Black Mirror Episodes Ranked - Season 7

“Black Mirror” is an anthology series exploring a twisted, high-tec multiverse where humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide. The show is known for the twists and how technology can sometimes be pretty scary. Season 7 was just released on Netflix and I’m ranking all six episodes. And this was a really strong season.

6. Hotel Reverie
Director: Haolu Wang
Starring: Issa Rae, Emma Corrin, Akwafina, Harriet Walter, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Enzo Cilento
Description: A high-tech, unusually immersive remake of a vintage British film sends Hollywood A-list star Brandy Friday (Issa Rae) into another dimension, where she must stick to the script if she ever wants to make it home.
Review: Using modern-day technology to recreate an old classic movie, and an actress looking for her next big film. And of course things go completely wrong. It’s a very creative idea, however the episode is way too long and did not manage to keep my attention the entire time. Still a good episode, but my least favorite of the season.
 

5. Plaything
Director: David Slade
Starring: Peter Capaldi, Will Poulter, Lewis Gribben, James Nelson-Joyce, Michelle Austin
Description: In a near-future London, an eccentric murder suspect (Peter Capaldi) is linked to an unusual video game from the 1990s – a game populated by cute, evolving artificial lifeforms.
Review: During an interrogation, a man arrested for shoplifting, tells his story. This is a sequel to the film “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” and again revolves around a video game. “Plaything” is a very cynical take on technology and has plenty to say about human nature. This feels more like an old-fashioned “Black Mirror” episode. Where “Hotel Reverie” felt too long, “Plaything” could use a few extra minutes. But I did love the ending though.
 

4. Běte Noire
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Siena Kelly, Rosy McEwen, Michael Workeye, Hannah Griffiths, Ben Asheden, Amber Grappy,
Description: Confectionary whizz kid Maria (Siena Kelly) is unnerved when her former schoolmate Verity (Rosy McEwen) joins the company she works at – because there’s something altogether odd about Verity, something only Maria seems to notice.
Review: This episode has a great build-up, where we see how Maria is going from the strongest asset in her company hitting rock bottom. We feel what she feels, because we know she is telling the truth. But strange things seem to be happening and there is no explanation for these events. She, and also the audience, suspect that Verity has something to do with it. Because it all started when she joined the company. The plot twists are well put together, but the ending is way too abrupt.
 

3. Eulogy
Director: Christoper Barrett, Luke Taylor
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Patsy Ferran
Description: An isolated man (Paul Giamatti) is introduced to a groundbreaking system that allow its users to literally step inside old photographs – stirring powerful emotions in the process.
Review: Philip gets a call from a company called Eulogy, who collects memories for funerals. With the help of a virtual guide, he thinks back to a woman who was once very important to him. “Eulogy” is masterful. The idea is very original and the plot is not far-fetched. The surprised in the story are believable. This is also an episode that is mostly about the acting. And Paul Giamatti is amazing, as a man is is confronted by his past.
 

2. USS Callister: Into Infinity
Director: Toby Haynes
Starring: Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Osy Ikhile, Milanka Brooks, Jesse Plemons, Paul G. Raymond
Description: Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) is dead, but now the crew of the USS Callister – led by Captain Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) – are stranded in an infinite virtual universe, fighting for survival  against 30 million players.
Review: Season 7 had another sequel. “USS Callister” is still one of the most popular episodes of “Black Mirror” and a fan favorite. And this sequel, “USS Callister: Into Infinity”, continues where the original story ended. A deragned programmer had stuffed clones of his colleagues into a computer game and these clones must now survive in a giant online game. “USS Callister: Into Infinity” should only be seen if you liked the first part and want to know how the story ends. I loved this episode, and it still had some cool twists and turns. Not as good as the original episode, which is also an all-time favorite of mine, but a worthy sequel.
 

1. Common People
Director: Ally Pankiw
Starring: Chris O’Dowd, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross
Description: When a medical emergency leaves schoolteacher Amanda (Rashida Jones) fighting for her life, her desperate husband Mike (Chris O’Dowd) signs her up for Rivermind, a high-tech system that will keep her alive.
Review: Without a doubt the best episode of season 7. When Mike decides to save Amanda’s life by signing up with Rivermind, because it was literally the only option to keep her alive, the couple become dependent on the healthcare system. “Common People” is a sharp satire on the American health care system in which making money is more important than someone’s actual health. The first episode of the season and  nothing beat it. It’s also one of the best “Black Mirror” episodes ever.
 
What did you think of season 7 and which episode was the stand-out for you?

80s Movie Review - Dangerous Liaisons

Director: Stephen Frears
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 1988
Starring: John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz, Uma Thurman, Keanu Reeves, Peter Capaldi

Description: A scheming widow (Glenn Close) and her manipulative ex-lover (John Malkovich) make a bet regarding the corruption of a recently married woman (Michelle Pfeiffer)

Review: France, just before the revolution. To take revenge on an old flame, Marquise de Merteuil asks Vicomte de Valmont if he wants to seduce the innocent new fiancée of her ex-lover. If Valmont provides written proof of her conquest, he receives a reward. Valmont agrees, but has actually set his sights on the chaste Madame de Tourvel.
“Dangerous Liaisons” is a film based on the play by Christopher Hamtons, “Les liaisons dangereuses”, which was based on the novel by Choderlos de Laclos from 1782.
The film is stylish, seductive, clever and incredible entertaining. And the cast is fantastic. We see a very young Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves. But Michelle Pfeiffer shines in her role as Madame de Tourvel. John Malkovich plays the manipulative Valmont, in an excellent way. But it’s Glenn Close, in one of her most vicious roles to date, that steals the show. Every scene she is in, belongs to her.
A film filled with intrigue, deceit and manipulation, all set in in 18th century France. With a really strong cast this film makes for an entertaining movie night.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Reviews - Christopher Robin

Director: Marc Forster
Genre: Adventure/ Family
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Brad Garrett, Toby Jones, Peter Capaldi

Description: A working-class family man, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor), encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.

Review: Winnie the Pooh belongs to us all. I think we all grew up reading A.A. Milne’s stories about the honey loving bear and his friends Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Roo. You are warned, this movie has a high level of cuteness! Before Disney got its hands on the Marvel universe, Winnie the Pooh was its best-selling merchandise title. And many people claim that this film was just for that purpose. I think there is a much deeper meaning and it’s one of the sweetest films I have seen this year.
The film centers around Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh’s human friend. In the opening scene we see young Christopher Robin, Pooh and all the other friend during a farewell party. Christopher has to go to boarding school and won’t be able to visit his forest friends. Leaving is friends also means leaving his past behind and a part of himself.
When we meet Christopher again, he is a grown man, married with a daughter, working for a suitcase company. All he does is work and he barely has any time for his wife and daughter. But then there is Pooh. Because Christopher lost a little too much of his old self.
Losing your childhood, losing your fantasies, all for a mind numbing job. The longing for getting in touch with you inner child and all the great things you experiences as a child. Something that Disney does very well and this movie captures perfectly. And there is nothing wrong with this formula, it’s a perfect family film. And with all these great, recognizable characters, that candy sweet message at the end never bothers you.
“Christopher Robin” is one of the most adorable, sweet and kind hearted movies I have seen this year. Loved it!

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Paddington 2

Director: Paul King
Genre: Adventure/ Family/ Comedy/ Fantasy
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Ben Wishaw, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

Description: Paddington (Ben Wishaw), now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

Review: The British have a thing for bears, at least when it comes to children’s literature. Pooh, Rupert, SuperTed, Baloo. And they also have a special place for Paddington, with his signature red hat and blue coat. The first film, I liked very much. It was loveable and heartwarming. But “Paddington 2” I absolutely love and is even more loveable and heartwarming!!!
Paddington lives a happy life with the Brown family and puts a smile on all his neighbor’s faces. His wish is to find the perfect gift for his aunt Lucy, who lives in South America. Because aunt Lucy also dreams of a trip to London, Paddington finds an antique pop-up book about the British capitol. He gets a job to earn money to buy this gift.
If you don’t like this movie, you seriously suck! It’s only the British that can manage to add so much humor and warmth to a film like this. There is a good mix of adventure, tension, slapstick humor and tenderness. Even the extreme situation of Paddington going to jail, is brought to us with warmth and heart. Paddington is an example for us, he stays polite in every situation, without being annoying or sugar sweet.
Hugh Grant plays the villain in this second film. He is a egotistical, self-loving actor, who has his eyes on the same book as Paddington. But for other reasons. And Grant is really solid as the bad guy.
You don’t have to be a kid to love this film. “Paddington 2” puts an instant smile on your face. I love this film!

Rating: 5 / 5