American Horror Story 9: 1984 (2019)

Five friends sign up as counselors at a summer camp in 1984.

Season 9 of AHS is based on the style of 80's slasher movies. In order to try and fill an entire season with something so mundane and usually short-lived, the creators mixed the style with a bit of supernatural, twists, and 3 different serial killers, each with their own agenda. More interesting than expected but not enough to make the season worth it.

Director:  Bradley Buecker, Jennifer Lynch and others

Production:  FX Network   

Creator: Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy   

Duration:  season 9 of 9 episodes (1 hour each)   

With: Sarah Paulson, Matthew Morrison, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Emma Roberts, John Carroll Lynch, Angelica Ross, Orla Brady, Zach Villa

Rating: 6/10

American Horror Story 8: Apocalypse (2018)

After a global nuclear attack, a chosen few retreat to underground shelters where the rules are unexpectedly changed.

Season 8 of American Horror Story sees some of the favorites from seasons 1 and 3 reunited in a story that mixes original content (full of apocalyptic elements and an expected Antichrist) with stories from previous seasons (1, 3 and 5). Maybe it's not as strong a season as the ones mentioned, but the continuity and the familiar faces, as well as the gift of a satisfying closure for all create a strong effect that has quite a weight to it.

Director:  Bradley Buecker, jennifer Lynch, Sarah Paulson and others

Production:  FX Network   

Creator: Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy   

Duration:  season 8 of 10 episodes (1 hour each)   

With: Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Billie Lourd, Adina Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Frances Conroy, Leslie Grossman, Emma Roberts, Cody Fern, Kathy Bates, Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Taissa Farmiga

Rating: 8/10

American Horror Story: Cult (2017-2018)

A couple going through turmoil due to anxiety and phobias during an uncertain political climate finds themselves in the middle of events caused by a cult.

'Cult' is the seventh season of American Horror Story. It follows the already well-known recipe in which a single story occupies the entire season, with the chosen theme belonging to a horror subgenre. The present case is a slasher type one with well-established real historical cult influences. As usual, the team is led by the very talented Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters, with a story that takes a while to find its voice, but towards the end it captivates enough. The ending is so and so, but liberating.

Director:  Bradley Buecker, Angela Bassett and others

Production:  FX Network   

Creator: Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy   

Duration:  season 7 with 11 episoade (1 hour each)   

With: Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Billie Lourd, Adina Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Frances Conroy, Leslie Grossman, Emma Roberts, Mare Winningham, Chaz Bono, Alison Pill

Rating: 7/10

The Hunt (2020)

12 strangers wake up in the middle of a forest where they discover without delay that they're about to become the objects of a human hunt.

'The Hunt' is a satirical thriller with slasher accents. It's fast paced, unexpected at the right times, cleverly written, with engaging dialogue and well-written and well-executed action sequences. The main character is delectably brought to life by the wonderful Betty Gilpin, and the whole audience can't help but cheer her both vocally and emotionally. Naturally, the plot has some holes, but that doesn't damage the overall highly satisfying entertainment effect.

Director:  Craig Zobel  

With: Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Ike Barinholtz, Wayne Duvall, Ethan Suplee, Emma Roberts, Steve Coulter

Rating: 9/10

It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

Un adolescent depresiv se interneaza la sectia psihiatrica pentru adulti.

O drama-comedie ce prezinta intr-un mod dulce-amar-dulce diferitele stadii posibile ale unei depresii si puterea unui anturaj ce sprijina. Ideea e interesanta, rezultatul este atragator, desi poate doar prin accentul pe tragi-comedie, producatorii lasand elementele mai realiste pentru acele stadii esentiale in anatomia unui film cand tranzitia catre un dramatic accentuat se cere.

Regia:  Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck   

Cu: Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Dana DeVesterne

Rating: 8/10

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Scream Queens (2015-2016)

Un grup de personaje sunt terorizate de un criminal în serie.

Construit ca o satiră, e o combinație de Gossip Girl și Scream, cu fiecare element foarte exagerat (nu foarte diferit de cele doua surse de inspirație de fapt). Moda este foarte roz, personajele răutăcioase nu au aproape nici o rămășiță de bunătate, stereotipurile (de colegiu american mai ales) sunt ceea ce aștepți să fie dar și mai și. 

Cu doar o mână de personaje plăcute, fiecare cu propriile limitări desigur, serialul are din când în când efecte umoristice eficiente, neiertând nimic, dar ar fi funcționat mai bine ca miniserie, deoarece multele exagerări exagerate tind să facă totul să para un pic tărăgănat.

PS: Interesant de observat câteva cameo de la Nick Jonas și Ariana Grande, care se pare că nu se tem să râdă de ei înșiși.

Doi dintre creatori sunt Brad Falchuk și Ryan Murphy care au dat viață lui American Horror Story, Glee și Nip/Tuck.

Cu: Emma Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lea Michele, Keke Palmer, Oliver Hudson

Creatori/scenaristi: Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan

Also read in English