The Outsider (2018)

In Japan immediately after the war, a former soldier finds his place in the Japanese mafia.

'The Outsider' is an interesting dramatic thriller. It brings the John Blackthorne type of character (Shogun) in a quasi-modern Japanese context and in the time of Yakuza honor that preserves somewhat the old samurai tradition. Well made, the film doesn't have much dialogue, and the little it has generally belongs to the unlikeable characters, and it manages to attract interest through mystery and the portrayal of human feelings of friendship and loyalty.

Director:  Martin Zandvliet     

With: Jared Leto, Tadanobu Asano, Kippei Shîna, Shioli Kutsuna

Rating: 7.5/10

Kate (2021)

Kate is the perfect assassin, seeking revenge after being poisoned with only one day left to live.

'Kate' is a revenge action thriller, revenge being a very popular subject that has many well-made films in its name. The film is almost perfect, with stylistic themes similar to cinematic video games that have grown in popularity in the last 10 years or so. Its various stylistic layers (including an Asian strong vibe) manage to enrich the experience of watching 'Kate' in a very satisfying way and somewhat full of moderate emotions exactly where and when they should come out.

Director:  Cedric Nicolas-Troyan      

With: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Woody Harrelson, Miku Patricia Martineau, Tadanobu Asano

Rating: 9/10

Battleship (2012)

O flota navala trebuie sa confrunte pe neasteptate o flota extraterestra.

Blockbuster de actiune ce urmeaza retetele infailibile ale trecutului, fara acelasi succes. Explicatia vine probabil de la lungimea inutila a expozitiunii, lipsa de personaje interesante bine definite, dialogul si contextul pueril. In ceea ce priveste actiunea si efectele speciale, nu e asa de rau.

Interesant: Tadanobu Asano l-a jucat pe Kakihara (antagonistul principal) in Ichi The Killer.

Regia:  Peter Berg    

Cu: Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Rihanna, Hamish Linklater, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano

Rating: 6/10

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