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Post by Mattsby on Oct 26, 2020 18:53:23 GMT
 This dropped on Netflix on Oct 23, right now at 100% RT from over 63 critics. It's 7 episodes, written-directed entirely by Scott Frank who seems to be thriving with Netflix after this and the even better Godless western. Based on a 1983 book by Walter Trevis - Bertolucci once circled an adaptation, and Heath Ledger was lined up to make his directorial debut before his death, with Ellen Page leading. Trevis also wrote The Hustler and The Man Who Fell To Earth - and Queen's Gambit plays like a very chic kin to them in its look at talent and genius, compulsions and addictions, feeling utterly out of place and alone. Anya Taylor Joy gets a sort of classic role to star up with her strange sexiness, soul-consuming eyes, and deadpan humor. This was very watchable to me (like Mrs Maisel but chess in lieu of stand-up) and only falters in being quite predictable and in the last episode's very corny encore of characters. Here's a chess-appetizer (for the chessy of us), a hilarious short piece by Woody Allen, The Gossage-Vardebedian Papers. maxxwolf.tripod.com/woody.html |
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flasuss
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Post by flasuss on Oct 26, 2020 21:12:27 GMT
Watched the first two, it's good, if nothing spectacular or unmissable.
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Post by wilcinema on Nov 10, 2020 18:03:18 GMT
I found it really, REALLY good.
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Post by stephen on Nov 10, 2020 18:09:53 GMT
Extremely good, but dammit, I spent the whole series waiting for Bill Camp to show back up and he never did. ;(
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Post by stabcaesar on Nov 15, 2020 18:15:36 GMT
Saw the first episode and found it really generic. I am unlikely to continue watching.
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on Nov 15, 2020 20:50:27 GMT
Extremely good, but dammit, I spent the whole series waiting for Bill Camp to show back up and he never did. ;( only time I've ever been unhappy to see Bill Camp was in Dark Waters. The guy makes everything better |
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Post by cheesecake on Nov 15, 2020 20:52:17 GMT
Solid enough. The early episodes were a lot better and it felt like it lost focus and was stretched for time as it went on. Heller sure breathed a lot of life into it.
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Post by Mattsby on Nov 16, 2020 23:27:52 GMT
I've updated the OP - there were 40 RT critics when I posted, now 63. Still 100%. BusinessInsider: "The Queen's Gambit" is the most popular TV show on Netflix for the third straight week. Idk about you guys, but everybody (family/friends) I've talked to have seen this, liked it, or badly want to see it. That #1 Show really pulls up and hopefully doesn't put it at a zugzwang of overhype  -- I guess I forgot how Netflix works but I really didn't think it'd be this popular..... |
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Post by futuretrunks on Nov 17, 2020 0:21:39 GMT
It's fine, but I'm not sure why it's generating such interest. I've seen the first 5, and I don't think it's close to as entertaining as stuff like Stranger Things, You, The Last Kingdom, etc. I actually preferred Scott Frank's Godless (also a Netflix limited series) to this too.
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Post by hugobolso on Nov 17, 2020 14:27:29 GMT
Anya Taylor Joy is probably the best actress of the new generation, she could portray almost everything, and because she has multiple nationalities, she could portray English Roses or latinas, corsette comedies like Emma, horror films or sport films like this.-
She probably will win a Golden Globe, a SAG and a Emmy Nom, and maybe even win.-
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Post by Pittsnogle_Goggins on Nov 18, 2020 16:06:12 GMT
Yeah, this was pretty great.
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Post by theycallmemrfish on Nov 18, 2020 18:41:54 GMT
I had no idea Scott Frank was involved in this... interest is certainly piqued.
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Post by Allenism on Nov 19, 2020 15:00:14 GMT
I'm just finished episode 2. I know this sounds like a trivial gripe, but...the jump from young Beth to teenaged Beth is really jarring. The two actors look nothing alike, and to stick a Tim Burton-esque wig on the already Burton-esque looking Taylor-Joy was an ill-advised choice.
All that being said, I'm digging the series so far.
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Post by Joaquim on Nov 19, 2020 15:04:24 GMT
Watched the 1st episode last night. Really good
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speeders
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Post by speeders on Nov 19, 2020 15:20:50 GMT
Despite multiple flaws, I really loved it. The Crown has stolen its thunder for me but it was a bingeable delight with great production values and a fantastic ATJ at the helm.
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Post by futuretrunks on Nov 20, 2020 5:05:12 GMT
Watched nearly the whole thing. If anything, Emma Stone is going to take a big L from this. Anya basically seems like she's emanating a better-looking, more sensual Emma Stone. But while it's good, it's definitely overrated.
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Post by DaleCooper on Nov 22, 2020 0:24:49 GMT
I thought this was a teriffic show. Great proudction values, really engaging and affecting, a superb central performance and I had no idea chess could make for such an intense viewing experience.
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Post by Mattsby on Nov 22, 2020 1:41:01 GMT
I thought this was a teriffic show. Great proudction values, really engaging and affecting, a superb central performance and I had no idea chess could make for such an intense viewing experience.  |
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Post by Joaquim on Nov 22, 2020 8:53:03 GMT
Did not know chess could be arousing but here we are
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Post by HELENA MARIA on Nov 26, 2020 12:41:06 GMT
I don't normally review shows but this one was fantastic! I watched the entire series in less then 24 hours and would watch it again in a heartbeat ! It is wonderful to see Anya Taylor-Joy in a well crafted show. She shines brilliantly as Beth Harmon a chess playing prodigy. The story takes us from when she is a small girl, orphaned, continuing through her teenage angst years. I highly recommend this show. Great cinematography and directing and of course to get back to the acting - its top notch! I only wish there was more than 7 episodes.
9/10
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2020 16:06:46 GMT
good stuff good stuff never felt THIS bi before that's nice
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Lubezki
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the social distancing
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Post by Lubezki on Nov 28, 2020 3:31:01 GMT
The ATJ love on display in here is giving me a major euphoric panic attack....  |
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Post by pupdurcs on Nov 28, 2020 10:42:29 GMT
Terrific show. Really enjoyed it, and Anya Taylor Joy is going to be a big star. Very strong young actress and she carries this show with poise, grace and confidence. She gets some great support though particularly from Marielle Heller, who does a wonderful job as her adoptive mother Alma. Being only familiar with Heller's work as a director (which is pretty major, directing Melissa McCarthy and Tom Hanks to Oscar nominations) I didn't realise Heller herself was such a talented actress. For all the deserved hype around Taylor-Joy, I hope more talk begins to centre on how good Heller was in this. She deserves award recognition, and the chemistry and affection between her and Taylor-Joy was fantastic.
Other than Heller, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Moses Ingram and Harry Melling do notable supporting work.
It's not perfect though, and I started to get the feeling towards the latter episodes that they were stretching this material out much more than it could actually be stretched. Kudos to Scott Frank for creating an entertaining show about chess of all things, but I almost hope they aren't tempted to do a season 2 and leave it as a mini-series, because I can see it becoming far too repetitive (especially because Beth rarely loses, and when she does, it's pretty much always a set-up for her just to come back again and crush whomever beat her. The whole cycle gets pretty predictable after awhile).
8/10
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Post by pupdurcs on Dec 8, 2020 1:38:58 GMT
This sounds interesting. Scott Frank and Anya Taylor-Joy may be reuniting for a new project
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Post by Viced on Jan 2, 2021 0:20:36 GMT
Pretty good 4 hour miniseries... not really sure why it was stretched out to 7 episodes though. The same old chess discussion and chess practice/playing on repeat got tiresome after a while. Also was bored by the addiction stuff and the flashbacks to her real mother ("close your eyes" told me all I needed to know).
But at its best, it was incredibly well done and thrilling. Great period costumes and production design too...
And the finale was pretty excellent... outside of the somewhat cheesy ending. Borgov... what a classy bastard. Chills.
Marielle Heller was easily MVP -- both hilarious and heartbreaking.
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-- I guess I forgot how Netflix works but I really didn't think it'd be this popular..... 
