mariusica Reviews

Convicting a Murderer (2023– )

Must watch companion piece

[10 October 2023]

As someone who found season one of Making a Murderer perfect (initially), this was a perfect down to earth alternative point of view. Was aware of some liberties the Netflix show took from news articles, but this so much more details that you would expect.

Maybe you have to start it with an open mind, as I definitely didn't have something against DailyWire or Candice (first encounter).

As the series progressed it got better and more interesting, episodes 5,6,7 were the point where I found myself enjoying it the same as the original show. It's really what I wanted from an objective MAM season 2.

Fast X (2023)

Cars, cars, explosions, and family

[17 May 2023]

It was impossible to surpass the absurdity (in a good way) of the previous movie, but what they managed to do with just cars in a single movie is just amazing. And most of them look like practical stunts, not CGI.

One negative thing, there are many scenes that should've ended in the cutting room floor, either extended drama, or unfunny bits (some of Roman's). They do manage to squeeze in tens of characters in 130 minutes...

Jason Momoa was very funny, but others had too little screen time.

The ending won't be for so liked, but it's possibly a trilogy, so not a total loss.

Loved the post credits scene, such a surprise (and they managed to do it).

1883: This Is Not Your Heaven (2022) Season 1, Episode 10

Sad but perfect

[27 February 2022]

I never prayed so hard for a character to survive an episode. But at least I can say that everything was handled perfectly. Elsa will be missed greatly, it's probably one of the best / most interesting characters that I can remember. I hope Isabel May gets some accolades for it, but not just her, Tim McGraw and Sam Elliott were absolutely wonderful too.

Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021 TV Special)

Perfection

[5 October 2021]

One of the best standup shows ever. Funny, engaging, thought provoking, it just had everything. GOAT for real.

The Old Guard (2020)

Not much of a payoff

[10 July 2020]

The "final showdown": nothing special, was very surprised it's already over. Good main idea, some great action, but a letdown as a whole. Yeah, I expected another Extraction, received maybe a great TV pilot.

Reality Z (2020)

Pretty good when not comparing

[10 June 2020]

I haven't seen the original (yet), but this was very well made. Great zombie effects, as good as anything high end like TWD or WWZ. Action throughout, they don't spare characters either. And if Dead Set ended its ot after episode 5 of this, at least this is more complete and has some interesting ideas after.

Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015)

Most deserving 1 I ever gave

[31 May 2020]

I did end up watching it all so I can have a complete picture. It's awful beyond words, bad acting, bad dialogue, worse script. Can't imagine what twisted minds (except the creator) agreed to support this effort. The only thing I liked was the end song. I hope Anne never sees or even hears about this film (and that is from Romania).

Lie to Me (2009–2011)

Overrated

[23 May 2020]

Watched this only in 2020 (as it was free on Prime and on my watchlist). I did like the main character, but after a few episodes all was very repetitive. No season long story arc, nothing to care, just a basic procedural drama. Very disappointed, not much to recommend. There are so many better procedurals than this (Mentalist, Perception, Castle)

Plague City: SARS in Toronto (2005 TV Movie)

Maybe watch out of curiosity

[4 April 2020]

... but the movie is badly made even for TV. There's a scene at the end where Kari Marchett cries and touches her entire face with gloves on (after she treated a patient that just died). You get the idea, living in a world with SARS2. I did like the beginning, how the virus spread..

Money Heist: Lección de anatomía (2020) Season 4, Episode 3

Slow start

[3 April 2020]

Too many time jumps, the script is all over the place. It's also clear this should've been part of season 3.

Miami Bici (2020)

Just ok

[1 April 2020]

Some funny dialogue, but the story was lacking. Not completely for a Romanian comedy if you watch it at home without high expectations.

Killer Joe (2011)

Awful

[26 March 2020]

I usually give 1/10 to movies I can't finish or lose my attention, but I don't recall a film more deserving than this for the lowest possible rating. It's stupid, pointless and gratuitous, felt sorry for both actresses involved for what they had to do.

Spenser Confidential (2020)

Netflix can't make a good original action movie

[6 March 2020]

Had very high hopes (from trailer and fan of Mark and Peter Berg), but this was very disappointing as an action movie, can be skipped. I remember more the funny moments now than anything else. On the other hand, considering the ending, as a pilot for a future series it was good enough for a pilot.

Everest (2015)

Just an OK movie, far from great

[22 September 2015]

Visually it was stunning, but found myself kinda angry during and straight up disappointed afterwards. The plot was weak (even if based on real events, they still could've have changed it a little), the actors underused, the climb felt too easy (except the oxygen problem, the only issue was with some missing ropes - solved pretty easily). While spending the last 30 minutes waiting for something amazing to happen, a miracle or something; and the scene I liked the most (in a climbing movie) was final helicopter scene. Regarding the 3D conversion: it was not great, did not bring anything to the experience. So a lot of lost potential, especially when I found out about the subject and cast last year.

See The Eiger Sanction and North Wall instead - those are masterpieces.

My First Wedding (2006)

Very funny movie !

[9 July 2007]

Hi. Saw this on an afternoon on HBO with no expectations. I found myself laughing very hard at many parts. The charade part was especially hilarious ! Also, Nick's character and the acting from Kenny Doughty was great. Rachel Leigh looks great like always. Kenny is a great find and a nice English accent. So an OK movie by all means. See it if you have the chance on TV. I don't know why the previous posters were so mean with the film. Maybe they just expect every film to be Oscar level or a $100 million romantic comedy. It's just a Canadian/UK co-production and it succeeds at least in being funny. Watch it and you won't regret!

15 (2005)

Sergiu Nicolaescu returns to his best

[4 April 2006]

I expected this movie to be just another political thriller/drama from Sergiu Nicolaescu but instead I got a character story in the background of the '89 Romanian Revolution, plus an almost more grabbing subplot about a newspaper story of the 15 years since the Revolution. The main actor, Cristian Iacob does a very good job, as well as Maia Morgenstern & Florin Chiriac. The film itself is more like the old movies of Sergiu Nicolaescu with a lot of tragic situations, memorable characters (like the driver played by Valentin Teodosiu), a slight amount of violence... Very recommended. 9 out of 10.

P.S. 15 doesn't mean the 15 years that have passed, but something else;).