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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on Feb 25, 2022 7:45:19 GMT
I have to move on from Peaky Blinders. Took me I think 3 sittings to get through the first episode. Nothing major but a ton of small mostly stylistic issues. Aesthetically this is very reminiscent of Gangs of New York (and maybe some Guy Ritchie) with the out-of-place blues rock soundtrack and hyper-stylization and constant slow motion. And you really feel the intentionality of these decisions in the editing, how the eps couple the music with slow motion--like that bizarre tiny moment in ep 2 when a woman is running up some stairs and the edit jumps to a slow-mo shot of her scarf grazing the wall coupled with this rock riff and you know they only did that because they thought it looked cool. There's also a slow-mo fight scene at the beginning of ep 2 that's visually incoherent and borderline unwatchable. And doing some reading it just sounds like that's the aesthetic of the show and I don't think I could get used to it.
The style is what I'm going to remember most but there were other things I didn't like either. For starters, I hated the depiction of PTSD with that one bald character. The performance is ridiculously over the top with incoherent transitions between mania and lucidity, and it results in a contrived moment of violence in the first ep. It does that thing where it drops you into the conflict without laying any groundwork, so you're presented with this OTT depiction of trauma to which you're expected to have an emotional reaction without knowing anything else about this man except that he is bald. Also Sam Neil's performance in the first couple eps was pretty monotone. He has these speeches where he repeats things ("I don't care if it's X, I don't care if it's Y"), and he says everything in the exact same tone and pitch. Might've been the writing more than his acting but it was weirdly stiff.
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on Feb 28, 2022 6:16:14 GMT
binged Season 1 of The Last Kingdom over the last few days. Watched this all the way back in 2015 but never kept up with following seasons, and now it's about to premier it's 5th (and final) season and I figured what the hell I'll go back and watch The Last Kingdom. These episodes were even better than I remembered, consistently strong and entertaining the whole way through. The episodic nature and brash antihero who goes on adventures and gets into trouble is closer to what I was hoping Witcher would've been like, but with monsters, and the music even sounds like The Witcher game soundtrack. Oh well... Anyways, highlight was obviously David Dawson's performance as King Alfred, sickly but strong-willed and piercingly intelligent. Not someone you want on your bad side. also want to shout out the great Ian Hart as Father Beocca, a fatherly priest with a sharp tongue, and Rune Temte as Ubba, a delightfully over the top Dane warrior who belongs next to Tuco in the Pantheon of TV villains who look like they do too much coke.
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Post by PromNightCarrie on Feb 28, 2022 15:36:30 GMT
I finally went back and finished season 2 of Mindhunter so that finale was the last tv episode I watched. I am so sad this show doesn't have a season 3 in the works.
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Post by wilcinema on Mar 1, 2022 8:09:47 GMT
I finally went back and finished season 2 of Mindhunter so that finale was the last tv episode I watched. I am so sad this show doesn't have a season 3 in the works. It’s kinda tragic actually. It was a very fascinating show.
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Post by PromNightCarrie on Mar 1, 2022 12:26:34 GMT
I finally went back and finished season 2 of Mindhunter so that finale was the last tv episode I watched. I am so sad this show doesn't have a season 3 in the works. It’s kinda tragic actually. It was a very fascinating show. It is tragic. With all the shows that overstay their welcome, we finally got one with content that could go the distance without losing its fascination and they cut it short. We could have at least gotten 3 more seasons out of that with how crazy that time period was for serial killers.
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Post by Brother Fease on Mar 16, 2022 0:59:43 GMT
I just finished episode 6 of The Afterparty on AppleTV+. I love a good modern day version of Murder on the Oriental Express. It is from the guys you brought you 21/22 Jump Street and Spider-Man into the Spider-verse. Good cast too. Tiffany Haddish and Dave Franco play key characters. Each episode is a different movie genre being spoofed.
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Post by Mattsby on Mar 26, 2022 1:52:42 GMT
Quoc Dang Tran cowrote the pilot of Call My Agent and wrote every ep of Marianne..... two of the best French series in recent times, one a brilliant comedy and the other a very good horror. His latest..... Parallels (2022) (6 eps) dropped on Disney+ and while I binged it with ease... it's also not very good, sappily cringeworthy, and shamelessly steals from Netflix's Dark and Stranger Things.
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Post by Viced on Apr 12, 2022 16:07:40 GMT
Prison Break [season 1, 2, 3... gave up early in season 4]The first season, while slightly ridiculous and drawn out... kicks a decent amount of ass. The escape plan, more characters getting dragged into it, the prison dynamic... mostly awesome stuff. Gripping final few episodes, despite the terrible cliffhanger. The second season, while even more ridiculous and waaay more drawn out... also kicks ass. Keeping the post-escape on-the-run tension for 22 episodes was impressively done, and Alex Mahone elevated the shit out of the show. The third season, while unnecessary and very lame at times, was still somewhat entertaining (and thankfully only 13 episodes). The fourth season... I liked the concept of it in the beginning, but it just became a total struggle to even care about what was going on anymore. And everything I've read about how it originally ended, along with the revival season make me think that I definitely made the right decision. I'm just going to pretend that season 2 ended more smoothly for the characters, and consider that the series finale. This has gotta be the longest I've made it into a series that I pulled the plug on... oh well. And this has also gotta be the only series I've watched with not one, but two dreadful lead performances. Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell... dear lord. Miller is laugh-out-loud hilarious every time he raises his voice or tries to act cool. Purcell has the range of an oak tree... though at least he was convincing as a tough sunnuvabitch. rest of the cast shoutouts: - Robert Knepper (despite possibly being some sort of sexual deviant IRL) was easily the MVP of the series. Truly one of the slimiest performances I've ever seen, while still having tons of charisma, humor, and being strangely sympathetic at times. - William Fichtner. They lost the plot with his character after season 2, but what an electric performance from an underrated boss. - Peter Stormare as an Italian mob boss with a thick Swedish accent... what a legend. He was so damn awesome and kind of scary on this. Missed him terribly after his departure. - Stacy Keach... wonderful gravitas as the warden. Also missed him after his departure. slightly less enthusiastic mentions to Sarah Wayne Callies, who did her best to elevate a boring character and try to have chemistry with Miller... and Wade Williams, whose character went through the wringer and always kept the show watchable.
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Post by stephen on Apr 12, 2022 18:12:04 GMT
God, I loved this show in its first two seasons. I bailed in Season 3 (despite Robert Wisdom being fucking awesome as Lechero; I just wish he'd been on a different show), and I never saw anything after that.
Knepper was indeed the MVP, and would rate as one of my favorite TV villains of that decade. I can definitely co-sign the Fichtner/Keach love, and I do think Wade Williams was underrated.
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Post by cheesecake on Apr 27, 2022 20:30:49 GMT
Better Things just wrapped with it's series five finale. Went out on such a wonderful note. God, I'm going to miss this show.
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Post by DaleCooper on Apr 27, 2022 23:50:04 GMT
I just finished the third season of the Netflix show Travelers and I'm a bit unsure what to think of the show overall. I think it had much promise and I really liked the first season but as it continued I lost a bit of interest in it. I guess it's an interesting premise, but I think they missed some potential with what they could have done with it. It also bothered me that the team seems to magically make it out of every situation they get themselves into, by whatever mechanism really, as it made it seem like there wasn't much stakes for the team. Granted, a lot happened in the last few episodes in regards to that. In addition to this, the whole confession video bit and then that it's all okay after that is all sorts of ridiculous really. Maclaren being and FBI agent and seemingly always off on Traveler missions was also a bit weird. Anyway, seems I don't have much positive things to say about the show but I will say that I did enjoy it quite a bit and I always have a soft spot for time travel shows/movies. And yeah, I gotta say that despite the ending clearly being rushed because of cancellation of the show, they managed quite a good ending. Prison Break [season 1, 2, 3... gave up early in season 4] Yeah, I don't think I've seen a show that loses that much quality along the way (writing this I just remembered Game Of Thrones, weeeelll). The first season is truly magnificent, just prime entertainment all around and endlessly rewatchable. In terms of single seasons for suspense-shows it's probably my favorite. I like the second season really much as well, but it goes off the rail somewhere towards the end where it's obvious the writers does things just to make it possible to prolong the show (now, of course, the show could easily have been ended mid season 1 as well or in the last episode of season 1). If it would have ended there and then, I think this still would be one of my favorite shows. Unfortunately it's all downhill from there - season 3 still has some highlights (the escape if I remember, was a really good episode) but they are few and season four is just plain bad. The revival season, though, is far worse and the whole premise for that is just ridiculous. Regarding the cast, my favorite in season 1 was probably Stormare, Adelstein in season 2 (in the second half of the season at least) and then Fichtner after that.
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on Apr 29, 2022 16:13:23 GMT
My Brilliant Friend S1 E5 - Le scarpe (The Shoes)This show is so fucking good, holy shit. The two leads are so compelling. You totally buy these two young women as friends with a complicated relationship, and the performances by Margherita Mazzucco and Gaia Girace work well in tandem whilst also highlighting the vast differences between the characters that will no doubt become more pronounced over time. Lots of stuff covered -- class, politics, poverty, feminism, education, competition, and the Max Richter score & HBO production value makes it all go down like a dream. This is becoming one of my favorite shows.
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on May 24, 2022 17:22:36 GMT
Killing Eve S4 premiere ("Just Dunk Me") - A pleasant surprise and a big step up from S3 premiere. Feels like tonally a return to form, straddling the line between comedy and bubbling psychosis. 8/10Highlight was Villanelle coming to Jesus (quite literally in the ep's wacky closing minutes), but it manifests as a warped reflection of her lack of self-awareness and extreme narcissism. It's really entertaining watching her navigate this inherently blasphemous territory and seeing that despite all the performativeness, those hideously sincere Hallmark cards she sends to Eve whose new BF describes as "Anthrax-y" ( ), her repeated insistence that she's "changed" despite all the evidence to the contrary -- she's still the same sociopathic Villanelle. Compulsive, dangerous, homicidal, and completely obsessed with her own narrative. The kind of Villanelle who kills a cat and then buries it in the church cemetery. And as always, the worse her behavior, the more fun she is to watch. I know how all of this is going to end (it's hard not to spoil yourself with all the outrage) so I'm treading carefully, but given the negative reception to this season and the low marks on IMDb for this ep (a mere 6.6), this premiere easily exceeded my low expectations. I'm sort of dreading where it goes next, but I'm strapped in and ready for the rollercoaster.
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on May 25, 2022 19:07:49 GMT
Killing Eve S4 E4 - "It's Agony and I'm Ravenous" - like an 8/10 Halfway through and I'm... still liking it? The highlights of this ep were the scenes between Fiona Shaw and Jodie Comer whose Villanelle is back to her old tricks and has traded in religion for a pipe wrench, the sexual chemistry between Sandra Oh and Camille Cottin which is reaching a fever pitch, and a stomach-churning torture scene involving a creative use for cheese wire. I've given up trying to follow the plot because I don't remember a damn thing about S3, but it's enough to watch these personalities keep violently bumping up against each other. The episode right before this ("A Rainbow in Beige Boots") is a genuinely great piece of television. Comer remains strong as ever. Highly entertaining and deeply scary.
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SZilla
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Post by SZilla on Jun 4, 2022 18:01:48 GMT
Finally finished Lastman (2016), a French animated prequel show to the popular comic series that was produced after a big crowdfunding campaign. If you're a fan of the likes of John Carpenter movies, Stranger Things S1, Berserk, or Cowboy Bebop, I think you'll like this show. The English dub is pretty fantastic. Only 26 episodes and 13 minutes a piece each. Season 2 was just announced too.
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Post by Brother Fease on Jul 16, 2022 1:04:20 GMT
Hacks S1 episode 1 and 2. I am hooked. Jean Smart is a national treasure. The show is big on laughs and heart.
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Post by Martin Stett on Jul 18, 2022 2:41:27 GMT
Kings episode 1: GoliathI've been interested in this show ever since I first heard about it. I have always felt that the tale of King David and his descendants would make for one hell of a TV show, and apparently Michael Green thought so too. It's a cool fantasy narrative, and the concept of following the books of Kings means that the show can continue for several seasons. Except that it only lasted for one. A shame, as the guy playing David really impressed me. Ian McShane is great as always as King Silas, and Eamonn Walker imparts a Shakespearean gravitas and a simmering tension to Reverend Samuels. It's interesting to see how Silas views himself as God, and how that triggers Samuels to turn the church against the king he anointed. It's interesting to see how David can win the hearts of people precisely because he doesn't give one solitary damn about playing the political game. It's interesting to see Jack being used as a pawn to depose his father. I just think that all of this is happening too fast. But that's the nature of the American TV landscape in 2009: you must sell your pilot episode to morons that can't think ahead, and then use that pilot as your first episode instead of a pitch. I hope that this slows down to allow more natural character development in the future, but flawed as it was, I still felt that this was a banger of a start.
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SZilla
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Post by SZilla on Jul 24, 2022 0:26:48 GMT
What We Do in the Shadows Season 4, Episode 3 - The show is still one of the most consistently funny shows on television today. The Colin Robinson CGI can feel off putting at times, but I think they are fully aware of that and are using it to their advantage.
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Post by Brother Fease on Jul 26, 2022 23:21:45 GMT
Hacks Season 1, Episode 10. Loved it. The ending I had me in tears. Can't wait to watch Season 2 when it comes out on DVD.
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SZilla
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Post by SZilla on Jul 27, 2022 3:06:47 GMT
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace Episode 2 - Hell Hath Fury
Very silly and fun. Whole cast is great but Richard Ayoade as Dean Lerner is easily my favorite.
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SZilla
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Post by SZilla on Aug 1, 2022 3:24:57 GMT
Finished off two shows today
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace Episode 6 - The Creeping Moss from the Shores of Shuggoth -This whole series was such a joy. Very very silly BBC comedy that parodies '80s/early '90s horror & sci-fi shows like Quantum Leap or Twin Peaks. The entire cast are on their A games, but Richard Ayoade was best in show overall for me. Matt Berry was great in the finale as well. Check it out on Amazon if you have the chance.
Seinfeld Season 9, Episodes 23 & 24 - The Finale -Legendary show for a reason. So many jokes and bits that came from this show and I'm sad to see it go. The finale was a clever way to incorporate the entirety of the show's history and it goes out on a high note.
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Post by pacinoyes on Aug 1, 2022 7:51:18 GMT
Finished off two shows today Garth Marenghi's Darkplace Episode 6 - The Creeping Moss from the Shores of Shuggoth -This whole series was such a joy. Very very silly BBC comedy that parodies '80s/early '90s horror & sci-fi shows like Quantum Leap or Twin Peaks. The entire cast are on their A games, but Richard Ayoade was best in show overall for me. Matt Berry was great in the finale as well. Check it out on Amazon if you have the chance. I can not tell you how often I go back and re-watch this show - the whole series I mean, not just this episode - I don't watch a lot of TV series - but it straight up along with Fawlty Towers is like it was made for me.......genius level stuff imo......actually get excited whenever I see it mentioned on MAR .......also this has a great cult irl - I am not sure I have ever met anyone who loves this show - and most people who know it, love it - that I do not like irl .......and I hate pretty much everyone (um)........it's a good, time-saving way to choose your friends tbh
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Post by Brother Fease on Aug 1, 2022 10:09:12 GMT
Homeland: Season 7, Episodes 1-4. I watched four straight episodes on Sunday. Terrific four btw, but awfully scary. In Season 7 they created their own version of Trump and Alex Jones. I don't know how they do this, but every season feels very fresh and timely. Has anybody else seen Homeland?
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Post by Brother Fease on Aug 21, 2022 1:04:46 GMT
Watching two shows. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia S15, Episodes 1-6. Only Murders in the Building S1, Episode 1.
After disappointing seasons 13 and 14, 15 is so far a breath of fresh air. Almost done with Only Murders first episode and I am already hooked.
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on Aug 26, 2022 17:27:31 GMT
Gaslit finale ("Final Days") on Starz - about a 9 Excellent finale that caps off a mostly-excellent limited series. This ep captures the continued fallout of the Watergate scandal and Martha Mitchell's continued personal decline. Whole things plays like a long, mournful epilogue, dotted by moments of black comedy from G. Gordon Liddy's bizarre theatrics in court and ensuing face-off with "rat" John Dean involving some vivid threats about sharpened pencils. If this had a bigger network behind it and if the TV climate wasn't so swamped in content (and a better title tbh), this would not have flown so much under the radar. It deserved a lot more love from the Emmys. By any metric Roberts, Penn (who does the kind of prosthetic-heavy blustering voters typically eat up) and Whigham's deranged turn as Liddy should've been in line for mentions. Only seen a handful of '22 miniseries so far but this stands head and shoulders above the pack. Entertaining TV in every respect. Excellent directing by Matt Ross, sumptuous cinematography, great performances, razor-sharp dialogue with a satirical edge, and a political atmosphere and female-centered themes which would make it a great double-billing with Mrs. America if you want to binge-watch how shitty the 70s were. It's not *that* good but its in the same ballpark. fans of Mrs. America should take notice. Fans of Roberts and Whigham should too! @ pacinoyes @@tyler @ Mattsby @ stephen @ notacrook (lots of others - who doesn't love Mrs. America ?)
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