Movie and TV show reviews

The recently completed six-episode TV series produced in Sweden is represented internationally by Newen Connect. On February 25, they will showcase excerpts and creative content from this production to potential buyers worldwide at a gathering in London. Both creator/writer Spotnitz and the main Swedish producer Piodor Gustafsson (“Border,” “Lamb”) of Black Spark Film & TV will be present. These two professionals have a long history of working together – back when Gustafsson was a drama buyer and commissioner for the Swedish public broadcaster SVT, he acquired in 2012 the BBC series “Hunted” created by Spotnitz. More recently, Spotnitz has been teaching at the screenwriting training course Serial Eyes for the past twelve years, which Gustafsson co-founded.

As reported by Kobis, the tracking service managed by the Korean Film Council, “Captain America: Brave New World” continued to lead with earnings of approximately KRW3.1 billion ($2.2 million), representing a 44% share of the market. Over the weekend, this Marvel production drew in 316,146 viewers and has amassed a total gross of $9.2 million so far.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the phenomenal success of the Enlight Pictures/Cococartoon release in the heart of the Middle Kingdom. Ever since its grand debut on January 29, this masterpiece has been breaking records, now accumulating an astounding $1.89 billion at the box office! Truly, it stands unrivaled as the most successful film in Chinese cinematic history.

The film “Holding Liat,” which won the Documentary Award at the Berlin Film Festival, doesn’t quite match the impact or revelation of last year’s winner (“No Other Land,” a West Bank land-grab exposé that is now an Academy Award nominee). Nevertheless, it delves into its role as a depiction of an Israeli hostage family, one of two such films in this year’s selection (the other being “A Letter to David”). In contrast to the latter, “Holding Liat” shows a deeper understanding of the political dynamics involved, and how such pain can be exploited. Kramer, in particular, explores this by addressing the manipulation of hostage families’ suffering.

As a cinephile, I’m always on the lookout for unique cinematic experiences, and the upcoming project under the guidance of festival favorite Geetu Mohandas (“Moothon”) promises just that. Unlike the usual practice in our industry where films are dubbed in multiple languages post-production, this one is a rare gem being shot simultaneously in two languages – English and Kannada. This challenging approach has been adopted only sporadically in the past, with movies like “Guide” (1965) and “Shalimar” (1978), which were filmed in both English and Hindi, and “Nothing But Life” (2004) in English and Malayalam. The last time such a dual-language production was attempted was with the indie film “Summer Holidays” in 2018.

In the second episode of Season 3, “The White Lotus” delivered yet another unexpected twist – introducing an Academy Award-winning actor for a vocal appearance.

Upon encountering Fabian, we find him struggling to conceal his growing anxiety as he waits for White Lotus owner Sritala (Lek Patravadi) to finish getting ready, with the imminent arrival of their latest visitors. His compliments are excessive when they finally touch ground, but in an instant, he switches to stern reprimands towards his employees – a rhythm that Friedel found refreshing after acting in Jonathan Glazer’s Academy Award-winning Holocaust drama.

This film represents the first time at the helm for experienced editor Saiju Sreedharan, who has previously worked on critically acclaimed films such as “Maheshinte Prathikaaram,” which won the Indian National Film Award, and successful movies like “Kumbalangi Nights.” Warrier stars alongside up-and-coming actors Vishak Nair and Gayathri Ashok in this production.

Visitors should always have a valid purpose when approaching the Dutton family’s front porch; otherwise, they might find themselves facing the business end of a shotgun.

The story begins with a shovel striking the ground, revealing a hidden grave, and then swiftly moves back six months in time. At the headquarters of the Grosse Pointe Garden Society, we find ourselves amidst two interwoven stories. Alice (AnnaSophia Robb), a young literature teacher, is frantic with worry over her lost golden retriever, Molly. Simultaneously, Brett (Ben Rappaport), a landscaper and single father since his wife’s scandalous affair, struggles to adapt to his new life. Completing the trio is Catherine (Aja Naomi King), a meticulous real-estate agent and vice president of the Garden Society, who has won the town’s affection with her perfectionism, though this admiration begins to wane over time.