ispas-paul Reviews

Collective (2019)

Objectively: an overall great documentary. Subjectively: an emotional roller-coaster.

[10/10 · 10 February 2021]

Romanians watching this movie will primarily be split in two sides: those that view the film as political and those that view it as some sort of tribute to the Colectiv fire. Subjectively, I am in the second category. Objectively, even knowing the story beforehand, seeing it told in this real and tangible manner is a pleasure. Most documentaries are filmed post-factum. This documentary was filmed during the actual uncovering of the intrinsic corruption in Romanian hospitals and the incapacity of the Romanian Government to act upon this. Seeing how professional Tolontan is, one of the most appreciated investigation journalists in Romania, and having the messiah-like presentation for the new Health Minister are amazing storytelling capabilities of Nanau which make the movie even more valuable as the actual footage used was real. The pace of the movie is thrilling, while maintaining an overall grey-like image which suits the general sentiment which Nanau wants the viewer to have: feeling cold, frustrated and hopeless, factors which will increase the shock the viewer has when more-and-more dreadful truths occur. Collective is officially on the 2021 Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary and Bests Foreign Language movie. This shows that the Romanian interpretation and expectations towards Nanau's effort are misaligned and bias when looking at the end product and comparing it with virtually any critic's review. Granted, a larger and powerful PR team made sure this movie reaches the right eyes (it was even on Obama's list of best 2020 movies). I personally enjoyed it, cried like a baby, remembered my frustration and fears from that time. This movie is about how a collective trauma heals, and it's as good as its immune system - the Health System in this scenario.

Dogs (2016)

Strangely refreshing

[9/10 · 8 October 2016]

The entire movie is definitely an experience in itself. Most thrillers, currently, feel like cheap re-makes, over-emphasizing things just to get you to the thrill point or are just plainly considering their audiences as dumb-people (except for the Coen Brothers and Fincher... and some other guys that make a movie once every 3 years). Caini is not like most thrillers. It's a movie, not something that can be done in the theater. Its cinematography is brilliant and in most cases it shows you things, it doesn't point to them. It is a slow-paced visual experience that, in many cases, takes you to be boiling point by making you over-think things. Slow shots and very slow technical zooms have the upper hand of taking you into the heart of the action. While the story is simple, and I won't say anything more than just what's written in the synopsis, I'll say that the actors do an amazing job, and the character development is astounding considering the limited dialog. Music and sound are two features that usually destroy Romanian movies by just being bad. This one doesn't. It has, perhaps, the best sound I've heard in a Romanian movie, and the music, little as it is, is actually awesome and carefully constructed. There are plenty of other things to say about this movie. It's funny sometimes and it does have its mistakes, hence the 9 out of 10, but it's one of the best Romanian movies and one of the best thrillers I've seen. Can't wait to re- watch it.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

Two words: Courageously polarizing

[8/10 · 26 September 2016]

I don't usually write reviews on IMDb, but I couldn't help it here. I would have been surprised if this movie wasn't polarizing. It's the kind of movie that's about mostly nothing, doesn't make sense and it has this absurd humor that doesn't catch along with everyone. The music is awe-inspiring simple compositions that have the most nonsensical verses I've yet to hear. The acting is immensely brilliant helped by very good make-up, costumes and camera-work. The image and cinematography is worthy of any high-end Hollywood Oscar-bait, but this one pokes the eyes of the like of the Revenant, for example (btw, I loved that movie's cinematography). This black-comedy is like nothing I've ever seen. It's idiotic (in a fun-sense), it's filled with situational humor not accompanied by the standard low-end movies puns. It makes fun of most friendship-guy-gets-girl stereotypes and in its own sick and twisted way is way better than any such comedies I've seen since... Uhm, ever seen.

At times, it's crude and unpolished, and that's why I cannot indulge with a larger than 8/10 grade, but it's a must see for all movie fans. It's as fresh as it gets and more psychedelic than it sounds. Best advice: smoke something before you watch it, don't take anything seriously (even tough, at some points, it'll be impossible not to) and laugh at everything you see funny, don't hold it back!

Umbre (2014–2019)

The best TV series in Romanian Language, or: as good as it gets

[9/10 · 24 January 2015]

Most watchers will compare this series with other international big-budget successes such as Breaking Bad, the Sopranos or the Wire. I think that this is the first mistake that the Romanian audience makes. The second one is referring to the language that is used as being to vulgar or non-representative for the street (illegal) activities that occurs in Romania. The third mistake is emphasizing the lack of character development.

On the first case, this is a low budget series, with its main aim being entertainment. If it plays well, then the future seasons will, most likely, be better. Comparing apples and oranges is one thing - they're both fruit, but comparing sledgehammers and ponies is a totally different thing. This series was created for the Romanian audience, not the American one, and because the watcher's used to American series, then he is part of the American audience.

Secondly, on the language used, referring to it as exaggerated means not seeing the chain of events. Each episode has 45 minutes and it reflects 45 minutes of events, which happen to be the ones that demand that type of language. Again, this is due to the lack of experience the Romanian audience has with this type of native- swearing. We're used to foreign street language and we consider it natural, but when someone talks like that in Romanian its, somehow exaggerated.

Thirdly, the lack of character development might be seen as an issue, but, to my eyes, this is what makes the show entertaining. You don't know what to expect from the main character, especially since he's an anti-hero. Not being fed with the way you should feel about the main character gives this story an upper hand.

Nevertheless, I must say that I'm writing this review based only on the first five episodes, but even so, I personally find this show highly entertaining with more than just a few glances of genius writing and acting. A definite must for Romanian speakers and highly recommended for those into the anti-hero underworld drama series.

Way of the Danube (2013)

Simple and mesmerizing

[9/10 · 10 January 2015]

As any short movies, a social issue is tackled. This one makes no exception, but this isn't the whole movie. Every still and every frame speaks louder than any of the few words used in the film do. The short is highly praised and won several awards on it's own merit. You get absorbed in the first minute and you do not feel the need to comment on anything, not even when the short is done. The general frame of the movie, filmed on the Danube Defile (the only mountain part crossed by the Danube on Romanian territory) will leave a serious print on the viewer's retina. The main character is a kid, and only two other people come to his aid: his Grandpa and a friend of the same age. The synergy of the three is consistent even though it doesn't have enough time to build up, which, in my opinion, translates into good acting.