The Power of the Dog (2021)

Phil este un fermier autoritar si popular ce reactioneaza dur si intimidant cand fratele sau se casatoreste si isi aduce sotia la ferma impreuna cu fiul acesteia.

'The Power Of The Dog' este o drama autentica intr-un cadru western si reprezinta un mult asteptat deliciu - si anume un film regizat de Jane Campion dupa multi ani mai tacuti (Top Of The Lake e singurul titlu din ultimii 12 ani). Ca si alte productii din repertoriul ei, si filmul de fata e plin de originalitate si linii narative neasteptate, precum si un deznodamant ce surprinde. Stilul ei de descoperire inceata, plina de emotii constrastante se pastreaza la fel de incitant, iar finalul nu dezamageste nici in cazul de fata, desi pentru alte motive decat un fan al lui 'The Piano' s-ar astepta. 

Benedict Cumberbatch ar putea fi pomenit pentru jocul sau incredibil, dar ar fi nedrept pus in frunte cand si Kirsten Dunst si Kodi Smit-McPhee sunt foarte remarcabili.

Regia:  Jane Campion    

Cu: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Rating: 9/10

Also available in English

The Harder They Fall (2021)

A famous gunman uses his gang to take revenge on the man who killed his parents, right after hearing news that the man is about to be released from prison.

'The Harder They Fall' is a western that's full of action and melodic choreography and originality, which does not necessarily come from the script but from the way the script was written and enacted. The music has become an undeclared witness to the events and very effectively maintains the harmony and choreographic balance of the meticulously arranged scenes. The story itself has a few plot holes, but this fact somehow fades when it is balanced with the general artistic and stylistic effect.

Director:  Jeymes Samuel      

With: Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, RJ Cyler, Edi Gathegi, Damon Wayans Jr., Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, Idris Elba

Rating: 8/10

The Quick And The Dead (1995)

A mysterious woman signs up in a gunfighting contest in a typical small town in the Wild West.

'The Quick and The Dead' is a western thriller in the incomparable style of Sam Raimi, and is often reminiscent of The Evil Dead. With a top notch cast, a fairly generic story for the western genre, and a director who knows how to choreograph his scenes to perfection, this film has become a cult classic with a rewatch factor that's hard to match.

Director:  Sam Raimi    

With: Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gene Hackman, Lance Henriksen, Gary Sinise, Tobin Bell

Rating: 8/10

Bone Tomahawk (2015)

A sheriff and his team leave for the rescue of three locals kidnapped by a savage enemy.

A quite different western movie, combined with  a few horror elements which sometimes reminds me of Ravenous. With an introduction and unfolding that may seem slow, the ending comes suddenly and shocking both in speed and content. The main strength of the film is the dialogue which will trigger a few smiles with its many small talk type discussions using an unusual vocabulary (reminiscent of Eugene from The Walking Dead for connoisseurs), reinforced by an amazing Richard Jenkins as the old backup sheriff deputy and a taciturn Kurt Russell in the role of the sheriff. For those who were lazily enjoying the majority of the film's action, enduring the finale might present itself as a challenge through its raw scenes which just seem too real.

Filmed in just 21 days, it is a visually impressive success, with a small budget which demonstrates quality and efficiency by going back to the roots of cinema.

Director/screenplay: S. Craig Zahler

Featuring: Kurt Russell, Richard Jenkins, Matthew Fox, Patrick Wilson, Lili Simmons, David Arquette, Sid Haig