figarska Reviews

Ted Lasso: Beard After Hours (2021) Season 2, Episode 9

Phenomenal entertainment

[10/10 · 18 September 2021]

Wow.

Just wow. What a great TV! What a great writing team, cinematography, editing, casting, light, directing.

What a great example of taking risk and striving for ambition, on a TV scale.

What a great trust in viewers, that we don't need to be "dumbed down".

Such episode would not survive "rating" system, when populous demands things pre-chewed and average. I don't want to find myself inside the mind of general population. I can enter facebook for that garbage. I want to see where writers will risk to lead.

I love Coach Beard. Exactly because he is not explained.

The Man from Earth (2007)

I want my kids to watch this!

[10/10 · 1 April 2021]

What a gem of the movie, that stays with me so long after watching. With the theatrical setting and good dialog, it took its time to burn its quiet significance into my mind. This film is a cultural achievement, if not necessary for syfy genre, then rather for crossing between philosophy and theology, both being the belief systems. A movie for non-believers, believers, fervent believers, agnostics, atheists, know-it-betters, know-it-all-ers. What would you want , as a human, out of the entirety of human experience? HUMAN experience?

Mind opening!

The Untamed (2019)

Compelling Story with nuanced characters

[10/10 · 28 April 2020]

Many enthusiastic words were said about main characters and actors portraying them, so deservingly, that I am not going to repeat them. The production diverted attention from special effects, probably due to budget, and instead created almost theatrical drama, with the very good result. In fact, it is a sample of how to detoxify a lot of overproduced CG heavy shows from effects that sacrifice the story. Despite limitations, the show creates the very rich word, giving each protagonist something to think (and us by proxy). I want to especially appreciate the supporting cast! There is a scene (in Lotus Pier) when one of elders summarises villain in ONE SENTENCE, illustrating the difference between smarts and wisdom. Not bad for the show that supposed to be an eye-candy. I am very thankful that Netflix was able to bring this series to western audience. I highly recommend it, to exercise our cynical souls to actually flex some feelings.

The Orville (2017–2022)

Heartwarming intelligent comedy.

[10/10 · 18 April 2020]

This is the show that my whole family can binge watch. It brough interesting subjects to discussion with my teens: influence of social media, gender equality, work/vs/ethics, even science. More even: it makes us want to hope for that future. For that pure optimism. It's the show that inspire. It's the show that warms our frozen expectations. It's the show that we need. Truly, deserves many more seasons, with fans waiting already. It also shows why TV is dying, if it can not hold on to good stuff.

The Farewell (I) (2019)

Phenomenal and loving portrait.

[10/10 · 21 July 2019]

During moment of breaks from conversation, silence of music gave this movie another palpable leyer. The audience stopped ...chewing, fidgeting, slurping. We were all in the room with the cast. We were all sitting on waiting room chairs (nice cinematography!). And we all did not want to rush anything, but rather went numb with the family. In the end, She was our Grandmother. That is a skill of the great storytelling, not ruined by Hollywood "committee" , but delivered exactly how it should, feelling exactly how it felt. The side characters left us wanting more of them, but that is a very good sign. To those commenting that they were underdeveloped: to tell their story would require series, not a movie. This gem is exactly what it should be, made before we knew how much we need it. It is intimate, but made to be watched in theater, with other "unckles, aunts, grandchildren, ect" of the momentary family gathering.. I came to theater to see Awkwafina, and that was a fantastic casting decision. But I came back to see NaiNai again. This actress deserves Oscar nomination for a supporting role!

Chernobyl (2019)

It was a beautiful spring...

[10/10 · 15 June 2019]

...and we were told to stay indoors during recess, with windows shut. I still remember yucky taste of iodine (liquid, tablets run out). I was 16, my brother 24, studying physics. He was the one with the access to Geiger sensor, at University. I remember elderly villager grambling that she had to pour the fresh milk on the ground, convinced that since her cows are healthy and well cared for, her milk should be fine! We were NOT informed about the extent of risks. But we were also not ignorant about radiation. After all we had all exercised drills for events like "western attacks or sabotage". We were told to beware of "the west". The following weeks, there were a lot of people showing at medical centers with dark, small "patches" on their exposed skin. They were told that it was a reaction to cheap "perfume" ingredience. People were loudly frustrated by official propaganda. They were grumbling at the ethnic dishonesty of Moscow toward its western holdings. Radio "free Europe" broadcasted from Vienna did more for breaking the eastern block then missiles.

To this day I did not know that it could have been even worse. I want to thank the heroes who prevented that. I want to sincerely thank HBO, director, editor, producers, brilliant music composer (!) for a sheer authenticity of this show. It brought so many memories, while staying relevant for my American family. Oh, and don't bother with accents.

Isn't It Romantic (2019)

Joyfull non-romantic comedy

[8/10 · 19 February 2019]

What a chutzpah to produce the movie that is doing what it is supposed to do: entertine! Rebel Wilson shines (literally, look at that sweater) and we needed her to be in this role. The supporting cast did fabulous job, as well as production team. The settings are the characters themselves. I have watched this movie in the theater, with audience bursting out loud with laugh. But it will equally be at home in your home, with some girlfriends and bubbly. Have fun!

Eternal Love (2017)

Phenomenal leading actors!

[9/10 · 14 February 2019]

How can one actress portrait a vulnerable but passionately loved woman, (that we root for) in one section of the story, and then wooden puppet treated with polite indifference in other part? And make us feel in accord? I started paying attention when I rewatched this series. Main actors act not only with eyes, but with posture. They make us believe in those emotions. They have a chameleon-like instincts about their respective roles. Which also means that the script gave them sustenance they could work with. Otherall, what a fantastic introduction to genre I did not know it existed! I have read comment recommending this production to people favouring chinese drama. I think that the series speaks to variety of cultures, and about abundance of universal sentiments. There is compassion, honor, rebelion, obsession, hope, resignation, depth, love, depression, anger. And somehow: characters honesty toward their own feelings, versus just response to the plot. This is satisfying truly above and beyond Hollywood production, which by comparison seem "rushed before cancellation" and never developed with fulfillment in mind. Downton Abbey or British costume dramas are closest watcheable comparison. Give this series a serious try. Expect to spend a little time on it.

Ashes of Love (2018)

Beautiful Production

[9/10 · 2 January 2019]

I enjoyed the series much more then expected to. And I am not a fan of soap operas. Seriously, the first thing that really caught my eyes were the costumes and sets. All wooden items were carved, all calligraphy hand made, all clothing beautifully stitched. There is a palpable tactile sense to the created universe. That in turns allowed camera to get us traveling from the panoramic vistas (CG) to close-ups with quite high quality. I applaud the casting decisions as well. Main characters were progressing along the series with some burden of experiences, and it showed. The story had a nice arch, well explored without rushing, but also without being lost. This really beats a trivel of 600 channels of the "couple friends and a couch" or "tired rushed drama" concepts, and competes well with Hollywood TV studio productions, (which should take a notice, btw.) I am getting really frustrated with TV shows cancellations before we have any closure (Timeless, Lucifer) and here we can see an emerging market production, not only well executed (which means: expensively) but also NOT cancelled due to economic reasons. Bear in mind: this is a fantasy series, so some elements might be a bit naive, and some back story a little borrowed from at least 3 cultures, but the effect is still endearing, not cynical. In terms of emotional connection with the viewer: It stuck landing, to the last scene.

Modern Family: Good Grief (2018) Season 10, Episode 5

Quintessential Modern Family

[10/10 · 28 October 2018]

What a great episode, how it came back to a quirky humor of every day life, including tragicomic parts. Relied on chemistry of cast, comedy of human interactions, instead of unnecessarily twisted plots. Modern Family amassed enough of history of characters, that they can believably take their individual roles and defend them well. It was like coming back to the Family, but with a gust of fresh air. I absolutely loved it, one of the best episodes in a series.

Maleficent (2014)

Still Beautiful!

[3 October 2018]

Beautiful, because NOT overacted. Couple of scenes with Angelina Jolie will stand the test of time forever. The movie dares to show the pain of adult choices in approachable way for the whole family. I can see the fresh influence of Pixar on the stale decade of Disney. Yet I can see the respect of design toward original. Very well made, indeed!

Lucifer: A Devil of My Word (2018) Season 3, Episode 24

Great Cheeky Entertinement

[10/10 · 17 May 2018]

The show started with fanfare, and pulled me in with every episode. I have grown interested in characters, individually, not only as an ensemble. I want to know more about Ella (and VOICES), I am looking forward to Mama Decker opinion about Chloe relationship, I want to know how fear can change Chloe rock-solid loyalty. I want to understand if Dan slips into bitterness, and rut for him to stay strong. Clearly am interested in continuing production, and judging from the comments, I am not alone. I love every quirk writers can wring from California Cliches, every twist when Lucifer is more merciful then array of "Believers/Followers". This show mixed JOYFUL pleasure of watching human fallacy, without torturing us in the process. I hardly can find anything like Lucifer in a sea of uninteresting, uncontroversial, beige, formulaic shows, just from Fox alone. By the time you get a good look at the menu, one may wish for ditching regular programming and going to Netflix, just to cleanse on Star Trek, Next Generation. This show has HUGE story potential, and like any good one, had to be cancelled? How about starting GoFundMe to show its financial potential as well? Count: average episode price x 17 or more per season x 2 more seasons x number of viewers = significant incentive for networks to pick it up. Why wouldn't they? Even HBO is going to damps after Game of Thrones is done.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Brilliant Cinematography

[9/10 · 8 August 2017]

Aside the action, Atomic Blonde deserves really much more credit for brilliance in portraying of Berlin in 80-s. The reality wasn't that glamorous, and being German, it was ...cleaner, but otherwise cinematography is spot on. I spent time in Berlin on both sides. The daily reality was that crazy: playgrounds next to The Wall and 50 meters of ruined ground with guard towers and autonomic weapons pointed in wrong direction (most east Germans wanted in, not out). I remember riding the bike over the small bridge, and waving to the Eastern German guard in Zehlendorf. Usually he waved back. I remember stark, showy, EMPTY, bloated modernism of Alexanderplatz. I remember a feeling of living on the island. This film managed to bring it all back expertly.

Even spy story follows its own logic: certainly there was a melting pot of Soviet, British and American interests. At some point one can imagine that spies turn coat just to talk to somebody about their work who understands them. And adapt to pathology. And try to preserve it...

Really, really well done!

High Moon (2014 TV Movie)

Great retro styled comedy!

[8/10 · 22 September 2014]

From the first scene, I got the winks that director sent at us: This is a caper in genre of old space comedies and new/retro styling of Mad Men. You really have to have a sense of humor to enjoy it, and a good martini on your side table would not hurt either. The dialog dips into all rich clichés from detective noir flicks from 60's, then quotes the optimistic space "future" of 50's, only to let the plot twist its ankles on new age cynicism. I really think that at times that art of "quote" reached the level of Star Trek Next Generation scenes on Holodeck. I loved, loved, loved retro styling and settings! Practically every scene had a morsel for architects, interior and fashion designers, and movie critics with the eye on mid twenty century nostalgia. I loved that actors mostly embraced the new "old" style of dialog.

I think that this movie will have a following, just like Serenity, so don't dis it yet. I gave it 8 for brave originality of trying to do exactly what it is supposed to do: entertain, and cut down on unnecessary heroics: I have already saved the word with my x-box, the day before.

And yes, it calls for follow up series, so I really hope that networks will pick it up.