ejh-60622 Reviews

True Detective: Night Country: Part 6 (2024) Season 4, Episode 6

High peaks and deep valleys

[6/10 · 21 February 2024]

I stuck with the series (season) and watched every episode instantly, so I can't give it too low of a rating. But I understand the low average rating of especially the last episode and the resolve of the story.

I think the creators focused too hard on the gender aspect - to have a bunch of angry and vengeance ridden women to take matters into their own hands etc. It was present throughout the whole season and sometimes the 'female badass' parts were actually kind of cringe.

But still, I found season 4 and it's dark scenery and setting intriguing and somewhat exciting. The writing wasn't the best but I always thought this season had potential after every episode I watched.

I especially liked Navarro (Kali Reis). She was probably the main reason I continued to watch without hesitation.

1899 (2022)

Way to exaggerate

[6/10 · 22 November 2022]

Sure, what is lost, might be found. The question is how enjoyable and worth it it will be. Just as with Dark, this first season will definitely require a rewatch before watching season 2. Other than that I won't compare the shows, more than that it's recognizable in its concept. Which also makes the move to market it as being made by the creators of Dark a bit too away giving.

I realized very early on that 1899 just wasn't meant to be figured out until the very end, if even then. Which lessened the experience. It felt more like watching a concept than a tv series. There will be more questions than answers throughout the whole series.

Good acting though.

Don't Look Up (2021)

'The Interview' perspective on America itself

[7/10 · 27 December 2021]

I like the underlying messages in this movie. At the beginning I thought they were just going to trie to make a 'crazy and funny' point out of letting Meryl Streep play such a crazy character, and maybe it was a little part of it, but they made a lot of good points and reflective images on today's society throughout the film. Obviously a bit exaggerated, and satirical like in 'The Interview', but it induced some laughs from me.

I actually think that the relatively low ratings might be due to some people feeling targeted.

Succession (2018–2023)

Good

[7/10 · 15 November 2021]

The dialogue and the soundtrack is what makes it rememberable/what sticks out or me. I think that part is what the creators have been working on the most, and what sets the tone.

Thought the character development between season 2 and 3 in some cases were pretty noticeable and semi itchy (Kendall's (played?) personality)

The Unlikely Murderer (2021)

Depressing

[8/10 · 5 November 2021]

I watched it. Can imagine it being perceived as a bit slow and depressing by some, but the latter suggests the show captures the atmosphere at the time. Found it a bit weird that the info text about Stig Engström being the suspect (*and not proven*) was shown already by the end of the first episode. Everyone in Sweden knows the suggested story, but for people outside it must feel like a pretty significant spoiler?

I enjoyed watching the show though, mostly because I was intrigued beforehand and through the episodes. I don't have any personal theories. Not sure what to think since according to records with the Scandia guards, Engström briefly conversated for "a couple of minutes" after clocking out at 23:19 and before stepping out on the street. Even if "a couple of minutes" isn't correct, he definitely said more than just good night like in the scene, according to those records.

Anyways, in the last episode I was mostly just wondering about the personal relations. Did Margareta really get together with that mean guy? Or was that made up (either in Stig's head or by the writers)?

Did the mean guy's daughter actually attend the movie that night and did Stig have that conversation with her about her being "so close to save him"?

(Thought Eva Melander played the part as Stig's wife excellent.)

Squid Game (2021– )

Not that good

[6/10 · 13 October 2021]

Unlike some other comments, this is LIKE other things I've already seen or heard of. It's a built on a bunch of different already used ideas, and put together into a smart package that pleases the directed target group (which is basically everyone), which was *told* to watch and enjoy this show. Marketing wise these creators hit the jackpot and the hype train is real.

Almost any fast going series can get really captivating and easy to binge nowadays, and the only thing original is that this one got to the extreme when it comes to exposure and word-of-mouth.

I'm not saying it's a bad series but when the hype is over and people might reflect again it will probably be viewed as the 6 to 7 rated series that it is. Those who can recite the happenings in the series a month after watching it are welcome to prove me wrong though.

This Is Pop: Stockholm Syndrome (2021) Season 1, Episode 3

Not really exaggerated

[8/10 · 24 August 2021]

The fascination about the Swedes influence over pop music has been around for some time now. And I don't think it's exaggerated. When thinking about the actual amount of producers that's been active (in, for example L. A.) for the last decade it's utterly surreal for such a small country.

It's not really mentioned in the episode but Max Martin and Shellback are only a fraction of people with Swedish background that's big in the industry, and the fact that Laleh is in this documentary both surprised me and probably shows my point - all due respect to her, she's a somewhat big artist in Sweden, but she's far from the top 20 of producers from Sweden.

The Alienist (2018–2020)

Love dark history mysteries

[8/10 · 21 April 2021]

Season 1 was the best imo - would give it a nine.

Season 2 was given away too early I felt - not as much mystery.

Also, it was a little bit more illogical, with some erratic and naive behavior from the characters etc (whom I'd grown to like very much though).

Actually I had a hard time wrapping my head around some stuff in the first season as well when I think of it. For example why they still were opposed and worked against even after the rich guy turned out to be innocent (and killed).

The Walking Dead: What We Become (2020) Season 10, Episode 13

Enough with the

[5/10 · 25 March 2021]

Single character episodes already (in the midst of an exciting story development in the series in general)

Red Dot (2021)

Rememberable

[7/10 · 3 March 2021]

I think I will remember this movie. The lead characters both irritated me sometimes and got me attached to them. Maybe the low ratings are because the events are kind of frustrating but as I said I got attached, and especially to the female character.

O sabor das margaridas (2018–2020)

Some weird spoilers in this?

[7/10 · 22 February 2021]

Watched on Netflix. It's a very good show, but please fast forward until after the intro song in every episode if you want to make sure you're not getting hints or even spoilers. There's like a reversed summary in the beginning of every episode. Also it might take some time to get used to some of the characters played by the supporting cast.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Great

[9/10 · 21 January 2021]

I think I've always seen this as the best one in the trilogy. At least I've seen it the most times. The excitement and tension before the battle at Helm's Deep is one of the most memorable sequences in any film for me. The more I watch these movies I come to the realization that I practically just can't stand the scenes with Frodo, Sam and Gollum though. Their whole storyline from when they part with the fellowship at the end of the first movie is just so boring compared to everything else. Of course it was intriguing the first time, but now I would just give it a 6/10 while the rest of the movie is 9/10.

The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)

A critic's film

[6/10 · 2 January 2021]

I can understand why this movie has a high rating, but I'm going for entertainment and how much I enjoyed it while watching, so I'm giving it a six.

It's not that thrilling or surprising in it's storyline, and some clues are found very easy, but I guess the way some scenes are filmed, and the dark and depressing environment that this movie builds on, is giving some viewers a bit of an experience.

In Bed with Santa (1999)

Great setting

[9/10 · 26 December 2020]

A Swedish Christmas classic. On par with Home Alone. A bit complex with all the characters relationships but it doesn't matter. It just shows it's a well thought out story.

The intrigues and humor is perfectly delivered by some of the most well known actors and actresses in the country. The cinematography is great. The surroundings and backgrounds are visually what makes this movie amazing. They created the ultimate Christmas setting.

Morocco: Love in Times of War (2017)

Predictable until the last episode

[6/10 · 16 December 2020]

The main love story was established very early and nothing could change the outcome either in my imagination or in the series. The end was the perfect confirmation of what I thought would happen, although the last episode actually was the most unforeseeable and most eventful one by far.

I liked the actresses playing Magdalena and Pilar, and it's not like this series wasn't worth watching at all. But the lead characters mostly just left an unsympathetic impression. And overall the premise didn't have much worth at all.

The story itself never felt like a story. It was just a portrayal of the hospital at a ceratin time, and for how long I don't know. I had no potential ending in sight when I watched it and as it turned out the show itself hadn't either. It just stopped (although the last episode was very eventful though as I said).

Breaking Bad (2008– )

Far from my favorite

[5/10 · 14 December 2020]

I don't get this show and I never did. I really tried to watch it several times but I just think the surroundings and general mood is too depressing. I liked the premise a lot, but it never lived up to my expectations at all. Everything is too boring and serious. I mistook this for being somewhat of a comedy a long time ago but I don't think that's the only reason. A 9.5 rating from this many reviewers is just mind boggling to me. I'm completely honest when I give it a 5. It's so weird.

I have nothing to say about the actors performances. Walter is just too grumpy and nasty for me to bear though. I watched three seasons before I gave up.

The Nutcracker Prince (1990)

Great

[8/10 · 13 December 2020]

My favorite Christmas movie when I was little. It used to be shown on TV on the morning of Christmas Day where I live. It's both intense and emotional. It has beautiful music and a convincing way of showing a past time which is recognizable even to children. It's a bit old now and the animation never was the best, but to me it just adds to the feeling.

Dark (2017–2020)

Creative and unique

[9/10 · 8 December 2020]

The most interesting show I've watched. I longed very much for the new seasons to be released after finishing the previous ones. I was a bit disappointed with the last season after such a long wait though.

But overall it's a very creative and exciting show. Especially season 1 and 2. The added sound effects reminded me a lot of those in Chernobyl. Couldn't help but think Chernobyl found inspiration from here. Just creepy sounds that increased the tension.

This show is nothing like Stranger Things for those comparing. And you should probably watch it without long interruptions because I had to update myself a lot before every new season, with all the complex timelines and relationships..

True Detective (2014– )

Most intriguing first time watch ever

[10/10 · 3 December 2020]

For me True Detective is season 1. I watched season 3 and found it exciting, but I don't remember much from it. Season 2 I stopped watching after two episodes. To be fair I probably didn't give it much time though.

But season 1 is probably top 3 or 5 all time for me. I watched it a couple of times. The plot and the way the story is told was pretty new for me when I saw it the first time, and I will always bear with me the atmosphere. It's very eerie and while the events are horrific the makers and the actors makes the series "enjoyable" to watch. It's loop sided, in some ways it's one of the most gruesome series I've seen but in some ways it's the most beautiful as well. The cinematography is great, like many points out, and you're really taken with when you watch it. Season 1 was the most intriguing first time watch ever for me.

True Detective is one of the few shows that I can still connect with a specific place and time, five years later. I got a very picky person to watch it with me and get hooked to the extent that we almost watched the whole thing in one night while on vacation. For me it was the second time I watched it but I was almost as hooked still.

Band of Brothers (2001)

Favorite show

[10/10 · 3 December 2020]

Probably my favorite show of all time. I've watched it so many times, and sometimes I just put it on in the background as company. Maybe it's more common to do that with comedies but it's just so good. I'm interested in history and WWII and I'm starting to believe it's partly because of Band of Brothers. I was pretty young when I saw it the first time. This series is both educational and thought-provoking. It's also not too glorifying or pretentious. I love the fact that you get to see a bit of the German side of it, with the German General's speech and the prisoner in episode 2. They're obviously the antagonists but they have a perspective as well. Stephen E. Ambrose is maybe the one to thank but probably also the screenwriters.

I remember having trouble keeping up and sorting out all of the characters the first time I watched Band of Brothers, but that's the only footnote I have.

Chernobyl (2019)

Cult like

[9/10 · 3 December 2020]

One of few series in the latest years that I remember watching week by week. I probably didn't watch a single episode more than 24h after its release. What's weird is that I don't remember that many specific scenes from it but still have 'fond' memories somehow. There was a certain atmosphere. Will re-watch it sometime soon and binge it because I've only watched it once.

The fact that there's a couple of Swedish actors and a Swedish director probably weighs in btw. And I live in eastern Sweden, in one of the regions outside of the USSR where the most nuclear fallout ended up.

Gran Hotel (2011–2013)

8/10 from Sweden

[7/10 · 3 December 2020]

I really enjoyed this show (for the first 2 seasons mostly). It was very easy to watch. I rarely had to check how much time was left of the episodes. When I saw that season 2 and 3 had so many episodes I kind of hesitated but I still got through pretty fast. Season 3 went a little downhill and I imagine it was just added on, with new writing ideas, since the core family's history had been dealt with. Although the intensity made me want to watch to the end. Spoilers:

• I didn't find it believable that Diego fumbled Alicia's and Julio's romance through 58 long episodes. Amazing that he never found out until then. It must've been the most obvious thing in the house for months. But I guess not much would have been left of the show if he did since it would always result in someones death pretty fast. It didn't go down like I thought it would though. Diego just kind of faded away which i found surprising.
• This series has lot of complex characters like all Spanish series I've watched. Sometimes you hate them and sometimes you love them.
• Out of the antagonists I almost never disliked Belen until season 3. I only hated Diego and Benjamin, and at times Teresa, but I never wanted her off the show.
• I grew tired of Javier. And the portayal of his suddenly crazy wife was unfair and unnecessary, although it ended well in the end.
• Found it weird how Alfredo went from a looser to a confident director and slowly back to an unaware looser again.
• Alicia looks like Margot Robbie.
• The sound quality in this show is really how I imagine southern European shows to sound. It almost sounds dubbed at times. Don't know if it's supposed to sound like that because it depicts the early 1900s, or if they just weren't able to make it sound better.
• Also some things in this show are a little silly. Every sinister plan/event by the antagonists goes through exactly like they were supposed to and everything is figured out fairly easy and directed. Alicia and Julio for instance are world class detectives.
• The only actual negative thing I can find though is that it actually IS kind of slow. This show could easily have been reduced by 10 or so episodes. I watched on 1.25x speed to be honest. Also I personally forgot the motives and perpetrators to some of the murders because there were a lot of them.

Vis a Vis: El Oasis (2020)

Patience got me through

[6/10 · 24 November 2020]

To be fair I was only watching it because of Macarena, so I may be biased: But I was really disappointed and almost as frustrated as when she was abscent during season 3 and 4 in the original series. She deserves more screen time and a much better storyline since SHE is Vis a vis for me. Not Zulema. Maca's life just seems so tragic and although we already knew that it was from the original series, this show doesn't really seem to brighten her existence - at least not during what we are shown throughout the episodes.

As for the series as a whole, I can agree with those questioning some of the other characters relevance and what they brought, more than distraction and at times irritation and waste of time. What bothered me the most though was the lack of logics in some events. I get that not everything can be realistic in a fiction but when you start to question several things in the same episode it's just not enjoyable imo. The holes in the storyline was too obvious at times. For example (SPOILERS): The school kids: Where were the adults? How could they be allowed to party? Where did they sleep? All in the same room? How did certain events at the party go unmentioned afterwards? Also I semi wonder who the bride was supposed to marry. Can't recall even seeing him. (Btw yes, Maca gets a happy ending from what it looks like, so that makes me happy, but I would've liked to see more)