Veronica Guerin: Blanchett at her best

Veronica Guerin (2003) is biographical crime film directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Cate Blanchett as the protagonist.

Plot: The movie presents the contribution of the irish journalist Veronica Guerin (Blanchett). As a crime reporter for the  Sunday Independent, her investigation on the Dublin drugs racket cost her life, but contributes to change the irish legislation.

Comment: 

• Seven years after the death of the actual irish reporter Victoria Guerin, this movie is an hymn to this amazing profession. Journalism is something that goes far more beyond the passion for writing, it is about the truth: discovering it and sharing it with the public. The achievements made in the Irish system of laws in matters of drugs, thanks to the contribution of Veronica's work, were inspiring. 
• The most impactful scene for me was Veronica entering the ghetto area, with kids of 3/4 years old with syringes in their hands. The situation was clearly out of control, but it was more easy to look the other way. 
• How director Schumacher creates the character of Veronica, exploiting Blanchett's impeccable facial expressions. The process of defining the strength and weaknesses of Veronica is silent and 2d: I enjoyed Veronica's high speed driving !
• The Irish accent: Blanchett, who is an Australian actress, speaks as she were a real dubliner. I loved also the locations: all the scenes were set in Ireland.

Judgement: Although the movie is a bit slow comparing to the most recent Truth (2015) , if you are a fan of the genre (or of Cate Blanchett as I am), it is worth watching. 

Ciak Movie rating: 5/5 

Chernobyl: why this series is highly intoxicating

Chernobyl (2019)  is an HBO miniseries based on the historical facts of Chernobyl disaster,  written and created by Craig Mazin directed by Johan Renck. Starring Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson and Paul Ritter, the series has recently aired in Sky Italia.

Comment after episode 01x01: 

• This series is an incredible journey into Chernobyl's reality. Through the point of view of the workers and their family we get to discover how was living in an area of the remote Russia devoted to massive nuclear industry. 
• The negligence and how people (including nuclear engineers) have underestimate the danger of the radiations. From the sense of surprise of the citizens whilst witnessing the great fire of the platform's radiator - they were amazed of the beautiful colors ! - to the tragic knowledge of the real effects of the rain and of the toxic air... such contrast was so well exposed, that drives the spectator to a sense of anxiety and incredulity. 
• How the executive and the politicians have tried to "cover" what happen, in order to "protect" the Russians... was pathetical and nauseating.
• The set, all the surroundings of the nuclear platform, the cars, the clothes and also the mentality of the people (most of all the ignorance of the consequence) was made with rough realism. 
• I hope this series will be the ultimate commemoration to all the victims of Chernobyl.

Ciak Movie Rating: 5/5 - WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EPISODE 2. 

RIP to all the victims of Chernobyl

Micol Sartori

Why Aladdin is the best live-action so far

Aladdin (2019) is a live action adaptation of the famous 1992 Walt Disney's cartoon. Directed by Guy Richie, starring Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, Marwan Kenzari plays the nemesis Jafar and Will Smith as the blu- genie. 

The plot we all already know: Based on the book "One Thousand and One Nights", the protagonist is Aladdin, a pickpocket poor young man, who casually falls in love with Princess Jasmine, the daughter of the Sultain of the Arabian city of Agrabah. The villan Jafar is the 2nd most powerful man of the reign and wants to replace the Sultain by all means possible. To do so, he encourages Aladdin to stole the magical jar in which the Genie is contained. After, the Genie and Alladin become friends and through 3 magical desires and a twist of magic, the genie helps Aladdin to conquer the heart of the beautiful Jasmine. Then, the genie's owner becomes Jafar and, because his wish is to become the most powerful being in the universe, the blue-genie capture Jafar in the tiny jar. And the end is a classical happy-ending.

Comment: 

• Will Smith as the genie is hilarious ! The genie in this live-action is the most powerful character in the movie: he brings up the funny level of the story and is the glue of all the adventures. Thanks to Smith's performance, to me, Richie's movie is even more enjoyable than the original cartoon. 

• Only a few roles in Mena Mossoud's career and none of them as prepared him to become the crucial figure of a Disney's movie. I've enjoyed his spontaneous smile, although I've found him a little bit mechanical, comparing to the tornado Smith or the gracious Naomi Scott.

• Guy Richie has created a masterpiece. Sincerely, Aladdin is the best action movie so far. The combination between the special effects and the carnivalesque colors are incredible to watch. 
• The only thing that I've not enjoyed was the music. But I've watched the Italian version of Aladdin, therefore I must have missed the folklore of the original songs.

Ciak Movie rating: 5/5 - TRULY RECOMMENDED ! 


And you, what do you think? Let me know your opinion, commenting below. 


Micol Sartori

Dark Phoenix wins the Ciak Movies title of "worst X-Men movie" !

Dark Phoenix (X-Men movie series) is a 2019 superhero movies, released in June 7th, produced by 20th Century Fox and distributed by Walt Disney Studios. Directed by Simon Kinberg, Dark Phoenix broast a great cast: Sophie Turner plays the protagonist Jean Gray; Jessica Chastain as the alien-villain Vuk;  Michael Fassbender (Erik), Jennifer Lawrence (Raven), Alexandra Ship, Nicholas Hoult which form part of the X-Man cast, as well as Jean's boyfriend Tye Sheridain, the ciclope; James McAvoy is Professor Xavier.

The plot: The movie starts up in the '70s, when a child Jean (Tuner) discovers her super-powers after causing, with the power of her thought,  a mortal car accidents in which her mother dies. The girl, successively is brought in Professor Xavier "special school", where she was taught to play her role in the world as a mutant. The movie is set when Jean is first added to the X-Men team to save a group of astronauts that were launched outside the Earth's orbit, in an explorative mission. In the space, Jean discovers a source of energy which is similar (and much more powerful) of her own skills. She embodied it, becoming the most powerful creature on earth. To liberate herself from all the fears, pains which shore up her young life, Jean as to pass by a process of disruption. So the Phoenix can rise. 

Comment: 

• Dark Phoenix could be an interesting movie, with the help of the HUGE cast of stars, but it is not. The plot is too dramatically repetitive and banal, with no twisted points that can capture the interest of the spectator. Even the combat scenes are plait, with none sense of suspension: also the special effects are not well employed, with the only exemption of the "super light" power. 
• I didn't like Sophie Turner at all ! The actress, the Got's great Queen of the North, seems still unlocked in her HBO role: a great sense of dignity, calm and self-possession (too much, even when Jean shows her flaws) are in contrast with the contrasted character of the Dark Phoenix. I would enjoyed her to embody the character more dynamically.
• Jean killing Raven: what a silly way to die for Jennifer Lawrence character ! And also, Jean fighting against Erik is simply... unbelievably banal.

Judgement: With a 22% Rotten Tomatoes scores, Dark Phoenix is running towards the title of "Worst X-Men movie", even though its release has opened with a positive sign (140 million $ globally).

So watch it, only to prove that my review is incorrect !

Ciak Movies rating: 2/5 stars. 

Micol Sartori 

Ted Bundy (Netflix): review of movie and docu- series

Zac Efron said he heard about the possibility to play the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy years ago. After being wordy recognized for "teenager" roles, such the one in High School Musical, which brought Zac to the spotlight, the 31 years old, has decided to grow up in recitation. After a series of roles in a variety of productions - The Disaster Artist, The Greatest Showman, Neighbors, Efron appeared for another "macho role" in Baywatch (2017) aside The Rock. But know, Ted Bundy is something of a revolution.

Ted Bundy, other face, besides being handsome and fascinating, was that of being a complete disturbed human being, who, without any sign of mercy and with horrendous violence, murder more than 30 women (the actual number has not being confirmed)  in 7 different Us countries. Ted was active form approximately 1974 and 1978, and his trial went on until he was executed of death penalty in the state of Florida, after confessing, in 1989. Ted's wake of violence put in crisis the entire Us police departments and intelligence, because young women started to disappear, in silence and without witnesses, and then their rests were found here and there, in natural landscapes, especially in paradisiac areas near the rocking hills. Ted was an individual who suffered of a series of mental illnesses, including manic-depression, but was persuaded to be not only sane, but brilliant instead. He coved his terrible dark side with a great savoir faire as he was willing to become either a politician or a lawyer - he took a degree in psychology, and was studying law. Interesting is also the role of the girlfriend (played by Lily Collins), with whom Bundy had a dependence and idealized relationship. But the women, was the first one to realize his controversial aspects (!)

The thing that I enjoyed in this movie ( "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" directed by Joe Berlinger) , was the fact that Zac Efron was able to play Ted's dualisms, letting the spectator (as we were the people who lived in Ted's years) with a great, indescribable sense of doubt. Could a fascinating, intellectual young man really be such an evil monster?
Ted Bundy had the ability - and the willingness, I have to say to be "remembered" in a way- and I ensure you, that a sense of magnetism pervade his personality and sticks with you after watching.
Why are we so attested by crime stories? Because every human being as an evil part. This is why, as Ted said in the documentary series powered by Netflix ("Conversations with Ted Bundy" which I recommend), that the "monster" is not recognizable as an ugly Frankestein, but can live within any (apparently) respectable person.


Ciak Movie rating: 5/5.

Micol Sartori

Got season 8 review: epic wrap or failure? (no plot spoiler inside)

All the world was holding their breath for the release of the ultimate season of Game of Throne. The last season, indeed. At the moment of writing, 5 of the 6 episode has aired world-wide, but, the spectators have already expressed their opinion of HBO's pupil. 

Metacritic.com has collected, so far, 864 users opinion: 335 are positive, 123 mixed and 406 negative. 

If you would like to join the series community and write your own review, click on this link.

And, has it happened with other series such as the Mentalist, when people asked and obtained a last season and other infamous petitions regarding particularly Netflix productions (which often are not heard-e.g Gypsy), fans have asked for the remake of the whole season 8. They claim that the HBO production have failed in portraying the best ending for such a superbe series as Got, and they are particularly angry about the development of some characters in the latter episodes, as well as not standing the "waste of time" of episode 1 and 2, and the too rapid wrapping up of the battle versus the dead chapter. Will the petition be effective? 

In case you want to contribute, sign the petition at this link. 

In my case, accordingly to Ciak Movies policy, I don't want to spoil anything before last episode.

But,  I have to say that season 8 was made with too much rush, maybe under HBO or other marketing pressures (have you seen the tons of Got merchandisings?). Even if this choice was, let's say, smart, in the short term, I bet all the fans would have waited happily another year/couple of years for a better conceived screenplay and execution. 

The series, produced by Benioff and Weiss after the acquisition of George R.R. Martin's novels, is out since 2007. As a result of numerous shifts on the director chair, among these, Espenson and Cogman, season 8 appears to be a season "without the guidance" of a solid hand. 

Too many shifts in the characters perception, which is a thing we get used to in the previous season, but that were better explored, with a deeper logic and reasoning. The concept that in Got " they all die" is not far from the truth, the point is, how, in what occasion, by whom. 

We will continue the discussion, more in detail, next week. Let me know what you think, adding a comment below.

Micol Sartori 

The Sister Brothers

The Sisters Brothers (2018) is a dark comedy- western directed by Jacques Audiard, starring Joaquin Phoenix, John C.Reilly (who is also a producer), Jake Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed. The movie was presented at the 2018 Venezia Film Festival and won the Silver Lion for best direction. 

1815, somewhere in west America, in the middle of the Golden Rush fever.The Sisters Brothers, Eli (Reilly) and Charlie (Phoenix) are two hit men hired by the Commodore (high raking military commander, who exercises a great power in that geographical aerea). Because the Commodore has many interests, both in America and outside the country, and, most of all, is a very rich and influential personality, he decides to send the brothers after the chemical expert Warm. Apparently, Warm has discovered a special formula to detect gold in the rivers and guess what? He becomes one of the most "wanted" man in the Country. In order to capture the chemical, the Commodore has hired also a writer, Morris (Gyllenhaal), in order to entertain and guide directly to the Sister brothers Warm. But a great chemistry came up between the two men, who share the same ideals in life, so the writer decides to give up his mission to join Warm's search for gold. After a series of adventures in which we discover the personality and tragical family history of both Eli and Charlie, the two cowboys finally found Warm and Morries. But instead of killing them, they begun to pursue the Golden Rush themselves. The ending is quite unpredictable, with an important come-back to the Sister's lost humanity.

Why this movie is worth watching:

• After American Hustle, the Sausage Party and, most of all, Phantom Tread, Anna Purna pictures has taken a step forward towards maturity. Next summer stay tuned for "Where'd go Bernardette" starring Cate Blanchett.
• Joaquin Phoenix is rising his career in an incredible way. The talented actor, after Her, You Were Never Really Here, Don't Worry and Mary Magdalene (where he played Jesus!), is delivering another intense performance. Phoenix is simply the perfect drunkard, badass, disordered but irresistible character, no matter if the film is historical or set in an imaginary world. Can't wait to see him in Joker ! 
  
  
  
• I loved the moments between the two brothers: even if they are both rough men, Eli has always an eye on his little brother. Interesting to watch also the transition from a cowboy era to the modern era, with the experience of both pleasures and pain. 
• Charlie's craziness in the Golden Rush fever moment of the four men, was the symbol of how blind we are when it comes to become a rich man. Translate this into history, and we arrive straight ahead to the Indians genocide (which is not mentioned in the movie).
• I enjoyed the fact that Eli and Charlie speak all the time about the Commodore, and project to the spectator his fearful presence. But in the final scene, this incumbent person, is just another avid old man. 

Negative aspects (of a blurred ending): 

• The void that comes after the Commodore's death. The commander was the last stronghold of the western-world or the Gold Rush will continue, besides the barge of modernity?
• What will the Sister Brothers do them? After returning to their childhood, another life is possible for them?

Ciak Movie Rating: 4/5. 

Micol Sartori 

Green Book

Green Book (2018) is an American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Peter Farrelly. The movie takes place in the '60s, following the adventures of the afro-american jazz pianist Don Shirley (played by Mahershala Ali) and his boy-guard, the italo-american Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen). Although Don is a jazz star and is booked all through the US, because of the color of his skin, is life is as hard as his black fellows. The star is convicted to dirty motel rooms, constraint to take alternative road to reach the south as to avoid Ku Kluk Klan,  to use separate rest rooms, to entry black bars only etc. In one word, the generously musician is allowed to be in the presence of the "elevated" and "refined" white people only when is longilinea and delicate hands caress the piano. 

• The contrast between the luxury of the gentlemen houses or the golden architecture of the best American theatre that had hosted Don's concerts and the rough, dusty, durty and unsafely places occupied by black American was something that definitely stroked me whilst the view of this movies. How come that in the most liberal country of the world, racial differences were so deeply eradicated ?
• Besides, of course, the performance delivered by Ali, a remarkable actor of this emotional real-story is Viggo Mortensen. When I first watched the movie in original English  Viggo was perfectly speaking the Sicilian dialect: an all-round performance by the danish-american actor, who gives heart to the handy sicario Tony Vallelonga. For his family's sake, Tony leaves his job as a "security- guard" (scagnozzo, in Italian) in a mafia's night club to follow, not so happily at first, the black musician. In the scenes before Tony decides to sign Don's super generous contract, we know that Tony is racists, as most whites at the time: in an interesting scene were two carpenter were fixing stuff at his own house, Tony's wife (played by Linda Cardellini) offer them something to drink. As a result of his exogenous mentality, Tony throw the two glasses on the bid. The man was really racists or was acting only as a response of a common mentality? Green Book as a whole, is the answer to this question. 
• The friendship between Don and Tony is one of the most beautiful relations  portrayed by the contemporary cinema: two men convicted by a so called advanced society (Tony, as an Italian, was a victim of racism himself), believed in the power of humanity (and I would like to quote Jason Donhue, " I see humans but no humanity"), and together they started a fuse to change the world. 

Positive aspects:

1) The acting was impeccable. Also Linda Cardellini was, yet again, worth watching.
2) I enjoyed the movements of the camera, so attached to Don's blue Cadillac. 
3) The journey in the south was a discovery: of Don's history and feelings (also about his sexuality) and of Tony's good heart. The existence of an on-paper "Green Book" was something interesting to know about. 

4) The direct and egalitarian relationship between Don and Tony. I enjoyed every little quarrel. And Don helping Tony with the letters !
5) Don lived in a fakery world of self-isolated luxury. He practically idolatrate himself, even though, when he was outside his palace, he was only another faceless black. This factor was incredibly well portrayed by the director, who balanced the scenes with parsimony.
6) Tony's Sicilian accent and the Italian micro society. So real and funny. I loved that the openness of the Italian people was portrayed as, during Christmas time, they accepted Don as part of the family. 

Negative aspects (if any):
1) The piano scenes in which Don performs, reminds me of Casablanca. But, in Green Book, "the black guy at the piano" is a human being with feelings, not smiling and acting as a muppet as in the 40s iconic movies. More than a negative aspect, this is, a negative feeling. I felt so sorry for the thousand years of apartheid. 

Ciak Movie review: 5/5. EXCEPTIONAL. 

Micol Sartori

Bohemian Rhapsody

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY(2018) is a biographical film about the Queen. Directed by Bryan Singer, written by Anthony McCarten, and produced by Graham King and Jim Beach, starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, with Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee and Ben Hardy. 

The film is a British-American joint venture produced by 20th Century Fox, New Regency, GK Films, and Queen Films, with Fox serving as distributor.

  

                         

BOX OFFICE REVENUES: Worldwide: $ 596.859.690– Us$174.265.924, share 29.2%; Foreign:$422.593.766, share 70.8%

Reasons to watch it:

• If you’re aQueen fan, Bohemian Rhapsody is the definitive bio-pic !I enjoyed the perfect mixture between the music history and the personal lifes, plus, Freddie’s personality is reproduced accurately. Starting from his teeth.
• Finally Rami Malek has gained a central role and he took the stage with personality and precision. A direct call for the Oscars?
• The sexuality theme: while watching, we know Freddie is homosexual, but we discover his inclinations with him. Sensitive touch by the author. 
• The value of the family/group/band. This movie explains why Freddie Mercury isn’t only Mercury. He meant nothing without the Queen, and the band, are nothing without him.

Stars: 5/5 ⭐️

Micol Sartori

Series review: ELITE

Hi guys! Sorry for the absence... I have moved to Milan early this month because of university and since I have moved from one flat to another in a few days (crazy stuff, I swear), it  has been a little bit shaking. I have been without wi-fi for quite a lot, so, you, know, I haven't watched huge movies like "A Star is Born" or "Bad times at El Royale", yet. In the next days, though, you will find my #CiakMovies review of both of them. In the meantime, I leave you with some series review. I love series, I must say, and, after falling in love with awarded series such as Got, Oitnb, Breaking Bad, Narcos, House of Cards etc.  I went trough two shorts Netflix productions that I highly recommend to you. The first one is...

ELITE (2018) is a spanish teen-crime drama created and written by Carlos Montero and Dario Ladrona, directed by Ramon Salazar for Netflix. The series stars are Danna Paola, Maria Pedraza, Jaime Lorente and Miguel Herràn. Due to the huge success of the tv series, Netflix has renew it for a 2 season.

ODD FACT !!  If you look at Elite's poster, you may recognize some faces. Yes ! We have already seen Maria Pedraza, Jaime Lorente and Miguel Herran in "Money Heist" better known as "La casa de Papel". The decision to reclute almost all the cast of a previous successful Netflix series in order to produce a new one (completely different in the topic) was questionable. But, in my opinion, it worked to establish the true acting skills of these young chavales, that are young and may have a long career ahead.

THEME: The set is a Spanish private high school where rich youngsters go in order to become the "tomorrow elite". At the beginning, 3 new scholars arrive: Christian, Nadia and Samuel. These three, you aren't rich, have "won" a scholarship because their original school has been destroyed because of an earthquake (you will discover that Guzman and Marina's father is one of the responsible of the disaster, but, don't worry, this is not a spoiler.) Lately, some drama and romance arises. But I won't go into details.

SPOILER ALERT

                                   !! READ ONLY IF YOU HAVE ALREADY WATCH IT !!


POSITIVES ASPECTS:

• Elite is an entertaining series: nice to watch, for distract yourself from the stress of the day and to have some fun. Anthropologically, the distinction between the elite's members and the new ones is interesting to watch, in its development, because we know it is quite realistic. Why is so difficult to accept new members in an already-formed group? 
• I enjoyed the romance scenes between Samuel and Marina, but, at the end, I found Samuel's character a little bit too fictional and, most of all naive, whereas Marina, out of the blue, becomes the prototype of the rebel. 
• The rainbow relationship between Ander and Nadia's brother Omar is cute and in line with our times. 
• The sex affair between Christian e Marina was very hot. And Christian was the one who turns up the music of the show. 

NEGATIVE ASPECTS:

• Marina's illness, the way it is presented and how the girl deals with it. For me,  is the worst thing of the series.
• Nadia's family is the stereotype of the close-minded muslim family. The strong figure of the father, who is willing to control all the moves of Nadia and Omar, in reality doesn't know anything about his sons. I find this difficult to deal with, as a spectator. And I am against pre-judgements.
• Samuel's brother Nano is James Dean bad copy. Wherever it goes, he leaves behind him pain and broken hearts. Too much of a cliché for me.
• Guzman relationship with Nadia. How come that he is in love with Lu and then, after a joke, he falls for Nadia? I don't like the evolution of this character: from the rich-snob-smart young man, to the "subdued", frigile love-bird ? Let me be a little be sarcastic. 
• Polo or better known as Marina's toy-boy. And, some words let me wander how was their relationship before Christian arrived.  It would be an interesting topic to develop in season 2. 

⭐️CIAK MOVIE REVIEW ⭐️: 2.5/5

Micol Sartori

VENOM: why critics consider this movie bizzarre.

Venom (2018) is a fantasy movie based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Venom is the first movie in Sony’s Marvel Universe.Directed by Ruben Fleischer, screenplay by Scott Rosenberg, starringTom Hardyas Eddie Brock aliasVenom, alongside Michelle Williams,Riz Ahme, Scott Haze, and Reid Scott. 

THE PLOT: In Venom, journalist Brock gains superpowers after being bound to an alien symbiote whose species plans to invade Earth.

…And surprise, surpirse! When I came to the movie theatre to watch this movie with a couple of friends, I was thinking about having a good time and entertain myself. Which is the reason why, as opposed to my usual habits, I didn’t pay attention to most of the aspects I normally review in Ciak Movies: I’ve just pay the ticket, watch the movie being transportated by the plot and laugh. After this “mhystical/normal” experience, I read some critical reviews, that follows:

EMPIRE:

• The first act is ham-fisted, charmless and dull (…). Even more surprising is the lack of chemistry between TomHardy and Williams, two of the most charismatic actors on the planet. Hardy’s performance in particular is fidgety, muted and curiously unengaging; Williams also toils away in a nothingy fiancée-moving-on role. Completing the troika, Venom also has another collector’s item — a bland Riz Ahmed turn as an Elon Musky visionary saddled with dreadful dialogue 

INDIEWIRE:

• The world may have enough superheroes, but it doesn’t have enough good movies about them. “Venom” goes a small way toward changing that, even though it’s technically about a supervillain — or, if we’re being generous, an antihero. News that the fan-favorite Spider-Man antagonist was receiving a standalone film of his own starring Tom Hardywas greeted warmly (…).
• Apparent creative differences between Hardy and director Ruben Fleischer(“Zombieland,” “Gangster Squad”) aside, “Venom” leans closer toward the former — a potential franchise-starter whose bizarre incongruities ultimately feel more like a feature than a bug.

... And I though “Wow! It’s amazing how the normal audience watch movie without even realize those things.”So, i am very thankful for the experts that professionally review movies, because, if not, nobody will appreciate, or even notice, the work and the ART which lays beyond a movie. 

Micol Sartori