ppiiaa22 Reviews

Strangers with Candy (1999–2000)

Worship!

[10/10 · 1 January 2012]

To me, this is perhaps the best comedy show ever written and acted. I just re-watched it to be sure. Amy Sedaris is too good! Stephen Colbert does a good job, but Paul Dinello goes further!

The writing is totally free and making fun of all we cannot mention, without using forbidden words. That is the beauty, they dance around, and make that a skit on its own. The words are so clever, so free flowing!

Dissecting morality is always great. If you make it funny, it is grand!

This show makes me want to get a kitten and forget to feed it! Nooooo!

This is a sharp and deadly show. We need more!

Anno 1790 (2011)

Surprisingly Satisfactory

[8/10 · 4 December 2011]

As a Swede, growing up with Swedish TV, I am not easily impressed with anything Swedish. It always seemed too theatrical, with lines delivered as if from a stage, with voices and gestures that didn't fit the TV format.

There is still a tiny bit of that present here, but this series proves that we are on the right way, big time! The main character is played by Peter Eggers, who has great presence, reminding me of actors like Ralph Fiennes and Michael Fassbender, because of his looks and fine acting. The rest of the basic cast is very accomplished as well.

The show itself is a detective story set in 1790, with one case solved each episode, but there is also an underlying political drama, and a love story, that stretches over all the episodes. It made me think of the Murdoch Mysteries.

Meny prominent Swedish actors are guesting; I have to mention Thorsten Flinck and Jessica Zandén. Both gave vibrant and scene-stealing performances.

The visual production is top notch; exterior, interior, costume, hair - yep, it looks pretty damn good:) I was seduced, I hope you will be too!

Ridiculousness (2011– )

Boring Commentary on Funny Videoclips

[3/10 · 30 August 2011]

Blatant doesn't even begin to describe how bad this show wants to be Tosh.0 - the opening shot of the presenter standing in front of a big screen in the studio, showing a guy taking a spill on his bike, was a ridiculous tell. Hence the title, I assume.

The whole concept is obviously stolen: Showing funny clips from the internet where people do stupid things and hurt themselves - and then add commentary. In Tosh.0's case hilarious and sharp, but in this case taken straight from the most mundane comments on YouTube. Can we get a writer in here, please?

To make matters worse the producers added more unfunny people, besides the dull presenter himself; a giggling girl and some guy with a stupid gadget, both of them utterly pointless.

I still gave it 3 points, the clips were not bad at all. Tell you what to do: Turn off the sound, get your friends together, have a beer or two, and make your own commentary - now that might be a great show:)

Tosh.0 (2009–2020)

Tosh.0 vs. The Soup vs. Ridiculousness

[8/10 · 30 August 2011]

Now here's a pretty gritty threeway for you - who can stand in front of a video screen and make the wittiest remarks? Will it be Daniel Tosh, Rob Dyrdek or Joel McHale?

Round one: Get them all into a fistfight, the one with no originality takes a hard one to the head. Did Daniel and Joel just team up, to bitch slap Dyrdek into a toilet where Steve O is trying out new poop jokes? Yep.

Round two: Arm wrestling over the best concept. Could get close. Really crude about internet clips, or more contained about commercial TV? Who is to judge, very different conditions and possibilities. They shake hands reluctantly.

Round three: A very biased ref comes in, hellbent on ruining the game. "Who makes me laugh harder", the ref says. Daniel does. "Who is cuter?" Joel is.

Who wins? Daniel Tosh wins all the time, all the freaking time!!! Are you kidding me???

Parenthood (2010–2015)

This Show Grows

[8/10 · 31 March 2011]

I surprise myself, never thought I would review this kind of show. Not that it was ever bad, it just seemed like a run of the mill good quality TV-series that didn't need my input.

I don't imagine my input to be important, but after watching the last episode, I just felt compelled to voice my opinion. Wow, this is great TV, this is what family drama is supposed to be. I really felt involved after watching this.

The story lines are getting more real and very raw, the acting was always good, but now I truly believe in the characters. There is no sugarcoated bullshit, we actually never get a happy ending, we get a very troubled continuation. But there is hope.

I salute the writers and producers for not being stock!

Run If You Can (2010)

Different Triangle Drama

[7/10 · 8 February 2011]

I saw this on at Göteborg Film Festival, and had the pleasure to listen to Q&A with the director and his associate, who was the editor and wheelchair coach (I think, I hope, not always clear sound on these things).

I actually came in with small hope of a good film, after watching the trailer on-line. I was thinking a Til Schweiger comedy with no backing at all, with crap actors. I was wrong, and the trailer was wrong.

This film has a subject matter in very good hands, the director, Dietrich Brüggemann, handles his story with skill and ease. Sure, perhaps a bit too many basic film school turns, but done with feeling. There were a few instances when a mean editor could have cut away some fat. Not saying a pro edit is always the way to go.

The acting was first class - but Dieter, there are actors in wheeelchairs, look a bit closer; -.