alexryn Reviews

Servant: Fallen (2023) Season 4, Episode 10

It's a solid

[9/10 · 19 March 2023]

So, "Servant" is basically one of those times when the answer to the question: "is it this or that?" - is a "Yes." However, they've managed to land it well. It may seem to some that they were extremely vague and incoherent, but to my own surprise it's actually one of the rare occasions, when things DO come together in the end without straight forward articulation of the meanings.

Here are some unnecessary explanations: the Church of the Lesser Saints is a cult consisting entirely of the resurrected. That's why the defectors are literally being destroyed (burned to the bone so to speak) and that's where all the supernatural stuff comes from. Apparently, wayward followers may be dangerous to all mankind, since being undead comes with special abilities - some are more powerful than the others. Leanne is a prodigy of sorts (even among other undead). So, it kinda ties all together when you look back on the entire series with this knowledge.

The other thing is: the church adepts serve, "do the Lord's work" and come to those in need (season two flashbacks). In the cult structure they are being assigned by those in charge. Now, helping the Turners was a personal endeavour of Leanne from start to finish. That is because during her first life (or rather "before her first death") Leanne being unhappy (and probably a little unstable) kid met Dorothy who'd showed her kindness and warmth she never knew becoming a surrogate mother of sorts (in Leanne's mind). When resurrected and brought in the Lesser Saints church Leanne, showing unprecedented potential, was able to convince her benefactors to sometimes visit Dorothy at a distance (which the latter discovered few episodes prior). Hence the supernatural-(psychotic) stalker combo.

All in all, for me the ending helped appreciate the whole show on another level in retrospect. That's why it's a solid 9. The coolest thing is that bringing back dead baby in this story is a miracle that primarily embodies the manic obsession itself. It is unnatural on every level (psychologically, morally, physically and even by the cult doctrine). Nevertheless, in this unnaturalness all the heart and humanity of Leanne resurface which adds a deeper layer to the show, rising the ultimate question of what it means to be human.

Dexter: New Blood: Sins of the Father (2022) Season 1, Episode 10

I've waited long enough for it not to be just a rant

[2/10 · 9 February 2023]

There, I gave it two stars instead of one. Before say anything else I'd just like to point out that it is solely Clyde Phillips' fault. What he did was: he cheated us into this season (which was beautifully done to the letter except that last episode and a few minor plot holes here and there) and then forced his "vision" upon everyone. Why do I say that? THE ENDING WAS THE FIRST THING THEY SHOT! How f-up is it?!

It is like: there, I did what I wanted all that time now we can proceed with the rest of the season. Better make it look good though! Don't want the audience to know what I planned right away.

Much like a toddler in a tantrum he just couldn't live with Dexter not being brought to some kind of justice. Actually, not some but HIS kind. All in all the last episode destroyed everything that has been leading up to it. Ironically disproving his own design. It just doesn't add up.

Let me elaborate on that a bit. I don't think Dexter is a saint or innocent, but the original finale actually looks good in comparison. There was an idea to it, some kind of poetic resolution. An attempt anyway. Dexter putting himself in a sort of self-made prison after overcoming his thirst for blood and getting everything he ever wanted, depriving himself of vices and happiness out of guilt and grief is far more powerful than whatever this is.

Moreover, the last episode of New Blood is just lazy writing. Remember LaGuerta? From one of the best season finales there was. When killing the innocent actually meant something, it was a threshold, a point of no return. Dexter made everything in his power to avoid it. Much like with Doakes. Here it just doesn't work. And don't get me wrong, Dexter could be portrayed that way, I mean - making it all about the addiction, him being just a junky in the end, that's a possible resolution. Shame it doesn't add up to the rest of THIS VERY SEASON. I mean why make it all a hoax? It is a new show, a mini-series. You don't like the way they wrapped up the original 8 seasons after you left? Just make a completely new and improved iteration, but no, not Clyde.

Saving the annoying reporter? Teaching his son not to harm people (no, not just to avoid captivity)? Actually feeling guilt and remorse? Forget it! It was all just a delusion and the code-based autosuggestion. He never truly felt anything, Dexter is just another psychopath. That is what Phillips suggests.

In my humble opinion art is a great place for thought experiments. I was always kind of fascinated by the Dexter character because he wasn't truly a psychopath. I mean not completely. For me the whole appeal was in this conundrum: is he a psychopath with an artificial conscience or the opposite? Heavily traumatised person who cultivated psychopathic traits for many-many years always desperately trying to find his way to humanity, love, being accepted and embraced. The irony always was: him craving for these basic and «boring» things while most of us wish to be special and distinguished.

Well, not to Clyde Phillips. «kIlliNG iS bAD» Duh, thank you, like we didn't know that already. I mean no one advocates killing (I hope) when rooting for Dexter: I don't need to be told that his actions are questionable and his motives are compromised, let alone that no crime should go unpunished. I just wish it was about more than that in the end, and not simple moralizing bs.

Speak No Evil (2022)

In the words of Dwight from the office: there are basically two schools of thought

[4/10 · 5 February 2023]

Having just watched this movie the other night and upon reading quite a number of reviews, I've noticed that there are two main narratives among the viewers. Either the main characters are frustratingly dumb (which they are) or the story is about meta-crap, like civilisation vs barbarism, politeness vs permissiveness and so on (which it kinda is). The thing is: in my opinion the ideas shouldn't overshadow the consistency of the story, its integrity if you will.

One reviewer here already mentioned that besides the main characters being unrealistically dumb and passive (in the name of the director's concept I presume) the villains are all enigmatic to the point of being far-fetched. What I don't like personally is: the whole flick doesn't care! It's all about this "philosophical" take on where our civility and politeness can lead. There is nothing wrong with that, BUT if you don't believe the characters, this hypothetical scenario becomes merely a vessel to get one's point across. The outcome being not only the weakening of said point but moreover the whole thing becomes incoherent and bleak.

P. S. Lots of people compare this thing to far superior Haneke's work and other great stuff. The thing is "Funny games" didn't try to preach: the psychotic sadists don't really need reasoning for their atrocities and the victims' behaviour often doesn't really matter in the decision making process of a crazy maniac. Much like in this plot, but here we are driven to believe that's not the case (which is... I mean, come on!).

P. P. S. I personally found it weird that besides the movie being based on real life anecdote from the director's past there is no real reason for the couple to be Dutch. Makes me wonder how those people felt after the thing was out.

Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given (2020 TV Special)

What's wrong with people?

[8/10 · 16 December 2020]

The question is purily rhetorical (cause the answer is "everything" basically). Here's a piece of unsolicited advice: try to judge something (anything really) for what it actually is. The very idea of rating anyone's work based on your political, religious or any other believes is ridiculous. In my opinion, the worst special of Kevin Hart was "what now?". It was pretty forced and kinda clueless. Yes, his very best are (for now) behind him, but this special was actually funny. So people don't like to hear about his "privileged" celebrity life in times of "the vid" when the whole world falls apart. What else is he supposed to talk about?! In no part of the hour did he say he had it worse than everyone else, in no part did he compare himself to essential workers or the holocaust victims. The funniest part about his comedy (much like any other comedian's) is being truthful to his/her/their truth. The absurdity of him complaining about his wealthy existence IS the funniest thing here. And I sincerely doubt that he doesn't know that. Like Buress said in his latest (not really funny in my opinion) special: comedy is subjective. And we can and should laugh about everything. Or we should shut up all together for eternity and die since there's no point to life without humour.

Ratched: Mildred and Edmund (2020) Season 1, Episode 8

What?

[1/10 · 28 September 2020]

This is an awfully beautiful and I mean awfully, since it's just too much, nonsensical mess. Over-the-top with little to no substance. No logic. What so ever. It's like everything is set in this fairytale land. It is like a fairytale. A rather gory one, granted, but still, in the worst way possible that is. All the twists you could see a mile away. Hundred miles to be more precise. See what I did there? Cause this elaboration of mine didn't make any sense. Just like this whole show. There is no sense to it. And the characters are all so dumb, it's painful. And why wouldn't they be? When their reality is so hypothetical, so untrue to any logic, historic accuracy and EVEN THE CHARACTER IT WAS BASED ON! Why "Ratched"? When you could've named it any other name: it still would be no relation to the iconic work of Ken Kesey. By that I mean "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" of course. However I'll probably watch the second season. I guess I'm like those delirious characters of this show. Not only the patients, but all of them.

Hannibal Buress: Miami Nights (2020 Video)

It's not awful, but it's not funny

[5/10 · 21 July 2020]

Marc Maron, Tom Segura, Dave Chapelle, Kevin Hart, Louis C. K., Doug Stanhope, Jim Jeffries, Mike Birbiglia, Bill Burr - their last specials were funny. Granted, Hart's, Burr's and Birbiglia's were out in 2019, yes, Stanhope's wasn't as good as the old stuff, same goes for Segura. I could also mention Patton Oswalt, whose lattest special was just so much less funny then the previous one, but at least it was sweet. And there were some show stealing bits that made you choke with laughter still.

This one on the other hand is just not funny. I like this guy a lot, Hannibal is clever, hilarious guy at times, all his specials I've watched - never felt disappointed. Miami Nights? Just a no. Then again, like Buress said himself comedy is subjective, so what the hell do I know. I'm no comedian by a long shot, can't even imagine how difficult it is to maintain being funny and entertaining for years. I've never reviewed stand up specials before, it's unlikely I'll ever do that again. It's just that I felt numb throughout the whole thing and it's not one of the greatest shows of the past few years for sure.

Doesn't mean anything actually. Kevin Hart's "What Now?" was a flop only for the "Irresponsible" to ascend like a phoenix. So I'm eager for the next thing of his. Remember, there is one "r" in Buress.

High Life (2018)

Masterpiece

[10/10 · 30 June 2020]

Some people just don't get it and that's ok I guess. I know this sounds pretentious and patronazing which is frustrating but so do all the reviews of "scientific experts" on this title and, say, Ad Astra for instance. This movie is a dark take on life and human existence in general. No one cares for the main characters, nor do anyone care for the stray dogs' ship which someone here has complained about as if it was a "plothole". First of all, aesthetics. This movie nails it from first to last frame. Secondly, acting: excuse me but what you call "lack of emotions" and "bland" is actually very precise and subtle. Those are abandoned and unwanted people for crying out loud. As to the crew's mission I think it's pretty obvious that it was merely an excuse for kinda "humane" way of getting rid of extras on overpopulated Earth. Hence, if there is something beyond the event horizon we, the mundane slaves of our outdated ways and dead end values, not unlike the ship crew stranded in space, will never know what it is.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

Goes and goes merry-go-round

[9/10 · 31 May 2020]

It became a sort of new hobby of mine. "Reviewing this title", this specific one, since for some reason they won't post my review. Anyway, back to it. The 8th episode is the best of the sequel Star Wars trilogy. Unlike The Force Awakens it's not indulging ridiculous fandom by copying the original trilogy, instead The Last Jedi introduces new concepts and ideas despite of hateful fanboys who ridiculed even George Lucas' prequels which had nothing wrong with them. And the 9th... don't get me started on the 9th. Clusterfrick (to put it mildly) is what it was since J. J. wanted to compromise and destroyed not only new good things but all the old as well turning Star Wars into cartoon basically. Lots of viewers complained how some things Rian Johnson included were "wrong" and "corrupting the lore", but you know what? No. If you worry about the lore and integrity of the vast universe collectively created by tons of books, games and so on you should blame Disney that destroys everything it touches. However it makes sense they ignored the majority of "uncanonical" stuff leaving only the 6 movies to work with. It's easier, wider audience to get to buy the tickets etc. Here is the thing: what I personally like about the first 6 episodes the most is the personal approach. Yeah, it's epic, there is the prophecy, the chosen one..., but (even though the force is strong in Skywalker family) the characters didn't seem like omnipotent demigods/superheroes, they faced their fears and we believed them. The 8th is trying just that by making Luke broken and Rey all alone and confused. Plus, not everyone should be someone's daughter/son/grandparent, sometimes heredity is not all that important. And it's like Luke said to Rey "the force doesn't belong to the Jedi", same goes for the story, this magical world Lucas created long time ago.

The Dead Don't Die (2019)

Pretty neat if you get it

[8/10 · 22 July 2019]

No, I don't mean this grand speech of Tom Waits towards the end. It's actually the opposite of what you're supposed to get. Kinda. What I mean is: this is a gag-movie. One giant gag by master-director Jim Jarmusch. Needless to say I love him. Have watched all he's done and I'm fond of each and every work of his. This one here I've just checked out in my home-city theatre. And it's kinda different from everything else he'd done before. Not that all his other films were the same, no - it's just that this one stands out. I didn't mention Tom Waits' speech just like that by the way. To not get into any spoilers: it was too straightforward and too simple. Suspiciously so. You can get either impressed or annoyed by it, but both those cases are due to lack of sense of humour on your part. I don't mean there is no point to the movie either. There are actually lots of those here. Ecology, politics, existentialism of our modern way of life. But guess what? To see it you don't have to HEAR it. I mean when I heard that speech I at first was disappointed but then it occurred to me: "Hey, it's Jarmusch for god sake!" When did he ever do it? When did he choose to sit in front of his audience and try to tell us what's right and what's wrong? He was never a moralizer. No, sir. This guy is one of the greatest artists, esthetes and storytellers in the modern independent cinema. So after thinking about it for quite some time it becomes clear. This movie is a gag. Witty, a bit tragic and hilarious one. It's also atmospheric, full of references, some forth wall breaks and parody. Simply put it, ask yourself: why would such a director shoot smth so trendy, ostentatious and unoriginal as zombie-genre movie when he is historically arthouse and indie author? For the lolz of course! P.S.: it's also debatable whether a good jest should be funny (ha-ha) or it has a different goal. Like for instance confuse you a bit after screening. (Andy Kaufman style). Concept aside, great actors, cool visuals, pleasant atmosphere, great style and music.

Midsommar (2019)

Imperfect, but talented attempt in deconstruction of horror genre

[6/10 · 21 July 2019]

I'd like to start by saying that Ari Aster is great artist, in my opinion. Hereditary for instance was a true revelation for me. A new word in horrors and a proof that they are not necessarily need to be shallow and can be truly scary and artsy (in the very best way possible) at the same time. I'd like to think of his debut as a deconstruction of horror genre (successful, unlike this one), more specifically: movies about demonic possession. Not to get into details: it was atmospheric, scary, clever and even funny towards the end - all the aspects of horror, in other words. Besides it had some great character development, deep psychological take on family drama and many more. Why do I get so much into the first one? Well, let's have a look how Midsommar fails by comparison. Being, again, in my opinion, an attempt of deconstructing horror genre (here - about cults) it also, like in previous one, has really cool insides and analysis of romantic relationships, dealing with trauma and personal take on the family as a concept. Again, great cinematography, the actors are all top notch, interesting story even, exciting conflicts established etc. BUT! Like his characters-anthropologists Ari Aster here is not able to finish his thesis. Why? Because the movie is getting lost eventually in all the genre features and attributes. It's all in the bad (in my opinion) finale: character development? Forget it, the main character becomes just a simple offended girlfriend and not a complex character worth sympathy as she was introduced at first. Deconstruction of a genre? More like typical example, representative of one if you will. Deep analysis of psychological family drama? Try just a precursor of this banal horror story to reveal itself in the most ordinary fashion. All the more disappointing it was for me that all of this could have unfolded beautifully since the movie had it all. But for the ending. However I would recommend watching it due to the talents involved and most probably will watch director's cut myself if it ever arrives.

Unsane (2018)

What a dumb, dumb movie

[2/10 · 15 July 2019]

It was interestingly shot, the story on the whole is not the worst even, but the overall execution... dear Lord. So many, many dumb moments. For instance, the behaviour of the main hero. I mean, ok, she is supposed to be kind of uneven since all the events she had to survive have been bad, unnerving, stressful to say the least, psychotic even. BUT WHY OH WHY she continues to behave like a crazy person time and time again?? I don't mean the not-believing-what-you-see kind of things, but emotions, screams, putting up a fight... She is surrounded by staff that just don't care for the patients, some crazy characters and genuinely good people. Why when she confronts her stalker being one of the personnel she has to yell about it hysterically? Ok, she is stressed, her life's been ruined by this maniac, but being clearly normal (we've been shown that) she screams and throws herself all around the place demonstrating all the traits of an unstable crazy person everyone around wants to convince her to be. About the clinic... There are like two options justifying all that's going on. Either they all are so utterly and completely incompetent they don't even try OR they're all delusional. How? I mean HOW on Earth would that be possible to hold a patient in solitary without anyone else to notice? HOW there is no one to prevent all the anarchy induced by our maniac during the night? HOW NO ONE HAS LOOKED AT HER PHONE WITH A PICTURE OF A GUY TIED TO A WHEELCHAIR? WTF? I can go on and on, but you get the point. And don't even get me started on the police... It's not that it's not possible for these kinds of facilities to exist even on American soil (the land of the free) - frankly nothing would've surprised me if the story happened say in Russia - but you just don't make it credible enough. The whole thing looks laughable. Like Stanislavsky's once (more than once) said: I don't believe.

Jessica Jones: A.K.A. Everything (2019) Season 3, Episode 13

I liked the thing with colours

[7/10 · 11 July 2019]

You know how frustrating it is to write a perfectly good review only for it to vaporise because of connection issues? But let's focus here. To be perfectly honest Jessica Jones wasn't my favourite netfix-marvel show. The first season was decent, I didn't care much for the second (too political it was, even in the means of production). The third was something in between. I don't wanna be boring, so gonna get to the point right away. The whole series is bittersweet. Here is why. 1) Trish: like many, I didn't like this character by a long shot from the very beginning. And while most found it frustrating that lots of episodes were focused on her, I think it's pretty clever what the writers did with her - making her annoying not only preference-wise, but story-wise as well. Somehow justifying this annoyance of ours (granted, not all viewers'). 2) Kilgrave: he was the grand nemesis and the very best villain Jessica had. What writers did here, they haven't even tried to match him. Him being the ultimate foe never to be surpassed by any other Jones' adversaries. Focusing instead on other aspects of her story. And adding him in every chapter made it logical and almost poetic (we'll get to that very soon). 3) Colours: what I've found a particularly nice touch is what the Netflix showrunners did with the tonnage for every Marvel character they've worked on. As we all know, Jones' so-called "filter" is cold-blue. Kilgrave is purple. Why is it important and cool? Firstly, it matches, sort of completes her colour (Yin-Yang, if you will), once again pointing him out as the ultimate "bad guy" of Ritter's character. Secondly (that has to do specifically with the finale ending), I enjoyed a lot like they added colour purple to the frames capturing Jessica's getaway attempt. And only his voice and a hand being his last cameo of sorts made it all better. It just worked, reminding her and us of what she did. Her greatest win in the superhero career. And probably the greatest arc of this admirable but not flawless series.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

And here we are 20 years later

[5/10 · 8 July 2019]

When this movie first came out it was cultural phenomenon. This was, I get it, since this is a pioneer found-footage genre movie. No one has actually done anything like it before. But what is the main principle of this kind of pictures? Realism. We have to believe it's true, the camera is not outside of the story, taping it - it's basically one of the characters. Hence we get what we get - this genre was in fact very timely. Being just a way of cinematography language nowadays it's completely left its predecessor, its founder behind. The Blair Witch Project could only be made twenty years ago, when it was possible to make it look credible enough for us, viewers, even if just for a second to believe that this all might have actually been true (or forget it couldn't). It helped that the actors were all no-names and the Internet was long way from where it is now. Of course if you look close enough and are picky enough you'll find tons of inconsistencies, but we have to treat it for what it is - cultural phenomenon.

Glass (2019)

Ignore all the moro..critics and Shyamalan haters

[9/10 · 20 January 2019]

Sometimes critics are just too much, aren't they? Whether it's a high praise due to clearly political reasons or misguided hate towards pretty decent flicks. This is the latter. For one, all the actors are in the right place, story makes perfect sense as a trilogy even though it didn't seem that way when the idea was introduced. All the flaws of the first one here are explained and straightened. Yeah, this movie itself is not perfect (little problems with pacing in the second act), but here is the deal: this movie is enjoyable, clever and dramatic. It's not your great piece of conceptual art and festival material, yet it's clearly an author's film even though being a product of mass culture. I really felt for the characters and liked the ending very much. That being said, I didn't like all of this director's works. This was more of a pleasant surprise for me, rather than well-anticipated success. And another thing: Bruce Willis. I really like this actor and believe he has real talent. All the more so it was a heartbreak seeing what he has been doing with his career for the past few years. I know he doesn't have to prove anything to anyone, but those B-, C- and D-movies where he simply appears and his lazy acting.. well, that's a bit sad. But here David Dunn looks believable and alive, even though you can still feel that reluctance in the performance of his (character matches the artist I guess). Bruce, come back to us, M. Night - good job.

The Walking Dead: Wrath (2018) Season 8, Episode 16

A redemption

[9/10 · 16 April 2018]

This is what it is - a redemption. Not only did I enjoy this episode very much I also figure out for myself the main problem with 7 and 8 seasons - it's two freaking seasons instead of one. Everything would have worked so much better! EVERYTHING "Oh no, but how would we be able to kill so many main characters in just one season?" You can and you should have! It would have worked better! It would be so much more spectacular, the drama would have overflow along with action and thriller! Yeah, you would have to cut something out, but maybe, just maybe, it would be exactly all the cringe-worth stuff and far-fetched stuff. I personally love all the reflection and emotions heroes have to go through. But the weakest part of the late Walking Dead is bad directing and writing for the most episodes since there weren't enough substance to fill them with! By the end of this finale however I was overjoyed by how lots of lines was completed (that of Rick, Morgan (in this story), Eugene, even bloody Oceanside(!)) And suddenly I figured out that many of those lasted throughout not one but two seasons - that's why the season 7 finale was such a shit storm. Without this slowness the absence of Maggie's pregnancy traces wouldn't bug me at such extent. All in all, well-done episode, finally a decent finale. My hope in better Walking Dead is as of now resurrected.

The Walking Dead: Worth (2018) Season 8, Episode 15

A decent one

[9/10 · 9 April 2018]

To put it mildly I've been highly disappointed with the way the show was progressing for the past two seasons. All the timeline nonsense with only a month passing for the freaking 32 episodes (!), hence with Maggie showing no traces of pregnancy what so ever and just making it so hard to believe that so close relationships have been developed in such a short time period (Negan and Rick for instance). Don't get me wrong: considering the era the characters live in and all things that have happened it's perfectly normal to experience the infinity of events in just a month. In this particular case though that is in fact not-believable mainly because how contrived the storytelling has become. Not to mention how both, writers and directors, seemingly gave up on efforts and began manufacturing mediocracy. But thankfully something happened (in the second half of the season eighth) - every two weeks or so the audience was provided with more or less decent flick. For me it was this one and the tenth that delivered the most satisfaction. Finally! Nice composition, thick yet understandable and consistent plot, nice directing and even Eugene's way of expressing himself wasn't such an abomination (as it usually is) for me this time. Hope that they keep it up and we'll be able to at least enjoy the finale of this sorry-ass season.