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Reviews
A Very Merry Toy Store (2017)
Fake snow blemishes the stars
The fake backgrounds and props to pretend it's set in a wintry land are shocking in the terribleness of the quality; the sled race down the "hill" segment was so bad we couldn't even laugh at it. There must not have been anything left in the budget for the sets after hiring the stars and buying the toys to fill the shops. And then there's the random shot about 1h7m driving down the Centre Street Bridge in Calgary, AB, Canada passing the lion statues with the Calgary Tower straight ahead - if only they had actually filmed the whole movie in Calgary in winter, they would have had real snow and real mountains. As it is, the story is passable (although like most of the cheezy movies the ending isn't believable), but any of the outdoor scenery and backgrounds are so awful, so obviously bad fakes they completely distract from anything else going on, blemishing the star power of the actors. At least for a lot of the movie they're indoors and we can forget about it momentarily. If you can ignore that, and you like cheezy Christmas movies, or are a fan of the stars, ok, sure, watch this one, otherwise give it a pass.
Enkelstöten: Episode #2.3 (2019)
The Soundtrack
Description from the DVD: "Episode 3: The Soundtrack. Cecilia and Jenny successfully steal the artwork but realize they left behind a key piece of the art installation. Detective Marika investigates the break-in at Patrik's house, and Jan faces repercussions from the Calmare Fellows for his part in losing the artwork."
What would a heist be without some bumbling errors? The women's ingenuity is stretched as they cope with unexpected challenges and press their luck. Viewers are drawn deeper in to appreciating the friendship and the hilarity of the situations arising.
Enkelstöten: Episode #2.2 (2019)
Security
Description from the DVD: "Episode 2: Security. Cecilia meets with art gallery owner Julia, but her disguise attracts the attention of the biker gang, who recognize her from the bank heist. Later, Cecilia and Jenny plot to steal artwork from the home of the wealthy Patrik Delborn, but first they need to learn how to avoid his security system."
The women put their smarts together again to hatch and execute a bumbling heist. Laughter ensues from their hi-jinks and as the impact of their deception on those around them leads to some unexpected responses.
Enkelstöten: Episode #2.1 (2019)
Those in Need
Description from the DVD: "Episode 1: Those in Need. Having pulled off their bank robbery, Cecilia and Jenny are living comfortably, but when Harriet is passed up for a study-abroad grant by the sexist men of the Calmare Fellows, the two friends consider planning another heist. Jan's consulting work for a high-end art buyer gives Cecilia an idea for a target."
A welcome return to the world of these two unbelievably lucky friends. Personal social injustices lead them to press their luck once again, using past experience to their advantage in a struggle of the genders. Alternate identities from last season re-appear, with a new savvy street sense.
Enkelstöten: Episode #2.6 (2019)
Lucky Halloween
Description from the DVD: "Episode 6: Halloween. Jenny, Cecilia, and Julia are going to sell the artwork back to Patrik, but the police, Sverker from the biker gang, and Bengt are all hot on their trail. A wild chase breaks out that has unexpected consequences for everyone involved. How far are Jenny and Cecilia willing to go to reach their goal?"
In the hilarious and thrilling season conclusion, all ends are wrapped up but not before emotional and comedic climaxes. I love spending time with these characters, sad to see the end of this season, can only hope there will be another one in future - it feels like saying farewell to good friends.
Enkelstöten: Episode #2.5 (2019)
Artnapping
Description from the DVD: "Episode 5: Artnapping. Julia has a new, risky plan for how they can fence the stolen artwork. After an unexpected run-in with the police, Jenny and Cecilia's friendship is put to the test, all while Bengt confronts Jenny about what exactly she was doing in Flerohopp."
The truth comes out... or does it? Tensions rise as the characters are forced into corners yet somehow manage to survive and turn close calls to their own advantage. Previous criminal activity is now valuable wisdom. Will their luck continue to hold?
Enkelstöten: Episode #2.4 (2019)
Follow Up
Description from the DVD: "Episode 4: Trust. Jenny, Cecilia, and Julia decide to try to sell the stolen artwork to art collector Bert, but some previous mistakes throw a wrench into their plans. Bengt suspects Jenny is unfaithful and starts spying on her, and Cecilia's fury about her work situation reaches a boiling point."
If the two main characters can be amateur criminals, why not throw in an amateur detective? Heartbreaking comedy with anticipated hilarity to come, viewers' knowledge of various characters' points of view creates delightful tension.
Enkelstöten: Avsnitt 6 (2017)
The end... or is it?
Description from DVD: "Episode 6: Hot Pursuit. With the money back in their possession, Cecilia and Jenny wait for Stellan to collect his share, but Jenny is called away to take care of a brokenhearted Harriet. Believing the police to be on their trail, Cecilia and Jenny debate turning themselves in."
In the season finale, things don't always go as expected yet the women continue to survive under immense pressure (even when it's only perceived and not actual pressure). Coming to terms with their criminal ways and bumbling through surprises like they have been all season, you still feel like you're among your best friends along for a wild ride, learning to expect the unexpected. The episode ends with a couple of brief scenes that are just enough to give closure while hinting at what's to come next. Loving this series!
Enkelstöten: Avsnitt 5 (2017)
Hot potato
Description from DVD: "Episode 5: Double-Crossed. Cecilia and Jenny agree to share the money with Stellan, but before they can give it to him, they are burgled by the criminals who helped them open the cassettes. Cecilia is forced to bring her grandchildren on a stakeout and discovers that the criminals are involved with a dangerous biker gang."
The adventures continue to escalate to the ridiculous, and the stakes are raised when the grandkids are put in danger. Characters make some stupid decisions that continue to make them feel like real people. Tensions rise as the cops gain some unexpected leads.
Enkelstöten: Avsnitt 4 (2017)
Blackmail
Description from the DVD: "Episode 4: Blackmail. Jenny panics when the police find the empty cassettes, and Cecilia's relationship with Jan breaks down after he learns that Cecilia invested their life savings. The women's problems multiply when Cecilia starts to receive threatening emails."
This episode is more like a whodunnit with plenty of twists and red herrings as we try and figure out who knows something and could possibly be the blackmailer. Really invested in the characters by now, and we're given longer glimpses into their lives with reactions and situations that make them very believable.
Enkelstöten: Avsnitt 3 (2017)
We did it! But...
Description from the DVD: "Episode 3: Locked Away. Although the robbery was successful, Cecilia and Jenny struggle to open the locked cassettes containing all the money. As Cecilia tries to put off Jan from buying their dream house in France, Jenny worries her daughter Harriet is using drugs."
These two amateur bank robbers continually face new challenges and bumble through unforeseen obstacles by sticking together as friends and using their smarts. The tension and emotion is palpable, and you cannot wait for the next episode.
Enkelstöten: Avsnitt 2 (2017)
Luck and ingenuity
Description from the DVD: "Episode 2: Casing the Bank. Jenny and Cecilia prepare for the robbery in Stockholm by following a bank worker to learn how to get into the bank and drugging him to get the access card. But things start to go awry once their plan is put into action."
The funniest episode of series one, the two amateur bank robbers use their smarts (and not-so-smarts) to pull off some hilarious disguises and high-tech spying to improve upon the bank robbery plan gifted them by a dying patient. Superb acting, you'll be falling out of your seat.
Enkelstöten: Episode #1.1 (2017)
Bumbling Besties
Description from the DVD: "Episode 1: The Plan. A failed stock investment leaves gastroenterologist Cecilia in financial difficulty, but she can't bring herself to tell her husband, Jan. When Cecilia learns of a bank robbery plan from Stellan, a dying patient, she seeks to recruit her friend Jenny, a teacher going through a costly divorce."
The beginning of a hilarious heist sequence where two women have the plans thrown into their laps and decide robbing a bank will solve their problems - a lot of bumbling ensues. Not everything is always believable, but the acting is well done and sweeps you along as if you're caught up with your besties in the chaos of life trying to navigate what gets thrown at you.