Jelena555 Reviews

The Blacklist: Raymond Reddington (No. 00): Good Night (2023) Season 10, Episode 22

Deeply saddened and disappointed

[2/10 · 15 July 2023]

After 10 years it came down to this? Really??? I'm probably not going to be very coherent, because I've been bawling my eyes out for the last 20 minutes, but they seriously said goodbye to the epic legendary mastermind like this?

Part of me is on the side that this is the laziest possible way to end the show that had so many twists and turns, and to not answer at least ONE of the essential questions. "He's Agnes's grandparent", that is to be counted as some quasi-answer? ...

The other part of me wants to believe that he was seriously ill (spitting that blood) and knew that for a long time, so he wanted to die on his own terms. That's the only little thing that is giving me some "comfort".

But Spader was such a marvel, so enticing, his every movement, speech, look, pause, smirk, frown, smile, gaze in the distance... in the end I am feeling like I'm mourning him, too. He should've won so many awards for this role (and for many others while we're at it), to be recognized and praised as he deserves. Yes, we who know his opus adore and admire him and continuously bow to him, but he deserves so much more.

I am truly hoping that after dedicating a decade of his life to this character, he was content with the way that he had to let Red go...

The Woods (2020)

Not bad at all, but left me confused

[7/10 · 22 April 2022]

I liked this show, and saw it whole in 3 days. I liked that this adaptation of Coben's book was decided to be filmed in Poland. I saw couple of miniseries made by his books, and although some of them I didn't like as much as this one, they all had answers and conclusions by the end.

However, with this one I was left with several unanswered questions: 1) Who was Ming Li, why would she mess with Pawel, how would she know the camp story and why would she pay Laura's assistant to submit it? She completely disappears, and there is no explanation why she even exists as a character. So, what's the point?

2) Why would Pawel go to see Dawid after all those years in hiding and what could he have done so Dawid would have to kill him? And how did Dawid move freely (he was institutionalized) to be able to kill Pawel in his apartment?

3) How did the mother's bones get to the lake? She was probably buried in the "grave" that her husband dug. Maybe the lake expanded...

4) What was meant by the accusations that Pawel killed his wife? Was it some kind of euthanasia and he needed to sign off, or he really killed her?

5) Why would Wojtek cut Monika's throat? For pleasure? It didn't seem that he did it to cover the fact that Kamila strangled her.

I wish the old discussion board existed, so other users could give their interpretations.

In my opinion, this is an unfinished story... too many fray ends. And the ambiguity in this case doesn't add to quality.

Arthur Newman (2012)

It's not as simple as it seems ... *spoilers*

[8/10 · 11 February 2014]

This movie was almost too much for me. I couldn't go through it at once. I had to stop it around 20 minutes before the end, and continue three days later. No, it wasn't scary, no it wasn't too sad, it wasn't bad, and it wasn't too special, either. It seemed shallow on the surface, but getting deeper and deeper as you peal the layers of the main characters - Wallace/Arthur and Charlotte/Mike. They were too dysfunctional, yet too perfect for each other. It is sometimes weird how not opposites, but similarities attract. And that attraction is much stronger, although with a string of weirdness. It's a way of approving yourself, finding comfort and finding accomplice in being yourself ... Two reasons made me stop. Firstly, the conflict in me caused by the depressive tone of the movie versus the fact that I liked Wallace and Charlotte and on some level justified their actions, especially Wallace's. And second because I knew they have to get apart. That was the only answer. That was the right thing to do.

However, I was happy to see growth in both characters at the end, and the stable and rightful personality of Wallace overpowering his weaknesses and momentary confusion, as well as influencing Charlotte to find that better person in herself.

I didn't really like Anne Heche's character. She was cold, dull and in a way stuck to a routine. Although Wallace seemed boring on the outside, he wasn't with Charlotte. He was daring, funny and passionate. He was in the here and now. Minus the crimes they did, Wallace deserves such kind of relationship.

I'm giving this movie an 8/10. It made me think, it made me re-think some of my personal stuff, it made me more grateful for what I have, even if only for an hour and a half, it made me realize that you can become whoever you want to become, but you can never escape from yourself.

Line that will stay with me: "It's a lot easier to love a dead man, isn't it?"

Social Nightmare (2013 TV Movie)

Worth seeing it... *spoilers everywhere*

[8/10 · 15 January 2014]

I can not express myself right by just stating if I liked or disliked this movie. But if I have to chose one option, I will say I liked it. I liked the fact that it was made in this particular way.

The weird thing is I knew from the very beginning that it was the mother. Okay, the alternative title kind of gives that away, and many people might have thought of that, but... just one scene with the mother and I knew... That possessiveness of a parent that sometimes reaches past limits of sanity is just ... I don't even have words for it. I hate possessive and selfish people, I certainly know how manipulative parents can be (doesn't have to be from experience, observing can be more than enough sometimes), and it grosses me ...

I'm glad they made this movie, and although the acting has it's flaws and there are fair number of goofs, in this case, it's the thought that counts. Many teenagers and young adults who are still living with their parents and feel like they are constrained, not really doing what they want in their lives only because they might hurt or disappoint the parents, should see this movie and reexamine if everything is okay in their home environment. Bullying doesn't have to be from outside, it can be right in front of our eyes all the time, and we might not be able to see it, because it comes from people who we love and trust the most.

Parents are known for blackmailing their children from early age. First they are innocent and protective blackmails, but with time they should just stop.

I loved the scene where the mother tried to strangle Emily again even while the police was there, because it clearly shows her determination and belief that she is doing something right for her daughter and herself. But no, she was selfish and sick.

The ending made me very happy, because it says that although there may be a struggle, betrayal, broken heart, lost trust, pain, chaos and confusion, if you do the right thing and don't give up until you know the truth, there is a way out, there is possibility of finding the right path again and a chance of starting over. Only thing is, during the whole process you should be sure who you are, where you are going and to believe in yourself.

And one more thing... I hated the way the school dealt with the whole thing. I mean, yes, it was the mother, but... they just gave up on their best student. No one with the right mind changes that abruptly. They could've kept Cat in office and see that changes happen on her page while she has no access to the Internet. I consider that a plot hole, but it had to happen in order for the movie to end as it did - the painful way, Cat finding for herself.

Without further ado, I give this movie a 7.5.

School of Rock (2003)

more guitars, more excitement

[10/10 · 5 March 2004]

The movie is awesome.The character of Dewey Finn (Jack Black)is made in the way to present all those people who love rock music, but are not understood by their friends, because they have their unique way of dedicating to that music. Dewey gets a chance to shows that he knows the history of rock music and all the features, and he findes way to present all he knows. Also he courages one class to show what they know, and to express their love to the music to the others. The competition is great, and also the last reactions of the parents. And finally his friend Ned understands that he also loves rock music and teaches little children to play guitar. The best thing done is that all the instrument players are professionals. Exellent job!