Jumanji (1995)

A boy stuck in a board game is freed decades later when the same game is tried by a brother and sister.

'Jumanji' has become a classic film dedicated to the rich imagination of childhood. With the Robin Williams loved by many, the film enchants with its originality and innocent charm.

Director:  Joe Johnston   

With: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde

Rating: 8/10

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

Wag The Dog (1997)

A spin doctor is assembling a team that includes a Hollywood producer in order to set up fake news meant to distract the public from a scandal involving the president shortly before the election.

'Wag The Dog' is a delight from start to finish. With first-hand actors working as a great team, the film is a political satire that still remains relevant more than 20 years after its release. The manipulation the characters put in place is well thought out and, the more obvious and ridiculous it is, the more subtle and efficient it actually is in highlighting the human weaknesses that are cleverly hidden under the necessary exaggerations.

Director:  Barry Levinson   

With: Robert de Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Anne heche, Woody Harrelson, Denis Leary, Willie Nelson, Kirsten Dunst

Rating: 9/10

Midnight Special (2016)

Un tata disperat si acolitii sai putini la numar lupta sa isi ascunda si apere fiul de insi cu intentii prost gandite.

Un film SF in principiu, in care drama de parinte in stare de orice pentru copilul sau este puternic simtita la fiecare pas. Cu o echipa de actori de prima mana, filmul reuseste sa tina atentia si suspansul dar treptat incepe sa dezvaluie ca telul misterios ce pare sa lege toate personajele nu este asa de interesant sau important.

Daca am reusi sa ne legam de semnificatie intr-o oarecare incercare de a valoriza efortul acestui film, singura metafora ce vine in minte este ceea a parintilor ce trebuie sa isi calce pe inima si sa isi lase copilul liber in lume sa isi caute telul in viata indiferent de cat de lipsit de importanta si de inteles pare pentru acestia, dar filmul este pur si simplu prea elaborat pentru aceasta idee.

Dezamagitor.

Regie/scenariu: Jeff Nichols

Cu: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst, Sam Shepard, Bill Camp, Jaeden Martell

Rating: 6/10

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The Beguiled (2017)

Un soldat al Nordului, ranit in Razboiul de Secesiune American, gaseste refugiu intr-o scoala pentru fete din Sud. Elementul nou masculin are astfel efecte neasteptate.

Fiind vorba de Sofia Coppola, ma asteptam la un film subtil dar intens si sentimental, si desi bifeaza toate 3 nu ma asteptam la un nivel atat de ridicat de dark. Ma asteptam la un efect gen Marie Antoinette si m-am delectat cu The Virgin Suicides. In plan principal este dualitatea umana, mai ales feminina, chiar si la varste foarte fragede, dar este o demonstratie in forta a efectului izolarii  si idealismului moral care nu rezoneaza perfect cu realitatea, un efect ce duce la decizii gresite atunci cand victimele izolarii sunt puse fata in fata cu o situatie un pic gri.

Cu performante subtile si de laudat de la toti cei implicati, The Beguiled a un film captivant si istet. Si este a doua oara cand o femeie regizor a castigat premiul de regie la Cannes (dupa Jane Campion in 1993 pentru The Piano).

Regia: Sofia Coppola
Scenariu: Sofia Coppola si altii, dupa un roman de Thomas Cullinan
Cu: Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning

Also read in English