Conclave
After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence takes on the responsibility of overseeing the process of selecting a new one. As the most powerful leaders of the Catholic Church from around the world gather in complete secrecy behind closed doors, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy. There's a lot of Oscar buzz around this film. Is it worth your attention? Definitely, yes!
The performances are outstanding across the board, with everyone giving their best. I believe Ralph Fiennes is a lock for an Oscar nomination (and I’d love to see him win).
Isabella Rossellini is also fantastic, even in her small role.
I absolutely loved the direction in this movie. Without resorting to extremes, it conveyed everything it needed to. (Let me remind you, this is the same director of All Quiet on the Western Front.)
The minor schemes, personal agendas, and rivalries add tension to the drama that keeps you hooked.
The musical choices were excellent.
It has mystery and atmosphere, which pleasantly surprised me, and the credit once again goes to the director.
The third and final act is unexpected, even bold (no spoilers here).
Some parts of the audience might find it a bit boring, especially if you’re not a fan of this particular genre.
There are moments where the film drags unnecessarily and feels awkward, though this doesn’t affect the overall result.
The ending felt a bit abrupt. It could’ve used more discussion and depth.
While John Lithgow was good, his performance seemed slightly out of sync compared to the others.
Juror 2
Juror 2 follows a family man serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial who faces a moral dilemma that could influence the verdict of his fellow jurors. Clint Eastwood’s new film went largely unnoticed in Greece, and unfairly so—it’s a solid movie that unfortunately few will watch but absolutely deserves your attention.
Nicolas Hoult in the lead role is, in my opinion, very decent and expressive, conveying the intended messages effectively to the audience.
The rest of the main cast, including Toni Collette and J.K. Simmons, is also noteworthy.
Clint Eastwood’s direction successfully builds the necessary suspense.
The script draws you into figuring out what really happened and lays a solid foundation for exploring what is morally right in such a situation.
It has an old-school vibe, both in its storytelling and overall execution, which I personally find effective.
Great cinematography and editing.
Finally, it’s a film where the characters act like real people and make logical decisions (well, not all of them 😅😅).
The ambiguous ending will appeal to some but alienate others (no spoilers).
Some performances are a bit weak.It leaves you with the impression of a “streaming movie” (perhaps due to its old-fashioned style).
There are pacing issues in places.
Certain elements aren’t explained as thoroughly as they could have been.