HlenSki Reviews

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (2024)

Important but tone deaf

[6/10 · 11 April 2024]

These kids were completely let down by all the adults who had one job - protecting them. Absolutely heartbreaking testimonies from witnesses and victims.

Nickelodeon was unknown to me (as living in another continent) prior to this documentary and I didn't know so many celebs started out there on these shows. So in that sense very educational. What is actually wrong with show business in the US, I have to wonder.

The style of the documentary was not to my taste though and I wish the seriousness of the topic would've been respected more by choosing a more grounded tone. Now it looks too cheap at times and was annoying to follow with all the fast cuts and back and forths.

Recommended regardless.

Manhattan Night (2016)

Exploitative

[5/10 · 18 March 2024]

It was so disappointing after a promising start! Such a waste of a brilliant cast and look!

If Caroline (Strahovski) would have been the center of this film, it could have reached what Gone Girl or Girl on the Train were trying at.

Instead the story is centered around a lousy husband and a washed out column writer (Brody) who hates himself for not having a backbone nor a personality. He loves to make himself seem like the victim.

This is a film from 2016 but it felt like something from the 90's. It's always painful to watch men fail at writing complex brilliant women and instead mistaking them solely as objects of sexual desire or acts, consensual or nonconsensual. This movie reminds me of the classic scene in real life where you turn down the advances of a man, the man gets angry and then yells at you you're ugly and fat anyway, might also stalk you after, or worse.

I did not see one attractive or decent man in this movie, and I think it was intentional to portray the target as more powerless in comparison. Some get off on that. Scouting out spesific women, isolating them, controlling them and abusing them because why not - it's only a woman.

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Snoop is drama

[8/10 · 8 March 2024]

That dog is amazing! I was shocked that they'd hurt him during filming but he's actually an actor!

As for the film, it's not for the late night (unless you want to fall asleep) as it is a court room drama with recounting of various heavy details, imagery, sound and emotion. It starts off a bit vague but escalates into interesting wait a minutes. I found the family dynamics heart breaking in a way. And how every personal thing is picked at and layed out in front of everyone to question. You would feel very helpless and overwhelmed as depicted.

I was intrigued by Huller's acting and realised half way into the film I'd just seen her in The Zone of Interest. Such a different vibe. A joy to watch, effortless and stone cold delivery.

Clean (IV) (2021)

Good old demons

[9/10 · 7 March 2024]

Solid piece in it's genre. Man wrestling with demons from his past trying to keep his head down, making an honest living forced to dust off his carefully crafted skills to protect his loved ones. This time there's no romantic love interest but a daughter figure in his heart - a welcomed change to the pattern! Protective father figures win over protective f boys every time in this time and age.

Brody is just he right man for the look - the peaky blinders haircut go very well with his sad sulky eyes. Blood red suits his eyecolor.

There will be violence. McGyver style since the humble killer machine is a man of many trades. Recommended for traditional slow burn revenge nostalgics but not for those looking for constant punching and high speed chases. Loved it!

Spaceman (I) (2024)

Avoidant explorer finds catharsis

[9/10 · 2 March 2024]

Plenty of people go into details about this film so I'll give my two cents on the other stuff. Sure the film also looks very good with the purple fizz and retro space ambiance but you better think twice about watching this if you're going through a breakup. Basically it's a story about a very self centered scientist who has abandoned his wife emotionally and physically - literally. He effed up and found out that he's gone a step too far with the isolation even for his own taste, so he goes mad in space and ends up creating an all-seeing empath monster from his unconciousness to make himself face the hard realisation that he is infact the problem.

No it's not a space adventure. It's an adventure of very unpleasant feelings, it just happens to be placed in space, which is a bonus.

I redacted one star because of the very end. The ones who know, know.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024– )

The truth

[9/10 · 4 February 2024]

One of the best series I've watched. Nothing like I anticipated based on the movie by the same name with Pitt and Jolie. These two are not in the same league.

Writing is excellent. Dialogue is natural, smart and funny as heck. The characters have surprising personalities, brilliantly done. It's immersive. Acting is flawless.

It's classy and very touching. It's deeper than you would expect. It's fun and it's tragic. It made me laugh from my heart and got me teared up from the same place. It's quirky for sure.

For me it's more than anything else a study into a relationship. An exploration of honesty and loyalty between two very different individuals. We should offer truth serum therapy for all couples to turn around this epidemic of broken hearts.

Antlers (2021)

Supernatural noir

[7/10 · 21 January 2024]

There's something old school I loved about this film. It's slow, moody, dark and ugly. This is a specific genre that should be done more. If you don't feel sad and hopeless after watching this, I salute you.

I would have actually preferred this story as a series as it would enable a deeper exploration into the folk mythology. Now it's just a side ornament when in fact it is the basis of the whole story. It left me hungry and unfulfilled. There's also heavy hinting at other deep dark family secrets that would've been worth unwrapping.

Both leads, the boy and the woman, are very good. The boy especially impressed. Those eyes, that despair, that loneliness. Phew.

The monster in this movie has an interesting way of emitting tiny burning particles around it. A detail that pleased my eye.

Where's the rest of the season?

The Marvels (2023)

Less would have been more

[6/10 · 21 January 2024]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised I'm disappointed. Marvel movies started to go wrong at some point and this was my last try. It's like the first one is always great but the second and third movies are a mess and I just can't. Iron Man made it the longest.

There's too much action and failed attempts at sarcastic humor. Plot is all over the place. I've never read the comics so I have no idea if movies follow them at all. But where did all the character building and development and depth go? Why would I want to watch 2 hours of special effects I've seen a million times. Or the mindless running all over the place. It's just too much of grande nothing.

That thing with the Flerkens was the best part of this movie, and that is very telling.

Brie Larson is awesome as always but I wish Captain Marvel had gotten a better movie.

Dreams of a Life (2011)

You don't know what you had until you loose it

[4/10 · 13 November 2023]

Clearly not my type of genre. Focuses on the memoires of a handful of acquaintances and two former lovers rather than telling Joyce's story and giving her a voice and recognition. I feel uneasy with this style as it further emphasises (what I assume is) her experience of not being seen and undestood or finding it hard to belong. She comes across as a determined woman who works hard to be happy.

I found it highly disrespectful how many people seemed to sexualise her and kept repeating how attractive she was. One "friend" even admits to being aware of having an opportunity to take advantage of her vulnerability while staying at his house during tough times. And you wonder why she had trust issues? She's even blamed as not being able to face things head on because she left a job where she's harrased sexually. Seriously?

The mystery of Joyce's death is not solved. Maybe she just had a medical emergency and wasn't able to call for help. Maybe she took her own life. Biggest mystery is who paid her bills for 3 years until she was being evicted.

But I didn't see her life or even her death as a tragedy. She had love and joy and also sadness and adversity. That is life and that is how it should be. Only thing tragic is that nobody cared enough to keep tabs on her. It's not on her. She wanted her own space and people shunned her for that for reasons I do not understand.

A very uncomfortable and frustrating to watch.

The Burning Girls (2023)

Positive surprise

[7/10 · 22 October 2023]

It's very boring to guess the plot by the mid series. This one I didn't figure out. What a plot twist at the end, whoah. I had no idea.

Samantha Morton is absolutely amazing in this. Very touching and gut wrenching performance. It was very well worth the watch just for this reason.

Would've put more effort into the effects but I can forgive that. I still genuinely felt the creeps and eeks here and there. It's not so much a supernatural thriller anyway but more of a drama - mystery type of show. It walks the line in between a lighter afternoon or early night show and the midnight thriller with a content warning.

Deadloch (2023– )

It's a delight

[8/10 · 12 August 2023]

What a wonderful and modern adaptation of the traditional concept of a small town crippled by the fear of an unknown killer that leaves a trail of violently murdered bodies. Only this time the bodies are male, the hard-luck detective is a woman with an unhappy wife, the town is run by corrupted women and the men flee for their lives.

There are a few hick ups, but no worries it picks up again just fine after dusting itself off, so it's worth sticking around. The show is very well made. To me it somehow gave a midsommer murder-vibe just based on how it looks, but it was more funny and obviously less conservative. Really enjoyable for the daggers flown at gender norms of many kinds. Character development was lovely and sympathetic.

Shooting locations look great and I want to move to this town and live there happily ever after.

Run Rabbit Run (2023)

Psychological anxiety

[9/10 · 5 July 2023]

After watching the film I have to wonder the low rating.

It's a slow anxiety inducing burn for sure. The eeriness in this film is something else, and it's present all the time and it just intensifies as you're never quite sure. Not too gruesome, no cheap jump scares. It moves quietly and it's heavy. It doesn't tell you too much too soon, rather it lets you follow it if you choose.

This is mostly thanks to Snook whose performance is one of the best I've seen in horror. I read Elizabeth Moss was to take the role, but they got Snook instead. I definitely think that's brilliant for the film. This is horror.

Invasion (2021–2024)

Spare me

[5/10 · 22 June 2023]

I agree with the alien, just kill them all and do it fast.

I though we didn't make this kind of shows anymore where you give me the most illogical, stereotypical and infuriating characters and call it a dramatic plot. It has it all! Annoying kids, the worm-like husband, the wife that gave up everything for him, the gun crazy boomers, the bully, the American soldier stationed in a country with lots of sand... There's even the American president giving a speech to the entire human race! Because why not, why be any less self centered.

I will give a thumbs up for Shioli Kutsuna, a great role with some actual depth. The plot deserved a better execution.

How to Create a Sex Scandal (2023)

Confusing, exploitative

[5/10 · 22 June 2023]

I really like a good crime documentary. This was not one. The phenomena is interesting and it's a sad story of manipulation, exploitation, corrupt justice system, small USA rural communities, malicious gossip and a million other things, but the style was not to my liking.

The documentary is telling it's story through dramatic shots of people looking into the distance deep in their thoughts.. There's clips of actual interrogation tapes with old fashioned visual effects to make it seem - shocking and outrageous? I guess that's done in order to emphasize the plot twist later on. But I found it just looks cheap and it's bad taste. I wish they treated the subject with more respect and toned it down a lot. I'm amazed at how people are willing to let cameras into their homes and talk so openly about private matters. I see that the people are quite poor, so there's always a risk of exploiting people's need for money with this type of documentary. I hope ethics were followed. And I wish nothing but the best for the actual people that had to go though these traumatizing experiences.

Extraction II (2023)

Peak action - exceeded expectations

[9/10 · 18 June 2023]

Firstly, I get the vibe that a lot of the female audience would enjoy this film more than the traditional action movie style.

Secondly, do not mistake my first point to mean what it does not, because the action & fight scenes are something spectacular in this one. For me definitely stands out from the grey mass of wannabe action around. That originality is exactly what clicked for me with the first Extraction from 2020 and so happy to see it again. The camera work, pacing, choreography, even cinematography tickle just the right spots.

Thirdly, Golshifteh Farahani delivers one of the best supporting action roles ever and she's definitely my new woman crush. She's giving Bo-Katan with a twist.

Hemsworth is a match for this type of "brooding hard-to-kill strong as steel hero with a heart" role They put more effort into the plot for this one, which was needed.

I need more of this!

Silo: Machines (2023) Season 1, Episode 3

Oh no

[5/10 · 13 May 2023]

Oh no! I hope this is a singular flop and not the general direction of the series. Compared to the cool first two episodes this feels like a filler because there's not much development. Just a lot of loud running around and forced drama. Except for a couple of short blibs. Too many things happening that do not work like that according to the laws of physics or mechanics. But I guess that's not the show's fault but the book's ( which I have not read ). I do grow to like Juliette more and more, but I hope going forward I see more of the cool stuff and not too much relational drama. On the other hand I have a feeling I already know the mystery, so... Let's see.

Doc Martin (2004–2022)

Relaxing quality show

[8/10 · 8 January 2023]

I love doc Martin. This is one of THE late afternoon/early evening shows that I watch after a heavy day at work while sinking into my couch wrapped up in my favorite blanket with the dog curled up behind my knees. The village in the show is beautiful and makes me want to visit and maybe live there too for a while, though I'm not sure I could physically handle all those stairs and climbs. Show is on the lighthearted side definitely but sprinkles in quality drama and genuine evolving characters.

Doc Martin is obviously neurodivergent which makes the show even more interesting as we see him coming into terms with this aspect of himself and in relation to the world. I appreciate the spectrum theme handled with such ease without making in too defining.

Hugo (2011)

Magical

[10/10 · 25 December 2022]

I rewatched this film as a christmas treat and this time decided to write a review in addition to my earlier rating.

Sometimes I make a selection of 2-3 movies I want to see again during the holidays, and this year Hugo was on the list. Lucky for me I forget a lot about the movies I watch, like side characters and side plots, after a certain time. So again this time around I had many pleasant surprises along the way. Familiar yet new.

I wouldn't tell you to watch this if you want something to lift your spirits and feel joyful, sorry. It is touching, gets in the feels and has a certain sense of nostalgia, sadness and hope. There's beauty in it, for sure. I adore the visuals, absolutely stunning, the era and the esthetics are to my liking. The automation and robotics theme is interesting. Also the historical side of stories told by books expanded to stories told by moving pictures, which was an exciting wonderous time. So there are layers, which surprised me the first time I watched this and still resonates as I revisited.

Slumberland (2022)

Wanted to like it more

[6/10 · 1 December 2022]

I mean, it is an ok film. CGI had no fault. Plot is good, touching. Some amazing dream scenes, sure. I just wish they cast someone else than Jason Momoa, he is too rough and loud for this part. His character is a big part of the film, so I wish there were more dimension to it. This movie is something I would enjoy watching when I'm home sick or over long Christmas holidays, when I don't want to put much effort in it but still want to stay interested. AND there is Kyle Chandler. A huggable yet manly, down to earth lighthouse-dad, who wears his norwegian knitted shirts very well. Would not mind him bringing me hot tea to bed on a dark stormy night and telling me stories.

The English (2022)

I will never forget

[10/10 · 29 November 2022]

Touched me in ways I did not expect. The violence, the horror, the beauty, the soul. How you latch on to them, or they to you, which ever comes first. Life, love and death do have a lot in common. All final and infinite.

I have gone through way too many movies and shows in my life but this is one that will stick with me. Cinematogrophy is brilliant. Story telling is superb. Human characters, some vile, some good, some refusing to succumb to what other's blindly welcome. I did not know I could love Emily Blunt's acting work more than I already did, but here we are. The story between her character and Chaske Spencer's I find is a lot like one I too have known.

1899 (2022)

Delicious mystery with vintage esthetics!

[8/10 · 19 November 2022]

I was not expecting this! Loved it!

I'm a huge fan of mystery + the era around the end of 1800's and beginning of 1900's, which initially got me interested in the show. It exceeded my expectations and I found blissfull escapism through this story, since the real world here in the end of 2022 is not very pleasant. Just what I needed.

I had no idea this was made by the same people as Dark, but looking back I do see it. There were some top notch episodes around mid season which I wholeheartedly enjoyed. The mystery in this one tastes very sweet. Acting is superb and characters have interesting back stories. A variety of nationalities and native languages are cleverly displayed in interaction with each other. My only complaint is that unfortunately the amount of "panic cliches" towards the end was cringy for me. A bit too much confusion and running around. Could not rate this higher because of it.

Still a highly recommendable show. The big WTF in the end was the cherry on top. Right up my alley can't deny. I vote yes for a second season!

Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)

Super good depiction of trauma

[9/10 · 9 October 2022]

I went into it thinking it's just another light thriller murder mystery type of sitting, but whoa. A very good depiction of the trauma inside someone who was put through what Ani was put through in this film. The utter confusion between what the world tells you happened, and what you know happened. The isolation you have to resort to mentally although you are amoung people, even with family.

Another thing that impressed me was the calm collected feel of the movie, but it's not a peaceful calm, it's a scared numb calm. The type when you know there is a monster in the room but if you stay very quiet and you are very careful, it does not notice you, and you have carry on as if it's not there. It's like a blanket covering everything. I loved Ani's inside voice comments, and the stoicism Mila Kunis delivered. The ending was in line with this minimalism. Hopeful but brutal, as telling the truth is often the only way out and only peace you have.

The Sea Beast (2022)

Beautiful

[9/10 · 10 July 2022]

Stunningly beautiful and colourful. Attention to detail in graphics is amazing. A story about befriending assumed enemies and leaving behind a generations long cycle of vengeance in exchange for peace. Effortless story telling. Funny, but in a warm fuzzy way, not over the top.

Emergency (2022)

Meh

[6/10 · 3 June 2022]

Ok. Too much nonsensical shouting and messing about, but maybe I'm just too old for target audience. Disappointed. The ending was the best part. Not joking, a very touching ending.

From (2022– )

Disappointing and

[5/10 · 2 April 2022]

Basic. Could not finish first episode. Why this has an almost 8 star rating on IMDB is beyond my comprehension. It's a gold mine for irritating cliches. The sensitive little boy, the obnoxious teenager, the whiney mother and the dummy dad... It's not believable because of silly dialogue and lack of attention to details. Go somewhere else for quality.