The Gray Man (2022)

A valuable CIA operative becomes the target of a psychopathic colleague after he comes accross traces of an inside conspiracy.

'The Gray Man' is an action film with a reasonable budget, which allows it to focus on special effects and exaggerated situations and not on a credible, sense-making story. And it's ok, because it's fun

Director:  Anthony Russo, Joe Russo     

With: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton

Rating: 6/10

Barbie (2023)

Barbie has an existential crisis that sends her into the real world.

"Barbie" is a comedy film with absurdist roots. True to the ideological principles in the first half, Barbie manages to be witty, funny and sarcastic (thank you, Dame Helen!). In the first half. In the second, there's a u-turn and the film falls into the trap typical of comedies in which all the characters "learn a lesson" in a cliche and cringey way. It's ok and the world likes it, but Greta Gerwig could do more.

Director:  Greta Gerwig     

With: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Helen Mirren

Rating: 7.8/10

La La Land (2016)

A pianist and an actress who are trying their luck in the over-busy workforce of Los Angeles fall in love and try to reconcile their individual aspirations.

'La La Land' is a drama film in the form of a musical. Slight moments of comedy occur from time to time but drama remains its basis. It's a beautiful film that challenges the audience with nostalgia for the classic, art, individuality, love and partial codependency and losing. And good music, very elegantly and skillfully choreographed by a young director who has already made waves (with Whiplash as director/screenwriter and many non-musicals as screenwriter).

Director:  Damien Chazelle    

With: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K. Simmons

Rating: 9/10

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Doua povesti legate intr-una singura: un cascador pe motocicleta isi incepe o cariera de spargator de banci pentru a avea grija de familie, fapt ce are efecte monumentale asupra vietii unui politist boboc ce ajunge pe urmele sale.

Un concept dramatic foarte interesant ce poate lua spectatorul prin surprindere daca se aventureaza in vizionare in necunostinta de cauza. Bine jucat, original, The Place Beyond The Pines e o poveste interesanta despre diferitele situatii in viata cand optiunile nu sunt un clar alb sau negru, desi poate tendinta e de fapt spre un gri inchis in filmul de fata.

Regia:  Derek Cianfrance    

Cu: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Craig Van Hook

Rating: 8/10

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Only God Forgives (2013)

Un fiu apartinand lumii interlope din Bangkok este insarcinat de mama sa cu razbunarea mortii fratelui sau.

Un film neobisnuit de la un regizor ce face filme neobisnuite. Cu o cinematografie fara gres, in culori neon obsesive, Only God Forgives este un film mai complicat decat subiectul o sugereaza, manevrand teme vechi cat lumea ca razbunarea conform principiului "ochi pentru ochi" al Vechiului Testament si complexe Oedipiene pe un ton extrem de fatalist. In ciuda acestui fapt, executia nu are sens, subiectul nu isi justifica abordarea, personajele nu au tangenta cu realitatea inconjuratoare decat la nivel simbolic, cu singurul personaj cat de cat pozitiv fiind inca de la inceput constient de soarta sa, impotent in a-si revendica inocenta. 

Regia:  Nicolas Winding Refn  

Cu: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm, Gordon Brown

Rating: 5/10

Also read in English