Well, hello there, kind folks. If you’re visiting this blog of mine, I presume that you have a certain interest in the cinema. As for me, even since my early childhood, I have had a deep love of everything related to movies and television. As far as I can remember, I have been more at ease in front of a screen than in the yard, outside, playing. It is a great way to travel, though other people’s stories, without having to foot any kind of steep bill. Over the years, I feel that movie-watching has even fuelled my own creativity.

All that being said, I welcome you in my Cinephile’s Nest. I hope you enjoy it here, feel free to come back at any time. Here you will find reviews of current movies and older ones. TV shows also. Some classics that have remained some of my favourites, some that have disappointed me. I will use a very basic star (*) system to grade them from 1 to 5 (5 being sliced bread level). Remember, these are just my tastes. I will try to explain in each review what I liked about these particular movies, without giving spoilers.

Il y aura aussi des critiques en français pour les films francophones, car j'aime également le cinéma dans ma langue maternelle. Avant d'apprendre l'anglais, plus jeune, je louais des tonnes de films traduits en français, surtout ceux de Bud Spencer et Terrence Hill. Ma mère a eu le choc de sa vie lorsqu'un jour, dans la boîte d'un de ces films, Deep Throat avait malencontreusement inséré. Une expérience formatrice pour le jeune cinéphile que je suis.

Bienvenue à tous, amusez-vous bien.

I welcome you all here, enjoy yourself.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Lilyhammer (2012-2014)

Genre: TV / Comedy
Starring: Steven Van Zant, Trond Fausa Aurvâg, Steinar Sagen
Number of seasons: 3



American mafia underboss Frank Tagliano goes into Witness Protection after testifying against new mob head, Aldo Delucci. Inspired by the Olympics held there in 1994, Tagliano chooses to be relocated to Lillehammer, Norway, where he will make a new life for himself as a club owner. While he will somewhat adapt himself to his new surroundings, Frank’s mobster roots are sure to come back to the surface once in a while.

Lilyhammer was one of the first TV show originally distributed in North America by Netflix, though it was first shown in Norway.

Steven Van Zant, better known as guitarist of the E. Street Band, is absolutely amazing as Frank Tagliano. He played a mobster in The Sopranoes before, and he did it again brilliantly in Lilyhammer. He has the right look for it. I would not cast him as the main love interest in a romantic comedy, but, for the role of Tagliano, he was great. The supporting cast was also very good.

Some things in this show do not make sense, like Frank Tagliano understanding most of what is said to him in Norwegian right upon arrival, simply after listening to some tapes, though he never learns to speak it. I get that this liberty makes storytelling much easier, but it flies in the face of logic. Also, because of the scenery, some of the subtitles were hard to see and read. I still managed to grasp the jist of it all, but I have missed some bits of dialogue.

All things considered, though, Lilyhammer remains a very good show. I popped huge for the many references to The Godfather and The Sopranoes. A cameo by Bruce Springsteen in the last episode was also great.



Rating: ««««

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