Change Your Image
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjQ4MTY5NzU2M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDc5NTgwMTI@._V1_SY100_SX100_.jpg)
CPTrey
Reviews
Black Mirror: Hang the DJ (2017)
An extraordinarily moving episode of television
*Spoilers ahead*
This is unequivocally my favorite episode of Black Mirror. A beautiful, deeply moving portrayal of love in a mysterious future.
Upon repeat viewings, the amount of detail displays the best of the series. Numerous allusions to the number 4, coupled with a visual tour de force, and tons of thought provoking ideas about relationships make for a solid foundation. But the chemistry of Georgina Campbell and Joe Cole is at the heart of this wonderful episode. Their initial awkwardness and eventual compatibility bursts through the screen. They are adorable, flawed, and beautifully brought to life.
I also appreciated the subtlety of future technologies which were just sprinkled in and don't beat you over the head with. It's also a thought provoking episode when you consider the moral implications of the ending given the existence of cookies in the Black Mirror universe.
Couldn't recommend this episode enough!
T2 Trainspotting (2017)
An absolute jumbled mess
I was floored by Trainspotting when I first saw it in the late 90's. It was fresh, original, edgy, brilliantly written, sharply directed and very well acted. Certainly a lot to live up to.
So when I heard there would be a sequel, I was surprised to say the least. It didn't seem to warrant a sequel, particularly given how much the cast and crew has achieved since the original 1996 release. But in the hands of Danny Boyle, and with most of the original cast returning, I felt I should at least give it a chance. And once again, I was floored. This time by the jumbled mess that is T2.
The story begins with promise: Mark Renton returns home to a widowed father, and seemingly tries to make amends for past wrongs. That's where the whole movie completely falls apart. Unfortunately, this is only the introductory scenes.
From there, the story goes in several inexplicable directions at once. Sick Boy is elaborately blackmailing people with the help of Veronika, a character who literally makes no sense. She is maligned and used by Sick Boy, but also industrious with a strong business sense. Meanwhile, an imprisioned Begbie plots an elaborate prison escape, only to live with his wife and son for a while (?) and at no point does anybody track him down at the first logical place they can look. His career driven son then goes on a home invasion with Begbie for some "father/son time." Spud has nothing to live for and is disgusted to see Renton when he miraculously breaks down the door and saves Spud on his last breath. Mark ruined his life, but is also happy Mark is back in his life. He considers a career in boxing. I could go on, but it only gets more confusing from there. Alright I will - Sick Boy decides the perfect revenge is to ruin Mark's life, and at one point conspires with Begbie for help or something. At which point Begbie becomes a T-1000 and makes killing Mark his sole purpose. And remember Veronika? She steals the money they are wired - oh yeah - Mark and Sick Boy get a small business loan to open a brothel - so she steals the money, but not before helping Spud write a novel. And as a last act of kindness to Spud, whom she just met and has no allegiance to whatsoever, gives him a bunch of money at the end......because....nostalgia for the first movie? Speaking of nostalgia - Diane is back as a lawyer for one scene.
It honestly felt like someone with a vague recollection of the original wrote the film as they went along. Given the stark contrast in reviews, I am also not 100% sure the positive and negative reviewers saw the same movie. The one I saw was a jumbled mess (can't stress that enough). Thoroughly disappointed.
Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000)
One of the funniest comedy specials ever!
In addition to being famous for its hit movies, and engrossing original series, HBO is known for its fantastic comedy specials. Perhaps this is because the specials are allowed to exceed one hour, and are completely uncensored. Whatever the reason may be, HBO knows good comedy, and knows how to pick their performers. They often choose well-established comedians to perform. Because of this fact, I was shocked to learn that Dave Chapelle, a somewhat unknown for his comedy, was getting his own HBO special. Another shocking fact for me was that, when I actually saw the performance, I was blown away by how funny it was. After that, I was immediately a Dave Chapelle fan.
This is without a doubt one of the greatest comedy specials that I have ever seen. It is up there with Dana Carvey's "Critics Choice", George Carlin's "Complaints and Grievances," Carlin's "You're All Diseased," Robin Williams "Live on Broadway," and a select few episodes of Comedy Central Presents on my all time favorite comedy specials. This hilarious special has a wide range of jokes, from commentary on the presidency, to a great bit about Sesame Street.
It was this special that prompted me to give Chapelle show a chance in its first season. Much to my delight, the show was as good as "Killin' Them Softly," and had a similar style to the HBO special.
I ABSOLUTELY recommend this special to anyone who likes Chapelle Show, and visa versa. It is comedy at its finest. A well deserved 10/10.