Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Intr-o lume in care monstrii sunt reali, o adolescenta tipica se adapteaza destinului de a fi cea aleasa pentru a distruge specia vampirica.

Un serial cult ce a definit o intreaga generatie. Plin de aventuri, intr-o combinatie minunata de elemente horror si comedie, are tot ce ii trebuie pentru a atrage toate gusturile.

Eroina atipica face parte dintr-un grup de prieteni adolescenti ce impreuna trec prin toate problemele specifice varstei intre luptele cu monstrii mai mult sau mai putin feroce, sub veghea bibliotecarului britanic plin de intelepciune. Plin de imaginatie, cu un dialog plin de potentiale citate, serialul a ajutat si fascinat generatia de la finele anilor '90 prin manevrarea unor subiecte populare ca probleme de adaptare, recunoasterea de responsabilitati precoce, cunoastere de sine, orientare sexuala si umorul ca forma de aparare fara a se lua prea in serios.

Creator: Joss Whedon   

Cu:  Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head, James Marsters, David Boreanaz, Eliza Dushku, Michelle Trachtenberg, Emma Caulfield Ford, Charisma Carpenter, Amber Benson, Seth Green, Marc Blucas

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

Girl on the Third Floor (2019)

Un sot cu un trecut pestrit se rascumpara renovand singur casa nou achizitionata.

Un film de groaza destul de lent, cu accent pe body horror si mister cat de cat bine intretinut. Inegal si de buget redus, nu implica cea mai talentata echipa de actori, dar cumva functioneaza destul de bine. Coloana sonora este bine aleasa si in ton cu ororile amestecate.

Regia: Travis Stevens   

Cu:  C.M. Punk, Trieste Kelly Dunn, Sarah Brooks, Elissa Dowling

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

Girl on the Third Floor (2019)

A husband with a dodgy past redeems himself by renovating the newly purchased house all by himself.

A rather slow burn horror film, with an emphasis on body horror and mystery that is somewhat well maintained. Uneven and low budget, it does not use the most talented team of actors, but somehow it works quite well in spite of its shortcomings. The soundtrack is well chosen and in tune with the mixed horrors.

Directed by: Travis Stevens   

With:  C.M. Punk, Trieste Kelly Dunn, Sarah Brooks, Elissa Dowling

Rating: 6/10

Enemy At The Gates (2001)

Povestea unui duel simbolic in timpul luptelor pentru Stalingrad dintre doi cei mai buni lunetisti ale partilor implicate.

Un film de razboi un pic mai diferit. Amesteca abil realitate si fictiune (luptele pentru Stalingrad sunt reale, Vassili chiar a existat si a fost eroul descris) creand o poveste intriganta si tensionata. Un pic cam romantat si melodramatic pe alocuri, umanitatea celor doi oponenti este palpabila si credibila, regizorul incercand cu succes sa caracterizeze cele doua tabere oarecum egal, fara a hotari un inamic de netagaduit pentru publicul manevrat emotional.

Regia: Jean-Jacques Annaud  

Cu: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Ron Perlman

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

Enemy At The Gates (2001)

The story of a symbolic duel during the fight for Stalingrad between two of the best snipers of the involved parties. 

A slightly different war movie. It skillfully mixes reality and fiction (the battle for Stalingrad was real, Vassili actually existed and was the hero this describes) creating an intriguing and tense story. A bit too romanticized and melodramatic at times, the humanity of the two opponents is palpable and credible, the director successfully trying to characterize the two camps somewhat equally, without deciding on an irrefutable bad guy for the emotionally manipulated audience to definitely hate.

Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud  

With: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Ron Perlman

Rating: 8/10

13 Sins (2014)

Stramtorat financiar, Elliot Brindle accepta sa participe la un joc ce ii ofera premii financiare dupa fiecare din 13 provocari, fiecare mai periculoasa decat antecedenta.

Bazat pe o idee interesanta, 13 Sins avea potential si chiar are elemente ingenioase ce functioneaza destul de bine, dar din pacate nu reuseste sa creeze o conexiune cu audienta pana poate spre final.

Regia: Daniel Stamm  

Cu: Mark Webber, Devon Graye, Tom Bower, Rutina Wesley, Ron Perlman

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

13 Sins (2014)

Troubled financially, Elliot Brindle agrees to take part in a game that offers him financial rewards after each one of 13 challenges, each more dangerous than the previous one.

Based on an interesting idea, 13 Sins had potential and even has ingenious elements that work quite well, but unfortunately it fails to create a connection with the audience until maybe towards the end.

Directed by: Daniel Stamm  

With: Mark Webber, Devon Graye, Tom Bower, Rutina Wesley, Ron Perlman

Rating: 6/10