Saltburn (2023)

An Oxford student is drawn to the fascinating world of modern aristocrats through the lens of his colleague's family.

'Saltburn' is a slightly satirized drama about the highly favored human desire for more: more money, more appeal, more popularity. It seems inspired by the story of Tom Ripley, but with more comedy/satire, less depth and more scandalous content. The film has many intelligent moments, generally enriched by the secondary characters, but the rule seems to be script laziness which tries to overcompensate with shock scenes.

Director:  Emerald Fennell   

With: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant

Rating: 7/10

What We Did On Our Holiday (2014)

A couple with three children who are separated, pretend to be happy for the sake of the grandfather who is probably celebrating his last birthday.

'What We Did On Our Holiday' is an English family comedy that touches any heart. It's very well written, with an alert tone, and original humor is emerging at every step, from the mouth of any character, but particulalry the children'. Wonderful

Director:  Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin     

With: Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller

Rating: 9/10

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...)

Surrogates (2009) si Gamer (2009)

Surrogates (2009) - actiune SF intr-un viitor putin probabil, dar exagerat tocmai pentru a evidentia pericolul utilizarii in exces a mijloacelor de socializare online prezente in realitatea curenta. Actiune si dinamism mediocre, paradoxal pentru un film cu Bruce Willis, dar vizual este bine realizat amintind putin intr-un ton oarecum amuzant de atmosfera creata in Barbie Girl al lui Aqua, probabil aceasta fiind influenta a faptului ca este inca un film bazat pe un graphic novel.

Tot ce pot sa spun e ca dupa atatia ani, prezenta lui Bruce Willis in lista de cast inca ma face sa urmaresc un film, indiferent de eventualele turnoff-uri usor de depistat dinainte.

Regia: Jonathan Mostow
Scenariul: Michael Ferris si John D. Brancato(scenariu);Robert Venditti si Brett Weldele    (graphic novel)
Cu:Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike

Gamer (2009) - cu o idee care pana la un anume punct pare sa se suprapuna cu cea a filmului mai sus amintit, reuseste sa se distinga de acesta printr-o actiune mult mai exploziva si violenta exagerata care pe alocuri aminteste de Crank dar fara inteligenta subtila a aceluia (da am spus inteligenta subtila vorbind de Crank!), dar tocmai pentru ca aici se urmareste mai degraba influenta jocurilor violente sau doar de simulare a societatii in viata de zi cu zi, si tentatia puterii si a dorintei de manipulare cauzate de acestea. Gerard Butler e... Gerard Butler, dar aici impresionanta este prestatia lui Michael C. Hall, care in sfarsit patrunde in lumea profiturilor uriase, dupa ce realitatea TV a cucerit-o de ceva timp.

Regia:Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Scenariul:Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Cu: Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Amber Valletta, Kyra Sedgwick, Alison Lohman