mohinderchugh

Wow. A movie about a former hitwoman trying to outrun her violent past? Sounds thrilling, right? Wrong. Buried in Barstow serves up a drama so slow, it makes a desert mirage look like a car chase.

Angie Harmon plays Hazel King-a woman with a dark past, a diner apron, and the permanent expression of someone who forgot why she walked into the room. Kristoffer Polaha is there too, mostly to look mysterious and say things that sound important but ultimately lead nowhere. And Lauren Ashley Richards plays her daughter, whose job is apparently to be confused and occasionally rebellious.

Let's talk about the action-oh wait, what action? If you're expecting assassins, shootouts, or anything remotely pulse-raising... might I recommend checking under your sofa cushions? You'll find more drama there.

Directed by Howard Deutch and Hiro Koda-yes, the latter has an action background, which makes it even more shocking that we got more sizzling bacon than bullets.

It's like the film had an identity crisis. "Let's sell it as a gritty action thriller but make it a slow-burn family drama that tiptoes around conflict." Bold choice.

The story plods along like it's preparing for a big showdown... but by the time anything happens, the credits are already rolling and you're left wondering, "Did I just watch a prequel to a trailer?"

So yes, 3 stars-for effort, intention, and a great premise that got tragically buried under diner scenes and moody staring contests.

Watch it if you're into anti-action action films. Or if you really love eggs being served with tension.

At first, I honestly wasn't sure where this film was going. The first 15-20 minutes felt a bit confusing, even slow. The scenes didn't clearly point in any direction, and with the constant switching between English and French, it took a little effort to settle in. (Just a note: most of the movie is in French, but the lead characters speak a good amount of English too.)

But once the husband is found dead outside their snow-covered house, the film takes a sharp turn-and that's when it really gets interesting.

This is a story about a husband and wife, both writers, living in a remote mountain home with their blind son and a dog. After the husband's mysterious death, the wife is accused of murder, and the rest of the movie takes us deep into the courtroom and even deeper into their relationship.

What makes this film special is how complex both characters are. Sometimes you feel like the wife might be guilty-especially when it's revealed she may have taken ideas from her husband's unfinished novel. Other times, you feel for her, because the husband seems like someone who was bitter and wanted control. You're constantly torn, and that's what keeps you hooked.

The courtroom scenes are the heart of the film, and while some of them do feel a bit stretched out, they slowly peel back the layers of truth, lies, and everything in between. You won't get easy answers here. There's no big twist. Just a slow, thoughtful build-up that lets you decide what to believe.

One unexpected highlight? The dog. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say this: the dog's acting will shock you. It's so good, it feels unreal-probably thanks to some clever VFX or training.

Now, it's true the movie is long-over 2.5 hours-and there are moments where you might feel a bit bored or tempted to leave it midway. But the topic and the way it's treated keeps pulling you back in. It's like liquid oxygen: the liquid won't let you live, and the oxygen won't let you die. You stay suspended in the tension.

If you enjoy slow-burn mysteries and character-driven courtroom dramas, this one's worth your time.

⭐ Final Rating: 7/10.

If you're someone who enjoys smart storytelling or emotionally layered sitcoms like Friends or How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men might feel like a rude shock at first. It's not your typical comedy-it's a sex comedy, loaded with innuendo, crude one-liners, and often offensive dialogue. There's barely any story; just episodic chaos revolving around dating, sex, and dysfunctional family dynamics.

That said, once you adjust to its tone-and if you're open-minded enough to stomach jokes that often cross all limits-it's surprisingly watchable. The comic timing is razor-sharp, especially in the earlier seasons featuring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and the young Angus T. Jones. Charlie's carefree womanizer routine plays well against Alan's neurotic loser energy. Berta, the housekeeper, and Evelyn, the unapologetically cold mother, add some of the most memorable punchlines. Don't expect emotional arcs or evolving characters. Expect jokes about mothers' bras found in cars, awkward threesomes, and constant digs at male fragility.

It's definitely not meant for watching with kids around-even though there's no graphic nudity, the dialogues alone make it NSFW. But if you can tune out the moral compass for 20 minutes, it can be an oddly satisfying guilty pleasure.

Not everyone will enjoy it-but for those who do, it's a sitcom unlike any other. Just don't expect depth-expect dirt, and lots of it. 📺 Two and a Half Men - S4E6: A Viewer Advisory Critique

This episode takes the show's usual edgy humor to a line that many viewers might find uncomfortable or inappropriate. While Two and a Half Men has always used risqué jokes, this particular episode includes scenes and punchlines that suggest disturbing themes, including mother-son fantasies, albeit cloaked in comedy.

Some viewers may see it as just another exaggerated sitcom gag.

But many - especially those sensitive to boundaries around family relationships and sexual innuendo - may find it deeply distasteful.

If you're okay with dark, absurd, and provocative humor - you might digest it.

If you prefer bold comedy without moral erosion, you'll want to skip this one.