movie reviews
In-depth, long-form movie reviews that explore films with nuance, context, and personal insight. Covering cinema from around the world, these essays go beyond plot summaries to unpack meaning, style, and impact.
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Vampiru’ Zombi (2024) | Liminal Cinema
Vampiru’ Zombi stands out with its blend of art-house aesthetics and semi-fictional introspection, exploring themes of fatherhood, abandonment, and self-discovery. While some scenes feel surface-level, its raw, experimental essence captivates, showcasing Sebastian Mihăilescu’s brash minimalism and knack for blurring reality with fiction. A guerrilla triumph, it exemplifies liminal cinema’s ability to evoke meaning in chaos. Read more
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Evil Reimagined: George A. Romero’s Resident Evil (2025)
This documentary on Romero and Resident Evil offers a mixed experience. While it covers Romero’s influence and the origins of the Resident Evil series, its structure feels disjointed. The homage to Romero stands out, enriched by interviews, but the film struggles to balance commercial appeal with insightful storytelling. It’s intriguing yet familiar for fans. Read more
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Movies of the Week #44 (2024)
The “Twilight” series, despite its cultural impact, is critiqued for its lack of compelling storytelling and depth. Each installment reveals weak plots, awkward character dynamics, and underwhelming conflicts. The series is marked by a mix of decent performances and stylistic choices, yet ultimately reflects a disjointed narrative burdened by poor source material. Read more
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Clara: Social Issues and Character Struggles | Review
It feels like there’s an avalanche of Romanian movies descending over us during this year, with productions catering to all tastes – the dubious (Buzz House), the mainstream (Anul nou care nu a fost) and the art-house (Trei kilometri până la capătul lumii). Clara would probably fit in the latter. It is a distinctly European Read more
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Eugene Buică’s Family Tale: A Raw and Unflinching Documentary | Review
The documentary chronicles the complex dynamics within Eugene Buică’s family over several years, capturing raw, unfiltered moments. It portrays the unvarnished reality of family discord, with Mr. and Mrs. Buică’s turbulent relationship at its core. The film delves into the moral ambiguity of human nature, presenting an unapologetic and discomforting portrayal of flawed characters and… Read more
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Sisi & Ich: A Feminist Interpretation of Empress Elisabeth of Austria | Review
The film “Sisi & Ich” offers a different take on Empress Elisabeth of Austria, exploring her later years and her relationship with her lady-in-waiting. While it may not reach the same level as “Corsage,” it captivates with a strong feminist perspective. The captivating dynamic between the central characters prompts introspection on privilege and loyalty. Despite… Read more
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În Inima Naționalei: A Glimpse into Romania’s Football Revival | Documentary Review
The proliferation of sports documentaries has diluted their value, with many lacking originality and substance. “În Inima Naționalei” chronicles Romania’s national team’s journey to Euro 2024. While it captures the players’ personalities and the challenge of living up to famous footballing fathers, it fails to offer a compelling emotional core. Despite its competent execution, the… Read more
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Review: Nasty (2024)
The documentary “Nasty” captures the eccentric and charming nature of tennis legend Ilie Năstase. While it lacks depth in exploring his background and societal impact, the film offers entertaining insights from tennis luminaries. However, its structure and reliance on diverse talking heads hinder a cohesive narrative. Despite its shortcomings, “Nasty” portrays Năstase’s charisma compellingly, making… Read more
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Hai Romania (2024): An Unstoppable Journey into National Pride | Review
The documentary “Hai Romania!” delves into Romania’s impactful 1994 World Cup performance, offering intimate insights and emotional reflections from key figures like Hagi and Iordănescu. Directed by Claudiu Mitcu, the film’s loose structure and overabundance of voices may detract from its impact. It misses an opportunity to explore the broader societal context, playing more as… Read more
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Review: Klaus & Barroso (2024)
The team behind the surprising, if uneven, Taximetrişti (2023) reunited for a follow-up that feels similar in style, but is considerably less inspired. Directed by Bogdan Th. Olteanu, who co-wrote the movie alongside the two leads, Adrian Nicolae and Cosmin Nedelcu, K&B is just a succession of scenes that sway between the unfunny and the Read more
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Review: #dogpoopgirl (2021)
This satire by Andrei Hutuleac wants to address dysfunctions of modern (Romanian) society, transfixed in its obsession with scandals and its deformed perception of justice and how these have been galvanized by internet culture. Clearly, these are valid observations, that have been made many a time; often, without being memorably incisive, but on occasion with Read more
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Review: De ce mă cheamă Nora când cerul meu e senin (2023)
The documentary “Nora” is a tribute to Nora Iuga, a prolific figure in Romanian literature. With a unique approach, Carla Teaha’s film offers an intimate portrayal of Iuga’s life and work, capturing her resilient spirit and contributions to the literary world. Despite struggling in rhythm, the film beautifully encapsulates the nuances of Nora Iuga’s life… Read more
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