Necrotongue

Black stand-up comedians usually don't resonate with me, mainly because the humor often relies heavily on cultural references that I might not fully grasp. However, Leslie Jones managed to break through that barrier and genuinely entertain me. Despite her special being unabashedly loud (there's no sugarcoating it), she still kept me engaged. Plus, I appreciated her digs at the overly sensitive younger generation, who seem to turn every minor issue into a therapy session. That resonated with me on a whole other level. So, despite its flaws, I felt compelled to give it a generous four-star rating. / Lesson learned: Forget about time machines. 4*-

While it wasn't terrible for its 1958 release, I must admit I found the movie dragging a bit in its final act. A skilled editor could undoubtedly have shaped it into a more visually pleasing experience with a much more bearable running time. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise, offering moments of enjoyment, though I could have done without the character of Freddy, who failed to grow on me. I've never understood the trend of injecting unnecessary yet humorous characters into plots. The cinematography was solid, and the sound was commendable, although at times, it felt like I was enduring a dentist's ultrasonic scaler. "A dagger in the back, a house on fire, a noose around the neck. Surely it's the same perpetrator." Talk about random. Despite some rough edges, it's a decent thriller that earns a solid three stars from me.

Well, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. The special boasted a lineup of promising stand-up comedians, but either their humor didn't quite land for me, or I just couldn't connect with it. Not to say there weren't bright spots — moments poking fun at BLM and Will Smith had me chuckling. But for the most part, I was pretty indifferent as a viewer.

I keep asking myself why I watch movies like these. Sure, it could be for the sake of staying informed, but deep down, it's just a mild case of masochism. Once again, I found myself in the midst of a seminar on "Men: The Disgusting, Insensitive Species", where the underlying message seems to be that if men didn't produce sperm, there wouldn't be any need for them in the world. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of repugnant individuals out there whose parents probably should've opted for a game night instead of procreating, but blanket statements like "men are bad, women are flawless" entertain me about as much as tales of a carpenter walking on water. To give credit where it's due, the filmmakers did present their protagonist with flaws (and there were quite a few), she didn't seem to miss her son (and vice versa), but it's clear this film was tailored more for a female audience. While the plot failed to fully engage me for the most part, I'll admit I chuckled a few times. Katia Winter's charm shone through, despite her character's shortcomings, and in the end, I found myself giving it a higher rating than expected. By the way, the boss's sticky notes and a woman moving house with just one suitcase and three bags did manage to tickle my funny bone. / Lesson learned: "Male feminist" feels like an oxymoron. I can't help but wonder who coined that term in the first place. 2*+

This special wasn't half bad, I mean, I nearly sprayed my monitor a few times from laughter. But truth be told, I'd have enjoyed it even more if I were black. There were moments when I wasn't quite as entertained, and the excessive self-congratulation got a bit tiresome at times. However, there was this epic battle with the microport that was both unrehearsed and masterfully handled. / Lesson learned: Beware of peroxide!

What a letdown. This time, the blame lies squarely on the script and direction. I felt like the creators were mocking me. In the midst of an intense battle, suddenly, some sort of Sabbath broke out and everything fell silent, and I witnessed a profoundly melodramatic scene that left me reeling. To add insult to injury, in that split second, not only did the attack abruptly end, but the unruly crowd vanished without a trace. It was a failure on the part of both scriptwriting and direction.

Despite the slow pace, the atmosphere was masterfully crafted. I was on edge the whole time, waiting for something important to happen in the very next moment. However, the story just kept rustling along, promising something grand, only to fizzle out in the end. It felt like a bit of trickery on the creators' part. / Lesson learned: Life's not fair; a thriller set in Australia, and not a kangaroo in sight.

Not exactly a masterpiece of cinema. From what I've gathered, Swedes drink a lot at Christmas, and yes, they their families, just like any other nation, include a very cuddly uncle. Initially, I thought this could offer an intriguing narrative, but alas, the unforgiving passage of time had left its mark. And no, it wasn't the picture or sound quality that bothered me; it was the naively written story that simply didn't hold up in today's context. I found myself quite annoyed by how conveniently everything fell into place at just the right moment, as if the cogs of a rather weak script were being forced together to propel the plot forward in a contrived, often illogical manner, some scenes even bordering on the comical and bizarre. / Lesson learned: A detective story should be at least a little suspenseful.

Although I've never been to Lapland, those breathtaking shots of Nordic landscapes made it feel like I was there. Yet, while the visuals were captivating, the story failed to match up. Based on what I read on Netflix, I anticipated an intriguing narrative, but instead, I was met with a sluggishly-paced Nordic drama, and Lapps confronting injustice as aggressively as Mahatma Gandhi with an air of true Nordic melancholy. For someone like me, expecting a different cinematic experience, it was quite disappointing. / Lesson learned: Meddle with someone else's reindeer, and you might find yourself facing the consequences twenty years down the line.

A well-made, intimate film that reminded me of Ryba ve čtyřech, with the performances leaning more towards a theatrical vibe. I wouldn't be surprised if it originated from a play; it had that kind of feel. But that's not a complaint; I quite enjoyed it, even though I pegged the killer right away, and surprisingly, it wasn't the gardener! If I had to pinpoint what I liked most about the film, it would definitely be the ever-growing sense of paranoia. / Lesson learned: Careful about what you drink. It's a universal rule that has always applied and still applies.