In The Tall Grass (2019)

Atrasi de strigate de ajutor, o sora insarcinata si fratele sau patrund intr-un camp vast de iarba inalta fara vreun semn ca s-ar mai putea intoarce.

Un film in stilul de groaza al lui Stephen King bazat pe o nuvela scrisa de el si fiul acestuia - Joe Hill. Regizat de Vincenzo Natali ce este un maestru al genului (Splice, episoade variate din Hannibal, Locke & Key, Cube, Cypher si multe altele), prezinta toate amprentele acestuia, de la scenele foarte stilate de cosmar, finetea miscarilor ierbii si fluiditatea scenelor ce se pierd unele in altele pe nesimtite. Cu un final oarecum deschis, ce poate fi interpretat in functie de preferintele proprii legate de definitia paradoxurilor temporale, In The Tall Grass este cel putin interesant.

Regia:  Vincenzo Natali   

Cu: Laysla De Oliveira, Avery Whitted, Patrick Wilson, Will Buie Jr.

Rating: 7/10

Also read in English

In The Tall Grass (2019)

Drawn by a boy's cries for help, a pregnant woman and her brother enter a vast field of tall grass without any sign that they can actually return.

A horror film in the unmistakable style of Stephen King based on a short novella written by him and his son - Joe Hill. Directed by Vincenzo Natali who is a master of the genre (Splice, various episodes of Hannibal, Locke & Key, Cube, Cypher and many more), it showcases all its trademark traits, from the very stylish nightmarish scenes, the finesse of the grass movements and the fluidity of the scenes that are linked into each other seamlessly. With a somewhat open ending, which can be interpreted according to one's own prefferred definition of a temporal paradox, In The Tall Grass is at the very least interesting.

Directed by:  Vincenzo Natali   

With: Laysla De Oliveira, Avery Whitted, Patrick Wilson, Will Buie Jr.

Rating: 7/10

Southland Tales (2006)

Un actor cu legaturi politice ce sufera de amnezie scrie un scenariu de film ce coincide cu o conspiratie reala.

Un film satiric ce aminteste de The Fifth Element, Brazil sau Mars Attacks! Lipsa de popularitate s-ar putea explica prin lipsa de "lipici" al povestii inchegate pentru a lega toate elementele incompatibile sau prin dezamagirea fanilor unor fete indragite in a-si vedea idolii in roluri complet diferite de sablonul lor obisnuit. In ciuda acestora, filmul cumva functioneaza si are sens, mai ales daca devii familiar cu intentiile initiale ale regizorului. Acesta si-a dorit a scrie si regiza o satira ce critica contextul politic al vremii (cu accent pe specificul Americii): libertati civile, securitatea statului, obsesia pentru celebritati, salvarea ecosistemului. Povestea este complexa, adesea incoerenta si totusi consistenta, si atrage tocmai prin originalitate si lipsa completa de predictibil precum si prin multele contraste oferite de rolurile atipice acordate multimii de fete cunoscute.

Se pare ca este si primul film in care The Rock este prezentat cu numele sau real.

Regia:  Richard Kelly   

Cu:  Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott, Nora Dunn, Beth Grant, Bai Ling, Jon Lovitz, Mandy Moore, Lou Taylor Pucci, Justin Timberlake, Miranda Richardson, Amy Poehler, Christopher Lambert

Rating: 7/10

Also read in English

Southland Tales (2006)

An actor with political ties who suffers from amnesia writes a film script that actually matches a real conspiracy.

A satirical film reminiscent of The Fifth Element, Brazil or Mars Attacks! The lack of popularity could be explained by the lack of appeal of the story told by the writers that's supposed to link all the incompatible elements or by the disappointment of the fans of some of the famous faces in seeing their idols in roles completely different from their usual typecast. In spite of these, the film somehow works and makes sense, especially if you become a little familiar with the director's initial intentions. He wanted to write and direct a satire that criticizes the political context of the time (with an emphasis on the specifics for USA) and the real issues that needed tackling: civil liberties, state security, obsession with celebrity, saving the ecosystem and so on. The story is complex, often incoherent and yet consistent, and attracts precisely due to its originality and complete lack of predictability as well as the many contrasts the audience is hit with thanks to the many atypical roles given to a multitude of very well-known actors.

It seems that it is also the first film in which The Rock is credited with his real name.

Directed/Written by:  Richard Kelly   

With:  Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott, Nora Dunn, Beth Grant, Bai Ling, Jon Lovitz, Mandy Moore, Lou Taylor Pucci, Justin Timberlake, Miranda Richardson, Amy Poehler, Christopher Lambert

Rating: 7/10

Hemlock Grove (2013 - 2015)

Viata in Hemlock Grove cu misterele stiintifice, supranaturale si violente asa cum sunt traite de personajele neobisnuite ce traiesc aici.

Un serial mister/horror ce nu a primit atentia meritata. Incet, atmosferic, adesea cu aerul unei povesti cu zane, Hemlock Grove are de toate, de la oameni de stiinta dezaxati pana la fiinte supranaturale de poveste (de groaza). Cu o atmosfera misterioasa intretinuta abil si convingator, cu intrigi de fundal ce nu isi pierd misterul si atractia pana la final, Hemlock Grove are avantajul unei miniserii ce dureaza indeajuns pentru a satisface nevoia de mai mult si se termina satisfacator inainte de a da in ridicol sau plictis.

Productie:  Netflix

Creator: Brian McGreevy, Lee Shipman

Cu:  Famke Janssen, Bill Skarsgård, Landon Liboiron, Dougray Scott, Kaniehtiio Horn, Madeleine Martin, Penelope Mitchell, Joel de la Fuente, Lili Taylor, Kandyse McClure

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

Hemlock Grove (2013 - 2015)

Life in Hemlock Grove with its scientific, supernatural and violent mysteries as lived by the unusual characters who live here.

A mystery / horror series that did not receive the attention it deserved. A slow burn, atmospheric, often with the vibes of a fairy tale, Hemlock Grove has everything from unbalanced scientists to (horror) fantasy creatures. With a mysterious atmosphere that's skillfully and convincingly maintained, with background intrigues that never lose their mystery and attraction, Hemlock Grove has the advantage of a miniseries type that lasts long enough to satisfy the need for more but ends satisfactorily before becoming ridiculous or boring.

Production:  Netflix

Creator: Brian McGreevy, Lee Shipman

With:  Famke Janssen, Bill Skarsgård, Landon Liboiron, Dougray Scott, Kaniehtiio Horn, Madeleine Martin, Penelope Mitchell, Joel de la Fuente, Lili Taylor, Kandyse McClure

Rating: 9/10

Rampage (2018)

A pathogen that edits the genomes of animals giving them dangerous new features is accidentally released near a wildlife sanctuary.

A film with a ridiculous plot from which you know well in advance what to expect, which is exactly what the producers intended. Fans of fun blockbusters based on exaggerated scientific facts and individuals different from everyday people got what they wanted and turned the film into a success.

Directed by:  Brad Peyton   

With: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Rating: 6/10