robytdd Reviews

Alpha Males (2022– )

Very enjoyable and contemporary

[9/10 · 18 October 2023]

Well, what can I say? This has been a pleasant surprise.

In a world in evolution four male friends are facing changes in the society that effects their own lives...

"Machos Alfa" approaches with irony topics that are serious and full of complexities. The result is a very enjoyable comedy in 10 episodes (but a second season has been confirmed) that is well written and supported by a cast that is just perfect.

I noticed that most of the very negatives comments are from men, and I am afraid that's because this series touches some 'exposed nerves' from little insecure and weak males. That level of nasty vitriol against the feminist movement seems to confirm that the show has hit the target. Well done.

Personally, I'm looking forward to season two.

To Forget Venice (1979)

Family drama with LGBT characters

[8/10 · 3 June 2022]

The members of a rich family gather in the Veneto countryside, led by an ex-opera singer (Hella Petri). The occasion is the visit from Milan of his brother Nicky (Erland Josephson), accompanied by his new young boyfriend. Also present is her niece Anna (Mariangela Melato) and her partner Claudia (Eleonora Giorgi). The existential immobility is shattered on the occasion of a sudden death, which forces them to face the consequences of the unstoppable passage of time ...

"Dimenticare Venezia" (To Forget Venice) is an elegant drama openly reminiscent of the cinema of Visconti, or the De Sica of "Il giardino dei Finzi Contini". Director Franco Brusati is also co-author of the screenplay, written together with Jaja Fiastri, enriched by flashbacks and almost dreamlike moments, such as the memory of a Christmas masquerade party in fairy-tale tones.

This is Italian-French co-production that in Italy won the David di Donatello Award for Best Film, and got an Academy Award nomination in the US for Best Foreign Language Film.

Bates Motel: Marion (2017) Season 5, Episode 6

Brilliant reimagining of a classic

[9/10 · 19 January 2022]

Getting closer to the finale Bates Motel maintains an extraordinary level, from all point of views.

The famous scene of the classic Hitchcock's movie is just floating around, waiting to materialize on the screen. And when it does it's different but equally powerful, also because it comes along significant character development.

A great episode, of an excellent series.

Super Fantozzi (1986)

Fifth (a bit tired) chapter of the series on Fantozzi.

[5/10 · 29 October 2021]

The tragicomic misadventures of Italy's most unlucky accountant are back, this time over the centuries, from the creation of man in Eden to the super-technological future.

The idea, let's face it, is identical to that already used by Mel Brooks for his "History of the World - Part 1" (1981) and manages only partially to revitalize the Fantozzian series, already well 'squeezed' in its contemporary times in the previous films; here at least there is some gain thanks to the greater variety of settings, managing to propose some hilarious gags, alongside others that are less successful and / or already seen.

The lead actor Paolo Villaggio (author and creator of the character) remains the true comic engine of the film, but the result is still modest and the usual flat direction of Neri Parenti certainly does not help. On the other hand, Fred Bongusto's music is not bad.

Ten Days Wonder (1971)

Unusual crime story, one to watch

[8/10 · 22 October 2021]

Very loosely based on an Ellery Queen novel, a good classic (but in some ways not) thriller directed by acclaimed director Claude Chabrol.

In ten days, from Paris to the French countryside, the mysteries of a family dominated by a wealthy tycoon (Orson Welles) intertwine amidst theft, suspicion, blackmail and betrayal. There is a homicide, an event that usually happens at the beginning of crime story, while here it is at the end.

In the terrain more congenial to him, Chabrol makes good use of an excellent American and European cast. The movie was shot in English, a choice which the director later regretted.

Teorema (1968)

Paolini at his best in cinema

[9/10 · 7 March 2021]

Pasolini at his best explores the upper middle class, in one of the key films of 1960s Italian cinema.

"Teorema" is truly an extraordinary film, as far as I am concerned the most successful film by Pier Paolo Pasolini.

A sort of strange angel dispenser of love (Terence Stamp) lands in a high-bourgeois family in Northern Italy. With his deep blue eyes he captures everyone's interest, letting them discover their true 'selves'.

The mother (Silvana Mangano) throws herself headlong into the world of the pleasures of the flesh and, not without guilt, she begins to pick up young men on the street. The father (Massimo Girotti) literally lays bare his repressed sexuality in an intense scene set in a train station. The son (Andrés José Cruz Soublette) discovers himself as an artist and through his words Pasolini exposes a beautiful concept regarding the language and expressiveness of a work of art, of any kind, as a partial representation of a concept, clear in its entirety only to the author alone. The maid (Laura Betti) discovers that she has a religious vocation and becomes a sort of healer...

All is told in the typical Pasolini way, not always to be agreed, not always clear, but always interesting and stimulating.

A praise also to very well-known actors, such as Girotti or Mangano, decidedly courageous in facing roles certainly definable at the time as 'scandalous'.

Maestro Ennio Morricone puts his touch on it, composing music with a jazzy atmosphere for the film, once again proving his versatility.

Story of Women (1988)

An intense drama based on a true story

[8/10 · 21 December 2020]

Marie (Isabelle Huppert) helps women have abortions in Nazi-occupied France, which turns out to be an unexpected income. However, she was arrested and sentenced to death by the time's reactionary government, looking for public examples to give to the nation.

Marie Latour (in reality her real name was Marie-Louise Giraud), was the last woman to be guillotined in France. The film tells this tragic story with dry realism, both in terms of the dialogues and the era's accurate reconstruction.

The film was in competion at the Italian 1988 Venice Film Festival. Isabelle Huppert won the Coppa Volpi award for best female interpretation, while outside conservative Catholic associations clamoured for the film to be withdrawn from distribution, for Marie's desperate prayer before being beheaded, accused by them fanatic groups to be 'blasphemous'. The film was released anyway.

Il grande Blek (1987)

Youth, friendship and political turmoil in small town Italy in the '70s

[7/10 · 19 December 2020]

"Il grande Blek" is Giuseppe Piccioni's debut film that attempts to describe the political and social turmoil that also influenced the life of Italians small towns, the province, in the 1970s.

Through the history of the families and friendships of Juri (Roberto De Francesco), we relive the 'hot years' of the dispute, perhaps with a few too many honey extractions.

However, the film has very successful moments. The soundtrack features many songs by singer-songwriter Lucio Battisti, from those years.

A successful generation portrait.

I ragazzi di via Panisperna (1988)

An intense mistery-drama based on a real story

[8/10 · 18 December 2020]

The years are those of the rise of the fascism in Italy. At the center of the story is the beautiful but difficult friendship between scientist Enrico Fermi (Ennio Fantastichini) and his young pupil Ettore Majorana (Andrea Prodan), introverted and complicated in dealing with a life obviously not easy for him.

Ettore will first retire to Sicily, leaving behind the academic circles, then he will disappear without trace, leaving the now famous Fermi, who was leaving to go to America, only questions and unsolved questions.

Gianni Amelio's film, written with Vincenzo Cerami and Alessandro Sermoneta, is evocative in its idea and very elegant in its form. Maybe something more could have been tried to reveal, but even so it is very intriguing.

Maicol (1988)

A young child journey through the night.

[8/10 · 14 December 2020]

The sad and tender story of little Maicol's night journey on the subway through a Milan asleep and deserted like his emotional life, with a mother too young, still struggling with her own sentimental problems.

A delicate film, like the fragile character of the little protagonist (Simone Tessarolo).

Mario Brenta direct with care, fully hitting the right atmospheres, suggested by a well-calibrated script by Angela Cervi.

Pose: Love Is the Message (2018) Season 1, Episode 6

Excellence

[10/10 · 17 November 2020]

This is the episode of season one when POSE reach its emotional core.

Stunning performance from the cast and the perfect mix between each scene and the music/songs.

And very moving too. 😭

For All Mankind (2019– )

Great space drama

[10/10 · 16 August 2020]

The always reliable Ronald D Moore (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Battlestar Galactica, Outlander) has done it again: For All Mankind is great show with a clever concept, great characters, a perfect cast and excellent production values. The race to them Moon re-written for an alternative timeline. I see that many criticisms are about the multicultural cast and the inclusiveness. Well, obviously some people are 'nostalgics' of the old times when 99% of leading characters were white straight males. Well, sorry people time has changed and the problem is you, your racist mentality, not the quality of the show - that is top notch. Highly recommended.

In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)

Fascinating timeline thriller

[8/10 · 23 July 2020]

This film was a pleasant surprise, one of the best film produced by Netflix so far. The story is dark and compelling, good cast (Boyd Holbrook a revelation), excellent photography and the director knows his job. Excellent film (ignore the ridiculous politically motivated hyper criticism). My vote is a well deserved 8.

Tales from the Loop: Loop (2020) Season 1, Episode 1

A wonderful, touching pilot

[9/10 · 5 April 2020]

The fascinating creations by Simon Stålenhag are the artistic fields and foundations of this tv adaptation. This is a wonderful and touching first episode, that perfectly introduces the audience to the surreal and dreamlike tone of the show. Wonderful cast, inspired direction by Mark Romanek and great music by Phillip Glass and Paul Leonard-Morgan. - Vote: 9

Dracula: The Dark Compass (2020) Season 1, Episode 3

Great conclusion to a great trilogy

[9/10 · 6 March 2020]

Excellent conclusion of this trilogy that revisits the myth of Count Dracula. Set in the present day, it is however connected to the two previous episodes through the characters of Zoe and Sister Agatha, the link between them and the Count is central and around it the series ends, satisfactorily and moving. Claes Bang and Dolly Wells are exceptional, and impeccable are also the production values.

The Ides of March (2011)

Exceptional political drama

[10/10 · 29 February 2020]

This was a real surprise to me, because it turn out to be perhaps the best political drama (there are thriller elements, but isn't really a thriller) ever! The screenplay is exceptionally well balanced in all its elements, Clooney is a solid director and this is undoubtedly his best film. The cast if phenomenal. Intense, mature, poignant. What else to say? Not to be missed. Vote: 10.

Star Trek: Picard: Stardust City Rag (2020) Season 1, Episode 5

Episode 5 is the best of S.1 so far

[9/10 · 26 February 2020]

Second episode of season 1 directed by Jonathan Frakes and - so far - this fifth is the best episode of the season. The characters are becoming more interesting and the plot thickens, the cast is also proving to be excellent, in particular Michelle Hurd and Santiago Cabrera, and it was nice to have Jeri Ryan back. This episode also offers a right balance between 'fun' moments and more dramatic ones. Very good indeed. Vote: 9

Stranger Things: Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt (2019) Season 3, Episode 8

A very very good season

[9/10 · 30 August 2019]

I enjoyed season three much more than season two, that was - in my opinion - a bit weak. But season three is satisfying on every level: the characters developed, the storyline is interesting, the balance between drama and comedy. As always the cast has always been one of the key winning factors, they're all very good but I have to say David Harbour is really exceptional. Looking forward for season four, although not sure they can keep 'momentum' for much longer.

Down There in the Jungle (1988)

A pleasant tribute to 'old style' adventure movies.

[7/10 · 30 April 2019]

It start with a bus trip in the middle of Italy to end up in a sort of Amazon jungle that hides an important secret: is it possible? Of course it is, at least according to the director Stefano Reali, here at his debut feature film (written in collaboration with Pino Quartullo) after the Academy Award nomination for the short "Exit" (1985).

It's an ironical and light-touched homage to a certain adventurous cinema that was popular a few decades ago and it's enjoyable, with some nice ideas, good production values, Carlo Savina's soundtrack just perfect.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Fantastic fun!

[9/10 · 9 December 2018]

This is one of the most entertaining and wildly imaginative superheroes movie so far. The cast is perfect, Hemsworth gorgeous and ironic, Blanchet deliciously over the top, Goldblum a gem... and the rest of the cast too. Great and courageous choice for Marvel to allow an unconventional kiwi director to take the franchise in an unexpected direction, exposing (and playing and having fun) the ludicrous nature of the whole concept of the Big Man with the Big Hammer. Absolutely delicious. My vote is 8 1/2

Like Crazy (2016)

A joyful madness

[9/10 · 16 August 2018]

"A joyful madness" would have been a better translation for the international market. Such a surprisingly good film. Well, not entirely surprising because Paolo Virzì, from Tuscany, currently one of Italy's best directors, his movies always centred around interesting, well defined characters, masterfully mixing comedy and drama, in this case with heart breaking results. It helps that this screenplay has been written together with talented screenwriter and director Francesca Archibugi who, amongst other things, in 1990 directed Italian movie icon Marcello Mastroianni in the drama "Verso sera" (Towards Evening). Her contribution to this film must be acknowledged. The two leading actresses are excellent. Micaela Ramazzotti as the desperate mother who, amongst all sort of troubles, tries to get back in contact with her only son. Even better is Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, who is absolutely amazing as Donatella, the rich countess who struggles to cope with her mental disorders but who takes the younger Beatrice under her wing. When they run away from the psychiatric facility they are placed in by the authorities (perfectly depicted in typical human but caothic way) their foolish adventure begin. Such an intense, moving, touching film. Highly recommended.