Remedy

What Aronofsky started here, he later perfected in Requiem for a Dream. While the directorial invention here falls far short of the quality of his later work, it gives a hint of the direction Darren Aronofsky's work would take. Once again, a very compelling theme, this time about the boundary between genius and the pursuit of knowledge that turns into uncontrollable madness, is wrapped in a nerve-wracking atmosphere through which the viewer is introduced to the shaky and ever-worsening psychological state of the protagonist. 85%

An incredible atmosphere throughout the film, an ensemble cast that reaches to the very depths of their powers, haunting tones of music, and a perfect study of warped psyche and character. Al Pacino was unmatched as the devil and his performance really does border heavily on perfection. It's just a pity that Devil's Advocate had no chance at the Oscars in 1997 because of the competition with Titanic...

Spielberg's grand entrance into the world's directorial elite. The horrified faces, the perfectly matched music by John Williams, and most importantly the brilliance of the whole film, which really hasn't lost any of its beauty so far. Bravo, Steven!

The sequel to the story of Spider-Man surpassed its predecessor in many ways (especially in the technical aspects), equally great part. While I hesitated to give the first one a full rating and still ended up giving it 4 stars that were more like 4.5 stars (we'll see :), I have no problem with the second one. The main role here is played by Sam Raimi, who directed the sequel to his favorite comic book superhero perfectly and didn't allow any major gaffes that would have disturbed the brilliantly filmed story full of action, love, suspense, revenge, the desire for success... Raimi handles the alternating of the storylines with flying colors and I'm really looking forward to the third one, I've never seen the whole thing.) I'm just a bit worried about the reviews of "three" here, but we'll see.) Spider-Man 2 is definitely 5 stars, and a lot of the credit goes to Danny Elfman, as well as the greater space for character psychology.

Scott's contribution to this film is undeniable. His directorial skill is stands out above all in his ease and ability to make the minimum the maximum. The intoxication of those gorgeous vineyards in Provence stayed with me for a long time after the first viewing. Brilliant stuff!

I didn't want to believe that Hot Fuzz was made by the same people who made the lackluster Shaun of the Dead, because I haven't seen such a sophisticated wannabe action movie in a long time... Hot Fuzz stuns with its originality, well-written characters, and amazing variability in terms of genre. If you're wondering whether you're watching a comedy mocking all action movies that take themselves too seriously or a breathtaking action film with some occasional punchlines or parody, know that Hot Fuzz has a little of each. Breathtaking directorial inventiveness, a host of great British actors, and a totally ultimate Bad Boys-style last half hour (a spoof or HOMAGE to Bay, perhaps?) make Hot Fuzz one of the most original and personalized efforts in recent memory. A clear 5 stars.

Certainly the most cinematically accomplished and best made Harry Potter film (so far). I really like Yates’ approach to the material, and what he started in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is brought to near perfection here. The bridge demolition scene is absolutely stunning, and add 3D to the mix. :) The fact that the films don't work much with the books they’re based on has annoyed me a little (or maybe a little more), but Yates' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has great pacing (despite the rather long romantic storyline) and those slightly drawn-out two hours flew by unbelievably in the cinema. I don't understand the users who rate this flashy bit of cinema and acting 2 stars... A film is a film and a book is a book. 4.5 stars

What I admire about Hallström is the way he can grasp and tell a seemingly bland story without it being bland in the end. The Shipping News is primarily about finding oneself, coming to terms with loss, and starting to live again, but it's all delivered in a sensitive and human way (what else would you expect from Hallström anyway) that hides all its clichés. The character of Quoyle serves as the perfect typification of a bitter yet good-natured guy in every way, dealing with the loss of his wife and lovingly trying to care for his only daughter. The Newfoundland area is perfect for the story, and the occasional presence of appropriately chosen music is a delight. Kevin Spacey and Julianne Moore are absolutely superb in their roles. 4.5 stars

As with the first installment, Underworld: Evolution capitalizes heavily on great visuals, set design, and the beautiful Cate Beckinsale. A predictable plot, a threadbare script, and lackluster direction bring the bar set by the first installment down to 3 stars.

Another enjoyable comedy from Judd Apatow, plus my favorite actors from TV series: HIMYM's Marshall (Jason Segel), VM's Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell). I was captivated by the character of Aldous Snow – Sarah's new boyfriend and extravagant singer, played brilliantly by Russell Brand.