ALMOST PERFECT

There are still some great ideas left in Hollywood, followed by some great actors and great directors. And sometimes, all of those people get combined together in something called a great drama about a mourning mother of a murdered daughter that decides to rock the small community in Ebbing, Missouri to its foundations in an attempt to restart the police investigation that is tapping in one place for months by criticizing the local law enforcement by leasing three billboards just outside the city limits.

On that road, magnificent Frances McDormand will receive some fierce (best Sam Rockwell in years) and some moderate opposition (always reliable Woody Harrelson), while one of the most gifted writers and directors of the younger generation (McDonagh) discreetly follows the unraveling of this peculiar social experiment. Trademark humor that we saw in ’’In Bruges’’ will be there as well, and everything will go smoothly till the beginning of the bottom third of the movie.

There, the script will dissipate, as well as the motivation and actions of the main characters, leading to the disappointing ending of this great movie story.

’’Three billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri’’ is, beyond any doubt, the best US movie this year, although plagued by some serious flaws and it will represent no surprise if it sweeps the ’’Oscars’’.

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI – 8/10

FOTO: umlconnector.com

THE NATION OF DRAMA

Iran is one harsh country and such harshness gives birth to some strong existential real life dramas.

„Life+1 day” is basically a filmed stage play, revolving around one family and its inner courtyard. Three brothers and two sisters will form the backbone of this thorough digging inside the Persian social system and norms, as well as the problems that each and every single family like this one has. True epicenter will be the Mohsan’s (phenomenal Navid Mohammadzadeh) drug addiction and young Somayeh’s arranged marriage to an Afghan.

There won’t be much action, but you won’t lack talking. And talking. And talking. Just like the old Hollywood, based on a strong backbone of every successful drama.

The SCRIPT.

And Saeed Roustayi’s script will make you think, laugh and cry, just so as the real life does. The real life, not imaginary and politically correct problems forced into the movie industry by wealthy producers. „Just” real life.

„Life+1day” is a great drama from a country that redefined drama genre outside Europe.

LIFE+1DAY – 8/10

FOTO: img.movietimes.com

INFERNAL SCRIPT

FOTO: twitchfilm.com

Little do people know that the script of „Infernal affairs” about double agents in police and mafia that hunt each other represented the basis for copy-paste reuse in much acclaimed „The departed” that brought long sought „Oscar” to famous Martin Scorcese.

Hong Kong thriller may not have such a huge production behind it, and Andy Lau may not reach the heights of DiCaprio, but this is after all a really innovative movie with a couple of really powerful twists, especially towards the end.

Although „The Departed” is still a better movie, people should know that the crew of „Infernal affairs” did it first.

INFERNAL AFFAIRS - 7/10

INTERESTING CONCEPT

FOTO: i.ytimg.com

Korean thrillers tend to bring innovations to the genre, and as far as the script is considered, „Going by the book” represents a refreshment. A staged robbery that tend to deviate from the police drill into something completely different as the main character decides to push his colleagues a little bit over the top is a good basis, but the movie stops there.

Unfortunately, overacting and overall sense of emphasizing the characters and the plot itself take over from here, bringing in the traditional weaknesses of Asian cinematographies that somewhat diminish the qualities of this flick.

„Going by the book” is a refreshment amongst lovers of Korean cinema, but not for the general public as well.

GOING BY THE BOOK - 6/10

CLASSIC KOREAN

FOTO:twitchfilm.com 

Koreans sure know how to make a good thriller and a credible crime story. This time, the subject is a accidental hit and run case that comes to haunt the messed-up detective. Elements of the comedy are there, but drama and deviant segment is getting more serious as the script unwinds.

The twist itself is pretty decent, but that can’t  be always said about the acting of the main male roles. Suspension is pretty strong and there are some unmemorable action sequences (i.e. crane and the car).

All said and done, ”A hard day” is one good and fun action-packed thriller for a Sunday afternoon.

A HARD DAY – 6/10