The Irishman (2019)

Istoria personala a unui asa-zis asasin al Mafiei, asa cum i-a fost povestita de persoana reala autorului cartii sursa.

De mari proportii, cu multiple fire narative intercalate la diferite momente in timp, The Irishman e un mamut de film cum numai Scorsese poate tine sub control. Prezinta istoria unei persoane reale - asa cum a fost povestita in iarna vietii sale - ca atare, fara a arata rezistenta sau dubii legate de veridicitate. In realitate exista dubii datorita continutului un pic senzationalist, mai ales in ceea ce priveste detaliile despre legaturile cu Jimmy Hoffa si disparitia acestuia.

Un mare efort si o istorisire destul de interesanta ce aduce laolalta mari nume, unele chiar reintoarse dupa retragere din actorie (Joe Pesci) sau unele chiar fara nici o linie de dialog (Harvey Keitel). E a doua oara cand cei doi "mari" - Robert De Niro si Al Pacino - se intalnesc in aceleasi scene (prima oara in The Godfather nu au impartit scene deloc iar Righteous Kill nu s-a ridicat la nivelul asteptarilor), de data asta cu success si prezentand o frumoasa prietenie ce chiar are sens.

Imbibat cu multa istorie si fapte ce chiar pot fi verificate, filmul prezinta caracterul italiano-mafiot asa cum Scorsese l-a citit si inteles si prezentat in alte mari succese ale sale. Mai putin zgomotos (poate datorita caracterului ceva mai istoric), mai putin dramatic, mult mai subtil, filmul sufera de lipsa unui personaj principal interesant. Totul e interesant in jurul acestuia, si personajele foarte colorate si bine scrise par sa detina un respect subinteles si castigat pe merit pentru acesta, dar pentru privitor nu devine nicicand evident de ce acest lucru se intampla. Si Scorsese cred ca era la fel de perplex, deoarece incearca sa isi faca personajele sa explice in cuvintele lor efectul acestei personalitati ca un fapt de netagaduit de care toti ceilalti sunt constienti.

Joe Pesci e minunat, puternic si firav in acelasi timp, Al Pacino e bombastic ca de obicei si foarte credibil, si Robert De Niro a muncit mult sa arate atat de natural plictisitor, docil, umil si violent.

Cele 3 ore sunt perect scuzabile.

Scenariu: Steven Zaillian, Charles Brandt (carte)

Regie: Martin Scorsese

Cu: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Ana Paquin

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

The Sinner (2017-)

Investigations of crimes that have mysterious circumstances as seen through the eyes of detective Harry Ambrose.

An intelligent police series of two seasons so far, with each season entirely dedicated to a single crime. Of an almost incredible complexity, it actually does require an entire season in order to fit each reveal of the multi-layers of the enigmatic killings. The main character is endowed with an above average emotional intelligence and an excellent human reader, with a trivial and more or less average personal story. Like it often happens to any "genius", he is often hindered by obstacles created by people with less ... understanding, who refuse to look beyond the most obvious explanation.

Season 3 should air in February.

Featuring: Bill Pullman, Jessica Biel, Christopher Abbott, Carrie Coon, Hannah Gross, Elisha Henig, Natalie Paul, Dohn Norwood

The Sinner (2017-)

Investigatii de crime in circumstante misterioase prin ochii detectivului Harry Ambrose.

Un serial politist inteligent de doua sezoane pana acum, cu fiecare sezon in intregime dedicat unei singure crime. De o complexitate aproape incredibila, chiar necesita un sezon intreg pentru fiecare dezvaluire a multistraturilor enigmaticelor omoruri. Personajul principal e dotat cu o inteligenta emotionala peste medie si un excelent cititor de oameni, cu o poveste personala banala si plina de probleme mai mult sau mai putin uzuale. Ca orice "geniu" se loveste des de obstacole create de oameni cu mai putina... intelegere, ce refuza sa proveasca mai departe de cea mai simpla explicatie.

Sezonul 3 ar trebui sa apara prin februarie.

Cu: Bill Pullman, Jessica Biel, Christopher Abbott, Carrie Coon, Hannah Gross, Elisha Henig, Natalie Paul, Dohn Norwood

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

Rough Night (2017)

A bachelorette party takes an unexpected turn.

Somewhat undecided about what genre it belongs to: is it a comedy or a thriller, with none of the options accomplished in any appreciative way.

One positive thing about it though: feminist ideas emerge by proving that intelligent women are capable of being (big) idiots as well.

I can confirm, however, that Scarlet Johansen is not made for comedy, nor for political intrigue.

Kate McKinnon carries the whole comedy almost by herself beautifully (again), sometimes helped by the giggly Jillian Bell as Alice (whenever she's not extremely irritating). But it's too little to save this.

Everything is a little pushed too far, boring at times, stupid other times, so that you tend to forget any of the positives.

Only to watch if you get bored or are big fans of the actors involved.

Directed by: Lucia Aniello

With: Scarlet Johansen, Kate McKinnon, Zoe Kravitz, Jillian Bell

Rating: 6/10

Winchester (2018)

A jaded doctor is in charge of diagnosing the head of the company that produces the Winchester weapon, a necessary act to make it possible for her associates to take over. The pretext they use is the strange custom of the said lady of building new rooms in her house, rooms that do not follow the architecture rules of the times.

Interesting up to a point, and that's because Sarah Winchester really existed, and she seems to have been passionate about architecture in such a way that she used her own home for architectural experiments, experiments she abandoned without demolishing as soon as a new idea obsessed her and  a new change was needed.

In the meantime, her heirs have changed the narrative in order to make money of her story by transforming the resulting house into a so-called haunted house. It was a ridiculous an idea as this movie is.

Helen Mirren appears in a weak and unbecoming role, something that's very uncharacteristic to her. The only person who feels at home is Sarah Snook, already a veteran of the genre, here in the role of the frail (or not?) mother-niece.

It's weak, unconvincing, and it tries to scare through many horror clichés.

It may be suitable for horror marathons with a group of friends who love to laugh together.
Sarah Snook has been in Jesabelle, Predestination and Black Mirror.

You might have seen Sarah Snook in Jesabelle, Predestination and Black Mirror.

Directed by: Michael and Peter Spierig

With: Helen Mirren, Sarah Snook, Jason Clarke

Rating: 5/10

Salem (2014-2017)

Redare fictionalizata a binecunoscutelor evenimente din Salem in secolul al 17-lea, intr-o versiune in care vrajitoria e ceva real.

O imbinare interesanta a evenimentelor reale cu povestea fictiva a vrajitoarelor ce s-au jucat cu sortile puritanilor din Salem. Povestea e complexa, bine scrisa iar supranaturalul si elementele horror sunt inventive, dese si in concordanta perfecta cu contextul povestii. Fanii genului se vor delecta.

Un bonus binevenit este tema muzicala compusa de Tyler Bates (Californication, Sucker Punch) si Marilyn Manson.

Shane West e cunoscut din A Walk To Remember, Seth Gabel din Fringe, Iddo Goldberg a fost pentru scurt timp in Peaky Blinders, Xander Berkeley a fost in multe dar mai recent The Walking Dead, Stuart Townsend era mai cunoscut in urma cu 10 ani, ca protagonist al The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen si The Queen Of The Damned iar Lucy Lawless a nimeni alta decat Xena.

Creatori: Brannon Braga, Adam Simon

Cu: Janet Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Tamzin Merchant, Iddo Goldberg, Lucy Lawless, Ashley Madekwe, Elise Eberle, Xander Berkeley, Stephen Lang,  Stuart Townsend

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

Salem (2014-2017)

Fictional retelling of the well known events from Salem in the 17th century, in a version in which witchcraft is something real.

An interesting combination of the real events with the fictional story of actual witches that play with the fates of Salem's puritans. The story is complex, well written and the supernatural and horror elements are inventive, frequent and in perfect agreement with the context of the story. Fans of the genre will be delighted.

A welcome bonus is the musical theme composed by Tyler Bates (Californication, Sucker Punch) and Marilyn Manson.

Shane West is known for A Walk To Remember, Seth Gabel for Fringe, Iddo Goldberg was briefly on Peaky Blinders, Xander Berkeley was in many things but more recently The Walking Dead, Stuart Townsend was better known 10 years ago, as the protagonist of The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen and The Queen Of The Damned and Lucy Lawless is none other than Xena.

Creators: Brannon Braga, Adam Simon

Featuring: Janet Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Tamzin Merchant, Iddo Goldberg, Lucy Lawless, Ashley Madekwe, Elise Eberle, Xander Berkeley, Stephen Lang, Stuart Townsend