist, a CIA agent, is recruited in an espionage mission with the aim of avoiding a new world conflict, and only one word is given to him - Tenet.

'Tenet' is Christopher Nolan's latest film, and as usual, a film belonging to a miriad of genres. In short, 'Tenet' is an espionage thriller with (at least) one temporal paradox. Fans of any of the 3 aspects will be satisfied spectators, because the director skillfully juggles the requirements of each and every one. The visual and temporal choreography is flawless and impressive, making the film a real artistic and commercial success.

Director:  Christopher Nolan   

With: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Juhan Ulfsak, Clémence Poésy, Josh Stewart, Martin Donovan, Michael Caine, Andrew Howard

Rating: 9/10

The Night Manager (2016)

The night manager of a hotel in Cairo is affected by a dramatic event, and continues on with completely changing his life trying to infiltrate the inner circle of the arms dealer who caused said event.

A dramatic miniseries with spy films elements, based on a novel by John le Carré. It starts strong, perfectly plausible, it creates the appeal for the audience through the use of well-written characters with strong traits. Unfortunately, towards the ending, it loses a bit of traction and involvement, but it doesn't completely cancel the story, it just loses some of its initial charm.

Director:  Susanne Bier   

Production:  AMC   

Creator:  David Farr   

Duration:  one miniseries of 6 episodes (1 hour each)   

With: Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie, Tom Hollander, Tobias Menzies

Rating: 7/10

The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

In space to find a solution to the energy crisis, a team of researchers find themselves in an unexpected situation when a test accident moves them into a duplicate universe.

A Sci-Fi thriller film that works well on its own but also as a component of the Cloverfield trilogy, with a story that serves as the origin for the context of the 3 (very different) films. The idea is interesting, the execution is coherent and the action is exciting enough and the team of actors is well chosen, including some fan favorites (like Chris O'Dowd and Ziyi Zhang).

Director:  Julius Onah      

With: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Oyelowo, Daniel Brühl, John Ortiz, Chris O'Dowd, Ziyi Zhang, Elizabeth Debicki, Donal Logue, Simon Pegg (voice)

Rating: 8/10

Widows (2018)

Vaduvele unor criminali de cariera decid sa puna in miscare planul acestora pentru un ultim jaf.

Widows este o drama si un film tip heist, cu mult accent pe dramatic. Personajele sunt bogat caracterizate, dialogul este antrenant, intriga functioneaza, dar in final rezulta intr-un film cam inegal si dezorganizat, in couda numelor mari asociate cu productia. Finalul se doreste de tip twist dar e cam dezamagitor sau partial dezamagitor.

Regia:  Steve McQueen     

Cu: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Jon Bernthal, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell,  Liam Neeson

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

Macbeth (2015)

Macbeth, o capetenie locala scotiana, incepe sa aiba ambitii neortodoxe dupa ce primeste prevestiri de la trei vrajitoare legate de devenirea sa ca rege al Scotiei.

O ecranizare minunata a celebrei tragedii Shakesperiene. Desi toata lumea vorbeste in rima, autenticitatea te loveste la fiecare scena, fie ea de lupta fie de monolog depresiv. Vorbit in engleza Evului Mediu, e recomandata vizionarea cu subtitrare in engleza, deoarece limba lui Shakespeare - ceea de zi cu zi la vremea ei - include multe cuvinte arhaice si prescurtari de cuvinte pentru a pastra ritmul liric. 

Personajele principale comit fapte fara scuza, dar producatorii au decis sa le creeze un context ce ar putea explica starea mentala a acestora cand au ales calea negativa: Macbeth si sotia sa isi ingroapa un copil in prima scena din film. Dar apoi continuie cu evolutia mentala prescrisa de Shakespeare: paranoia si vinovatie fara limita ce sunt palpabile si reusesc sa traverseze bariera ecranului.

Regia: Justin Kurzel

Cu: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Paddy Considine, David Thewlis, Sean Harris, David Hayman, Elizabeth Debicki

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English