4nne Reviews

NCIS: Hawai'i: Spill the Tea (2024) Season 3, Episode 9

A bit predictable at the end

[7/10 · 27 May 2024]

A good episode with some predictable parts, mostly at the end.

The fact that the assistant is involved... I think everyone saw that coming.

Also quite strange that they take off their masks while the case still has to be opened again to take a photo. I mean, you don't take any risks with such dangerous stuff, do you? Hell, I would probably keep the mask on the entire time as long as the case was still somewhere nearby and in any way unsecured. Anyway, the moment those masks came off it was clear that things were going to go wrong.

And yes, if you want some of the team to die, letting the new people no one knows die is always a crowd pleaser.

So for me that ending is a bit of a disappointment.

Still, I think it's a good episode and it has potential for the grand finale.

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Word of God (2005) Season 4, Episode 4

It's been bugging me all episode

[5/10 · 20 May 2024]

The one big thing that has been bugging me all episode is that no-one wonders why, if the man is killed for the so expensive koran-pages, the page that the man had with him - and not even hidden that well - was left behind and not stolen.

To me it is really, really, really weird that neither Lynley nor Havens at some point wonder about that, not even at the very end.

Well.. I guess they couldn't because if you do you immediately knew the killer. As I did the moment he came in to view. I was hoping I was wrong and that there would be some plot twist like the murder wouldn't be about the Koran pages after all or there would be some explanation I hadn't thought of. But no.

Too bad.

The sheer improbability of something so obvious being completely overlooked makes this episode only 5 stars for me.

NCIS: Los Angeles: Best Seller (2023) Season 14, Episode 11

What happened?

[5/10 · 8 April 2024]

Okay, I missed 1,5 seasons, so I kind of jumped in the middle a few episodes ago. But when you step into it after this time, the shock becomes quite big. Wow, what happened here?

And I'm not talking about what I missed in the storyline.

The acting and interaction between the characters has gone from relaxed and natural to very awkward! Not just this episode. This one is the 3th I have seen now, and it goes for all of them.

Some of it is the script, take Kensi and her foster daughter at the beginning of this episode for example. They've been in close contact for over a year (I mean, they live in the same house, right?) but their conversation feels incredibly stiff and forced and doesn't show any sign of close contact or personal knowledge. It makes me think of a scene between a teenager and someone who has no connection with children/teens at all and now suddenly has to babysit for a fortnight or so. I understand that there are probably some learning curves in their (Kensi and Rosa) relationship that clearly affect the bond between them. But you do get to know each other over time, right? It feels like they are strangers. (Opposed to the end, still a bit forced but at least it shows Kensie having some knowledge about Rosa's life.) And Namazi and Roundtree... I think the writers are trying too hard to copy the funny banter between Eric and Nell in this relationship. They even pick the same subject: Roundtree's clothes now versus Eric's clothes then!

But it's more than that. Even with parts that are totally okay line-wise, it just feels unnatural. Some parts are laid on too thick, others just have a weird feeling. I am wondering if there is tension on set that creeps into the acting. Or are there just too many actors who have no chemistry together?

I agree with others that it is not very handy to leave out such a large part of the regular crew in an episode (I also think it is a cost-saving measure). It is difficult enough to accommodate the departure of 1 or 2 people. 3 is just too much. Especially because there is no consistency due to the change per episode. No company works very well if more than half of the staff consists of varying temporary workers, and this also appears to be true for a set playing a company. It is not even that I miss the normal characters (which I do..) but more that you do not really get to know the ones you do see, so I'm not that invested in wanting them to survive or anticipating quirky little 'typically them' remarks or actions.

The story from this week itself, well it was okay. Not great, not bad either. But all above brought it down. And again agreeing with some other reviewer, Sabatino had a change of character. So any stability gotten out of using a slightly known character in replacement for the normal crew disappears in that. Dispite the story being okay, I had trouble watching the episode through.

The Memory Book (2014 TV Movie)

Bordering on creepy

[5/10 · 21 January 2024]

I am a bit surprised by al the glowing reviews.. I agree with dallasallis, I got a creepy feeling from parts of this one.

In the base a nice story with a lot of potential to be romantic, heartwarming and fun. Only I think the script hasn't been worked out that great. Mostly in the leading lady part. The leading lady doesn't feel that likeable to me from the start. I get she is closed off because of some pain she suffered (although that is not explained), and she has learned to survive on her own. She's prickly, so to say. But it is just a tiny bit too much if you ask me. The thought creeps in my head why Gabe is drawn to her.

But for me the real problem is the moment a stranger is really, really clear in saying leave me alone, do not follow me. And the film just pushes through. The way it is presented has a creepy feel to it and is promoting it is okay to stalk. A really bad thing to promote if you ask me. And yes, I get the intention is good, but guess what, most stalkers think of their own intentions to be good.

If they just had just taken it down a notch, a little bit from both Cleo's pushing as Sarah's refusal, the feel would be totally different.

Having said that, I enjoyed the story base, the fun moments, the nice scenery and the warming ending including a none-prickly Cleo. 4,5 stars for that and another 1/2 for the beautyfull story it could have been.

NCIS: Hawai'i: Dies Irae (2023) Season 2, Episode 22

Left with questions..

[6/10 · 17 January 2024]

I am not a fan of the 'lone wolf' routine. Especially when it concerns the boss and that same boss wants her team to act as a team.

That could be made up for with a very strong story. I mean if there's a really good reason... well bring it on.

Unfortunately I can't find that reason at all. At the end of the two episodes it is by no means clear to me why Tennant's trip with Kate to Caracas had to be secret. Or why she couldn't tell anyone about Creel. And least of all why she had to chain Kate to a post. (???) I understand that certain things were classified, but you can still tell the outlines or even say it's classified.

But we're not done yet. Only just saved by your team because your own plan turned out not to well, Tennant simply decides to make her own plan again.

And again, why??? Why another plan, what was that necessary for? Why not at least give the official plan some chance of success?

And surprisingly, this plan doesn't go all that well either. But hey, a man was murdered instead of charged, you didn't follow the rules and oh yeah, a prisoner got away.

Well done, great team leader. No one knows why but who cares.

For me, an episode that is made exciting for the sake of making it exciting, but loses sight of the logic and power of the story in the process. Shame.

The 6 points are for the loyalty of the team.

Rediscovering Christmas (2019 TV Movie)

An okay movie

[5/10 · 2 January 2024]

This film is okay, just that. It's not great, it's not really bad. The story is not new nor suprising.

It is however a movie you don't want to see twice. The second time around - Over 1 year later and not planned, I just happend to walk across it again this year while having the flu and the title didn't sound familiar, but 10 minutes in I knew - is just to mutch.

I like feel-good movies, I like the predictable 'everything is going to be alright', especially when I'm sick. But this storyline is just a bit to blend. To be honest there doesn't seem to happen that mutch.

And while happening in very many christmas movies (and yes I know it is a very small thing...) I have to say: No-one ever, ever warmed up by just hanging a scarf behind the neck (without wrapping it around).

Castle: Kill the Messenger (2009) Season 2, Episode 8

Loving it

[9/10 · 21 November 2023]

I'm a fan. Of the show as a whole, but this episode is no exception. The story is fun to follow and keeps your interest. The tone is airy and light and yet there is depth to it and it is not just a thoughtless script.

The characters have just that: character.

And I just love how this show has all those little funny background jokes. Like in this episode 3 grown man with bulletproof vests on sitting on the couch with porcelain cups in hand with cats on their laps. You would think that kicking in a door with full force with the whole shebang present only to find out after kicking in that only a old lady lives there, would be the funniest moment. But no, that's too obvious. This show adds something much more subtle after that. It just made me laugh out loud.

Body of Proof: Daddy Issues (2013) Season 3, Episode 13

15 minutes of... Yeah, what?

[3/10 · 18 November 2023]

If I had written this review halfway through the episode it would have been as follows:

Too bad they decided to follow the cliché that Megan's father was indeed murdered. Partly because it's incredibly predictable, and partly because I think this would have been an opportunity to point out how things happen much more often in real life. Namely that you can very much want to believe something, but that does not make it true. And that sometimes you have to accept things that are nearly impossible to accept. (Not as big episode story, but as a side one. Preferably right around the time of the letter investigation.) There are so many people who do not get the answers they want in Dutch a case, it hurts me a little they deside to give Megan her perfect story.

I would also have written that dispite that this episode was strong. It was clear that the detective had not done it, that jump was a pretty unsubstantiated jump to conclusions. But I was curious who would be the murderer and remained fascinated.

But to bad, I'm writing this review at the end of the episode. I would still write the first part, but boy did they manage to slam the strength out of the episode in fifteen minutes flet. The real killer pretty much falls out of the sky, the 'why' story is short and tattered, the rescue of the therapeutic killer goes completely against everything about this show and is deeply unsatisfying. There is a very quick hug with mom squeezed in somewhere (you miss it when you blink) and finally a complete character change to quickly bring two people together. Very, very disappointing.

Body of Proof: Point of Origin (2011) Season 2, Episode 5

Another weird leap in time

[15 November 2023]

Season 1 had one, and now Season 2 too.

After several episodes were Kate and Megan seem to have reached some sort of truce, suddenly we go back in time. Making childish and mean remarks - I have a really really understanding boss and maybe in some cases I would get away with one of those remarks, but even she wouldn't let me get away with one after the other. Let alone for weeks or even months on end.

And appearantly after behaving like this for so long, colleagues only now find out something is wrong.

But well, if you would cut out the last few episodes, it suddenly makes sense. Time wise that is.

It's a pitty no one checked the continuity of the overall storyline. Otherwise the serie is quite enjoyable.

Body of Proof: All in the Family (2011) Season 1, Episode 7

Too bad writers can't remember their own writing

[6/10 · 15 November 2023]

The episode itself is good. Nice storyline for the murder and the personal story about docter Hunt and her daughter and husband is beautiful.

The big thing that messes it up is the storyline continue with the other episodes.

In the starter of the serie Lacey said to her mom she needed some space. A few episodes after that Lacey came to her moms work for a video-assigment (A bit sudden after the message before, but oh well, it could be) and mother and daughter grew towards each other.

But now, it's like that episode never happened. Doctor Hunt says 'The last time I saw you, you wanted space', suddenly Lacey is embaressed with her moms work (which was so cool in the episode of the video assignment) and she is introducing herself to people she's already met and asking questions that don't make sense in light of that previous episode.

For me that is a really big let down. Why bother to make an overall storyline if you are not sticking to it. I guess the video episode is shoved in later on, without checking the consequences.

Bones: High Treason in the Holiday Season (2015) Season 11, Episode 8

A bit rich comming from Booth

[7/10 · 2 November 2023]

I dont know about liberal or conservative, or having an agenda for meatless Turkey.

I do know I found it really rich to have Booth given a speech about how bad it is to put other people in danger and have secrets. That he said it, is quite in character (yes, he is self-righteous), but is there no one to react something like 'Yeah, you would never do that..', because normal people aren't saintly enough to just take this from Booth after the things he did himself this (serie-wise) last year.

Apart from that and the last bit about the thumb drive I found it a pleasant episode. It shows how fragile the line between opening up for good reasons and taking it too far can be.

Bones: The Next in the Last (2015) Season 10, Episode 22

How many times can you leave

[6/10 · 1 November 2023]

The big question is how many times you can decide to leave, or even say goodbye, only to come back again? An ending that for me has been used a little too often in this series. With more than one character.

And yes, as other say, very short notice. Apparently both booth and bones have no notice period, maybe that is normal in the US? Let me put it this way, if you would suddenly leave your employer like that here were I live, you really don't have to come back, and there's a good chance that you don't have to approach other companies in the same field either.

It's a shame all the substories are becoming a distraction from the.show itself.

Bones: The Verdict in the Victims (2015) Season 10, Episode 18

A bit predictable but still a nice episode

[7/10 · 31 October 2023]

Although for me too it was halfway the first episode that I knew who the killer was - I was very surprised that Rockwel was suddenly accepted as the perpetrator without any further investigation, quit uncharacteristic for this show - I still liked the structure of this episode. Not great, but still nice.

Yes, by the time they find out it feels a bit like '....finaly catching on...' but the evidence and finding the new victim is still very okay.

But I have something to get of my chest, and yes I know I'm talking to a fictional character on a show that's been over for years, but still: Angela (and writers of this series), that 'I'm tired of the ugliness of this job and I want to be a real artist' is getting really boring. This is the umpteenth time that this has come back and I'm kind of done with it. If your life isn't going your way, make some changes. But if you choose that this job is actually very beautiful and meaningful, then stop bringing back up how you want to be an artist with a live full of peace and love in about 5 episodes from now.

Bones: The Secrets in the Proposal (2013) Season 9, Episode 1

With friends like that...

[7/10 · 24 October 2023]

Half the episode I wondered: how is it that in a team of people who know each other so well and are such good friends, there is no one who thinks, or better yet, says, 'Hey wait a minute, Booth would never do something like this without a very, very good reason" And maybe even "This happened right when Pellant was around, maybe it has something to do with him" But okay, maybe that last one is too much to ask. The first one though... Luckily eventually Hodgens and Cam make a bit of an effort (quite uncharacteristic blindness from Angela!) But in the end it has to be an outsider to open Boneses eyes. The fact that Bones needs a little time to get there I get, if you are hurt that much it is hard.. but for the rest of them... If those were my friends, I'd be disappointed.

Other than this part, it is an okay episode. Not crazily good, but not bad either. Just okay.

Bones: The Shot in the Dark (2013) Season 8, Episode 15

Waiting for Bones to come back.

[6/10 · 22 October 2023]

Ever since Bones got pregnant I've been wondering what the hell happened to her. All the social progress from seasons 1-6 is apparently completely gone. Suddenly she is hyper rational to the point of ridiculous, without any empathy. Even worse than in season 1, when she hadn't learned anything yet. That in itself is cringeworthy. In the first seasons it was funny and also kind of cute, it made her who she is. Plus, it was fun to see her growth - and stumbles - in it. But the extreme extent it is now taking is irritating and exaggerated and, moreover, unbelievable. At the same time, she has supposedly become softer now that she is a mother, which we see reflected in equally exaggerated moments of emotionality and irrationality. I mean, sure you change when you become a mother, and yes, there are occasional feelings that come with it that no one in the world understands... but come on! The moments themselves might still be believable, if they weren't juxtaposed against the extreme rational moments. This combination makes her a kind of pinball machine that makes any emotionally bouncing mother look tame. And yes, unfortunately the start of this episode is no different. Add a story that within a few episodes is again about God, while the rational Bones does not believe in this, and you get a story that makes me sigh a bit. And no, I have nothing against God or spirituality or believing in heaven. It's all part of my life. But above all, I like to respect one's own view, and in such a short time, another story in which God is pushed into Bones' life feels exactly like that: Pushed.

FBI: International: Blood Feud (2023) Season 2, Episode 18

We all know these kind of series aren't that accurate but come on...

[6/10 · 9 May 2023]

As said, we all know the reality level on these kind of series needs to not be taken to seriously. And I get that, and it's okay. I don't care if the gun is pocketed on the right side or if the hero's are doing heroic stuf in normal live would be done by a special force, or the other way around. It makes it easy-going and easy-whatching. Just some soft entertainment for the brain.

But there are a few things that brain of mine can't get over. That is just too much: 'What???!!!' for even 'normal' human beings let alone FBI, to let pass by.

This episodes has a moment like that...: So you're from the FBI and in a room where you just by chance found a bug. You destroy that one bug. And then, without any precaution, you just assume that the one you found is the only bug, and you have an important conversation right there in that room? Okay, it was a fake conversation it turned out, but one of the FBI agents didn't know that. And neither did the bad guy who would have buged the conversation, so if he heard it would be disastrous. But somehow the experienced FBI agents didn't think of that... Realy, realy weird...

For me, these kinds of completely illogical things do bring down an episode.

A Frosty Affair (2015 TV Movie)

Beyond words

[1/10 · 27 January 2023]

When you watch a movie like this, you know it's going to be predictable and sweet enough to make the enamel pop off your teeth. And on occasion I find those movies are really enjoyable.

So I sat down for a nice, mellow afternoon.

Boy was I wrong.

The two positives are: the scenery is beautyfull and the film is not predictable at al.

Although that last one is questionable positive, because the only reason it isn't precitable is because it is so ridiculous.

The characters are really, really dumb. And I mean beyond 'Oh I am a movie stereotype blond'-dumb.

• A few minor spoilers to make my point, but nothing that gives away the story.-

It starts already in the first few minutes when the leading lady, after a really big snow storm, opens her frontdoor and sees the snow is blocking 3/4 of the doorway. She manages to get out (Nevermind leaving your door open for the snow to meld in while she is going away, but okay we forgive her that.) but when outside is shocked to see her car is snowed in. I mean.. how? Neither is she, for even a second, wondering if there will be planes flying with this weather. And further more she doesn't seem to understand that to light wood you have to at least keep a match close to it, instead of throwing it on the stone floor eight inches away and hoping the fire will miraculously jump over before the match had gone out.

And these are just a few examples of many. Every few minutes at least 1 thing happens that is just too ridiculous for words. No sane, grown-up person would ever (re)act this way.

And I haven't even mentioned the rare and twisted occurrences happening to the leading characters without them doing something really stupid to bring it down on themselfs. (And yes, apparently there is still room for that among all the stupid things they do themselves)

It's like they took the script for a cartoon and said 'He, lets use this with real characters!'

Halfway through I just couldn't watch anymore. By than I had already lasted 45 minutes longer than the moment I wanted to stop, because I hoped it would get better. Wel, it didn't.