Babylon (2022)

The beginning of Hollywood, through the lens of a young man fascinated by cinema, an actress who wants to become a star and a fading star.

"Babylon" is an artistic, dramatic film, that can be difficult to describe. Full of fantasy, and fascination for the decadent period that led the film world in its silent beginnings, it shows freedom, limitless expression as well as the forgetting in easy life, various addictions and cheap admiration. With ideas similar to 'Singing in the Rain', the parallel between the two films is mentioned almost at every step. Fascinating, but also sad.

Director:  Damien Chazelle      

With: Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jean Smart, Olivia Wilde, Diego Calva, Flea, Eric Roberts, Li Jun Li, Max Minghella, Tobey Maguire, Samara Weaving

Rating: 8/10

Ready or Not (2019)

The wedding night of a new bride turns into a nightmare after the new family reveals the game to be played at every wedding as a result of a family superstition.

'Ready or Not' is a slasher horror with a ridiculous plot but funny and easy to forgive in its irony. Samara Weaving is again the surprisingly resourceful protagonist of the of a popular horror/thriller, and the current one is engaging, funny, full of rich characters that are fun to analyze/observe.

Director:  Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett   

With: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O'Brien, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell

Rating: 8/10

Mayhem (2017)

Derek is mistreated at the law firm where he works, on the same day that a virus that cancels any inhibitions is released into the building.

'Mayhem' is a horror-comedy film that tries using a light satire to make fun of troubling human realities based on the hidden thoughts that all human beings have in common but don't act upon. The filmmakers made it easy to figure out who the "bad guys" are supposed to be and who can be forgiven after all their uncontrollable acts. The fast action takes no time-out and no character has an iota of forgiveness left in them.

Director:  Joe Lynch    

With: Steven Yeun, Samara Weaving, Steven Brand, Caroline Chikezie, Kerry Fox, Dallas Roberts, Mark Frost

Rating: 8/10

Guns Akimbo (2019)

An internet troll upsets the wrong person and is forcefully entered in a life and death race after two guns are permanently attached to his hands surgically.

'Guns Akimbo' is an almost absurdist action film. The plot is a bit ridiculous and probably not very possible, and the action is fast paced, with sudden changes, surprising enemies and unexpected allies. For those who aren't too much of a nitpicker, the film can be very entertaining.

Director:  Jason Howden       

With: Daniel Radcliffe, Samara Weaving, Ned Dennehy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Grant Bowler

Rating: 7/10

The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)

Killer Queen il gaseste pe Cole doi ani mai tarziu dupa atacul cultului satanic, intr-un context in care povestea lui nu este acceptata de nimeni.

O urmare a filmului The Babysitter ce poarta aceeasi semnatura (McG) si regaseste aceeasi echipa de productie si actori. Povestea e de umplutura cum era de asteptat dar dialogul, actiunea ironica si tragi-comica nu se ridica la nivelul primului film. De vazut numai ca omagiu aceluia.

Regia:  McG    

Cu: Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Jenna Ortega, Emily Alyn Lind

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

The Babysitter (2017)

Lucrurile iau intorsaturi neasteptate in seara cand Cole decide sa nu adoarma cand e programat pentru a-si spiona babysitter-ul.

The Babysitter e o supriza complet placuta in forma unui film de groaza comedie de nota 10. Elementul horror e bine scris si bogat in idei originale, si prezentat intr-un ritm alert si tensionant exact cat trebuie. Comicul este reprezentat in situatiile incredibile si intorsaturile la tot pasul, personajele foarte colorate si bine creionate si dialogul rapid, bogat si plin de citate si referinte din filme cult. Pentru amatorii genului, e un deliciu fara gres.

Regia:  McG     

Cu: Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Robbie Amell, Hana Mae Lee, Bella Thorne, Emily Alyn Lind, Leslie Bibb

Rating: 10/10

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Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

O mama indurerata inchiriaza 3 panouri publicitare pentru a insufla politia locala cu motivatie in a prinde vinovatul omorului fiicei sale.

O drama semi comica cu accente tragice ce foloseste o echipa de actori de prima mana ce impresioneaza prin jocul lor fara cusur ce nu a ramas neobservat de toate premiile de prestigiu. Cu un scenariu imperfect, ce se axeaza prea mult pe efecte compasionale si prea putin substrat, rezultatul final este imbogatit de ceea ce nu este scris si anume munca de echipa a actorilor implicati ce au reusit sa imbunatateasca mult materia prima cu care au lucrat.

Regia:  Martin McDonagh   

Cu: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, Zeljko Ivanek, Kerry Condon, Peter Dinklage, John Hawkes, Samara Weaving, Clarke Peters

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English