Who needs dvd boxsets when you have back to back endless Mock The Weeks, Would I Lie To Yous and HIGNFYs on Dave?
Who needs dvd boxsets when you have back to back endless Mock The Weeks, Would I Lie To Yous and HIGNFYs on Dave?
Who needs dvd boxsets when you have back to back endless Mock The Weeks, Would I Lie To Yous and HIGNFYs on Dave? Mind you, they do shove the odd night of Gavin and Stacy or Red Dwarf to push me to Radio 4 Extra, so...
While everyone will tell you "The Wire/Game of Thrones/Boardwalk Empire is great, but you have to watch twenty episodes of it before it gets good",You mentioned this about not getting into The Wire a few weeks ago. It got me thinking about it and I decided to watch the first episode again to see if I agreed. I didn't: as far as I'm concerned, if you weren't gripped by the end of that I wouldn't see any point in persevering. Incidentally, the first episode of Boardwalk Empire bored me rigid so I've never bothered with any more. Anyway, the following weekend I watched the rest of the first series and I'm now halfway through the third series again. Should be finished them all by the end of the month, although I might slow down if the fifth is as irritating as I remember it being.
Is Breaking Bad the one about a chemistry teacher who makes drugs?
Or should i have been using the time to downstream my technoload of new episodes of Stargate?If only they were still making Stargate, yes you should.
The only bit of Sons of Anarchy I've seen is someone doing a ludicrously awful Irish accent. Must admit, it put me off a little.
The only bit of Sons of Anarchy I've seen is someone doing a ludicrously awful Irish accent. Must admit, it put me off a little.
No sign of Season 5 on DVD yet though...where on earth did you get that from?
Season 5 of breaking bad is available on Netflix. This makes up for its 5.99 monthly subscription alone!
There is a difference between the US and UK netflix - although if you access through a VPN you can access the US Netflix content even if you registered outside the US.
The only bit of Sons of Anarchy I've seen is someone doing a ludicrously awful Irish accent. Must admit, it put me off a little.You should give it a go, mate. As has been pointed out- you've got a good 2 1/2 series before they go to Ireland and by then you'll be well in to it. Series 4 was then fantastic and I'm hoping 5 airs over here soon.
Also watching Better Off Ted, us comedy about a company that clearly supplies crazy scientist equipment to bond villains and/or dr doom (it's not really about that, but that's e background...)
'm currently watching community, available from netlfix via Canada (I use the proxy service unblock-us.
Hard to say what it's like, kind of friends meets spaced. Very warm with great central characters.
Community is wonderful, but it can be hard getting people to give it a chance as the first half/third of series one isn't that great. My girlfriend didn't warm to it at all, but I know she'd love it if she just persevered for a few more episodes! I sung it's praises to a few friends, but they never got past the pilot. I think it all really clicks into place during the first Halloween episode, I'd be tempted to suggest people start there.
"I am Batman!" *applies lipbalm*
Community is wonderful, but it can be hard getting people to give it a chance as the first half/third of series one isn't that great. My girlfriend didn't warm to it at all, but I know she'd love it if she just persevered for a few more episodes!As a wise man once said:
The Wire. Gave up after the pilot. Yeah, so apparently it's AMAZING, you just need to get through the first series - after that you'll be hooked.
Strangely enough, I never seem to find myself with enough spare time to want to sit and watch hour after hour of boring television in the hope it eventually gets interesting.
I don't know how anyone can tolerate The Big Bang Theory.I dunno, guess it's a generation thing. Maybe. Everyone I know loves it, and being a bit of a Physics nut I tend to get the jokes. :-\
I dunno, guess it's a generation thing.
I'm 17 so that may be a bit of a stretch. :lol:I dunno, guess it's a generation thing.
Think it's more of a taste thing - I'm probably younger than you are.
Something about it just rubs me the wrong way - the bits I've seen have been desperately unfunny.
Something about it just rubs me the wrong way - the bits I've seen have been desperately unfunny.
Through the magic of Lovefilm I've been soaking up Battlestar Galactica for the first time over the past couple of weeks. At the start I remember telling a mate that I wasn't really that into it and then realising I'd watched the whole mini-series and the first half dozen regular episodes in two or three days! After hearing so much about it, I think it took me a while to get past the standard tv scif-fi crappy acting and just let the story carry me forward. It was the episode where Starbuck interrogates the Cylon that finally hooked me. I really like that a large part of the series is the old "What is this thing called love, captain?" taken to extremes and allowed to develop in unexpected ways.
Anyway, finished the second series last night and really looking forward to seeing where it's going next.
PS So far, Boomer is the hottest Cylon.
I dunno, guess it's a generation thing.
Think it's more of a taste thing - I'm probably younger than you are.
Something about it just rubs me the wrong way - the bits I've seen have been desperately unfunny.
As for the 'racist' depiction of India - well cultural stereotyping doesn't always equal racism. Loads of things are stereotyped in BBT - for example Jewish people and the Bible belt.
It's also hard for me to see it as painting a negative nerd stereotype (to a greater degree than that required of the themed paticipants of any sit-com)
Through the magic of Lovefilm I've been soaking up Battlestar Galactica for the first time over the past couple of weeks. At the start I remember telling a mate that I wasn't really that into it and then realising I'd watched the whole mini-series and the first half dozen regular episodes in two or three days! After hearing so much about it, I think it took me a while to get past the standard tv scif-fi crappy acting and just let the story carry me forward. It was the episode where Starbuck interrogates the Cylon that finally hooked me. I really like that a large part of the series is the old "What is this thing called love, captain?" taken to extremes and allowed to develop in unexpected ways.
Anyway, finished the second series last night and really looking forward to seeing where it's going next.
PS So far, Boomer is the hottest Cylon.
The wife and I are about to finish up season 2 of Battlestar, I love the show when it focuses on the space politics and military friction but can't get away with a lot of the [OTT] relationship centred episodes, I mean Starbuck knew that freedom fighter bloke on Caprica for all of five minutes yet the show goes on like they were together for a long time, now I don't know if it's me but I need more than a day or two to get that attached to someone (my wife thought the same).
...someone's downfall coming not because the world is an inherently cruel place but because these people deserve it.
...someone's downfall coming not because the world is an inherently cruel place but because these people deserve it.
I agree, and I do think that's a lot of the show's appeal. Pretty much all of the characters are jerks pretending to be nice people,
But I don't think they're pretending I think they're just damaged.
While I suspect we may be over-analysing this just a smidgeon
I love [BSG]... but can't get away with a lot of the [OTT] relationship centred episodes, I mean Starbuck knew that freedom fighter bloke on Caprica for all of five minutes yet the show goes on like they were together for a long time, now I don't know if it's me but I need more than a day or two to get that attached to someone (my wife thought the same). Lee Adama seems to fall in love with someone else every half dozen episodes that I fully expect him to be bunked up with the President by series finale.
I love [BSG]... but can't get away with a lot of the [OTT] relationship centred episodes, I mean Starbuck knew that freedom fighter bloke on Caprica for all of five minutes yet the show goes on like they were together for a long time, now I don't know if it's me but I need more than a day or two to get that attached to someone (my wife thought the same). Lee Adama seems to fall in love with someone else every half dozen episodes that I fully expect him to be bunked up with the President by series finale.
That can be readily explained in the context of the show if you're so inclined - these people are suffering PTSD, after all. You may take a long time to form attachments, but if 99% of mankind was wiped out at a stroke tomorrow and you'd survived by the skin of your teeth, managing to throw your lot in with the only other survivors of the holocaust; and the killers of humanity were relentlessly pursuing your band of survivors intending to finish the job, and so you knew that literally any day might be your last; would you not throw caution to the wind and jump into any chance of a relationshop going? I know I would.
But then why abandon established relationships as Starbuck does so often? I long ago decided that the intent was to make the character unlikable by any means necessary, even if it made no sense.NB Probably unnecessary spoiler tags as at least two other people are currently watching the series.
Viewers of BSG through Lovefilm should be aware that the final episode of the second series appears to be a heavily edited version of the original, which was an extended finale: based on the length quoted on iTunes there's about 25 minutes missing.In fact: http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Lay_Down_Your_Burdens,_Part_II
I have a theory about Starbuck's new-found need for love anyway. One which I could easily validate through Google or which anyone who's seen the whole thing could easily prove or disprove but I'm happy to wait and see.
Thanks Tips. I managed to source an alternative copy and was fairly taken aback at the number of important plot beats cut out of the first version I saw.Viewers of BSG through Lovefilm should be aware that the final episode of the second series appears to be a heavily edited version of the original extended finale.Not sure which version I'll have on my DVD box sets but if it's the loner one, I'm happy to let you borrow it.
Finally made a start on Mad Men. It's pretty good stuff, but I can't quite shake the feeling that its a bit pleased with itself and style over substance - or 'period (drama) porn'. A bit too much fetishising of the (admittedly sumptuous) set dressing, and indulging in "isn't the past CRAZY? Things were DIFFERENT then!" nods to the audience, a bit too little plot.
My Game of Thrones Season 2 Blu Rays arrived the other day, so planning a complete marathon of all episodes to date ahead of the Season 3 premiere later this month. Hopefully I'll like s2 a bit more this time round as i was a bit disappointed by it when it originally ran last year.
Just finished season one of Breaking Bad. I am assured by all that it gets better than this, but I sure as hell cannot see how!
Still not seen Breaking Bad... :-[
Still not seen Breaking Bad... :-[
Still not seen Breaking Bad... :-[
Just watch it. Seriously.
I've been hassling a friend to do the same - he always says "Oh, I don't have the time". No. Once you've seen the first episode, you will make time! :D
Was late for a meeting 2 weeks ago...my boss texted me 'Pollos'! :D
I've been hassling a friend to do the same - he always says "Oh, I don't have the time". No. Once you've seen the first episode, you will make time! :D
Finally been catching up on Breaking Bad and while it's a great show, I can't really get a handle on Walt ... Some of the plot turns seem a bit arbitrary ... but it hasn't quite derailed the show for me.
Skylar is a bitch
I started watching the back catalogue of Arrested Development last night. I gave up after four episodes. It just was not funny, and every single one of the characters was incredibly irritating.
I started watching the back catalogue of Arrested Development last night. I gave up after four episodes. It just was not funny, and every single one of the characters was incredibly irritating.
Oh, the usual - Red Dwarf, IT Crowd, Father Ted, That kind of stuff. I can't think of many US comedies I enjoy, except maybe My Name is Earl, but I find that hit and miss.
So you think I should persevere with it?Nah, you've given it a good go - if you don't like it after four episodes you are right to give up.
So you think I should persevere with it?Nah, you've given it a good go - if you don't like it after four episodes you are right to give up.
Why are you watching it if you don't like it?Masochism?
Why are you watching it if you don't like it?Masochism?
I can get you some cream for that. ;)Why are you watching it if you don't like it?Masochism?
I think I'm just loathe to admit its growing on me. I have chuckled quietly on a couple of occasions.
(http://i.imgur.com/RNMHCI9.jpg)Top stuff! :D
Been after these for absolutely ages, but was always put off by the high prices they went for. But recently somebody had them listed on E-Bay for what amounted to £11.00 each. Thank you very much. :thumbsup:
Three series - twelve discs in total. Thats my viewing sorted out for a good while.
(http://i.imgur.com/RNMHCI9.jpg)
Been after these for absolutely ages, but was always put off by the high prices they went for. But recently somebody had them listed on E-Bay for what amounted to £11.00 each. Thank you very much. :thumbsup:
Three series - twelve discs in total. Thats my viewing sorted out for a good while.
I've been watching the complete run of 'Alias' starring Jennifer Garner...
WHYYYYYY??? It's TERRIBLE! The writing on this show is SOOOOOO CRAAAAAP!!! Somebody shoot me! PLEASE!
Working our way through Mad Men season 4 now, picked up seasons 1-5 for £50, well worth it.
It goes without saying really, but it really deserves its reputation. Excellent TV, Don Draper is such a compelling character.
I've never seen a single minute of this JJ, despite hearing so much about it.
Give us a review when you're finished!
I've been watching the complete run of 'Alias' starring Jennifer Garner...
WHYYYYYY??? It's TERRIBLE! The writing on this show is SOOOOOO CRAAAAAP!!! Somebody shoot me! PLEASE!
I've been watching the complete run of 'Alias' starring Jennifer Garner...
WHYYYYYY??? It's TERRIBLE! The writing on this show is SOOOOOO CRAAAAAP!!! Somebody shoot me! PLEASE!
I can never tell when you young things are being sarcastic. This is a joke, right? First couple of seasons I've seen have been aces.
I solemnly promise you, ChickenStu... I will not.
Don't ever watch Galactica 1980 either. You'd never survive the experience. There's just something about that show that makes people consider suicide...
Put me of the new BSG for a good long while, I can tell you!
Those dreadful old 1980s sci-fi shows weren't all bad: I liked the synth score on V: The Series, and the opening episode where the little girl goes off to die in a cave and the snakes all gather around her corpse while "she's changing... BUT INTO WHAT?" and a green light pulses and creeptastic music plays was a commendable attempt on the makers' part at shitting the audience up the same way that lizard baby crawling out of a lady's womb under its own power did in the miniseries, but sadly there was just too much outright shite in the series as it tried too hard to be sci-fi rather than a drama about Nazis in control of America.
If you want old-school sci-fi, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is pure cheesy gold.
I still rewatch the odd episode when I want to turn my brain off - I watched the theatrical cut of the pilot a week or so back, and watch Space Vampire every Halloween. Planet of the Slave Girls is wonderfully camp and has Jack Palance as a cult leader and terrorist with a harem of barely-legal tottie creating more onscreen ham than live coverage of a swine flu bonfire, but Ardala Returns is amazing: the plot is that a space princess has robot doubles made of Buck so they can bang her from both ends, but Buck thinks sad thoughts while they copy his mind so the robots will be depressed all the time and not want to have sex or fights, meanwhile, one of his robot doubles - who is, naturally, also wired with a nuclear bomb - is walking around with Buck's mates on Earth saying things like "ERR-OR! Incorrect response to query!" out loud within earshot of everyone around him and no-one bats an eyelid - and yet the most ludicrous thing about it? The idea that any character played by Pamela Hensley in a bikini would have trouble getting a shag.
Those dreadful old 1980s sci-fi shows weren't all bad: I liked the synth score on V: The Series, and the opening episode where the little girl goes off to die in a cave and the snakes all gather around her corpse while "she's changing... BUT INTO WHAT?" and a green light pulses and creeptastic music plays was a commendable attempt on the makers' part at shitting the audience up the same way that lizard baby crawling out of a lady's womb under its own power did in the miniseries, but sadly there was just too much outright shite in the series as it tried too hard to be sci-fi rather than a drama about Nazis in control of America.
Yeah but if we had left it there you would never have had Michael Ironside turn up. And he's great.
Caught the last 9 episodes of Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated, and for a show whose central conceit is the secular pursuit of truth at all costs, that was one batshit crazy series finale. If you know Scooby Doo only as a cultural phenomenon - I couldn't really stand any of the other versions of the show but this one - you grasp the core idea: kids investigate seemingly supernatural goings-on and always find a logical explanation which may or may not be a bit silly, yet Mystery Inc creates an overarcing cause for it all in the form of an elder god manipulating the kids and their adversaries across time. By the end the show is revealed not just as a prequel to the original Scooby Doo series from the 1960s, but also as a meta-origin for all the other versions of Scooby Doo, and we find this out when Harlan Ellison shows up, though not before the show crosses over with Twin Peaks and also makes it clear Velma really was gay in the original series, which she realises only when her would-be girlfriend is murdered in the penultimate episode - no, really.OK, I need to watch this now.
It didn't always make sense and was not subtle, but it ends with what is easily one of the all-time great series finales.
I cannot recommend highly enough Callan the colour years starring edward woodward. 70's drama at its understated best.
Never EVER watch the 1985 series of V. Just don't, OK?
I'm sort of moderately interested in Game Of Thrones... just not a fan of the HBO 'bewbs wiv everyfing' modus operandi. I might give it a peek when there's more of it available on DVD.
Now watching The Big O season 1.
Yeah, I hear it's a sequel best left alone. Just watched the 4th episode and already this might be a strong contender for best TV series i've watched in a good while. Really encapsulates everything I loved about old school animation before everything was either trying to be Naruto or Spongebob dependent on which side of the other pond you are on.Now watching The Big O season 1.
When you get to the end of season 1, don't watch season 2. That way you can always believe it might be good, rather than knowing for a certainty that it was horseshit.
Tbh I find the more lurid/titilating elements a bit annoying. Just remember that the boobs/incest/genital mutilation etc etc are there to get the attention of the average punter, and there is so much more to the show than that.
Season 2 is superfluous (especially if you've seen the Truman Show and/or The Matrix), needlessly convoluted, [snip]
I disagree with you on all counts there. Principally because if a first time viewer were to leave off at season 1 episode 13, it really doesn't offer a satisfying ending.
Wasn't there a rumour recently that Twin Peaks is returning?
Wasn't there a rumour recently that Twin Peaks is returning?
You know, there are many great show's I've watched. But Twin Peaks isn't one of them.
I agree, but I DID watch it. Pretentious bunch of pants then, pretentious bunch of pants now.We share a birthday Mr Dare and I tend to agree with most of your posts, but that is like a slap in my face!
You know, there are many great show's I've watched. But Twin Peaks isn't one of them. I should probably fix that.
Dude, my favourite films of all time are Videodrome, Forbidden Zone, The Big Lebowski, and Zardoz. I live off pretention. :lol:You know, there are many great show's I've watched. But Twin Peaks isn't one of them.
I agree, but I DID watch it. Pretentious bunch of pants then, pretentious bunch of pants now.
Brimstone, or as I like to call it: Awkward Rapey Satanic Detective Show
Brian Glover is always watchable, though, and apparantly a top bloke in real life.
Finished The Big O. Season 2 an' all. Over all, a masterclass in animation and a truely mind blowing good series. The conclusion to season 2 was conffusing yes, but only in the sense I felt it was going somewhere. Although I very much doub't it's currently on the cards a third (and final) season would be more than welcome.
Just watch this. Really, it's stonking good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMXgHfHxKVM
Anime is very much a median I find is marmite to say the least. Chances are if you like one (Cowboy Bebop not withstanding as it's universaly loved) you'll find a number of others to your taste. Like you I see a number of people who just dislike the general asthetic feel to it. At time's even I dislike the large eye's and other issues, but Attack on Titan is far from the worst offender (i'm looking at you One Piece!), but look to stuff like Cowboy Bebop, Baccano, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Big O for some more western like animated style's, these are the one's generaly most well recieved in the west.Just watch this. Really, it's stonking good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMXgHfHxKVM
Grud help me, but apparently I just cannot get into Anime. I tried the first episode of this, and from the title sequence setting my teeth on edge to the awful character designs and ludicrously overwrought climax, I hated it. Architectural backgrounds are nice, but you couldn't force me to watch another episode.
If you like to watch your 'toons with little 'uns, I'd say the original Mobile Suit Gundam is a good bet...
If you haven't seen it already, try Community.
It takes a while to find its voice, but when it shifts into gear it becomes the greatest, most ambitious and defiantly weird sitcom since Arrested Development.
Isn't there a risk it might Cyberleader2000ify them?
I don't think it could Cyberleader2000ify your nippers, which is good because he's a treasure and making more would only dilute the charm.
No mention of Gundam Wing or Endless Waltz? As far as I'm concerned they are the best material turned out by the metaseries. Saying that I can't fault your logic that MSG is the most "straightforward" of them all.Isn't there a risk it might Cyberleader2000ify them?
The original MSG is actually the most straightforward of all the giant robot 'toons I've seen, and being made before videogame logic started seeping into anime storytelling means that even its daftest conceits like the nebulous "Newtype" plot arc - where it's suggested humanity's move into space has triggered some sort of evolutionary jump in the species - just comes off as a slight riff on The Force in the background of episodes. It is very much a show that - if characters weren't killed off in the latter portion of the series - would have been on kids' telly when we were younger and remembered fondly, and I can't see it damaging younger viewers or giving them a hankering for giant robots and/or anime. The robot stuff is really just functional animation at best, and the old-fashioned storytelling means it doesn't really have any appeal to fans of illogical and incestuous modern anime as anything other than the starting point of later dreadful series like G Gundam or Gundam Seed: Destiny.
So no, between the slower pace, logical story progression/setup and emphasis on character over mecha porn, I don't think it could Cyberleader2000ify your nippers, which is good because he's a treasure and making more would only dilute the charm.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman - Season One
I'm actually really digging this! :) Just ordered the second season from Amazon!
I just received the complete Monkey box set dvds in the mail after ordering them Ebay and have started watching them.
Born from a egg on a mountain top....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2huJqFsFDE
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman - Season One
I'm actually really digging this! :) Just ordered the second season from Amazon!
I already knew that and demand a different bit of trivia.
And I only just got the pun in the title.
I already knew that and demand a different bit of trivia.
Couldn't really call it an addiction, but I've finally gotten around to watching the TV adaptation of Alan Garner's The Owl Service
We're watching Freaks and Geeks again. What kind of colossal, short-sighted, miserable arsehole do you have to be to cancel a show as nigh-on perfect as F&G? It's just astoundingly good, and every single episode stands up to repeated viewings.
Oh so slowly working through Breaking Bad. Just finished Series 2, episode 10. The one where we meet Gus.
I know, I know, I'm behind.
Oh so slowly working through Breaking Bad. Just finished Series 2, episode 10. The one where we meet Gus.
I know, I know, I'm behind.
Oh god, Battlestar Galactica is SOOOOO GOOOOOD. It's my new crack cocaine of TV. I can't believe I didn't watch this first time around. Thank goodness for Netflix - I have all 76 episodes to hand including the mini-series that kicks it all off.
And that very last episode... ugh.
like the evil universe episodes
The change to the title sequence was inspired by an alternate-reality episode of Buffy that did the same thing several years earlier.
A few episodes later when the ship encountered suicide-bombing space-Muslims I recall thinking it must be awesome to have a job where they pay you to be drunk.
Hey, look me in the eye and tell me "Spock is a lady with massive boobs and the captain is Sam Beckett" wasn't a production meeting that started with a nose full of charlie and ended with high fives.
Hey, look me in the eye and tell me "Spock is a lady with massive boobs and the captain is Sam Beckett" wasn't a production meeting that started with a nose full of charlie and ended with high fives.
Did you notice those massive boobs suddenly deflated in later seasons?!? Highly illogical.
Did you notice those massive boobs suddenly deflated in later seasons?!? Highly illogical.
Pon farr is a complex cycle.
Still watching Attack on Titan. Fucking amazing.
Imagine Mad Max if the apocalypse had occured in the Dark Ages, and the reason for us not knowing any history of that time was due to fucking Giants mindlessly eating 99% of humanity. The remainders where forced to lock themselfs in Skeletors locker (I JOKE!) and rapidly advance militery technology. The result is an alternative history saga that's prity much Japans (to use and obvious comparison) Slaine or Defoe. It moves at a frantic pace but has a well rounded cast and very fluid animations. I highly reccomend it if you haven't given it a shot yet.Still watching Attack on Titan. Fucking amazing.
Go on...
Imagine Mad Max if the apocalypse had occured in the Dark Ages, and the reason for us not knowing any history of that time was due to fucking Giants mindlessly eating 99% of humanity. The remainders where forced to lock themselfs in Skeletors locker (I JOKE!) and rapidly advance militery technology. The result is an alternative history saga that's prity much Japans (to use and obvious comparison) Slaine or Defoe. It moves at a frantic pace but has a well rounded cast and very fluid animations. I highly reccomend it if you haven't given it a shot yet.Still watching Attack on Titan. Fucking amazing.
Go on...
It's been hard going since Season 4 tbh (and you could argue a point for Season 1!) but I'm going to see it through to the bitter end!
(I have them on DVD and the last two seasons on blu-ray. Tellingly, Seasons 9 and 10 have been sitting unopened for nearly two years).
It's been hard going since Season 4 tbh (and you could argue a point for Season 1!) but I'm going to see it through to the bitter end!
(I have them on DVD and the last two seasons on blu-ray. Tellingly, Seasons 9 and 10 have been sitting unopened for nearly two years).
Then straight onto Season 11 (http://www.comicvine.com/smallville-season-eleven/4050-48550/)? :D
It's been hard going since Season 4 tbh (and you could argue a point for Season 1!) but I'm going to see it through to the bitter end!
(I have them on DVD and the last two seasons on blu-ray. Tellingly, Seasons 9 and 10 have been sitting unopened for nearly two years).
Then straight onto Season 11 (http://www.comicvine.com/smallville-season-eleven/4050-48550/)? :D
SPOLIERS PLEASE! It looks like, from what's on those comic covers, that Clark turns out to be Superman!
It is not great, to be honest, and I can see why Ellison took his name off this one
I've been doggedly persevering with 'Alias'. For which I deserve a medal... and have been somewhat rewarded.
Seasons 3 and 4 of this show are guff. utter guff. There's loads of dull-witted plotting and some atrociously leaden writing. Thankfully, season 5 - which I had to be cajoled into watching - has seen the show blossom into ACTUAL entertainment.
We stalled about half way through Season 2. It was aces but somehow it just dropped off the watch list.
The Starlost, a Harlan Ellison-created sci-fi series from the 1970s about a man, a woman, and a life-sized cardboard cutout of Kier Dullea wandering around an ark ship 800 years in the future visiting "bio domes" that contain various cultures and trying to figure out how to steer the now-crewless ship away from a collision with a star despite being Amish types who can barely read English and keep thinking things like lightbulbs and carpets are devil magic. Reminds me of Blake's 7 but with lower production values, less action, and either the greatest or worstest mustache in television history. It is not great, to be honest, and I can see why Ellison took his name off this one, but it reminds me of those daffy mid-80s kids' dramas and distracts me nicely.
The Starlost, a Harlan Ellison-created sci-fi series from the 1970s about a man, a woman, and a life-sized cardboard cutout of Kier Dullea wandering around an ark ship 800 years in the future visiting "bio domes" that contain various cultures and trying to figure out how to steer the now-crewless ship away from a collision with a star despite being Amish types who can barely read English and keep thinking things like lightbulbs and carpets are devil magic. Reminds me of Blake's 7 but with lower production values, less action, and either the greatest or worstest mustache in television history. It is not great, to be honest, and I can see why Ellison took his name off this one, but it reminds me of those daffy mid-80s kids' dramas and distracts me nicely.
The Starlost, a Harlan Ellison-created sci-fi series from the 1970s about a man, a woman, and a life-sized cardboard cutout of Kier Dullea wandering around an ark ship 800 years in the future visiting "bio domes" that contain various cultures and trying to figure out how to steer the now-crewless ship away from a collision with a star despite being Amish types who can barely read English and keep thinking things like lightbulbs and carpets are devil magic. Reminds me of Blake's 7 but with lower production values, less action, and either the greatest or worstest mustache in television history. It is not great, to be honest, and I can see why Ellison took his name off this one, but it reminds me of those daffy mid-80s kids' dramas and distracts me nicely.
I remember Starlost. They used the same ship model (Valley Forge) as in the Bruce Dern film Silent Running.
One of the most nihilistic films ever made. As for what Taylor does, I think it's on purpose. I've always felt sorry for Nova in that film - she gets treated appallingly from start to finish.
One of the most nihilistic films ever made. As for what Taylor does, I think it's on purpose.
I've always felt sorry for Nova in that film - she gets treated appallingly from start to finish.
I've read it and it's not all that, but the framing device/ending was the one Tim Burton should have gone for in his remake, rather than that shit he filmed.
Finally caught up with season 3 of Boardwalk Empire. I was worried that the show wouldn't be the same without Jimmy, but this is definitely my favourite season yet. The bit where Richard went all Taxi Driver and killed everyone was epic. I actually found myself yelling at the tv. Actually that probably happens more than it should...
It's much cheaper here (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MONTY-PYTHONS-FLYING-CIRCUS-COMPLETE-SET-NEW-SEALED-/150477010052?pt=AU_DVDsBlurayDiscs&hash=item230920f484), but I'm still not spending that much money just yet.
Besides, I just spent thirty dollars on Warhammer: 40k's Space-Hulk on Steam.
Anyway, can anybody find out if the Complete Monty Python Boxed Set is available on Blu-Rae, because I can't find any.
So it looks like I'm giving Breaking Bad a second chance. First time round I got bored halfway through the second series. I think I'm just past that point now. It's a decent programme but I do find myself wondering what I'm missing about it that everyone seems to find so amazing. Does it suddenly get much better at some point? And when does Skylar become a bitch? So far she's the least cuntish character in the whole show.
I never understood all the apparent hate towards Skyler either - I think she's a great character and actress, and fulfills a vital role in the series.
call it what it is - misogyny.
My problem with Skylar was that she smoked while pregnant just to get back at her husband's slights, which at that point were largely unconfirmed suspicions based on the fact that a recently diagnosed cancer patient wanted a bit of time to themselves - a dick move that for me cast a shadow over her actions to the very end of the show. That she wanted to spoil "the fun" had nothing to do with my appraisal, though obviously I can't speak for others.
So it looks like I'm giving Breaking Bad a second chance. First time round I got bored halfway through the second series. I think I'm just past that point now.
I found Skylar to be a strong determined and flawed character, brilliantly acted and totally tragic. The whole Skylar is a bitch thing was just awful dickheads and trolls as far as I'm concerned.
It's a decent programme but I do find myself wondering what I'm missing about it that everyone seems to find so amazing.
I found Skylar to be a strong determined and flawed character, brilliantly acted and totally tragic. The whole Skylar is a bitch thing was just awful dickheads and trolls as far as I'm concerned.
I found Gus Fring to be a strong family man with an admirable work ethic. Clearly those criticising him are racists.
I found Skylar to be a strong determined and flawed character, brilliantly acted and totally tragic. The whole Skylar is a bitch thing was just awful dickheads and trolls as far as I'm concerned.
I found Gus Fring to be a strong family man with an admirable work ethic. Clearly those criticising him are racists.
quite right.
Joking aside, it's interesting that we have strong opinions on Skylar smoking (and a lot of people gave off about skylar for smoking at the time too) when we miss the fact that Walter is a total scumbag drug dealer who turns everything he touches to shit. Skylar's actions were no where near as wicked as Walt's.
peace
Dave
Joking aside, it's interesting that we have strong opinions on Skylar smoking (and a lot of people gave off about skylar for smoking at the time too) when we miss the fact that Walter is a total scumbag drug dealer who turns everything he touches to shit. Skylar's actions were no where near as wicked as Walt's.
You bunch of misogynists can't even spell her name right- it's Skyler (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyler_White).
Deve
I watched that Netflix Original Prison Drama, Orange is the New Black.
Overall it's very satisfying, but the show's Achille's Heel is the protagonist. At first she comes across as an immature, thoughtless, unsympathetic narcissist, but as the show progresses, it becomes more obvious that that's what the writers were aiming for. My main problem with her was that she seemed to base her personality and decisions on with whomever she last had a conversation, it seems like a bit of a crutch.
Where the show shines is the rich and varied supporting cast, there's sleazy screws, guards whose good intentions make them incompetent, and inmates from all walks of life. Unhinged crazies, religious fanatics and flakey hippy-dippy former pot farmers and looming over them all Kate "Janeway" Mulgrew as the russian battleaxe who runs the kitchen and ostensibly, the prison. The power dynamics between her and her wardens is where this show really shines, and Mulgrew shows some serious acting chops. That woman could give ye a look that would make yer shite freeze while simultaneously making yer bowels void themselves.
"In a lot of ways Piper was my Trojan Horse. You're not going to go into a network and sell a show on really fascinating tales of black women, and Latina women, and old women and criminals. But if you take this white girl, this sort of fish out of water, and you follow her in, you can then expand your world and tell all of those other stories. But it's a hard sell to just go in and try to sell those stories initially. The girl next door, the cool blonde, is a very easy access point, and it's relatable for a lot of audiences and a lot of networks looking for a certain demographic. It's useful."
Sam Neil, born in Omagh, canny do a Norn Irish accent? That's shackin, so it is.
It gets even worse in the comments section.
Those comments must really have been something if the people who published an article that describes corrective rape as "propaganda" thought they went too far.
I'm one episode from finishing season 2 of Breaking Bad
Started watching Breaking Bad yesterday.
And now I'm on the third episode of season 2.
Started watching Breaking Bad yesterday.
And now I'm on the third episode of season 2.
dont start watching this if you have other things you need to do!
(Germans) have become synonymous with dance culture, mid-80s synth-pop references and being villains in action films thanks to a generation of popular entertainment eating its own arsehole with references to the trends followed in the youth of those making it
But jokes about WWII? In 2013? Really? I don't want to draw too much attention to that one aspect, but it seemed very distasteful and unCommunity-like to me.
TZ is the single greatest television show in history.
A Hundred Yards Over the Rim (man from the 1900's wanders into the future and finds medicine for his sick son)
Rod Serling's life story is worth a gander, if you can. I like how he used to go wandering in one of his old jobs, having daydreams for fantasy stories trying to sort out how he'd write them and make the plots work in his head much to the despair of his co-workers - US servicemen deployed in "The Death Squad", a notoriously high-casualty platoon whose fatality rate once reached a record low of 50 percent. His adventuring came to an end when he took an arrow to the knee - no, really.
Rod Serling's life story is worth a gander, if you can. I like how he used to go wandering in one of his old jobs, having daydreams for fantasy stories trying to sort out how he'd write them and make the plots work in his head much to the despair of his co-workers - US servicemen deployed in "The Death Squad", a notoriously high-casualty platoon whose fatality rate once reached a record low of 50 percent. His adventuring came to an end when he took an arrow to the knee - no, really.
It's worth watching the feature documentary: Submitted for your approval.
Picked up the complete Dollhouse in my local Blockbuster's 'so long and thanks for all the fish' sale.
I had been warned that the opening of this series was weak. But, my goodness, that felt unusually vapid.
I have faith that Whedon will turn it around, though.
Just bought Breaking Bad Season 1 to see what all the fuss is about. Only watched 3 episodes in and im loving it already,will watch a couple more tonight. I agree with people who say its well acted,well written and tragic/funny at the same time.
We watched the whole 2 seasons of Mystery Incorporated together (about 52 episodes), i was quite impressed,it was funny and clever at times with knowing winks for the grown ups about certain films (Hellraiser and Terminator) and jokes about the old shows (Flim-Flam is doing 20years for theft atm and Scrappy Doo- 'we dont talk about him')
I find myself halfway through I, Claudius.
Bloody Hell, it's good.
... I was amazed they got away with broadcasting his most infamous moment.
Roddenberry deliberately reined-in the overt gender and racial equality of the show because when he tried to make it too blatant (in the original pilot The Cage), the network passed on the show, citing among other things that the ship's first officer was a woman and this meant that whenever the captain was off having adventures in the course of any hypothetical series that she'd be in charge of the ship and everyone on it. Paradoxically, they also complained that the green lady slave type was offensive, so eventually the series settled on a middle ground of just having women - and non-Caucasians - around but never going into details, while individual scriptwriters could choose to go forward from that as they saw fit.
For the most part, just being present and visible in the background was a huge leap forward for equality in the era as the Enterprise was a defacto military ship and miniskirts or not the female crew-members were serving military officers. Just take a look at other sci-fi of the era like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Giants or Lost In Space and how they portrayed women - if at all.
Now you leave Battlestar Galactica alone - for all we know there maybe just wasn't a whole lot of tv shows about sex robots and we really needed another one.
And there's really no need to be defensive, I was joining the debate rather than derailing it.
I'm going to start buying The Shield boxsets; never watched it but I've heard it goes great once Kurt Sutter is promoted as the man in charge. Anybody here actually watch it when it was on channel5 a few years back?first couple of series are great, dips a bit then goes really good again when Forrest Whittaker comes into it
Shatner's Kirk is an incredible creation- undeniably the most famous hero in a'll of science fiction, and utterly believable from start to his end. ... they then claim Patrick Stewart is "a good actor". Let me make this very clear: he is not.
I can't say I'm overly impressed by Star Trek ToS. Some episodes are enjoyable, some a laughable and some a just plain awful.
What always makes me laugh about trekkers who have a go at Shatner, is that they then claim Patrick Stewart is "a good actor". Let me make this very clear: he is not. But he very very much thinks he is.
Shatner's Kirk is an incredible creation- undeniably the most famous hero in a'll of science fiction, and utterly believable from start to his end. ... they then claim Patrick Stewart is "a good actor". Let me make this very clear: he is not.
While completely agreeing with you that Shatner is superb, almost ridiculously so in ToS, I just can't agree about Stewart: he does precisely what he needs to do as in actor in TNG, which is to appear to believe utterly in and treat the ridiculous tosh around him completely seriously, to the stage where it becomes a plot point to have his character want his scientific/diplomatic/humanitarian/military mission to be run professionally, and not as an interstellar daycare centre. I think his performance is every bit as good as Shatner's in filling and developing the role his character plays.
I'm literally choking on my biscuits at the suggestion that Shatner was "crap" in Trek! That's a muddleheaded piece of nonsense spread by terrible stand up comedians back in the nineties,and endlessly copied and repeated by office bores trying to appear cool and funny in front of the latest sexy temp. Shatner's Kirk is an incredible creation- undeniably the most famous hero in a'll of science fiction, and utterly believable from start to his end. Shatner is a great actor anyway- check out 'nightmare at 20000 feet' for more of this. What always makes me laugh about trekkers who have a go at Shatner, is that they then claim Patrick Stewart is "a good actor". Let me make this very clear: he is not. But he very very much thinks he is.
SBT
Brilliant also in EXTRAS.
I'm going to start buying The Shield boxsets; never watched it but I've heard it goes great once Kurt Sutter is promoted as the man in charge. Anybody here actually watch it when it was on channel5 a few years back?
I'm not the biggest fan anyway, but I don't think something like Star Trek was ever designed to be watched in quick succession like that so it's bound to suffer as a result. Watching the odd episode when it pops up on telly is definitely the way forward.
... seeing Dr Pulaski appear in ToS a second time was distracting.
Another aspect that impressed me was how Kelsey Grammar had Dr. Frasier Crane down pat immediately. Whether you watch his first appearance in Cheers, or the last episode of Frasier, it is absolutely the same character, a bit older maybe, but without any tweaking. He hit the ground running with that character.
Started watching League of Gentlemen on Netflix - bloody brilliant stuff. My housemates are perplexed by how dark it all is, how it blends the prosaic world of a small, rundown town in the moors with a surreal carnival of insane characters and incredibly creepy ideas. What's all this shouting? We'll have no trouble here!
Stuck on episode 13, series 3 of Star Trek ToS. The title of the episode "Elaan of Troyius" just fills me with dread.
I own all the star trek episodes!!
But I cannot bring myself to get past season 1 of enterprise.
Damn that is bad.
NOBODY ON THAT SHOW CAN PULL A FUCKING DECENT PINT!
NOBODY ON THAT SHOW CAN PULL A FUCKING DECENT PINT!
It's America: no one knows what a decent pint is.
Yeah they all drink it cold, the fiends.
Less the temperature than the fact it tends to be piss-weak and they serve a short pint, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pint_glass) IMO.
Well I started to watch Breaking Bad, at last. Five episodes into season one and it's very good indeed. I find Walter to be one of the more empathetic anti hero's of recent years.
OK I have ditched Star Trek TOS. I can't watch every episode.
I have watched the entire first series of Star Trek TNG, though and it is soooooo much better. I am now onto the second series which is already showing improvements.
Oh and there's a Scottish Ghost episode that is possibly the worse thing I've ever seen.
Blimey! It takes 2 to 3 series to find it's feet does TNG. But then is great*. So I reckon you are in for a treat.
* Your mileage may vary depending on how much you like Brent Spiner. I think he's great. Yes, even in that one with the bloody masks. Oh and there's a Scottish Ghost episode that is possibly the worse thing I've ever seen. (And I watched ALL of Smallville),
[ Plus why in the name of suffering fuck did Hank not scoop Walter when he was standing in his garage having bloody confessed? The whole thing couldn't decide if it was gritty or funny either. Plus: WHAT WAS THE POINT IN THE FUCKIN CAR WASH?
And that's just for starters...
M.
Mikey has watched all of Breaking Bad btw so do not look lest ye pay the price.
The Car Wash was to launder money, which they did successfully. And Hank didn't because of a lack of solid evidence (Walt had covered his tracks) and the extremely poor light it would shine on him either way - to bring him in without solid evidence and a means of exonerating himself from suspicion, he'd be thrown in jail or at the very least, fired for his association.
Ranks alongside the wire and sapranos in terms of yank tv.
With some scream at the tv moments. For sheer Nooooooooo cliffhanger endings.
Recently I've been alternating between the first serieses of Justified and Lexx, both of which are a lot of fun.
Is Lexx the show with loads of puppet work aliens or I am confusing it with another show?
Is Lexx the show with loads of puppet work aliens or I am confusing it with another show?
Nah, that's Farscape surely?
Jim Henson's company leant a hand to make that show, several in fact.
I'd seen quite a bit of Lexx before, but mostly later series and late at night so going back to the start has been enlightening. The first series is made up of four 90 minute tv movie installments. This has its pros and its cons. On the plus side, each episode gets plenty of space to explore its plot in full; on the other hand, this often leads to needless, overextended scenes and annoying repetition of effects sequences.
Boiling it down to its "core concept", Lexx has a lot in common with the likes of Blake's 7 and Farscape but it seems to me that it piles in a lot more genuine science fictional elements as well as a far broader streak of black humour. Probably what distinguishes it most from other tv sci-fi, what I enjoy most about it - and is just as likely to turn others off - is the unrepentant daftness it contains.
Chuck.
I decided to give this a try on Netflix and I'm hooked. There's some serious geek charm to this show. I can't believe I've missed this until now. Even the missus has been sucked in.
Just finish the episode where the guys dress as Shai'Hulud for Halloween. As a Dune fan this show will always be tops with me now.
I have also started watching the Trigun anime for a job I am currently working on. It's not at all what I was expecting.
but do we get some sort of a reprise of the sacking of Winterfell at the start of Season 3? 'Cos while I've read the books the missus hasn't, and I don't want to be mansplaining if I don't have to.
...the 'Who burned Winterfell and what the fuck is happening to Theon?' is running plot through Season 3, although the reveal is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it throwaway.
...mansplaining...
...mansplain...
...mansplaining......mansplain...
This phrase really makes me cringe.
I ended a friendship over 'mansplaining'.
I'm on the last episode of series 5 of ST:TNG. This series has been slightly more clunky than the the previous two stellar series', with a few more episodes to groan at. Nevertheless, there are still a good number of excellent episodes to make up for it.
Also for my sins I have been watching season 1 Voyager lately - not as bad as I remember...
that awful Irish Theme Pub holodeck programme.
Nathin ta do wi' the fact Species 8472 were turned from the most pramisin new Trek villain to Tribble level threat within wan season?
that awful Irish Theme Pub holodeck programme.
So, tis a praablam with Fairhaven ye have, is it?
Nathin ta do wi' the fact Species 8472 were turned from the most pramisin new Trek villain to Tribble level threat within wan season?
Away with ye.
Fairhaven was nausea inducing.
My chronology gets a bit wonky but it stands out for me as the first truly great long form tv show of the current American generation.
The Martian Chronicles, which starts out okay, hits its stride when people start going native and being haunted by a ghost race ... so I think enjoyment of the material here may be down to how much you're willing to indulge something that's clearly of its time in attitude and execution.I have vague memories of seeing bits of this on tv in the early 80s. May give it a whirl.
I'm looking at adding Jericho to my collection. But I thought I'd get an opinion first. Has anyone here seen it? What did you think? I'm a huge apocalyptic fiction geek and it sounds right up my alley. Although the short episode run for season 2 is a little off putting. Worth my time?
Jericho, like so many of these things, starts off a bit rocky and bogged down in soap operadom, but finds its feet in short order and is bloody brilliant by the time they axe it.
the appearance of the truly terrible Revolution on our screens right now may give Jericho a sheen and charm it didn't have at the time.
Started watching Luther from the beginning the other night. Only saw one episode of season 3 before now. 4 episodes into season 1 and I can only say it's the mutt's nut's. A blooming amazing series all round.
Well that was a fecking phenomenal conclusion to season one of Luther! Oh my lawds I haven't been so exhilarated by an ending in years, so much so that I've instantly gone out and bought season 2. :D
I am about to conclude my Star Trek TNG binge with only the last (double) episode of series 7 left to watch (possibly next week as I'm off to spend time with my partner for the next five days). It has been a great journey and it is certainly superior to ToS in every regard. Especially the wonderful third and fourth series. My partner has started watching TNG from the beginning recently as well.
Once this has been concluded I am going to move on to Star Trek DS9. DS9 is my favourite of the bunch and I have been looking forward to watching it again for a while now.
That last time-hopping double parter is one of my favourites.
I decided the availability on Netflix of the sixth and final season of The Clone Wars was worth checking out for old times' sake, and it's a frustrating and schizophrenic season that opens strongly with several episodes dedicated to malfunctioning clones and then shifts to a multi-part story about banking loans ... (these) episodes have some great set-pieces, but these just seem out of place in a supremely dull story where one of the shocking plot twists is that the bad guys raise interest rates - I swear, I am not making that up
it's a frustrating and schizophrenic season
necessary because of the passing of the original voice actor
ooh new From Dusk Till Dawn TV series start on Netflix tonight, weekly episode every Wednesday.
Rewatching Buffy from the start, for the first time since, well, the first time...And just finished Season 1.My own (re)watch has been stalled at the end of season 4 for a few months, so I heartily approve of this project. First time around it was season 2 before I got on the Buffy bus. There is a pretty big jump in the overall assurance of the production between 1 & 2 , but 1 is still a massively endearing and entertaining watch.
As you might notice, I am massively taken by the Buffy character...In fact, almost everything starts much earlier on than I remembered it: Cordy's rapprochement, Ms. Calendar's arrival, Luke's slayingMe too. One thing that's really neat about watching it with hindsight is picking up the little bits of foreshadowing sprinkled around every now and then.
Just started watching the new Hawaii Five-0 from series 1 as I missed it first time around. A few episodes in and it looks quite enjoyable. Anyone else watched / watching, and is it worth sticking with?
Friends loaned me the first series of Game Of Thrones recently, which I watched over the last few days.
Yyyyeeeaahhh... I don't think I'll bother with the rest of it.
I'm actually left with this frustrating feeling that other people are seeing something in this show that I'm not. There's a lot to admire - some great acting and scenery, genius opening sequence, credible sense of scale to the whole story, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey (le drool)... but for me, the negatives outweigh all that stuff.
What's the point of all the sex and nudity? Really? Or the seemingly mandatory once-per-episode use of the c-word (which, even as a fan of creative profanity, I find utterly vulgar and disgusting)?
I wouldn't say I thought it was 'bad'. I just didn't find it particularly edifying.
What's the point of all the sex and nudity? Really?
Or the seemingly mandatory once-per-episode use of the c-word (which, even as a fan of creative profanity, I find utterly vulgar and disgusting)?
This stuff is aimed at me. I have, however, never watched the whole of the first episode. I have tried maybe six or seven times, usually when someone expresses incredulity that I don't watch it. And every time, after 30 or 40 minutes, I think: "This is rubbish."
What's the point of all the sex and nudity? Really?
Because it's very consciously trying to establish itself as a different kind of fantasy? You never have the sense in hundreds of pages of Lord of the Rings that Aragorn ever had to drop his kecks behind a bush for a shit while out in the wilds; GoT is meant to be much more grounded in an, umm, earthier pseudo-medieval setting. Otherwise, it's just one more High Fantasy Tolkein knock-off.
But I personally don't like my fantasy to be too realistic.
My bigger beef with all the exposed flesh and grunty-groany is just that it does nothing in my view to build a world or imbue a certain atmosphere - it just feels gratuitous ... I don't think the show's rubbish by any stretch. But it does feel pointlessly 'adult' in the worst sense.
This stuff is aimed at me. I have, however, never watched the whole of the first episode. I have tried maybe six or seven times, usually when someone expresses incredulity that I don't watch it. And every time, after 30 or 40 minutes, I think: "This is rubbish."
The first episode is hard work. It throws something crazy like twenty-odd named, speaking characters and half a dozen significant locations at you and then expects you to keep all that straight in your head while it engages in some really ambitious world-building. Anyone who's ever asked me if it's worth watching has got the same answer: stick with it to the end of episode one, but if you get to the end of episode two and you don't want to watch episode three, don't bother going any further.
Being deadly serious, though Jim makes a good point, I consider all the sex and nudity stuff as a red herring - it's what got the show noticed and is there primarily to ensnare the casual punter. In all honesty I rather wish they'd tone it down a little as it can often go a bit too far and distract from what makes the show fascinating - the sense of scale, the wonderful characters, the intrigue and incredible world-building.
Deadwood was amazing. It was the Wire of the West. Everything was so dirty in that town and a showdown at noon rarely solved anything.
This. I lluuuuuuurrrvve Deadwood. It is as deep as the sea - I find something new in it every time I watch it - people harp on about dying being a big deal in GoT and it is but the deaths of characters in Deadwood still haunt me to this day. :'(
Deadwood did something amazing in making the mythical appallingly ugly, and then finding real beauty in all that ugliness. Anytime I'm made to feel a prude for disliking some specific bit of profanity or finding some sex-thing unnecessarily exploitative I remind myself that I love every minute of Deadwood.
the tragic story of Reverend Smith remains one of the most affecting things I've ever seen... :'( It's like the last episode of Band of Brothers, I just can't watch without shedding a manly tear or two.
Now settled in to Season 3 of our Buffy rewatch. I actually can't get over how good this show is, or how fast it moves - both in terms of pacing within episodes (which almost never sag) and in terms of how relentlessly new characters and situations are introduced, developed and even discarded.
Buffy ...Eleven years since its cancellation,
.......in my day, this was all cemeteries
Is it a victim of my expectations?
Okay so I'm currently just starting on The Wire ... Is it a victim of my expectations? Will it get better? Am I just being daft?
the thing I liked about the Wire is the way it told similar (and often interlinked) stories but each series had a different focus - the first was the cops, subsequent series focus on the Mayor's office, the unions and the press
Any show that doesn't tease you and indulge you with tasty morsels of continuity cake in the manner pioneered by Buffy now just feels like its being deliberately difficult.
The example that highlighted this for me was a Season 2 (or maybe very start of Season 3) Buffy episode where Xander remarks, after a spot of fill-in slaying, "it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye".See also: Willow's comment about her evil doppelganger "looking a bit gay." Or is that a definitely deliberate one?
Most of what he said apart from the bit about series 2, which popped through my letterbox along with the Prog on a Saturday morning and I'd watched the whole lot by Sunday evening.Okay so I'm currently just starting on The Wire ... Is it a victim of my expectations? Will it get better? Am I just being daft?Yes, yes, and no. I found series 2 a chore, and The Wire is more like The Sopranos than Breaking Bad, in that it's really more about enjoying the characters (and eventually some very big thematic resonances) than some meticulously worked out macro-plot being fed to you in small, carefully rationed pieces.
For me the Wire is all about the characters. There are just so many of them and the lines between what is "good" and "bad" are so blurred. Personal favourites are Omar and Avon. Oh and Clay Davis (just for his catch phrase)
The other thing is who is the actual protagonist? That would be Jimmy McNulty right? Well how can that be when he pretty much doesn't appear in season two at all (except maybe for 5 mins in the first episode.)
Just started watching MODERN FAMILY - an american sit-com about life in a modern family.
There's a traditional husband and wife and 2.2 kids as one strand but also some less than traditional couples and offspring. It's done in "Office" style i.e. people speaking directly to an unseen interviewer at points but also able to cast some great glances to camera during otherwise normal scenes.
I must say, I like it. There are some great characters, some fantastically crafted gags (that aren't always obviously "set-up/punchline" or sarcastic quippery).
Some issues - everybody is very pleasantly well off and the mums are all stay at home and often "let the dads win" to keep the peace. What is this, 1970?
But other than that, I find it very smart slice of (unattainable) life comedy.
And I'm totally in love with one of the cast members. Not Sofia Vergara (who, to quote "looks like she fell off a mud flap") but the marvellous Cam. The thought of his Lion King still makes me laugh.
Right, you can all slate me now because it's so boring and traditional and not in the slightest bit edgy.
You can only be truly poor in America if your family is involved in crime, substance abuse, or if you are in possession of a different skin colour. Or at least that's what the TV tells me. Otherwise you can afford a massive apartment with a terrace in the middle of New York on the salary of a waitress and a chef.
...they did a whole episode about it, so it wasn't just a yuppie fantasy.
The bit that always got me was Ferris bitching about getting a kickass computer with a modem and a synthesiser instead of a car like his sister. Boo-drokkin'-hoo, Bueller
Captain MK2 was Sisko's missus in Deep Space 9
Well I could google it as well but where is the fun in that?
Pleasures our children will never know #247: Leaving the pub not knowing the answer to an argument.
Vikings
Violent, gritty, well shot, well acted, beautiful design, and most importantly characters that engage my interest (regarding their fate). Done 2 seasons now, and impatient for more!!
Started on Kolchak The Night Stalker, which has quite the reputation to uphold.
Well in my continuing adventures of 'The Wire' I've been increasingly getting into it and enjoying it. Last night we watched episode 11 (still season 1) and the tension and eventual heart stopping cliffhanger at the end of an attempted sting in a Baltimore back alley left me aware just how much I'm invested in the characters - even the less interesting 'cop' side of things.
I hereby retract my initial reservations... mind its no Breaking Bad... yet.
I'm trying to remember what made me stick with it - as I remember being bewildered by it completely to start with. Something happens further along in Season 1 that really flipped me out - and I was hooked right after that.
Who would win in a fight? Cavemen or Astronauts?
It's SMILE TIME :)
I only really enjoyed the first season of Angel. Once Cordelia was suddenly psychic and they started popping out to mediaeval fantasy land I thought it lost whatever charm the initial premise offered.
The trip to Pylea only lasted a few episodes Sauchie- you shoulda stuck it out. Plus; Cordelia takes a back seat in Seasons 4+5, eventually killed off. Probably cause Carpenter was tooting more Hoover than Keith Richards at the time.
The trip to Pylea only lasted a few episodes Sauchie- you shoulda stuck it out. Plus; Cordelia takes a back seat in Seasons 4+5, eventually killed off. Probably cause Carpenter was tooting more Hoover than Keith Richards at the time.
I might have, but I think Channel Four stopped buying it around that point.
Anyway, turns out I was wrong and Joss Whedon is an actual genius.
...almost as much as I hate those stupid robots from off of Silent Running...
That's an automatic fail on the Voight-Kampff. Stay away from my tortoise.
Arf. As a child I once had a tortoise called Arnold who ran away.That's an automatic fail on the Voight-Kampff. Stay away from my tortoise.He's not helping, Tordel. Why isn't he helping…?
It's Buffy 5 round my manor. While there were certainly episodes of earlier series which I hadn't seen, this is getting into territory I know very little about. While it retains the same sense of fun and works hard to address the characters' changing situations, I've always thought the Buffy and Spike romance was a really stupid development and far too much time is spent building that up.As it turned out, I'd seen far more of the fifth season then I remembered but there were some big gaps. In fairness, the way the Buffy Spike relationship plays out in the second half of the series is a bit better and becomes genuinely interesting at the start of the next series. On the one hand I still find all Spike's doe-eyed mooning hard to take and can't shake the feeling that it's playing to over-earnest writers of slash fiction (as opposed to over-earnest, po-faced internet commenters.) On the other, how on Earth could I have forgotten the existence of the Buffybot?
Onto the last few episodes of Angel Season 1 here, as a side-project of the Buffy rewatch, and despite never having thought that highly of the spin-off show, it has really grown on me...I'm most impressed by the way the show has changed over 20-odd episodes, surviving the unfortunate loss of Doyle, reining back the use of Detective Kate, and establishing its own tone. It certainly didn't hit the ground running the way Buffy did, but its tribulations have been interesting and the results more so.Like the Megazine before it, I refused to have any truck with Angel when it was initially released then ended up getting and watching the whole lot a few years ago and really enjoying the majority of it. You're right about the way it changes over the course of the first series, ending up in a completely different place, with a completely different supporting cast to what you initially expect. The first two series are great, the Connor thing is something a dreary retread of Dawn, but it finds its feet again in the latter days.
Started on channel 4's Utopia today. Ever wanted to see a 2000AD serial in television format? This is it. Only one episode in, so i'm not gonna give a full opinion yet. But it's good. Very good.
What WAS The Honourable Woman about anyway?
Series 1. Uktra-violence i'm fine with so long as it isn't at the expense of a story.Started on channel 4's Utopia today. Ever wanted to see a 2000AD serial in television format? This is it. Only one episode in, so i'm not gonna give a full opinion yet. But it's good. Very good.
Which series, 1 or 2? Both start with incredibly promising episodes.
Followed by some ultra-violence to shock.
And I didn't make the end of either :(
Tried both series twice - just in case.
Mind you baling out is becoming pretty common. That WAS The Honourable Woman about anyway? :|
Finished The Wire Season 2 and it is as good as people say. Absolutely loving the series.
You still have Season 3 to watch for the first time.
How I envy you.
Yeah I'm quite excited about it. My guess is and this is just speculation so please don't confirm or deny anything - we're in for a clash between Omar and Stringer, depending on where he's at Barksdale might get in the mix too.
Finally getting round to watching the last series of Breaking Bad. I really didn't think it could get any more ridiculous after the end of the fourth but Jesus Christ! It keeps me watching, but I just can't seem to balance the dramatic side with the ludicrous A Team stuff.Made it to the end at last. I've probably been overly critical of some aspects of this programme so I better say that the second half of the last series is by far the best it's been and almost reaches the heights some of the more overheated fans make for it. The work put in to doing something with the likes of Hank and Skylar really paid off towards the end.
Due to the overwhelming vote of WOW and positive comments i just downloaded BUFFY
the singing episode.
Finished The Wire Season 2 and it is as good as people say. Absolutely loving the series.
You still have Season 3 to watch for the first time.
How I envy you.
The Wire lasted 15 minutes in our house. I don't have time to waste on "getting through the first season" of a programme. Sorry.
The Wire lasted 15 minutes in our house. I don't have time to waste on "getting through the first season" of a programme. Sorry.Fair enough, but I usually give it a whole episode.
The Wire lasted 15 minutes in our house
Star Trek Continues, a Kickstarter-funded fan production based on the original series ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G-ziTBAkbQ
COMMUNITYYeah. It's one of those programmes like Curb Your Enthusiasm that Guardian reviewers and the very occasional real person who actually watched it go bonkers about.
Was this ever shown on normal telly?
And the people making it have actually gone to a lot of trouble to make it look and sound and be acted and edited like Star Trek original series episodes.
Accidentally posted twice.
I've just bought Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) in the NetworkDVD sale so will be having a marathon of that this weekend.
Just finished 'The Wire' season 3 well now that was fun. I'm not sure it was quite as good as season 2, but then Omar wasn't quite as fantastic as he was in that. It certainly had some quite phenomenal episodes that for me would rank as highly as any in the other two great TV shows (Breaking Bad and The Sopranos) episodes 9 and 12 in particular. The rest had some really wonderful moments but overall for the longest time it felt like it was peddling too many things... which I guess is why episode 12 was such a relevant, it did manage to bring everything to an end very nicely indeed, quite brilliant.
The big letdown for me was the... well events of episode 11, if you've seen it you know. While I loved the balcony conversation and all weight that carried I felt the big ending had been coming for a while and therefore lost a lot of impact. Shame.
Still this is still up there with the afore mentioned big 2 quite breath-taking telly.
I remember loving the ongoing mythology when it originally aired. It was the most enigmatic thing I had ever seen on television at the time.
Yeah I loved it too, though I was far too young to get it until it was well underway and the movie came out. I think this was part of the flaw of the mythology for me; by the time I could engage with it, I already had some suspicions that the conspiracies, secrets and more would ultimately fail to satisfy.
...I was far too young to get it until it was well underway and the movie came out.
With the thought of that in mind I also started giving the original BSG a go. Actually better than I was expecting and certainly a more enjoyable experience than that I had with Star Trek TOS(s). It is still a little corny with a degree of insufferable sci-fi optimism that was common of the era. It certainly has made me appreciate the rebooted version a lot more.
For me, the opposite was true - watching the new BSG made me appreciate the original a lot more, if only for being more ambitious, more forward-thinking, and less socially conservative than the remake (the original's Greek influence extended to a gay reading of the Starbuck/Apollo relationship, while the remake manages only to make a minor and unimportant character bisexual, but even then only manages to do so in a spin-off web series).
We're probably going to disagree massively on this point.
Indeed we are, but when Starbuck tells Apollo he's jealous of Apollo's new wife, I'm afraid there's really no turning the Gay Subtext Train around and going back to theclosetstation.
Also don't watch Galactica 1980. I enjoy it but I'm not blind or deaf - it's complete horseshit. The final episode is great, though, and belongs in season 1 as the finale.
You cite Stand Alone Complex so I salute you, but shall see your anime reference and raise you one Super Dimensional Fortress Macross (redubbed in the west as Robotech), in which the titular giant starship searches for Earth while infiltrated by enemies made to look human, one of whom has a baby with a flight chief on the starship. There's a love triangle between the daring space pilot main character, a sensible lady on the bridge whose job is supposedly important even though all she does is answer the phone and state the obvious (to the gruff and experienced Admiral who was close to retirement before the events of the series occurred), and a flighty, immature younger woman - the triangle is seemingly resolved after the show jumps ahead 18 months halfway through and everyone on the starship has relocated to a desolate planet they call Earth. The pilot character ends up with the sensible lady from the bridge, all the fighters on the starship look like planes, and the ace fighter pilot character shockingly dies halfway through the series.
It reminds me of something, but I can't recall what that might be. :-\
...
For me, the opposite was true - watching the new BSG made me appreciate the original a lot more, if only for being more ambitious, more forward-thinking, and less socially conservative than the remake....
...A good bridge between the two would be the underrated Space: Above and Beyond...
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
With the thought of that in mind I also started giving the original BSG a go. Actually better than I was expecting and certainly a more enjoyable experience than that I had with Star Trek TOS(s). It is still a little corny with a degree of insufferable sci-fi optimism that was common of the era. It certainly has made me appreciate the rebooted version a lot more.
For me, the opposite was true - watching the new BSG made me appreciate the original a lot more, if only for being more ambitious, more forward-thinking, and less socially conservative than the remake (the original's Greek influence extended to a gay reading of the Starbuck/Apollo relationship, while the remake manages only to make a minor and unimportant character bisexual, but even then only manages to do so in a spin-off web series).
A good bridge between the two would be the underrated Space: Above and Beyond, which alongside Firefly was heavily stripmined for the BSG remake. It's a straight-faced space war series about a squadron of fighter pilots based on a carrier craft, made by X-Files writers Glen Morgan and James Wong (Fox Mulder even does a cameo). It had the misfortune to run afoul of the (then) small world of sci-fi critics and fandom by getting into a feud with journalists who'd run a hatchet job on an early pirate print of the pilot, and as a result the show couldn't get a break even when it produced objectively classic episodes like Who Monitors the Birds, Sugar Dirt, or The Angriest Angel (the latter was remade beat-for-beat in the BSG episode Scar). While not cheap-looking, it does show its age, but it's worth a gander.
It's not explicit enough for me.
There's a massive list of anime shows that are on my 'need to watch list'. I get hassled most for not having seen Cowboy Beebop. Neon Genesis Evangelion is the one that I'm most curious about.
Batman The Animated Series is great. Just watched loads with the kids and it hold up really well. My favourite episode so far is about an ordinary bloke who cuts up the Joker on his way home. Funny and scary.
Batman The Animated Series is great. Just watched loads with the kids and it hold up really well. My favourite episode so far is about an ordinary bloke who cuts up the Joker on his way home. Funny and scary.
Lillyhammer on Netflix! Very funny - New York mobster turns stoolie on goes into hiding in Norway. Very funny!
The Fall, on the other hand, is really rather good. Not wanting to trespass on Thryllseekyr's turf, but not only is Gillian Anderson excellent, she's also spellbindingly lovely in this.
Assuming you haven't already read the books, Game of Thrones is a bit like Breaking Bad - you've got NO idea what you're getting into, and just how crazy its going to get as it goes on!Watched episodes 3 through 5 last night. Crawled to bed at 2 in the morning a little light headed (I blame the Lancaster Bomber) but god this is some great television. It's been a long time since I saw a series that can make three hours fly by without me noticing.
One slight question though, and thats HOW CAN TYRION LANNISTER BE SO DAMN GOOD?
Right from the off they're laying the groundwork for minor characters - and even entire factions and locations - that only become significant later on in the story. Never twigged that things like Mance Rayder, the Greyjoy Rebellion and Dorne are regularly referenced way back in season 1!
As the pages unfold you begin to realise these aren't just throwaways to make the world seem bigger, they've been playing the Game all along and are a big part of a MASSIVE world.
Kevan Lannister: "The great hairy one insisted he must have two battleaxes. Heavy black steel, double-sided".
Tyrion: (nonchalantly sipping wine) "Shagga likes axes".
Personally I found season 2, while still great, to be a bit of a bump in the road, but seasons 3 and 4 are both magnificent.
but I'm glad it picks up a bit.
I can only remember three episodes and two of them I do not remember fondly.
I wasn't as annoyed that Firefly got cancelled as much as I was that Stargate Universe did. That show certainly didn't hit the floor running and had many faults but towards the end it's quality was improving exponentially.
...yet the entire cast of SGU have to sit around a big table and discuss at length what this conundrum they've encountered could possibly be.
Better than that, when the scientist - the smartest man in the room (that is in a spaceship) - suggests that it might be a time loop or an alternate reality, the cast are all like "that's just science fiction stuff", despite the fact that they were having the conversation on a spaceship and would have been briefed about the possibility of encountering such phenomenon because of the 15 years of documented encounters with alternate realities and time loops by people with whom the cast were communicating on a regular basis.
Pretty sure I'm on the record as a Stargate fan...
I suspect we'll simply have to agree to disagree on how much SGU sucked or not.
So I apologise to the schedulers that I cursed. (But you still shouldn't have sold it on to Sky or whoever).
The Thick of It. Only ever caught the odd episode, but last night just finished Season 2 on Netflix. We were really enjoying the intense 20 minute chunks, and initially resented the shift to hour-long Christmas specials, but bloody hell by the end we were on the edge of our seats - fantastic telly, somehow convoluted in both plot and language, and yet deadly simple at the same time. My poor wife, a communications type by trade, has identified herself completely with Joanna Scanlon's Terri and her 'oh god that's just my life' wails make the whole thing so much funnier. For me.
The Thick of It. Only ever caught the odd episode, but last night just finished Season 2 on Netflix. We were really enjoying the intense 20 minute chunks, and initially resented the shift to hour-long Christmas specials, but bloody hell by the end we were on the edge of our seats - fantastic telly, somehow convoluted in both plot and language, and yet deadly simple at the same time. My poor wife, a communications type by trade, has identified herself completely with Joanna Scanlon's Terri and her 'oh god that's just my life' wails make the whole thing so much funnier. For me.
Just finished a leisurely, indulgent rewatch of Firefly capped off with Serenity. Truly remarkable, one of the most finely-crafted genre TV shows ever produced.I'm afraid this is me. I detest the theme tune and physically cringe every time someone mentions "the 'Verse." I don't dislike the series but I'm firmly with Pictsy block in terms of reputation vastly overshadowing actual impact. Personally, I think the cast is just a little too big so that giving everyone on the ship a little time to shine ends up meaning there is no core to focus on which didn't work for me. I also think the lack of a real bad egg in the basket hamstrings it in a way. I realise Jayne is supposed to fill that role but he ends up just being a lovable buffoon rather than Avon. Or more Andrew than Warren if you prefer.
... [lots of stuff about how great Firefly is] ...
Conversely, this means that if you don't fall for the characters and their witty banter littered with makey-uppy language, you may well be disappointed.
...What I almost couldn't believe is the absence of Reavers from the TV series - in my memory they had been a regular presence, but in reality its just a single brief chase, a booby-trap and one disturbed survivor of an attack, all the rest is purely from characters' conversation. Amazing. ...There's pleasure tinged with sadness round my way as I only have two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer left to watch. I had seen most of the final series before but, rather like these Reavers, I had remembered Captain Reynolds' Caleb as being a constant presence whereas, in real life, he's only in the last few episodes. Then again, I'd also remembered it as being Jonathan who ends up joining the gang when it's actually Andrew.
I'm firmly with Pictsy block
Nobody can be bothered with Conner.
Just finished The Detectorists...
Just finished The Detectorists...
I knew you'd like this... that was one of the best comedies for quite some time; nicely understated and the lack of a bloody laughter track was very welcome. Looking forward to more!
Just finished Dagvaktin ('Day Shift') as well - a very brilliant, very brutal and dry comedy drama from Iceland that revolves around a tremendously well-observed odious prick called Georg played by Reykjavik's former mayor (!) and perennial god Jon Gnarr.
(http://justpic.info/images2/71bb/dv.jpg)
If you're looking for some great telly and want something very different I can't recommend it higher but it's not easy to come by. They screened the first series called 'Naeturvaktin' (Night Shift) on the BBC a few years ago and so you can sometimes find it - but it's an arse to find subtitled so I just bought the Icelandic DVD (as they are also Region 2) which has bumpy but solid English subs.
While it would have been great if she stopped using cultural references from before she was even born, the Smallville version of Lois was the only castmember who was an active instigator of events rather than just waiting around for things to happen like Clark and the gang did. She espoused a moral and social responsibility that had until her introduction been absent from the series, whose cast - with the exception of villains - were entirely reactive - worse, through awful characters like Clark's dad, the show was espousing the kind of discredited and dangerous know-your-role parochialism that was antithetical to the core concepts of Superman. When Lois came along, obnoxious as she was, she pushed a truly dreadful character into being something better.
You mean Henry Olsen.
Don't really remember much 'know your role' beyond the whole tired 'farm is going under' theme.
It continues to entertain but the tone veers wildly between episodes. The grim "reality" of Jesse stuck with a poor child in a junkie's pad in PeekaBoo sort of sits with the black comedy of Danny Trejo 's severed head on an exploding tortoise but then in comes unashamed light relief in the shape of Saul Goodman. I'm sure this initial impression is wrong but it's still good stuff.
I hear what you're saying, but they're damned if they do, damned if they don't - the makes of the Sopranos were pilloried for their ending because it just stopped without resolving any of the hanging plots. The writer said this was to emphasis that it wasn't a single story they were telling but a "soap opera" of life in a gangster family, and this life goes on after the series ends.
I hear what you're saying, but they're damned if they do, damned if they don't - the makes of the Sopranos were pilloried for their ending because it just stopped without resolving any of the hanging plots.
Conversely, this was one of the things I found really hard to stomach about the series. I'm all for black humour used to undercut the more serious side of something, but I found the abrupt switches to broad comedy and the seeming inability to mix the different tones very jarring.It continues to entertain but the tone veers wildly between episodes. The grim "reality" of Jesse stuck with a poor child in a junkie's pad in PeekaBoo sort of sits with the black comedy of Danny Trejo 's severed head on an exploding tortoise but then in comes unashamed light relief in the shape of Saul Goodman. I'm sure this initial impression is wrong but it's still good stuff.No, I think that's spot on. The drastic changes in tone, and [NOT REALLY A SPOILER] the increasingly improbable twists, are what made it so enjoyable for me - had it played everything straight it would have been unbearable, as it is there is just enough fantasy and silliness added to the grim situations to make it obviously an entertainment (albeit a compelling one), rather than something to be endured. I like some slapstick with my partially dissolved corpses.
So far, Saul looks like he belongs in another show entirely. But then again, I am thankful for the break.
I sometimes struggle with people not liking changes in tone in a show and or comic etc. I get people wanting to set a tone and or mood for a piece of fiction as it provides stability and a more comfortable or consistent viewing experience (or for that matter consistently uncomfortable depending on the tone set!).I get what you're saying and, of course something like Judge Dredd or, more recently, Low Life is enjoyable and successful at least partly because it is able to move between different tones. However, within that framework, one story tends to stick to a particular register.
I get what The Cosh is saying, but I'm not sure I'd have binge-watched the alternative series he describes. ...The silliness (as opposed to black humour) of S'all Good Man and the rest made Albuquerque into a fantasy setting, rather than an attempt at reality, and that allowed the character's journeys to be genuinely bleak, despite involving unlikely contraptions, magic drugs and feats of derring-do.I certainly hadn't thought of it in those terms.
So far, Saul looks like he belongs in another show entirely. But then again, I am thankful for the break.For the record, Saul and his unabashed villainy amongst all the hand-wringing was one of the things I unequivocally liked.
Well its not an addiction yet but since it was lent to me by my boss our next endeavour is The West Wing. Watched the first episode and while it certainly had some nice moments all I can say is I do hope it gets better! After all the praise I've heard of it I suspect it will?
The latest episode was The Body. Man that is some powerful and moving television.
The latest episode was The Body. Man that is some powerful and moving television.
We've paused our Buffy re-watch at the end of Season 5 to watch a chunk of the Angel box set, but the Great Buffy Re-watch has fairly conclusively proved to me that the "It's All Downhill After Season 3" crowd are just plain wrong.
Cheers
Jim
All 5 seasons of Community just in Netflix, hadn't seen it yet, and some of you rating it good.
The latest episode was The Body. Man that is some powerful and moving television.
I sometimes wonder if the major problem with Buffy's later seasons is that after the Mayor, no bad guy really shines. Adam, Glory, the First - they're all meh (though I love Glory being a god and bitchy her little coterie of monks and the whole Ben thing stumbled for me) and the Trio are comic relief really, good comic relief but not like the Master, Angelus or the wonder that was The Mayor.
Well that and Spike-romance.
t was nice to have a villain that Buffy genuinely couldn't beat by just hitting her hard, until they figured out a way she could beat her by hitting her hard, that is...
...the Trio are comic relief really...
The man in the high castle.I watched this for you last night. It was alright but all setup. I suppose that's the point of a pilot.
...
Watch it and vote so I can get addicted.
FARGO.
the only one that didn't quite work for me was Martin Freeman
Three episodes in and Better Call Saul just keeps getting better.
All 5 seasons of Community just in Netflix, hadn't seen it yet, and some of you rating it good.
Watch first 3 series,forget the rest. Skip season 4. Watch season 5.
On a Breaking Bad rewatch. Just watched the first episode of season 2 and amazingly, this is when Walt makes the ricin!This is, what, two seasons before we meet Lydia... man that's some forward planning...
On a Breaking Bad rewatch. Just watched the first episode of season 2 and amazingly, this is when Walt makes the ricin!This is, what, two seasons before we meet Lydia... man that's some forward planning...
I think even the writers would freely admit that it was more 'leaving a dangling plot thread hanging then resolving it on the fly' than forward planning.
Either way you look at things, be it incredible foresight, or very neat tidying up as seems more likely. they did it very very well!
Well its not an addiction yet but since it was lent to me by my boss our next endeavour is The West Wing. Watched the first episode and while it certainly had some nice moments all I can say is I do hope it gets better! After all the praise I've heard of it I suspect it will?
Onwards with the rest of Angel!
Onwards with the rest of Angel!
With the unexpected (but not unwanted) return of Spike for season 5!
The thing that really clicked for me this time through was Buffy and Spike's relationship, which by the end seemed genuinely plausible and complex, and actually gave both characters a very welcome depth.If the old insomnia's playing up you can try and track back through this thread for my changing thoughts on that. I didn't like it at all at first, but it gradually makes sense in parts although ultimate does seem partly about setting him up for the ultimate sacrifice. I was also surprised about the relatively small role of Caleb in it.
If the old insomnia's playing up you can try and track back through this thread for my changing thoughts on that. I didn't like it at all at first, but it gradually makes sense in parts although ultimate does seem partly about setting him up for the ultimate sacrifice. I was also surprised about the relatively small role of Caleb in it.
Any fans of Parks and Recreation?I abandoned it somewhere during the previous season - my feeling was that the arcs for all the main characters had ended, in some cases long ago, so we were now just watching them all turn into lovely cuddly people, despite that not being why we found them funny in the first place. And the more she was on screen, the less funny Retta was; and Billy Eichner sucked too.
The last season has been perfect, absolutely spot on.
I shall miss Ron Swanson.
Parks and Rec creeps nearer the top of my to watch list with every growing day and the snippets I see around are genuinely hilarious. Generally I find sitcoms from the other side of the pond all to go-happy and ineffective at making me laugh. In recent years i've found both the US The Office and Brooklyn 99 to be utterly delightful and hope this beckons in a new era of comedy that is less US centric.
I wont touch Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother with a barge pole though.
I wont touch Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother with a barge pole though.
I'll give you worst leading man - there's whatsername on "True Blood" for genuine worst TV character of all time.I wont touch Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother with a barge pole though.
I would avoid HIMYM. It shows promise early on and the supporting cast are OK, but you soon realise that Ted Mosby is a terrible, awful human being who is impossible to root for. Quite possibly the worst character in the history of television. The perfect storm of crap writing and a terrible casting choice for the leading man.
Check out Community and Arrested Development for ground-breaking US comedy populated by misanthropic characters. Id also tentatively recommend seasons one and two of Modern Family - broad as hell and inoffensive but very well done, something you could watch with the whole family and not want to claw your own eyes out.
Onwards with the rest of Angel!
With the unexpected (but not unwanted) return of Spike for season 5!
Don't remind me! If ever a character's story was fully told by the time he went out on a blaze of glory, it was Spike's. Still, now I've warmed to Angel in general maybe I won't mind his reappearance so much this time.
astronauts or cavemen? Smile Time!
spike earned his resurrection
A couple of episodes behind in the current series of Deadwood with Pirates (aka Black Sails) but thoroughly enjoying it.
A couple of episodes behind in the current series of Deadwood with Pirates (aka Black Sails) but thoroughly enjoying it.
Living, it would seem, in a box these days and have never heard of this. I should have heard of this as I loves me me pirates. Thanks for the heads up another in the all too long list of things I must get around to.
Is it a LOVEFILM only type deal?
Yoinks!Is it a LOVEFILM only type deal?
Free to stream on Amazon Prime…
Cheers
Jim
Carol Kane (from Scrooged)
Last night we decided to give the first episode of 'The Last Ship' a go. Has anyone else seen this? And can anyone reassure me that it's not as straight -up obvious as it seems and that there are some twists to stop it becoming the most predictable formulaic show US TV has put out since the eighties?
It's beautiful to look at, apparently very expensive, and the first ep rattled along at a good old pace... but my grud, it was by the book!
Mysterious us navy mission to the arctic is cover for some scientists trying to find a cure for a virus that is spreading across the world. By the time they are allowed to break radio silence, 80% of the world's population is dead and the ship must find fuel and supplies while developing a cure and outwitting the Russians. Manly man captain, manly man second in command, lesbian bridge officer, spunky Brit scientist and her untrustworthy Brit assistant (who is most likely a double agent)- sheeeesh.
Fun though.
SBT
Last night we decided to give the first episode of 'The Last Ship' a go. Has anyone else seen this? And can anyone reassure me that it's not as straight -up obvious as it seems and that there are some twists to stop it becoming the most predictable formulaic show US TV has put out since the eighties?
It's beautiful to look at, apparently very expensive, and the first ep rattled along at a good old pace... but my grud, it was by the book!
Mysterious us navy mission to the arctic is cover for some scientists trying to find a cure for a virus that is spreading across the world. By the time they are allowed to break radio silence, 80% of the world's population is dead and the ship must find fuel and supplies while developing a cure and outwitting the Russians. Manly man captain, manly man second in command, lesbian bridge officer, spunky Brit scientist and her untrustworthy Brit assistant (who is most likely a double agent)- sheeeesh.
Fun though.
SBT
Without giving much away, you've guessed a few things right. I'll be honest and say I gave up on it after the second episode because my cheese intolerance kicked in - but then once the series was finished its run I decided to binge watch from the start again and it actually does kick in a few episodes later. It's still got the cheese, but there is some action later on that allows you to overcome that.
But damn, I hope Theon suffers horribly for what he has done.
Oh man, you have no idea what's in store in seasons 3 and 4...
This is my current fix. Just over 70 hours, currently about halfway through the third season (of four) and you know what? I'm loving every minute of it!
(http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k389/TheOinkBlog/KR2000AD_zps2emswvsu.jpg)
This is my current fix. Just over 70 hours, currently about halfway through the third season (of four) and you know what? I'm loving every minute of it!
(http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k389/TheOinkBlog/KR2000AD_zps2emswvsu.jpg)
Because I got nagged by my old man, I picked up the first season of Agents of Shield in Tescos for him.I ditched it halfway through season 1 and haven't regretted it. There was the much-vaunted Thor tie-in episode, which had them...cleaning up after the events of the movie. Such a cheat.
Sat and watched the first half dozen of these and... nope. Not feeling it.
Give it a rest lads and bring back Bullseye.
ActuaLOL.Give it a rest lads and bring back Bullseye.Buttonman will be along with that photo shortly...
Just finished watching the Daredevil series and quite surprised not to see more chat about it anywhere.
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good stab at rehabilitating the character after a duff movie outing, but it's a real game of two halves. The first half dozen or so rattle along at a terrific pace and are a lot of fun but then we get five episodes of Matt sitting around picking his scabs while nobody talks to each other and hints are dropped of future plot strands. Which gets a bit wearing.
Some decent fight scenes for telly and I assume plenty references for the nerds: I'm no expert on Daredevil but I did smile when one of the first hoods he batters turned out to be Turk.
The biggest problem, for me, was Kingpin (not that anyone ever calls him that.) It's obviously a deliberate decision to play the villain in a different and distinctive manner so, on those terms, it's probably the best performance in the series. Unfortunately, I found it totally aggravating. I'm not sure I ever understood what his nefarious plan was either.
"This city needs me." "I am here to save my city." Et cetera. Give it a rest lads and bring back Bullseye.
I thought his final costume was too fussy...
I think the series suffered from being released all at once...
Korra isn't anime. It's American property, produced by a Korean animation studio.
Yeah, too many straps and rivets and bolts. Looked like something from a DC show. Nowhere near as cool as his Ninja Cowl and Matt Black Trakkies.
I think the series suffered from being released all at once. It was designed to be binged on. If you chose to ration it out, it suffered from a drop in pace, just before the last act, which was just a wee bit too neat. Interesting take on Kingpin.
I think the first half of the series stands out because it is quite possibly the best live action origin story ever. Through a series of flashbacks which culminate to Stick's appearance, I got to understand who Matt was and what he could do.
This show just had the same problem all Movie Origin Stories have: What do you do once you've established the hero? This show didn't have the budget to show a massive gas/lazer attack from the top of a skyscraper.
Naruto made me stop watching anime entirely. I just couldn't face it anymore - luckily, Avatar: Legend of Korra.
You really should.
No.Korra isn't anime. It's American property, produced by a Korean animation studio.
So it's anime, then.
It's American property, produced by a Korean animation studio.
Defining genres is pretty arbitrary
...as a caveat would exclude those who for some reason pronounce it "monga" on purpose. Those people are the devil.
*Brings up the original series of Mysterious Cities of Gold, Dogtanian, and Around The World With Willy Fog...*
*...and Ulysses 31...*
*Sheds nostalgic tear for lost childhood and departs to watch old cartoon theme tunes on Youtube*
Well GitS SAC is something I bought when the boxsets were first released. I'm a massive GitS fan, although I have been very hesitant in watching the latest addition.
As you should be.
Being an equally big GITS fan, I bought the first two episodes of Ghost In The Shell: Arise earlier this year. The first episode is one of the worst written single episodes of ANYTHING I've ever witnessed, and does little to convince that the new direction of the show, basically giving us 'Section 9: The Early Years' is in any way a good idea.
I was actually so horrified at how crappy it was that I very nearly just didn't bother with the second episode. When I did, I was pleasantly surprised. Most of what the first episode did wrong, the second bypassed completely, and it had a much more appreciably GITS-y feel. However, it's still stymied by some pretty glaring faults. Action scenes literally happen out of nowhere. And there are some woefully ill-explained developments.
If you have to be paying rapt, unblinking attention to your entertainment, and look things up on wikipedia or spend hours scratching your head afterwards just to make sense of it, that's a bad thing.
So, check it out, sure... but go into it forewarned.
I'm thinking of getting stuck into DS9 again, but I'm torn on whether or not I slog through the early seasons, or just skip to when Mister Worf shows up.
Unfortunately this is all why I am hesitant. I was first sceptical about it when I heard the premiss. I'm not sure it works knowing too much the Majors past given that she is such an intentionally enigmatic character. How SAC dealt with it was fantastic, especially in the second series. I also heard that Motoko was made excessively vulnerable in the first part of Arise. She certainly has vulnerability within the rest of the franchise but it was offset by how incredibly capable she is. I would rather see her capability as a reaction to her childhood trauma and a necessity in dealing with a full prosthetic body at such a young age.
Enjoyed Arise, and agree the second episode was way better than the first. Still to see 3&4 because although they're on Netflix I'm holding off for the blu-ray and can't find anything about a release.
Finished my Band Of Brothers re watch. Choked up during Why We Fight and Points.
I can stay stiff upper lipped through all of BoB but Major Winters final quote gets me every time.
http://youtu.be/iWkRPs0smnE
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Under the Dome... my self hate kept me going. It is objectively BAD television. Characters constantly act in inconsistent ways, never telling each other the crazy things they saw... then I read it is written by the Lost team... Horrible show. You can see Dean Norris screaming 'I WAS IN BREAKING BAD!' from behind his eyes as he delivers each leaden line... but grud help me, I could not stop watching...
Being off work long term sick has pros and cons. Pros - I have been watching a lot of online tv... Firefly rewatch was as beautiful as ever.I remember partway through season 1, Steven King defended the show in public, saying it was a different version of his book but still great, etc etc. The thing that always struck me is, if the original book had had the same plot as the show, it'd have been a complete disaster.
Under the Dome... my self hate kept me going. It is objectively BAD television. Characters constantly act in inconsistent ways, never telling each other the crazy things they saw... then I read it is written by the Lost team... Horrible show. You can see Dean Norris screaming 'I WAS IN BREAKING BAD!' from behind his eyes as he delivers each leaden line... but grud help me, I could not stop watching...
I loved the four non blondes bit.
Got around to watching Sons of Anarchy - had put it off for ages as I know that the third season is going to do my head in (bad Irish accents) so slowly working our way up to that. The accents on the couple of Irish characters in season 1 didn't annoy me at all - season 2 and we've got some dodgy accents creeping in (one of them from a character from the first season too....so it's regressing)
Fingers crossed I don't throw something at the tele in about 11 episodes time.
Been rewatching Street Hawk, which I only half-remember from when I was a nipper. ..... there's an aesthetic quality to things I really like even if the plots often aren't great and the production design - including Street Hawk itself - isn't very inventive or memorable.
Crap, but in a fun way.
CATASTROPHE just turned up on Love Film. I suspect it was on C4 previously. Kookie sit com fave Sharon Horgan and the quite edible Rob Delaney in mismatched couple expecting baby and wedding high jinks. Painfully observed but really funny.
CATASTROPHE just turned up on Love Film. I suspect it was on C4 previously. Kookie sit com fave Sharon Horgan and the quite edible Rob Delaney in mismatched couple expecting baby and wedding high jinks. Painfully observed but really funny.
It's magnificent. As a high concept sci fi comedy cartoon, its very reminiscent of Futurama at its peak, and much like Community, it has me both howling with laughter and marvelling at how clever it is.
Highly, highly recommended.
A colleague foisted his much loved Rome box sets on me a few months ago. It's taken me a while to get through the first series but it's fairly enjoyable. I found both the odd couple PoV characters a bit irritating but the big hitters were all pretty good, particularly Ciaran Hinds' Caesar.
Wubba Lubba Dub Dub BITCHES!
Just restarted Breaking bad and I'm struggling with the last season because i hate Todd so much. Dead eyed prick. (or potato Matt damon)
Just restarted Breaking bad and I'm struggling with the last season because i hate Todd so much.
Been catching up on Rick and Morty and can't add anymore superlatives than have already been gushed upon the series. Utterly hilarious.
"I'm 'Ants-in-my-eyes' Johnson! And everything is black, I still can't feel a thing and I hope our prices aren't too low!"
Man in the High Castle. It's bloody fantastic stuff.Positively glacial but in a good way. Rufus Sewell is superb.
Netflix's controversial new series Making a Murderer.
Netflix's controversial new series Making a Murderer.
I just finished this and really don't know what to think. I feel that the young guy Brendan was just a bit thick and that Avery would have to be a complete and utter nutcase to murder a random with millions of USD just a few months away. The docs obviously biased but the whole things just odd but then that's people for you.
I watched the first series* of Peakey Blinders on Netflix this week. I remember seeing it advertised when it came out, but never got round to watching it until now.
I found it very enjoyable. The subject matter 'family based gangster drama' isn't exactly original, but setting it in post - Great War Birmingham and the whole cinematic depiction, (very British, but with a flavour of Western to my mind, despite not being set in the U.S. or in the old West time period, although not that long after being 1919) and that lovely moody Sound Track (not of that period, but it fits so well) really provides something new and unique. As does the fact these lads (and the ladies in their own way, one who had to run 'the business' while the lads were away fighting, the other affected by IRA terrorism, a whole different but equally real war) are damaged war veterans.
The main characters are very likeable, flawed and very human. The most dislikeable character, ironically is the Northern Irish cop sent to bring back the stash of guns stolen at the start. But he is meant to be dislikeable, and is a great character in his own right.
I look forward to seeing the next series, although I suspect Ill have to wait a while if I have the patience to wait for it to appear on Netflix.
* I did a brief bit of internet research when I finished the series and was surprised they've done two series and there's a third coming out.It doesn't seem that long since the first series came out.
Anyone seen The Flash? My kids love it and I've heard good things so was wondering if its worth catching but don't want to waste 20 odd hours if its pish.
After watching the first episode of Hannibal, I was a bit worried that it would turn into a crime-of-the-week drama, with odd couple investigators, one of whom happens to enjoy eating folk. But it turned out to be this intelligent, well written show. Madds Mikkelsen is a far more sophisticated Lector than any of the actors before him.
Then the last season went batshit crazy and I found myself watching close ups of snails whilst listening to opera and worrying about the nature of reality. Still, it was a fantastic bit of television whilst it lasted.
getting to the end of Penny Dreadful this week highly entertaining, some nice twists and the visuals are sensual, the odd clanger (not that kind) but overall great fun.
I loved the 3rd season of Hannibal. Arty Farty yes but I thought there must be room on TV for at least one over the top self indulgent show, then it got cancelled. And yes Mads is simply incredible in this.
Fargos another odd show in that I didn't want to watch it as how could it live up to the Coens original. Loved the first season then worried about the second but thought that was great as well. So many great characters.
Think I'm gonna blast a few eps of Flash this weekend then see if I can figure out how PH really felt about it.
A great series. I think they overdid with the repeated female abuse though.
Soooo, i've just watched the first...erm, 3 I think. Episodes of the new Powerpuff Girls reboot (i'm sure as hell now it isn't a continuation because ooohhh boy) and i'm going to have to write up a long post about this later, but a forewarning to Tordelback should his daughter get him to watch it. It's awful. Like, insultingly bad.
Remember all the satirical humour and character development in the original series, all the cool monster designs and up beat but not belittling family friendly tone? All gone, now all we have is a post Smosh internet meme shite storm. Urgh.