Necrotongue

It's another Disney production, so brace yourself for the inevitable dose of songs and dances. But hey, even after all these years, I still had a pretty good time with it. I enjoyed it more the first time, though. Nevertheless, the tale of a girl with hair that could tempt any wig maker to lick their eyebrows in delight managed to elicit a few laughs from me. My absolute favorite character turned out to be the law enforcer Maximus, and the journey to the inevitably happy ending kept me entertained for the most part. / Lesson learned: When it comes to choosing weapons, opt for a frying pan. If you find yourself in Japan, then binoculars should be your second choice. 3*+

The contrast in quality between the first and the second episode was quite noticeable. Unlike the last time where the Dunphys stole the show and everything else felt dull, this time around, I liked every character, yes, even Cameron. It's because of that fridge of his. Anyway, the standout performances came from director Claire and the paranoid professor Phil, and everything that went on around them. / "...but she was wearing that stuff that makes her look like a prοstitսte." "Eyeliner?" "Exactly." /  Lesson learned: When the stakes are high, deny your own family.

So, Rue's managed to stay clean for the third time in a row, and for the third time in a row, it gets a high rating from me. Coincidence? I don't think so. But let's not make it sound like everything hinges on the main character. The real deal-breaker is the quality of the script. Despite having issues with various characters and plot points in the series, I have to give credit to the creators for turning things around after a shaky start. Even though the local drug dealer is the only character who I can relate to at least partially (go figure), the series oddly keeps me entertained. / Lesson learned: One should not yield to blackmailers and terrorists.

The opening episode of the final season didn't quite live up to expectations. The only storyline that truly resonated with me was the one involving the Dunphys. Phil and Claire rarely disappoint. Unfortunately, everything else felt somewhat lackluster. Mitchell and Cameron, who have always been the weaker link for me, didn't offer much, and even Jay and Gloria's storyline was painfully uninteresting. / "Seriously, Alex?" "You can't come downstairs to talk to us?" "I've been gone for a month." / Lesson learned: Forget about manuals; go with your gut.

The last episode elevated the adventures of American teenagers to a new level for me, which still holds in this one. This time around, I found Rue's character more bearable. It might have something to do with her being clean. / Lesson learned: Never tell anyone about it.

True, there were moments that seemed a bit forced, but overall, I found this movie quite enjoyable. It made me ponder a bit, yet at the same time, it's not a requirement as you can also just switch off your mind and relax. However, this film is far from mindless; if you pay attention, it has something to say. It avoids being cheaply pathetic, though there are moments that may lean in that direction, and it doesn't try to deceive the viewer with a contrived happy ending. Today, I genuinely enjoyed it, and the chemistry between George Clooney and Vera Farmiga significantly contributed to that. / Lesson learned: Sometimes it's genuinely challenging to keep both feet on the ground and not have your head in the clouds.

I'm scratching my head over why it was labeled as a comedy. After a more extensive analysis of what unfolded on screen, I had this wild notion that Jack, portrayed by Steve Zahn, was supposed to bring the humor. If that was the filmmakers' intention, it fell flat on me because I find these whiny characters extremely annoying. The plot didn't seem to go anywhere — I was bored throughout. Even the unexpected twist at the end, which earned praise from many viewers, left me scratching my head because it made no sense given the previous plot. It gave me the impression that Mitch Rouse missed his calling and he should have been an illusionist instead. / Lesson learned: In the moment of greatest triumph, you can experience the biggest disappointment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the TV series for three seasons, and while the fourth season didn't quite match up, I can't deny that I had an amazing time overall. The trio in the basement at Reynholm Industries really grew on me. My chuckles often escalated into full-blown laughter, a clear testament to the creators' excellent work. Beyond just entertainment, I gained some unexpected knowledge. Now, I know for a fact that you can't access the without a browser, and certain words are off-limits for a Google search. I also know what the internet looks like, and that it's stored in Big Ben. / Lesson learned: Don't be afraid of nerds, they're quite endearing.

The final season, unfortunately, didn't quite live up to the earlier ones. I could only give a five-star rating to episode four; the rest were lacking a certain something. Surprisingly, I even gave just three stars to two of them. It seemed like the creators hit a creative roadblock in the fourth season, and at times, it felt like I was watching a poorly executed improv show. / Lesson learned: The trick is to quite while you're still ahead, and that didn't quite happen here.

The finale missed the mark for me. It was bizarre how Roy and Moss practically vanished in the last episode of the series. The farewell to The IT Crowd happened in a courtroom setting, and it didn't even revolve much around the IT department, which felt strangely out of place. The one who stayed true to his character was Douglas Reynholm, and he did manage to entertain me. However, the episode as a whole didn't work very well, and felt like it belonged to a different series altogether. / Lesson learned: I wish I could see the whole Female Star Trek. :-)