ma-cortes Reviews

The Invisible Man (I) (2020)

An intriguing film about invisibility with twisted events, bone-chilling scenes , violence and blood.

[6/10 · 13 May 2024]

Two weeks after having escaped her toxic relationship with the rich and brilliant but abusive scientist Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) , Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) is convinced that Adrian is going to appear in any moment, until she receives a note informing her of her partner's suicide. When Cecilia's ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see. Along the way, a being bearing invisibility causes wreak havoc, mayhem and killings. What You Can't See Can Hurt You !

This horror thriller contains thrills, chills, grisly killings, gory happenings and anything else. Elizabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale, Mad Men) stars as Cecilia, a young wife who begins to re-build her life for the better after his husbad committed suicide; however, her sense of reality is put into question when she begins to suspect her deceased lover is not actually dead. The not very attractive Moss -she never wears makeup nor is she well groomed- gives a good performance as the tormented woman who's really harassed. In this thriller, a new version of the novel of the same title written by H. G. Wells in which the center of the plot is not on this occasion the Invisible Man, but rather his victim. In fact, this 'Invisible Man' has little connection with the classic novel except the situation of invisibility.

After the pale project of the Dark Universe, with which Universal wanted to revitalize its classic characters, ¨Blumhouse¨, the most successful producer of current genre cinema: El sótano de Ma (Ma), Let Me Out y Sagas: Feliz día de tu muerte (Happy Death Day) , The Purge, or Insidious, took the reins of this new version of the H. G. Wells classic, in which the 'Invisible Man' uses his power to continue controlling the woman who abandoned him. Written and directed by actor Leigh Whannel (Insidious 3), the cast also includes Aldis Hodge (Black Adam, Hidden Figures), Oliver Jackson-Cohern (Faster, Emily, The Healer) and Storm Reid (The Nun 2, Missing, One way).

The visual detail is maqnificent with adequate cinematography by cameraman Stefan Duscio , as well as tense musical score by Benjamin Wallfisch. This hair-rising chiller was competently written/directed by Leigh Whannell, although the first half is slow and fails a bit; the second is more moving, intriguing and chilling. Leigh is an Australian actor/writer/producer/director whose starts in small acting roles cropped up from time to time ,including one in Matrix Reloaded (2003). His role in Alex Proyas Australian Garage Days (2002) that finally broke the camel's back. He attended the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology's prestigious Media Arts course, where he met fellow filmmaker James Wan. He called Wan and told him that if they wanted to get a film made, they would have to pay for it themselves and they created Saw (2004) . Writing or producing or directing the following ones : Dead Silence, Insidious saga, Saw saga, The Mule, Cooties , Upgrade, The Invisible Man, among others. Member of the unofficial "Splat Pack," a term coined for the modern wave of directors making brutally violent horror films, the other "Splat Pack" members are Alexandre Aja, Darren Lynn Bousman, Neil Marshall, Greg McLean, Eli Roth, James Wan, and Rob Zombie. Rating The Invisible Man(2020) : 6/10 . Worthwhile watching.

Commando (1985)

Violent action-packed movie spiced with throwaway comic lines.

[6/10 · 13 May 2024]

The movie opens on a close-up of Arnold's biceps. Various members of a commando team led by John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger), have appeared murdered. Matrix is a hulking ex-Colonel whose exploits have made him and his men enemies among totalitarian empires and groups around the world. Matrix is now retired and lives with his daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) alone in the mountains of upstate California. Matrix's former commanding officer, General Franklin Kirby (James Olson), flies to the house to tell Matrix about the killings of his men (Lawson (Drew Snyder), Forrestal (Michael Delano) and Bennet (Vernon Wells). But the ex-commando leader's daughter is kidnapped in a blackmail scheme to make him depose a South American President, but he fights instead. To get her back, Arnie's army consists of himself and a stewardess (Rae Dawn Chong) he hijacks into help him, but it's more than enough for the bad guys, mos of whom are Arnie's size just to even the odds a little. If there's a mission that no man could survive...then he's the man for the job. They hunted him down. They murdered his friends. Now they've taken the one thing he would kill for - his only daughter. May Heaven help them. Let's Party!. Somewhere, somehow, someone's going to pay.

Enjoyable thriller with tongue-in-cheek, containing suspense, thrills, chills, noisy action-packed, gun-play and loads of violence. Mark L. Lester directs this film that mixes for the first time action, a lot of violence and humor in the way that would later characterize the films of the genre from the eighties and especially those starring Arnold. Leading the cast is our endearing Arnold Schwarzenegger as one army man, he did not want to use doubles for the stunts and ended the filming with several wounds, bruises and a dislocated shoulder. Arnold with his usual stoic acting and he displays amount of weapons arsenal killing nasties. The mayhem is largely wrought by mighty Arnie, who never delivers one blow or bullet where three will do. The filmmakers fall back on the old story of the quiet strong-man stung into action by a threat to something he loves -in this case his young daughter. So he proceeds to rescue his beloved daughter amid a torrential flow of failing bodies. Arnie just straps on his arsenal and it's all over bar the shooting, not to mention the limb-hacking, throat-hacking and head-chopping, with the most surprining death of all reserved for the chief villian, who fails to shoot our hero when he has the chance. Along with the Austrian-American actor, there are several secondary familiar faces, such as: Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, James Olson, David Patrick Kelly , Bill Duke, Drew Snyder, Michael DeLano and a very young Alyssa Milano as the protagonist's daughter.

It displays a somewhat heavy score with excessive synthesizer music by the well-known composer James Horner, who later composed classical symphonic compositions in a number of popular films. In addition, adequate and atmospheric cinematograhy Matthew F. Leonetti. The motion picture lavishly produced by Joe Silver was professionally directed by Mark L Lester. He's a cool director and producer-American World Pictures- of B movies , his greatest success was during the 80s, when he directed hits , such as ¨Commando¨, ¨Firestarter¨, ¨Showdown in Little Tokio¨ and ¨Class of 1984¨ . Rating : 6.5/10. An entertaining action movie, essential and indispensable for Arnold Schwarzenegger fans.

Jarhead: Law of Return (2019 Video)

Thrilling sequel about a fighter pilot for the Israel Defense Forces shot down while flying through Syrian airspace.

[6/10 · 12 May 2024]

This exciting and nail-biting film contains loudy action, full of suspense, tension, crossfire, chases and adrenaline. Major Ronan Jackson (Devon Sawa), an accomplished fighter pilot and Israeli by Law of Return, and son of a U. S. Senator (Robert Patrick), is shot down and subsequently captured in Syria after an assignment. Miraculously surviving the crash, Jackson is taken captive by a group of Hezbollah militiamen. Jarhead: Law of Return follows a squad of elite Marine Raiders, led by Gunnery Sergeant Dave Torres (Amaury Nolasco), as they risk their own lives in the hope of saving an ally they've never met. While, the Hezbollah terrorist group decides to take him prisoner and serve as prey and ransom.

A gripping and powerful story packed with hard-hitting action, shootouts, nudism ,violence and many swearings and bad language. A bone-chilling and action-packed film about warlike feats in which a joint Israeli US squad's sent in to rescue Ronan within 36 hours. Not everything revolves around shooting and chases: the key is humanity, so the most dangerous thing is not the mission, it is the rescue and escape and that is what the character of Amaury Nolasco , who is the true protagonist of this intricate and fast-paced action thriller, is very clear about. There is also a description of the Middle East war with the Hezbolla militia supported by Iran, Lebanon and Syria and its fight against Israel for possession of the Golam Heights. Acceptable interpretations from Devon Sawa as Commander Ronan Jackson who's hunted while flying over the Syrian sky, Jeff Pierre as Sgt. Johnson, Yael Eitan as tough soldier israeli Neta, the decesed Ben Cross as USMC General Betz, Robert Patrick as the worried senator and special mention for Amaury Norlasco who's the main starring as two-fisted, and experienced sergeant who in compliance with his military duty will not stop at anything in order to fulfill his mission.

Jarhead: Law of Return (2019) contains colorful cinematography by cameraman Alexander Krumov filmed in several locations from Bulgaria and Israel. As well as a moving and functional musical score by composer Frederik Wiedmann . The motion picture was professionally directed by Don Michael Paul. Don is a secondary actor and an occassional professional director. He is an artisan who has directed a lot of action films as cinema as television , such as : ¨Jarhead 2¨, ¨Sniper Legacy¨, ¨Lake Placid : Final chapter¨, ¨Death race : Beyond anarchy¨, ¨Bulletproof 2¨, ¨Kindergaten cops 2¨, ¨Who is your caddy?, The garden¨, among others. Jarhead: Law of Return (2019)rating: 5.5/10.

The saga Jarhead is made up of: ¨Jarhead¨ (2005) by Sam Mendes with Jake Gyllenhaal, Scott MacDonald, Peter Sarsgaard, Jamie Foxx, Lucas Black. ¨Jarhead: Field of fire¨(2014) by Don Michael Paul with Cole Hauser, Stephen Lang, Bokeem Woodbine, Esai Morales , Jesse Garcia, Jason Wong, Josh Kelly.¨Jarhead: The siege¨ (2016) by William Kaufman with Scott Adkins, Charlie Weber, Dante Basco , Romeo Miller, Erik Valdez, Sasha Jackson, Dennis Haysbert. ¨Jarhead: Law of Return¨ (2019) with Devon Sawa, Amaury Norlasco, Amos Taman, Nicholas Aaron, Robert Patrick .

Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot (2020)

Another of the many adaptations based on the life of King Arthur, being regularly directed and on a small budget.

[4/10 · 12 May 2024]

Co-written and directed by Giles Anderson, the film narrates the confrontation between Arthur and his illegitimate son Mordred, who he had with the magician Morgana. A reinterpretation based on the famous legend of Arthur with many battles, magic, as well as sword games; following King Arthur and his people rushing home to stop Mordred from taking over Camelot. Decaffeinated, uneven and revisionist version based on the legendary historical figure, recalling several events - many in flashbacks - such as the extraction of the sword in the stone, Excalibur in the hands of the Lady of the Lake and the final fight with Mordred, including a great Lots of battles with colorful visual effects. After defeating the Romans in a bloody war, King Arthur (Richard Short) moves to France to continue fighting and becomes a wandering swordsman. Arthur embarks on a long and hard path, meanwhile Mordred covets the throne and will try to seize power at any price. His son Sir Mordred is an unscrupulous young tyrant who will stop at nothing to reign. Mordred (Joel Phillimore) is ruthless and eventually becomes a false monarch with excessive ambition. He assumes control of Camelot and prepares for his wedding to Queen Guinevere, Arthur's wife. Now King Arthur must meet with the wizard Merlin (Richard Brake from Game of Thrones) and the Knights of the Round Table and fight to regain his throne. The classic love triangle between (Tim Fellingham), Guinevere (Stella Stocker) and Arturo is also revived, including an eventual sincere respect to the old legend. Set in ancient England during the civil wars and where King Arthur rules, he managed to maintain Christianity and civilization in the west of England, although it is not exactly congruent with the 6th century, it is presumed that this was the time in which he lived. But the film takes place in a high medieval panoply. A King emerges from nowhere! No mortal could possess it! No kingdom could command it! Forged by a god! Predicted by a magician. Found by a king. Temptation blackens the heart! . From stone to throne!

This is a moving story about knights, honorable medieval chivalry and the days of the Round Table in the time of King Arthur, coming to the screen with all the pomp and circumstance, but on a medium-low budget. This spectacular film has some attractive action scenes, an evocative soundtrack and forested, but unrealistic settings. Adding dark cinematography, in fact the director of photography shot the entire film using only natural light; extra bright candles were brought in for lighting. Here an older King Arthur returns home after fighting against the Roman Empire when his illegitimate son has corrupted the throne of Camelot. It follows the 'Sword and Sorcery' subgenre more than the traditional story about Arthur, his court of Camelot and the round table. Here, the legendary character is not based on the writings of Thomas Mallory (book "Le Morte d'Arthur"), or the Perceval of Chrétien de Troyes, but rather has been treated freely, adding imagination, emotion, necromancy and fantasy with functional special effects. Turning out to be an extremely revisionist adaptation of ancient legends, about peculiar roles, history and time in which the events take place, set in a dark Middle Ages with a huge castle next to the sea as a background. But at least there are the classic characters of the famous legend, such as Merlin, Genivieve, Lancelot, Mordred, Lady of the Lake, Tristan, Gawain. The cast is little known, the main protagonist, Richard Short, gives a lackluster performance as the brave and reckless Arthur, while Stella Stockery is the doubtful Guinevere, Sanna Kelly plays the strange witch with extraordinary powers, and Richard Brake as the wizard Merlin who usually appears as a falcon that suddenly transforms and appears before the knights. An imperfect, light and sensational version, but it will appeal to fans of medieval adventure and fans of Arthurian legends. Rating: 4.5/10.

Other films about the legends of Arthur that have had countless adaptations turned out to be: the Hollywood version "The Knights of the Round Table" (Richard Thorpe, 53) with Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, Stanley Baker; ¨Lancelot and Guinevere¨ (1963) by Cornel Wilde with Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Brian Aherne, George Baker; the musical ¨Camelot¨ by Joshua Logan with Franco Nero, Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave; ¨Merlin and the Sword¨ by Clive Donner, (85) with Malcolm McDowell, Candice Bergen, Edward Woodward; ¨Merlin¨(1998) with Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Rutger Hauer, Isabella Rossellini, Martin Short; ¨The First Knight¨ with Richard Gere, Sean Connery, Julia Ormond; ¨King Arthur¨(Antoine Fuqua, 2004) with Clive Owen, Stephen Dillane, Ioan Gruffud, Mikkelsen, Kiera Knightley; and recently "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (2017) by Guy Ritchie with Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou, Eric Bana, Aidan Gillen. And Walt Disney's animated version: "The Sword in the Stone¨(1963) by Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi. As well as the comic adaptation¨Monty Python and the Holy Grail¨ (1975) by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. And the excellent ¨Excalibur¨ (John Boorman, 81) which is considered the best and most tremendous epic based on the legend, performed by Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Nicol Williamson, Gabriel Byrne, Keith Buckley, Katrine Boorman, Ciarán Hinds, Cherie Lunghi; this has not been indisputably surpassed until now.

How to Steal a Million (1966)

Sophisticated and fun romantic comedy with big name cast dealing with a caper at a french museum

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

Attractive and agreeable comedy with star-studded cast, sympathetic incidents , entertainment and amusement. Shot on location in París, but no showing sightseeing or monuments, though it has luxurious houses and gorgeous indoors. Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn give glorious, charming acting, and the latter is especially frankly delightful. Paris, 1966...Monsieur Charles Bonnet (Hugh Griffith), the current head of the Bonnet family, custodian of the family's legendary collection of fine art, and he's a noted collector in his own right. His daughter, Nicole Bonnet (Audrey Hepburn, dressed in Givenchy clothes, as usual), wants him to stop this business fearing that some day soon he will get caught. To save her father from prison she contacts the only person she knows who she believes can help her, namely a burglar named Simon Dermott (Peter O'Toole), in order to attempt to steal a priceless statue. Meet a couple of smart operators who give a lesson in love and larceny !. A movie about those who appreciate the finest things in life... for free! Having a Wonderful Crime! Wish You Were Here!

Enjoyable and attractive comedy based on the story¨Venus Rising¨ by George Bradshaw. Stylish and fast moving picture in which a girl is drawn into a criminal intrigue to save her father resulting in surprising consequences. This is a sparklingly sophisticated comedy/thriller/romance with Wyler's stylish direction and full of plot twists and red herrings. From the opening credits to the ending, entertainment and amusement are well provided. William Wyler is prepared to resort to all the tricks in the cinematic trade to make this a fascinating thriller-comedy. It displays some very diverting and funny moments, with a lot of diversions into the museum, involving a million-dollar heist of a sculpture in Paris art museum. The robbery itself is the complete spectacle, in which 'Topkapi'-like safety precautions have to be overcome. Here Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole are perfectly cast as partners in crime. Elegant Hepburn delivers the goods in more ways than one. This girl is such charming to watch , the voice, the face are ever-changing, completely individual. While Hugh Griffith gives a nice acting as Hepburn's art-forging father and he steals the show, at times. A charming, lightweight script and various Parisian locals combine for fun, above average fluff. Four French matinee idols of the Thirties: Charles Boyer, Fernand Gravet, Roger Tréville and Marcel Dalio show up in supporting characters each in his 60s, but all as debonair as ever. And a fat comedian called Moustache is very likeable as a museum guard, along with the indispensable Jacques Marin as a chief guard.

This comedy-crime caper was competently directed by William Wyler, who had a long Hollywood career. Wyler was considered by his peers as second only to John Ford as a master craftsman of cinema and the winner of three Best Director Academy Awards . Wyler was a great professional who had a career full of successes in all kind of genres as Film Noir : ¨Detective story¨ , ¨The desperate hours¨ , ¨Dead End¨ ; Western : ¨The Westener¨, ¨Friendly persuasion¨ , ¨Big Country¨, but his speciality were dramas such as : ¨Jezebel¨ , ¨The letter¨ , ¨Wuthering Heights¨ , ¨The best years of our lives¨, ¨Mrs Miniver¨, ¨The heiress¨ , ¨the little Foxes¨ , ¨Friendly persuasion¨, ¨The Liberation of L. B. Jones¨, ¨The collector¨ and Comedy as two films starred by Audrey Hepburn : ¨How to steal a million¨ and of course the immortal comedy-romance ¨Roman's holiday¨. Rating ¨How to Steal a Million¨ : 7.5/10. Better than average , worthwhile seeing . It results to be a pretty good film that catches up the audience .

Child's Play (2019)

Passable remake with similar incidents and lots of gore and blood.

[6/10 · 11 May 2024]

Decent terror film with awful murders by the malevolent creature attacking unsuspecting people. Thrilling and horrifying if somewhat moronic movie with nice special effects. Mindless and so-so horror film is packed with thrills, intrigue, suspense, horror , interminable screams with no much sense. After moving to a new city, young Andy Barclay (Gabriel Bateman) receives a special present from his mother (Aubrey Plaza) a seemingly innocent Buddi doll (Mark Hamill's voice) that becomes his best friend. When the doll suddenly takes on a life of its own, Andy unites with other neighborhood children to stop the sinister toy from wreaking bloody havoc. Soon, the block is thrown into chaos as a series of horrifying murders with lots of blood and gore begin to expose the city's hypocrisies and secrets. Along the way, the arrival of other characters threatens to expose the truth behind the killings, as well as the demon doll's untold origins that somehow became this notorious monster. More than a toy... he's your best friend !. A Boy's Best Friend !. Friends to the End !. Prepare to Meet Your New Best Friend !. Playtime is Over !. An evil too great to play on just one network !. A new original series featuring an old friend...A classic coming of rage story. Fear the second coming !. The killer doll is back !. This year, get a load of Chucky !. Get a load of Chucky. The second coming. The country is chucked. This doll is killer. Chucky is one mean S. O. B. Time to Raise Some Hell !Deliver us some evil !.

Gory and bloody film about the creepy, ruthless, sly series killer named ¨Chucky¨, the creepy events start when a mother gives her 13-year-old son a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature. The original creators of Chucky ó Buddi and every sequel before this decided to do a separate television series to continue the storyline there; being written by Tyler Burton Smith displaying a twisted and surprising script; based on "Child's Play" whose screenplay was written by Don Mancini , John Lafia, Tom Holland. Here the evil, devilish-doll Chucky is brought-to-life by means of excellent special effects, in this exciting terror movie packing suspenseful horror, thrills, chills , graphic violence, hemoglobin scenes, grisly killings and some satirical/comical elements. It manages to be a budget enough film that makes for big scary scream-feast, guts, and frights , including creepy scenes , eerie make-up and lots of special effects for the sinister demonic being. And the ending will stick with you and will have you on the edge of your seat, it's a real shocker. The plot is is simple and it will continue similar on all versions or follow-ups, here the malicious Chucky moves a flat carrying out the ordinary massacre and criminal spree. However, this is an acceptable pic that relies heavily on the impressive special effects from the fantastic doll. As the real star is the boastful doll that's magnificently made. Adding a frightening and suspenseful musical score by composers Bear McCready and Jason La Rocca, as well as adequate cinematography by cameraman Brendan Uegama. Well produced by Jason Cloth, Ferguson, Aaron Gilbert, David Katzenberg and Michael Williams. The motion picture was professionally directed by Lars Klevberg (Polaroid), though without originality because being a simple copy of previous entries. Rating: 5.5/10.

The initial film from the overlong saga¨Chucky¨ results to be ¨Child's play¨ (1988) by Tom Holland with Brad Dourif, Alex Vincent, Catherine Hicks and Chris Sarandon. To be continued by ¨Child's play II¨ (1990 ) by John Lafia with Jenny Agutter , Alex Vincent , Gerrit Graham . ¨Child's play 3¨ by Jack Bender with Justin Whalin , Peter Haskell , Dakin Matthews . ¨Bride of Chucky¨ (1998) by Ronny Yu with Jennifer Tilly , Brad Dourif , Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile, Alexis Arquette . ¨Seed of Chucky¨(2004) by Don Mancini with Brad Dourif , Billy Boyd , Tony Gardner , Jason Flemyng , Hannah Spearritt , John Waters , Redman , Keith-Lee Castle . And ¨Curse of Chucky¨ (2013) by Don Mancini with Chantal Quesnelle , Fiona Dourif , Jordan Gavaris, Danielle Bisutti, A Martinez and ¨Cult of Chucky¨ (2017) by Mancini with Allison Dawn Doiron , Alex Vincent , Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif went straight-to-video , until the release of the remake ¨Child's Play¨ (2019) by Lars Klevberg with Tim Matheson, Ben Daon, Zahra Anderson, Aubrey Plaza . In addition , "Chucky¨, is formed by 21 episodes in three seasons by Don Mancini stars Zackary Arthur, Bjorgvin Arnarson , Alyvia Alyn Lind, Devon Sawa , Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Meg Tilly, Ted Briones, Barbara Alyn Woods, Fiona Dourif, Carina Battrick, Lexa Doig, Rachelle Casseus, Lachlan Watson, among others .

Maximum Risk (1996)

Van Damme spectacle against the violent Russian mafia and using his incredible fighting skills

[6/10 · 11 May 2024]

Fine flick with more than a semblance of an enjoyable and entertaining story without being excessively cerebral, including thrills, spectacular fighting , mayhem and breathtaking chases . Van Damme plays two twins and one of them goes to a relentless vendetta agains Russian mobsters (Zach Grenier). In Niece, France, Mikhail Suverov (Jean Claude Van Damme), a former Russian gangster is pursued by two corrupt FBI agents Pellman (Paul Ben Victor) and Loomis (Frank Senger) and Mikhail is murdered. French police officer Alain Moreau (Jean Claude van Damme) discovers Mikhail is his twin brother he never knew and was given up for adoption. Investigating Mikhail's murder, Alain travels to New York City and assumes Mikhail's identity, where he meets Mikhail's sexy girlfriend Alex Minetti (Natasha Hensridge). The good brother takes over his life to find out whodunit. The Other Side of Safety !. The other side of safe !. The nearer he gets to the truth, the closer he gets to the edge !.

Van Damme in a deja vu, similar to 'Double Impact', plays a double role, two identical twins -a good French guy and a bad Russian good- and he goes into action when the bad guy is killed. But this lunkhead kick-em-up doesnt take advantage of that gimmick. This violent film contains thriller , suspense , action , tension and spectacular/well choreographed fights . Entertaining movie , thanks to tight pace, skillful edition and well mounted combats . It's tense and exciting , at time glossy enough action movie and the overwhelming struggles are well done. The basic story would have been the same with just one Jean-Claude. Risk, noisy action and danger aside is not alll that bad, what with gorgeous Natasha Hensridge as his sib's squeeze, unaware that the man she has in a lip lock is not her beloved. Lots of profane dialogue and some gratuitous nudity fot the adults in charge of Natasha Hensridge. Has all the action you'd expect from a pic with 'The Muscles of Brussels' and more fists, guns, and car chases is, of course, the major reason to invest your entertainment here.

The motion picture was professionally directed by Ringo Lam . In 2015 , Hong Kong director Ringo Lam received the Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th New York Asian Film Festival. Hong Kong action auteur Lam's stateside debut ensures that fast-paced pursuits and full-throttle combat is well made and visually appealing. He was a craftsman who made a trilogy for Van Damme : Maximum Risk , Replicant and In Hell . His film City on Fire (1987) was the inspiration for the plot and some of the scenes in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1992) . Ringo was a a nice Chinese director who recently passed away , and filmmaker for Jackie Chan : Double dragon . And was hired in US for Jean Claude Van Damme vehicles . He also directed ¨On fire¨ trilogy : the first is titled ¨City on fire¨ , the second titled ¨Prison on fire¨ and the third titled ¨ Prison on fire 2¨ and ¨Risk In Hel¨ (2003) stars Van Damme as well. Pointlessly energetic and excessively violent , this Maximum Risk (1996) will appeal the true devotee of main actor . It's a must see for Van Damme fans . Rating : 6/10 . Decent action movie .

Session 9 (2001)

Tension, chills, and suspense when an asbestos cleaning crew working in an abandoned mental hospital.

[5/10 · 10 May 2024]

Kirkbride Mental Health Hospital, built in 1871 is being reclaimed as a town hall and renovated after being closed down nearly fifteen years earlier in 1985. Hazmat Elimination Company, an asbestos removal company run by Gordon Fleming (played by Peter Mullan) , he secures the contract by promising to complete the work in a week , although under ideal circumstances it should take a month, unfortunately ideal circumstances are not afoot in the creepy booby hatch. And his associate is Phil (played by David Carusoe), they are the first to start on the renovation of the building. The film opens with a lightly humoured tour through the asylum led by Bill Griggs (a cameo by Paul Guilfoyle). To get a big bonus, Gordon recklessly promises that his men can complete the job in record time, despite the advice of the team leader. Dressed in protective suits, the five workers venture through the rooms and other corridors of the demolished hospital. As they advance, the team is dragged deeper and deeper into the mysteries that surround the place, patient abuse, medieval medical procedures, rumors of possession. Tensions rise with a horrific past that seems to be coming back. Fear is a place !.

Brad Anderson's third film, after 'Darien Gap' and 'Next Stop Wonderland', Brad is also the author of the script along with Stephen Gevedon who plays a bit role, and using dolby and state-of-art cameras in this thriller to give the story greater realism. Intriguing film containing drama, thrills, chills, suspense , twists and turns , and results to be entertaining, but slow and mediocre. The highlight of the film is the opressive atmosphere, including the vast, eerie halls that soon get to Gordon and his crew, as they start turning on each others after the discovery of nine audio tapes confirming rumors of satanic rituals and torture of patients. Somewhat marred by editing that gives away the story too early, and also by the fact that for workers under a deadline, these guys stand around getting freaked out eay too much. Stars Peter Mullan que gives a good acting as a hazardous materials contractor who bids on a job to remove asbestos from a rundown insane asylum, being well accompanied by a nice cast of familar actors, such as : David Caruso, Josh Lucas, Stephen Gevedon, Paul Guilfoyle and Brendan Sexton III.

This displays a somber and appropriate photography for the spooky events that take place. Shot by cameraman Uta Briesewitz, using Sony's Cine Alta HD digital video cameras instead of film. Likewise, a thrilling and suspenseful score by Climax Golden Twins. The motion picture was professionally directed by Brad Anderson, though results to be a bit boring. Anderson won the award for best director at the Sitges festival. He is a good filmmaker who has directed thought-provoking and thrilling films such as ¨Happy accidents¨ , ¨Transsiberian¨. ¨Session 9¨ , ¨Stonehearst Asylum¨, ¨The machinist¨ , and ¨The call¨ his last film starring Halle Berry. Rating: 5/10. It's an average film with tense, suspenseful, and violent scenes .

The Path (2022)

Nice co-production between Germany and Spain about two children and a dog who flee from the Nazis through the Pyrenees.

[6/10 · 10 May 2024]

A passionate and emotional film dealing with German journalist Ludwig get in trouble, he has written too sincerely for the Nazi regime and realizes that he must be prepared to flee. He takes his son Rolf and his inseparable dog Adi (inexplicably named after Adolf Hitler) to head to the United States, passing through France and Spain. It stars Julius Weckauf, who plays Rolf, a twelve-year-old boy who in 1940 wants to flee the Nazis from France to Portugal with his father (Volker Bruch), a dissident journalist, to take a ship to America. Rolf's mother (Anna Maria Mühe) is waiting for them there. Ordered to leave his dog, Rolf (Julius Weckauf) prefers to hide it in his bag. At first it seems like a not too difficult path, but then the journey becomes bumpy and ends abruptly. In a hard cut, the Nazis appear with consequent turmoil, confusion and danger. The journey becomes increasingly dangerous and exhausting, forcing them to depend on an anti-Franco resistance network. Even though junior guide Nuria (Nonna Cardoner) bribes a police patrol, the barking stray dog attracts the attention of the Germans, so Ludwig delivers the essentials to his son before saving the children to the get trapped alone. Rolf teaches Nuria the power of fiction and helps her free her parents, eventually arriving at Liberty Station.

Family films certainly have the task of preparing serious and stressful themes in such a way that children and young people do not suffer any psychological damage, but this "Road to Freedom" (2022) sometimes almost feels like a crazy comedy for children. However, the threat and seriousness of a situation can still be conveyed, something that is done even in children's series. Lead actor Julius Weckauf makes a decisive contribution to the feel-good factor suitable for the mainstream. The child actor resorts to very childish interpretive means that fit him like a glove. With his fatness, precocious charm, sympathy, and stubborn daydreaming, the 14-year-old achieves a comedic screen presence that shines even brighter in contrast to the harsh realism of the little girl played by Nonna Cardoner. And his father is played by Volker Bruch, apparently a well-known German actor and protagonist of the successful series "Babylon Berlin" by Tom Tykwer. While Bruna Cusí, protagonist of ¨Upon entry¨ is a leader Maquis, Esther, who helps them achieve the desired freedom.

Resulting to be a sensitive and adventure film about two children who flee through France, the Pyrenees and Spain. Unlike the book, the smuggler who crosses the Pyrenees is a girl, not a shepherd boy. Of course, such a delicate and childish approach to the sexes is always nice to see, but even here there are exaggerations in some scenes, such as when Rolf carries a gun without knowing anything about it, threatening and shooting the kidnappers of the parents of the girl, or for example, when he once drags Núria to the lake to have fun - which gives the whole thing a kind of country holiday atmosphere, however we are dealing with much more serious things.

Jokes, fantasies, diversion, and funny sayings among children are followed by drama, pursuit, or danger, and vice versa, changing rapidly and in constant succession. This allows screenwriter Rüdiger Bertram to tell two stories in one in his fictional adaptation of Lisa Fittko's memoirs: 'My Way Over the Pyrenees'. On the one hand, the adventure story typical of children's cinema, animated by the fun and loving father, who embellishes the hardships of the expulsion of his son with a slight style. On the other hand, the film adequately reflects the universal destiny of all displaced people at all times and in all places, showing it in a concrete tough experience. The Pyrenees route designed by Lisa Fittko helped several persecuted people escape in 1940, who were also persecuted by the Nazis during the collaborationist Vichy regime. The most famous was the philosopher and writer Walter Benjamín, who arrived in Spain but was not allowed to enter due to lack of valid documents and died in the border town of Portbou. Even today, the road referred to in the film is called "Chemin Walter Benjamin." This theme about the passage of the Pyrenees with people fleeing and relentlessly pursued, has already been treated in other films such as ¨The Passage¨ by J. Lee Thompson with Anthony Quinn as the well-known shepherd-guide and ¨Behold a Pale Horse¨ by Fred Zinnemann with Gregory Peck.

The motion picture was professionally directed by Tobias Wiemann (Amelie Rennt) who has adapted Rüdiger Bertram's novel 'The Road - The Story of an Escape to Freedom' to film with some variations. The author also collaborated on the script together with Jytte-Merle Böhrnsen, the director's wife. A material that will probably interest both adults due to its action details with unfortunate people harassed by the Nazis, and children, following the adventures of two little ones and a friendly dog.

Doctor Mordrid (1992)

Fantasy, action and magic with primitive but effective special effects.

[5/10 · 9 May 2024]

It follows the story of the talented Doctor Mordrid (Jeffrey Combs), a suspect inhabitant at a block of apartments. An unspeakable evil has come into our dimension and wants to rule over Earth, and only a mysterious sorcerer known as Doctor Mordrid can stop him. Mordrid must put ego aside and develop the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Doctor Mordrid, helped by his neighbour Samantha Hunt (Yvette Nipar), must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilising a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect Earth and the universe against his nemesis Kabal (Brian Thompson). Open your mind !. Change your reality !. Question reality !. Change your destiny !. The impossibilities are endless!. Expand your mind !.

A trilling and fantastic film in which a battle of wits takes place between two immensely powerful sorcerers from the 4th dimension, both of whom cross over into present time with two very different missions -one wants to destry Earth, one wants to save it. Fantasy and science fiction come together in this imitation of 'Marvel's Doctor Strange' with well-known actors from the best B-series: Jeffery Combs (Re-animator) and Brian Thompson (Cobra). Jeffrey Combs and Brian Thompson are popular in the Star Trek universe, guest starring in multiple episodes and both acted in a same episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. Jeffrey Combs plays the powerful sorcerer Doctor Mordrid, whose mission on Earth, for more than a century, is to be prepared for the lethal attack of the Lord of Death and the first signs of his arrival have just occurred. The film produced by 'Full Moon', the distributor and producer of low-budget horror and fantasy films created by Charles Band, who here also serves as writer and co-director along with his father Albert Band.

It contains traditional special effects by means of stop-motion, in the wake of Ray Harryhausen; in fact, there's a spectacular fight between a bony Tiranosaurius Rex and a skeletal Mamouth. In addition, a rousing and spectacular musical score by Richard Band, 'Full Moon' and 'Empire' regular composer. The motion picture was mediocrely but professionally directed by veteran filmmaker, Albert Band; he was one of Hollywood's most prolific directors who started his career in the early 50s and continuing the legacy, his son, the equally prolific producer/director Charles Band. Albert Band began financing a number of motion pictures through the sixties, seventies, and eighties decades and helped his son, Charles, to bring together his own production company, 'Empire Pictures', in the early eighties. Upon the collapse of Empire Pictures in the early nineties, Band continued to work with his son and help bring a number of low-budget and medium budget films to the Hollywood screen or direct to video releases. Albert Band directed some Westerns, such as : ¨She came to the Valley¨, ¨Massacre at Grand Canyon¨, ¨The Young Guns¨ and ¨The Tramplers ¨ at his best . Furthermore, he made terror and Sci-fi , such as : ¨Aliens Gone Wild , Prehisteria , Prehisteria 2 , Robot War , Ghoulies II , Satán's Dog¨ and all kind of genres. While his son Charles Band has written/produced/directed a lot of films, such as: ¨The Creeps, Hideous, Dollman vs demonic toys, Puppet master, Crash and burn, Trancers , Trancers II: the return of Jack Deth, Dungeonmaster, Metalstorm: the destruction of Jared Syn, Parasite, The alchemist¨. Rating : 5.5/10, acceptable and passable . The flick will appeal to Jeffrey Combs fans, worthwhile watching for his followers, that's why he's an actor that has a 'cult status'.

Las pirañas (1967)

Spanish-Argentine co-production with plenty of black humor and nice interpretations.

[6/10 · 9 May 2024]

Ricardo (Rodolfo Bebán) is an executive who has great success with women and behaves almost like a play-boy. His wife, Carmen (Sonia Bruno) , an attractive housewife without children, it feels ignored by him and seeks solace from her mother (Ana María Campoy), who proposes Carmen a change in the way she acts in order to do not lose permanently her husband or even fall into madness. So the mother-in-law informs Ricardo that she is suffering from multiple sclerosis. From there, Ricardo changes his attitude and tries to make Carmen happy, who develops a relationship with a designer named Carlos (Lautaro Murúa). At the same time, Ricardo finds in the youth and beauty of Piti (Marilina Ross), the shop assistant, an attractive future for when his wife dies.

An attractive but uneven film that aims to create a black comedy in the marital sphere about a couple crisis, emotional blackmail and infidelity. The constant clashes with Franco's censorship led Luis Berlanga to film this comedy in co-production with that country in Argentina. The picture is acceptable and passable , but some of the dialogues do not lack vividness, but the script ends being a tour of dull vignettes based on an unoriginal deception and several unfunny misunderstandings. With a lot of sarcasm and details of black humor, Berlanga, with the collaboration of his usual writer Rafael Azcona in the script, analyzes husband-wife relationships in the key of a fable. The film, also known as "The Piranhas", is well paced, overtalking,and developed with long sequence shots composed with style. The performances are meritorious, Along with the leading role of Sonia Bruno who left the film showbusiness to marry a known footballer, the presence of Argentine actors such as Rodolfo Beltrán, Lautaro Murúa, a cameo by Luís Garcia Berlanga himself as a cinema spectator and the then almost debutant Marilina Ross (¨La Raulito¨, ¨Reina Zanahoria or Queen Carrot¨) stands out who would have a prosperous career in Spain. Everything is resolved with foreseeable results despite the fact that Berlanga and Azcona want to twist the story with a forced and unsatisfactory ending that delves into its blackish nature.

Direction by Luis Garcia Berlanga is decent, but inferior to his other films . He shows his skill for edition , realizing long shots that he moves easily and efficiently. Berlanga filmed several polemic movies during the 50s, all of them were beset by difficulties with the censors caused by real critical to social stratum such as ¨Bienvenido Mister Marshall¨ (1953), a very good film which tended not to be very well received by the censor for its acidity and considered to be one of the best Spanish films of the history ; however, his strong portrait of Spanish society , plenty of sharpness, didn't please the pro-Franco authorities . His next joint venture was ¨Los Jueves, Milagro¨ (1957), it was modified by the censors and delayed for several years before its eventual release . Later on , Berlanga made one of his best films ¨Placido¨ (1961) masterfully played by Cassen , this is the film debut for the great producer Alfredo Matas and received an Oscar nomination in 1963 , being well-received at the International Festivals , reviewing the useless charity , it's a sublime film but with censorship realized by this great maestro Luis Garcia Berlanga. And the masterpiece ¨El Verdugo¨ (1963) about a justice executioner with full of satire , criticism and black comedy. He continued filming other interesting pictures, as in 1973 he went to Paris to begin filming ¨Grandeur nature¨ with Michael Piccoli , another problematic film , focusing this time on the fetishism of a man who falls in love with a doll . Several years later , after Franco's death, he filmed a trilogy comprising ¨La Escopeta Nacional¨ (1978), ¨Patrimonio Nacional¨ (1981) and ¨Nacional III¨ (1982), where he clarified the evident disorders in the Spanish upper , middle-class upon being confronted with a new political status quo , realizing a sour denounce of the Spanish society . Berlanga ulteriorly shot a peculiar film titled ¨La Vaquilla¨ (1985) plenty of Spanish-star-cast and set in the Spanish Civil War , resulting to be the first time dealing with this convulsive period in comedy style . Following the same themes, he went on filming choral films such as ¨Moros and Cristianos¨ and ¨Todos a Carcel¨ (1993) that won three Goya Awards for Best Film, Best Director and Best Sound ; being his final film: ¨Paris Tombuctu¨. Rating ¨La Boutique¨: 6/10. Essential and indispensable watching for Berlanga aficionados and completists.

Muertos S.L. (2024–2025)

Fun and enjoyable series full of black humor and with a good casting of familiar actors.

[6/10 · 8 May 2024]

The story begins with the sudden death of Gonzalo Torregrosa (Juan Miguel Bataller), the owner of a funeral home who did not establish who would succeed him in management, so the commercial director Dámaso (Carlos Areces) is considered the natural successor to run it. Until the widow Nieves (Ascen López) decides to take charge of the funeral home herself, and against all odds the septuagenarian woman decides to run the family business, which leads her to practice nepotism with her son-in-law Chemi (Diego Martín). Thus the clueless older lady is helped by her useless and enthusiastic son-in-law Chemi, who although he has never worked in her life, is supposedly an expert in Marketing, and all this against the daughters' desire to set up a gym. Meanwhile, Manuela (Adriana Torrebejano) is determined to make public the harassing practices of the deceased boss, trying to enlist the complicity of the receptionist Olivia (Aitziber Garmendia) and the tanatopractor Abel (Gerald B. Fillmore). Also working at the funeral home are the lazy Nino (Salva Reina), the semi-retired cremator Anselmo (Manolo Cal) and the intern Morales (Roque Ruiz). Many twisted and bizarre incidents happen, so the crematorium breaks and Chemi orders another one and to save costs they request that it be sent by Ali Expres, when it arrives they deposit it on the street; while Dámaso conspires and manipulates his colleagues against the new management . And the company will face competition from the 'Transitus funeral home' and its business expansion plan, and whose manager is a former worker (Amaia Salamanca) who is a competitor of Dámaso.

A decent ¨Sitcom¨ created by siblings Laura and Alberto Caballero that takes place in the day-to-day life of the 'Torregrosa funeral home', a family business on the brink of disaster that always manages to stay afloat. After the founder's death, his widow defies her expectations by taking over the funeral home against the plans of her right-hand man, facing competition, internal conflicts, and a 'me-too' case that threatens the company's legacy. Director Laura Caballero refers to the use of a different style for this series, incorporating resources such as 'zoom', treating it as an essential element of the narrative with which many of the reactions of the characters that are important to highlight the set pieces, while emphasizing customs and paying attention to those moments that we consider funniest and sometimes adopting the style of 'The Office' and other work comedies in a similar style. The series is agreeable thanks to its short duration of 30 minutes, which that's why it does not become heavy, something that the creators already experienced with success in 'Machos Alfa' and it seems that it will continue to be the usual format in the new projects of the Caballero brothers. The series takes advantage of black humor to introduce absurd elements around funeral services, such as when an abandoned lover decides to bury his girlfriend who has left him, a worker sleeping in a coffin, a deceased person who is too obese to fit in any coffin or a man's last wish is to be buried dressed as a clown. It is in these crazy situations that the creators find their best comedic moments, and feel most comfortable with these stunning events. Deploying the usual subplots of personal relationships that we have seen in other series by these showrunners. Nor does it avoid falling into some well-worn jokes, such as the one referring to the inclusive language, which was part of one of the main characters, and the heavy plot of the role played by Adriana Torrebajano, who is relentlessly determined to accuse the deceased owner, all of which is a bit repetitive. However, the character of Diego Martín is quite funny as the presumptuous and wise-cracking Chemi who believes that he does everything well and is really a fragrant bungler, so his mother makes him responsible for the non-existent marketing department, but who is actually a Horse of Troy introduced by her daughters, convinced that Chemi's lack of commercial capabilities will improve so that he can single-handedly sink the company and thus be able to sell it to the competition. The series has the advantage that the actors are comfortable because their best resources have been chosen, with a decent cast, being well led by Carlos Areces who usually plays this type of comedies very well.

The series is slight and simple with sympathetic humor, and is professionally created and directed by the Caballero brothers, along with Nando Abad, Julián Sastre, Araceli Álvarez de Sotomayor, Daniel Deorador and the eight episodes were acceptably directed by Laura Caballero. Previously they created the successful ¨La que se avecina¨, ¨Aqui no hay donde viva¨ and ¨Machos Alfa¨. Rating: 6/10. An acceptable and passable series that will entertain the usually long-suffering viewers.

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)

A fun but uneven film, being acted/written/directed by Gene Wilder.

[5/10 · 8 May 2024]

Queen Victoria (Susan Field) sends an important document to the British Foreign Secretary. It is about a writing on which the destiny of the nation depends. That same night the message is stolen, being taken from the safe in Lord Redecliff's (John Le Mesurier) bedroom. Sherlock Holmes' younger brother is annoyed that he has had to live in Sherlock's shadow for so long. When Sherlock goes to the continent, he sends a case to his brother named Sigerson (Gene Wilder) who constantly tries with varying success, to imitate Sherlock's deductive and observational tricks. The younger brother of the consulting detective tries to steal Sherlock's glory by solving an important issue assisted by an eccentric Scotland Yard detective Orville Sacker (Marty Feldman) and a lovely but suspicious actress (Madeline Kahn) .

Gene Wilder (the producers, The woman in red) debuts as director of this parody about the famous detective immortalized by Arthur Conan Doyle. Here the unknown brother of the famous Sherlock takes on some of his brother's more disposable excessses and makes some hilarious moves. Gene Wilder incorporates a hypothetical brother named Sigerson, played by himself, who believes himself superior to his relative Sherlock. Moments of engaging farce borrowed from the Mel Brooks school of parody and parts of the Brooks ensemble cast as well. Fussily set in Victorian times with colorful cinematagraphy by cameraman Gerry Fisher, lively musical score by composer John Morris, nice production design from Terence Marsh and evocative sets. Of course the best and most outrageous scenes are the dance scenes when they enter the luxurious and high class ballroom and start dancing with their butts in the air. These are mostly played for laughs, but includes one piece of calculated excitement with really stirs the blood, as Gene Wilder and Roy Kinnear swing at each other with giant-sized boot and glove from the tops of speeding carriages. There are some amusing scenes involving notorious secondaries, such as: Dom DeLuise, Leo McKern, Roy Kinnear, John Le Mesurier, Douglas Wilmer, Thorley Walters, Albert Finney, among others.

The picture was mediocrely directed by Gene Wilder, who doesn't distributes what is expected from this great comic actor. Gene made his name as a funny man in Brooks' movies and his film debut as star-director turns out to be a typically Brooksian curate's egg of a helter-skelter farce. Gene Wilder was a good comedian (Frisco kid, Stir Crazy, Willy Wonka, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, Blazing saddles, Hanky Panky, The Little Prince, Silver Streak) who directed a few of acceptable films, such as: The Lady in Red, Haunted Honeymoon, The French Method, The World's Greatest Lover and The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother . Rating: 5.5/10. Average but passable.

The Martian (2015)

An intelligent and brilliant science fiction pic with spectacular scenes and well pace.

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

When they have only been on Mars for 18 days, involved in a dangerous storm, the members of NASA's Hares III crew (Jessica Chastain, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie) are forced to abort their mission and abandon the planet. Astronaut (Matt Damon) becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue. Bring Him Home !. Help is only 140 million miles away !.

Science fiction, adventures on the edge of survival and an intense drama of a man abandoned on an inhospitable planet with little chance of being rescued alive, give shape to this film. Based on the book: 'The Martian' by Andy Weir, this is a love letter to survival, serenity, patience and fight for live against the mosts dangerous circumstances. Ridley Scott stated: ¨this is a story of extreme survival, something like the science fiction version of Robinson Crusoe. Mars is not a particularly welcoming planet, its temperature varies between 153 degrees below zero and 22 degrees, the air is composed of 95% carbon dioxide, the soil does not have the necessary bacteria to grow anything, and water does not exist, just a form of ice. But the protagonist is a botanist, and he will try to find a way to make the soil of Mars fertile, although that will be only one of his problems¨. In addition, its almost absolute protagonist Matt Damon explains: ¨This enjoyable film is intertwined with the experience in loneliness of the protagonist on Mars and that of the team on Earth trying to find a way to solve it¨.

Despite the extremes of story, The Martian is an exciting and, above all, fun film in which there is dry humor and black humor everywhere. Displaying stunning interpretations from our main starring Matt Damon and features a good cast of great stars such as the actors playing the earth personnel roles: Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig, Benedict Wong, Mackenzie Davis , Donald Glover, Sean Bean and space astronauts: Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Sebastian Stan Stan, Aksel Hennie. Which we must add the wonderful and sensitive sonorous score musical by composer Harry Gregson-Williams. As well as the authentic luxury, and, colorful cinematography by cameraman Dariusz Wolski . The motion picture was competently directed by Ridley Scott, at his best and as stylish as ever. Scott has directed a lot of notable films, such as: ¨Someone to watch over me¨, ¨Blade runner¨, ¨Black rain¨ , ¨Legend¨ in which his visual style is impressive . And his speciality , is the historical genre, such as: ¨Robin Hood¨ , ¨Kingdom of heaven¨ , ¨Duelists¨, ¨Black Hawk down¨, ¨1492¨, ´Exodus¨, ¨The Last Duel¨, ¨Napoleon¨ and Sci-fi genre, such as: ¨Alien Covenant¨, ¨Prometheus¨, ¨Blade runner¨, ¨Alien¨, among others. Rating : Above average . Essential and indispensable watching for Ridley Scott followers.

Rome (2005–2007)

A realistic account of the lives of illustrious and common Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.

[7/10 · 7 May 2024]

In this British historical drama, the turbulent transition from the Roman Republic to the autocratic empire, which changed world history through civil wars and wars of conquest, is outlined both from the aristocratic point of view of Julius Caesar (Ciarán Hinds), his family, his confrontation against Pompey Magnus (Kenneth Cranham), his adopted successor Gaius Octavian Augustus (Max Pirkis), his ally Mark Antony (James Purefoy) and political adversaries, and from the politically popular point of view of a few ordinary Romans , in particular the soldiers Lucio Voreno and Tito Pullo and their families. The main characters, Lucius Vorenus (Ray Stevenson) and Titus Pullo (Kevin McKidd), are named after real-life historical figures. They are mentioned in Caesar's Gallic Wars as two close associates with disputes between them over each other's bravery and over who will be promoted to Primus Pilus. They are referred to as explicitly brave when Marcus Tullius Cicero's brother was besieged. Then Caesar's love affairs with Cleopatra take place. When he goes to Egypt he receives the head of Pompey from Ptolemy XIII, which was not a dish of pleasure for Julius. Furious, he orders his executioners to be beheaded, and then sides with the faction of Cleopatra VII with whom he has a son and defeats Ptolemy. Some time later, in Rome he is murdered in the Senate by Brutus (Tobias Menzies) and Cassius. Antony is married to Octavia, Augustus's sister. After that, Antony marries Cleopatra and they are defeated by Augustus at Actium. After the assassination of Caesar by the senators, among others by his protégé Brutus , his political heir Augustus takes power. Before Spartacus: Sand of Blood. Before Game of Thrones. There was Rome! Rome without government... The lust for power begins! What would you do for power? Every city has its secret!

A good historical series turning out to be quite entertaining, dealing with Roman times during the fall of the Republic, providing decent performances and acceptable production design. And with an interesting and attractive script by the best writers, such as: William J. MacDonald, Scott Buck, Todd Ellis Kessler, Alexandra Cunningham, David Frankel but the real creators and show-runners were Bruno Heller and John Milius. The various directors: Michael Apted, Mikael Salomon, Allen Coulter, Steve Shill, Alan Taylor, Jeremy Podeswa, Adam Davidson, Carl Franklin, Alik Sakharov, Roger Young were determined to create a more authentic, evocative, realist and raw representation of classical Rome than films like Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus (1960) or Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000), which featured a shiny and prosperous version referred to as Holy Rome. Historical consultants stated that they did extensive research to be as real as possible, although they strove for authenticity rather than accuracy as they were not making a documentary. This series follows the history of the Roman Empire, from the first triumvirate: Crassus, Pompey, Caesar, following the life and death of Julius, as a powerful aristocratic family rises to power. Dealing with the extraordinary rise of Julius Caesar and subsequently Augustus, who overcame adversity to become the most powerful leaders in the world. This tangled story is about Caesar, Pompey, Marcus Antonius, the Roman Julia-Claudian dynasty, during the bloody civil wars, which will later follow a long 'Pax Romana' ruled by Octavian Augustus. The 'Pontifex Maximus' Octavius Augustus was the nephew and heir of Julius Caesar, and after the assassination of the latter on the 'Ides of March', he formed the second triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus. And then he proclaimed himself Emperor, being succeeded by other much worse emperors such as Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero.

This television hit within the historical framework was produced by HD Vision Studios, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Home Box Office (HBO) Sky Atlantic who brought Ancient Rome to life with a treatment in which sex and swords are mixed, with many scenes of love, violence and strong confrontations. Sex and violence on the plates in this peculiar portrait of Roman times that precedes and serves as a model for the less successful ¨Domina¨ (2021) which starred Livia (Kasia Smutniak) - wife of Augustus - as the cunning empress who little by little he tries to get his son Tiberius to assume the throne.

Unbridled (2018)

Something weak and boring film that does not offer the promoted thriller that it advertises.

[5/10 · 7 May 2024]

Abel (Daniel Grao) is an politician from the autonomous community of Andalusia dedicated to the fight of the most disadvantaged and Nora (Natalia de Molina), his wife, is his unconditional support for him and who keeps an important secret that can transform everything and change his political future. His quiet life in a secluded Andalusian farmhouse will change when Victor (Ignacio Mateos) , an ousted high official, appears. Virginia (Natalia Mateo) and Felix (Borja Luna) will be the final surprise, two old friends of a time that they preferred to leave behind. Together they will have to face adversity and find out how far they are willing to go to stay together. We are prey of our past !.

Jota Linares writes and directs this alleged dramatic thriller, which is his debut film, dealing with political corruption as a backdrop, bringing to light that appearances are deceiving and that every revelation brings to light new questions. Starring Natalia de Molina giving life to a character that closely matches that of 'Nora' from Enrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House".

The film is advertised as a thriller, but I believe it is a simple drama with a political background, in which secrets and lies finally emerge, resulting in fateful consequences. It is also considered to be a peculiar adaptation of Enrik Ibsen, but I don't see too much relation to it either, although I don't know the play, I have recently seen the version (1973) starring Claire Bloom and Anthony Hopkins, which perfectly adapts to the work; however I don't see many common points. And there's another nice rendition: A Doll's House (1974) by Joseph Losey with Jane Fonda as Nora , Edward Fox, Trevor Howard and David Warner.

The performances are decent, but I had to watch the film with subtitles because I didn't understand what they were saying. It is going to be true what the great director Carlos Saura explained: that it was difficult for the new actors to understand what they were interpreting because they didn't knew how to recite well to us.

Starring Natalia de Molina is acceptable as the wife who in the past made an altruistic decision, but she keeps an important secret to help her husband and she sees how it begins to take its toll. While Daniel Grao effectively plays the autonomous politician dedicated to the struggle for the most disadvantaged and who holds dark secrets in his closet. Completing the cast are Natalia Mateo, Ignacio de Mateos, Maria Tardón, Borja Luna and Mariana Cordero, all of them giving fine interpretations.

The film was directed slowly and rather boringly by Jota Linares . After this his film debut , he has made other pictures , such as: ¨¿A quién te llevarías a una isla desierta?¨, ¨Las niñas de cristal¨ and TV series as ¨Urban. La vida es nuestra¨, and ¨Dias Mejores¨. ¨Animales sin collar¨ rating: 4.5/10. A passable but average first cinematic attempt that results to be some slow, tiring and dull.

Trespass (2011)

Thrilling and violent movie about a family and four hooded delinquents carry out a robbery with unexpected consequences.

[5/10 · 6 May 2024]

¨Home Invasion¨ movie including tension, suspense, and unsettling scenes when a rich and mature marriage are assaulted by four burglars. Trespass (2011) boasts a good cast with Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Cam Gigandet, Ben Mendelsohn, Dash Mihok, Liana Liberato, Jordana Spiro, Dash Mihok, and Nico Tortorella. The Miller family, father (Nicolas Cage), mother (Nicole Kidman) and daughter (Liana Liberato) live in a mansion in Shreveport, Louisiana. The house is later invaded by four robbers (Ben Mendelsohn, Cam Gigandet, Jordana Spiro, Dash Mihok) masquerading as police. As a mature marriage are about to face the worst night of their lives when some crooks burst into their gated home on the outskirts of a big city looking for easy money. As the burglars forcing Cage to open his safe, but things go wrong and don't go as planned. At home Cage and Kidman are trapped and locked by the ominous band. Along the way, they are being tied up mistreated and harassed by the dangerous criminals. The marriage is besieged and terrorized by the psycho-killer attackers and they then look for some means to getaway. When terror is at your door, you can run, or you can fight !.

Thrilling and bleak American film with high doses of violence, tension, suspense, unsettling scenes and repulsion when a wealthy marriage are about to face the worst night of their lives, as some crooks burst into their gated home on the outskirts of a big city looking for easy money.

This is a violent picture about four hooded delinquents trespass into a mansion, holding a higher-class marriage hostage in their own home, packing shocks, die hard scenario, grisly killings, suspenseful with unexpected lies will come to light emerging twists and turns. Intrigue and frightening take over them all, attackers and victims , but then there cropping out treason, suspicion, at the worst possible time. The film packs a claustrophobic atmosphere, hair-raising frames, blood and gore. This violent story belongs to ¨home invasion¨ sub-genre , being filmed in similar naturalist and realist style to ¨Funny Games¨ by Michael Hanake, ¨Secuestrados¨ by Miguel Angel Vivas and ¨Transgression¨ by Enric Alberich (2011). While the look is suitable eerie and frightening, the plot spreads to the breaking point and the ending turns out to be a little frustrating .

Pulsing and moving musical score by composer David Buckley. Likewise, colorful and brilliant cinematography, shot almost entirely in a studio in Louisiana, by cameraman Andrzej Bartkowiak , this was first film as a cinematographer since Thirteen days (2000). Before shooting that film, he directed his first film, Romeo must die (2000), and subsequently decided to become a director full-time, directing five more movies. The picture was mediocrely Joel Schumacher, failing at the boxoffice and bears remarkable resemblance to others films of this sub-genre¨Home invasion¨. As Schumacher manages to submit his worst insticts, but it doesn't really help. Made in usual syle by Joel Schumacher whose credits include some of the most egregious Hollywood codswallop of the last thirty years, such as : ¨Dying young¨, ¨A time to kill¨ , ¨Flatners¨, ¨Batman and Robin¨, ¨Batman Forever¨ and he also made a successful musical ¨Phantom of Opera¨, the thriller ¨Veronica Guerin¨ and this Trespass (2011) was final film made by Joel Schumacher before his death in 2020. Rating : 5/10 . Passable, but average . The flick will appeal to Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman fans.

Tu novia está loca (1988)

Inferior and failed comedy with manifest waste of the best actors of its time.

[4/10 · 6 May 2024]

Amaia (Ana Gracia) is the young director of a Bilbao advertising agency and she leads a stable and happy life. She is a lucky girl: she runs a prestigious advertising agency, she is not short of money, she is in love with Mikel (Antonio Resines), a lawyer for lost causes. Her boyfriend, however, fails to obtain professional recognition and as a consequence is plunged into minor depressions. Mikel does not have much success, will have to fight hard to keep her love when emerges a peculiar suitor. Everything changes when Amaia meets Juan Vergara (Santiago Ramos) , an internationally famous actor, partygoer and womanizer who falls madly in love with her. By accident, Amaia ends up handcuffed to Juan Vergara, the famous actor who will have to stay longer than Mikel would want. Meanwhile, Amaia is torn between the love of Mikel or Juan.

First feature film by Enrique Urbizu (507, La Vida Mancha) who began on the big screen with this below average comedy that does not have enough spark, and is full of stilted situations, without any grace. It displays an unlikely and silly premise: in an incident with the police Ana Gracia/Santiago Ramos end up handcuffed and on the run; later on, in a similar situation, Antonio Resines/Santiago Ramos, they also end up handcuffed and running away. It is a kind of sitcom movie with a fast pace development but that fails on all levels, it contains a choral role with the best actors of its time, but clearly wasted playing silly characters, acting without much sense and forced set pieces.

Starring the prolific, incombustible, and charismatic Antonio Resines, the missing Ana Gracia, and the charming Santiago Ramos, then at the top of his popularity although today he is in the doldrums and they were well accompanied by a lot of familiar faces , such as: Maria Barranco in her film debut, a year before ¨Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown¨ that won Sant Jordi Award Best Spanish Actress, Guillermo Montesinos, Marisa Paredes, Gran Wyoming, Álex Angulo, Pepo Oliva, Ramón Barea, Carlos Tristancho and veteran Germán Cobos.

The musical theme 'Tu novia está loca' of the film is composed by Alberto Comesaña leading his band ¨Semen Up¨. It packs an atmospheric and evocative cinematography by Carlos Gusi (Torrente , Box 507, El Niño , Cell 211), shot in Bilbao, he's deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameramen. The motion picture was professionally directed by Enrique Urbizu who has won various Goya awards. He is a specialist on Thriller as proved in ¨Todo Por la Pasta¨, ¨Cachito¨ , ¨Caja 507¨ and on comedy such as ¨Cuernos Mujer¨, ¨Como Ser Infeliz¨ and ¨Tu Novia Esta Loca¨ but especially Urbizu is the director of ¨No Peace For The Wicked¨ (No Habra Paz Para Los Malvados), an upcoming 'tough cop with big gun' movie, this is his best film surpassing even "La Caja 507" and usually played by his fetish actor, Jose Coronado. Rating 'Tu novia está loca'. 4/10. A disconcerting and idiotic comedy only advisable for hardcore fans of some of the actors who are wasted in this inferior film.

The Equalizer 3 (2023)

Once again Denzel Washington is perfect, as usual, as vigilante Robert McCall distributing justice expeditiously.

[7/10 · 6 May 2024]

This is an action drama of an merciless avenger with full of intrigue, action, tension , thrills, and violence. Denzel stands out in the role of an avenger that protects his friends against villains . Previous spy Denzel is turned vigilante and taking the law into his own hands. Former Marine and Defense Intelligence Agency spy Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) lives in an apartment complex in urban Massachusett and working as a Lyft driver and he misses his previous friend Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo) who was murdered, and, along the way he assists distressed people. Nowadays, McCall anonymously travels to Italy. Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he's done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends (Gaia Scodellaro, Remo Girone, Andrea Scarduzio) are under the control of local crime bosses (Eugenio Mastrandrea). As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends' protector by taking on the mafiaand while giving information about the same to the agent Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning). Justice knows no borders !. What do you see when you look at me? There is no equal. There will be consequences. Don't Go To War With Him.

This is third and superior sequel in 'The Equalizer trilogy', containing suspense, noisy action-packed, gun-play, lots of violence and human values such as friendship and sense of community. Denzel Washington with his usual stoic acting displays amount of weapons in a different place and different location killing nasties. This starts well even with the cliché-filled script but Denzel can pull it off and while showing life in a small Italian town and its social customs. The plotting in The Equalizer 3 is nothing special, it's not an action filled movie, there's also interesting dialogue, but when the action hits it's hard and heavy, not shying away from crowd-pleasing violence meted out to the villains. It's a revival/prequel to the TV show from the 1980s, in which Edward Woodward would help small people fight back against the big nasties in the world. It was a pleasantly fantastic premise, and Washington, as always, convinces me as a two-fisted man who sets out for vengeance. Director Antoine Fuqua has made some great gritty and strong action movies and in 'The Equalizer' shows his portentous skills. Director Antoine Fuqua directs with his usual love of violence and well-paced set pieces. It's appropriate here, and his director of photography, Robert Richardson, chooses a color palette that suggests uses natural light, at times. Aside from the excellent Denzel Washington, we get fine good guys and bad guys performances from Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, Remo Girone, Andrea Scarduzio , among others.

It displays an exciting and moving musical score by Marcelo Zarvos. Lively and colorful photography by Robert Richardson, reflecting splendidly Italian exteriors Minori, Maiori, Ravello, Atrani, Campania,Cinecittà Studios, and Cinecittà, Roma, Lacio, Italia. Director Antoine Fuqua who frequently deals familiar conflicts set in N. Y, keeps the film slick and stokes up the race some, but this only accelerates the flick's deafening rush toward the top and ever over. Fuqua handles the explosive and the psychological undercurrents with equal assurance. Antoine Fuqua has made a lot of succesful movies , such as : ¨The Magnificent Seven¨ , ¨Olympus Has Fallen¨, ¨The Equalizer¨, ¨Equalizer 2¨, ¨Southpaw¨, ¨King Arthur ¨, ¨Training Day¨, ¨Shooter¨, ¨Tears of the Sun¨, ¨Bait¨ , among others. Rating : 7/10 . The yarn will appeal to Denzel Washington fans. Well worth watching .

Scream (I) (2022)

Decent requel that pays a strong tribute to Wes Craven's original flm.

[6/10 · 5 May 2024]

New installment of the 'Scream' saga pays a fun homage to the popular series. Including familiar faces such as Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Marley Shelton, and Skeet Ulrich repeating their past roles with a touch of nostalgia and enjoyable memories. As a new killer dons the 'Ghostface' mask and starts targeting a group of teenagers, headed by Melissa Barrera, to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past. It's always someone you know !. The killer is on this poster !. Don't see it alone!

The nightmare has returned twenty-five years after those brutal murders took place in the town of Woodsboro, California, so a new murderer has returned executing a criminal spree in this acceptable film that "Chicago Sun-Time" considered the best film in the franchise since the first. All the cast that survived from the old pictures are back, adding newcomers, such as: Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Sonia Ammar and Kylle Garner. Directores Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett playfully tweak the cliches of teen slasher pics with this tongue-in-cheek thriller where there's again a mass slasher on the loose, there must be a group of teens 'just out for a good time'. The difference is both the killer and the victims have been raised on 80s , 90s 2000s splatter movies, and, therefore, know all the rules. Once again the stalker uses his cellular phone to terrorize his victims, he also uses to ask his prey trivia questions or offer critiques of successful terror films. Filmmakers and screenwriters add more of the satirical sparks that propelled the predecessor films into boxoffice hits by following the rules of original, they increase the suspense -everyone is a suspect- and gore to the popular franchise a hard one to tantalizing fun, making this outing to the known franchise a hard one to top.

The popular series is made up of : ¨Scream¨ 1996 by Wes Craven with Neve Campbell, Drew Barrymore, Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, Henry Winkler, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich. ¨Scream 2¨ 1997 by Wes Craven with Jerry O'Connell, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Kennedy. ¨Scream 3¨ 2000 with Patrick Dempsey, Scott Foley, Neve Campbell, Lance Hentiksen. ¨Scream 4¨ 2011 with Lucy Hale, Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, Alison Brie, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Hayden Panettiere, Marley Shelton, Emma Roberts. ¨Scream VI¨ 2023 by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett with Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Skeet Ulrich, Dermot Mulroney .

Confess, Fletch (2022)

John Hamm stars in this mystery-laden comedy with messes, thrills, and plot twists.

[5/10 · 5 May 2024]

An unequal mix of comedy and intrigue in which John Hamm plays the chaotic, troubled, yet charming investigative journalist Fletch. Although Fletch says he quit journalism because the profession has been cheapened by social media. Including decent performances, emotion, wry humor and some very quirky dialogue. Irwin Maurice "Fletch" Fletcher (Jon Hamm) is apparently sent to Boston from Italy by his girlfriend Angela (Lorenza Izzo) to recover her father's multi-million-dollar art collection. The paintings were stolen and are in the possession of an American art dealer named Ronald Horan (Kyle MacLachlan). After becoming the prime suspect in a murder, Fletch strives to prove his innocence while simultaneously searching for his girlfriend's stolen art collection. There are several suspicious people and something's rottern in Denmark. Throughout the entire film Fletch assumes a multitude of flippant comic situations to discover the truth. A dead body. A stolen Picasso. And this guy.

A mix of black comedy, murders, robbery, laughs and some very extravagant and excessive dialogues. An uneven mix of laughter and suspense and not without its boring bits. Starring Jon Hamm (Don Draper in ¨Mad Men¨, ¨Beirut¨, ¨Top Gun: Maverick¨) gives a sympathetic acting by playing Fletch who becomes involved in a murder and must use his disguise skills to solve it before he becomes the next victim. The film is an updated version of comedian Chavy Chase's 1980s comedy films: ¨Fletch¨ 1985 by Michael Ritchie and ¨Fletch lives¨ 1989 by Ritchie, based on the novels by Gregory McDonald.

This film full of humor, thrills and a set of crazy characters: swindlers, unfaithful husbands, nosy neighbors, crazy countess, among others. John Hamm is well acco, mpanied by a good cast, such as: Lorenza Izzo, Kyle MacLachlan, John Slattery, Marcia Gay Arden, Roy Wood Jr., Ayden Mayeri and Robert Picardo. ActorJohn Slattery and Jon Hamm used to be in "Mad Men" playing respectively Roger Sterling and Don Draper, both senior partners in the advertising company the series was about.

The film is enhanced by brilliant camera work, augmented by bright, colorful cinematography by Sam Levy. In addition to a lively and pleasant musical score by David Arnold. This fun and entertaining film was unevenly directed Greg Mottola. This good director told:¨I really didn't want the tone of Chevy Chase films. So I did the next pass on the script and brought it closer to the book and brought in more characters from the book and more plot from the book. Still setting it in contemporary times, so a lot of things had to be the modern equivalent to what was a '70s-vibe character or a bit of social satire from the novel¨. Gregg Motola is a fine craftsman who has directed various films and TV episodes, such as: Superbad, Adventureland, Undeclarated, Newsroom, The Daytrippers, Keeping Up with the Joneses, Paul, Dave, Arrested Development , Comeback, Cracking up, among others. Rating: 5.5/10. Acceptable and passable.

Crooked House (2017)

A luxurious and slight whodunit with fine actors and professional direction.

[6/10 · 4 May 2024]

In this classic Agatha Christie detective story, former diplomat Charles Hayward (Max Irons, Jeremy Irons' son) has gone back from Cairo to London to become a private detective. When Aristide Leonides, a wealthy and ruthless tycoon, is poisoned in his own bed, Detective Hayward is invited to solve the crime. The spy-turned-private-detective is lured by his former lover Sophia de Haviland (Stefanie Martini) to discover who killed the Greek billionaire to do everything possible to clarify the murder. As the investigation deepens he must confront the shocking realization that one of the key suspects is Aristede's beautiful granddaughter, his employer and former lover; and must keep a clear head to navigate the sultry Sophia and the rest of her hostile family, made up of the widow (Christina Hendricks), Lady Edith de Haviland (Glenn Close), Philip Leonides (Julian Sands), Magda Leonides (Gillian Anderson), Roger Leonides (Christian McKay), among others. The case will be complicated by more deaths and the fact that no one has a firm alibi. From the bestselling author of all time, comes one of her personal favourite thrillers !.

In Agatha Christie's most twisted tale, three generations of the Aristides Leónides family, live together in a curious and luxurious mansion with an inclined structure, the house's routine is cut short when Aristide turns up dead, and it is suspected that the culprit must be someone in the family. Following Agatha Christie usual premise in which our main role, Max Irons playing sympatheticaly an eye private, has to discover the murderer of the patriarch of the dynasty, while all the members of the family are suspected of the murder, although the majority have some alibi.

After winning the best director award for ¨Sarah's Key¨ at the Tokyo Film Festival, French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner returns with the film adaptation of Agatha Christie's enigmatic novel of the same title. The film is acceptable and passable but nothing special, it is a simple and glamorous adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel without providing any new element, letting itself be carried away heavily by too much insubstantial dialogue and many false clues without much sense, although the ending is quite emotional and tense. ¨Crooked House¨ stars a good cast headed by Max Irons (¨The Host¨) as the cunning detective assigned to catch her grandfather's murderer before Scotland Yard exposes dark family secrets, Stefanie Martini (¨Doctor Thorne¨), the winner of two Golden Globes and Emmy Awards Glenn Close (¨Dangerous liaisons¨) and the famous FBI agent of the television phenomenon X-files Gilliam Anderson. Completing the cast of suspects, Christina Hendricks, (¨Mad Men¨), Amanda Abbington, Honor Kneafsey, among others, many of them had previously appeared in TV renditions of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple novels before working on this Christie film adaptation. Furthermore, veterans as Roger Ashton-Griffiths and Terence Stamp, the unforgettable actor of the classic ¨The Collector¨ still very active performing.

In ¨Crooked House¨ stands out the luxury and colorful cinematography by Sebastian Wintero, including the monumental mansion. The motion picture was professionally directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner. This french director has made decent films, such as: ¨Dark Places¨, ¨UV¨,¨Les jolies choses¨, ¨Gomez & Tavarès¨, ¨Christmas Next Door¨ and ¨Sarah's Key¨. Rating: 5.5/10. Passable detective thriller. The film is especially advisable for Agatha Christie enthusiasts.

¡Viva lo imposible! (1958)

An agreeable and pleasant film with nice roles, good feeling, and a warm message.

[7/10 · 4 May 2024]

Entertaining and funny but obscure Spanish comedy with usual ingredients such as sympathetic laughs, silly incidents, a fine cast , amusement, entertainment and lots of fun. The quiet and monotonous life of state official Sabino López (Manolo Morán as wonderful as always) and his children Palmira (Paquita Rico) and Eusebio (Julio Núñez) forces them to live in the cramped conditions on a small apartment. Tired of this situation and searching for excitement, Sabino sells everything he has and goes with his children on a trip to the sea. There they realize that everything is not what they think. That's why they decide to take advantage of the opportunity to join a circus. There they will find out that some such artists long for a different, less adventurous life. The father becomes a circus entrepreneur, and turns out to be a good manager of the circus, although his abilities on the ring only allow him to make brief and not very successful shows. Shortly after, they discover that the circus artists are tired of constantly coming and going along highways and roads, without a home of their own or a fixed salary to guarantee their future. For Christmas the circus arrives in Madrid which allows the family to reunite and overcome adversities.

This is the attractive story with multiple crazy characters dealing with a simple family formed by a good father and his children, then the group that one day decides to break the mold and embark on the adventure of a traveling circus. Adaptation based on a play by Joaquín Calvo Sotelo adapted by the prestigious Miguel Mihura, which Rafael Gil saves with his known technical solvency. A good feel movie and disconcerting comedy with the best Spanish performers at the time. Director Rafael Gil and writer Miguel Mihura adapted the notorious humorous writer, based on a successful play of the same title, in this unfairly underrated and unknown choral comedy of entanglements, hilarious characterizations and disagreements among our likeable protagonists. Along with the friendly Manolo Morán as a civil servant who quits his job and engages with his family in a circus life searching for fun, appearing the beautiful young and usual folkloric Paquita Rico, Julio Nuñez as the opposing student , Jose Maria Rodero as the stiff-upper-lip boyfriend , and the peculiar lion tamer Miguel Gila, stand out as always. The remaining cast is made up of familiar faces, such as: Julia Caba Alba in her habitual role as a servant, José Marco Davó, Fernando Sancho, Raúl Cancio, Vicky Lagos, Ángel Ter, Tony Soler, Mario Morales, Yelena Samarina, Fernando Rey, José Ramón Giner, Erasmo Pascual and Laura Valenzuela .

It contains a colorful and brilliant cinematography by Alfredo Fraile. As well as evocative musical score by Jesús Gudiri. This sensitive motion picture was well and professionally directed by Rafael Gil. Winning National Syndicate of Spectacle, Spain, to Manolo Morán as best actor and nominatated Berlin International Film Festival: Rafael Gil 1958 Nominated Golden Berlin Bear. The veteran filmmaker Rafael Gil was one of the best directors in the Francoist period. Shooting several vintage movies, such as : "Don Quijote De La Mancha , El Clavo , La Fe , La Señora de Fátima, Aventuras de Juan Lucas , La Reina Santa , La Guerra de Dios , El Beso de Judas" . And he made various films about Bullfighting World as "Currito de la Cruz , El Litri y su Sombra , El Relicario, Chantaje a un Torero , Sangre en el Ruedo". His worst films were in the Seventies and Eighties such as : "A la legion le gustan las mujeres , Hijos de Papa , Y al tercer año resucitó, Boda del Señor Cura , De Camisa Vieja a Chaqueta nueva , Las Autonosuyas", most of them based on Fernando Vizcaíno Casas books. Rating: 7/10. Better than average. Well worth watching.

The Swindle (1955)

An interesting and brooding Fellini film about three small-time delinquents who swindle unfortunate people.

[7/10 · 4 May 2024]

Augusto (Oscarized america actor Broderick Crawford), Carlo (Richard Basehart who married the italian Valentina Cortese), and Roberto (Franco Fabrizi) are scam artists who often work together. The three Italian conmen pull capers in Rome tring to make a better life for themselves. Middle-age divorced Augusto is the oldest, most seasoned in the business, and the trio's spiritual leader. They either are immune to the notion that most of their victims are not wealthy, most distressed, most uneducated, most unfortunate, rural peasants or don't care that they make at most a few hundred thousand lira at a time in order to dupe and swindle them.

Another film of magical insight by Federico Fellini the master movie maker of 'La Dolce Vita'. A new dissection of Italian society in the mid-1950s, in similar style to 'I Vittellone' from the hand of a Fellini who already shows in this work his skills as a fierce observer of reality. Dark overtones permeate one of Fellini's best efforts

Sensitive and interesting film about a trio of swindlers led by a lonesome con-man must deal with their jobs and family pressures; packing drama, emotion, good feeling and Italian social habits. Fellini's drama, argued by some to be one of his finest works. The flick contains a highly symbolic internal logic, enjoyable imagery and attractive plot peppered with dramatic events. An enjoyable analysis of the lives of three people trapped in scams and corruption in order to get better their lives and eventually getting redemption. Their discontent leads them to carry out different activities, not all of them worthy of admiration. Fellini made a scathing and thoughtful portrait of manners on some swindlers around Rome in the 1950s. The roles are multi-dimensional and the storyline has brilliant insights into maturity, family, remorse and loneliness. Here Fellini demonstrates a real sensibility to the underprivileged of the world and his belief in a certain redemption. Almas sin conciencia (1955) is both a stand-alone movie and the centerpiece of Federico Fellini's unofficial "trilogy of loneliness," preceded by La strada (1954) and followed by Le notti di Cabiria (1957). All three are key works marking the last great moments of Italian neorealism. Good cast bring up the level of this movie. Along with two American actors: Broderick Crawford, Richard Basehart giving nice acting, there are good Italian actors and comedians who will eventually develop fruitful film careers, such as: Franco Fabrizi, Riccardo Garrone and feature film debut of Lorella De Luca, and, of course, Fellini's, Giulietta Masina.

The motion picture was masterfully directed by Federico Fellini and with magnificent interpretations all around. Fellini who inspired the word "Felliniesque" was one of the best Italian filmmakers/writers . He frequently cast Marcello Mastroianni and Giulietta Masina and Score by Nino Rota. His best works include dreams like imagery and nostalgia. He made Italian classics , such as : ¨8 and 1/2¨, ¨Roma¨, ¨Satyricon¨, ¨I Vitellone¨ , ¨La Dolce Vita¨ , ¨The clowns¨, ¨Casanova¨, ¨And the ship sails on¨, "City of Women" , "Orchestra Rehearsal" and directed his wife Giulietta in various films such as : ¨The white sheik¨ , ¨Il Bidone¨, ¨Juliet of the Spirits¨, "The Nights of Cabiria" ¨Ginger and Fred¨, ¨La Strada¨(1954) that won the first ever Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and N. Y. Critics Award to Foreign Film; in addition, including some auto-biographic elements, especially in ¨Amarcord¨ (1973) , though he denied his film to be autobiographical, but agreed that there are similarities with his own adolescence. ¨Il bidone (1955)¨ rating: 7/10. Essential and indispensable seeing for cinema classics fans and Fellini enthusiasts.

The Borgias (2011–2013)

The troublesome story of a Valencian family, very influential during the Italian Renaissance.

[7/10 · 3 May 2024]

This is a prestigious dramatic-historical series created by Neil Jordan and broadcast on television from 2011 to 2013. The series tells the story of the Borgia family, a powerful family of Spanish nobility, whose origins were in the Aragonese town of Borja, and established in Játiva, kingdom of Valencia, and later in Gandía. The family was very influential during the Renaissance. The series created by Neal Jordan distributes a good portrait of the historical period, the papacy, conclaves, ecclesiastical hierarchy, but mainly focusing on the ambition, lust, corruption and desires of the wealthy Borgia family. The series was well based on the Borgia family (originally Borja), the Spanish dynasty settled in Italy, made up of Pope Alexander VI and Vannozza de Cattanei, along with her children César, Lucrecia, Juan and Gioffre Borgia.

The series begins with the rise to the papacy of the vice-chancellor and cardinal, Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons), who achieves victory in the Conclave of 1492, through bribes, thus incurring Simony, to the displeasure of several of the members of the College of Cardinals, among them is Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere (Colm Feore), who is the first to denounce Borgia for buying the election, the result is barely known. Developing an interesting and twisted portrait of the bloody dynasty that spawned a pope, Alexander VI, as well as the role model for Machiavelli's "The Prince," his son Cesare Borgia (François Arnaud) , and a legend of femme duplicity, daughter Lucrezia Borgia (Holliday Grainger). When Rodrigo takes power he can no longer openly have relations with women and his mistress and mother of his children Vanozza dei Cattanei (Joanne Whalley) objects to his dedication to the church over his attentions toward her. When Rodrigo feels further pressures form the affairs of office he turns to young Guilia Farnese (Lotte Verbeek) for comfort, who in turn becomes his lover, causing further fracturing of the happy Borgia household. Alexander VI makes his son, Juan de Borja y Cattanei (David Oakes), captain general and flag bearer of the Papal Armies. Meanwhile, at the same time, Caesar begins to be involved in sordid and undercover romances, as well as several questionable maneuvers, including murders, which he executes with the help of his condottieri, Michelleto, ordering him to try to assassinate Della Rovere, who is traveling through all over Italy, trying to find allies to overthrow Pope Borgia. The series takes a turn, when Della Rovere gets the support of the French king, Charles VIII, whom he convinces to invade Italy, in order to depose the Pope, in exchange for the fact that once the Borgias are annihilated, he, as the new Pope, recognizes him and then taking place the conquest of the Kingdom of Naples.

From then on the network of intrigues is unleashed with the Borgias becoming its nucleus, Alexander VI forging a marriage alliance between his daughter Lucrezia Borgia and Giovanni Sforza, in order to obtain the favor of such family, in addition to also ascending to another member of it, Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, to the rank of vice-chancellor of Rome. Simultaneously, the new pope begins a passionate romance with a noblewoman, Giulia Farnese, at the same time that he seeks to consolidate his power with the expansion of the College of Cardinals, appointing 13 new cardinals, completely loyal to him, including his own son, César Borgia, with the aim of dismantling the plot that Della Rovere presides against him. Finally, he plants the evidence for Della Rovere to be accused of public lust, which causes his flight from Rome.

This is an exciting TV drama from ¨Showtime¨ network with full of historical events, emotions , political ambitions and sexual relations. Interpretations are uniformly good: Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia, scheming his way into becoming pope and to be the head of the Roman Catholic Church as Pope Alexander VI; Francois Arnaud as Cesare Borgia who bribes the voting bishops to elect his father as Pope; Colm Feore as Cardinal Della Rovere who's openly opposed to his election; Holliday Grainger as Rodrigo's daughter Lucrezia Borgia; Sean Harris as hired assassin Micheletto who is ultimately turned by Rodrigo's son Cesare and hired as a spy; and David Oakes who played Cesare's younger brother Juan, among others. The series created by showrunner Neal Jordan in 3 seasons and 29 episodes was well directed by Kari Skogland, John Maybury, Jon Amiel, David Leland, Jeremy Podeswa, Simon Cellan Jones and Neil Jordan himself.