Dune: Part One (2021)

A family is given the task of governing the planet that produces the most important natural resource, but the movement has ulterior motives and forces the heir of the family to assume early responsibilities.

'Dune: Part One' is the first part of a new adaptation of the beloved sci-fi novel. More modern and unrushed than David Lynch's version (or the TV version from the beginning of the century), the current film benefits from the presence of one of the most talented current directors, who has the patience and ambition necessary to do the seriesjustice. The cast is full of great talent, the cinematography is superb and the mystery and intrigue of the world building and its mysticism are fully given their due.

Director:  Denis Villeneuve   

With: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Golda Rosheuvel

Rating: 9/10

Cinderella (2015)

Ella's father's death marks the beginning of a difficult life, at the mercy of her  step mother and step-sisters.

'Cinderella' is a modern live-action adaptation of the beloved story, directed by Kenneth Branagh. Far from being necessary, this adaptation brings many talented names together, and evokes a familiar story, with a strong focus on certain gaps of the original story, such as the personalities of Ella's father and mother or her life before she had step-relatives. In addition, it gives up certain implausible aspects: Ella and the prince see each other and like each other before the ball.

Director:  Kenneth Branagh      

With: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Chaplin, Derek Jacobi, Hayley Atwell, Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger, Stellan Skarsgård

Rating: 8/10

w Delta z (2007)

Un detectiv incepator colaboreaza cu unul veteran in incercarea de a prinde un criminal in serie ce isi alege victime ce merita pedepsire.

w Delta z este un thriller politist ce se vrea mai inteligent decat altele dar nu e. Se foloseste de referinte matematice ce ar trebui sa creeze un pic de ceata si mister dar logica folosirii lor nu e prea verificata in practic. E filmat cu o camera libera ce ar trebui sa ii dea un aer original si indie, dar nu reuseste decat sa enerveze privitorul. Filmul nu e rau dar multe aspecte ar putea fi imbunatatite sau scoase complet.

Regia:  Tom Shankland   

Cu: Stellan Skarsgård, Melissa George, Ashley Walters, Tom Hardy, Selma Blair, Sally Hawkins

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Praise the lord, exact asta asteptam! Dupa ce primul teaser trailer de acum ceva luni bune m-a facut sa ma delectez cu intreaga trilogie tiparita, amanata pe nedrept pana la acel moment, acum unul din regizorii mei preferati reuseste sa aduca la viata aproape fara cusur volumul meu preferat dintre cele 3. Distributia a fost perfect aleasa. Noomi Rapace - cea ce a adus-o la viata pe Lisbeth in ecranizarea suedeza- desi ar fi fost ideala in rol, a refuzat si a fost inlocuita cu succes zic eu de mult mai delicata Rooney Mara (o sa mai auzim de fata asta), iar Daniel Craig se confunda complet cu portretul imaginat in cuvinte scrise al lui Mikael Bloomkvist. Scenariului i se aplica mici modificari pe ici pe colo fata de original, dar sa-i spunem doar licenta poetica, caci David Fincher este unul dintre cei ce si-o permit. Intriga este construita in acelasi ritm ca in carte, revelatiile vin la fel de pline de suspans, atmosfera este intretinuta aproape pe nesimtite de mici subterfugii vizuale si auditive foarte subtile, iar spectatorul nu este deloc scutit de intensitatea nici unei trairi, incomode (da sunt multe momente din astea) sau nu, deoarece totul este replicat ca in carte si oferit catre vizionare.

Stieg Larsson se rasuceste in mormant acum, dar de satisfactie.

Regie: David Fincher
Scenariu: Steven Zaillian (adaptare), Stieg Larsson (roman)
Cu: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Robin Wright, Joely Richardson, Goran Visnjic, Geraldine James