The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

A renowned detective is tasked with solving the mystery of the death of an army cadet, on which occasion he interacts with a young Edgar Allan Poe.

'The Pale Blue Eye' is a period thriller that borrows its style from Poe's writings. The mystery to be solved remains mysterious and keeps the viewer curious for a good part of the film, but the interesting interaction of the characters and the first-hand performances distract from the imperfections that appear in the last third of the film.

Regia:  Scott Cooper      

Cu: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall, Gillian Anderson, Toby Jones, Lucy Boynton, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Robert Duvall

Rating: 7/10

The Conversation (1974)

An surveillance expert becomes obsessed with his latest task when he begins to suspect the danger that surrounds his subjects.

'The Conversation' is a more unusual drama, perhaps in the style of spy movies. Gene Hackman is a dedicated specialist, who perfectly portrays the transition from professional obsession to paranoid obsession of a person who finally understands that direct action is not the only way to become guilty of unfortunate deeds. The conversation that the title talks about is an integral part of the film, and it is evoked repeatedly, which may not be easy to forgive for the audience that's keen on cursive action, and yet the film does not lose any of its charm, because this is essential to us understand ing how the mind of the main character works.

Director:  Francis Ford Coppola     

With: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest, Harrison Ford, Teri Garr, Robert Duvall

Rating: 9/10

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

Jack Reacher (2012)

Film in perfect acord cu standardul Tom Cruise al ultimilor ani. Curat, benign, rapid, vindicativ, deznodamant eliberator. Nu se coboara sub asteptari dar nici nu genereaza asteptari teribile sau ecouri ale izbandelor de altadata. Perfect pentru o seara relaxanta in asteptarea unui nou Jack Ryan (contestabil), James Bond sau Jason Bourne (as fi putut spune sau Ethan Hunt, dar conform regulei mai sus mentionate, misiunile imposibile recente se complac din pacate standardului descris).

Regia: Christopher McQuarrie
Scenariu: Christopher McQuarrie, Lee Child (carte)
Cu: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Werner Herzog (huh?!), Richard Jenkins, Robert Duvall (sa spunem...)