Reviews

I admit I had plenty of difficulties liking this movie. I could not understand the meaning and the reasons behind the actions of the leading character. It takes patience (desire) and multiple views in order to understand how guilt and ambivalence play over this conflicted personality. Certain scenes, that appear to have no meaning, represent how Theresa (Kirsten Dunst) experiences uncertainty in thoughts (life or death) and actions (end with life or the opposite) before finally succumbing to it and embrace it as she gives up with life. She also ends up homicidal as she appears to be led by anger towards the people who belittle her grief or embrace a certain emptiness and carelessness towards life and human beings in general. She follows with total self-destructiveness. Kirsten Dunst ("The Beguiled", "Midnight special", "Fargo" (II Tv Instalment) gives another tortured performance growing each moment until it completely becomes overwhelming. Being the film really difficult to enjoy, I suggest only people interested in more views and studying see it. I think the directors did a very competent job. I enjoyed the ambiguity and the tricks of the lights, camera, and their choices in terms of script. While a much clearer script would have certainly given an easier solution to the dilemmas, guilt, and grief of Theresa, I appreciated the originality and the chances for the viewers to form their own views about the turmoil within her.

The beauty of the film relies on the lack of long and boring details about the characters which, for many people, might be a little annoying. The fact is that the director is not concerned about that but wants to portray a "journey" which can be interpreted by any viewer as he wants. This is the most interesting thing about the whole film. Although, as the film is about a boy who happens to be special, many viewers will interpret the journey as an inner one which is undertaken by the boy himself and his parents. The former has to accept that he will be separated from his parents while the latter have to accept to let their boy go. As Nichols said that he wrote this film thinking about what's like to realise you might lose your child, one cannot help but interpret the story as a symbolic portrayal of the parents losing the child and how to cope with that. The father (Roy) is more in denial while the mother (Sarah), as a mother's instinct, is already aware that these are going to be the last days they are going to spend with their son. I found the message terribly moving and the film manages to transcend little details to become as subjective as possible: everyone can read it as he wants. The film is also exciting in that it contains action and the right amount of suspense. The performances are truly wonderful with Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst and Jaeden Lieberher as the stand outs. Michael Shannon ("Take Shelter", "99 Homes", "Boardwalk Empire", "Revolutionary Road", "The iceman", "Shotgun Stories") delivers a quite effective performance as a father who tries to avoid accepting that the child is going to leave. Kirsten Dunst ("Melancholia", "Marie Antoinette", "Fargo", "The Virgin Suicides", "The Cat's Meow", "All Good Things") is the emotional point of the story: a mother who already feels that her son is going to leave and, as hard as it is, accepts that while caring for him until the end. Both Shannon and Dunst give everything you would expect from actors of their calibre and the portrayal of these parents is very sad and moving. These are very minimalistic performances. Jaeden Lieberher ("St. Vincent") also gives a convincing performance as the child who tries to comfort the parents while avoiding to hide the fact that he knows he is going to leave. Joel Edgerton ("The Great Gatsby", "Warriors", "Zero Dark Thirty", "Black Mass") is also good as the faithful and true friend who ends up following the child wherever he goes. Nichols' direction is outstanding and he manages to make the viewers care and feel for the characters. Despite being a sci-fi movie the script feels like emotionally oriented and individualistic. This does not happen all too often. My vote is 10/10.

"The two faces of January" is an extraordinary period thriller with terrific performances by the three leading actors and an excellent writer, turned director who gave us one of the best Patricia Highsmith's novel adaptations. Greece,1960. The film centers around a glamorous American couple, Chester and Colette (Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst), caught up in a murder and an American tour guide, Rydal (Oscar Isaac), who offers himself in order to help them flee the country. The plot offers a unique trio of characters who can be hardly categorized and are really complex and ambiguous with plenty of undisclosed thoughts and desires. It is also full of mythological symbolism that the cultured viewer will catch. Therefore many scenes in the film remind of famous mythological references. The driving theme of the story can be best summarised by the Greek word "Ubris" that expresses the arrogance and subsequent punishment of humans by the pagan gods along with the hidden aedipical complex. The three main characters are all culpable of "Ubris" in a way or another in that they would want to pursue their fantasy dreams despite the hard reality. The script is very well constructed and avoids all the genre-related clichés, drawing you into the story and feeling for the characters. It offers suspense, as you would expect from a good thriller, coupled with genuine drama. Every detail is fully developed creating an impressive and almost perfect film. As mentioned before, the performances are excellent. Viggo Mortensen ("Eastern promises","A history of Violence","The road") gives an excellent and multifaceted performance. His role is the most showy among the three of them. Kirsten Dunst ("Melancholia","Marie Antoinette","The cat's meow") is also subtly perfect in a complex and ambiguous role. She beautifully conveys the ambiguity and vulnerability of Colette. Oscar Isaac ("Inside Llewin Davis", "Drive", "Agora") is equally amazing and plays all the right notes of the ambitious and unpredictable Rydal. Hossein Amini is a remarkable storyteller but now he showed that he can be a really great director, something you don't see so often. It doesn't feel like a first attempt behind the camera at all. The Greek setting is another winning point and the suspenseful and emotional soundtrack conjures in dragging the viewer into the mood of the movie. My vote is 10/10

Sofia Coppola is undoubtedly one of the most sensational director of the last years. Her films deals with inner loneliness in spite of a pressing world around you populated with people who can't or doesn't want communicate with you. In this delicate situation, the protagonist reacts by creating a private world for himself. In "Lost in translation" Bob and Charlotte establish a close bond to survive in a foreign country and to a delusional marriage. On the contrary, in "Marie Antoinette" the young foreign bride and future queen of France reacts to a sexless and affection less marriage and a hostile court of Versailles by living a luxurious life and in doing so cementing her bad reputation. In "The virgin suicides" the oppressive parents(James Woods and Kathleen Turner) force their five beautiful young daughters to live a life a part from their peers. Lux(Kirsten Dunst)in turn indulges at first in innocent flirts and then in anonymous sex with strangers after the fatal decisions of her parents of retiring their daughters from school due to a late return home after their only school party in life. The tragic end of the five sisters is witnessed by five infatuated boys who won't be able to forget them. The film perceptively stimulates many important themes such as alienation, the difficulty to draw the lines between imaginary drama and actual life, the immediate necessity for the parents to provide an effective help for their troubled offspring. Technically, the film is outstanding. The adaptation of the Jeffrey Eugenides novel is well done. The script is original in every way. The direction is fine and absorbing. Even the light conjures to express the characters' feelings and obsessions. The music is also a key factor and adds to the general beauty of the film. The acting is at the top with James Woods, Kathleen Turner and Kirsten Dunst delivering riveting performances. The latter truly shines in her complex role and is able to convey every emotion despite an almost silent performance. My vote is 8/10.

"The cat's meow" is a brilliant film by Peter Bogdanovich. It is based on Steven Peros' play and tells the story of one of the most mysterious murder ever happened in Hollywood that is still subject of rumours. What Bogdanovich portrays is Orson Welles's version of the murders which is still controversial. The main characters are the publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst(Edward Hermann),his mistress and rising star Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst),Charlie Chaplin (Eddie Izzard) and film mogul Thomas Hince (Cary Elwes). The story takes place aboard Hearst's yacht on a weekend cruise celebrating Hince's birthday. Among the passengers mentioned before there was British writer Elinor Glyn (Joanna Lumley) ,american film columnist Louella Parsons (Jennifer Tilly), Hince's mistress Margareth Livingstone (Claudia Harrison). The turbid affair between Davies and Chaplin is the reason of the violent jealousy of Hearst who in a tragic and unexpected mistake shoot to death the wrong man ,thought to be Chaplin, that is Ince. Being an influential business man, he was able to cover the murder while Davies decides to stay besides him and end the affair with Chaplin. Bogdanovich captures the suggestive atmosphere of the Old Hollywood and presents an amazing study of characters. Steven Peros worked on the film's script that is heavily structured as a theatrical play itself. The four leading actors are exceptionally commanding in their own roles. Edward Hermann is really absorbed and effortlessly express the ambiguity and morally compromised Hearst with mastery; Kirsten Dunst is in one word terrific, despite the young age (she was only nineteen when she filmed "The cat's meow"), and conveys all the range of emotions required as she was a veteran actress; Eddie Izzard and Cary Elwes are equally good even though they have not the complex roles as Herman and Dunst. The supporting cast is good as well and provides an interesting contrast with the protagonists. My vote of the film is 8/10.

It must have been difficult for Walter Salles to adapt a timeless and acclaimed novel as "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac. The result is a fascinating and punctual film that very well describes the heart and soul of the beat generation and the emotional journey of Sal Paradise-Jack Kerouac(Sam Riley) and the decisive meeting with the free-spirited and deeply chaotic Dean Moriarty-Neal Cassidy (Garret Hedlund) with his wife Marylou (Kristen Stewart),whom he had a very troubled relationship. The film also introduces other key characters as Carlo Marx-Allen Ginsberg (Tom Sturridge), famous poet of the beat generation , Camille-Carolyn Cassidy (Kirsten Dunst), second Moriarty's wife and Old Bull Lee-William S.Borroughs (Viggo Mortensen), poet and artist. The film manages to express the feelings and emotions of the two leading characters played extremely well by Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund. As for Kristen Stewart, her performance is really good even though her role doesn't offer much memorable scenes in terms of acting. Nevertheless, she is able to express her inner desire of a normal life with children. Tom Sturridge is also very well involved and plays effectively his role with some important scenes. Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst are really amazing in their limited screen times. Particularly, Dunst was truly commanding in a scene involving her and Hedlund arguing about father's duties. Walter Salles creates a suggestive atmosphere that is one of the winning point of his adaptation. Nonetheless, the films is a little difficult to follow due to his prolongation in some adventures of the two men. The soundtrack is another important element in the film and expresses the situation involving Sal and Dean. My vote is 8/10.

The film centers on a pair of lovers divided by a world with dual gravity. The two worlds are strictly separated: the rich people live up while the poor people live down. The only connection between this two worlds is through the company Transworld. Adam(Jim Sturgess) is from down below but he has the chance to meet Eden (Kirsten Dunst). They fall in love but are forced to give up their love by the police of the upper world. After ten years they'll have the opportunity to meet again and fight against the gravity and the two world restrictions that separate them. The concept of two rigidly separated worlds is an original metaphor of many people who have lived in difficult political and economical situations in which they were brutally used and forced to live a humiliating, segregated, politically persecuted life. For these people there was no love, no emotions, no rights, no chances to make it in life. They were merely an object, easily expendable in order to build a prosperous and cohesive society sustained by an ideology that seeks paradise on earth. It is undoubtedly a very pressing matter even in our historical situation as in the defunct Soviet Union. Adam becomes the focus of our sympathy. We deeply understand his desire of life redemption and his quest of a long-lost love who could give him some relief from a grim reality, even though he doesn't know the object of his love exactly. For this performance, Jim Sturgess deserves all the accolades. He is very moving and convincing. On the contrary, Eden is a little distant, only object of veneration, idealisation, and love-seeking. As for Kirsten Dunst, it is a much brighter and easier role after her dark roles in "All Good Things" and "Melancholia". She has no showy scene really, even though she plays her role well as always and conveys Eden's hidden sadness of being unable to remember her past and feeling always incomplete and kinda robbed of something she quite doesn't how to put her finger on it. Eden also seems she cannot establish profound relationships with anyone because of that. Timothy Spall as Bob, who assists Adam and finally helps Eden in her final decision of living with him despite all, is very good. Juan Diego Solanas, for his brilliant idea and metaphorical work, can be considered a really visionary director. He created a film which has some elements similar to "Inception", "Gattaca", and "Stardust" which are well chosen. The script is simple but nevertheless deals with the question of gravity, social marginalisation, and loveseek which may be at times a little superficially portrayed but are clearly transfigured by the light of love and romance. The special effects are really astonishing and the soundtrack really suggestive. My vote is 7.5/10

Branagh's version of "Hamlet" is clearly the most successful screen adaptation of this immortal classic. While I can't absolutely compare Branagh's acting skills to the brilliant acting technique of Sir Laurence Olivier in his acclaimed version of Hamlet, it is clear that he managed to bring the wit,the critic to his society,the striking reflections on life and death,the projected madness and ultimately the melancholia of Prince Hamlet. Nevertheless Kenneth Branagh is the second best Hamlet ever seen in a film and he plays all the emotions attributed to Hamlet.Furthermore, his direction is visionary and original in every-way. The supporting cast is what made "Hamlet" unique compared to the previous adaptation. Julie Christie, Derek Jacobi and Kate Winslet are unattainable. Each of them gives the exact nature of their characters and plays their role with complete identification, expressing all the feelings and thoughts hidden in their troubled souls.The other actors in their minor roles play equally effectively. The set is visually striking and the music adds a sense of enormous tragedy.

The 1938 version of the story of the ill-fated queen of France boasts amazing aspects and not so good aspects as well. However,we must bear in mind that the film is loosely based on Stefan Zweig portrayal and that in 1938 every single reference that might be perceived as inappropriate had to be removed for the public decency. The good: -Norma Shearer as Marie Antoinette is simply perfect in every detail. It's a towering performance from one of the most talented actresses in old Hollywood, almost a tribute to Marie Antoinette. Without Shearer the film would have been almost unbearable to watch and we can clearly say that she carries on her shoulder the entire picture. - The film manages effortlessly to show the rise and fall of M.A. and the sudden change of her fortune from the opulent splendour of the court of Versailles to the frightening days of the French Revolution and how the revolutionaries were cruel with M.A.,depriving her of her only living son. That scene is one of the most moving scene ever put on a film. The not so good: - The script is somewhat full of holes. We never understand why and when M.A. changes from spoilt queen to devoted mother and courage woman. There's no explanation of her actions and many facts of her life are completely invented such as the issue of how the rivalry between M.A. and Du Barry turned, the supposed isolation decided by the King Louis XV and Du Barry for M.A. and the Douphin Louis, the decision of Louis XV to banish M.A. and abolish the marriage of M.A. and Louis because she mistreated his mistress, how the affair of the necklace began and evolved. Such are the most significant changes from the actual events. - The relationship between Fersen and M.A. is blown out of proportion, although for cinematic purpose. - The role of the Duke of Orleans is too forced since he never was in such intimacy with the Queen(for example in one beautiful scene they passionately kissed each other). The bad: - The dialogues are almost entirely inconceivable for the rigid etiquette of the french court and the hierarchy between the King and his relatives. Instead we see M.A. and Louis addressing to Louis XV with no reverence or submission. So is Du Barry who speaks to M.A. as she is nothing but a mere courtesan and with no tact and M.A. ,in the most awkward scene of the film, publicly speaks about her humble beginnings in front of the King and the court. - The supporting cast -exept Tyrone Power and John Barrymore- varies from useless to terribly miscast or perhaps bad conceived such as Robert Morley's King Louis XVI as a totally imbecile which is quite annoying.

"Sense And Sensibility" is a film by the master Ang Lee from the novel by Jane Austen. The script is written by the original point of view of Emma Thompson who also plays Elinor Dashwood. The film centers about two sisters who are completely different. The elder,Elinor(Emma Thompson) is wise ,prudent,practical and taciturn in regards of her own feelings. The younger,Marianne(Kate Winslet)is passionate,fantasist absolutist in her ideas and she can't absolutely hide her emotions.After Mr.Dashwood death their marriage opportunities are definitely damaged. The point is how could Elinor and Marianne overgrow their own lack of balance in their attitude towards love? The direction is spectacular and poetical and Ang Lee is able to film really overwhelming sequences. It has to be said that sometimes costume dramas are only a chance to built extraordinary film sets with nothing particularly original interpretations but "Sense and Sensibility" is quite the opposite. It is faithful to the original source but it is nonetheless an important showcase of a not ordinary direction and truly inspired and brilliant performances. The acting is absolutely superb in every way. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet are truly in command of their characters and express every single beat with great accomplishment. The supporting actors are wonderful as well. This coupled with a really lovely soundtrack makes this film particularly beautiful. My vote is 8/10.

"Jude" is an extraordinary film by one of the most daring and amazing director out there ,as Michael Winterbottom. The original novel("Jude the Obscure") is translated in a brilliant script by Hossein Amini and centers on the aspirations of a lower-class man,Jude Fawley(Christopher Ecclestone),who fights to become a university man. After a quick and wrong marriage with an humble country girl,Arabella(Rachel Griffiths), he met his cousin Sue Bridehead(Kate Winslet)an intelligent,beautiful and apparently as unconventional and brave as him. Their passionate love will end tragically though. The film is from the end to the beginning sad and depressing at his best since we see Jude and Sue fight against the Victorian society's beliefs such as a legalized marriage(they only live as a couple)and the impossible aspirations of a lower-class man who would like to become equal to his peers and study at the university. Ultimately their lives will be destroyed by a cruel destiny. Jude is completely coherent to his ideas but Sue is a tormented and fragile woman who,in the end, is not able to came to terms with what she professed at the beginning. In the end, she turns to religion and accepts a life she rejected because she feels guilty. Christoph Ecclestone and Kate Winslet are just superb. Ecclestone is a serious underrated actor who should be in the spotlight. He never misses a beat and gives an amazing performance. Kate Winslet is completely committed to her role and gives a dramatic performance that is devastating. The director gives the a vivid and crude cut and confirms his uncommon abilities to tell a story set in a different era as we're seeing a modern tragedy.His direction is as tormented as his leads and we can't help but have a feeling that he is not afraid to show the crudest side and the terrible contradictions of the Victorian period. my vote is 10/10.

"Holy Smoke !" is an amazing film by one of the most original directors as Jane Campion("An Angel at my table","The piano","Portrait of a Lady").It tells the story of a young Australian woman,Ruth Barron(Kate Winslet),who in her journey in India is manipulated by a guru and is turned into a proselyte. The family tries to get her back by hiring an eccentric and apparently self-assured American cult exit,P.J. Waters(Harvey Keitel)and isolate the two of them in a lonely hut in the middle of the Australian desert. The fight between Ruth and P.J. take an unexpected turn:the battle field changes from religion to sex;Ruth becomes the master and P.J. surrenders to her overwhelming sexuality. The film manages to reflect on the power of ideas, sex fight and the at first glance self-confidence of west culture and beliefs(Ruth's family lacking of values and coherence,P.J. attitudes)and the subsequent quest for paramount meanings(Ruth's absolutism)in a world that can be dangerous. The direction is wonderful and Jane Campion give us a very absorbing film even though sometimes difficult to catch. After a plodding beginning you can't help but feeling captured by this strange but absorbing film. The acting is superb. Harvey Kaitel is a confirmation and delivers particularly well. Kate Winslet is a revelation. She completely disappears in her difficult and sometimes hateful character and becomes body ans soul Ruth. It's a testament for her great versatile acting. My vote is 10/10.

"When love is not enough" is an amazing TV film based upon the novel "The Lois Wilson story:when love is not enough" by William Borchet. The screen adaptation centers on Lois Wilson's(Winona Ryder)struggle with the alcohol dependence of her husband Bill Wilson(Barry Pepper)and the subsequent foundation of such institutions as Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous that for the first time dealt publicly with this plague.The script displays efficiently and it offers plenty of dramatic moments played exceptionally by the two leading actors. Winona Ryder("The age of innocence";"Little women";"The crucible","Girl,interrupted"),in her first meaty role in years,is and proves again to be the serious dramatic actress we were used to;Barry Pepper is extraordinary in a challenging role. How such an incredible leads have been ignored by the Emmys and the Golden Globes, except a Screen Actors Guild award nomination for Miss Ryder and many Satellite award nominations, is a true mystery. Such a shame. My vote is 10/10.

Henry McCarthy(Mark Polish)is a successful author who returns to her hometown to deliver a closing speech to a class of graduating high school students while he has to deal with his former object of love(Winona Ryder)and his past as a nerd in search of himself.How this adorable comedy has fought to find a theatrically release is inexplicable to me.It's a beautiful film with some touching moments and funny situations as well.It is imbued with a sense of nostalgia and regret for the lost occasions but at the same time the lead will be able to come in terms with it and to accept it so he could live his future.I think that "Stay Cool"is a really underrated movie given the usual comedies who tries to portray this kind of topics we always see.Mark Polish is good while Winona Ryder gives a very captivating and genuine performance,although her role is not too demanding.The supporting cast varies from really good(Sean Astin,Josh Holloway,Chevy Chase)to merely ornamental(Hilary Duff who plays a pretty version of herself).My vote of the film is 7/10

The movie focus is the depiction of a broken marriage between two working class people,Dean and Cindy.What could have been a great movie becomes a failed occasion to portray an emotionally absorbing tale of an ended love story(as it was in a terrific movie such "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind"). Despite the movie boasts great performances by the two leading actors,particularly by Williams,the big problem is the lack of a solid script that doesn't offer the chance to know about the characters and their love story.I would not call them insignificant informations because when you decide to make a movie about a couple and their fallen marriage you have to provide the audience of a plausible explanation of their relationship.Without that we struggle to be involved with the two leads.With "Blue Valentine" we exactly don't know why they fell in love and why after years they can't stand each other and why their love ends.We are left with a series of disjointed bouncing back and forth scenes of their former happy days that have not much to say,except that they go quite well together in the first chapters and scenes of their declined relationship.As I said before,the acting is solid(to compensate the holes in the script).Ryan Gosling was very good but it's Michelle Williams who gives a great performance that is the best thing of the entire movie.She deserved her Oscar nomination for her outstanding performance.Gosling portrays a man who tries to understand why her wife doesn't love him anymore and a good father although he has a scantly work that clearly makes Cindy feel quite disappointed and he is often drunk.I suspect that Cianfrance takes the side of the female lead although she is the most unlikeable of both of the leading characters and due to the troublesome script we hardly understand why she was in love and why she became so cold towards her husband.I simply found "Blue Valentine" the most overrated movie of 2010 and I don't know if this movie wouldn't have struggled to win many praises if it wasn't for the Weinstein campaign.My vote of the movie is 5/10.

The film begins with the wedding party of Justine(Kirsten Dunst)and Michael(Alexander Skarsgard)arranged by her sister Claire(Charlotte Gainsbourg).But what could have been a perfect party becomes an absurd evening due to the increasing depression symptoms of Justine.Meanwhile a planet(called "Melancholia" and deeply connected to the depressed bride) threatens to collide into the earth. Although this film is surely the most accessible among the works by Von Trier,some audiences will find it boring and meaningless due to the slowly pace of the movie and its controversial subject.But I think this is one of the best films of the year with remarkable performances and a beautiful story of characters that makes you feel every inner turmoil.It's not a predictable portrait of emotions that are often bad portrayed in other films of mental illness and fear.So if you expect dynamic don't watch it.Von Trier is a master and I am sorry for his bad reputation of egomaniac and daring director of films made only for narrow audience.But nobody can deny that he is one of the most original and fascinating directors out there."Melancholia" is a stunning and captivating film ,impossible to forget.I dare to say it's art because there are some poetical moments and moving scenes that are overwhelming.It's almost perfect.The Wagner music elevate this powerful experience.This film is occasionally too meaningful to be caught by some people who will find it difficult but unique.The acting is absolutely great.Kirsten Dunst is terrific in her complex role.She proved she is an A-level young actress and her win at the last Cannes film festival(and the National society of film critics association) is completely deserved.An Oscar nomination would be a must for the Academy although I fear that they will snub her in favor of more stereotyped performances and due to the lack of a big studio behind it.Charlotte Gainsbourg is amazing as well even if her role is less showy.The supporting cast(Kiefer Sutherland,Charlotte Rampling,John Hurt and Stellan Skarsgard)is equally great.My vote of the film is 10/10.

"Never let me go"is for sure one of the best movies of 2010.It's a heartbreaking movie about loss and the shocking truth about the lives of three friends.It could have been an over the top dramatic movie since the story is one of the most sad but Romanek avoids every exaggeration by portraying this story with a delicate and terse style that fully express the situation of untold truths and feelings.The performances are truly magnificent.Carey Mulligan is the standout.She gives an impressive performance as Kathy and becomes the soul of the movie.Andrew Garfield is equally great as Tommy and provides a sort of vulnerability to his role that is truly genuine.Keira Knightley is possibly the bad of the piece and for the first time she is asked to portray an unsympathetic character that is also vulnerable and driven by jealousy and fear.Even the brief roles of Charlotte Rampling and Sally Hawkins are unforgettable.They gave beautiful performances.After you watched this movie you are left with a feeling of sadness since the movie doesn't offer to the three leading characters a chance of escape from an impending destiny.They are completely broken and alone.I think that this movie could have been an hit because it's an amazing picture but probably due to the Fox studio and his massive campaign for "Black Swan" it was quite forgotten.My vote is 8/10.

"Carnage" is one of the most interesting films I've ever seen in a while with a unique style,so European.Roman Polansky is back with a superlative satyr of our society from the play by Yasmine Reza.He decided to maintain the original structure of the play,though translated into cinema.But the scene heavily relies on the dialog and the terrific performances by the four leading actors,none of them slightly miscast and greatly absorbed into their roles.So be aware that you're going to see pure theater.If you expect a story,a rich script and action,forget about "Carnage" because there is no dynamic.It's all about actors-and what actors I must admit- and unforgettable dialogs about our granted beliefs about family,education,marriage,behaviors and so on.I particularly enjoyed the escalation of the at first polite confrontation between two sets of parents,properly reunited to discuss about an altercation between their two sons in a park.As I said before, the acting is absolutely amazing.We can't help but follow their progressive dissatisfaction and disillusion about life and their lose of the control in a funny and hysterical confrontation.Jodie Foster,Kate Winslet,Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly are truly magnificent, all of them delivering tremendous performances-My vote is 10/10.

"Mildred Pierce" is a five hours splendid mini-series with remarkable performances by a fabulous cast lead by Kate Winslet(in her first role after her amazing Oscar performance in "The Reader")from a great director like Todd Haynes.I was totally absorbed from the beginning to the end of this quite long movie.I absolutely loved the accurate portrayal of the character of Mildred(Kate Winslet who is mesmerizing and afford a really demanding role),a strong woman that struggle in the Depression era to find a job after she divorced from her husband.But her most challenging,exhausting and ultimately lost fight is with her headstrong ,cruel(probably one of the most evil character I've ever seen in a while),spoiled and ungrateful daughter Veda(played by a stunning Evan Rachel Wood).Meanwhile she is drawn in a somewhat crushing relationship with Monty Beregon(Guy Pearce)a man who will be an unexpected surprise for Mildred.The pace of the movie is engaging although at times is a bit slow.But the director provides beautiful details that are needed for the explanation of the characters,the story and the historical period(faithfully portrayed).Haynes is able to make you feel every beat of his heroine and with suggestive use of the camera you are completely caught in her world. I'd say that this is a flawless period drama and not an ordinary TV movie.The direction is superb in every sense and I expect an Emmy for the outstanding job of the director and the cast.My vote is 10/10.

Black swan is the most beautiful and interesting film of the year from a genius as Derren Aronofsky.Nina Sayers is a young professional dancer in the New York city ballet company that dreams to become the prime ballerina in the new production of the Swan lake by the artistic director Leroy(Vincent Cassel).She has an obsessive mother,Erica(Barbara Hershey), that makes her life somewhat complicated as she is driven by jealousy towards her daughter. After the former prime dancer Beth Macintyre(Winona Ryder) is forced to retire by Leroy,Nina successfully is cast as Odette,the swan queen.But a mysterious new dancer Lily(Mila Kunis)becomes her most dangerous rival.Darren Aronovsky is a master. One of the greatest director out there.His direction is visionary and everything but ordinary.The pace of the film is really engaging and the script has truly original aspects.The movie has really absorbing moments as the transformation of Nina in the Black swan and her desperation that it is difficult to not be drawn.The depiction of her obsession for the perfection and increasing mental disorder is quite fascinating.The soundtrack is outstanding although it's not original but it's taken from the musical.But it adds to the general beauty of the film and express the characters feeling and the roles they have in the story. Natalie Portman,in her first adult role,excels as the leading character.This is her most complex role and she is exceptional and her first great turn after Closer.Her Oscar Award was completely deserved. Mila Kunis is adequate to the role,but honestly I didn't catch all the praises she gained for her performance.Her role is the easiest and she is an average actress. Vincent Cassel plays "extremely" well the same character(that is inspired by his own personality)in every movie.That's all.And not too much I have to say. Barbara Hershey is truly a gem and she deserved more recognition for her complex role ,she is never over the top although her role could have been played with exaggeration.She is a really great actress.She should have been nominated for an Oscar. Winona Ryder,in her brief role as the fallen prime dancer,was a scene stealer.In only three scenes she is haunting,damned, desperate,intoxicated and angry and was truly mesmerizing.My vote is 10/10