Necrotongue

This movie caused me quite a few problems while watching it. I grappled with the continuity of certain scenes, often getting lost in the deliberate chaos the director laid out. Thankfully, I managed to find my way back each time. On the whole, the film clicked for me. It triggered some nostalgia for my favorite Verhoeven and delivered a convincing, non-stereotypical romance that didn't grate on my nerves, topped off with a powerful ending. To sum it up, this movie easily earns four out of five stars from me. However, I can't help but feel it could've been even better if the director had trimmed down some of the unnecessary distractions (and by that, I don't mean the plot). / Lesson learned: It's nice to trust others, but sometimes you might end up with a knife in the kidney.

Yesterday, I saw the 1979 American rendition of this movie, and while it had its flaws, the creators stayed true to the book, albeit loosely at times. On the flip side, despite the correct title and character names, the new German version diverged significantly from Remarque's book. Unlike the American version, the German one painted a more realistic picture of the war—the trenches looked right, and it effectively portrayed the impersonal war machinery where soldiers were treated as mere expendables. However, the creators took the de-personalization to an extreme, resulting in flat characters (except for Paul and Katczinsky), making it difficult for me to connect with any of them. Even when they made an effort to make the battles realistic, there were lapses, like extras wandering around destroyed trenches after artillery bombardments. Fortunately, the French machine gunners were apparently on a smoke break. Putting the book aside (which is a challenge for me), it was a decently crafted film depicting the senselessness of warfare, showing the ludicrous pursuit of a two-hundred-meter strip of land, resembling the moon's surface, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides. / Lesson learned: Running towards machine guns is not a healthy sport.

Who would've thought that, as someone staunchly against political correctness, I'd end up missing Sandy? But here I am, surprised to admit it's true. The second episode didn't quite grab me; the creators leaned too heavily into a melancholic atmosphere. Despite a few decent jokes scattered throughout, they were too sparse for my liking. The gradual disappearance of characters also leaves me dissatisfied; Sandy isn't the only one. If this keeps up, I will return to my earlier opinion: the show should've wrapped up after the first season (I still suspect that was Ricky Gervais' original plan). / Lesson learned: If you're heading to a swinger party, brace yourself for anything. Seriously, anything!

I thought it wouldn't hurt to revisit this timeless piece before watching the new adaptation of Remarque's classic. Admittedly, when I first watched the movie some thirty years ago, it left a more significant impact on me than it did today. Looking at the shallow and narrow trenches with a critical eye, I couldn't take the battle scenes as seriously anymore. However, considering the film is almost fifty years old now, excessive criticism seems unwarranted. From what I observed, it's crystal clear that the creators were well-versed in the book and managed to capture its core idea masterfully. While the film didn't adhere too closely to the original (a challenge unless it was a series), I dare say the author would be content with the result. The creators skillfully incorporated all the essential ideas into the plot. Despite my minor reservations, I believe that, even after all these years, this work still deserves a solid four out of five stars. / Lesson learned: When an entire generation becomes cannon fodder, there isn't much room for humor.

The third season's first episode didn't quite reach the quality of the series' best episodes, but I was expecting worse. Tony made me laugh quite a few times, all the while resonating with my own opinions. I share his view that individuals who persistently try to help others despite active resistance can be downright unbearable. However, the true standout of the entire episode was the writer, publisher, and psychic all rolled into one. Excerpts from her work almost made me laugh my head off. / Lesson learned: Do not overwater a cactus.

This movie reminded me of similarly conceived British movies, fluctuating between three and four stars on my rating scale. The level of humor varied, with occasional significant drops but also reaching quite high levels at times. Ultimately, I settled on a weaker four-star rating, and I can't deny that the high-quality cast played a significant role in swaying my decision. Tim Curry was particularly impressive in his role, but the rest of the cast didn't disappoint either, and the casting choices played an important role. To sum it up, the movie wasn't flawless and didn't blow me away, but it did significantly improve my mood. / "You like Kipling, Miss Scarlet?"  "Sure. I'll eat anything." / "Three murders?" "Six altogether." "This is getting serious." / Lesson learned: There are moments in life when a person can't even trust themselves. 4*-

A sequel to a bad movie usually doesn't lead to improvement but rather goes the opposite way. This holds absolutely true for this movie. To be frank, it didn't even feel like a movie. It played out like a series of disjointed scenes, lacking even the cohesiveness of a (terrible) story. All the while, I couldn't help feeling that Croatians might have financed this farce as bait for Czech and Slovak tourists. In that case, this ninety-minute commercial served its purpose because the beauty of Croatia was the only redeeming factor for me. The story was practically nonexistent. The wedding in Croatia wasn't the real focus. The dialogues were truly desperate, and during the "humorous" scenes, I found myself yearning to be there so I could bang my head against the rocks. The word I'm looking for is "pathetic," and the only thing that put me in a good mood was when I gave it a Boo! rating. / Lesson learned: If you're looking for a thrill, try bouncing on a trampoline in a hang-glider.

The fourth episode didn't quite do it for me, even though the Janitor did his best. The others left him hanging, and he struggled without their support. Granted, real hospitals aren't usually fun places, and I don't mind acknowledging that. However, I still believe that a sitcom should primarily focus on humor. When it takes a more serious turn, it shouldn't just be tugging at your heartstrings. / Lesson learned: Be decisive.

An intriguing Hungarian look into the life of a less-than-law-abiding family. In my view, it turned out great. The first season delivered the best plot, the second season had the best opening credits, and the third, while the weakest, still held up well. However, the Hungarians fell into the same trap as the Romanians in Umbre (TV series) (2014). With each subsequent season, they tried to introduce something extra, which wasn't the best idea, making the show gradually lose its original credibility. / Lesson learned: Crime is wrong, but when you get to pack euros into quarter-ton bundles, it makes you think...

I have mixed feelings about the third season, as the individual episodes led to the widest range of ratings I've ever given since watching this series. Except for the seventh episode, none of the others outright disappointed me. Some pleased me, while others were, unfortunately, mediocre. Things somehow settled down in the end; however, the third season was the weakest for me because the creators stretched it too much, and I prefer the original minimalism. / Lesson learned: Appetite comes with eating, so let's not turn it into a luxurious feast. 3*+