Necrotongue

No one can say this story lacks development, that's for sure. We're watching depression unfold right before our eyes, spiraling into an even deeper depression. With three episodes left, a happy ending seems like a distant dream, so I'm already placing my bets on how Alex's fate will end. And here I was thinking that I had problems in my life. Everything's peachy compared to this whirlwind of dreadful circumstances and poor decisions. / Lesson learned: Material possessions come and go, don't become overly attached to them.

At first glance, it seemed like your typical series, but with each passing episode, it's becoming clear that the creators are a pack of fiendish sadists who delight in subjecting the main character to their twisted whims. They toy with her, granting fleeting moments of happiness and joy, only to yank her back into the depths of despair. It's a finely crafted show, yet paradoxically, it's not always an easy watch. / Lesson learned: Beware the consequences of a children's party.

Well, last Thanksgiving is now a distant memory, much like the calmer plotlines of this series. This time, Alex finds herself once again taking blows from life, one after another. If I were a believer in a higher power, I'd say the main character must have seriously angered it even as an embryo, or she's somehow inspired boundless hatred from this all-powerful entity with her mere existence. But since I'm not a believer in such things, I have to conclude that Alex just has a relentless streak of bad luck. / Lesson learned: Always lock up thoroughly.

The pace and the plot of this episode weren't particularly remarkable, but I found myself quite entertained by another of Alex's missteps. They must have hypnotized me or something because I suddenly felt intense relief at not being a wealthy individual (sic!), and not having to worry about strangers openly raiding my fridge and stealing cashmere sweaters. / Lesson learned: Value your privacy? Tidy up yourself.

Despite the unexpectedly optimistic ending (by local standards), I'm not seeing a vibrant future for the story. If it were just about a romantic relationship, there might be some hope (although I wouldn't bet on it too much), but the creators have also decided to involve a powerful System with all its Vogons and their colorful forms in the plot, leaving individuals with little chance. Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell shine in their roles, and I'm eagerly anticipating more of their scenes together. / Lesson learned: If you have a barn, make sure there's no valuable artwork inside.

Fans of the action genre and those weary of the influx of seemingly invincible female heroes might not find this series appealing. However, despite my usual aversion to quotas, political correctness, and forced gender equality, I am surprisingly pleased with this one. Alex is an incredibly relatable character, her story avoids excessive sentimentality (if anything, it's refreshingly raw), and as a drama, it hits the mark for me. / Lesson learned: Always pay for the provided services.

Well, it's safe to say that this series is shaping up to be quite the somber journey after just the first episode. What the main heroine is grappling with can be summed up as playing a bad hand. Any hope for a brighter future seems distant. What isn't bad due to others' fault, Alex makes up for with her own flawed decisions. I usually reserve three stars for pilot episodes, but in this case, it seems the downward spiral of the main character warranted an extra star. / Lesson learned: When life feels like it's crumbling in your hands, be sure that it will only get worse.

Yet another chapter in the Dirty Harry saga. Much like its predecessor Sudden Impact, it has solidified for me that the 70s version of Harry Callahan was better than his 80s version. It's not necessarily about the character's advancing age; the older stories simply felt more gripping. This time, the main villain was shrouded in mystery for quite some time, but upon reveal, he fell flat for me, barely registering as noteworthy. Harry seemed to spend more time at dinners than delivering his trademark dry remarks, and if not for the Italian mafiosos, I might have struggled to stay entertained. / Lesson learned: When aiming for a catch, it's best to wield a harpoon. 3*-

In this movie, Harry Callahan was a dozen years older than in his first film, but oddly enough, that wasn't the issue. The main flaw of the film was its inability to immerse me fully into its world. Throughout, it felt like I was merely watching moving pictures rather than being drawn into the plot. Clint Eastwood's direction didn't quite hit the mark for me. The lack of logical consistency and the presence of some entirely unnecessary characters added to the overall unconvincing nature of the film. It didn't manage to fully win me over years ago when I first watched it, and upon revisiting it today, my initial impression was only reinforced. / Lesson learned: Be cautious around carousels. 3*-

The follow-up to Dirty Harry brought back the iconic main character along with a small crowd of killers, though I'm not entirely convinced it added to the story. None of the villains managed to smirk arrogantly enough to make me eagerly anticipate their teeth being knocked out. Harry Callahan, true to form, remained cool as ever, echoing my sentiments from the previous installment. However, this time around, the story lacked a clear direction. Despite these critiques and its age, the film managed to captivate me more than many contemporary works, delivering an enjoyable experience once again. / Lesson learned: It's probably wiser not to provoke the traffic police. 4*-