Una (2016)

Una decides to find and confront her much older ex-neighbor with whom she had a relationship when she was 13 years old.

An unusual drama about an unusual situation. The makers decide to use a taboo subject that they then manage to exploit without issuing any clear opinions or passing judgments related to any sort of guilt or condemnation of any of the described facts, managing to capture the viewer's full attention through authentic and gripping drama and contrasting and pity-filled feelings that both protagonists generate. Showcasing great and intense performances, the film's subject remains taboo but the outrage provoked by it becomes ever so slightly attenuated by being combined with an unforgiving pity. 

Director:  Benedict Andrews     

With: Ruby Stokes, Rooney Mara, David Shields, Ben Mendelsohn

Rating: 9/10

Slender Man (2018)

Slender Man e un mit urban ce a inceput sa circule in comunitatea online si un grup de prietene decid sa se implice ca o distractie.

Un film de groaza bazat pe o isterie adolescentina online reala, ce a avut deja victime reale (foarte similar povestii din Mercy Black, copii au ranit alti copii in numele lui Slender Man). Filmul sufera in popularitate tocmai datorita acestei legaturi reale, fiind acuzat ca incearca sa profite material de pe urma unor suferinte reale ce inca erau elucidate la data filmului. Ca film functioneaza ok, banal si intrigant indeajuns pentru a servi drept distractie de la cotidian, cu siguranta nu atat de slab cum ar sugera-o ratingul global.

Regia:  Sylvain White   

Cu: Joey King, Julia Goldani Telles, Jaz Sinclair, Annalise Basso

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

Slender Man (2018)

Slender Man is an urban myth that has started circulating in the online community and a group of girlfriends decide to get involved just for fun.

A horror film based on a real online teen hysteria, which already has had real victims (very similar to the story in Mercy Black, children injured other children in the name of Slender Man). The film suffers in popularity precisely because of this real connection, being accused of trying to make profits from real sufferings that were still being clarified at the time of the film. As a film, it works ok, with a sufficient balance of banal and intriguing in order to still distract the viewer's mind from everyday worry, certainly not as bad as its general rating would suggest.

Director:  Sylvain White   

With: Joey King, Julia Goldani Telles, Jaz Sinclair, Annalise Basso

Rating: 6/10

Look Away (2018)

O adolescenta introvertita schimba locul cu opusul sau din oglinda.

Un film horror mai mult sau mai putin filozofic. Sub pretextul ideii cum ca fiecare om ascunde o varianta negativa a sa, Look Away se leaga de si de alti factori negativi si anume influenta parintilor si a relatiei dintre ei, asteptarile inalte  ale acestora in detrimentul elementului afectiv precum si contextul scolii si prezenta unor insi neplacuti. Frumos filmat, Look Away contine cateva scene puternice, dar ca intreg sufera de un ritm incet nenecesar si o proportie de stil peste continut nesanatoasa.

Regia:  Assaf Bernstein     

Cu: India Eisley, Jason Isaacs, Mira Sorvino, Penelope Mitchell

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

Look Away (2018)

An introverted teenager changes places with her mirror opposite.

A more or less philosophical horror film. Using the idea that each person hides a negative version/side of themselves, Look Away also links to other negative factors, namely the influence of one's parents and their own relationship and interaction with each other, their high expectations that overrules the emotional element and the school context and the effect of bullies. Beautifully filmed, Look Away contains some powerful scenes, but as a whole it suffers from an unnecessarily slow rhythm and an unhealthy proportion of style over content.

Director:  Assaf Bernstein     

With: India Eisley, Jason Isaacs, Mira Sorvino, Penelope Mitchell

Rating: 6/10

Misfits (2009–2013)

Un grup de tineri certati cu legea descopera ca au puteri noi dupa ce au fost fulgerati in timpul unei furtuni misterioase.

Un serial ce refoloseste tema mutantilor sub forma unor tineri adolescenti ce se trezesc cu supraputeri peste noapte si gasesc moduri inedite de a se gasi in situatii periculoase sau cel putin ciudate. Serialul reuseste sa fie foarte original, punand accent pe umor si interactiunea personajelor si gaseste mereu moduri noi de a surprinde publicul. 

Regia:  mai multi   

Productie:  E4 

Creator:  Howard Overman   

Durata:  5 sezoane a cate 6-8 episoade (in jur de 50 de minute fiecare)   

Cu: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Joseph Gilgun, Iwan Rheon, Lauren Socha

Rating: 9/10

Also read in English

Misfits (2009–2013)

A group of in-and-out-of-trouble-with-the-law youths discover they have new powers after being struck by lightning during a mysterious storm.

A series that reuses the mutant theme in the shape of young teenagers who wake up with superpowers overnight and keep finding unique ways of getting themselves in dangerous or at least weird situations. The series manages to be very original, with emphasis on humor and character interaction and always finds new ways to surprise the audience. 

Director:  several   

Production:  E4 

Creator:  Howard Overman   

Duration:  5 seasons of 6-8 episodes (of around 50 de minutes each)   

With: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Joseph Gilgun, Iwan Rheon, Lauren Socha

Rating: 9/10