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South Park: Post Covid (2021)
Likely my favourite special
The story is very rich, but it doesn't feel like it's dragging on. Jokes are somewhat cliche, but they work great in a new setting. Thank you, Trey and Matt. You guys rock!
The Simpsons: Todd, Todd, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? (2019)
Would watch again
I enjoyed the shakeup of traditional and established characters from the show. Goes to show writers still have a lot of great ideas.
The Simpsons: Bobby, It's Cold Outside (2019)
Uhhhh ...
I thought Bart and Bob made up in the last episode ...
The Simpsons: Better Off Ned (2020)
Refreshing perspective
I enjoyed a detailed take on Nelson's father issues, and pointing out the meaninglessness of shallow or fake relationships.
The Simpsons (1989)
The best animated TV show ever and a victim of its own success
I grew up with The Simpsons. I can even remember the very first time I saw it, I was 6. Ever since then, it was entrenched in my mind, and as time went on I got to experience the town of Springfield, its lovely characters and their behaviour.
As I grew older (10-11), I developed an obsession with the series, which subsided soon, but years later re-emerged. There is just something about the town of Springfield and its inhabitants I love, and I can't put my finger on it.
Contrary to popular beliefs, I always liked virtually all episodes from the series (with a few notable exceptions like the singing episodes or the ones with worst celebrity cameos ever), even from the new seasons. I've had plenty of laughing with the show and yes, even in the new seasons.
Many people like to hate on the show for what it has become, but I like to focus on how long it has remained funny and relevant (to a point). I mean, the writers have to come up with 20+ plots a year for each new season, how crazy is that!
But that is also the Achilles' heel of the series. When you have a lot of ideas with a lot of incredibly talented people (as was the case in the series' inception on TV), 20+ episodes for a season was fine, but as people left, and the quota remained, with the ideas running out, things were to bound to go wrong, weren't they?
All the while the solution could have been so simple - fewer episodes per season! South Park did that, and it worked fine. So why not The Simpsons? Unfortunately, I think the answer to that is, because money talks. The show still pulls numbers and ultimately, that's all the executives care about.
And I hate that. Even new episodes from new seasons sometimes have a great potential, but that is always annihilated by the deadline and the quotas. I sincerely believe the series could have lasted to this day not as a shell of its former self, but a cutting-edge series which would stand the test of time.
I think The Simpsons are too good for this world, actually. Because the world gets The Simpsons and what it does with it is milking it to death. However, in my heart, it shall always remain as the best animated sitcom with some of the best characters ever written (I'm not even talking about the main characters either.). Long live Springfield <3
South Park (1997)
The show with Tegridy
In the age where many once great TV shows are being toned down so as not to 'offend anyone' (see Family Guy about gay jokes, or removing characters or episodes from The Simpsons), this show doesn't do that. In fact, to this day, it satirically (yet accurately) portrays the events and issues of our times, and I can't thank the creators enough for sticking to their origins and not letting go!
South Park seems stupid and childish at first glance with its fart (and other types) jokes, but beyond all that is really solid commentary about politics or people's stereotypical behaviour. And that, to me, is the hidden genius of South Park. It makes crude and simple jokes, ones you would probably never laugh at, actually funny.
The animations throughout the show are simple, and might seem amateurish at first, however, despite the simplicity of design, it is actually very well thought out with a visual language of its own that stands out from the rest. The only thing I dislike is 'breaking the fourth wall' with its real-life objects scattered here and there. I mean, it makes the show kind of funnier in a silly way, but I don't like it when people put real-life stuff into animation.
Lastly, I find it remarkable how well this show has stood the test of time, I mean, new episodes are still very funny (like actually funny and well thought out), which just gets me to wonder - how do they keep coming up with new ideas? Arguably, this might be because of the lower episode count in newer seasons, but I still find that amazing.
Parker and Stone, please keep up the great work and the legacy you have already set with your creation.
Gravity Falls (2012)
Perfection. Absolute perfection.
Okay, it's pretty hard to explain why Gravity Falls is so great without spoiling anything. At least for me.
This show has hit my strings pretty hard. I have shed a few tears to it (I'm 21), but I'm not a single bit ashamed. I have laughed with this show, I have cried with it, but most importantly I have been utterly astounded.
I started to watch this show with high expectations earlier this year (yeah, I got a bit late to the party, but better late than never, they say), it started out solid, went on great, and ended absolutely spectacularly.
This show tackles many issues in our world during these times, and it does so in a very mature way, if I may so, while still being entertaining and accessible to children. Mastering this is a feat enough in itself, being appealing to both children and adults.
The show is very nicely balanced on the emotional side, and I believe that is worth mentioning - after all, I cried watching it. Characters are not stale, even the 'bad guys' are at least somewhat sympathetic, everyone changes in different ways throughout the show - it handles beautifully the topic of friendship and family relationships.
Now, let's play a mini game. Name me one bad Disney show. Got it? Well, you could probably name a few, right? Now, name one great Disney show. That's a bit harder, isn't it? Maybe, Phineas and Ferb? That is a great show, sure. But now, I dare say that Gravity Falls pretty much wipes the floor with Phineas and Ferb or whatever other Disney show you can name.
Big kudos to the creators for making this beauty, you don't get to see something like this very often.
Gravity Falls: Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls (2016)
I cried
Is it weird to cry over a TV cartoon while being 21? Actually, I don't care. There are few films/episodes of any series that I would rate 11/10, but this one is one of them. This series will remain in my mind for a long time, possibly, even my whole life.
It is also hands-down the best series ever released under Disney. Just amazing. The production team must be geniuses.
The Simpsons: Marge the Lumberjill (2019)
Forceful and tacky
I am still kind of struggling to understand the point of this episode. I mean, it did have a storyline, but man, I felt so bored all the time! It felt like watching a soap opera. I guess in the end we were all supposed to feel the 'aww' moment in realization that LGBT people have character and principles of morality too, but the only payoff I got was when the credits rolled, as the suffering was over at that point.
It just makes me wonder - how many seasons is it going to take for the series to hit the absolute rock bottom, and become just a series of some AI-generated plots that recycle everything that has happened before a bazillion times? How many seasons will it take for people to stop caring about the series and just let it gracefully rest in peace? And I'm asking these questions as a person who loved modern Simpsons and always defended them, but with each season after 29, it is becoming so much harder every single time.
South Park: The Snuke (2007)
How do they come up with ideas for this
This episode is amazing, one of the prime examples of South Park humour with seemingly innocent things piling up and reaching epic proportions. I couldn't believe my eyes or ears watching this episode.
Those who can appreciate good South Park humour will adore this one.
The Simpsons: Bart vs. Itchy & Scratchy (2019)
Controversial
To be honest, when I watched this episode, I laughed a few times. The humour was corny, but I don't know, I just found it funny ...
The Simpsons: The Girl on the Bus (2019)
What a great episode but ...
... it got a bit strange at the end. At least to me. Those have seen it, understand.
The Big Bang Theory: The Stockholm Syndrome (2019)
Finally
This thing has finally ended. Let's now get a shovel, dig it a grave and bury it forever. :)
The Big Bang Theory (2007)
It's like Rick and Morty, just not funny
Don't get me wrong, I think Rick and Morty is a great and creative show unlike this thing (I also appreciate the writers of Rick and Morty). But the fanbases are similarly stupid. Perhaps not as toxic as would be the case with Rick and Morty, but come on. If anyone ever tells me they love the show for its ... INTELLECTUAL humour, I am going to laugh them off.
To be honest, the show seemed promising at first, I actually liked the first two seasons. However, it quickly found its formula for fun which revolves mostly around awkward social situations that geeks and nerds SUPPOSEDLY come through. While there is some truth to it, details are often skewed out of proportions, and to make it so LOL funny, they are going to add the audience laughing.
There is nothing on this planet Earth than watching this series without the audience tracks laughing. Without it, this would have never succeeded. Okay, at first, it actually was funny a bit more with the tracks, but the show quickly moved to type of 'humour' like ... Penny starts to puke (audience starts to laugh) ... WHY? That's when I turned it off and swore to myself never to watch this again.
It is not a genius show. In fact, it's not even a funny show. (Is it even a show?) It just tackles certain societal stereotypes in its own way, adds lol laughter and manipulates its audience into thinking they are watching some 'quality' entertainment when in fact they are watching absolute rubbish.
The only thing this show is genius about is manipulating millions of people in the world into thinking this is top notch amassing gargantuan critical acclaim. But people won't remember this show for long after it disappears, and it will once be perceived as one of the mistakes of the past that no one in their sane composure will be able to comprehend as to how this even was a thing, not to mention how popular it was.
Lastly, as I said above I have no respect for the writers of this 'show', neither do I have respect for any actor or just anyone involved in this shenanigan. Not to mention that Penny is now a sellout for an oil company claiming to be 'environmentally friendly', but it's just marketing jargon (luckily) many people saw through. Impact of everyone involved here will be quickly forgotten and this 'show' will become a graveyard of braindead ideas people once considered funny. Talk about the mistakes of the past ... :)
Futurama: Meanwhile (2013)
Simply astounding
It has been nearly 6 years since the premiere of this episode. It has been nearly 6 years, since I first watched it. And I still get goosebumps whenever I just remember it. It is a magnificent piece of art.
The plot is top notch, develops just at the right pace, not too fast or too slow, is not overly convoluted, yet it leaves you in expectations to the very end. Pulling this off in writing is already a feat of its own, however that is not all.
The emotional handling in this episode is great. It makes you laugh (hard), it makes you cry (at least inside). I don't think I ever felt more emotionally touched by a Futurama episode than this one. Sure, there are a couple of other episodes that did make me go soft, but this one took the absolute cake.
Or perhaps it was, because with each passing minute I knew Futurama as a show was coming to an end? Probably. But here's the thing. This episode made me long for more Futurama episodes. And the thing is with the conclusion. It works perfectly in both scenarios - if Futurama never ever comes back, it makes for a beautiful conclusion. If it does come back, it makes for a significant breaking point.
Maybe, it is good that Futurama ended, even if a bit too prematurely. Perhaps, it's better that it came to an end. Unlike The Simpsons that in its current stage is decreasing in quality, and as much I hate to say it, is going on a zombie mode.
Futurama may not be the best-selling show of all time. In fact, corporations kind of seem to hate it. First getting kicked off by FOX, then by Comedy Central. But one thing is unequivocal - this show has some of the most loyal fanbases in the world, and like with every good show has and I dare say will have more followers in the future, and perhaps, just perhaps, one day, Futurama will be revived. It definitely deserves that.
One more thing, if the future was as great and beautiful as was depicted in the show, I'd be excited! :)
We miss you, Futurama <3.
The Simpsons: What to Expect When Bart's Expecting (2014)
Or what to expect when the writers have run out of ideas
This episode is absolutely ridiculous. It starts solidly and had me interested for a moment, but then it turned. One preposterous action is followed by another one, and every time you think it can't get more ridiculous, it does. Jokes are somewhat crude, not balanced at all, just straight pathetic and superficial based on a given situation. This episode lacks any subtlety, it instead bets on 'fun' meaning as ridiculous as possible making you wonder what drugs the writers were taking when writing the script and who in their right mind got to approve of this atrocity.
This is one of the worst Simpsons episodes to date, which I hate to see, as I love that series and I enjoy even the new seasons. But this thing, guys. This thing takes the cake. Smashes you with it to the face. And keep hitting you with till you lose consciousness.
To be or not to be is the question. Not to be 100% for this thing.
Milo Murphy's Law (2016)
A worthy successor to Phineas and Ferb
I'll admit, at first, I wasn't very keen on watching something new by the creators of Phineas and Ferb, but I eventually gave in and result?
The show has its PF vibes to it, some characters are mildly similar to what is in PF, however, it provides enough uniqueness that I am still able to laugh harder than ever before and all the gags and situations they are going through. I also enjoy the show's shift - it does rely on certain character stereotypes, but varies these values much better and is always able to bring something new to the table, in my opinion, the humour is still somewhat stereotypical, but less predictable.
All in all, this show truly is the worthy successor. to PF, and I hope it will stay with us for a few more years to come.
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXIX (2018)
Forgettable
There are some good gags and jokes here and there, but overall, after watching this episode, there was nothing that I remembered in particular, nothing I could fixate to making this Treehouse of Horror one of the worst ones ever. That does not mean this is a bad (meaning the worst) episode per se, it is just a bland pulp of something you won't remember for a long time.
Perhaps, the most disappointing thing about this episode is that there were some solid ideas, but their overall implementation is less than ideal. Guess they had to hurry up the storyline to produce the episode in time, otherwise I have no explanation for the blandness of this.
House M.D. (2004)
No
I guess my opinion won't be very popular, but I don't care. I am here to say what I think of House and I think it's bad. The structure is absolutely boring, somebody has something bad happening to them, then he gets to this (in)famous clinic, where the main doctor is an absolute pain in the bottom, treats his patients like rubbish, but, no, then he is actually a good guy, because he helps them. Don't forget to add some tense music when a patient is having sudden 'unexpected' problems, and by the third episode you watch it, you get bored stiff, as there is nothing happening, just House having some 'profound' thoughts and him figuring out something unexpectedly along with some rubbish talk here and there between the personnel.
I think House is a jerk. Not like a jerk who turns to be a nice person eventually, I mean an actual jerk.
With all this said, it then basically becomes a place where everyone gets to have sexual intercourse, because why not, we're doctors, and our lives are tough with patients dying, having seizures, barfing, etc, so we have to mingle together to get that stress away. The ways the series tries to deliver 'profound' messages are abject, and just leaves you confused with question such as 'What?' or 'Why?', and has you ask yourself a question: 'Why do I bother watching this?' or 'Why am I trying to find something good in this?'
There is not a single character who can be liked or related to, because everyone, and I mean everyone is a jerk. Sometimes, they mix it up a bit with the story, and sometimes, somebody actually dies, yet still, it's manipulative rubbish that is not to be seen by anyone with a brain and some decency.
If you disagree, that's okay. It just means that each one of us truly is different. If you liked or loved it, that's fine, good for you! But I hate this thing for the reasons mentioned above.
The Simpsons: Gone Boy (2017)
This is the episode I have been waiting for
The relationship between Sideshow Bob and Bart has always intrigued me. I found it fascinating how huge hatred could become in Sideshow Bob's personality, first by framing Krusty, later by trying to kill the boy who only defended a person he looked up to. But then, from season 17 I started to dislike him. Not in a bad way, I still liked his character, but it seemed to me the creators just tried to make Bob even more villainous and went on to involve his family (who we didn't get to see, by the way, for quite a long time) in his schemes, then by making him an even more murderous and crazy maniac, which, in theory, sounds good, but the execution it was all done in was horrid, and I couldn't help but think that it was just merely ridiculous.
That's why I was so glad to see this episode and have an episode when they eventually find peace. Finally, Bob gets to confront his feelings, his hatred and the very reasons why he always tried to kill a boy. It is all very well executed, especially when we get to see what Bob is experiencing in his mind with Bart laughing in his face and pulling the strings that triggered his crazy thoughts.
10/10 and without doubt the best episode of the season 29.
The Simpsons: Flanders' Ladder (2018)
An unexpectedly good season finale
This episode ... it is kind of like a throwback to the good old times of The Simpsons when they thrived. However, what I enjoy about it the most is how bold and unconventional it is in terms of the story. It presents an insight to the world of a person in coma, which I personally consider interesting, and it is definitely something that The Simpsons as a series hasn't covered too extensively in the past. It doesn't propose a traditional problem or theme characters usually deal with, but goes beyond that to a person's mind where we see how they get to experience the world while being unconscious, and how they can still perceive the world around them despite being out.
This episode goes to prove to me that (fortunately) the creators of the show are still not devoid of ideas (at least sometimes), and that after nearly three decades of the same characters, they can still bring something new to the table not seen before, which I consider admirable. It is that light in the season 29, which I consider one of the weakest seasons of The Simpsons yet (despite having some good moments and episodes), that gives me hope that the series might plummet somewhat in its quality, but will always be enjoyable at least sometimes.
Out of all the finales I can remember from the new episodes of The Simpsons, this thing shines among them. It is new, unconventional, creative, appealing, and surprising. In a good way, of course.
The Simpsons: The Man Who Grew Too Much (2014)
Why???
Is it just me or are the episodes with Sideshow Bob getting more and more ridiculous every time? Seriously, Bob's character seems really chaotic to me. Where is he developing? Or are they just looking for more and more ways to make him only crazier? I don't know but to me, they could've quit with Bob in season 14. That episode had a good ending, and I would be totally okay with it, had it ended like this. But no, insanity must keep on going ... :(
Planes (2013)
Not bad!
This film reminds me of its predecessor, Cars, in many ways. First, they both share the same world where vehicles have human values. But more importantly, it's the story where the main hero tries to reach a great success in the field he loves - racing. But this time, the main hero has perfectly normal values, isn't conceited, and doesn't act like a jerk. But to give him a handicap, the authors decided to make him unsuitable for what he wants, so that being a racer would be very unlikely for him.
The film has a very simple logic, it is very predictable, but that doesn't make it lose its charm of an individual fighting against everyone and eventually winning. I was glad to see him win, even though I knew it would end up like that. The humour in the story is rather funny (although sometimes terribly wrong), but I laughed several times anyway, and I'm not a young kid.
The characters are all right (some of them seem to have their counterparts in Cars), although there is very strongly distinguished who the good ones are, and who the bad ones are making this story too idealistic.
What I personally minded was a full song appearing in a film. To me, it's a complete waste of time, and the film would work without it just as well.
To sum it up, you won't get many surprises when watching this, no profound thoughts are included, but if you're looking for simplicity and some fun, or consider watching a film with your kids, Planes is a good choice. I enjoyed it.