The Void (2016)

A transitioning understaffed hospital becomes the scene of very unusual events after a wave of unexplained violence blocks a small group within its walls.

A horror film in the tradition of The Thing (the one from 1982). The mystery, the suspense and the body-horror are all well thought out and well dosed, and the explanation of the events is vague and abstract enough to make sense without being easily attacked, and somehow always linked to human nature and the desire to prolong the lives of our loved ones, and life in general.

Director:  Jeremy Gillespie, Steven Kostanski       

With: Aaron Poole, Kenneth Welsh, Daniel Fathers, Kathleen Munroe

Rating: 8/10

The Favourite (2018)

Prietenia si influenta lui Lady Sarah asupra reginei Anne este amenintata cand o noua servitoare, fosta nobila, este introdusa la curte.

Unul dintre cele mai bune filme istorice, mai ales cand este considerata maiestria neobisnuita a lui Yorgos Lanthimos. Subiectul real nu i-a permis sa exploreze unghiuri fanteziste cum pare sa ii placa de obicei, dar stilul sau se lasa simtit in multe aspecte ale cinematografiei, de la ridicolul scenelor ostentative ale vietii de la curte, exagerarea aerelor nobiliare sau figurile mofturoase ale damelor in conflict. Cele trei actrite sunt minunate, cu Olivia Colman si Rachel Weisz mai mult decat fascinante, lucru ce a generat o situatie neobisnuita in sezonul premiilor de cinema, ocazie care a vazut-o pe Olivia nominalizata ca actrita principala, iar pe Emma Stone si Rachel Wesz ca actrite secundare, desi importanta pentru naratiune si timpul pe ecran este aproape egal.

Regia:  Yorgos Lanthimos    

Cu: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult

Rating: 10/10

Also read in English

The Favourite (2018)

Lady Sarah's friendship and influence over Queen Anne is threatened when a new maid, a former noblewoman, is brought to court.

One of the best historical films, especially when the unusual mastery of Yorgos Lanthimos is considered. The real historical subject did not allow him the same freedom to explore fanciful angles as he usually likes, but his style is felt in many aspects of the cinematography, from the ridiculous ostentatious scenes of life at court, the exaggerated so-called noble airs or the capricious and fussy expressions of the women in conflict. The three actresses are wonderful, with Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz beyond mesmerising, which generated an unusual situation in the awards season, an occasion that saw Olivia nominated as a leading actress, and Emma Stone and Rachel Wesz as supporting actresses, although the importance for the narrative and the screen time of each is almost equal.

Director:  Yorgos Lanthimos    

With: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult

Rating: 10/10

Shazam! (2019)

Un baiat abandonat de mama devine gazda oficial aleasa a unor superputeri ce ajuta sa mentina echilibrul bine-rau in lume, onoare atribuita numai dupa teste de caracter esuate de multi altii inaintea lui.

Shazam! este raspunsul DC la Deadpool, ce pare sa fie primit de public intr-un mod la fel de pozitiv, lucru pe care nu pot sa il explic. Shazam si umorul sau sunt puerile, actiunea este plictisitoare iar dialogul este de umplutura. Copiii sunt simpatici dar nu de ajuns pentru a castiga inima publicului in mod subiectiv.

Regia:  David F. Sandberg     

Cu: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer

Rating: 6/10

Also read in English

Shazam! (2019)

A boy abandoned by his mother becomes the officially chosen host of mythical superpowers that help maintain the good vs bad balance in the world, an honor attributed only after character tests failed by many others before him.

Shazam! is DC's response to Deadpool, and it seems to have been received by the public in an equally positive way, a fact I really can't explain. Shazam and its humour are childish, the action is boring and the dialogue is just filler. The kids are cute but it's not enough to just win the public's heart subjectively.

Director:  David F. Sandberg     

With: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer

Rating: 6/10

Supernatural: Season 15 (2020)

Dean nu mai este controlat de Arhanghelul Michael din cealalta realitate, dar din plictiseala, lupul cel rau acum devine Chuck - Dumnezeu.

Ultimul sezon. The end. Continua de unde precedentul a ramas, un cliffhanger ce parea imposibil. Spoiler, nu era imposibil, dar situatia nu se schimba prea curand. Episoadele de tip caz de investigat sunt mai putine decat inainte, si cumva sunt legate de povestea principala oricum. Chuck-God este enervant si imposibil de invins pentru mult timp si cei doi eroi par sa nege inevitabilul fara speranta ca doi copii mici. Finalul totusi exista, si sfarsitul conflictului este vazut in penultimul episod, si nu e rau. Finalul final (al serialului) are loc in ultimul episod si e cumva dezamagitor, dar cumva nu, deoarece e mai degraba dedicat fanilor si optimismului..cred.

Regia:  Robert Singer si altii   

Productie:  CW   

Creator:  Eric Kripke   

Durata:  sezonul 14 de 20 de episoade (42 minute fiecare)   

Cu: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Jim Beaver, Misha Collins, Alexander Calvert,  Mark Pellegrino, Samantha Smith, Ruth Connell

Rating: 8/10

Also read in English

Supernatural: Season 15 (2020)

Dean is no longer controlled by the Archangel Michael from the other reality, but out of boredom, the big bad now becomes Chuck - God.

The final season. The end. It continues from where the previous got to, a cliffhanger that seemed impossible. Spoiler alert, it was not impossible, but the situation does not change too soon. The case-to-investigate type of episodes are fewer than before, and somehow end up linked to the main story anyway. Chuck-God is annoying and impossible to defeat for the longest time and the two heroes seem to be in denial of the hopeless end of all things like two small children. An outcome does exist, and the end of the conflict is seen in the penultimate episode, and it's not bad. The final finale (i.e. of the series) takes place in the last episode and it's somehow disappointing, but somehow not, because it's sorta dedicated to fans and optimism ... I think.

Director:  Robert Singer and others   

Production:  CW   

Creator:  Eric Kripke   

Duration:  season 15 of 20 episodes (42 minutes each)   

With: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Jim Beaver, Misha Collins, Alexander Calvert, Mark Pellegrino, Samantha Smith, Ruth Connell

Rating: 8/10