Marianne (2019-)

A horror writer returns to her hometown after the witch in her novels reappears in her life.

An effective horror series, with common elements to the story in It (childhood monster, revisited as an adult, adventures with a close group of friends both in childhood and as adults). It combines mysterious and comical elements to achieve a coherent and intriguing story. The suspense is well maintained and the fear becomes tangible quite often.

It's a pity that it cannot be found and enjoyed in the original language, without being dubbed in English, which would have worked much better for the story and its audio effects. It was a similar case with Zone Blanche (9/10).

It's been announced in the news that Netflix won't make a second season, though it doesn't seem to be officially acknowledged.

Production: Netflix

With: Victoire Du Bois, Tiphaine Daviot, Lucie Boujenah, Patrick d'Assumçao

Rating: 8/10

Marianne (2019-)

O scriitoare de horror se intoarce in orasul natal dupa ce vrajitoarea din romanele sale isi rearata prezenta.

Un serial horror eficient, cu elemente comune cu povestea din It (monstru din copilarie, revazut ca adult, aventuri cu un grup strans de prieteni atat in copilarie cat si ca adulti). Imbina elemente misterioase si elemente comice pentru a obtine o poveste coerenta si intriganta. Suspansul e bine intretinut si teama devine reala.

E pacat ca nu poate fi urmarit in limba originala, fara dublare in engleza, ceea ce ar fi functionat mult mai bine pentru poveste si efectele audio. S-a vazut similar la Zone Blanche (9/10).

Se pare ca Netflix nu va face un al doilea sezon, desi nu pare sa fi confirmat oficial.

Productie: Netflix

Cu:  Victoire Du Bois, Tiphaine Daviot, Lucie Boujenah, Patrick d'Assumçao

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

American Hustle (2013)

A pair of con artists is forced by federal agents to help catch bigger fish using the same skills that brought them trouble.

American Hustle is an entertaining and intelligent film without becoming too complicated to maintain the audience's interest. With multiple layers of deceptions and appearances and varied and interesting characters, the film keeps you curious and intrigued up until the last moment.

It has a typical atmosphere of the 70's, very well maintained by the characters' attire and attitude and a specific and wonderfully chosen soundtrack. The film includes a subtle and convincing love story, even if it is not the main focus. The actors give wonderful performances, with a subtle Christian Bale and explosive Jennifer Lawrence at the front.

Director/screenplay: David O. Russell

Featuring: Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Michael Pena, Alessandro Nivola, Shea Whigham, Robert De Niro

Rating: 9/10

American Hustle (2013)

O pereche de escroci este fortata de agenti federali sa ajute la prinderea unor pesti mai mari folosindu-si aptitudinile ce i-au adus probleme.

American Hustle este un film antrenant si inteligent fara a deveni prea complicat pentru a intretine atractia audientei. Cu straturi multiple de pacaleli si aparente si personaje variate si interesante individual, filmul te tine curios si intrigat pana in ultima clipa. 

Are o atmosfera tipica a anilor 70, foarte bine intretiunuta de vestimentatia si atitudinea personajelor si o coloana sonora specifica si minunat aleasa. Filmul include o poveste de dragoste subtila si credibila, chiar daca nu este focusul principal. Actorii au prestatii minunate, in frunte cu un Christian Bale subtil si Jennifer Lawrence exploziva.

Regia/scenariu: David O. Russell

Cu: Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Michael Pena, Alessandro Nivola, Shea Whigham, Robert De Niro

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

I Come With The Rain (2009)

A former cop suffering with PTSD is tasked with searching for the missing son of an eccentric millionaire.

An action movie that combines different styles. It gets overly complicated by following three narrative threads in parallel and trying to tackle philosophical themes - a bit stretched and out of place - which initially creates unnecessary confusion. A somewhat unsuccessful but still intriguing and entertaining mix due to the stylised cinematographic technique specific to Asian action films.

Directed by: Tran Anh Hung

Featuring: Josh Hartnett, Byung-hun Lee, Takuya Kimura, Elias Koteas, Shawn Yue

Rating: 7/10

I Come With The Rain (2009)

Un fost politist cu stress post-traumatic primeste sarcina de a cauta fiul disparut al unui milonar excentric.

Un film de actiune ce imbina stiluri diverse. Se complica urmarind trei fire narative paralele, incercand sa dezbata teme filozofice fortate, cam nelalocul lor, ce initial creeaza o confuzie inutila. Un amestec oarecum nereusit dar totusi intrigant datorita tehnicii cinematorgrafice stilizate specifice filmelor asiatice de actiune.

Regia: Tran Anh Hung

Cu: Josh Hartnett, Byung-hun Lee, Takuya Kimura, Elias Koteas, Shawn Yue

Rating: 7/10

Also read in English

Uncut Gems (2019)

A jeweller sets up all kinds of chains of  financial arrangements in order to make enough profit to pay his debts.

A film with a fast and stressful rhythm, both for the character and for the audience. It's well made and very realistic, with actors often proving their talent, but in the end, it's a story wasted on a mediocre guy who doesn't seem to be aware of his own mediocrity. It doesn't teach a particularly special message, perhaps maybe an obvious "man makes plans and God laughs" but in this case the plans are extremely irresponsible and even stupid, things that are explicitly told to the character surprisingly often by those with whom he interacts.

Directed by: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Featuring: Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel, Julia Fox

Rating: 6/10