Necrotongue

The Norwegian filmmakers had quite a bit of fun with this one. I enjoy these essentially minimalist movies with such subtle humor that you almost pick it up subliminally. I won't hide the fact that I'm not fond of criminals, but there was something oddly likable about the murderer Ulrik to me. The truth is, his life of freedom was almost indistinguishable from serving a sentence (his apartment was only slightly messier than a cell). Stellan Skarsgard's portrayal of the not-so-talkative Ulrik was brilliant, and the rest of the cast didn't hold back either. If it had been just a tad more bizarre, I might have given it five stars. / Lesson learned: Don't speak like a machine gun, it could be too much for the heart.

I'm genuinely puzzled now. After the previous two episodes, I had high hopes for this season, but not even Joker's appearance could salvage this latest episode. There was far too much focus on Harrison for my liking, and things took a turn for the worse when the local police chief miraculously cracked the Bay Harbor Butcher case in just one afternoon. / Lesson learned: Iron Lake might not be the best destination; the concentration of killers there is truly alarming. 3*-

Amy Schumer has always struck me more as a comedian than a potential Oscar-winning actress. Romantic comedies often come with their own set of expectations, so I didn't set the bar too high for this movie, and it pretty much met those expectations. That said, I do appreciate Amy Schumer's humor and would definitely choose her over Katherine Heigl's forced smiles any day. When I weigh the pros and cons, the film lands as a slightly above-average watch. If it hadn't focused so heavily on family values, I might have been a tad more satisfied. / Lesson learned: Being choosy isn't always a bad thing.

An undemanding yet quite entertaining Swedish movie, reminding me a bit of the Norwegian series Beforeigners. Instead of the often-used time loops, the creators opted for two-way time travel (with a relatively high frequency). While I wasn't completely sold on their take on the time paradox, I found the execution satisfying in the end. The Swedes did a commendable job capturing the essence of the 70s, and I enjoyed the journey back in time. / Lesson learned: There are advantages to having a landline. You'll realize it when you try to squash twenty cockroaches with a smartphone.

The plot slowly became more intriguing (not necessarily unpredictable), with tension building up nicely. The quality atmosphere was present throughout. The only downside, in my opinion, continues to be Harrison, who I simply can't warm up to. / Lesson learned: It's best not to bite truck drivers.

The quality of the episodes keeps fluctuating. The last one was downright awful, but now we're back to an episode with a great atmosphere, and a decent story that kept the tension alive. However, I'm left disappointed that the creators decided to involve Harrison in the plot of the ninth season; he really doesn't sit well with me here. I'd much prefer a more developed storyline for Kurt instead. Despite this, I'm satisfied with how the episode turned out. / Lesson learned: Don't be lazy, keep digging; you're sure to find something.

Well, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. The way the creators steered the storyline was quite heavy-handed. The only part I really enjoyed in the fifth episode was Kurganov's storyline. As for what was happening with Harrison, it felt like a rehash of what we've seen in the series before. The rest of the plot seemed filled with "coincidences" that were so obvious it felt like the creators were parodying themselves. Just when I was starting to think it might improve... / Lesson learned: If you don't want to be found, don't leave breadcrumbs.

This film offered a rather subtle look into the behind-the-scenes world of shooting XXX pictures, and it left me with mixed feelings. Throughout, I had the impression (or I was hoping) that the creators were trying to portray the psychological development of a budding pornstar. However, by the end, it seemed like they either abandoned this pursuit or simply couldn't quite pull it off. I felt there could have been more involvement from the editor, as the long scenes from various parties where not much happened unnecessarily extended the running time. I must admit, I was expecting a more enjoyable experience, especially considering it was set in my favorite industry. / Lesson learned: Don't overestimate your abilities.

Finally, I got to the episode that really convinced me things could work this way. Maybe it was because Jim felt more like a guide to the unfolding plot, which is finally heading in the long-anticipated direction. Well, I'll wait and see if the creators can handle it the way I imagine. / Lesson learned: Don't get into a car with a stranger (especially if they're a white heterosexual).

The plot of the third episode was quite interesting, there was some tension, and the chilling atmosphere was well done. All that was missing was Dexter himself. Jim is cut from a different cloth; he longs for family life, is oddly emotional (which is quite paradoxical), but perhaps he's just somewhat paralyzed by the constant cold. The original Dexter shines through only occasionally, and in those moments, I think maybe all is not lost, but who knows. / Lesson learned: Don't humble yourself before the strong and don't raise yourself above the weak. :-)