connyskribent Reviews

Baby Reindeer: Episode 7 (2024) Season 1, Episode 7

Not the usual ending

[9/10 · 24 April 2024]

In mini-series, the story often ends super happily. No matter how bad things may look for the main characters in the episode before, everything just works out during the last 30-60 minutes of the series.

"Baby Reindeer" chooses a different path. Without any major drama, Donny finally gets rid of his antagonist, Martha. Here, the scriptwriters could have devoted the rest of the episode to sweetening and glossing over everything. Let Donny get his beloved Teri. Let him become the successful stand-up comedian that he has struggled so long to be.

But Donny is broken, traumatized, and the fact that Martha is out of his life doesn't mean he is fixed. At least not yet.

A few scenes stand out in the last episode, in addition to Donny's confession to his parents which others have also mentioned.

Martha's voice message to Donny about the background of "Baby Reindeer" is phenomenal. As sick and vile as her character is, I as a viewer suddenly sympathize with her. Feel sorry for her. Just like Donny did at the beginning of the series.

Donny's visit to Darren (a man who raped him), where as a viewer one might expect (and perhaps even hope for) some form of confrontation or revenge from Donny's side. Instead, Darren offers him a job again, and Donny accepts.

"Baby Reindeer" does not choose the easy, stereotypical solutions or reactions to deep wounds and traumas. And because of that, it becomes so much a better series.

Dear Child (2023)

Well acted and creepy

[7/10 · 5 October 2023]

I don´t usually watch German movies or tv shows, but Netflix makes you open your eyes sometimes.

This was a nice surprise in many ways. The story is compelling. As a father or just someone that love children the first scene where the dad (?) is keeping his family trapped in a bunkered home and tormenting the woman makes your skin crawl and sets the tone for the series.

While it is unsettling to watch a few times it´s not unbearable and there is enough suspense and intrigue to make the show digestible.

The acting is very good with a few standouts. Kim Riedle as Lena (or is she Lena?) and the young Naila Schuberth as Hannah. Outstanding acting from a 12-year old. Hope to see her in many more movies and tv shows. Hans Löw is also good, but I found it a little hard to take to his character.

Negatives? Not many, but I felt the series dragged a little in the last three episodes, the first three were certainly more intriguing. Some characters were a little unnecessary, didn´t really see the point with Aida Kurt for example.

All in all though, worth a watch or two. 7.5/10.

Bäst i test: Fredde Granberg (2022) Season 6, Episode 5

Best episode so far this season

[9/10 · 6 April 2022]

I feel that this season has been a bit lacklustre so far, the "celebs" is less know than before and the tests have been inferior to previous seasons. However, this was a good episode, lifted by the visit from Fredde Granberg and some real laugh-out-loud moments.

NCIS: Peacekeeper (2021) Season 19, Episode 8

Mediocre and disjointed

[6/10 · 1 December 2021]

There were things I liked about this episode. Parker is a decent character and the fact that he is very different to Gibbs makes it interesting. Gary Cole is a good actor and I hope we will se more of his acting range. I liked the scenes between Knight and Palmer (hints of friendship or even more in the future?). The bad: The writing is very patchy, some good dialogue but also some very stretched and unbelievable storylines. The cast feels so small now. Mark Harmon is still credited, David McCallum only appears in a handful episodes per season and Rocky Carroll was absent in this episode. We need a returning character or two and maybe two or three new ones. Also I miss the recurring characters that made NCIS what it was.

9-1-1: Past Is Prologue (2021) Season 5, Episode 9

Ok, but not as good as last episode

[7/10 · 1 December 2021]

This was an ok episode, albeit a little bit too soap opera-like (nothing wrong with soaps, but I don´t regard 9-1-1 as a soap) for my liking. There is a clear pattern this season - good episode is followed by a mediocre/bad one. The writing is very uneven. I hope to see Chimney back soon, he is missed,

NCIS: Face the Strange (2021) Season 19, Episode 5

The show needs new faces and maybe a returnee

[6/10 · 26 October 2021]

Maria Bello, Emily Wickersham, Mark Harmon - the show has lost a lot of cast members in just a couple of years. The general feel of the show has suffered as a consequence. Coupled with weaker scripts I think that the end might be closing in. If I were show runner I would add a few more cast members (maybe a return like Michael Weatherly) and find writers with fresh ideas. This was an ok episode, lifted by the ever great David McCallum. But this show still needs more life injected into it.

Jägarna (2018– )

Review for season 1 - decent

[6/10 · 27 March 2021]

The first season was ok, but just barely. The characters actions just get you angry, even for "lazy cops in a sparsely pouplated area" their actions are just beyond stupid. As a viewer there are so many scenes you can guess what will happen, in a bad way. Still, watched it til the end and Lassgård is a good actor.

9-1-1: Jinx (2021) Season 4, Episode 6

Not bad in any way..but

[7/10 · 25 February 2021]

I chuckled a few times and the acting is good, as always. But I think this show is going through something of an identity crisis in season 4. Family drama last week, comedy this week. I think the stakes needs to be raised to keep viewers interested, maybe a surprise death or something like that. Some nice ideas for rescue situations could have been very dramatic and played out for an episode but was instead wasted with small flashes in comedic purpose in this episode (like the kid in the washing machine).

'Allo 'Allo! (1982–1992)

Still funny, especially the first three seasons

[7/10 · 7 February 2021]

While this show quite hasn´t aged like a fine wine, it still is a fairly funny show. I especially enjoy the first three seasons which has a good mix of storylines and catch phrases. Towards season 4 the show lost a few original cast members like Sam Kelly and the beautiful Francesca Gonshaw. Also every episode got more loaded with catch phrases that were getting a bit tired. Still! There are a lot of scenes that will live on forever as comedy classics.

NCIS: Sturgeon Season (2020) Season 18, Episode 1

NCIS..I´ve missed you, but this was not great

[6/10 · 23 November 2020]

I have really missed NCIS, but the return was so-so. The story and dialougue was the main problem with this episode, the best actors in the world can´t save a woeful script. Too many characters are acting in a stupid way. Don´t get me started on Fornell... Are the writers deliberately ruining his character? Maybe they are killing him off. Don´t agree with the other imdb user saying that Joe Spano is awaful, I think he is a good actor, but he is handed a poorly written character at the moment. Mark Harmon almost seems disinterested at the moment, going through the motions. The show needs to step up. I wouldn´t mind a cast shake up and maybe a returning character or two (of course the first once popping up are Tony/Ziva, but I don´t think we will see it happening).

Home Before Dark (2020– )

A unique experience

[8/10 · 28 August 2020]

Home Before Dark is a rare find. While I wouldn´t say that the storylines has never been done before, this show presents the material in a nice, cosy and exciting package. The main strength of HBD is the characters, most of them seem very human. Some don´t, but even then you get the feeling that there is an explanation for their actions. Brooklynn Prince is such a find as the main character, she is so good (her crying scenes needs a little improvement, but hey, she is 10!). There were a few silly scenes during the course of the first season, but you can accept it because in total this is a great show. The dad annoyed me a little bit, but I think that he is meant to. Watch it, if you have the chance. Can´t wait for season 2.

9-1-1: What's Next? (2020) Season 3, Episode 18

Not the usual end-of-season cliffhanger

[7/10 · 13 May 2020]

So, season 3 ends with a...well, not bang at least. Don´t get me wrong. This is a decent episode. I like the positive tone, the chemistry and love between the characters. I am happy that the writers did not kill off Michael, as I enjoy the extended Grant/Nash-family. There are a lot of storylines left in there. This episode had a lot of focus on positive news for several characters and I liked that. Even Buck had some sort of closure on a chapter in his life. Still..I have grown up with dramas having something dramatic in the final freeze frame of the season. There is nothing of the sort in this episode. Anyway..Looking forward to season 4.

Countdown (III) (2019)

Yes, the story is silly but enjoyable

[6/10 · 3 February 2020]

After seeing the imdb-rating my expectations was pretty low for this movie. I was in the mood for a simple horror movie and that is exactly what "Countdown" delivers. My main gripe with the movie is the cliche filled story. Facebook and other social media is filled with tests like "When will you die", and it´s very silly that the characters in the movie seem to take the application Countdown so seriously, right from the beginning. Despite the silliness of the story I think this movie is slightly better than it´s current score (5.3). It´s entertaining and the acting is actually pretty good. Elizabeth Lail and Talitha Bateman are excellent as the haunted sisters and I enjoyed Tom Seguras cameo.

Dallas: The Sound of Money (1989) Season 12, Episode 23

Vienna - boredom

[6/10 · 8 January 2020]

While I enjoyed season 12 on the whole, I was never fond of the Vienna/Moscow storyline. Everything just slowed down and got a bit boring, the comedy that was so present during the rest of the season disapperared and there is a lack of drama. I thought Claytons storyline was ok, but could have been done better.

Dallas: Wedding Bell Blues (1989) Season 12, Episode 16

Excellent entertaining episode

[8/10 · 8 January 2020]

As with most of season 12 this episode is played more for laughs and action than serious drama. But I must say this episode is very entertaining, Larry Hagman and Linda Gray are hilarious. Who can forget the ending when J.R finds Sue Ellen outside his room (where he has just found out that his newly wed bride is not pregnant at all), where she says "You were a little quicker than usual, J.R", and pops the balloon in his face. I know Dallas later seasons aren´t as popular as the early ones, but up till season 13 it was still an enjoyable ride.

NCIS: Institutionalized (2019) Season 17, Episode 6

Kasey in the spotlight

[7/10 · 8 November 2019]

The first time we get a bit of background to the character of Kasey (Diona Reasonover). Diona is a good actress, but in my opinion her character hasn´t been written very well. I like it when NCIS use ALL of the characters in the storylines. Vance is another character that sometimes disappear too much. Ok, anyway the episode in itself is pretty standard stuff, these kind of stories have been done before. Not great, but not as bad as the other reviews are suggesting. 6.5-7-rating for me. I think the show needs a shake-up of some sort to keep viewers interested.

NCIS: Wide Awake (2019) Season 17, Episode 5

Best of the season so far

[9/10 · 24 October 2019]

Zivas return was poorly executed in my opinion, and season 17 have taken a while to get going because of it. This episode is entertaining. Yes, the storyline is a bit far fetched, but hey this is an american crime/drama show. You know what you get. I liked Gibbs little side story, maybe we will se more of the characters "next door"? Mark Harmons performances can be a little one note (don´t know if it´s only because of the way the character is written or limited acting), so it´s good to see Gibbs express something else than looking skeptical.

The Dead Don't Die (2019)

Not the best, but not the worst either

[5/10 · 9 September 2019]

Let´s start with the good. Most of the cast are good, and perfectly suited to their roles. I see that some reviewers are finding the movie slow and boring. I disagree. I think the movie works best in the first half when the tempo is slow. You get the feeling of the countryside, small town gossip etc. There is a quirky atmostphere and dialogue. The effects are quite nicely done. The is some gore, but it´s not overdone, so even if you are not fond of blood and guts you can mostly enjoy the movie. The bad: Well, the second half. The writer and director just doesn´t seem where to go with this movie. Side stories and up in nothing. I personally didn´t like the direction the story took in the second half. All in all not too bad. Probably won´t remember it for very long, though.

NCIS: Daughters (2019) Season 16, Episode 24

Can agree with some viewers

[7/10 · 23 May 2019]

This was a pretty ridiculous and far fetched episode in large parts. BOTH Gibbs and Fornell having lively loud conversations with a dead woman? Over the top in my opinion. Most of the episode is a 6-rating at best...BUT! Those last minutes of the episode is just amazing for long time fans. No guns, no explosions, deaths, but a great cliffhanger none the less.

Before I Wake (2016)

Do not expect a "regular" horror movie

[7/10 · 29 July 2016]

This movie somewhat reminded me of "A.I. Artificial Intelligence", a movie that started out like a drama and in the end felt like a fairy tale story. "Before I Wake" has the feel of a horror movie at times, but turns into, albeit a scary one, a fairy tale. The good: The actors did a fine job, especially the two leads. A well written story and the fantasy effects looks good. The bad: The monster did not look very scary, but I guess there is a reason for that in the story. The movie is promoted as a horror, I guess that will leave some viewers disappointed. This is not The Conjuring or Saw. This is a fantasy with some scary elements.

Dallas: War of the Ewings (1998 TV Movie)

Great opening titles, but...

[4/10 · 1 June 2008]

I am a huge "Dallas"-fan, but this movie is just not good enough. Silly one-liners, the acting and direction seems rushed and contrived. And don't get me started on the story, or should I say lack of the same. The first reunion movie "JR Returns" at least had a decent script and some good and entertaining parts, but this time it just didn't work. The title is a misnomer as well, there are hardly any Ewings left on Southfork. JR, Bobby and Sue Ellen. One thing I DID like though was the updated opening titles. Classy! I liked the shot of J.R in the helicopter. If they had used the original "Dallas"-font i would have been perfect, but I guess you can't have it all.

Dan in Real Life (I) (2007)

Disappointing

[5/10 · 24 February 2008]

After reading several positive reviews of this movie (and a good average score), I found this movie a bit disappointing. First of all I would not call this a comedy, it's more of a drama with some funny moments. One thing that bothers me is that I don't sympathize with the main character, I find him selfish, irritating and stupid. On the plus side, I think the movie is well crafted and acted, the story has a lot of heart, even though for me it falls flat when I can't sympathize with Steve Carells character. Juliette Binoche stands out in a low key character role. My rating is 5/10 and unfortunately I must say that I am in a generous mood.

Vänner och fiender (1996–2000)

Entertaining at times, but low production values

[4/10 · 5 February 2008]

"Vänner och fiender" was a Swedish daily soap that aired between 1996 and 2000. This was in my opinion at better soap than "Nya tider" and "Skilda världar", at least in it's middle seasons. "Vänner & Fiender" had all the classic soap ingredients and had, perhaps, a more adult feel than the other Swedish daily soaps at the time. Standout performers for me are Eric Donell, Anki Lidén, Stig Engström, Anna Hansson, Allan Svensson and Daniel Nyrén. Cathrine Hardenborg was also somewhat underrated as the bitchy Dominique. Oh, and be warned...there are no real "ending" to this soap, instead we got a cliffhanger with no real resolution. Sad for the longterm fans.

Dead Tone (2007)

Oh, all those braindead characters..

[4/10 · 23 December 2007]

What an utter disappointment! The score of 6,1 here on IMDb built up some mild expectations but, oh my, was I disappointed. The first thing that bugs me are those braindead, stereotyped university kids. Yes, I know teens can be childish and so on, but why are they in movies always portrayed as complete braindead morons? There was one character that I thought was alright, but he/she (not revealing it here) was killed off way before the end. The other characters was poorly executed and even the supposed hero/heroine just didn't do it for me. On the plus side: The plot is pretty good and the productions values a cut above for these kind of flicks. The acting was generally not very good, Rutger Hauer stands out in a small role. But it all fails with bland and braindead characters. You just stop caring about them after 10 minutes. 4/10 (and thats being generous).

Dallas: Terminus (1990) Season 14, Episode 4

Exciting episode, tragic outcome

[10/10 · 13 December 2007]

This episode has tragic outcomes for Jordan Lee and April Stevens. It was a brave move by the writers, trying to shake things up a bit. Tragically it was much too late and producers have later concluded that killing off April was a mistake. An exciting episode however, one of the better of the later seasons. Trivia: Sheree J. Wilson will continue to be listed in the opening credits for the rest of the season, even though her character dies in this episode and she only appears in two more episodes (in Bobbys dream sequences). She left due to pregnancy. Trivia 2: Kimberly Foster (Michelle) & Howard Keel (Clayton) are not present in this episode.