Pasha's Film Reviews Etc.

3 1/2 /5 Damien Thorn has a strange life. His parents are both dead in accidents and ever since his childhood he feels constant presence of something dark, like a cloud above his head. On the day of his thirties birthday a strange accident throws his life into a turmoil and makes him question everything and everyone. He cannot run away from the truth however, which is that he is a son of Satan - Antichrist. The new TV series from A+E Networks is a direct sequel to 1976 movie, ignoring all the other films that were subsequently made, it is set in modern day New York.   The pilot reviewed here does not quite manage to capture the dark and paranoid atmosphere of the original, but it is a modern show, focused on giving as much action as possible in its not so lengthy 43 minutes run, so the atmosphere is sacrificed for action. The pilot introduces a handful of characters, some of them die as quickly as they appear, so one thing is expected – the body count will be high....

? The place is New England and the year is 1636. Superstition rules the world. A family starts a farm on the edge of the forest. As a babe disappears from its cradle an adolescent girl is accused of   witchcraft. And all hell breaks loose when the members of the family turn on one another. THE VVITCH premiered during last year’s Sundance festival and made a big splash, however this is a film better watched unprepared. Scoring raving reviews worldwide it almost reached the status of a blockbuster, but it is a very small art house film.  Saying that, THE VVITCH still boasts realistic setting, great cinematography and impressive acting, particularly from the young actors. Giving enough small details, as well as vast beauty of the landscapes and the forest, THE VVITCH creates the world where God is replaced by fear and the love equals religion. This film is about damnation and religious fanatism and a very small line between them.   If you have forgotten how ...

3 1/2 /5 Tony is recovering from a leg trauma in a rehabilitation centre on the border of the sea. But the real trauma is in her soul. Reflecting on what brought her to this point in life she is remembering the affair with handsome and unpredictable Georgio, and their turbulent relationship over the last ten years. It brought her happiness but also a lot of pain. How soon will she be back on her feet again? Will she ever? If you like dramatic love stories you may instantly recognise the premise of the film, it had been used hundreds of times. A heroine walking down the memory lane to figure out what had gone wrong. There’s one thing, however, that makes MY KING stand out – it is a very honest film with a very real, raw feel to every scene, performance and dialogue. Intelligent but plain looking Tony seems like an odd match to charismatic and larger than life Georgio, however the sparks that are flying on screen cannot be ignored. Their affair and their relationship are...

5/5 Anna’s house is in mourning. As the mirrors are covered and the doors a locked, an unexpected guest walks through the front door. It’s Jeanne, the girlfriend of her son, who had arrived to spend   the Easter with him and his family. Seeing the opportunity to take her mind of her sadness Anna embraces Jeanne with all hear heart. But as the days go by, and her son does not appear, will she be able to tell Jeanne the terrible truth? Piero Messina – assistant director of the Italian Oscar winner Great Beauty, creates a movie full of symbolism. With every frame holding some sort of meaning, the film is beautiful and deep, like the Sicilian lake on the border of which the story takes place. THE WAIT is quite a cinematic journey for a small film, which is basically focused on two performances. Playing with themes of resurrection, the movie unravels to us the picture of grief, and by the end it will stand before us, truly exposed, just like unveiled statue of Virgi...

5/5 Michele Racine is a judge (the president of court as he likes calling himself) and he is both feared and respected. His personal life is in a disarray, with the divorce settlement approaching. As he is about to start a new case he has to live in a hotel and is fighting a terrible flu. But all is about to change, when one of his jurors turns out to be the woman he once loved. COURTED is a slice of life drama, and when real life is being imitated there’s always a place for comedy. Focusing on Racine in and out of court, the movie covers three days, introducing the line of quirky characters and a few genuinely heartbreaking moments. Following the disturbing details of a murder case, the film’s tone is never grim, giving us a warm atmosphere, delivered by the people of the story, and an interesting romantic development between Michele Racine (Fabrice Luchini) and Vitte (Sidse Babett Knudsen), a beautiful doctor Racine is falling in love with. COURT...

4/5 Marguerite Dupont seems to have it all – great riches, a husband she loves and a passion for music. On the inside, she is striving for her husband’s attention and her love of singing gradually turns into an obsession. She arranges private recitals and, with the help of some new friends, who have dubious agenda, is training to step on the stage of the real opera house. There’s only one problem, however. Marguerite’s singing voice is terrible. Placed in Paris of 1920 and inspired by the real life story of Florence Foster Jenkins, MARGUERITE is about a woman who would not let the truth to stand on the way of her desire to sing. Director Xavier Giannoli has a special interest in all things infamous. All his previous films examine the short distance between the infamy and fame and what one is capable of to step into the limelight. His Marguerite is an eccentric with a heart of gold - a strong performance by Catherine Frot, the actor whose status in France can only be...