jesper-1 Reviews

Greyzone (2018)

An insult to your time an intelligence

[4/10 · 31 March 2018]

Only the first of six episodes are actually worth watching, unless you enjoy the most incompetent team of Danish and Swedish intelligence agents ever put together.

Everything is politically correct, boring and implausible. At this point everybody, even the terrorist, has accepted that the heroine hostage will not try to escape or reach out for help.

In episode six she had every opportunity to walk out the back door of the kindergarten while the terrorist checks for suspicious agents leaving his hostages alone in a position to call out for help. But as she by now is secretly working with the incompetent intelligence agencies, everything is just business as usual and when they get back to the main filming location, her apartment, he leaves his phone, the main communication tool to the terrorist masterminds, unattended so she can put a tracking device in it.

The two murders done by terrorists on Danish soil are never investigated (why bother), apparently there are no clues/video of the car(s) that twice magically appeared to either help a co-conspirator to escape or prevent our heroines escape, even though this would lead straight to the terrorist master minds. At any point in time our heroine could just grab her son, make a run for it, the master minds would magically appear and could be apprehended in a trap set by the police. That would instantly lead to apprehension of terrorists and prevent them from ever getting a drone, leaving only the actual warhead to deal with.

But no. The incompetent intelligence team has a plan that involves our heroine actually creating a controller for the terrorists' drone so it can deliver the warhead to its destination while they wait for the heroine to find out about her captor's family history.

It's insultingly stupid, it drags on with no interesting development, and two locations are reused over and over. Boring.

Alt-Right: Age of Rage (2018)

Strong start deteriorates to repeated preaching

[5/10 · 25 March 2018]

A strong start with high production value deteriorates into repeated political messaging. After the first hour I was just waiting for this one to end.

I am no expert in the Alt Right movement or Richard Spenser, so I was pleasantly surprised with the opening of the movie, as it looked like I would get some new insights. As the documentary progresses it turns out to be more of a collage of monologues made by Antifa activist Daryl Lamont Jenkins.

The messaging will be completely clear to the viewers once the movie ends: Alt-Right is "kind of" neo-Nazi or outright neo-Nazi, while Antifa are a democratic opposition which violent acts are never questioned.

My frustration grew as I watched how facts were distorted and the double standard of the makers became more and more clear. Let me point to some examples:

• Richard Cohen of the Southern Poverty Law Center talks about threats to his life (victim) while doxing (revealing private information publicly) about his opponents and Lamont Jenkins thinks it is good that people in Alt Right lose their job, when he exposes them.

• Antifa activist is doxed by Alt Right (victim) and he dresses up in protective combat gear when going to a protest against a completely peaceful closed Alt Right conference. He is in a fight, that he most likely started himself, and is then saluted by Antifa including Daryl Lamont Jenkins when released by police while his victim is in the hospital.

• Antifa activist does not want to speak about what she knows about which masked Antifa thug who violently attacked Spenser while he was being interviewed. This violence is somehow justified, okay or even funny.

• The failure of the Charlottesville police to stop violence is somehow manipulated into being a police support for Alt Right, while in fact it is clear from the documentary, that anti-Alt Right protesters instigated the violence. Focus then turns to the 20-year-old Alt Right supporter who rammed into a crowd with his car leaving a woman dead. Trump is then portrayed as a "kind of" neo-Nazi supporter for condemning violence "on many sides".

• Dangerous and scary background music are played when Alt Right speaks. When Lamont Jenkins incites the crowd with his chanting that they repeat, heroic music is played.

• Daryl Lamont Jenkins are the hero of the movie presenting one up close and personal monologue after another for the audience. In the end of the movie, this constant preaching was almost unbearable to watch. Richard Spenser, on the other hand, is shot from a distance and without the same coherent point of view.

My criticism should in no way be confused with support for the Alt Right movement, but I am on the other hand left with the clear impression, that the documentary lacks credibility in its portrayal of the movement.

For me it is absolutely absurd, that assault rifle armed private militia shows up to provide security to a demonstration, but contrary to the documentary's narrative I found myself thinking that it was properly good they appeared, as the director seamed apologetic to violent Antifa protesters.

The first half an hour is definitely the strongest part in regards to insight and production value. The last part of the documentary is week. Half an hour could easily been edited out.

Okkupert (2015–2020)

Lost potential and poorly executed all the way

[4/10 · 13 November 2015]

New Norwegian Green Party prime minister makes good on his election promise and stops production of oil and gas to prevent further climate change. In need of energy, the EU strikes a deal with Russia who forces their de facto rule over Norway and restarts oil production. Failing to corporate would result in fullscale Russian invasion and Norway would stand alone, as the EU would remain passive and the US has left NATO for some reason never explained.

Had it not been for the shallowness throughout the episodes we might accept this premise. Climate change plays no role except for the initial pretense. Norwegian resistance is more of a joke in the form of ten people hiding in a farm wearing tank tops.

The series tries to explore the dilemmas ordinary people would face in a situation where their country is de facto occupied with soft power. We follow the bankrupt restaurant owner who gets new business from the Russians and the police officer hunting down the resistance movement etc. Character development is done poorly and it's a mystery why we should care about any of them, even the Prime Minister, who tries to do what is best for his country but still shakes a welcoming hand with the EU-representative bringing him ultimate demands.

Everything is cheap, shallow, unbelievable and small. The geo political situation does not play any role at all and they do not even show effects of climate change, which perhaps could stress some urgency as to why the PMs party still demands stop for oil production.

What is supposed to be crime mysteries are laughably predictable, like who blew up the gas plant, killing 18 Russians resulting in cancellation of planned Russian withdrawal. They have now spend two episodes trying to keep us guessing but telling this sub-story is done in such a halfhearted way there is no reason to care.

There is absolutely no reason to watch the full series or any of the episodes and even co-producer Danish television has moved the airing of this most expensive Norwegian production to date to after midnight.

Writing this review makes me realize just how bad it is and that I'm actually only watching the show to see the portrayal of the Russians, who contrary to the Norwegians act professional but there is no explanation as to why Russia would secure EU oil and gas producing these goods themselves.

The Bridge (2011–2018)

Broen – a thinking mans thriller

[10/10 · 21 September 2015]

For the thinking man.

What I like about Broen is that it's a plot, story and character driven thinking man's thriller. What I don't like is that a weekly episode is way to spread out if you're only going to watch each episode once.

The premise of this series is that you – as the viewer – gets all the clues and you get to know the characters and this makes you able to guess if not solve the mystery before our heroes do. Broen 1 will reveal a horror and is an absolutely must watch before you move on to Broen 2.

You have to accept episodes that doesn't make sense at the time you watch, but this is actually a quality of Broen because nothing is random and the first episodes of Broen 2 is a good example. There is a contract with the viewer. If you can figure this out you're one step ahead. Enjoy.

If you're watching a random episode it will be a complete waste of time. Watch from start to finish.

Criminal Minds: Mayhem (2008) Season 4, Episode 1

Read the ttapola

[14 February 2013]

The fact of the matter is that they didn't air episode 66 on Danish television but skipped directly to episode 92. Not a week apart but two episodes aired directly after each other 66 followed by 92. This also happened in re-runs.

I was actually thinking that the ending of 65 was a producer trick like they did in Dynasty. Season ending is "Somebody get's killed" and in production line they start renegotiating contracts.

So I read ttapola's review (the only one) to find out what happened to the characters in my favorite series as I would expect somebody was missing 26 episodes later. Looks like I'm not missing anything in episode 66. Thanks ttapola - don't blame the messenger people...

Equilibrium (2002)

Humanity strikes back

[8/10 · 20 January 2004]

Grammaton Senior Cleric, John Preston (Christian Bale) hunts down ‘sense offenders', people guilty of human emotions, and kills them on behalf of the fascist system that have brought peace to the world.

When he one day misses the mandatory dose of Prozium (can you say Prosac?), that keeps him from feeling, he is forced to confront the meaning of his life without emotions and the price of choices made in the past.

Some reviewers accuse this movie of stealing from ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)' and ‘Fahrenheit 451 (1966)'. I do not agree since these books clearly were written with a political message and then later adapted for the screen.

Equilibrium is on the other hand ‘just' action / thriller entertainment that borrows ideas with taste and respect (like the fascist ruler ‘Father' talking to the citizens from a screen on a zeppelin).

This is not a movie that is meant to change the world.

The cynical futuristic setting is well done and the costumes greatly emphasize the cruel atmosphere of the police state. At no point is sentimental aspects or political messages overdone – this was never indented. These issues are in the movie - but they never supersede the action.

Christian Bale and Sean Bean are both believable, which is all we need. The action is awesome.

A refreshing sci-fi action-thriller! For once humanity strikes back at the evil system. Great entertainment. Properly not for your girlfriend, though. 8/10

Out of Time (I) (2003)

Wow – This is just so stupid!

[5/10 · 18 January 2004]

Denzel Washington does average performance. The babes (Sanaa Lathan and Eva Mendes) no good at acting but they sure are hot.

The plot is so idiotic – you have been warned.

(major spoilers start here)

Denzel Washington still loves his wife but lies about that to Sanaa Lathan which we have no trouble believing. They have known each other since high school but still he does not see that she is willing to set him up for murder, scar herself and kill him for the money.

Oh. Why didn't she say she had an affair with Washington at work? That would have put him out of business right away.

More over she is not alone. Her husband (Dean Cain) is in on the plan and presumably thinks it's just fine for Washington to bang his wife whenever opportunity allows. Morgue worker (Alex Carter) is also in on the plan and somehow ends up with the money in a hotel room even though Washington gives them to Lathan. Why didn't she just take off and how did the money end up in the hotel room with this other criminal. Do they trust him?

This is just so unbelievable stupid and unrealistic. The whole plan is based on the presumption that the respected Chief of Police (Washington) will steal the evidence money to give to his secret lover. What if he had not done that? What if he had just left `Dr. Frieland's office without hearing about expensive treatment? What kind of future does he hope to have with the cancer-sick-6-months-to-live Lathan even if the experimental cure works? What if he had just said he would be there with moral support – then they would have snatched two bodies from the morgue for no good reason.

The bad guys does a lot to set him up for murder but could have easily just burned down the house with one body, said it was Lathan and then collected the 1 million dollars. In stead they do all this planning, setting up and risks to get 485.000.

Ex-wife Detective (Eva Mendes) signs the divorce papers and sends them to Washington because she has decided that she does not love him anymore. When she later finds out that Washington has had an affair with Lathan, stolen the evidence money, beaten down a suspect, lied and obstructed justice she covers for him and cancels the divorce.

Until the horrible plot is known the movie has its moments. 5/10

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

a pain to watch

[4/10 · 26 July 2003]

Death metal rock music + black/white footage from old horror movies + people with masks and/or deformation + Doctor Death legend + repeated flash backs to previous killings = House of 1000 Corpses

It's all there! Everything you have already seen before in horror movies mixed into one chaotic film that tries to scare but confuses you. Too many effects, cuts in time/place, uninteresting characters and the 'standard' horror story ruins this one.

Maybe you'll like it if you're on drugs. I'm not surprised if the editors were.

Did i forget to mention 'stormy weather', 'car breaks down', 'axeman hunting girl', 'clothes of human skin'.

You have seen it all before and you will see it again in this movie. The effects are well done and there is plenty of them. This movie is only for nerds and the rest of you have been warned. 4/10

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Believable psychopath

[10/10 · 11 July 2003]

Do not let the fact that this movie was made 50 years ago fool you. Mitchum playing an impotent psychopath is out to get the never found money from a robbery. Posing as a preacher Mitchum is charming and polite but right underneath his appearance lays a disillusioned evil man who will stop at nothing. This guy believes God is on his side and therefore has no conscience whatsoever making him far more credible than the villains of most movies today.

The script is great. Had this movie been done today I'm sure it would be changed to make it more politically correct and in the process making it predictable and the characters stereotypes. For instance it had been a lot more convenient to make the children's father either pure good or pure evil. Or the mother a gold digger or alcoholic to justify her actions and role in the story. Surely we would also have some (more) gunfights.

Instead this movie is simply believable because it tells a good story, stays to the point and justifies the characters actions. Not including Mitchum the rest of the characters is like most people. We mean well and all have flaws.

Night of the Hunter is certainly a down to earth movie not romanticising any subject. I don't know that the morale is but I guess it's something along the lines of the value of common sense.

That being said, forget about my opinion and just watch this great thriller. 10/10

Color of Justice (1997 TV Movie)

Brilliant and believable performances in a movie with substance

[9/10 · 17 May 2002]

If you enjoy intelligent political dramas as I do 'Color of Justice' is definitely not a movie to be missed.

Despite this being a movie made for TV it delivers in many ways where many movies for cinemas fail. It has a great story and all of the characters are well played and believable.

This movie has enough substance and raises questions for at least one more hour of playtime.

Who will benefit from the trail of 4 black juveniles accused of murdering a white woman? The New York D.A hoping to run for mayor? The rising star TV reporter and the network she is working for? Or maybe the black Reverend Walton (Gregory Hines) claiming the accused are victims of race?

Will justice be done? You will have to see for yourself. Enjoy.

9/10

The Watcher (I) (2000)

Wannabe serial killer

[9 January 2002]

Wannabe serial killer Keanu Reeves watches women and kills them apparently for no other reason than the attention from traumatized-former-killer-hunter James Spader. Eventhough there is budget for this cast, SWAT guys in cool choppers along with some nice explosions this is not enough to put 'The Watcher' above average entertainment value.

I recommend seeing 'Manhunter' (1986), 'Along Came a Spider' (2001) or 'The Bone Collector' (1999) instead. But should you find yourself in a position where 'The Watcher' is the only option it not a complete disaster. Don't get your hopes up. 5/10

Cube (1997)

Highly overrated - nothing revolutionary

[3/10 · 26 July 2001]

It's hard to criticize this movie without giving away spoilers but let me just say that one cube in different colors, seven second rate actors, no noteworthy dialogue doesn't stand the distance for 1½ hours. It actually gets rather boring.

Other users comment on claustrophobia, humanity and society. I'll agree that this may be the intention of the director but I find this to be done a lot better in other movies.

This leaves one new idea (the setting) and two nice special effects. Well maybe I just don't get the point - but now you've been warned!

Rating 3/10

Traces of Red (1992)

Suspense and entertainment.

[8/10 · 10 July 2001]

Being that this movie has a lot of fine entertainment qualities I think it should some more credit than it has been given on imdb.

It's your basic 'who done it?' thriller with sex and murder but it keeps you guessing right to the end. I like these kinds of movies and I certainly think this one meets the standard.

To me it was worth watching more than once so I'll give it an 8 on imdb.