All Forms of Art

  Lee follows the life of Lee Miller (Kate Winslet), a former model who becomes a war correspondent and photographer during World War II.   The film traces her journey from a world of fashion and art into the heart of conflict, where she documents the horrors of war with a perspective rarely seen at the time. More than a biopic, it is a study of transformation, resilience, and the cost of bearing witness. A Slow Beginning That Serves a Purpose I’ll admit it: the first half of the movie felt a bit slow. But as the story unfolded, I began to understand why that quieter rhythm was necessary. That slower start allows us to truly see who Lee was before the war — her doubts, her ambitions, her environment. When her transformation happens, it feels earned.  In that sense, it reminded me of films like The Theory of Everything or even The Crown , where patience in storytelling deepens the emotional impact of what follows. The gradual build makes the second half even mor...

  Some stories feel inevitable, as if history itself has been waiting for the right moment to bring them to the screen. Harriet (2019), directed by Kasi Lemmons, is one of those films.  It tells the story of Harriet Tubman —born Araminta Ross—an enslaved woman who escaped bondage and returned again and again to free others, later becoming a spy and soldier during the American Civil War.  Knowing that the story is true adds a profound weight to every scene. This is not just a historical drama; it is a testament to how injustice and suffering can transform a gentle soul into a woman of war. Becoming Harriet: From Sweetness to Resistance One of the most compelling questions the film asks—quietly but persistently—is: How does a sweet woman become a warrior? The answer unfolds through cruelty, loss, and moral urgency. Harriet (Cynthia Erivo) does not begin as a mythic hero. She is kind, deeply spiritual, and visibly afraid. Yet the injustices she endures and witnesses le...

  When I sat down to watch Bombshell , I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy film. Not because it’s shocking or disturbing in a graphic way, but because it tackles a real-life story that’s deeply uncomfortable: the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News that brought down powerful CEO Roger Ailes. An Amazing Cast Directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph, Bombshell stars Charlize Theron (executive producer of Mindhunter ) as Megyn Kelly , Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson , and Margot Robbie as Kayla Pospisil (a fictional composite character meant to represent the experiences of many women at Fox). John Lithgow  (Churchill in The Crown ) plays Roger Ailes with unsettling conviction. The cast is stacked with talent, and the performances—especially Theron’s near-transformation into Kelly—are what keep the movie engaging. That said, I personally found the film kind of boring . It’s not a thriller, it’s not flashy, and it doesn’t always dig as deeply into the tox...

  I Am: Celine Dion , the new Prime Video documentary, invites viewers behind the spotlight to meet the woman behind one of the most powerful voices in music.  It’s a story about talent, resilience, and suffering, all wrapped in a painfully honest narrative. Seeing the Woman, Not Just the Icon What I appreciated most about this documentary - and others like it - is how it strips away the glamour and gives us Celine as a human being—vulnerable, soft-spoken, and struggling.  For decades, we’ve seen her on massive stages, larger than life. But here, we meet the mother, the patient, the grieving widow, the woman fighting to live a life that once seemed destined for fairy tales. It’s powerful to witness that shift. An Intimate, Sometimes Painful Portrait The documentary doesn’t shy away from Celine’s battle with Stiff Person Syndrome , a rare and devastating neurological disorder. It’s heartbreaking to watch, especially knowing she still has so much love to give—to her au...

  Netflix 's Baby Reindeer takes viewers on an unsettling journey.  The show revolves around the unstable and frightening Martha. Its narrative is full of creepiness and psychological disturbance.  Psychological Journey Baby Reindeer explores the protagonist's confusion and low self-esteem. They act as catalysts for the bizarre and terrifying situations he finds himself in.  The series does an excellent job of it. It portrays perfectly how fragile self-worth can lead to inexplicable choices and entanglements. Dark Reality The depiction of abuse in Baby Reindeer is both raw and unflinching. It sheds light on a less commonly explored facet of this dark reality.  The series doesn't shy away from the complex dynamics of power and control. It forces the viewer to confront uncomfortable truths about manipulation and emotional torment. The human mind is not linear and Baby Reindeer shows it brilliantly. The fragmented and often shocking portrayal of the protagonist...

  The Crown, the Netflix show about the British royal family, ended, and the audience was slightly disappointed. I understand, but, for me, it was a good end. The writers had already said they wouldn't go much further. They wouldn't feel comfortable writing about the present. Obviously, we wanted more and to see some of the things that happened in the last few years, but it was understandable. They give us tips on what could happen, like the beginning of the Princes William and Harry falling down. Once you accept that they wouldn't write anything too close to the present, you can see that the end wasn't bad because it was a kind of happy ending. The show ended at a time when everything seemed to be going in the right direction.  This last season was a bit less focused on the Queen; it was about Diana's death, her children's grief, and a lot focused on Prince William. I'd like to have more of Prince Harry's screen time. However, while smaller, the focu...

  Pamela, a love story is a Netflix documentary where Pamela Anderson takes back the narrative of her life.  After being so exploited and even humiliated throughout the 90s, the time came when she was able to tell her story. She gives access to her thoughts and feelings through her own words, memories, videos, and journal entries.  Who is this woman? The media sold her as a plastic doll, a Barbie, ridiculous and dumb. So, you may find it intriguing to know who this woman is. You can argue that she is faking for the camera. In my opinion, she wasn't. She comes across as an adorable, gentle, and giggling person. A sweet mom and a passionate woman. She seems a little nervous, maybe a bit uncomfortable at some points, but she is a well-resolved middle-aged woman. She went through a lot in her life. From a young age, many things happened to her that no one should ever have to deal with, but she persevered without bitterness or victimization. “Why do these grown men hate me s...

  Pistol is a show about the British punk-rock band Sex Pistols . And, despite many flaws, I binge-watched it. I am not a fan of the band, but the whole production is quite interesting and, more importantly, makes you feel something.   Frenetic pace The series shows us the ascension and fall at a fast pace. Sometimes you feel like you lost something because 10 minutes ago, it was all so different.  Strangely enough, this is a good and a bad thing. Artistically speaking, it is the perfect metaphor for what happened to them. Their story is exactly like that: one day, they were Gods, and the next day, they ended. Yet, it also has a bad side: the fact that everything happens so fast, the story tends to lose some depth.  It’s a Sad Story You can feel annoyed with their behavior, or you can hate them. It doesn't really matter. But, if you pay attention, the Sex Pistols' story is a very sad one. You have it all: abusive stepdads, crazy girlfriends (and mothers) who le...

  We already know that this kind of documentary has a single reason to exist: to humanize its protagonist and clean their image when they have too many haters. Neymar: the perfect chaos wasn't any different.  Who is Neymar? Neymar was the protagonist, yet we don't get to know him very well. As a result, we have a deeper insight into his brand instead of him as a person. He didn't show who he was at all. Different people talked about him, especially his father (what a surprise) and the humble person they all claim him to be… well, it didn't show up in his body language. There could be many reasons for that to happen. Was he nervous talking to the camera? Is he shy? Very shy people tend to be seen as arrogant and distant. Was that the reason? We can't know. All we know for sure is that the Neymar we know is a company, the person behind that is well hidden. So, the documentary's main goal failed - you will probably not like him more because you watched this show. ...

  Pamela Anderson's sex tape - we all heard of it. At least people from my generation. This show is about how and why the video suddenly becomes so infamously famous. The show didn't disappoint. The first episode was a bit slow. It was clearly to give us some context. In some way, to help us understand the thief's (Rand Gauthier) motivations. In a certain way, this episode gives us his perspective. Tommy Lee appears as this arrogant idiot. He is disrespectful, and a horrible human being, while Pamela is like an extra. You barely see her during this episode. This was what Rand saw. Their story After giving us his perspective and, in a way, his version of the story, we travel in time. We go to the moment Pam and Tommy meet each other, following their romance. We follow their story, and here is when your perspective can change.  They really loved each other. While watching those first scenes, you start to feel bad for what is about to happen. More than a tape The show's ce...

  This movie is a good representation of the mythical idea of what  European cinema is . Despite the film's quality, it is almost always a bit boring and way too long. In The Dig , the only pinch of drama happens around one and a half hours after the movie's beginning.   For me, what kept me going and watching the movie till the end was the curiosity about the dig itself - What was that? What wasn’t? Yet, I didn’t feel engaged with the story. Where are the emotions? A good story makes you care about the characters and what happens to them. You have a bit of this. I mean, you want Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) to survive. You’re worried about the kid - who is the most dynamic character. You’re curious about the young couple falling in love. Yet, somehow, this is not enough. The whole movie lacks stronger emotions. The characters are very restrained. Maybe because it is a British movie, but I thought that it needed more emotion. For example, Mr. Brown (Ralph Fienne...

  I was expecting this season for quite a long time. This was an exciting decade, and it contributed greatly to the show's entertainment value. The Iron Lady ’s government, the problems with the IRA, Diana getting into the royal family…  It starts with a great tragedy. Once more, you can feel disturbed by the restraint with which the royal family lives their grief.  Prince Charles Charles (Josh O'Connor) was a rebel! His character earns new importance in this season, and it doesn’t look good for the Prince of Wales. He looks vicious, rude… His envy and resentment from his wife’s popularity are sickening. Like the Queen says in the last episode, he is a spoiled, privileged boy. Besides, since they first met, it was obvious that Diana (Emma Corrin) wasn’t a woman to be in the shadows. Charles keeps ignoring and betraying her, time after time. Yet, when she does the same, she is the one breaking the vows. Every other character seems to think this is normal! Yes, those we...

You start the show with an "Awwww, these animals are so cute!" and later, you realize how bad all this is, and end up with tears in your eyes. Full of surprises,  Tiger King  is about a bizarre yet charismatic man who keeps a private zoo full of big cats.  An eccentric? Maybe, but there is more. And it's not pretty. They start the show by demonstrating his charisma and power. They introduce him as he would want, and then they dig under the surface. Joe Exotic has a lot to tell.   Absolute madness The first episode seems like a guidebook about the world of private zoos and Joe. It introduces us to his paranoid personality and his open war with Carole Baskin. This woman seems to have two missions in life: protect wild cats, and destroy Joe Exotic. I loathed her. The way she laughs in the most inappropriate situations disturbs me. For example, when she is asked about her husband's disappearance. It is disgusting. What the hell is she t...

Miss Americana tells us the story of Taylor Swift in HER own words. It is her version of her life, where we find a vulnerable girl craving normality. She shares her past struggle with eating disorders and her loneliness.  Pleasing Others Taylor Swift confesses that she always lived to please others. Her goal was for people to like her. Considering her age at the time she is talking about, it isn't that surprising. She was a teenager. Isn't that what they all want? What is more revealing is how hard she can be on herself. It is challenging to picture a beautiful girl who cannot even stand looking at her own pictures. She kept scrutinizing everything, looking for flaws. Studio moments A significant part of the documentary is in the recording studio. We watch Taylor Swift create her music and get a good idea of her creative process. It is beautiful to see the birth of some of her songs. These are the moments when we feel she is really being herse...

The Crown is one of those shows that, even if you don’t like it, you have to admit that it has quality.  I liked it a lot, but it's not a show for everyone. It doesn’t have frantic action or a fast pace, which may seem boring to some viewers. Personally, I was mesmerized by the quality of the whole show from the very first episode. It has fantastic production values and actors who amazingly brought the people their characters represent to life. Knowing that most of them are alive and might be watching the show, the actors have extra difficulty.  Production The production was meticulous in every detail and worked towards perfection. I have to highlight Claire Foy and Olivia Colman for their perfect acting as Queen Elizabeth.  About the story itself, it is what it is. They tried to be faithful to the facts while making some creative choices. Until now, all the situations represented were things that I hadn’t experienced, so most of them were...

Biopics are in a high place right now, as well as the criticisms about all the details they couldn't fill.  I was never close to Elton John 's work, although, like many people, I knew his most famous songs. Still, I was quite curious about the movie. Not Just Music, But a Musical I had no idea it was a musical, which was a bit of a shock. Not being a big fan of musicals, I must admit that I loved this one. The movie starts with a big, dramatic entrance, totally Elton material, that immediately glues you to your seat. Those outfits were something special, by the way.  The timeline, as usual, was altered for entertainment purposes - you see an infant Elton John singing a song he would write as an adult - and that bothered many people. It didn't bother me at all. I see it as an interesting creative choice.  The main goal of this biopic was for us to see the performer without forgetting the human being behind it, and they reached it.  Sex...

This is not the sort of show that I usually talk about on this blog. However, as a psychologist, I’m usually quite curious about criminals and their minds, and one day I started watching this documentary on Netflix. Taking into consideration the kind of thing this is, I can’t say I ‘liked’ it. I mean, what you see in there is nothing to like, but I was rather terrified, which is probably the usual response.  Nonetheless, it was definitely a good documentary. The eyes of a killer Everything displayed in this story was terrible. The descriptions, Bundy’s posture, everything seemed like some sort of horror show, putting into perspective what we may consider to be lucky or unlucky in this life. Before I even start watching it, I read somewhere that this was the kind of thing you shouldn’t watch alone. Sounds accurate right now. At the time, and considering my mostly academic experience, I didn’t think that this could actually be so upsetting. Every time...

I hadn’t watched the first season of American Crime Story . Never felt very interested in the show, and the only reason I watched this most recent season was that it was about Versace .   I was very intrigued by the show because I remember the case, which was thoroughly covered by the media at the time. So I decided I’d give the show a try. Who's the True Protagonist? I didn’t know a lot about Versace’s life. Almost nothing, really, so I can’t truly criticize the choices by the production when it came to the story. However, I have a problem with the title.  It may have been better not to call it “the assassination of Versace”, but rather “Versace’s killer” as the protagonist is not the designer but rather his killer, and this wasn’t exactly what most people seemed to expect going in. This was also the case for me, and I must admit I got a bit disappointed. Slow Pace The show is good enough to make you curious and keep you watching it, but it isn’t all...

Daughter of Dust  is a biographical book about Leila Aziz, a Sudanese orphaned girl, raised among other children in her condition in the “Institute for the Protected”, in which no one was really protected. The Hard Truth Ignored by Many As she grows, Leila wants to lead a normal life and be respected by the world. Subjects like female mutilation and the punishment for having sex out of wedlock, among others, are exposed by the eyes of a child who oftentimes doesn't really understand what is happening. It hurts This story calls out against the way women are treated in Sudan. For that, Wallace refuses to write it overly sentimentally; she describes what's happening in a crude and direct way that makes us shocked and angry. Any change in Leila's life is a new possibility, and you will wish for her to succeed and find a safer place. Never Stop Fighting  Along its pages, Leila fights for what she believes in and wants and never lets her birth condition dete...