Mr Robot - season 2 - episode 12 (finale)

I absolutely love Mr Robot! It's by far the best series on TV right now for all the right reasons. It's clever, interesting, up to date, mysterious, the cinematography is gorgeous, the characters well written  and acted and every episode feels like a new experience, unlike any other TV series out there.

I became a fan of it last year, when I accidentally stumbled upon it when just 2 or 3 episodes were released of season 1 and I knew I was hooked (mostly because of Elliot's character and the way mental illness was well portrayed, which is rare on TV). I was so happy to have found such a cool TV show, which felt so indie but modern at the same time and few people knew about it. Now that it has been nominated for so many Emmy awards and Rami Malek actually winning one, I glad that the show it's getting more exposure, but I'm afraid that it might turn too commercial and predictable to appeal to a wider audience, which brings me to my issue with the last episode.

Season 1 was crazy good and I didn't think season 2 could top that but it somehow managed to do that, for 11 amazing episodes. However, episode 12 was a miss in my opinion.

I get the fact that the "final" episode was split into two episodes, but I think the season could have ended with episode 11 and everything would have been fine, because it was, maybe, the best episode of the entire show! In was so mysterious and bold, which is quite a risky combo for TV, but appeared so fresh.

The entire season was a big build up for the nothingness of the last episode. It didn't attempt to answer any question of the season, but it raised a few others. The scenes with Darlene and Dom were fine, but the ones involving Elliot and Tyrell really annoyed me because the show tried again the twist from season 1, so it basically ripped itself off. I don't think anybody was expecting a crazy reveal that Tyrell is yet another part of Elliot's mind, so that was just a waste of time which dragged the episode and felt interminable. I believe that the ending was so much like any other season finale from any other drama series where they need a cliffhanger to make sure they bring the audience back for the next season, which I felt was a cheap trick and not worthy of how great this show is, it just didn't do it justice. I think the season should have ended with episode 11 and that was enough of a hook, if the creator didn't intend to explain anything in the next episode. 

I really hope Mr Robot won't take a turn for the commercial and wider audience (how I see Game of Thrones has done for the last season or two, dragging the stories for so long I just can't be bothered to watch, although I was a big fan in the beginning), it should just stay a weird, indie cool series for a smarter audience which doesn't need everything spelled out for it. 

The lobster

The lobster is a movie directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Colin Farrell and Lea Seydoux in a satire about love and our society's obsession with couples. The action takes place in a dystopian world where people who are single are sent to a Hotel where they have 45 days to find a partner with whom they share a similar trait, or they will be turned into an animal. In order to extend this period, they go on regular hunts to shoot loners who do not want to be part of a couple.

Yorgos Lanthinos is the one who directed the Greek Dogtooth, which is one of the most bizarre movies I've seen and definitely not for everyone to enjoy. However, The lobster is more accessible to a larger audience, but still I would say it is an acquired taste, as it is more a comment on society rather than a typical Hollywood movie. Both the dialogue and the characters are rigid and weird, the score is great as it manages to create tension and an eerie vibe for every scene and the cinematography is beautiful, reminding me a little bit of Wes Anderson, with lots of symmetry and a composed color scheme.

All in all I will say this is much better viewing than anyone might expect and even if you are not into philosophical type of movies, you might be surprised of how much the story draws you in!

Beasts of no nation

Beasts of no nation is a movie directed by Cary Fukunaga, starring Abraham Attah as Agu, a young african boy who finds himself forced by some unfortunate events to become a child soldier fighting in a civil war in an unnamed country, under the command of Idris Elba's character. 

I'm not going to lie, this is a very intense movie experience, with many hard to watch scenes. It is told from the point of view of the boy, who, after losing his family, stumbles upon an army of rebels and is quickly brainwashed to become part of it. He leaves all morals behind and starts to kill in the name of revenge for his family, joining the other soldiers into committing savage acts on any person encountered in their way. The Commandant manipulates him with promises, only to abuse him physically. However, instead of hating Agu for his actions, you can't help but feel sorry for him and some sort of understanding because he is a child who lost his family, doesn't know any better and tries to survive in any way possible.

The kid's performance in the film is incredible, he manages to express such a variety of emotions at his young age, especially that the movie is so brutal, violent and treats themes such as sexual abuse, crime and drug abuse. The most notable is the one where he makes the transition from a scared little boy to a savage murderer, pressured by the situation. Idris Elba is not to be messed with, managing to portray a despiteful leader who puts grenades and guns into children's hands, brainwashing them to become killing machines.

The film has a terrifying dream like atmosphere to it, which sends chills down the spine of the viewer,  but it has a beautiful cinematography. My only concern with the movie is that it is a little bit too long and has a few inconsistencies, but that is not a major problem. The movie manages to draw you in from the beginning, making it difficult to leave until it's end and is all together thought provoking, as these savage acts of murder by child soldiers are a reality, although many don't want to think about it.

As I read about the movie, I learned that it was shot only in 35 days in Ghana, which is such a short time for filming a movie, especially as complex as this one. Moreover, the director got malaria during the shoot. (now that is dedication! or simply bad luck). Not to mention the fact that the cast of the movie has numerous protagonists and all those people needed food, water and other basic needs which are hard to provide at the location. 

All in all, this film is powerful, heartbreaking and brutal all at once, but it depicts a real issue and I think it definitely deserves more recognition. You should definitely give this movie a try!

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is a biopic directed by Danny Boyle starring Michael Fassbender as the title character, with Kate Winslet by his side as head of marketing Joanna Hoffman, the cast being rounded up by Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels among others. The movie is divided into three big scenes presenting tensional moments backstage before three major product launches, inviting the audience to take a peek at Steve Jobs' intriguing personality and the people surrounding him. 

I have to say this is a really good movie! I love the fact that the filmmakers used different styles of shooting to portray each period of time, namely 16mm for 1984, 35mm for 1988 and digital for 1998, a smart idea to show the passing of time. Moreover, I like the symmetry and simplicity of using three major locations for most of the movie.

Although there is not much action, the tension builds up every scene due to powerful performances from the actors and good screenwriting. The dialogue is smart and interesting, really letting us get a glimpse of what was going on in the mind behind Apple. Michael Fassbender was amazing in this role, he successfully managed to portray a character who can be hated but pitied at the same time for the way he treats those around him. He knows his worth and he never lets those around him forget about it, pushing them aside at the same time. Kate Winslet was also really good in her role of advisor, coworker, moral support and confident of Steve, who has been besides him the whole time.

All in all, I enjoyed this movie more that I thought I would, mainly because of the choice of presenting the story, relying on emotionally charged sequences before important product launches during his career, as well as smart dialogue and powerful performances. 

Bridge of spies

Bridge of spies is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks as James B. Donovan, the charismatic, skillful lawyer who, during the Cold War, is assigned to represent a soviet spy caught in the US and soon he begins to feel the pressure and anger of the revolted americans regarding the case. In parallel, there is an american pilot who is caught by the Russians and soon, the main character finds himself forced by the government to make a trade between the countries. The movie follows true events, based on a screenplay written by the Cohen brother.

I would say this is a classic Oscars movie, including a historical event, one of America's favorite actors, suspense, scene repetitions for emotional impact and Spielberg's style is easy to spot. The film looks really good, the scenes are fluid and beautifully shot, I enjoyed the chromatic of the picture, while Tom Hanks' performance is great. 

I didn't mind this movie, it is a very good movie, just that it's not one of my favorites. It has every ingredient to be an Academy contender and maybe this is the issue for me, it brings nothing new to the table (some will say this is a strong point). I feel like this will mostly be enjoyed by my parents. :) I do appreciate the history lesson and I never say no to a Tom Hanks movie, but probably I will not watch it again, as Spielberg's style and theme choices are not really my first options when I want to watch a film.

One of the best things about it is probably the performance of America's sweetheart, Tom Hanks in the main role, who manages to give a soft edge to the character, followed by the performance of Mark Rylence in the role of the soviet spy. I guess I mostly enjoyed the dialogue between the two and the scenes where both of them are together. Also, Spielberg does an impressive job directing the movie, as always, with long takes and face close ups just at the right moments.

All in all, Bridge of spies is a good Spielberg movie, worth seeing for good directing and an interesting history lesson, resolved with words, not action.

The big short

The big short is a biopic directed by Adam Mckay, starring an ensemble cast including Steve Carell, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling, telling the story about the few smart guys who saw coming the collapse of the economy in 2008, which nobody apparently couldn't predict, and the way things were handled before the crisis.

My thoughts on this movie...hmm difficult to say, since I need to gather my thoughts and put everything piece by piece! As a whole, it was a very good movie, but I guess a little bit difficult to understand, as I have 0 knowledge of economy and economical terms. 

The movie in itself does not have any cliffhanger or unexpected plot twist as you know either from your knowledge, or the beginning of the movie how it will end, but it still is very interesting to watch because of the quirky characters, good performances  and manner of telling the story. Throughout the plot there are some cuts with certain cameos from celebrities who explain important terms to the audience so you at least understand some of the action, but I found those rather distracting from the actual movie. Also, there are a few montages depicting the pop culture of each year portrayed in the movie, which also contribute as distractors from the story, as the movie would have been fine without. 

The performances were very good, particularly Steve Carell, who had the strongest and most nuanced one of them all, in my opinion. Brad Pitt was a little bit unrecognizable with his daddy beard, Christian Bale was weird but good at the same time, playing a character with some signs of Aspergers, lacking social skills or empathy, but who is very good with numbers, actually being the one who predicted the collapse and Ryan Gosling was playing his typical confident self, doubling as the narrator of the movie. Another distractor throughout the film is the fact that there are many scenes when the characters break the forth wall and talk to the audience, but this technique doesn't always work out, turning a couple of scenes from good to silly and it feels like you are watching a mockumentary.

I noticed every year there is a trend going on in cinema, just as in fashion about the themes of the movies. This year I would say the economic collapse of 2008 has been a big topic in Hollywood, with both this movie and "99 homes", which is also very good and I recommend you watch it after this one, as the latter presents, let's say, the "aftermath" of the financial crisis. 

All in all, The big short is a good film that manages to turn a not-so-very-interesting-subject as the financial crisis into a bearable and even entertaining movie.

Spotlight

Spotlight is a movie directed by Tom McCharty starring Marc Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel Mcaddams, Stanley Tucci and some other good actors, following the true story of The Boston Globe's section, Spotlight, whose news journalists shone some light on a controversial topic about the Roman catholic priests who sexually abused many children in Boston and how the church covered up the scandals. I advise you not to do too much research about it before seeing the movie, it's better to discover it during the film, because as the case builds up, it gets more shocking.

I like this movie for the fact that it focuses on telling an important story and tries to do it as truthfully as it can, without any distractors. There is no high production value, it looks all right without trying too hard, relying only on good directing, a smart script and great performances from the ensemble cast and that's enough to get a great picture. I got the feeling that it actually looks borderline indie, or that you are watching a documentary, as the performances are very subtle without any dramatic exaggerations, which adds another cool layer to the film. All of the actors are fantastic, but for me Mark Ruffalo stood out with a slightly different performance than usual that worked well for the film.

All in all, the movie managed to tell its story without patronizing the audience in any way and it is a really well directed biopic that I recommend.