Sharp Objects (2018)

Camille is given the task of writing about her hometown following the news about the disappearance of a couple of teenagers, which puts her face to face with messy events from her own adolescence.

A drama-type miniseries that follows a journalistic / police investigation. Based on a book by Gillian Flynn (from the same trilogy as Gone Girl and Dark Places), Sharp Objects evolves from the pages of the book into a fascinating story that aptly depicts the character of the small Southern American community and the interpersonal / family relationships in it, in an intriguing, atmospheric and very detailed way, which unfortunately the book did not manage as well. For those who prefer to enjoy the journey rather than the destination, the miniseries will be a delight, for everyone else the ending will be worth the wait (especially if they haven't read the book, which has certain spoilers depending on which edition it is).

Director:  Jean-Marc Vallée   

Production:  HBO   

Creator:  Marti Noxon   

Duration:  1 season of 8 episodes (~1 hour each)   

With: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt Craven, Henry Czerny, Elizabeth Perkins

Rating: 10/10

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Dracula tries everything possible to prove that his grandson's vampiric side is the dominant one.

A family animation film, a sequel to the popular Hotel Transylvania, made famous 3 years before. Produced by and starring Adam Sandler, it was a guaranteed success from the beginning due to his presence, the vampirical appeal and a children's story with roots in modern problems. The film is nice, just right for the target audience.

Director:  Genndy Tartakovsky     

With: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James

Rating: 8/10

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Dracula face tot posibilul sa aduca jumatatea vampir a nepotului sau la suprafata.

O animatie de familie, urmare a popularului Hotel Transylvania, facut celebru cu 3 ani inainte. Produs si jucat de Adam Sandler, era un succes garantat de la inceput prin prezenta acestuia, atractia de origine vampirica si o poveste pentru copii cu radacini in probleme moderne. Filmul e dragut, numai bun pentru publicul tinta.

Regia:  Genndy Tartakovsky     

Cu: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

Instant Family (2018)

Un cuplu reusit, dar blocat in rutina, decide sa adopte o adolescenta ce vine la pachet cu doi frati mai mici.

O comedie ok, numai buna de o seara in familie. Ca film nu e deosebit, dar are "intentii bune" ceea ce e cumva un merit de sine statator. Cam multa atentie pe melodramatic, cu elementele de comedie deja consumate prin vizionarea trailer-ului, dar personajele si actorii sunt cu totii simpatici si timpul trece usor si placut.

Regia:  Sean Anders    

Cu: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Merced, Gustavo Escobar

Rating: 7/10

Also read in English

Instant Family (2018)

A well paired couple, but stuck in a routine, decides to adopt a teenager who comes with two younger siblings.

An ok comedy, perfectly suited for a family evening. As a film it's not particularly special, but it has "good intentions" which is somehow a merit in itself. A tad too much attention on the melodramatic, with the elements of comedy already consumed by the time one's watched the trailer, but the characters and actors are all nice and entertaining and time passes easily and pleasantly.

Director:  Sean Anders    

With: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Merced, Gustavo Escobar

Rating: 7/10

Titans (2018– )

Aventurile unei echipe de supereroi tineri si adolescenti, adesea asociati ca sidekick ai unor supereroi arhicunoscuti.

Un serial ca multe din ultimii ani, bazat pe una din multele serii de benzi desenate, DC in cazul de fata. Spre deosebire de altele din acelasi univers (ca Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman), Titans este mai matur, mai serios, mai multi-fatetat si bine facut, in ciuda ironiei faptului ca eroii sunt in majoritate adolescenti. Sezonul doi nu este la fel de puternic ca primul, dar Titans nu si-a pierdut potentialul si atractia.

Regia:  Carol Banker si altii   

Productie:  Netflix   

Creator:  Greg Berlanti, Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns   

Durata:  2 sezoane a cate 11-13 episoade (45 minute fiecare)   

Cu: Brenton Thwaites, Teagan Croft, Anna Diop, Ryan Potter, Minka Kelly, Esai Morales, Rachel Nichols, Iain Glen

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

Titans (2018– )

The adventures of a team of young and teenage superheroes, often associated as sidekicks of other well-known superheroes.

A series like many in recent years, based on one of the many existing comic book series, from the DC family in this case. Unlike others in the same universe (like Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman), Titans is more mature, more serious, more multi-faceted and better done, despite the irony that the current heroes are mostly teenagers. Season two is not as strong as the first, but the Titans have not lost their potential and attraction.

Director:  Carol Banker and others   

Production:  Netflix   

Creator:  Greg Berlanti, Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns   

Durata:  2 seasons of 11-13 episodes (45 minutes each)   

With: Brenton Thwaites, Teagan Croft, Anna Diop, Ryan Potter, Minka Kelly, Esai Morales, Rachel Nichols, Iain Glen

Rating: 8/10