Tag: Dora Romano

MAFIA MAMMA (2023)

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Directed By: Catherine Hardwicke

Written By: Michael J. Feldman and Debbie Jhoon

Based on a story By: Amanda Sthers

Cinematography: Patrick Murguia

Editor: Waldemar Centeno 

Cast: Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Alessandro Bressanello, Eduardo Scarpetta, Tommy Rodger,  Tim Daish, Sophia Nomvette, Gulio Corso, Dora Romano, Francesco Mastroianni 

An American mom inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm’s consigliere, she hilariously defies everyone’s expectations as the new head of the family business.

At first, this film seems like it would be fun but it’s more a female audience-friendly culture comedy. Where the humor is not found in having a female mob boss but in having a middle-aged divorced housewife become a mob boss or go about trying to run a crime empire out of nowhere.

This would’ve been a high-concept comedy in the ’80s, ’90s, or maybe early 2000s that would’ve maybe been more of a star vehicle or at least offered up something a little more daring.

The film has a few laughable moments, but for the most part seems uninventive and uninspired, even adding in a romance aspect that proves to be more of a fantasy aspect of the movie turning more into a midlife crisis change of life types scenario.

No truthfully, there is more sizzle and star, Tony Collette, and costar Monica Bellucci’s scenes together that have a bit of flirtation and eroticism to it that could’ve made the film a little more risky, especially when there is seen where Bellucci straddles Colette.

The film is fine and simple, but it just feels so uninspired. They had a title and they just went with it and tried to make things up around it where most of the male characters are either Sexists or idiots or untrustworthy. 

Such as the scenes with her ex-husband, there was a way of making him more despicable and a loser rather than the obvious that the film chooses to go to where you wonder what she ever saw him if she was not a teen parent and a shotgun marriage.

Not to mention a film that is set in Italy. It’s not very picturesque. it seems like it was filmed in an indoor sets. That doesn’t look very expensive or that luscious. 

Also, there aren’t that many comedy set pieces or even that many action sequences the ones that they do have seem poorly set up. This film is more for the MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING crowd than anything.

I really wanted to like the film as I like the main cast. Usually, Toni Collette can do no wrong, and it is a pleasure anytime Monica Belluci is on screen. Yet, the only time the film is close to its potential is in the performance of Sophia Nomvette as Colette’s best friend. Who turns a typical sassy African-American best friend role and runs with it to utter hilarity. One only wishes that she was more of the film.

Grade: D+

IMMACULATE (2024)

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Directed By: Michael Mohan

Written By: Andrew Lobel 

Cinematography: Elisha Christian 

Editor: Christian Masini 

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Simona Tobasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Alavaro Morte, Giorgio Colangeli, Dora Romano, Giulia Heathfield Di Renzi, Giampiero Judica 

Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it becomes clear to Cecilia that her new home harbors dark and horrifying secrets.

This film came out at an interesting time. It seemed to be on the heels of the similarly themed THE FIRST OMEN. Though at least this can be considered more an original than a prequel.

This one despite having a rising star in the main role and own in a supporting role. Comes across as more heartfelt ultimately. However, what truly makes it memorable is the surprising and somewhat brutal third act

Though the film offers violence here and there in act two. It seems like there is a lot of build-up going Along the way keeping scenes just intriguing enough. To keep you interested until it finally becomes more than what you expected.

Though the third act is very dark which might disturb some viewers and the reasoning behind some decisions and plans. Seems either silly or like it would only exist in a movie.

Sydney Sweeney is convincing in her leading role. She stretches her acting muscles and is not really dependent on her looks or body as much.

As the film is directed by Michael Mohan who has collaborated on the film THE VOYEURS from a few years ago and the show EVERYTHING SUCKS. Which is where this reviewer first saw her. So this offers her a big screen leading role and a director she trusts. 

This makes sense as this film comes off as a starring role. Made to appeal to the audiences’ fandom of an actor or actress and seemingly written for them or someone of that magnitude. Rather than truly a character role. 

The film offers exactly what you might expect and gives enough scares and violence to keep the horror audience happy. Other than a good ending it doesn’t offer anything that rises above basic.

Though a smaller production, it does feel a little more like a breath of fresh air as this film doesn’t go for campier or trashier aspects of similar material and more recent films.

Grade: C+