Fargo (2014– ): Season 2 (2015)

A naive couple causes a war between 2 mafia families after a car accident in which the son of one of the families loses his life.

Season 2 of 'Fargo' follows the same recipe as the first, and presents as true he story of a mafia war in the 70s. Somewhat harsher and more merciless than the previous one, season 2 deserves attention for the interesting characters (the main police guy being one, as usual), the lack of predictability (in the sense of a predictability that's less vague than "everyone will die") and the connection with the characters from the first (if you don't pay attention to the names, the connection won't be obvious from the beginning).

Director:  Randall Einhorn, Adam Arkin and others

Production:  FX   

Creator:  Noah Hawley   

Duration:  the second season of 4, with 10 episodes (53 minutes each)   

With: Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Wilson, Jesse Plemons, Jean Smart, Ted Danson, Cristin Milioti, Jeffrey Donovan, Bokeem Woodbine, Brad Garrett, Kieran Culkin, Nick Offerman, Michael Hogan, Zahn McClarnon, Angus Sampson, Adam Arkin

Rating: 8/10

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Phil is an authoritarian and charismatic farmer who reacts harshly and intimidatingly when his brother marries and brings his wife to the farm with her son.

'The Power Of The Dog' is a true drama in a western context and a long-awaited delight - that is the delight of a film directed by Jane Campion after many quieter years (Top Of The Lake is the only other title from her in the last 12 years). Like other productions in her repertoire, this film is full of originality and unexpected narrative lines, as well as a surprising ending. Her slow style of discovery, full of contrasting emotions, is just as exciting, and the ending is not disappointing in this case either, although for reasons other than a fan of 'The Piano' would expect.

Benedict Cumberbatch might be worth mentioning for his incredible interpretation, but he would be unfairly put ahead when both Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee are outstanding too.

Director:  Jane Campion    

With: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Rating: 9/10

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

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

Game Night (2018)

Ziua de jocuri a unui cuplu competitiv ia intorsaturi neasteptate cand fratele sotului preia controlul organizand un joc de mister politist.

O comedie fara mari pretentii, cu personaje carismatice si oarecum reprezentative ale oamenilor obisnuiti ce mentine interesul si distractia audientei eficient, fara ras in hohote si totusi plin de amuzament. Fara momente de plictiseala, Game Night e facut ca la carte si e un prilej perfect de relaxare.

Regia: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein

Cu: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Sharon Horgan, Billy Magnussen, Jesse Plemons, Michael C. Hall, Danny Huston, Chelsea Peretti

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)

Activitatile lui Jesse Pinkman imediat dupa eliberarea sa de catre Walter.

Un film thriller facut pentru si la cererea fanilor serialului Breaking Bad. Nu era deloc necesar si nu aduce nimic nou la iveala decat o prelungire a sfarsitului cunoscut de toata lumea. Destul de bine facut, cu un suspans credibil si lent, El Camino pune accent pe amintirile lui Jesse din captivitate si cateva amintiri ale celor apropiati, o ocazie pentru ceva cameo a favoritilor fanilor.

Regia:  Vince Gilligan   

Cu: Aaron Paul, Jonathan Banks, Matt Jones, Charles Baker, Jesse Plemons, Robert Foster, Bryan Cranston, Krysten Ritter

Rating: 7/10

Also read in English