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Showing posts from 2024

Inside Out 2

Long awaited sequel of the awesome first chapter and most successful animated feature of all times, this enjoyable product is basically an extension of the original instalment. Without strokes of genius. Mark: 7.5 / 10

I Am: Céline Dion

A moving portrait of resiliency, conceived without any kind of easy cliché, brutally honest in depicting the terrible disease the music icon is currently facing. Not to be missed. Mark: 8 / 10

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

A perfectible movie, but in the end an enjoyable product with the usual magnificent Emma Thompson (what a performance and what a courage) and the talented and breathlessly handsome Daryl McCormack. Mark: 7 / 10

Maschile Plurale

Sequel to "Maschile Singolare", the definitely pleasant first chapter released in 2021, it doesn't bear comparison at all, and declines in the most obvious development of the story and subject. The cast seems lazy, too, apart from the always explosive Michela Giraud. Mark: 5 / 10

The Idea of You

A pretty conventional rom-com film, with a fairytale ending and a couple of great actors. Nothing more, in my opinion. An enjoyable experience, though. Mark: 6.5 / 10

All of Us Strangers

It took me several days to write about this movie, simply because I'm still deeply touched by its story and subject. I strongly believe, in fact, that it's impossible to remain indifferent or neutral in face of such a profound demonstration of grief and love. By the way, the cast is absolutely awesome. Mark: 8.5 / 10

Kung Fu Panda 4

A barely enough funny fourth installment of the renowned saga of the clumsy but lethal panda. My personal opinion is that, at this point, everything sounds like the classic heated soup, though pretty well crafted. Mark: 6 / 10

After Love

A very British, very independent small film about a shocking discovery: Joanna Scanlan is simply awesome in the main role, well supported by a great cast. The story is pretty good, though a mild feeling of déjà-vu runs through the whole movie. Mark: 7.5 / 10

Io capitano

A balanced, moving and realistic story, stunningly directed by Matteo Garrone and masterfully played by a majority of non professional performers (Seydou Sarr is breathtakingly good). You don't want to miss it. Mark: 8 / 10

Ferzan Özpetek's complete list of films, ranked

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From bottom to top, in my humble opinion. THE WORST PRODUCTS 14) Un giorno perfetto - 5 13) Harem Suare - 5.5 12) Napoli velata - 6 11) Rosso Istanbul - 6 THE DISAPPOINTING TO ENJOYABLE PRODUCTS 10) La dea fortuna - 6.5 9) Saturno contro - 6.5 8) Magnifica presenza - 7 7) Allacciate le cinture - 7.5 6) Cuore sacro - 7.5 THE BEST PRODUCTS 5) Nuovo Olimpo - 8 4) Le fate ignoranti - 8.5 3) Hamam-Il bagno turco - 8.5 2) La finestra di fronte - 9 1) Mine vaganti - 9

Un giorno perfetto

Loosely based on Melania Mazzucco's novel, this movie definitely seems not to have been directed by Ferzan Ozpetek since, in my opinion, there is nothing that could link to his filmography and/or to his way of approaching a story. A complete disappointment. Mark: 5 / 10

Rosso Istanbul (İstanbul Kırmızısı)

The only major movie by Ferzan Ozpetek shot in the Turkish language, with exclusively Turkish actors, is a brave attempt, but in my opinion fails without appeal: too shallow, bland and frankly incomprehensible. Mark: 6 / 10

Cuore sacro

This was the first movie by Ferzan Ozeptek I chose to avoid, without a specific reason. I decided to watch it, at last, and my personal outcome is definitely positive, though admitting it could be a very divisive product. In my opinion it's a pretty interesting (a bit obvious, maybe) depiction of change, religion and charity, with a huge performance by Barbora Bobulova. Mark: 7.5 / 10

Nuovo Olimpo

For the first film released directly on Netflix, Ferzan Ozpetek comes back to his primordial ideas of cinema: passionate, heart breaking and somewhat naive. The result is definitely top-notch, with a stellar cast that includes two talented newcomers (Andrea Di Luigi and Damiano Gavino) and the phenomenal Luisa Ranieri. Mark: 8 / 10

La dea fortuna

A pretty good cast, a magnificent song by Mina and an impressive cinematography do not save this movie from being somewhat plain and predictable. Definitely not one of Ferzan Ozpetek's best products. Mark: 6.5 / 10

El baile de los 41

Based on a scandal occurred in Mexico in 1901, it depicts and dramatizes the facts from a double perspective: the son in law of the Mexican president, and his newlywed wife. It's definitely worth watching, for more than a reason. Mark: 7 / 10

American Fiction

Witty and intriguing, based on the novel Erasure by Percival Everett, it's a pretty interesting satire of the stereotypical "black" books, with a tremendous cast (Wright is phenomenal). Mark: 7.5 / 10

The Holdovers

A sheer gem, directly from the seventies. Nostalgic (but never cheap or easy), soul-stirring, humorous, profoundly moving, exciting, edifying. The whole cast is phenomenal. You don't wanna miss it. Mark: 9 / 10

Anatomie d'une chute

A well crafted legal drama, with an interesting subject and a sort of alienating, mysterious location. The main attraction is undoubtedly the extraordinary performance by Sandra Hueller. Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. Mark: 7.5 / 10

Hidden Figures

I succeeded in watching this brilliant movie, at last. Eight years after its release. And I truly appreciated everything about it. It might be considered excessively crowd-pleasing, but it remains a film you have to see. Mark: 7.5 / 10

Fyra år till (Four More Years)

A gay themed Swedish comedy, with amiable characters and a good cast. The subject is pretty weak and frayed, though. Mark: 6 / 10

The Greatest Night in Pop

A deeply nostalgic celebration of a unique moment in pop music history. Interesting, moving and somewhat surprising, it's definitely a must see. Mark: 7.5 / 10

Oppenheimer

I've never been a fan of Nolan's approach to movies (except for his first films), but this product reconciled my feelings toward him: a magnificent cast, an unquestionable technical aspect and, above all, a great storytelling. Mark: 8 / 10

Barbie

Okay, the cast is quite good and the technical aspect is indeed awesome. Okay, the idea is somewhat juicy. But, the result? In my opinion, a catastrophe. A totally useless and insipid product, for an unspecified audience. Mark: 5 / 10

Killers of the Flower Moon

Once and for all, the "undisputable" Martin Scorsese is not my cup of tea. I personally found this way too long product a sort of docudrama, excessively didactic and incredibly boring. The cast, too, is not at its best, including, in my humble opinion, the so praised performances by DiCaprio and Gladstone. Mark: 5 / 10

Poor Things

Brutally imaginative, incredibly exhilarating, technically stunning (the soundtrack and costume design are breathlessly extraordinary) and with a bunch of magnificent actors and actresses. Emma Stone delivers an undoubtedly awesome performance. Not for everyone, but in my opinion not to be missed. Mark: 8.5 / 10

Loving

The marriage that started it all and led to the Supreme Court decision in 1967. Negga and Edgerton are phenomenal, and the development is gentle and a bit subtle, like their love story. Mark: 7.5 / 10

Nyad

A nice uplifting sports biopic masterfully played by Bening and Foster. Nothing exceptional or particularly original, though. Mark: 7 / 10

Maestro

Though a bit self-congratulatory and a tad wishy-washy in terms of narrative, this movie must be seen for the extraordinary performances by Cooper and Mulligan. Mark: 7.5 / 10