jbencker Reviews

Hotel Artemis (2018)

Mess of a film despite great potential

[4/10 · 2 August 2020]

The film had a lot of potential: it has an interesting premise and setting as well as a great cast. However, this isn't enough to make this mess of a film work.

Though things are set up to build suspense, the film completely fails at the execution. There is no suspense at all, instead the film meanders along. Things just.....happen. If there were at least any interesting characters to make up for this, but no. It really isn't that hard to make the audience root for or care for flat characters, action movies have done this forever, but somehow Hotel Artemis failed to make me care what happens to any character in this film. Everyone but Jodie Foster's character is a walking clique, the worst of all Sofia Boutella's character (a hot, deadly assassin who seems cold but has feelings for a hot guy she shares a past with - seriously?) and Charlie Day's and Jeff Goldblum's talents are completely wasted.

Hotel Artemis wasn't ever going to be a profound film with complex storytelling and characters, but rather a fun piece of entertainment. It is fine to be mindless entertainment, sometimes you just want to turn your brain off and watch a fun movie. But this is not what Hotel Artemis is, because that would imply the film was in any way entertaining.

Breakout Kings (2011–2012)

Entertaining as long as you don't think too hard about it

[8/10 · 10 July 2020]

This is one of the shows where your enjoyment depends on your suspension of disbelief. Is the premise ludicrous? Yes. Of course law enforcement would not recruit convicts for a fugitive task force and let them run around without even an electronic tag. And, yes, there are some more plotholes. But if you're willing to just go with it, you will be entertained. Fortunately, the show doesn't take itself too seriously. In one episode there is a storyline threatening the positions of the cons, who then argue about how easily replaceable each of them is - clearly the writers know this is not a serious drama and are willing to make a bit fun of themselves.

There is a lot of action, comedic elements, and it's interesting to see all the different prison breaks - which are sometimes more, sometimes less plausible. What makes the show interesting, though, is the tension between the crew. Working as a team requires trust, but of course there's a lot of mistrust between the convicts and the marshals. Moreover, the cons have to keep check on each other as well, since they all pay if one of them tries to flee.

This is all in all pretty entertaining, nut nothing special. What really makes the show worth watching is Jimmi Simpson. While the whole cast does a great job, Jimmi Simpson carries the show, and his portrayal easily makes his character the most compelling. The writers seem to have realized this, focusing on his character in season 2.

Sadly the show was cancelled after season 2, leaving off with a cliffhanger, but if you want to watch an entertaining, suspenseful show with interesting characters without having to think much, I'd suggest you give this show a shot.

Fahrenheit 11/9 (2018)

Interesting and engaging but incoherent

[7/10 · 26 July 2019]

Fahrenheit 9/11 starts with Trump ( and it's honestly beyond me how anyone could watch that disturbing sequence about him and his daughter and feel anything but repulsion), and then claims to pursue how things could go so far. However, what follows is not a coherent picture of modern America, but rather a series of different issues like the Flint water crisis, the West Virginia teacher strike, and the Parkland school shooting and its fallout which speak for disenchantment with politics on the one side, but show civil activism on the other side. While these issues are very illuminating and engaging, showing the horrible way the government treats its people, and certainly should be revealed to a larger audience, the relation to Trump sometimes feels very flimsy. I got the impression Moore was working on a film project when Trump happened and tried to connect his material with Trump in hindsight.

Moore - as usual - does not mince words and criticizes both the Republicans and the Democrats, showcasing their connections to the economic sector and the way the undermine the democratic process. But Moore is also self-critical and recognizes his own failings. In line with this, Moore often holds back and lets others speak.

As it is the nature of political documentaries, Fahrenheit 11/9 is highly manipulative. Moore clearly knows how to evoke a strong emotional response in his viewers. I, for one, was very stricken throughout the film. But one should always be aware that this is a highly manipulative and ideological piece and employ critical thinking. The Trump/Hitler comparison is certainly problematic. While Moore concedes at first that comparisons with Hitler are problematic but that similar patterns are apparent - and this is definitely true - he completely undermines this reasoning by cutting together images of Hitler with a soundtrack of Trump. Also, every German high school student could probably tell him that the picture he paints of pre-WWII Germany is not right at all.

In conclusion I would say Fahrenheit 11/9 makes for an interesting and engaging film, shining light on very important issues, however it has an incoherent structure and the relation between some issues and Trump are quite dubious. Moreover, you should always be aware of the underlying ideology.

Another Period: President Bellacourt (2018) Season 3, Episode 11

Season 3

[8/10 · 12 April 2019]

Season 3 started where the last season left off: Chair/Seline is gone, Commodore is broke now that Dodo has taken his money, and Hortense is believed to be dead. These things are resolved in the first episode and status quo is quickly re-established with Dodo buying back the house from the bank and Hortense reappearing.

As in the previous seasons Lillian and Beatrice are obsessed with becoming famous, Frederick is his usual stupid self, and Peepers is still in love with Dodo. This season there are however some developments character-wise, as season 3 is a bit more serialized and there are actual character arcs which the previous seasons lacked due to their concern with reestablishing status quo after each episode. Storylines these season include Peeper and Dodo's relationship, Frederick and Beatrice's relationship and Frederick's presidental campaign. There are of course still episodic plotlines featuring various members of the ensemble cast.

As always Lillian and Beatrice are the main focus, followed by Frederick, Peepers and Dodo. Albert and Victor meanwhile only appear in the first half of the season. Blanche on the other hand thrives this season as she has a few interesting storylines. The other characters, as usual, appear with sometimes minor, sometimes major roles.

As always the humour is pitch-black and the series goes to truly dark places at times. Humour is used for social commentary of both past and present times, revealing the social wrongs of the early 1900s and today, though this season hints at the present state of things much more overtly.

As the series was cancelled, "President Bellacourt" is now the series finale, which - despite cliffhangers - works surprisingly well. This is due to important revelations and developments of the characters: Lillian, who was actually happy during her amnesia, remembers and finally gets what she has always wanted - becoming famous. Beatrice and Frederick realize being together is the thing they want most, with Frederick actually coming himself to the conclusion that Beatrice and the mystery woman are the same and Beatrice realizing that Lillian has always needed fame much more than she did. Ending the series with the catastrophe of Frederick becoming president is very fitting and in keeping with the tone of the series.

Archer: Archer Dreamland: Auflösung (2017) Season 8, Episode 8

Season 8: A darker reinvention, very well-made

[9/10 · 12 April 2019]

Season 8 reinvents Archer again - but this time on a more fundamental level as it takes place in Archer's coma dream, featuring a new setting as well as all characters in new roles. The 1940s noir setting fits very well and it is refreshing to see the characters in new roles. All character reinventions are great, though for me Krieger stood out as his role has an interesting twist.

The new season is much darker, with both Archer and Krieger getting WWII flashbacks and Woodhouse's murder running throughout the whole season - even if Archer keeps getting distracted. This also makes for a surprisingly emotional season. Still, season 8 keeps the typical Archer elements we all know and love, like Krieger's crazy experiments - I'm not sure if it was just me but I found the robot cat just hilarious - Cheryl being insane, Archer's alcohol and drug abuse, rampant violence and so on. The darker tone fits Archer really well and the serialized form worked perfectly, making this season the best in years.

As a German I also have to pay my compliments to Lucky Yates. For someone who doesn't speak German at all he did really, really well with his German lines - which were a lot this season. I know native English speakers who have learned German for years and have a much stronger accent.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: Nice Jacket (2017) Season 2, Episode 10

Season 2: Weird, crazy, awesome character arcs

[9/10 · 11 April 2019]

Season 2 was as weird, crazy, and awesome as Season 1. The season starts with an overview of the situations of the characters we know and love from season 1 and introduces the new settings Bergsberg, Wendimoor and Blackwing with its new characters, setting up the new mystery. There are again a number of different storylines, but this season is much easier to follow as we already know a lot of the characters and storylines intersect relatively soon, with Panto meeting Dirk &Co and Amanda getting involved in Wendimoor.

Season 2 sets up a whole new genre, while there are still elements of Science Fiction, it's mostly fantasy. Max Landis clearly had a lot of fun with this genre, as he thought up crazy things. Pink haired people and scissor-swords sound insane but it really works. Landis also plays with the genre as the fantasy world of Wendimoor is disrupted by things like machine guns and cars. The mystery was again puzzling and weird, with both the viewers and the characters left clueless, though it was a bit more transparent than in season 1. Plot-wise I also had a bit of an issue with the Deus Ex Machina moment of Francis, whose god-like powers make me uncomfortable as he can basically do anything in Wendimoor.

But what I love most about this series and what makes it so terrific are the characters. We are introduced a few new interesting characters who are immediately compelling: Susie Borton - much like Todd last season - functions as POV character, whose normal, somewhat lacking life is interrupted by the weird and supernatural. Just like Todd, we are at first on her side, perceiving her as one of the good if unlucky guys, only to discover her problems are of her own making. But unlike Todd she doesn't realize her own failings and turns not to the better but the worse. It is fun watching her turn into a crazy, evil witch.

Hobbs and Tina are the best fictional law enforcement characters ever. They are just both so likeable and awesome! With nothing much to do in Bergsberg, they hilariously jump at the opportunity to solve the mystery together with Dirk. Standing out are their interactions with Farah, who has her own complicated relationship to law enforcement and is clearly discomforted by their unprofessionalism, creating both funny and touching scenes.

But the best is the character development of the characters established in season 1: We've already seen Todd develop throughout season 1, as he finally confessed his lies to Amanda. Now that he has pararibulitis and both Amanda and Dirk are missing, Todd copes by following Dirk's belief of the universe and after being reunited Todd is very much the driving force behind Dirk. But this is not entirely unselfish: Todd needs to belief Dirk because Dirk is the only shot he has at finding Amanda and making things up to her. What Max Landis has beautifully realized in his writing of Todd is that humans are intrinsically flawed and that they don't change overnight. Todd is clearly a better person than before, but he is not completely changed.

Dirk on the other hand has a crisis of faith. Traumatized by his time in Blackwing and discouraged in the face of the bad things that happened to him and his friends, he spents a lot of time running away from the case. If season 1 was about Dirk's longing for friends, season 2 is about what it means for him to have friends. Struggling with what he is, Dirk is afraid of losing his friends to the danger he always finds himself in. Ultimately he can only overcome his fears by accepting who he is and confronting his past. Dirk's storyline is very poignant and Samuel Barnett does a terrific job, managing to be both funny and tragic at the same time.

Farah's storyline this season is all about accepting herself. Realizing she is one of the freaks is a defining moment for Farah this season and the way she realized this was done so well, as her relationship with Todd does in no way define her but helps her realize this about herself. Through Hobbs and Tina she also gets to actually be a member of law enforcement, what she always had wanted, which makes for some very touching moments.

Amanda's storyline is very much one of empowerment as we see her turn her pain into magic. Initially introduced as a very vulnerable character it is great to see her becoming a magic badass, leading the Rowdy 3. Also, her fractured relationship with Todd is being explored in an engaging way.

But the most unexpected and brilliant character arcs are those of Friedkin and Ken, who at the end have completely switched roles. The season starts with an overwhelmed Friedkin who doesn't quite know what to do with the subjects and a powerless Ken who tries to tell Friedkin that confining them won't work. But when Friedkin asks Ken for help, giving him all the files, Ken begins to get more power, working himself up in Blackwing until he takes it completely over, now unwilling to let anyone go, while Friedkin has realized the error of his ways.

Bart has plotwise not much to do, spending most of the time imprisoned, but she has an interesting character arc. Missing Ken, who was her only friend, she refuses to do the universe's bidding. She develops a wonderful, heartwarming friendship with Panto, but tragically ends up at Blackwing again, perceiving herself as too dangerous. With Ken no longer on her side, Bart is completely alone as it is shown in her last heartbreaking scene.

The season ends quite conclusively, with all major storylines being concluded. Still, there are some open questions and suggestions that were supposed to be pursued in season 3. Sadly, Dirk Gently got cancelled, but at least these two seasons can be enjoyed.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: Girl Power (2017) Season 2, Episode 6

Things are spiraling out of control

[9/10 · 11 April 2019]

Susie Borton's love spell derailed everyone's (even her own) plans, resulting in an orgy whose amusing aftermath we see with a bunch of people waking up dirty and half-naked at the Sheriff's station, leaving it to the viewers imagination what exactly happened. Dirk, Todd, Farah and Tina try at their original plan, getting Susie to come in via her son, but it does not work out as Susie knows they're bluffing and has now completely lost it. Amanda Walsh brilliantly plays Susie, having now crossed over to crazy evil witch, her self-centeredness turning into hate for everyone, yelling manically and later at the hospital even turning into something else entirely.

Meanwhile Ken has furthered his advancement in Blackwing, obtaining another clearance from the - as always - hilariously stupid Friedkin which means bad things for Dirk & Co as Ken is actually competent. The appearance of Blackwing in Bergsberg and the fact that Hobbs is missing leads to Tina and especially Dirk panicking. Dirk's crisis intensifies as he gets increasingly worked up about the danger they're in and his wish for this case to be over. Dirk's rant about having solved the case, declaring Arnold Cardenas as The Boy, is both incredibly comical and tragic. Max Landis as writer and Samuel Barnett as performer have created an incredible scene which is at the one hand insanely funny but at the other hand so tragic, as Dirk is clearly traumatized and dangerously nearing a meltdown. After Arnold is killed by Susie and Priest is after them, Dirk's trauma truly overwhelms him and in a heartbreaking scene he gives up, terrified and despondent. As much as this episode drives the plot forward, it is ultimately very character-driven. Dirk's crisis dominates this episode with Dirk faltering and Todd trying to keep him going. Samuel Barnett does a brilliant job playing Dirk, being both very funny and tragic.

Another Period (2013–2018)

Inventive concept with a hefty dose of black humour

[9/10 · 9 April 2019]

"Another Period" takes place in Newport in the early 1900s, centering around the obscenely rich Bellacourt family, in particular the sisters Lillian and Beatrice who desperately want to become famous - it is basically a reality TV show set in a time in which being famous was much more difficult. Shot in mockumentary style, the series makes fun of both contemporary reality TV stars as well as the realities of early 20th century and the way these are usually portrayed in dramas.

While the show centers around Beatrice and Lillian, there is an ensemble cast consisting of both the self-centered Bellacourts and their subjugated servants, who have, in large parts, painfully internalized their subservient status. The characters are all funny in their own way, and the actors do a great job. Standing out for me are Paget Brewster as the morphine-addled mother Dodo and Michael Ian Black as the butler Mr. Peepers who are just so hilarious.

The characters are mostly terrible - which makes it so funny. It is just so much fun seeing those terrible people being stupid and tripping over their own feet. The humour is generally pitch-black and often reveals the terrible social conditions of women, the poor, and colored people of the time. The jokes deal with subject matters like rape, misogyny, racism, abuse. If you're a fan of black humour you will find this series hilarious, if not the show is probably not for you.

Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Charming cartoon mini-series

[8/10 · 7 April 2019]

"Over the Garden Wall" starts with the moody teenager Wirt and his lively little brother Greg getting lost in the woods. Over the course of the ten episodes of the mini-series they try to find a way home, encountering a number of quirky people. But they're not alone, there is a Beast prowling around the woods and it is stalking the brothers....

The series creates a spooky atmosphere that wanes from time to time in favour of funny interludes but is ultimately maintained throughout the series. The gloomy setting and tone is however not too scary for kids, and there's usually a balance between the funny and the scary bits in each episode.

The series tends also to include songs, these musical interludes might not be for everyone.

Combining episodic and serialized storytelling the series features a number of smaller as well as a couple of big twists. The main characters are not just types, they are multi-layered characters that actually develop through the course of the series. They are also brilliantly voiced: It was a good decision to let Greg being voiced by an actual child named Collin Dean who wonderfully manages to get across his character's childish wonder and optimism. Elijah Wood and Melanie Linskey do a great job with dramatic Wirt and pragmatic Beatrice and their chemistry while bickering is palpable. The Beast is also perfectly voiced by Samuel Ramsey who has the evil. dangerous creature voice down pat.

All in all, "Over the Garden Wall" is a very well made cartoon that can be enjoyed not only by the children it's aimed at but also adults.

The OA: Overview (2019) Season 2, Episode 8

Mindbending

[9/10 · 29 March 2019]

The last five minutes were just jaw-dropping. I sat there completely stunned, going WTF?! Thinking back, there were huge hints: Scott's NDE in which OA was called Brit and Hap had an English accent; Hap telling OA they were going somewhere everyone would call her OA but she would't believe. I wasn't able to connect these dots because - this is not a place shows usually go (expect if you're an interactive Black Mirror episode or Supernatural making fun of itself). While I think this is an interesting set-up, I get that some will be apprehensive. Actors playing versions of themselves is a tricky thing, especially if it's not for comedic value.

Season 2 on the whole was really good. Introducing Karim and the mysterious house played out very well, and it was great to see his and OA's storylines intersect. The puzzles and mysteries were well-elaborated, adding pieces bit by bit, creating tension and keeping us viewers guessing. Thankfully there were not only puzzles and questions but we also got some answers - which were sorely needed: no show can work solely on the basis of unanswered questions. The acting was terrific, as in the first season. Jason Isaacs brilliantly plays Hap as a multi-layered villain, showing his dark, but also his vulnerable, his curious side.

The season ended on a fantastic note with Hap believing he finally has everything, only for Steve, who made it over, to thwart his plans. It was such a powerful moment when Steve - finally! - caught up to the ambulance this time and locked eyes with Hap. These two are set up as opponents for the next season and I'm very excited to see where this goes.

The Haunting of Hill House: Silence Lay Steadily (2018) Season 1, Episode 10

Unsatisfying Finale

[6/10 · 21 March 2019]

A lot of the reviewers here seem to think the finale episode was either perfect or absolutely horrible. I for one think the finale was certainly subpar in comparison to the rest of the series but it wasn't completely abysmal.

The series brilliantly built up the tension and created an eerie atmosphere. Hill House virtually became an own character - a sinister one, stalking the Crain family, so naturally I expected a great climax. But there was no real confrontation, only Hill House killing Hugh, mentally torturing the siblings...and then letting them go. Generally I liked the explanation about the room with the red door but at the end it didn't matter because this revelation didn't have any consequences or impact, it was just information. Generally, there was a lack of consequences. After all the house has done to the Crane family there should have at least been some sort of active fight against it, instead of running away and then letting it in peace, only so that the Dudley's can see their daughter. At the end they tried to frame Hill House as not evil by Mrs. Dudley choosing to die there in order to be with her child but after a whole series of seeing the horrible influence and terrible damage Hill House created this doesn't work.

I know the writers wanted to end the show with a happy note, and I respect that decision and the message they wanted to get across. But there is a difference between a happy ending and and a downright utopian ending. After all they have gone through, after the loss of both Nell and their father it just isn't realistic that all of their lives are that happy and fulfilled. There were plenty of possibilities to have a happy ending without exaggerating it. Some nuance would have benefited the ending.

Derry Girls (2018–2022)

Funny and original

[9/10 · 21 February 2019]

I usually stay away from shows and films about teenagers because I always get annoyed by the lame teenage drama, but the trailer of Derry Girls made the impression this would not be the usual teenage comedy and I can only agree after watching the show. There's no endless relationship drama or age-old clichés but instead the show is about the idiotic things a group of friends gets up to. The characters are original and fresh, each funny in their own way, working very well together. Standing out for me was Siobhan McSweeney as Sister Michael who is just so done with her students; her facial expressions are hilarious. But what really makes the show special is its setting. Set in the 90s in Northern Ireland it draws on a very specific historical situation (the Northern Ireland conflict) and transforms it brilliantly for comedy.

The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)

Superhero family drama

[7/10 · 18 February 2019]

The Umbrella Academy mixes the superhero genre with family drama, with the latter being the more engaging element.

The show gives the viewers a wide assortment of different characters to identify or sympathize with - though some characters can definitely come across as annoying. All characters have their own history and traumas that are explored so that they are all given depth. This is very remarkable for a show with six main characters and ten episodes. Some network shows with 22 episodes per season can only dream of such rounded characters.

The family element is the more compelling part of the show as the superhero element is - as much as it tries to portray itself otherwise - very conventional and for people who are familar with the genre easy to predict. There's more cynicism and the characters are more edgy than in the stereotypical superhero narrative but plotwise it is very recognizable: Leonard/Harold was given a very sterotypical backstory: once humiliated by the hero after which his admiration turned into hate. Vanya's storyline wasn't very surprising as well. The apparently powerless person having powers after all is nothing knew and of course this powers burst out in a major way after years of repression and isolation. If Reginald had ever picked up a comic book he would know that suppressing someone's power never ends well.

This doesn't mean the show is bad, I had much fun watching it. It is a very entertaining show but it isn't as original as it wants to be and if you're somewhat familiar with the genre you probably won't be surprised plot-wise.

Line of Duty: The Caddy (2014) Season 2, Episode 6

Season 2

[9/10 · 13 February 2019]

After a police convoy escorting a civilian in witness protection is attacked with three police officers dying AC-12 begins to investigate. They soon suspect DC Lindsey Denton who was the only police officer surviving the attack. The team struggles in this investigation not only due to their clever suspect but their own indiscretions.

Season 2 is even better than the first season. While we follow again the investigated person this time we never see her doing anything truly incriminating. As the viewers know only marginally more about Denton than the team they are constantly kept on their toes, questioning whether she is guilty or not. Jed Mercurio masterfully manipulates the viewer, repeatedly shifting our view of Denton. Throughout the series a tense atmosphere is maintained, keeping the viewers continuously on the edge of their seats, eagerly following the story's twists and turns. Especially the interrogation scenes are filled with tension in a way no other tv show is capable of.

Would I Lie to You? (2007– )

Funniest British Panel Show

[9/10 · 11 January 2019]

"Would I Lie to You" is an insanely funny British panel show that will have you laughing out loud every episode. It stars Rob Brydon as host and David Mitchell and Lee Mack as team captains who are joined by two contestants each, either comedians or other TV personalities. The contestants have to read out a statement they've never seen before and the opposing team has to decide if they're lying or telling the truth. There also comes a guest to the show and each member of one team claims to know him and the opposing team has to decide which one has the genuine connection to the guest.

While the show's format alone makes it funny, it's Rob, David and Lee that really make the show: David and Lee work very well together as their TV personalities are in contrast and their banter is just hilarious. David shines with his rants and his dry, pedantic logic while Lee is incredibly witty and imaginative. Rob is effortlessly charismatic, acting either as mediator, instigator or participant depending on what the situation demands.

What makes the show so great is the fact that while it may be fun to guess if the stories are the truth or a lie, a large enjoyment stems from the stories themselves: they're often so interesting and funny that their facticity becomes a side issue. This - of course - depends on the contestants. Some are more skilled than others at telling stories in a funny and engaging way, though generally comedians are better at this. Kevin Bridge's horse story is mostly regarded as the most funny story, followed by the stories of Bob Mortimer, Greg Davies, Rhod Gilbert and Henning Wehn.

Was It Something I Said? (2013)

Funny - Sadly cancelled too soon

[9/10 · 4 January 2019]

"Was it Something I Said?" is a British comedy panel show starring David Mitchell as host and Richard Ayoade as well as Mickey Flanagan as team captains. Each episode there are two guest contestants as well as a reader, either comedians or other TV personalities.

The show centers - as the title suggests - around quotations. In the first round the teams are given a quote and three famous persons and have to chose which person out of the three said the given statement. In the second round the teams are given a few key words of famous quotes and have to give the whole quotations. In the third round each team is given a quote and have to decide if David Mitchell, the contestants of the other team or a given famous person has said it.

The show is very funny and in my opinion one of the best panel shows. David Mitchell does a very good job as the host though he seems a bit toned down now that he's the host. He doesn't break out in one of his patented David Mitchell rants but he is still very funny, giving dry remarks and bantering with the contestants. Richard Ayoade is as always hilariously funny with his very dry humor. Mickey Flanagan with his more coarse humor and bad impressions fits well as a contrast to them. The show is so funny because of the chemistry of the participants. They all seem genuinely to have fun and there's no contestant that wasn't funny at all or totally annoying . The format of the show gives plenty opportunity for banter and there's always something funny to say about the quotations.

Sadly the show was cancelled after the first season so there are only eight episodes but I definitely recommend watching those. They are all uploaded on YouTube so people who are not from the UK have the opportunity to watch it as well.

The Good Place: Janet(s) (2018) Season 3, Episode 9

Good and Bad

[4 January 2019]

D'Arcy Carden is awesome. Her portrayal of Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason was spot-on and it was fun to see her interact with herself. Guest star Stephen Merchant playing the accountant was a joy to see as well and the whole storyline about him was funny and gave more insight in the whole point system.

But all these things can't make up for the mess that is Eleanor and Chidi's relationship. Their relationship is basically framed as predetermined due to the fact that they had this sort of relationship before. While Chidi is a bit of a jerk about it and is certainly wrong to think this has absolutely no impact or meaning on him he is right about the fact that the Chidi and Eleanor that were in love are not the same persons as they are now. Them having had this relationship can say something about their relationship now but doesn't have to. If either of them had shown any indication of having more than platonic feelings for the other before knowing about their past (or alternative future) I would see no problems. But this isn't the case and Eleanor and Chidi's feelings come out of nowhere, framing this relationship as determined despite claiming the opposite in the previous episode. A romantic conclusion in a TV show needs to be prepared beforehand to be convincing - and Michael and the viewer knowing some version of them were in a relationship isn't enough, it needs to be prepared on the character level.

The Good Place: Somewhere Else (2018) Season 2, Episode 12

Season 2: Better than Season 1

[9/10 · 2 January 2019]

I enjoyed Season 1, it had an interesting premise, good actors with great chemistry, and was all in all quite fun. Season 2, however, definitely tops the first season and makes the show one of the best comedy's currently around.

The first episode starts as expected: after the reboot Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason get new versions of the "good place" - and especially Tahani's new situation is hilarious - however the viewer's expectations are subverted soon as Eleanor finds out the truth as early as at the end of the first episode. The writers wisely recognized that it would be boring to show things happening in a similar way than in season 1 with only a few changes. In order for things to stay interesting there needed to be another twist. This twist being Michael teaming up with Eleanor & Co is ingenious.

Michael teaming up with "Team Cockroaches" gives Michael not only an interesting character arc in which we seem him genuinely becoming more human and growing fond of the humans but is also a great opportunity for humor. Michael's interactions with the the others are always a win as they are both funny and touching. The latter especially goes for the scenes with Michael and Eleanor who develop a strong relationship.

Tahani and Jason also develop a relationship - though a romantic one. This does surprisingly work: It's great to see Jason grounding Tahani a bit. Their relationship (again) supplies both character development and humor.

Sadly there wasn't much of Eleanor and Tahani this season. It would have been great if he we had seen more of the version in which Michael grouped them together as soulmates, this would surely have been hilarious.

The only thing that didn't work for me was the romantic relationship between Chidi and Eleanor. I could never see any romantic chemistry between them and they always came across as friends rather than couple material. Also, the starter point of the romantic storyline is Elanor finding out they had been together in a previous reboot...it seems as if their relationship is not really about what they are feeling right now but about what they could feel, which is weird. The whole romantic arc between them seems forced.

Like the last season there is a gamechanger in the last episode. Actually bringing them all back to life is a very surprising twist and speaks for an interesting next season.

Gravity Falls: The Last Mabelcorn (2015) Season 2, Episode 15

Funny as well as character- and plot-driven

[9/10 · 23 December 2018]

The episode starts with Bill haunting Ford's dreams, giving us a short glimpse into their antagonistic relationship which has been implied but never shown before. Alarmed Ford recruits Dipper and Mabel in order to protect themselves and the Mystery Shack. At this point the plot splits into the A-plot in which Mabel tries to get unicorn hair for a protective spell and the B-plot in which Dipper and Ford try to encrypt their thoughts.

In the A-plot an overly enthusiastic and unicorn-crazy Mabel goes on a quest to find an unicorn. At first it seems the stereotypical unicorn is made fun of as the unicorn Mabel meets has the ridiculous name Celestabellabethabelle and is hilariously voiced by a man putting on a falsetto voice. But "The Last Mabelcorn" does more than this: it subverts the whole unicorn narrative. As it turns out unicorns aren't able to sense pure hearts and their line of action of telling people they're not good enough is just their idea of fun. Mabel, Grenda, Candy and Wendy are naturally not putting up with this and decide the only way to get the hair is violence and fighting ensues. All in all the A-plot is rather character-driven as it centers around Mabel despairing over apparently not being good enough.

The B-plot on the other hand drives the plot forward as it reveals Ford and Bill's backstory: Ford has invented a machine that reads and then encrypts thoughts and Dipper secretly uses it on Ford as he is tired of Ford's deflections and secrecy. When Ford's shady past with Bill is revealed Dipper's mistrust and paranoia - which have ironically been greatly reinforced by Ford's own journals - take over and he attempts to shoot Ford with the memory gun. Gravity Falls shows in these scenes how great it is with perspective. Ford shifting from dangerous stranger to familiar uncle is directed perfectly. This episode also illustrates how character development is one of the shows strengths as Ford and Dipper end up learning to trust each other and bonding over their experiences with Bill.

Ford is eventually able to set up the protection spell with the help of the unicorn hair Mabel provided but this seemingly happy ending is quickly undercut when Bill appears during the credits contemplating whom outside the shack he should possess, leaving the viewer behind with a sense of menace.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

All over the place

[4/10 · 6 December 2018]

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" is - like its predecessors - very good in creating character moments. Most characters are interesting and appealing in different ways and seeing them interact is just a joy. All the actors did a great job - Jude Law was very convincing as young Dumbledore and even Johnny Depp was solid - and had a lot of chemistry.

Visually the movie is also well-made. There are lovely locations, sets and the beats are - with the exception of the horrible CGI cats - wonderfully brought to the screen.

But these aspects do not make up for the many, many problems with the writing of the movie:

First of, there are some technical aspects: there are a few scenes that are so unrealistic that they pull you out of the film, for example, how after Credence and Nagini flee from the circus the place is immediately cleared, or how Leta reads out loudly to herself as is she had a audience. These may be just minor aspects but these kind of scenes can be really jarring.

Secondly, a large problem is that the movie doesn't stand on its own. Instead of creating a coherent plot the movie is mostly concerned with setting up future installments. Characters that have no function in the narrative (read: Nagini) are introduced and the viewers are left with countless questions at the end of the movie. Presently franchises are the trend and countless other movies showed that it is very much possible to set up future films without failing to deliver a plot on its own.

Thirdly, the movie features a number of characters with own storylines. This means a lot of characters don't get the time they need. This is especially noticeable in the case of Queenie and Leta. Queenie's storyline has such a potential but the way her joining Grindelwald is presented falls flat; that could have been avoided if we could have spent more time with her. The same case with Leta: while we get some of her history we still don't know much about her, especially her relationship with Newt and Theseus. Considering Newt's past relationship with her I really expected some sort of explanation what exactly happened between her and Newt and what kind of relationship she has with Theseus. Considering she is dead we will probably never get to know. Speaking of which, her death could've not only been avoided but is sadly another case of a female character dying in order to motivate a male character.

Fourthly, a number of problems stem from the fact that the movies seem to be unsure about its relationship to the Harry Potter canon. On the one side, there are some things it expects the viewers to know about: We all know Dumbledore is a powerful wizard because we watched Harry Potter. But wouldn't it be more interesting if he was not yet regarded as the only one capable of fighting Grindelwald? So that he could actually develop in 20 years! Or if we maybe had some reasons Dumbledore is regarded so highly by the magical law enforcement of all people! On the other side the movie repeatedly breaks with canon. The film invents a magical doohickey preventing Dumbledore from fighting Grindelwald which not only contradicts the canon (Albus, Aberforth and Grindelwald fighting) but also decreases the pay-off we will get if Albus decides to confront Grindelwald. Albus fighting Grindelwald out of responsibility despite his feelings is way more powerful than Albus always being ready to confront him and only not being able to because of magic. And there is, of course, the terrible twist about Credence. The sad state of things is that either the twist turns out to be true and JKR is majorly breaking with canon, or it turns out to be false, and JKR is screwing with us for shock value. Neither of which is a promising sign for the Fantastic Beasts movies.

I don't really understand why the movie was lacking to that degree. JKR is a great writer and I don't know if she just isn't good at being a screenwriter, or if the studio insisted on setting up future installments in this movie, but I really, really hope the next movie will be better.

Ripper Street: Occurrence Reports (2016) Season 5, Episode 6

Needlessly bleak

[6/10 · 17 November 2018]

The finale continues right where the last episode left off but the situation is quickly resolved, Dove's guilt is proven after only 15 minutes in. The rest of the episodes is spent exploring the fates of Reid, Jackson, Susan and the others.

As it is quite often the case in finales, Ripper Street reflects on its beginnings as Reid thinks back to the Ripper case, showcasing not only the horror this case instilled in Whitechapel but also the state Reid was in. We also get a callback to the dynamics of Reid and Drake and how they first met Jackson.

While the general structure of the finale was solid, I have some problems with the way the storylines were resolved. Ripper Street has always been quite bleak and it was to be expected there wouldn't be a happy ending, but the finale was needlessly bleak. It was no surprise that Susan couldn't cheat the gallows this time, and Jackson having to leave wasn't a shock either, but what was the point of Jackson dying off-screen? Was it supposed to be comforting he died a hero? Mathilda leaving Whitechapel was also logically but why could Reid never visit her, after everything he had to go through? The same with Mimi. Why show her developing a friendship with Reid only for her deciding to marry a man she doesn't love? The finale would still be bleak without these decisions I mentioned, Reid would still be isolated without Jackson and Mathilda and only Mimi as his friend. It seems like the writers wanted - almost compulsively - to drive home the idea that Reid has to be some sort of solitary guardian of Whitechapel, depriving him of any kind of interpersonal relationship. It appears as if Reid has only to suffer for the sake of suffering, which is very disappointing.

Hilda (2018–2023)

For everyone

[9/10 · 24 September 2018]

This show centers around the girl Hilda who lives in a phantastical world featuring all sorts of creatures. Hilda is a very likeable character from the start: she is very brave, kind and always looking for an adventure but she isn't perfect. There are also great side characters like her mother, her friends David and Frieda and a number of mythical creatures. The show proves to be very imaginative as it comes up with many quirky and pecuilar creatures, putting a new spin on familiar concepts.

While the show centers around Hilda's adventure's it's also concerned with a lot of relatable themes like finding new friends, the question of what home is and family - which is represented by the heartwarming relationship between Hilda and her mother.

What stands out is the fact that there is no simple division in good and evil, the world Hilda inhabits is much more complex. Creatures that appear to be evil at first glance usually turn out to be anything but and conflicts always have two sides. Hilda, though, always manages to solve the conflicts with communication and compromise, offering a very positive worldview.

All in all it can be said that "Hilda" is a imaginative and intelligent show for both children and adult alike and I can only advise to watch it!

BoJack Horseman: Free Churro (2018) Season 5, Episode 6

Heartbreaking

[10/10 · 14 September 2018]

Beatrice has died and BoJack is looking for resolution: His eulogy quickly turns into an attempt to make sense not only of her last words but of their relationship altogether. Though the show has spent quite some time on BoJack's messed up childhood and his mother in particular it again finds new facets of the Horseman family relationships. BoJack looks back at his mother, his parent's relationship, his father's death, trying to find some kind of inisght, only to realize things will never be resolved.

Will Arnett has always impressed as BoJack but this episode might be his best performance yet. Arnett masterfully portrays BoJacks messed up state of mind: his anger and resentment for his mother, his pain and helplessness faced with the fact that his mother didn't love him, his resignation upon realizing there will never be any kind of resolution or reconciliation.

Spaced (1999–2001)

Watch it, especially if you like Edgar Wright!

[9/10 · 14 July 2018]

I was vaguely aware that Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright collaborated on TV before "Shaun of the Dead" but I only really got wind of Spaced when the show appeared on Amazon recently. Written by Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson (who also star as Tim and Daisy) and directed by Edgar Wright "Spaced" is just brilliant and I can only recommend watching it. Tim and Daisy, two 20-somethings pretend to be a couple in order to get a cheap flat in London. Together with their quirky friends - the constantly drunk landlady Martha, the tortured artist Brian, the weapon obsessed Mike and the fashionable Twist - they get in a number of hilarious situations. This premise is not particularly special but the show gives it a special spin. One of the aspects that makes "Spaced" so great is that is isn't a relationship comedy. While it keeps hinting at Tim and Daisy having feelings for each other the focus is on the hijinks they get into. Also, unlike other - especially American - sitcoms "Spaced" is not moralistic: Tim and Daisy are flawed characters and fortunately there is no attempt to improve them or make them into better human beings. But it is Edgar Wright's special brand of directing that makes "Spaced" truly remarkable. If you have enjoyed watching other works of Wright you defintely have to watch "Spaced"!

The Tick (2016–2019)

Delightful

[9/10 · 5 March 2018]

I hadn't heard of The Tick before, so I watched the show with - so to say - fresh eyes and I was thrilled. What makes this show so fun and sets its apart from other show on TV right now is the way it parodies the superhero genre and plays with the viewer's expectations: The Tick has no origin story like we are used to in mainstream comic adaptations - instead he has no idea where he comes from; one of the villains "lair" is her house that she still shares with her ex; the sidekicks heroic rescue of a "baby" is not an actual baby but a dog....on so an. At the same time the show manages to tell an engaging story that centers not just around the side of the heroes, but also the villains (and antiheroes). The actors do all a great job, and especially Yara Martinz as Ms. Lint stands out as she steals very scene she is in.