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Queen of the South (2016)
Hooked from the very first second...
...and I wasn't able to stop. I usually am not a big fan of drug cartel related topics, so initially my intention was to have something run on TV in the background while doing some cleaning. Useless to say thay it didn't work out the way I planned. I ended up binge watching the whole series within one and a half weeks. At some point I checked out how many seasons the show contains. And with each episode that brought me closer to the last one I got more and more worried that the series would end up in a cliffhanger. I was REALLY relieved that this wasn't the case.
I don't care that some plot twists are a bit cheesy or are not as conclusive as some might wish for but don't forget it's not based on true stories. It's all fictional. That's why I don't care about some corny lines that are playing on my heartstrings because... I needed that.
However, as far as I'm concerned I would have loved at least two more seasons. I miss these people. Every character.
Crimes of the Future (2022)
Started with a "Black Mirror" Flair...
...but in the end you're basically left with one question: What was the point of that whole story? That we will be consumed by our own scientific progress? That synthetics will be included in human evolution? Or that this world is so oversaturated that only self-mutilation can satisfy our appetite or lust? It feels like their intention was to pack as many assumptions into one story to create some kind of art piece but ended up making a wannabe-science-fiction-horror-flic without an actual plot. I would love to say that I enjoyed the movie but the thrill was gone within the first fifteen minutes and I desperately waited for something pure and new.
The Batman (2022)
They should have left it with the Nolan Trilogy. Everything that followed was redundant.
...I mean I wasn't particularly bored by this movie but I still wonder how someone would look at the final 3hrs-cut and think "Yep, that's perfect." The story easily could have been wrapped up within the standard 90 minutes. Besides that - the dialogues never really managed to keep me hooked up, everything sounded quite uninspired. Or was it just the lack of chemistry between all of the characters?
Also I understand that they intended to create that heavy and dark atmosphere that lingers over a city like Gotham - but how would that ever be highlighted by whispering most of the dialogues? Or by making an Emo out of Bruce Wayne? All it added was the feeling of forced gloom. To put someone in front of the screen yelling "Batman is depressive! Gordon is depressive! Everybody is depressive! The whole city is doomed!" would have had the same annoying effect in my opinion.
Only BIG plus in this whole movie: Paul Dano. I love Paul Dano. So, one star for not being totally boring and four stars for Paul.
Solos: Jenny (2021)
Psychotic Sex And The City Character?
The acting is quite good. Just hated the character. Do men think, women are like that? A neurotic mess that thirst over their neighbor and befriend his baby boy to get their way? And then go totally psycho drunk when losing their unborn child? Very bad writing, absolutely shallow and immature. And why do the always cast Asians for the neurotic, crazy roles? I hated every single second starting with the question if we can smell her hoohaah. Seriously only a male brain can produce such a one-layered depiction of a female character. Don't try to pack a very sad, traumatic story of a slightly disturbed woman in 20 minutes if you're not able to grasp the depth and complexity of a human soul. Just let it be.
The Shrink Next Door (2021)
A Perfect Depiction Of Gaslighting and Toxicity
When Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd appear together you automatically expect to explode with laughter. Their comedic talent sometimes makes you forget that their dramaturgic gifts are just as equally great.
As much as I loved the series, it was partially hard to watch for me. Probably because I've been victim of narcissistic behaviours, too. Anyone who's been exposed to manipulation and gaslighting might struggle with quite some scenes because the obvious psychological abuse and intrusive behaviour of the so-called Dr. Ike are painful to the core.
Of course there are many funny and heart-warming moments, too. However the emotions this series is stirring are proof of Rudd's and Ferrell's brilliant acting. I constantly caught myself talking to or even yelling at the screen, telling Marty to not do this or that, to look behind the mask, to become aware of the deception and to stand up for himself. Came to the conclusion that I probably was talking to my younger self. I felt so incredibly sorry for Marty who was an obvious victim that successfully got cut off from all the trustworthy people in his life. And I never thought Paul Rudd could ever play such a despicable character in such a convincing way - I hated him right from the start.
The fact that the series is based on true facts makes this story even more tragic. A psychiatrist violating his patients trust and privacy in such a horrendous way FOR DECADES is terrible. I'll probably check out the podcast on which this series is based on.
Hook (1991)
Don't watch if you're not a child anymore.
I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just too old and cynical to enjoy a movie like this. I only did because lately I've been missing Robin Williams quite a bit. Over the years I have watched his movies so many times. The funny ones. The dramatic ones. All of them brilliant, moving, heart-warming. So I thought I might give "Hook" a shot just because... well... Robin Williams. I wish I hadn't. The basic story already didn't really make sense. A grown up Peter Pan...? An adult Peter Pan who has become a lawyer? However, there are many lovely movies where the plot isn't the most genius about it. So it could have been excused... but for me everything was too "overdone", too forced fairy-tale like. Obnoxious kids, cringeworthy dialogues... As I said. I'm sorry. I tried to love it but I failed. I hope though that there are kiddies out there that still will get enchanted by corny pirate-lines, exaggerated tear-jerker moments and infantile wannabe life lessons. I also hope it still does its magic to some adults just because, you know... Robin Williams.
War of the Worlds (2005)
Tried so hard to like this movie.
Just watched that movie for the third time within some years. I always liked the whole plot of it but I just cannot relate to any of the main figures. Neither Tom Cruise as Dad nor his totally obnoxious movie-kids. I can understand they tried to display the incredible panic and fear as well as the tension of the family's relationship but all they do is annoy the viewer. Don't know if the chemistry on set was problematic or if it's something about their acting but none of the protagonists can really make me empathize with them. While Tom Cruise's character just didn't wake any emotions, the kids were just terrible and constantly going on my nerves. I tried to like the movie because of the story but I can't get over my antipathy towards the characters. It ruins everything for me.
Krakowskie potwory (2022)
No Chemistry. Bad acting. Dull Dialogues.
The trailer looked interesting. And I didn't mind the slow start... but after three episodes all I can say is: Cheap. Everything seems forced, the storyline, the dialogues, the characters. I don't know what the writers were thinking while developing the that series. And obviously they thought it makes the story more real when they fill the dialogues with as much swearing as possible. Nothing about it is in any way original or creative. And none of the characters is able to capture you. No connection to any of the protagonists whatsoever. Which makes it totally dull and prevents the scary moments from really being scary. They tried to build up some kind of Suspiria (2018) atmosphere while stealing heavily from The OA for the exorcism choreography. Don't waste your time on that.
Coffee & Kareem (2020)
Wow. Taraji P. Henson, did you need the money so desperately?
Take a pubescent, impertinent, annoying wannabe "Gangsta", let him talk about dicks and rape and pussies, add some featherbrained adults and and it's considered humour nowadays. I should have known that when King Bach is amongst the cast it has to be the comedy type for dummies but I'm still flabbergasted that movies like this make it to the screen.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Sweet X-Mas Flick, not more not less
I love a bit of magic for Christmas. I love the kind of movies that let me be a child again, especially at Christmas time. This movie promised exactly this. And looking at the visual effects, costumes and scenery it definitely does its "magic". However throughout the story there were too many similarities to Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Nutcracker, Wall-E and many others. I couldn't help but experiencing constantly déjà vue like moments. Also from time to time I cringed a bit hearing things like "square root of possible" though I'm afraid this might just be due to the fact that for some movies I probably REALLY am too much of an adult, no matter how hard I try to find my infantile enthusiasm again.
In the end Jingle Jangle was easy to watch but it won't be added to my list of traditional X-Mas movies-must. I think if you have kids, they will like this movie and your christmas spirit might be enlightened by their ability to enjoy it as what it is: A sweet xmas flick - nothing more nothing less.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
Seriously? Did you expect a hunky dory STNG reunion?!
I don't get what everyone is bickering about. I finally started watching and I was hooked from the very first second. I love that this series is something totally different. Remember, it's Star Trek: Picard. You're not interested in what has become of Jean-Luc? Don't watch it then, it's simple as that.
I used to watch TNG as a kid and into my early teen years. I loved it back then and still sometimes watch episodes of it on Netflix. It's so soothing to be able to dive back into old days and feel like the fascinated kid again. Almost. Because like everyone else, I grew up and life happened to me. And as much as I would wish to be able to feel the exact same emotions I had back then... my adult mind throws a monkey ranch into my plans. And I notice that I am still am so very fond of the series, its characters and stories but something is missing while I watch it. It's probably the innocence of a child's fantasy and the unlimited capability of dreaming. And the naïve belief that certain lessons TNG taught us would help humanity to improve (instead of dumbing down).
However, I knew that watching Picard as an avid TNG fan was inevitable. And I think they made it perfect. It's totally different. It's got this movie flair about it and also a hint of "Firefly". And then there's Patrick Stewart... Jean-Luc. Meanwhile an admiral... but disappointed and exhausted from his last fight. An old Captain Picard who tries to find peace by living a life in reclusiveness but still gets haunted by nightmares in his sleep.
This is not the Captain we knew and loved. This is an old man who simply gave up, who left everything and everyone he once loved and cared for behind. It's almost physically hurtful to see him like this... but I'm grateful for it. Anything else would have seemed fake. And after all it turns Jean-Luc is still as epic as he used to be. Just older, like all of us.
I'm grateful that they didn't try to revive what once was. Three decades later, it wouldn't have made sense at all... It's a beautiful approach to show us a human Jean-Luc. It was important to distance from the happy go lucky sci-fi farytales. This was fine back then. It was just what I needed as a kid to escape reality sometimes. And to learn some important things about compassion, tolerance and morals.
Star Trek: Picard is what I need right now. It's what my Adult-Me needs. An old new (or new old) Captain. Something totally different. With a hint of bittersweet emotions and memories. Something that goes a bit deeper and takes a bit more time and effort. A new adventure ... but a journey nonetheless. I feel sad for everyone who isn't able to see this.
After Life (2019)
BRILLIANT. Highly recommended.
I didn't know anything about this series. Only started watching because my fiancé suggested it. I can't remember that I ever got caught and shaken so much by a series. I usually prefer action, somewhat intelligent humour, thrill or fantasy... Topics shouldn't be too "real" or serious. First of all bc I watch for entertainment (which means it shouldn't be toooo thought-provoking), secondly bc of my clinical depression I'm not able anymore to keep up with too serious or too complex contents. Chances are that I fall asleep bc it exhausts my brain too much.
However, Ricky Gervais created something that's hilarious, deep and touching all together. He plays a guy who (after he lost his wife to cancer) turned into a cynical a**hole. A guy who can't help but hate mostly everyone and everything - and doesn't hold back anything. Sometimes he manages to hide behind his sarcasm but mostly he just tells people to shut up whenever they annoy him - which happens quite quickly.
So... initially I thought "Hey, Ricky just plays himself... it's definitely gonna be entertaining."
However, it took me only one episode to notice that this series is one big surprise. There's so much more about it - at least for me. We just finished watching season 1. It's the first time that a story made me tear up heavily and burst out laughing just a milisecond later.
There are sooo many scenes and moments where you wish you could be a tiny bit like the main protagonist in this story. So many times you can feel him because you ran into the same kind of people or experienced similar situations.
Ricky Gervais is epic. The dialogues are brilliant. His acting is amazing and I'm still marvelling on Gervais' talent to approach topics like death, grief and depression with such a tender, humble and intelligent attitude. The whole thing is a love declaration. Go find out or rather decide for yourselves to whom.
Open Grave (2013)
Worth the watch because of Sharlto.
Well written, suspenseful story. Only weakness is that the characters lack some depth. Jonah (Sharlto Copley) and Brown Eye (Josie Ho) were the only ones I could take serious and who could keep up the suspense of the story while the other performances were kind of weak. Especially Kretschmann's role was a total fail. If they have to chose him for an English movie they could at least synchronize his German voice, too, instead of letting do it himself. I've never seen Kretschmann in a role I found him convincing. And with his original German voice his performances each time lose even more credibility. I would have rated 7 eventhough the other roles also weren't very breathtaking but unfortunately Kretschmann was a permanent annoyance throughout the movie.
It Comes at Night (2017)
Unfortunately...like an onion disguised as candy apple...
Unlike other people I love onions. On pizza, in salads, with salmon and horseradish and many more. And I love surprises. Especially in movies. However, if it looks like a candy apple and is classified as a candy apple... I want it to taste like candy apple. I don't like onions as a surprise. You do neither? Don't expect this movie to be candy apple that its trailer promised.
You know, allt hrough the movie I thought I had figured out the "secret hints" at a plot twist I was confident that one of my speculations would turn out to be correct... like...
...everything was just Travis' (the son's) hallucinations while being terribly sick...
or
...Will and Kim (the visitors) had sinister intentions/ a dark secret/ a troubled past which would be unravelled by someone of the family (Paul/ Sarah/ Travis)...
or
...Will and Kim were just stool pigeons and there were going to be more people out there in the woods coming after the family's belongings and supplies...
or
...Andrew had been kidnapped by Will and Kim (hence his sleepwalk and Kim's strange reaction to it) and they tried to hide that he wasn't their son...
or
...It's all about Paul's schizophrenic paranoia and its impact on all his family, the whole virus-apocalypse thing never actually happened - or at least not to that zombie-like extent...
or
...Travis or his mom would wreak havoc after Paul killed Andrew...
or
...the "thing that comes at night" had nothing to do at all with a virus but with human's evolution...
...but... in the end...NOTHING.
I loved the cast and their performances. The plot was something we've heard of sooo many times already... but could have become a new and different approach to the virus topic thing - which honestly would have been awesome!
The movie builds up suspense to an extent I haven't been experiencing for a long time. And I love that it is playing with the viewers' minds and imagination rather than overuse cheap shock moments with exaggerated sound effects every few minutes. I also don't mind endings that aren't actually endings, I like finals that leave you with questions and lead to discussions.
However, in this movie all the suspense, the presumptions, alleged innuendos and questions blow up during the whole movie only to eventually erupt into a dissapointing unsatisfying ending.
To those who claim it's an allegory on humanity or today's society or whatever: I can understand that point of view, too. I also like movies with some deeper meaning. However, does this mean a lack of logic and omitting any answers and explanations are requirements for a movie with superior importance nowadays? And does this mean that all the people who gave bad reviews lack profoundness? Just because they expected something else from a movie that's considered to be a horror movie? I don't think so. I'm a fan of a clever, thought-provoking plot that goes beyond the usual shocker flick. This wasn't one of them. This was a wannabe philosophical mystery something that makes me ask why they would call it "horror" movie in the first place? If you don't know how to connect pensiveness and fright, at least don't classify it into such a strong genre like horror (with a heavy with meaning title) and make the viewers expect something that never really happens.