LuisaContini14 Reviews

Suspiria (I) (2018)

What the ??

[3/10 · 18 December 2023]

I don't mind weird art house movies but this was just not good. There are so many themes (holocaust, witches, terrorism, patriarchy, matriarchy, oppressive religion) alluded to in the film but without any depth or coherence that it left me completely baffled. I had to look up an explanation of the plot after I finished the film because none of it is coherently brought together even in an art house metaphorical way. Dakota was too bland for the lead too - that type of role needs subtle nuances throughout the film for the plot to work but she plays it so straight and is so dull that the trajectory of her character is too hard to believe. Mia Goth & Chloe Moretz are more captivating in their very short roles.

Wedding Season (2022)

Super cute rom com

[10/10 · 20 August 2022]

This is exactly what you think it is and although the premise has been done before, it still feels fresh. The leads and supporting characters are really likeable and it's a film that leaves you feeling good which is exactly what you want from a rom com.

Now and Then (2022– )

Not sure why this has such a low rating

[8/10 · 17 August 2022]

It seems like a lot reviewers jumped the gun and gave negative reviews on the first episode or first few episodes. It took a few episodes to find its groove and what may have seemed like a cliche plot idea at the start, reveals itself to be much more complex and intriguing. The characters are also a lot more complex than they may first appear to be. I really hope there will be a season 2.

The 355 (2022)

Not nearly as bad as the reviews say

[8/10 · 3 February 2022]

It truly shocks me and makes me sad that female led films get so much more criticism than male-led films in the same genres. This is far superior to a film like Red Notice which was fine but not amazing, yet it has a higher rating on IMDb because it stars bro-dudes like the Rock and Ryan Reynolds. This was an intriguing action/thriller and the leads all played their parts well. The plot was interesting and there was enough suspense to keep me and my friends intrigued. I would have loved for this to be a franchise but thanks to all the male critics and viewers trashing the film we probably won't get a sequel. They can't believe that women can kick male's asses but they can believe that aliens and superheros exist? It is actually maddening the misogyny that still exists to this day. The action sequences were good and you can see the leads use props etc to kick ass. Newsflash you don't have to be a muscle-man to beat someone's ass. There are plenty of people trained in martial arts etc that can fight people bigger than them. These reviewers need to seriously grow-up.

And Just Like That... (2021– )

Not as bad as everyone says

[8/10 · 30 January 2022]

I wasn't expecting to like this after all the negative reviews but I have really enjoyed it. Everyone complaining that it's too Woke, are people who just aren't comfortable that the world is changing (as it has with EVERY generation). I think they've done a great job of showing Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte trying to navigate their way through the changes in society that have occurred since the original series/films ended. There has been huge social change the last few years especially, so what's wrong with the show reflecting that? The women still have great chemistry together and the new characters add a nice dimension to the show.

Spencer (2021)

Don't believe the haters

[10/10 · 17 November 2021]

I don't know what all of the negative reviews are about. The film is a fictional peak into Diana's psyche over a few days, so if you go in expecting lots to happen or for this to be about Diana's life then maybe you will be disappointed. The pace is slow but deliberately so in order to show the internal pain and pressure Diana would have felt being part of that family, as well as the suffocation of always being watched, told what to do, and having to behave in a certain way. I'm not the biggest fan of Kristen Stewart and had my doubts about her in this role but she blew my socks off. I thought she did an incredible job and wholly embodied Diana. Sure there was a camera angle here, and a mannerism there, that reminded me she was Kristen Stewart, but that's true for any actor playing a real person, especially someone as well known and scrutinized as Diana; but those moments were fleeting and few and far between. I think she did an excellent job even down to the voice and think it's one of the best portrayals of a real person that I've seen. Maybe it's because I went in with a bit of skepticism about the rave reviews about her performance but in my opinion she deserves all the praise she is getting and I loved the film.

Ekaterina (2014–2023)

Enjoyable show, very interesting historical period

[8/10 · 19 July 2018]

I'm not sure what some reviewers are complaining about here. No this is not some historical masterpiece but it is an enjoyable historical drama nonetheless with great costumes and scenery and the show portrays the characters with shades of light and dark so that they are not all good or all bad. I disagree with a previous reviewer who says the show portrays Peter III as only incompetent. If the reviewer had bothered to watch the full first series they would see that Peter is shown as trying to be a good emperor eventhough his judgement was misguided in some fatal aspects. It also shows the ruthless streak that Catherine herself had, which she needed to have in order to survive.

Apart from the first episode where the narrator is giving a historical overview of Russia at the time and says that Russia is feared by its weak neighbours, this show much less state propaganda than say a show like Madame Secretary (which I also enjoy) where America always saves the day and seems to have only a wholly altruistic foreign policy, which we all know not to be true. But as it's a tv show, and we should be discerning enough not to believe everything a tv program tells us, one can take it with a grain of salt and an eye roll.

The period of Catherine the great and her rise is very interesting and it is incredible how she managed to survive the odds against her and rise to be an empress, so I would definitely recommend this show. Oh and I am neither Russian or American so this is review is coming from a neutral territory!

From the Land of the Moon (2016)

Absolutely loved it.

[9/10 · 27 June 2018]

I loved this film. It is such a great story told beautifully. I don't want to say too much because I think it's better to let the film take you on its journey but it is supremely acted by Marion Cotillard who wholly inhabits Gabrielle and Alex Brudenmahel was just a revelation. He says so much without saying much at all. I would recommend that you skip the critics reviews and just watch the film and judge for yourself.

Tomb Raider (2018)

Don't believe the bad reviews

[9/10 · 10 June 2018]

I was really surprised watching this film, knowing that some critics and viewers had given it really harsh reviews. No the film is not perfect but neither were the Angelina Jolie's films at all. They were quite cheesy actually although I enjoyed them enough because I like Jolie. This film's storyline is at least a bit more realistic and has coherence. And Alicia Vikander makes an excellent Lara Croft. I know people complained that there was not enough "tomb raiding" but this is an origin story, so I'm not sure what they were expecting. I think there are a lot of fanboys out there giving this film a harsh review because either Lara isn't sexy enough or they dont believe a "regular" girl could be tough enough to kick some ass. The film is great and I really hope they make another one.