supermaggie Reviews

Jungle Cruise (2021)

Same old, wrong and boring

[1/10 · 8 April 2024]

Honestly, the old hate and discrimination again? While there is a driven need to bring diversity even if it crushes the historical facts, there is still or even more hate and discrimination against Germans and Europeans, and how accurate and uptodate this is - not. Old and overcome heinous stereotypes, misogynic jokes and bashing of whole nations. Who needs this? Oh yes, hateful, evil people who cannot arrive in present day need this, but nobody else/nobody decent needs this. But sadly or funnily it is all done so dumb again, that it backfires. I am more impressed by someone who touches / is not afraid of snake demons than someone who fakes fights with wildcats and does not risk anything ever since he cannot die. Old, wrong and -even worse for the entertainment business- boring for (smart/evolved/all) audiences. No wonder Indiana Jones does not bring in much money anymore. One star for Emily Blunt.

Das Millionenspiel (1970 TV Movie)

Still true, still shocking

[10/10 · 8 April 2024]

As early as 1970, long before Total recall, The Truman show, reality TV, this German movie showed the immoral lenghts some media producers may go to in order to win high TV ratings. Ahead of its time and widely unknown, yet incredible important, now that the media all over the world direct news in their favor / intentions even more important than ever. The look is unmistakenly a 1970ies look, and yet, it still gripps you, the themes are still valid. And on top, famous comedian Dieter Hallervorden - as far as I know the oldest celebrity taking part in a Masked singer installment - performs in a highly unusual role as a villain. Absolutely worth checking it out.

The O.C.: The Metamorphosis (2006) Season 4, Episode 4

An underrated triumph

[10/10 · 29 February 2024]

The O. C. was one of the best shows ever. It makes you sad, it makes you happy, it entertains with smart dialogue and accurate but never harsh character observations and it sometimes is cheesy as hell and yet does not repel watchers like me who do dot enjoy other romantic stuff at all. I loved the show from the first moment due to the great lovable characters, since it never treats any character without respect but shows all of their facets and how they all help each other grow and change to something better. The superb soundtrack had been mentioned several times. And though it was a shock and me, too, liked and missed Marissa, the show continued to be good or even get better after her exit. The third episode of season 4 was a clever reflection of grief and guilt likewise, the fourth turned back to being incredibly cute, funny and romantic (in a nice way), the seventh was ingeniously different, clever and original, and so on up till the successful solution in the show's final episode. Heart, wit, wisdom, great entertainment and thrill, a combination of Dynasty and Roswell and more great shows of before, like it is not being done anymore and probably won't be anymore since every material is just being used and twisted for political purposes. You can't even remake it (which is lucky), since all contemporary political adjustments would change the core of the story (like always, but even more so here). So there will be only O. C. forever and in its best version only. A classic, a triumph, and heavily underrated.

Róise & Frank (2022)

Rosie - oh and there was something else

[8/10 · 23 February 2024]

(Spoiler alert for the following) The film is warm and entertaining, the dog is great, I also understand that the ending should be like that so that she can move on, but that's exactly what bothered me about the film, it's seemingly also about a dog, but ultimately it's all about humans again, and with the usual human arrogance that also bothered me about Fluke, for example. A dog is not only valuable when it is a reincarnated human, an assistance dog or performs sporting achievements. A dog/animal is great because and if it is (no more and no less than) an animal, and for that you can and must love it and not scream hysterically when it runs towards you or after you etc. A little more kindness and consideration in dealing with the animal and respect for the animal (as such) would have made the story much better (and been enough for 10 stars). At least in the end they fortunately kept/rescued the other dog.

Sympathy for the Devil (2023)

Thrilling, but the ending is evil

[4/10 · 29 January 2024]

Spoiler alert for the following: The movie is thrilling and entertaining, no doubt, and the actors are good, in particular Nicolas Cage, until / but then the ending makes you sick. There is deep talk of God and justice, and then the disgusting murderer of a (dumb, but) innocent woman, an uninvolved girl and innocent rabbits is allowed to get away scot-free and be happy with his family?? Yes, that's right, there is no good, just God, and the evil beings are rewarded and the good guys are punished, but that doesn't make the movie enjoyable. This trend of having movies end in evil and disgusting ways has never made sense and is dead by now, stop it. I have no sympathy for this devil. More decency please.

Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)

Entertaining and done with love

[9/10 · 28 January 2024]

I have to admit I never played the game, therefore I might not be as critical as other fans, but I have known the characters for a long time and found them fascinating therefore I was looking forward to watch the movie. It is not the greatest movie of all times, but it is entertaining, you can feel that every detail was made with love and honoring the original charcters (as far as I can judge), I was happy to see Matthew Lillard again, and also Mary Stuart Masterson, even if her character was not a fortunate one. I can imagine some fans of the game are thrown off by the socio-dramatic elements of the story, but I think it was well-done all in all. I enjoyed diving into Freddy's world, I hope a potential/planned second part won't ruin the impression, like it happens often recently.

Deinfluencer (2022)

Noble and good - and not valued I am sure

[10/10 · 11 December 2023]

Hallelujah, it's possible, there are current intelligent horror movies. And I'm talking about really intelligent movies here, not the kind of intelligent Saw has always been labeled - how intelligent is it/how is a person supposed to value their life by being forced to massively hurt and harm themselves? That's just sick. A lot of people like that, no doubt, but it's not intelligent. And Jigsaw is certainly not a hero or cool. Completely different from Charles in Deinfluencer, this movie is really clever and deals with a red-hot and extremely important topic: social media and its negative effects (on everyone), and Charles does a great job. It was clear to me from the start what was happening, or rather I had hoped it would go that way, but it is still exciting and extremely satisfying and meaningful, which cannot be said about many current (just disgusting) horror movies. So why does Saw have an audience of millions and 9 sequels (where nothing relevant/new is ever added) while this fine little film is an insider tip, if anything. Not because it isn't as intelligent as Saw, but because Deinfluencer is actually intelligent, and Saw is just bloody and disgusting. And it doesn't matter how believable the happenings are, since the movie has a noble goal. How many movies besides Erin Brockovich are realistic? Not every horror film has to be clever, but when a horror film is as sensible and good as Deinfluencer, it's very pleasing at times. Thank you for that and please more like it, even if the majority don't appreciate it.

Wolf Creek (2016–2017)

S1 - 8 stars; movies and S2 - 0 stars

[8/10 · 24 November 2023]

(Warning: spoilers ahead) I had seen the two movies and found them unconvincing, but what's even more telling is that I can't remember much about the content/anything. The series will leave a much greater impression on me, not because of the perverted Mick, but because of the great, strong Eve, and also the sweet dog. Consequently, since Eve is no longer there in the second season, I will spare me this one. I'm shocked, to say the least, at how many viewers have positive comments about Mick - you can have different opinions about evil, a perverted psychopath who tortures and kills people and animals who have done nothing to him, taking away their lives and the family members and the peace from their families, must, by any definition, be considered evil and not cool. Everything else is crazy, and hopefully I'm not the only one who sees it that way. His background story doesn't change my rejection of him one bit, it doesn't justify such atrocities against innocent people, on the contrary, he should have felt like he had to repent. And I don't find him funny at all, not in the movies and not in the series. Who can laugh watching something like that... I like to watch horror films, as long as the evil is being seen as evil, is rejected and, if possible, defeated in the end. For me, letting evil win and seeing it as good is, yes I'll say it again, because that's how people and interactions are structured, crazy. Exception: Final destination: Death, who is invincible, wins here, that's understandable, but at least the convention here, and all viewers probably think that, is that death is evil, not cool. Neither Hannibal Lecter, nor Jigsaw, nor Mick, nor Michael Myers etc. Are cool, but those who fight them are cool. Eve is cool as hell and tough and amazing and mostly clever, and maintains her decency and humanity through everything she has to go through - that's an achievement, not the perverse, sadistic slaughter. This is, as the dear old gentleman aptly says: (the work of) a demon. And whoever admires and cheers him on, well, I already said it. However, unfortunately it doesn't last all the way to the end, the makers just have to add disgusting horrors every now and then, the poor rat being eaten by the snake, the hand, and also the fact that Eve suddenly becomes so disgusting and kills the rabbit in the last episode, but at least that's what makes it easier to say goodbye to her. And this is why I did not give 10 points, I deduct one for the rabbit (and the other animals), and one because the occasional lapses in Eve's otherwise intelligent behavior can previously be explained by emotion, but the fact that she suddenly stops at the end, that she doesn't make double or triple sure that that the monster that she has followed for so long and arduously, that has taken so much from her and continues to pose a danger to innocent people, is actually dead and rendered harmless, this is not credible. Eve gets to act surprisingly clever for a woman in a horror film, but this ending is bananas. Sloppy, to allow evil to continue to live - and then the insertion of Madonna's image - what nonsense, as if a Madonna would allow such a monster to tyrannize the earth. No, that was nothing, at least they gave Eve and the dog a good ending - 8 for that. 10 if they made a movie that follows Eve and the dog and the nice trucker lady on their way through Australia, without killer and atrocities.

Die Hexenprinzessin (2020 TV Movie)

Perfectly cast and filmed and done

[10/10 · 19 November 2023]

The now traditional fairy-tales-turned-into-movies series by the German public TV stations are all exquisite, I liked this in particular, since it is a bridge between the traditional fairy tales and the more up-to-date fantasy stuff like (even) Game of thrones. The story is great, fun+adventure+romance+great scenery, cute animals in addition, the cast is excellent (many great names like Ken Duken, Jana Pallaske, Jürgen Vogel etc.), the soundtrack likewise. For me the message is female power (and loyalty) through all the female characters (including the cute rat) and on the side some arrogant men (king, prince) are being taught a lesson, but without embarassing them, and ending in reconciliation. And like others wrote: since this is a new character and being introduced as a prince from a country far away, it does not feel unnatural / coerced / out of place that the prince is black, and the actor is doing a fine job / is the right choice. Cripping and entertaining and a lot of heart - wonderful addition to the fairy tale movie-series.

Fright Night (2011)

The perfect remake, the perfect (vampire) movie

[10/10 · 18 October 2023]

A perfect movie, a perfect remake. If you have to do a remake, this is how it should be done. Keeping the characters, the mood, the message or core of the original and just freshen it up a bit with some elements like the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel show instead of a mildly dusty old TV show, cast great performers like the great and so sadly late Anton Y., the always perfect Toni C., the cute and talented Imogen P., etc., and as a nice touch tipping the hat to the original by giving Chris S. A cameo. Thrilling suspense, hilariously funny, great entertainment for everybody and a feast for all vampire fans. Perfect!!

Caveman (II) (2023)

Smart, entertaining, a perfect solution - don't miss

[10/10 · 9 August 2023]

I was very suspicious when beginning this movie. Often gender-topic movies are maddening clichés that nobody learns something from. But this one is different. It is a well-written, round approach that plays with clichés, but makes sure it understands that they are clichés. And the conclusion is as simple as it is true: nobody should be seen and treated as a member of a group, but as the individuals they/we are. This simple action would solve many problems. The cast (Martina Hill, Wotan Wilke Moehring, ...) is superb, in particular the cameo/short appearances like the one by Juergen Vogel (the window washing battling scene and the scene when they start taking off their shirts - hilarious) and Guido Kretschmer (Guido? Can I order a pizza?) and the most wonderful Thomas Herrmanns (if you get the chance, watch the DVD-bonus-interviews with the cast and in particular with Thomas Herrmanns, he perfectly sums up why this is a successful movie). Entertaining, smart and the perfect solution - all thumbs up!

Blueback (2022)

A most beautiful, perfect movie

[10/10 · 9 August 2023]

Wow, simply wow is what I thought when watching this movie. I hardly cry, but this movie brought tears into my eyes. And it is due to the wonderful images of the ocean and its marine life, sure, but more than this it is the story between mother and daughter. I would have loved to have such a mother who understands that raising a child means raising them to be an independent and courageous person. Two brave and big-hearted women, wonderful scenes with beautiful fish, a message to save the oceans, also some natural diversity in the cast - a perfect movie. Maybe a bit too heavy for very little children (dramatic scenes when the fish are hunted and the grave topic of strokes), otherwise a perfect movie for the whole family.

Langer Samstag (1992)

A perfect movie that is more than meets the eye

[10/10 · 4 August 2023]

Not many movies age well. This one gets better every time I see it, I discover more and more qualities every time. And it is more than meets the eye. It is a comedy, a crime story, a fine character study, it is thrilling, clever and most of all, it is pure fun, thanks to the most wonderful Gisela Schneeberger, Campino and all the other good actors/actresses. It has heart (the ending/solution is superb) and speed, it is everything you can ask for. A shame it did not nearly get the attention it deserves. If you get a chance to watch it, I can only recommend it. You will not regret giving it a shot.

Mein Freund das Ekel (2021– )

Moving, funny, diverse - this is how it is done

[10/10 · 18 July 2023]

No doubt, this is a story about everyday people and yet an extraordinary friendship, with heart and wit, but it achieves even more. For different reasons filmmakers currently strive for more diversity, however, the diversity meant to include often excludes others instead, often the diversity feels coerced and unnatural, and the story is being neglected. But now and then there are good examples, like Ocean's 8 or this gem of a TV show - it features old and young, physically challenged and not challenged people of different ethnicities without shutting anybody out or defaming any groups. And it comes along in a natural, believable and most of all very positive, likable way. The story is not spectacular, but the everyday theme makes it even more gripping and touching. And there is a lot of clever humor, shedding light on the different characters without ridiculing them. A great success, due to the good combination of a great story and a great cast, led by the wonderful Alwara Hoefels and cult actor and comedian and probably oldest participant in a Masked singer version Dieter Hallervorden.

Winterkartoffelknödel (2014)

Always wonderful and now with Ludwig

[10/10 · 18 June 2023]

Another great/cultic Eberhofer-crime story, again filled with wonderful, quirky, strange, hilarious characters and situations, a thrilling case and - finally - Ludwig, the cute Eberhofer-dog. No wonder this series is so incredibly successful, besides the great story and cast there is the beautiful camera work and a fitting score. The characters sometimes remind me of Shameless, since there are no boundaries, they drink, they smoke, there is politically incorrect talk, etc., but it is never obscene and close to life and raw and real, this is what entertains and is fun and true. Like in the other installments there is the wonderful granny again, the pretty and (by Franz) grief-stricken Susi, and moreover, this part has the wonderful Monika Gruber (known, amongst many other formats, from the equally wonderful Hubert and Staller show) in it. Sensitive souls be warned, this part is the most gory one, the first movie for example was less bloody (and maybe a bit funnier), but this is the first with the wonderful Ludwig, so I would prefer this one. As always the musical clips are both funny and a good way to fight body-shaming (just watch them all). The fourth movie is probably the best all in all, but you cannot go wrong with any of the so far 8 soon 9 Eberhofer-movies.

The Witches (2020)

Go watch the original

[1/10 · 18 June 2023]

I heard about the movie and I read some reviews and I thought I would be disappointed about the changes, but after watching the movie, I must say, despite the onesided politics, the bad thing about the movie is, that it is just bad. It is poorly done. Period. The original was scary, funny, shocking, thrilling, sometimes a bit funny and cute, but all in all fascinating. This is a Zemeckis film after all, the master of fascinating images and stories. But that's just another proof that politics - and we all know, that it has never been politics (with a cause) in order to create more political correctness, but company politics in order to earn even more money from even more / other groups of viewers - make entertainment worse. You either tell stories or you are calculating - it rarely matches. Go watch the original, so much better.

I See You (II) (2019)

Helen Hunt is great, everything else is not

[1/10 · 18 June 2023]

I like Helen Hunt and the movie sounded like a good moderate ghost story. But it is never what it seems, and in this case that's beyond disappointing. (spoiler alert for the following): I can't see it anymore. Juvenile (delinquent)s are allowed to stick themselves to the traffic lane and hinder emergency medical services and, according to a judge, even break into houses in order to protest for environmental protection, traumatized travelers are allowed to kill innocent people? Here it is juvenile delinquents who actually do something supposedly great by breaking in and hurting people (they are even, one must not overlook this, the conditio sina qua non for the death of the mother's affair). You can break in because the people you break in at are perverts anyway? Because police officers, rich people, white people are all guilty anyway? Is that the message you want to send? It's definitely the impression that this film conveys to society. As if not enough left-wing extremists attack emergency services again and again and even want to be praised for it. And of course there are always black sheep everywhere, but not in the masses, as Hollywood and the media have shown time and again for sensationalism, while other crimes are swept under the rug. Normal people are prosecuted for bad comments, but Hollywood and the media everywhere are allowed to give society a very specific, manipulated image without anyone reminding them of their great responsibility? Has it gotten that far? And the whole thing just for a cheap twist in an otherwise boring story, after all the twist is nothing new, seen many times, e.g.most recently in the equally bad Don't breath. If you can't come up with anything else/better, the responsibility is thrown in the bin - wow, a great achievement by the movie industry. No recommendation from me.

Hellboy (2019)

Completely ill-considered

[1/10 · 2 June 2023]

Such BS, I don't even know where to start, everything is wrong here. The Hellboy movies were always gibberish, but this one's just trash (and not because Ron Perlman and del Toro are missing), aside from the excessive violence and the unforgivable/depraved body shaming/ridiculing of old women, it's widely (rightful idea, but done sloppily and also annoyingly) postulated here that no one should be labeled/defamed as an outsider/evil because of their origin, but Germans and Russians continue to be trampled on/discriminated as a whole - a cynicism, in particular because other groups get their bxtts kissed, only for the reason that they want to squeeze more out of them as viewers, not for reasons of fairness (which fairness???) - and the worst thing, where you can see the lack of thoughtfulness best: if Hellboy is the best chance to save the world, then - so does the series (also /starting with the del Toro movies) postulate without realizing it - the Nazis saved the world, because they brought Hellboy into the world - how bizarre, how stupid, just a very lousy, wrong, poor piece of BS that no one needs - like most stuff coming from Hollywood nowadays.

Hubert ohne Staller (2011– )

Hubert and Staller -ignorance is bliss

[10/10 · 26 April 2023]

Ignorance is bliss- this is mostly true for the ignorant person and less bliss for the people around, but with Hubert and Staller (this critique is mainly about the first installment of the show with Staller) one can perfectly enjoy the massive ignorance and incompetence of these two originals. Ironic and self-ironic, with hilariously funny and quirky dialogues and situations, this somewhat different police show thrills viewers with gripping criminal cases but doesn't forget the easiness and fun. It is about two police officers in rural Bavaria who are sometimes lazy, sometimes ambitious but in strange ways, and they are surprisingly effective in solving the crimes in the end. This is of course in huge parts due to the help of capable back office police woman Sonja, the sassy, sometimes overambitious reporter Barbara, the soulful cafeteria/bakery owner Sabrina and last but not least the clever pathologist Anja. All these ladies are blond, and (yet) portrayed as clever and likable - and, look at this, Hollywood, the show has been and is a massive success for many years. There is diversity by naturally including the wonderful, smart Yazid - another valuable helper in solving the crimes and dryly commenting the (hilarious) actions. And by just portraying great characters and telling good stories, it excites viewers from all groups of people, I was in fact inspired to give the show a chance because it is the favorite show of Jewish friends of mine and their enthusiasm about it made me check it out - and it turned out to be addictive. Very well done and deservedly a huge success (and even continued without Staller as Hubert without Staller) - even beyond Bavaria.

Racko - Ein Hund für alle Fälle (2019–2021)

Highly appropriate (and a bliss) for children and everybody else

[10/10 · 24 April 2023]

In a time where elder people are as unattractive as never before, with media wooing a young audience (which would be fine, if it wasn't done excluding the older viewers, partly actively with the implement of modern techniques/relevant apps for shows etc., that not everybody and only few senior citizens have) it is no wonder that there are so many children programmes. But many are misused to brainwash the youngest into political views, like the germanophobic names of villains like Doofenschmirtz in Disney's Phineas and Ferb. And talking about Disney, in a what I first misunderstood as attempt to reach more diversity (I apologize for being so naive to believe it happens for moral grounds) but turned out (several websites with many comments opened my eyes) to simply be about greed (I am quoting: Disney's favorite color is green), Disney and Hollywood keep bodyshaming, shutting out, bereaving blondes/blond little girls and take away their legends to give them to someone else who would deserve legends of their own (and there are enough examples/there are many) - so far for the bad examples. Racko is how it should and can be done. Nobody is being discriminated/shut out, and yet it shows in a natural, positive way, how one can integrate diverse characters, mostly in the form of the great and believable character of the black village priest (later on also Sofia's Indian connections), without enforcing an artificial situation. The natural, round characters in combination with clever dialogues, good stories and an idyllic Bavarian scenery make Racko equally a success and highly enjoyable. And moreover, the fine female characters show that women do not have to be solely men-orientated and catty and can support each other for the sake of the truth - even if that goes against the own husband. And there is even more: on top of it all there is the wonderful dog, Racko, a German shepherd mix and the best friend of the main character, Flori. The adventures that they (and Felicitas, a brave girl and Flori's loyal friend) experience, how they solve problems and help Flori's mother and others is a bliss and appropriate for children and others alike. Highly recommendable.

Mindcage (2022)

What more can you ask for? Perfect thriller+entertainment

[10/10 · 17 April 2023]

The detail that attracted me to (buy) this movie was the fact that there was a blond woman in this movie, in a major role and not at all the villain or a bully or a dummy etc., no kidding. In a time where Hollywood most of the times gives in to an insatiable heinous hate and jealousy against blondes - based upon a physical feature, making it clearly a racist hate crime, but nevertheless supported by media makers - it is a brave and good thing to feature blondes (and not just the big, big stars you cannot shut out) in a strong, postive way. In a time where Marilyn Monroe is portrayed by a Cuban actress, Tinkerbell by an Iranian, a black Cinderella, a black Hermione Granger, a hispanic Dorothy (from Oz) etcetc., this is an act that I call respectable, a courageous feat against hate and a promise for a good story - and I was right. I had not heard about the movie before, therefore I did not know what to expect, and, boy, was I (positively) surprised/amazed. Don't get me wrong, and I have to spoiler a bit here, so stop reading if you have not seen the movie ('s ending) yet, if you follow the comparisons to Silence of the lambs (which are true for the beginning) you might be disappointed by the solution. You might even find it bananas. But for me, who pretty often knows who the killer is a couple of minutes after the start, I enjoyed that the movie took a completely different direction for the ending, which I saw not coming (since I expected something like Silence of the lambs). But even if you are not happy with the circumstances of the reveal of the killer, you might - and I did a lot - enjoy the way, the main character handles it. A great, great, and -also rare today - finally a good ending once again. And since I heard that many people thought that M. Lawrence was acting badly - I did not think that at all. I have never been a huge M. Lawrence fan, therefore I might not be his best critic, but I did like him a lot in Blue Streak, and I thought the entire cast, Melissa, Martin, Robert, John, ... did a good or even great job. I enjoyed the movie a lot, I was thrilled, gripped, entertained, surprised by the twist and satisfied by the ending - what more can you ask for? Right decision.

ER (1994–2009)

Strong beginning, decline starting with season 10

[8/10 · 13 April 2023]

ER started out as one of the most brilliant tv shows ever, gripping, sharp, clever, round character portrayals, making the stress and pain of both the patients and the treating staff tangible, mixing in the stories of the staff, but never as cheesy and repulsive like in the inappropriate and overrated Grey's Anatomy, where doctors dream about sex while cutting up patients - disgusting. And it was a really successful example how to implement real, natural diversity - all you new Hollywood productions that awfully fail trying to bring across political propaganda (and actually just raise more/different hate by doing so) while allegedly trying to integrate groups: watch this show (or anything of the last millenium): this is how it is done right (/better). And then happened what always happens, when a show is good: the makers overdo it and thereby ruin everything. With ER, in my eyes, it happened starting with season 10. They have never had restraint in killing off and hurting their (main) characters (Gant, Lucy, ...), but what they did in S10 /from S10 on and in particular to Romano was unnecessarily awful. Was Robert arrogant? Yes. But he was written to be arrogant, and in an entertaining way so. And while I would never let a Dr. House treat me, because he has no manners, I would always trust a Dr. Romano to do for me what can be done. He does not have to be punished for that - or like Pratt wrongly says: by Karma. And Pratt of all characters can't say this, since the writers also decided to make him arrogant and let this trait of him harm him and other people - I didn't like that either. I liked Benton, and I understand that they wanted to have someone to fill his place, but again: overdoing it. But this all is nothing against the most annoying and wrong and unnecessary (new) character: Neela. Season 10 could have the subhead: Much ado about Neela. But she is not that likable at all, wreaking havoc wherever she goes, bringing bad luck to everybody, while strangely and bewilderingly being put on a pedestal by the makers and being glorified over everybody else. So many die, so many leave (irreplaceable Hathaway, sympathetic Nathan, later on the wonderful Corday), but unbearable Neela stays on and on, cursing more people, while being portrayed as a saint. And then the introduction of other-themed episodes - I did understand the Greene-on-the-beach-goodbye-episode earlier, even though (I thought) it was boring, sorry, just being honest. I do recognize the intent behind the (many) Africa-episodes - doesn't make them enjoyable, however. Neither is the NICU-episode, even if angelic Abby is in it. And talking about it: what is with everybody getting pregnant all of a sudden? A shame. Another great, great series a victim of wrong decisions. Season 10/Neela was the beginning of the end.

Let the Wrong One In (2021)

Back to the roots - wonderful

[9/10 · 13 April 2023]

Another low-budget production, but with so much heart, with fresh ideas and fun, without the political infestation of nowaday soulless big Hollywood productions. The only thing I can criticize is the casual violence, sensitive viewers might be offended by. But it is a vampire and horror movie in the end, and as such it does a great job. It is not stripped of everything, it is pure, back-to-the-roots storytelling, with fun and creativity, done with love for the story and not trying to defame anybody, no political BS, like it has become popular in Hollywood, paving the way to extinction for the hateful big blockbusters and making way for gems like this. Back to the roots and, yet, the future of film.

Undeaducated (2021)

Back to the roots does the trick

[9/10 · 13 April 2023]

Unbelievable, who would have thought, this might be a little, low-budget amateur production (far from being perfect, therefore I cannot give all stars), and yet, this is the future of movies. Likable, back to the roots of storytelling (remember the success of Blair witch?), not politically infested like the hateful, defaming, soulless big Hollywood productions that have lost their way. Here, the brunette is the bullying cheerleader and the blonde is the relatively clever, sensible one, and yes, this is a change, this is progression and much closer to reality / to what people have actually been experiencing for many, many years now. The idea is not new, but it is done with heart and love and it works. It could have been a regularly long movie and it still would have been entertaining til the end. Why pay much money to be hated and attacked from the big screen? What the new blockbusters show is not how people see the world and what people want to see, it is brainwashed and brainwashing BS and nobody needs that. The little productions are the real deal and will prevail, and rightly so. Way to go.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)

Greatly entertaining and educative

[10/10 · 18 February 2023]

The first movie was bliss and the second one is greatly entertaining as well. The cast is great as before and the wondeful Helen Mirren is a good addition. And the lengths that Gates goes to to reinstate his family's name, but even more so Wilkinson's crimes to celebrate his, which he ultimately has to pay for with his life, show that it is nonsense to define yourself or somebody else by the deeds /sins of their fathers or (great) grandfathers. It is always good to help bring justice to people who have been wronged, but living in the past and punishing people for what happened far before their births - be it in the USA or in Europe - is as injust and wrong as if anybody would treat one of the many Hollywood stars with parents who have murdered as murderers themselves, it is the individual and their deeds (right now) that count, one has to live in the present and value the truth and justice, not dwell on overcome stuff since it helps selling something or some other poor reason.