Category Archives: Acceptable for teenagers

2020, Acceptable for teenagers, Action Film, Action Hero, Bloody scenes, Brother-Brother relations, Brother-Sister relations, Dyslexia, Environmental concerns, Fantasy, Father-son relations, Good Production Values, Magic, Mother-son relations, Murder, Netflix Streaming, Norwegian, Norwegian action film, Norwegian myths, Super Hero, Thriller, Various Romances, Violent

Ragnarok (2020)

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From IMDB:

A small Norwegian town experiencing warm winters and violent downpours seems to be headed for another Ragnarok — unless someone intervenes in time.

From Netflix you can stream the 6 episodes of the only season available for this Norwegian fantasy story, namely season 1.  Each episode is about 45 minutes. Spoken in Norwegian with English subtitles.

June 8, 2021 – Update:

Now there are two seasons available. Season 2 also has 6 episodes. Unfortunately season 2 also ends with an implied “to be continued.”

According to Wikipedia, Ragnarok is

a series of events, including a great battle, foretold to lead to the death of a number of great figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdallr, and Loki), natural disasters and the submersion of the world in water. After these events, the world will resurface anew and fertile, the surviving and returning gods will meet and the world will be repopulated by two human survivors. Ragnarök is an important event in Norse mythology and has been the subject of scholarly discourse and theory in the history of Germanic studies.

Call it kid stuff if you like, but enough was invested in the production values to make this story watchable. Warning: this season 1 is obviously an introduction to more seasons.

Consider the plot: High school student Magne arrives in a sleepy town together with his mother and brother.  Controlling the town is a giant factory run by a “perfect” family of four who seem to be human but in reality are immortal Norwegian gods. Upon arrival in the town, a mysterious elderly couple bestow powers on Magne without his knowing. Little by little Magne discovers his powers. Meanwhile the factory is knowingly polluting the environment, which to the 4 gods is unimportant and to be covered up. Gradually Magne realizes what is happening.  Let the truth come out.

Does it sound like something for the adolescents to watch?  In a completely unsubtle manner, the underlying theme is global warming and world pollution of the environment.  Conversational fragments refer to today’s environmental concerns. Perhaps someday the presentation will seem outdated. But for now (February 2020)  the topic is spot on (as the British would say).

Bear with Magne’s (lack of) acting.  He is basically a stone faced, stoic, initially bewildered, and dyslexic high school kid.

In summary:  Season 1 will have a “happy ending” if the truth comes out. But then we will need more seasons in which the battle of the gods takes place.  Stay tuned.

2020, Acceptable for teenagers, Based on a Book, Blackmail, Bloody scenes, British, Clever Plot, Complicated, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Extramarital Affair, Failing Marriage, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Father-son relations, Financial malfeasance, Friendship, Happy Family Gatherings, High school students, Illegitimate Child, Marital Infidelity, Muchausen's by proxy, Muchausen's syndrome, Murder, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Personal Betrayal, Police Corruption, Suspense, Teenagers, Thriller, Violent, Wife leaves husband, Womanizing

The Stranger (2020)

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From IMDB:

Follows the lives of suburban families whose secrets and lies are made public by the appearance of a stranger.

From Netflix you can stream the 8 roughly 50 minute episodes of this thriller based on the book The Stranger which Harlan Coben wrote in 2015.

Starting in 1995 Harlan Coben (who at this writing is 58 years old) has written a book a year. If you have never read a book by Coben and if you like clever thrillers, you are in for a treat. So far every Coben book I have read was gripping and a real pleasure.

Plot is all important and usually complicated in a Coben novel. However his treatment of character is well done. In the TV version the actors do not disappoint:

All this actors have incredibly extensive resumés. You just cannot go wrong watching this series.

DO NOT MISS!

2012, Acceptable for teenagers, Acceptable Trash, British Comedy, Comedy, Dysfunctional Lives, Eccentric cast of characters, Exaggeration Comedy, Lot's of Fun, Mayhem, Netflix Streaming, Often downright silly, Outrageous Behavior, Sight Gags, Slapstick, Sometimes seems silly, Vulgar

Cuckoo (2012)

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From IMDB:

Cuckoo is every parent’s worst nightmare – a slacker full of outlandish, New Age ideas.

From Netflix you can stream 5 seasons of this outlandish British TV series. Each season consists of 6 or 7 episodes, each episode lasting about a half hour.

Talk about fun trash! Remember that British humor is a bit more bawdy, over the top, and uses slapstick more than American humor. At times the humor may seem a bit puerile.

In each season some newcomer invades the home of Ken and Lorna Thompson and their two children Dylan and Rachel. In season 1 the invader is Rachel’s surprise new hippie husband Cuckoo (yes, that is his name). In seasons 2,3 and 4 Cuckoo’s naive son Dale replaces Cuckoo. In season 5 Ken’s long lost sister Ivy Mittelfart takes over.

Probably the best comedian in the cast is Kenneth Collard who plays the very eccentric Steve.  Steve is the wacko who claims to be Ken’s best friend and who in fact drives Ken nuts.

Ivy is played (embarrassingly) by Andie MacDowell.  Not once do I claim that the acting is especially good.  But what trashy fun!

I LOVE TRASH!

2012, Acceptable for teenagers, Acorn TV, Blackmail, Bloody scenes, British, False Imprisonment, Family Conflict, Illegitimate Child, Mother-daughter relations, Murder, Surprise Ending, Vulgar

The Poison Tree (2012)

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From Acorn TV:

Emmy nominee Matthew Goode (A Discovery of Witches, The Crown) stars in this “gripping… psychological crime thriller” (Mirror, UK) of deception, seduction, and twisted family ties. Released from prison, convicted murderer Rex returns home to his devoted wife, Karen (MyAnna Buring, Ripper Street), who has always maintained his innocence. But Karen is hiding darker secrets than even Rex realizes

From Acorn TV  you  can stream the two 45-minute episodes of this twisted tale of murder and deception.

Clever plot, attention to details, and good actors make this story worth watching.  Even the ending was somewhat of a surprise.

2018, Abortion, Acceptable for teenagers, Based on true facts, Danish, Danish Soap Opera, Danish TV series, Divorce, Drama, Ends in Cliff Hanger, Ethical struggles, Extramarital Affair, Failing Marriage, Father-daughter relations, Flirting, Friendship, Jealousy, Medical Theme, MHz Choice, Mother-daughter relations, Nurses, Revenge, Romance

The New Nurses (2018)

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From IMDB:

Love, sickness, health and exam anxiety at a Danish hospital in the 50s. Erik (Morten Hee Andersen) and Anna (Molly Blixt Egelind) are among the first to be accepted into a nursing school with men and women being trained together. Due to a lack of trained nurses, the danish government decides, on a trial basis, that it is acceptable for a man to work as a nurse. It is not easy for the men to be accepted as nurses in an working environment with old-fashioned hierarchies and strict disciplinary work ethics.

From MHz Choice you can stream 2 seasons of this Danish TV series. Each season contains 6 episodes. Each episode lasts about 40 minutes. Danish with English subtitles.

In case you were wondering what the Danish name for this series is, the title is Sygeplejeskolen. Now, don’t you feel better for knowing?

In all seriousness, this is a fine soap opera series involving lots of appealing fresh-faced young women and men nurse-trainees, doctors, and teachers. Needless to say, there are lots of romances, love affairs, unwanted pregnancies, and patient dramas.

One example of a romance should suffice: One female nurse-trainee (let’s call her Anna) falls in love with a male trainee (call him Eric). But that young man has two problems: He finds the text book portion very difficult and he has such a big heart that he gets himself in trouble helping patients sometimes by bending rules. As a result he has to leave the program and then moves to England to study. He leaves at the end of season 1. During season 2 Anna pines for Eric but meets and is attracted to another fellow (Jake?) who is not a part of the hospital but knew Anna from their school days. Anna never gets mail from Eric. Jake proposes to Anna. In the last episode of season 2 Anna gets a packet of letters from Eric. These letters had somehow been misplaced by the postal service. In the last few seconds of the season Anna is about to open the all important letter from Eric, but she does not read the letter in season 2. Talk about a cliff hanger! More seasons will follow.

If you like innocent, non-violent romantic soap operas, this series is for you.

2016, Acceptable for teenagers, Boarding school, Bullying, Drama, Fist Fight, Friendship, Gay Bashing, Gay theme, High school students, Homophobia, Irish, Netflix Streaming, Rugby, School Teacher, Teenagers, Unloved Child

Handsome Devil (2016)

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From IMDB:

Ned and Conor are forced to share a bedroom at their boarding school. The loner and the star athlete at this rugby-mad school form an unlikely friendship until it’s tested by the authorities.

From Netflix you can stream this  1 hour 35 minute feature Irish film.

As far as gay themed stories go,  this film is a really well-done film that avoids both clichés and sex scenes.  In fact, sexual activity is not in any way a part of the plot.  Ned is a non-athletic, gay, loners who is forced by his uncaring parents to attend a rugby-mad school.  He is forced to share his bedroom with a closeted, gay star athlete who has switched to this school because of past troubles.

All the administrators, teachers, coaches, and students care only for winning a coming important rugby match.  However, along comes a new teacher Mr. Sherry who is himself gay and somewhat closeted but with a strong, defiant personality. Mr. Sherry is played by Andrew Scott who played the priest in the series Fleabag.

Of course, you might argue, overcoming homophobia is a cliché. In this respect the film wears its heart on its sleeve.  Enjoy it anyway.

2001, Acceptable for teenagers, Amazon Prime, Forensics, Happy Family Gatherings, Hunting, Mormon theme, Murder, Murder Investigation, Religious Theme, Serial Killer, Small Town Atmosphere, Suspense, Thought provoking, Unusual

Brigham City (2001)

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From Amazon Prime:

Sheriff Wes Clayton is also a Mormon bishop in a picturesque little burg called Brigham City whose residents are stalked by an unknown serial killer. This mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the shocking final twist.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 2 hour complete film.

When Wes discovers the first dead and mutilated body in Brigham City, his immediate reaction is to call the FBI and suppress any news of the murder in his perfect, quiet, respectful, Mormon village. Folks in Brigham City do not even lock their doors at night and Wes aims to keep it that way. Gradually the idyllic village atmosphere changes to one of mutual suspicion as the bodies pile up.

Is this film a piece of Mormon evangelizing?  Certainly the clean-cut lives of the families is appealing. More than one Mormon religious service is acted out.  But there is a genuine point to the story: for Wes this wrenching experience is a test of faith and indeed Wes is sorely tested.  Perhaps we non-Mormons are represented by the woman FBI agent who sees something appealing in the Mormon way of life and who seems to be searching for meaning.

Investigation details are well done.  Never mind the slick TV detective stories. Imagine staying awake for 48 hours dusting over 400 beer bottles for fingerprints that might lead to the killer.

Along the way there are scenes in which you are lead to think “Aha, so that’s who the killer is.” But you would be wrong. Possibly you can guess the real killer before the surprising final solution.

Don’t expect a Hollywood production.  Perhaps a few scenes may seem maudlin. But for some reason I found the slow pace, personal details, and village life appealing. Personally I enjoyed the film.

2016, Acceptable for teenagers, Amazon Prime, Drama, Ethical struggles, Gay theme, Jealousy, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Nostalgia, Nudity, Panic Attacks, Personal Betrayal, Sex Scenes, Talking Heads

Lazy Eye (2016)

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From IMBD:

When Dean, a graphic designer in Los Angeles, notices a sudden change in his vision, an ex-love from 15 years earlier contacts him unexpectedly in hopes of rekindling their relationship. When the two meet at a vacation house in the desert near Joshua Tree, secrets are revealed and passions rekindled that threaten to upend both of their lives. Forty-eight hours later, neither will ever be the same.

From Amazon Prime:

Passions reignite & hidden secrets revealed when a graphic designer in Los Angeles reconnects with an ex-lover he hasn’t seen or heard from in 15 years. Over the course of a weekend at a vacation house in the desert, they must determine whether or not they have a future together. Written and directed by Emmy, Gotham, GLAAD and Independent Spirit Award Nominee Tim Kirkman.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 27 minute complete film.

Basically the film uses the talking heads technique. Unless that talking is interesting such films can be dull. But there is something real and intense about the conversation between Dean and Alex. Between the mundane topics, now and then brutal honesty pops up.

So many films offer the same tired cliché: A meets B, they fall in love and have sex, difficulties arise and are solved, happy ending. This film is different but I offer no spoilers.  But the film is a testament to courageous choices.

Not bad.

2007, Acceptable for teenagers, Alcoholism, Amazon Prime, Basically Sad, British, Controlling personality, Drama, Revenge, Wonderful acting

Capturing Mary (2007)

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From IMDB:

A young man ushers an older woman into a dark exploration of her past – back to the time when, as a young girl, she met a stranger who affected her life forever.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 45 minute complete film.

“Joe’s Palace” was reviewed immediately before “Capturing Mary” which is somewhat of a sequel to “Joe’s Palace”. That is to say, the story takes place in the same well-kept but empty London town house with the same door keeper  Joe again played by Danny Lee Wynter. But this time who should come to the door but an elderly Maggie Smith playing Mary Gilbert.  In this film from 2007 Maggie Smith was 75 years old. She makes no attempt at remedial makeup because she portrays a sad, regretful, possibly alcoholic woman whose life was ruined by a controlling and vindictive man Greville White played by David Walliams. If you go to IMDB and look at Mr. Walliams’ resumé you will discover that the list is impressive.

Once again Ruth Wilson shines in her part as young Mary Gilbert. Be sure to read about her performance in “Dark River“.  In the title, it seems to me that the word “capturing” should have been “rescuing” because the emphasis in the plot is  the help that the young compassionate doorman Joe gives to Mary.

Although the plot in “Joe’s Palace” was more captivating, the appeal of “Capturing Mary” is attention to detail and fine acting.  In some ways much of the film involves talking heads. Indeed this film is in no way an action film. Neither was “Joe’s Palace” an action film but there were scenes you might never forget.

So I won’t call this film a “DO NOT MISS”. However I will be sorry if you miss this fine film.

2019, Acceptable for teenagers, Clever Plot, Comedy, Dancing, Fist Fight, Human Cloning, Masturbation, Netflix Streaming, Romance, Sex Scenes

Living With Yourself (2019)

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From IMDB:

A man undergoes an experimental treatment to improve his life, only to be replaced by a new and improved version of himself, and must fight for his wife, his career, and his very identity.

From Netflix you can stream all 8 half-hour episodes of this series.

Paul Rudd plays 2 roles at once, namely Miles Elliot and his clone. There are comic moments. But it was the plot that was for me quite original. How on earth would the conflict between his two selves be eventually played out? Along the way expect some foul language, some sex scenes, and a wrestling match toward the finale.

Would you want there to be a clone of yourself that was somehow an improvement of your personality? Enjoy the basically innocent fun.