Its Episode 52! Kobi and Helen are joined by Chris and Will to review Bernie (Chris’ choice), the 2011 black comedy from Richard Linklater starring Jack Black. The bizarre true story of mortician Bernie Tiede (Black) who amongst making the dead look glamorous also has a penchant for elderly widows and ends up becoming an unlikely companion for a very rich widow, Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine) and SPOILER ends up killing her.
The film is a mix of straightforward filmmaking and mockumentary with talking heads from real life people from Carthage, Texas and sort of played straight and then sort of played for comedy by Black. The film was strongly received in American after its release but seems to have barely been seen or heard of by UK audiences – and there is good reason why.
Its weird – given that it is a true story – about murder – the comedy feels weird and doesn’t achieve what it presumably intends to do and because the comedy is so weird it doesn’t work as dramatisation. One really for Jack Black completists only.
Scores
| Episode Crew Name | Recommendability Score | Repeat Viewing Score | Small Screen Score | Engagement Score | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris | 3.1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3.275 |
| Will | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2.75 |
| Helen | 3 | 1 | 4.5 | 3 | 2.875 |
| Kobi | 2.5 | 0.8 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| 2.65 | 1.2 | 4.375 | 3.375 | 2.90000 |
Unsurprisingly Bernie doesn’t score highly in any category, scoring 2.9 by Flixwatcher but more love was given from Twitter. Seen it? Send us your review @flixwatcherpod
What do you guys think? Have you seen Bernie? What did you think? Please let us know in the comments below!
Episode #052 Crew Links
Thanks to the Episode #052 Crew of Chris Smith @ChrisDSmith27 and Will Roe- @willroe2 from Lords @HomeOfCricket. Find their website online here: https://www.lords.org
Please make sure you give them some love
Flixwatcher Spotify Playlist
It has to be Putting on the Ritz, but there is no Gene Wilder version so we have added the Mel Torme Version!
More about Bernie
For more info on Bernie you can visit the Bernie IMDB page here or the Bernie Rotten Tomatoes page here.
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Films New on Netflix
As well as this weeks episode we think you should know some of the best new films on Netflix UK this week. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news.
A washed-up baseball player learns he’s inherited a $300 million fortune from his dead uncle, but must spend $30 million within 30 days to get it.
Added to UK Netflix: 1st April 2018
In Yorkshire, a withdrawn gay farmer begins a torrid affair with a Romanian migrant worker who shows him the depths of his capacity for affection.
Added to UK Netflix: 31st March 2018
It’s Avengers vs. Avengers when Captain America fights to keep his superhero friends independent, while his pal Iron Man supports government control.
Added to UK Netflix: 30th March 2018
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Space cops Valerian and Laureline embark on a mission to retrieve a near-extinct creature, rescue their kidnapped commander and protect the galaxy.
Added to UK Netflix: 31st March 2018
With chiseled good looks that belie his insanity, a businessman takes pathological pride in yuppie pursuits and indulges in sudden homicidal urges.
Added to UK Netflix: 4th April 2018
Films Leaving Netflix
Unfortunately, not all of the films stay on Netflix for ever, booooo! Often you don’t get to find out until its too late. The films listed below are leaving Netflix UK super soon so please don’t miss out!
Mission: Impossible 5 (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation)
When the IMF is dissolved, Ethan Hunt and his allies launch their own war against the Syndicate, a group of renegade spies bent on world destruction.
Leaving: 18th April 2018