Mascha88 Reviews

Money Heist (2017–2021)

Flawed but strangely addictive

[8/10 · 2 August 2019]

First of all: if you expect La Casa de Papel to be a well-crafted, logical and consistent story about a money heist, you're going to be sorely disappointed. The inconsistencies and plot are wide enough to drive a truck through. To mention but a few:

• Why would anyone even want to have one billion or whatever Euro's in CASH? Wouldn't there be a huge problem with laundering all that money? (This is a recurrent issue in Breaking Bad, for instance, where they're constantly struggling with the problem of what to do with all that cash)
• How likely is it that the leader of the heist, the 'Professor' gets into a relationship with the lead investigator Raquel Murillo?
• One might assume that in a hostage situation such as this, the headquarters of the police and investigators would be extremely well-guarded. So why is Raquel so sloppy where access to these headquarters is concerned, letting her boyfriend, i.e. the Professor (okay, she doesn't know yet that he IS the Professor, but one would expect the security to apply to everyone) who actually masterminded the heist and the hostage taking, wander around these headquarters and take a good look at everything and everybody?
• The scene in which Tokyo vaults back on a motorcycle into the building of the Spanish Mint where the other robbers, while at least twenty policeman are trying to shoot her, is one of the most unlikely I have ever seen.....

And I could go on and on.....

So, in spite of all these issues, and many, many others, why still the fairly high rating? Well, as I said at the beginning, if you want to see this as a story about a heist, which it purports to be, you're not going to get it. You could say - if you want to look at it in a philosophical way, that this story is really about the human condition. Because after all, what do humans do? They love, they hate, they make love, they try to kill each (and sometimes actually do), they do crazy, stupid, impulsive and irrational things. All this happens at La Casa de Papel. What makes it so convincing is that the actors are, on the whole, excellent. With a few exceptions: I wasn't too crazy about Tokyo, she actually grew more any more annoying as the series went on. Also, the love story between her and Rio didn't really convince me. But almost all the others were great. So real, like people you meet in everyday life. First of all the Professor. Very real, very convincing and consistent. Unworldly and clumsy, but also smart and kind, and driven by an ideal and a vision (no matter how unrealistic). Raquel was convincing too, I thought, as a somewhat stressed-out and overworked woman, and the chemistry between her and the Professor was believable. I also liked Nairobi, great woman, very strong and feisty! And the father-son pair of Denver and Moscow worked well, the affection between them felt real and relatable. And last but not least: Berlin. Wow. Just wow. At first I thought he was a creep, and then, a psychopath. And then - I just loved him. I have never before seen an actor who was able to display such a range of emotions and characteristics, from viciousness, aggression, arrogance and cynicism to humor, vulnerability, sadness, pain, melancholy and idealism, and make it work. Incredible. And what a pity he won't be around for Season 3 (which I haven't watched yet). On the other hand - given the many unlikely plot twists which went before, maybe they could bring him back? Please? Pleeeaaasse??

Anyway, summarizing: my advice when watching this series would be not to worry too much about the plot, but just to sit back and enjoy the ride!

The Trip to Spain (2017)

Loved it!!

[9/10 · 21 July 2019]

I loved this movie, and so did my husband. Still, I'm not that surprised at the number of negative reviews, and the relatively low scores, here on IMDb. The humour is subtle and understated; you either get it or you don't. Personally, I think the way in which Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon spar with with other and insult each other in various subtle ways, is hilarious. Yes, they do repeat the same old routines over and over (Sean Connery as James Bond, Marlon Brando, and of course Michael Caine ("she was only seventeen" with a sob in his voice)), and Steve's role in the - excellent and serious - film Philomena (with Judy Dench) is referred to more than once. But it's all part of the fun, and part of them not taking themselves and each other too seriously. Frankly - and no offence - I can imagine why this movie wouldn't be a hit in the United States; this type of humour is on the whole not appreciated by Americans I would think (with my apologies to those Americans who do like British humour!) The way in which the movie features Spain is also wonderful, I think. It makes me want to hop on a plane and go there straightaway! The restaurants all look great and the food amazing; and so do the hotels. Yet again, this is presented in a somewhat low-key and understated manner, so not everyone will appreciate it or find the country attractive on the basis of this movie. But I loved it that they stayed away from the tourist spots - with a few exceptions such as the Alhambra in Grenada - and went to places that were a bit less known. And finally the ending: stunning! You are left wondering, at least I was: how is Steve going to get out of this? Is he going to get out of this? I certainly hope so - I'm all set for the new 'A trip to....'! Summarising: wonderful, but not for everyone.

Sherlock (2010–2017)

What went wrong?

[4/10 · 17 January 2014]

I loved Sherlock seasons 1 and 2, and was eagerly looking forward to season 3. Alas... something seems to have gone horribly wrong. In seasons 1 and 2 the focus was on the crimes, the 'cases' and the brilliant and very original way in which Sherlock solved them. All the modern media (emails, iPhone texts, etc.) were used to great effect. And the 'tone' of the series was intelligent, rational and occasionally very witty. In series 3 the focus is no longer on the crimes and on how to solve them. Instead, endless time is devoted to the relationship between Sherlock and John, how they are really, really not gay (okay, we get it, enough already!), on John's new wife (what happened to the girl he was dating in series 2, she was much prettier and younger), and on the relationship between John and his wife, between Sherlock and John's wife, etc. etc. Also, there is constant reference to Sherlock being a 'high-functioning sociopath', followed by proof that he is really a warm, feeling human being. I can only deduce that some American producer stepped in... Worst of all, the plot, particularly in episodes 1 and 2, is dealt with haphazardly: okay, the bomb just had an off switch, and in episode 2: okay, if you keep your belt tightly fastened you won't bleed to death. I have to say that I found episode 3 slightly better, thanks mainly to the appearance of Lars Mikkelsen, whom I've seen in The Killing and who is a brilliant actor, in my opinion. And (possibly) bringing back Moriarty might be a good idea, I thought he was great in season 2. Although I hope they won't go for the twins angle.... Anyway, season 4 would have to be a big improvement in this for me to keep watching!

The Office (2001–2003)

Fantastic comedy!

[9/10 · 28 December 2013]

After reading a lot of the comments here, it's interesting to me to see the huge difference - on the whole - between the American and the British and other European commentators. Europeans tend to like the show, Americans don't. I think the reason is that - and please excuse the generalization! - Americans like everything to be very obvious and clear. The facial expressions of the actors have to be very open, 'larger than life', and everything should be basically positive. The Office isn't like that. Its brilliance lies in its subtlety. The glances between Tim and Dawn, the pained and fleeting expression on David's face when he realizes - and he does realize it! - what a jerk he really is at times, the embarrassing and hurtful remarks people make to each other... It's all subtle and very, very human. If you don't see this, you're not going to like The Office - with apologies to all the Americans who do.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Supposed to be funny but doesn't make it

[3/10 · 29 March 2008]

This movie is supposed to be funny and subtle and ironic, but just doesn't make it. Everything is just a bit 'off': Gwyneth Paltrow with her charcoaled eyes, Gene Hackman with his greasy hair, etc. etc. You are left feeling uncomfortable: a story and actors with excellent potential, but an end result that is mainly boring and often embarrassing. I had high expectations of this movie since it was recommended to me by a close friend as 'excellent and really, really funny'. I made a real effort to appreciate it and even sat through it twice. Alas, I just couldn't warm to it. At every step the director seems to say: 'Aren't I funny, aren't I subtle and intellectual?' Bottom line: NOT recommended!