Under the Shadow (2016)

In Teheran, anii 80, o mama si fiica sa se confrunta cu ororile razboiului, mai aproape decat ar dori, dar si cu orori supranaturale.

'Under the Shadow' e un film horror metaforic. Razboiul este prezent in fiece clipa atat metaforic cat si explicit, si filmul este o expresie a terorii inocentei in fata nedreptatii razboiului. Din punct de vedere al elementului horror, filmul este bine realizat, supranaturalul avand radacini in traditiile culturale locale.

Regia:  Babak Anvari   

Cu: Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi, Bobby Naderi, Arash Marandi

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Under the Shadow (2016)

In Tehran, in the 80s, a mother and daughter are faced with the horrors of war, closer than they would like, but also with supernatural horrors.

'Under the Shadow' is a metaphorical horror film. The war is present at every moment both metaphorically and explicitly, and the film is an expression of the terror of innocence in the face of the injustice of war. In terms of the horror film aspect, the film is well made, the supernatural having roots in local cultural traditions.

Director:  Babak Anvari   

With: Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi, Bobby Naderi, Arash Marandi

Rating: 8/10

Worst Person In The World / Verdens verste menneske (2021)

Julie is a young woman who has her whole life ahead of her and she lives it as if her options are never limited.

'Worst Person In The World' is a Norwegian dramatic film with comedic accents. A simple production, which is based on the talent of the actors, excellent framing and camera work, and the recognition of some human characteristics well known to those hit by the reality of adulthood. It doesn't end in a preachy way, with Julie learning a lesson, but basically with what looks like just acceptance of the fact that the pursuit of one's own happiness should not be forgotten or regretted.

Director:  Joachim Trier    

With: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Herbert Nordrum, Hans Olav Brenner

Rating: 8/10

Worst Person In The World / Verdens verste menneske (2021)

Julie e o tanara ce are toata viata inainte si o traieste ca si cum optiunile nu se restrang vreodata.

'Worst Person In The World' e un film dramatic norvegian cu accente comedice. O productie simpla, ce se bazeaza pe talentul actorilor, excelenta in incadrare si joc de camera, si recunoasterea unor caracteristici umane bine cunoscute de cei loviti de realitatea adulthood-ului. Nu se termina intr-un mod preachy, cu Julie invatand o lectie, ci probabil doar acceptare a faptului ca vanarea fericirii proprii nu trebuie uitata sau regretata.

Regia:  Joachim Trier    

Cu: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Herbert Nordrum, Hans Olav Brenner

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

A child witness to a crime becomes the protégé of a specialist in survival and containment of forest fires.

"Those Who Wish Me Dead" is a thriller of a classic formula: the bad guys are very bad and obvious, even if slightly interesting, and the good guys are spotless and aren't aware of it. Despite the overused stereotypes, the film also has original ideas, an unusual context rooted in real life facts and warms the heart exactly as much as it should.

Director:  Taylor Sheridan   

With: Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Finn Little, Jon Bernthal, Aidan Gillen, Jake Weber, Tyler Perry

Rating: 8/10

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Un copil martor unei crime devine protejatul unei specialiste in supravietuire si limitare a focurilor forestiere.

'Those Who Wish Me Dead' e un thriller de reteta clasica: tipii cei rai sunt foarte rai si evidenti, chiar daca interesanti, iar tipii cei buni sunt fara pata si nu-si dau seama. In ciuda tiparelor suprautilizate, filmul are si idei originale, un context neobisnuit cu radacini in evenimente reale si incalzeste inima exact cat trebuie.

Regia:  Taylor Sheridan   

Cu:  Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Finn Little, Jon Bernthal, Aidan Gillen, Jake Weber, Tyler Perry

Rating: 8/10

Also available in English

No One Will Save You (2023)

A young woman who leads an isolated life is attacked by extraterrestrial beings in her parental home.

'No One Will Save You' is a horror movie with aliens. That's usually not the most promising combination, but if the viewer does not allow themselves to be led by prejudices, and ignores the undesirable presences, the film presents many satisfactory elements, and demonstrates qualities that are difficult to obtain normally: first of all, the extensiveness of the main actress is an asset to applaud on, because the film is almost completely devoid of dialogue, then there's the feeling of solidarity with a so-called "final girl" that cannot be ignored, and the ending can be interpreted in several intriguing ways.

Director:  Brian Duffield       

With: Kaitlyn Dever, Elizabeth Kaluev, Zack Duhame, Lauren L. Murray

Rating: 7.5/10