Kukkahattuseta Reviews

Pressure (II) (2015)

Don't leave any lasting memories

[5/10 · 27 March 2024]

I like confined space movies that take place in space or underwater. That's why I decided to watch this film. It's been a long time since I've seen a good film in this genre, and this film didn't change that.

This film doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to reinvent it. As long as the story is well told. This was both a success and a failure. The idea itself was quite interesting. However, the characters were rather thin and the story fell short in many respects. This is a pity in itself, because the basic idea was quite interesting. However, I enjoyed watching the film, but I didn't any lasting memory.

Sea Fever (2019)

Better than usually in this gene

[6/10 · 27 March 2024]

This film does not reinvent the wheel, but there is no need to reinvent it. As long as the story is well told. This was both a success and a failure.

The acting was good and the characters a little deeper than usual in this type of film. However, the characters cannot be said to be very deep and personal, but they were nevertheless better written and acted than average for a film of this type.

Personally, I was perhaps a little let down by some the unscientific nature of the film at certain points. Although they tried to keep the science within the bounds of plausibility, I would have liked them to have done so until the end.

The biggest disappointment, however, was the final scene, which was a real anti climax. This because the scene was such a terrible cliché. The film would still be quite entertaining.

The Long Shadow (2023)

Idleness and prolongation in good way

[8/10 · 27 March 2024]

The British know how to make quality drama, and this was no exception. I don't know the details of the case, and I don't know how faithful the series was to reality. Some elements and characters were obviously fictional. Since I do not know the background to the true story, I will treat this film as a cultural production of fiction.

The series was well written, directed, acted, costumed and staged. The series managed to touch on a number of interesting social issues. There was a lot of idleness in the series, but this time there were good reasons for it. It was a good illustration of how difficult an investigation can really be and how many things can actually go wrong. A look in ones perception and how deceiving it can be.

A certain idleness and prolongation underlined the frustration that the characters in the series were experiencing. It was important that this feeling was also conveyed to the audience. All in all, a series worth watching.

Infinity Pool (2023)

Bizarre doesn't come by force

[5/10 · 27 March 2024]

I like strange films. This film started off quite promisingly. After the first execution, the film could have gone in any number of directions. I was perhaps expecting more of a moral philosophical reflection. The film could have dealt with many interesting issues. But in the end, the film tried too hard to be weird. Good weirdness doesn't come from trying to make a weird film by force. Something could have been made of the film's denouement, the way things went after the first execution. However, the film went off in too many directions without really achieving anything. That's a pity. This could really have been a good, memorable film. Now the main feeling was one of frustration.

Hatching (2022)

Satire on contemporary phenomena's in a veil of horror

[7/10 · 9 March 2024]

This was the first Finnish horror film I have ever seen. I was pleasantly surprised. The film itself did not invent anything new. The old elements used are simply brought into the Finnish context. Or actually, one cannot speak of a Finnish context. By changing the language, this could have happened in any Western country. In fact, the language was the only factor that made it Finnish. But still, you don't always have to invent something new. The most important thing is a good script and execution.

I think this film was reasonably successful. Although it was a horror film, the film could have worked without the horror element as a satire on modern phenomena's. But horror it was and still made some good points. Some black comedy in there somewhere.

Utö (2024– )

A fairly good mystery series from Finland

[7/10 · 9 March 2024]

This was the first Finnish mystery series I have ever seen. I was pleasantly surprised as the series conveyed the most common stumbling blocks of Finnish series.

A common problem with Finnish police series, for example, is that they try to copy US series, and don't trust their own work and strengths. The world is full of US series. They don't need to be made elsewhere. In other words, the characters remain very one-dimensional and the dialogue is generally poor. It's a lot of action and romance. Often the dialogue consists mainly of one liners. In this series, the characters and dialogue were much better.

The series as such does not invent anything new. The old elements used are just brought into a new setting. But you don't always have to invent something new. The most important thing is a good script and execution.

I think this series was reasonably well done. Maybe I should have shortened the series to six parts. I don't know. On the other hand, the little idleness created a sense of hopelessness that the characters were experiencing. I would also perhaps have liked the series to have gone longer without showing the outside world. Stayed on the island and kept the veil of mystery up longer. The last episode was a bit silly. Still, I thought it was a well done series and quite entertaining.

The Show (II) (2020)

Maybe this would have been better as series...?

[6/10 · 9 March 2024]

I think most of the series are such that they would only have the makings of a film. In other words, the series are often forcibly prolonged with content that does not add value to the story. This time I think this movie would have been better as a 4-6 episode series. The film was rushed through. There were a lot of interesting characters and elements in the film, but these were not exploited and remained very superficial. A pity in itself, as a strange series these characters and elements could have been better exploited. That's not to say that the series would have been good, but it would have had a better chance to make a difference.

Spy/Master (2023)

A good old-fashioned spy thriller with a historical context

[8/10 · 8 March 2024]

I had no expectations for this series. Fortunately, I started watching it, because it turned out to be a good spy series in a long time. The series doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to. The most important thing is a good script and the execution. This series managed to do both. The script was well written, the characters were mostly believable. The execution was intense. There wasn't much action, which I liked. However, the series held its grip firmly from start to finish. This was due to the good script and direction. The actors performed well. The set and costumes were really well done.

I also appreciated the fact that the series was not unnecessarily prolonged. Six episodes was just the right length for the series. In the last episode it started to get a little unbelievable, but I forgive that because the execution was otherwise good.

I was also a little challenged by the main character's motivations and the relationship of his actions to reality. But maybe that was one of the purposes of the series. The elusiveness of the main character Victor's motives.

Overall, a strong recommendation for this series if you like old-time spy thrillers.

White House Plumbers (2023)

Entertaining, but...

[6/10 · 2 March 2024]

The historical context of the series is interesting. The style chosen is also exceptional. This chosen exceptional style is one of the strengths of the series, but ultimately also one of its weaknesses. The humorous approach could have worked, but perhaps I would have preferred a more serious approach to such an interesting subject. There could have been humour in the series, but now the humour became purpose in itself. Humour could have been a by-product, not the purpose of the series itself. I was also disturbed by Woody Harrellson's overacting. Or perhaps more so his overstated way of speaking. All in all, though, the series was entertaining, but ultimately a "dozen production" that left no lasting impression.

Two Sides of the Abyss (2023)

Too many implausibilities

[4/10 · 2 March 2024]

The series raises the question of who the real victim is. From a legal point of view, the issue is probably clear, but there is another way of looking at it. However, I am not personally in favour of revenge in this sense.

The basic idea behind the series was quite good. The problem was the weakness of the script and the execution. Especially in the last few episodes, there were so many implausibilities that interest was quickly lost. I will not go into further detail here. It should be obvious to anyone who has watched the series. Something should be written here to fill the character count. Wee, that's it.

Prospect (2018)

A pleasant surprise

[7/10 · 25 February 2024]

I started watching the film without knowing anything about it beforehand. The first thing I paid attention to were the little details. I appreciated the attention to detail in the film; dirt, wear and tear. The budget of the film was obviously small. Against this background, I appreciate the fact that the small budget was nevertheless well spent.

The story itself is not particularly original, but you don't always have to invent something new. The most important thing is that the story is well told and technically well executed.

You could say that it was a kind of western film about the gold rush. All the elements were there. Greed, deceit, survival. The story was just taken into the future and into space.

Light of My Life (I) (2019)

Nice little story

[7/10 · 16 February 2024]

Another post-apocalyptic film. But a quite decent one. I appreciated the slow-moving story and the power of the storytelling. Many criticized how the father was so prepared and the daughter so unprepared. However, they seem to forget what puberty and adolescence usually mean; questioning everything and feeling out of control of one's emotions. It's been a long time since I saw the film The Road. This probably reminded me a lot of that film. It wasn't a new idea by any means, but I thought the film was quite well made. A little story in a new world order. Nothing groundbreaking, but a nice little story.

The Cry (I) (2018)

Consistent quality

[7/10 · 16 February 2024]

I almost stopped watching the series during the first episode. I'm tired of the constant time jumps and flashbacks. I know it's trendy, but when the same trend continues for years, it loses its effectiveness. It rarely anymore ads any value to a series or film. Fortunately, I was able to keep watching the series. The flashbacks became fewer and fewer over the course of the next episodes.

Overall, the series was of consistent quality. The actors were a little out of character, but that may have been the intention. Overall, it was about power, manipulation and control. A neat little well executed series. It wasn't the kind of series that leaves a lasting impression, but it was well made entertainment.

The only clear ambiguity for me was the bottles and why. The similarity of the mixture just seemed implausible because why. I won't go into it any further here because I don't want to write any spoilers.

Old Dads (2023)

Badly misses opportunity

[3/10 · 14 February 2024]

The films general idea was good. That's where all the good stuff ended. The idea is not new, but the subject could have been made into a really good comedy, which at the same time would have taken a stand on various phenomena related to the subject. Instead, the film was childish and full of clichés, a "buddy comedy" There have been many similar films, and this one did not bring anything new to the genre. The film was also weak in its own genre. The jokes were simply boring and there was nothing insightful about them. This would have been just the subject matter that would have required insightful humour to really make a stand. What a waste...

Des (2020)

Gave me lung cancer - worth it

[8/10 · 14 February 2024]

I don't know the backstory of the series, so I can't comment on how it relates to reality. I therefore assess the series as a purely entertaining and artistic work. The British are known for making quality drama, and this was no exception.

The series was well and seamlessly scripted and was able to keep the tension from start to finish. The staging and costumes were good. Above all, the actors gave great performances. David Tenant in particular gave a strong performance. The other actors were also credible in their roles. Compared to Hollywood, I like the fact that the actors look like their characters and not all of them are beautiful and handsome in the classical sense.

About the lung cancer - the amount of smoking! :D.

The Murders at White House Farm (2020)

A strong one

[8/10 · 14 February 2024]

I don't know the backstory of the series, so I can't comment on how it relates to reality. I therefore assess the series as a purely entertaining and artistic work.

The British are known for making quality drama, and this was no exception. The series was well and seamlessly scripted. The staging and costumes were good. Above all, the actors gave great performances. The series was able to keep the tension alive from start to finish. There was no unnecessary "idle time", but enough space was given for the characters to grow over the course of the series. I can highly recommend watching this series.

The Last Thing He Wanted (2020)

I don't understand what many people didn't understand about this film

[6/10 · 2 February 2024]

I find it a little hard to understand the bad reviews of this film. Mainly I wonder about people's claims that the film is confusing and "all over the place".

The film was quite clear and proceeded in a straightforward and unfortunately predictable manner. It seems that many, apparently US viewers, do not know their own history. I will not start from here on the other side of the globe to teach you things about your own history that you should know. If you did, there would have been nothing confusing about this film.

It was a fairly standard spy film kind of film. It wasn't a bad film, but it was formulaic and somewhat predictable. It was, however, fairly entertaining film in its genre.

6ixtynin9: The Series (2023– )

Really amateurish series or eccentric series?

[6/10 · 1 February 2024]

When watching this series, one often wonders whether it is an exceptionally amateurish series or an eccentrically, good series. Just when you think you've found the answer, you have to change your mind again after a while. And Again and again.

The plot of the series is rather used. Nothing new there. It's more about the way it's done. Despite the initial faults, I ended up watching the whole series. Despite all its faults, it was entertaining. The series was also such that you could really expect anything from the next scene. This also made me want to keep watching.

The series had partly a weirdly good '80s synth soundscape. Unfortunately, this was not relied on enough, but was interspersed with traditional melodramatic piano thumping and strings. What a let down.

Series also featured the world's most picked door lock, the world's longest made tiny tattoo and the longest strangulation scene without death.

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

I like this genre, but...

[5/10 · 27 January 2024]

I've always loved books, series and films of this genre. This film was in the middle of the genre in terms of quality.

Somehow, though, I've recently started to become alienated from films of this genre. This is probably purely due to the fact that every film in this genre has exactly the same formula. The context changes, but the story is the same right to the end; utopia/dystopia, doubt, revelation, open ending.

Somehow, after a film or a book, you always feel disappointed, even if the ending is basically fine and the film is well made. I don't like everything being explained. An open ending is fine. But you can't repeat the same idea indefinitely. This genre needs a rebirth, something new and fresh.

I minus one star for the completely unnecessary action section at the end.

The Strays (2023)

I don't understand what people didn't understand about this film

[6/10 · 26 January 2024]

The average score for this film does not give much value to the film. It is not a top film, but it is not as bad as the score suggests. It is a film of quite good quality.

There are a few inconsistencies and a bit too much happens in five days. Perhaps the main problem is too much underlining. Even when reading the reviews, many people did not seem to understand the basic message and meaning of the film. This is perhaps a little confusing, as the film was quite clear in all aspects. In its own way, it was elegantly and impressively made, but the basic messages were quite clear.

Another problem that the film may have had was that it was very average in every way. Stylishly made, but at the same time somewhat empty, although there were various themes and they were clearly brought out. This made it perhaps a little difficult to concentrate on the film in depth. Fortunately, the final scenes saved some.

All in all, the film was okay, but did not leave any lasting impressions.

Florida Man (2023)

Seen many times, but entertaining

[6/10 · 23 January 2024]

This series did not leave me with many memories or much to say. That doesn't automatically mean it was a bad series. It was entertaining in its own way. Seen many times, but entertaining enough to see it through to the end. One clear good thing was that the series was not prolonged. One season and the story is told (hopefully). Too often they make new and new seasons without no added value. Of course, it's business; they'll keep making them as long as people keep watching. However, I like series that are written from start to finish. Now, I still have 50 characters to go before there is enough text. Oh, now I got there.

Boy Swallows Universe (2024)

The first five episodes were very good, the last two a bit disappointing - Still worth a watch

[7/10 · 21 January 2024]

The series was a brutal portrayal of an atypical life, but warm at heart. The series crossed several genres successfully; drama, comedy and crime with a touch of fantasy. The success of the series was based on the fact that no genre was overemphasised, but all fit together in a way that supported each other. The characters in the series were colourful and well written and, above all, acted.

The problem was the last two episodes. Jumping forward four years to the moment when Eli and Gus's mother was released from prison changed the dynamics and style of the series. The last episode seemed rushed and the last-minute trill twist was implausible and didn't fit in with the overall series at all. The series was based on a book. I haven't read the book, so I don't know how faithfully the ending of the series represented the book. However, I found the last two episodes quite disappointing compared to the first five episodes of the series.

But overall, the series was a pleasant surprise and well worth watching.

Burning Body (2023)

A story of power, betrayal and revenge

[6/10 · 17 January 2024]

At first, the series seemed like a pretty standard police thriller. It was mediocre in every respect. I don't mean this in a bad way. All the pieces were in place, but the series didn't seem to offer anything new and special.

However, the series slowly builds up and eventually it becomes about power and how any power corrupts. And revenge. This series was about Rosa. Her constant dissatisfaction and how she used her charm as an instrument of power in an environment full of immature macho men. A love of self and power. The notion that there are no limits and everyone can be manipulated without consequence. Until the consequences come.

I have to say that Rosa was an absolutely horrible person. Manipulative and arrogant, narcissistic. Men were mostly just stupid and seduced by their penises. I don't really understand these men. No self-respect whatsoever. Pathetic. Úrsula Corberó, who played Rosa, gave a good performance. It was so strong that you really started to hate the character.

The weakness of the series is the same that plagues many series. The series was prolonged for no good reason. It's good to take your time to build a set-up, but in this series things were repeated, repetitive and over-emphasised. The same things were underlined many times. A hint would have been enough in many cases. Confidence in the viewer. Of course, this is business and we wanted more episodes. In any case, the series would have been better as more concise. 4-6 episodes would have been just fine.

Still, worth a watch.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Refressing surprise in an old genre and well made

[8/10 · 14 January 2024]

I started watching this film without any expectations. Or you could say that my expectations were very low. I have criticised a lot of Hollywood productions. Hollywood is usually all about quantity, not quality.

However, this film was an exception. I spent 2.5 hours with my handsets to my ears, completely in suspense. The film was exceptionally well made for a Hollywood production. The film was able to deal with many issues. However, some of it was unnecessarily understated and bordered on pseudo-philosophy.

Nevertheless, the film was well produced, directed and acted. I liked the fact that the film had also taken care of the small details. These often small underlying things create their own message.

I have also often criticised Hollywood productions for overusing music and ambience. This time, however, the soundscape was well designed and supported the way the story was told.

It was the way the story was told that was the film's main success. The film was well paced and the different pieces fit together seamlessly. Not much happened in the film, but a lot did happen in a same time. I also liked the fact that the film was long and the tension was allowed to build up. A 1.5 hour film would have been too short, but a series of 8-12 episodes would have been far too long and prolonged with no added value.

I noticed that many people criticised the end of the film. I don't quite understand why. Why everything should always be explained down to the bottom. In general, the ending of all mystery thrillers is always disappointing on some level. The tension that has built up is released. That's normal. That doesn't mean that the ending of a film is bad.

The film has also been criticised for being empty and superficial. These viewers may not realise that the depth of the film comes precisely from this depiction of superficiality. What happens when the surface collides with something unpredictable. And I'm not talking about Titanic, although that could be seen as an allegory here.

The human image in the film is very brutal. I do not know the Americans, and on the other hand I cannot even judge what would happen if, for example, my country were faced with this type of situation. Admittedly, my country has been attacked in history and we have been at war in our own country (with Soviet Union / Russia). It is not even that long ago. Some of our war veterans are still alive. But it was a different era then. Different things mattered and gave meaning to life. Communities were closer.

Before going any further, this film is worth watching. Preferably without reading much about it beforehand. Not even this review ;)

Detective Forst (2024– )

Good till halfway

[4/10 · 13 January 2024]

The Poles know how to make quality, dark crime thrillers and dramas. That's why it was a pity that this was not one of them. The series starts promisingly, but by the third episode at the latest, the downward spiral begins. The series becomes more and more implausible and illogical. At the same time, the number of clichés increases. Not even the twist at the end saves the series. That in itself is very unfortunate. The beginning seemed promising, the series was well made, shot and staged. The landscapes were on the one hand starkly beautiful and on the other hopeless. This was a missed opportunity.