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The Hateful Eight (2015)
Not a "classic" Tarantino, but will keep you in your seat until the end (just bear with the begining)
I didn't felt this movie as a "classic" Tarantino, and it is a really good movie. Well built characters (with some twists in the movie might change your perception of some), well played (I think the actors performed very well, very convincing), story twists and mostly not really knowing what comes next. Only 8 because of the relatively simple intrigue, slow development of the main story at he begining, some previsible scenes and also one big logic miss. Two bounty hunters that are highly suspicious of the others and the situation arrive at the location, a stagecoach is already there, and the passengers... And they don't ask themselves where is the driver? (or rather drivers at that time). Stillz it is a movie that will keep you in your seat until the end.
Competencia oficial (2021)
Not a comedy, but a great black satire - though not for everyone's taste
Although in the comedy genre, this is not a comedy, it is really a black satire on the egos, snobbery, and ridiculeseness which takes no mercy on self-entitled geniuses that can be seen in the artistic world (I don't think it is limited to movies, and to some extent also not only to the artistic area either ;)).
It is ironical, absurd, dark and sooo entertaining (for me at least). The perfomance of the actors is really flawless. I do wonder how they felt playing in a movie like that... I hopr it was refreshing for them as well!
The story is somewhat predictable (my girlfriend guessed the ending after 20 minutes) but that doesn't reduce the entertaining value.
If you want a light comedy, this is not. If you have a darker (not black, but grey rather) sense of humour and want to see a not-sugarcoated commentary on the world around us, you might really like it.
PS for other people that seen the movie, my favourite scene is the one where someone says something like "those atemporal tribal rythms", and the following replies... that was golden!
The Flight Attendant (2020)
First season like a good cocktail, second like a stale beer
The first season was really a fresh take on the genre, despide the obvoius issues. Light, enjoyable, like a mojito on a hot beach.
Second season.. I think they want to be uuuuf sofisticated.... Those inteludes or however they are called. SOOOO ANOYING.... loud, stupid and lousy (the minimal info added to the story could have been added differentlty).
They missed the "recipe" there, it's not about boring people to death....
Also, second season - pretty predictable, again would have been ok without the "Smeagol/Gollum monologue" stupidity... Did they ever tested this kind of boredome on viewewers?
And again, predictable... once the (future) villain came into the story, it was clear.
But even predictable, it would have been fun without those idiotic flashes... that made it simpply annoying. And also, did the main characther need to be a person that actually in reality should be put in a mental heath facility? Just makind the character and the story less enyoable....
Bref, first season really nice. Second, if you have patience with stupid choices.
Shang hai bao lei (2019)
Some nice CGI but rubbish story
The CGI is actually not that bad, but the story is allover, with cheesy and fuzzy love stories and characters poorly build, no real context to the alien attack or why Shanghai is the only standing human stronghold... not to mention "good" old fashion Chinese movies voiceover for some actors. Stopped watching it when a "hero" bravely destroys the main control room AFTER the intruder was destroyed - that was simply a stupid story line. Too bad of the investment - writers didn't made any effort to make it worth watching.
The West Wing (1999)
My favorite political drama series
I think the title pretty much describes it. I worked n the government (not in US :)) for some time, and I can really relate to the action.
It is a bit idealistic, but the sense of chaos in the beginning, frustration over defeats when you really want to do something good, taste of victory when something is accomplished , fast paced living in those positions, all the unexpected real life and the personality clashes... but also the sense of doing something worth working for and the "l'esprit de corps" (yes, there is a strong bond within the staff when they all work toward something) - I can easily recognize that.
It was clearly scripted from a certain political view. But just disregard that. It's pretty much the same :)
Acting is great for almost all the actors, the script is made in such way that I couldn't wait to see the next episode, dialogues are fast and witty (well, in reality, most are not - but this just is adding to the fun :)). I did enjoyed more the first half of the series, but the second one it's not bad at all.
Highly recommended if you like the genre.
Designated Survivor (2016)
Two type of movies into one - but not convinced by either
I really wanted this series to be good. Due to the plot and part of the casting - big opportunity there... But unfortunately, it's not that good.
This series puts together two types of movies - political drama (sic!) and spy action movies. However, both seem somewhat unconvincing.
The political drama seems overly simplified and sugar coated. The spy- action part - utterly unconvincing (come on, same agent happens to be in all the important places, lots of professional goofs and so on). Stereotypes all over the movie. And even Sutherland seems not to be convinced by the script, given his acting.
It is still entertaining - but if you want more, better watch (depending on taste ;)) The West Wing (highly recommended from my point of view -disregard political choice, just watch the action) or House of Cards (a bit over the edge), and for spy action, Strike Back, Berlin Station and many other surclass this series.
6.9 pe scara Richter (2016)
Light but good comedy for the hard stuff in life
This movie was a really nice surprise, both as a change from the new Romanian cinema wave usual focused on the ugly face of the reality in a country trying to evolve from a legacy that still haunts us - for me as a Romanian that is depressing, although the movies are good (well the director is not "per se" part of this wave... but it's not far from it given the previous movies) and especially as content. What is actually a drama was delivered with a lot a humor and so many good gags and situational comedy that I've left the cinema lighthearted while thinking about the harsh truth behind the story... well done! It really made my day. And I'm not the only one - I've seen the movie with a friend that went through a divorce and still the laughter was there! And the adjective to describe was "splendid" (yes, the surprise of getting something much better than expected played a role :), but that was just a tiny bit)
The movie is focused on relationships - and the story is evergreen... now or in 50 years, it will have the same impact. It's not maybe a movie you will say it's in your top 10 favorites, but once someone will mention it you will smile.
I was also very pleasantly surprised by the acting of the actors in the main roles - to be honest, most of them were new to me. But.... "mission accomplished" :) not Oscar nominations, but well done!
The only thing I didn't liked was how long musical at the end of it was... But I don't like musicals! So you might actually enjoy it
Bref, if you want to have a good laughter while thinking about something of substance that resonates with your experiences, this is a good choice. It will make your day a bit brighter. Good job Nae Caramfil!
Quantico (2015)
Rapid pace, average acting, somewhat rubbish plot, but catching/relaxing
Hmmm writing this again as I wanted to edit something and changed my mind... hope it does not posts twice.
This is a rapid paced series, and the action is designed to want you more. However, from the very beginning, the scenario seemed forced to me. And the further I watched, I had even more this feeling (really? a trained intelligence officer that doesn't notice obvious things? and so on). The action gets convoluted, but not as smart as say Homeland (as intrigue) or streamlined yet surprising as Strike Back (more of the action, scenario still convincing - generally :)).
The acting is average - and that does not comes easy to say. There are already accomplished actors who really know how to play, as well as young talents who I'm sure will have a bright future. But some of them are really not convincing (especially when they need to "act" in the series due to the plot). Maybe they will evolve - most of the crew is quite young.
Also, I didn't especially enjoyed the quick change between now, a month ago, 9 month ago... and so on. Too short time allotted for each timeline segment (although season 2 seems a bit more balanced and less confusing). Reminds me of shooters where you need always to be alert and not miss anything (yes, I do play games to relax :))
As a summary - not a hit, could have been better, but quite catching and it still relaxes me - still watching t. If you don't have anything on your "must see" list, give it a try. Or if you just want to unwind - much better than a situational comedy with average humor nothing to say (oh, forgot about this - it does have some humor - in small doses ;)).
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Best spy movie so far
Well, I know this is an arguable (best spy movie ever hehe). However, I do have some arguments - and of course my totally subjective feelings :)
Seeing the movie, I think this is probably one of the most accurate in terms of how things actually worked back then in the Cold War era. The story is believable - not so say that most likely many similar stories actually did happened.
The atmosphere, the historical conjecture, the music/costumes/decors, the story itself I think give a very good flavor of the times. Also the way the story was structured makes it quite believable and will little by little capture you to the extent you forget to eat the popcorn :). And it is not too "out there" - this is something that could actually have happened.
The actors were all well chosen and I think they played their roles magnificently - with the right amount of emotions and the needed subtlety if I may dare say so (they were in the end spies, but also have personal ties with certain people, and were human beings very much aware of what was in play). The way people react, behave or even manipulate others ("I will do my utmost, Ricky" - Smiley knew the girl was already dead but still needed Ricky) is really in line with the story and the personalities we see. Gary Oldman was really the star in this movie - but honestly all his colleagues did a stellar job as well (even those we hate :)).
I would say this is (unfortunately) a rare pearl that does not follow the classical "recipe" for spy movies (more special effects and brawn than brains and atmosphere).
Yes, I would agree there are a few clumsy points in the story (not as many as some say, if you really think about it), but that doesn't change the overall feeling of the movies. IMHO. BTW, I did loved the hint on how Karla decided to attack Smiley - via his wife, which he learned was his Achilles heel while Smiley was trying to turn him.
Also, as a former "G-man", I could definitely identify myself with Smiley and his subordinates in some situations - not as an information officer (sorry guys - I'm just a fan of spy movies in this respect), but as a public servant facing the bureaucracy. Those who had such jobs most likely know what I'm talking about :)
If you find the story is not very straightforward, I think it is deliberate - there are clues on the background story, and by the end of the movie it is clear what actually did happened. This is not a Bond movie mind you (well, I do like Bond movies, but they are just not at the same level).
I just hope to be able to change my opinion soon - i.e see an even better spy movie :)
PS To add more context: I'm a 80's kid, and furthermore, I'm from the Eastern Europe - i.e. the former Communist block. So the Cold War is no stranger to me - and this was a reality much more acutely perceived in the former Communist block, for oh so many reasons. This movie brings back memories, but strangely enough makes in a pleasant way PS2 I never believed I would be a fan of a Julio Iglesias song, but here I am now... these movies... I also almost memorized the USSR anthem due to this movie :)