Got to keep this going :)
Watching the beebs This is Going To Hurt on iPlayer....
Been watching Reacher on Amazon Prime. Will start a thread about that tomorrow I think.
We binged all 5 seasons of Money Heist recently.
Have also gone back to Ozark too, restarted S3 again which I abandoned a few years ago.
I love Ozark, although in S3 its starting to get a little contrived
This is Going to Hurt i sgood as well, although I remember the books being funnier, and less PC
Thats the BBC for you I guess
Juggling a few things at the moment.
Amazon Prime:
Reacher
BBC iPlayer
This Is Going To Hurt
The Responder
Netflix:
Stay Close
Disney+
Bones (nearing the end of season 8 at the moment)
Big Sky season 2
And from other sources as we can't wait for the UK platforms to catch up . . .
The Rookie season 4
Seal Team season 5
S.W.A.T. season 5
New Amsterdam season 4
Oh - actually Seal Team season 5 has just finished. We've just watched the last cliff-hanging episode. Bummer. Long wait for season 6 and a rumoured film now I guess.
I see that Stranger Things season 4 has a release date set for May 2022 in the UK. Bring it on, although I expect the dynamics are going to be very different to the previous seasons.
Watching Stay Close reminded me about another Harlan Coben adaptation I saw a few years ago - The Five.
I'd like to watch it again, and have just received it (used) from Music Magpie for £3 and some change. I think I could have watched it on Amazon Prime for £9.99 but that kind of sticks in the throat when I already pay a subscription to them.
Drifting slightly . . .
I did actually pay Amazon Prime extra for the last Fabulous Baker Brothers TV series - but that was the only way I could get to watch it. Not available on DVD. Ho hum.
This is it, in case anyone is wondering (I have their previous 2 series on DVD):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fabulous-Baker-Brothers-Britain-Season/dp/B082P1Q5C7 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fabulous-Baker-Brothers-Britain-Season/dp/B082P1Q5C7)
Promising Young Woman
Rating: ****
A kind of avenging angel comedy/drama/thriller with a very dark edge, this won the Oscar for Best Screenplay in 2021 and was nominated in several other categories (writer/director is Killing Eve Season 2 showrunner Emerald Fennell).
One such was Best Actress for Carey Mulligan - and I have to say she is utterly astounding, so quite how Frances McDormand was preferred for the award for the underwhelming Nomadland is baffling.
Some reviews described this film as a furious statement for the "#MeToo" movement, but that strikes me as far too simplistic - this is a multi-layered film that slowly twists the viewer round its finger, culminating in one of the most tense and disturbing extended final scenes I have endured in a long time.
Highly recommended; but, as mentioned, do be warned - it's pretty dark!
Still watching M*A*S*H every day, 66 episodes in now. 290 to go! Nearing the end of the third series.
Crikey Slim I'm doing the same with Heartland! (what?) there are 234 episodes wife and I are on 172.
Heartland is a lovely series based in Canada, Alberta about daily life on a farm that looks after horses where the main character is a young lady who is a horse whisperer/trainer.
I continue to watch the marvellous Norally travel the world on her motorbike single-handedly on the Itchy boots You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/ItchyBoots
Currently travelling through Central America.
She is a truly amazing person.
Started the new series of Killing Eve.. but I think i've had enough already...(as has the Mrs)
I got bored of it halfway through the last series. It really seemed to ramble and lose momentum.
Servant Season 3.. it's gone a bit shit as well...
The cruellest M*A*S*H episode of all, today. Henry gets to go home, but the writers kill him off.
Quote from: Fishy on March 04, 2022, 10:00:00 PMServant Season 3.. it's gone a bit shit as well...
Bums, I was looking forward to this - the first 2 seasons were great.
12 Years A Slave
Rating: ***
Been on the list for a long time since it won the Oscar for Best Film in 2014. If the rating may surprise then I count myself among that number. So I will explain, as briefly as possible.
First, the impressive and powerful elements of this film undoubtedly leave their mark, just as intended: Steve McQueen is a very accomplished director who has a particular talent for innovative camera movement that resembles Alfonso Cuaron, who is one of the masters of that craft, and despite the profoundly emotive subject matter this skill is utilised extremely well here;
Chiwetel Ejiofor is tremendous in the leading role - the pain and sadness suffered by his character evident in his eyes even in the scenes where he isn't being treated abominably;
and, speaking of the sickening violence and inhumanity unsparingly depicted on screen (in any other context this would not be a 15-rated film), I thought, as difficult as it is to watch, this was all portrayed appropriately, and some critics' accusations of over-the-top "torture porn" quite misguided (see Mel Gibson's ridiculous The Passion Of The Christ for a genuine example of OTT sadistic violence - or, rather, don't).
However, I can't overlook a couple of significant flaws, which really are technical but nonetheless often took me out of the story: some of the dialogue - in thick Deep South accents and often mumbled - is inaudible, which is possibly why some characters and sequences don't seem to have a narrative purpose. So even though the film is almost 135 minutes long it still seemed choppily edited and I felt it could have benefited from more breathing space. Another minor issue I had was with Hans Zimmer's score, which didn't seem to capture the depressing overall tone of the film very faithfully.
I was prepared for a similarly grim experience as from watching The Painted Bird (my long review for that elsewhere now lost!) and this was often as harrowing; however, where that film had a cast iron grip and numbing of the senses for 160 devastating minutes, 12 Years A Slave for me didn't quite have the same impact due to some unfortunate shortcomings - nonetheless, I wouldn't let that put anyone off.
Back To The Future
Series 3 of A Discovery of Witches - more of the same. It's OK but not mind-blowing 7/10
The Ipcress File (ITV series)
Quote from: R6GYY on March 07, 2022, 08:27:04 AMThe Ipcress File (ITV series)
Any good, Reg? I loved the film though I don't think I've seen it since the '90s.
Quote from: Slim on March 07, 2022, 08:42:38 AMQuote from: R6GYY on March 07, 2022, 08:27:04 AMThe Ipcress File (ITV series)
Any good, Reg? I loved the film though I don't think I've seen it since the '90s.
I am enjoying it. I haven't seen the film for many years myself. I have one gripe which is an almost constant 'tilted' camera view although I am getting used to it. Other than that - highly enjoyable and I shall stick with it. Interesting to note that Harry Saltzman's (producer of The Ipcress File film and of course associated with the Bond franchise) son Stephen is credited as one of the executive producers.
p.s. apparently the whole series is up on the ITV hub? I am happy with one a week.
I saw an ad for it last night on Amazon - it's on Prime, though not for free unless you take out an ITV Hub trial.
(http://truth.justdied.com/images/aprimeipc.png)
I love cold war thrillers although they have a slightly disturbing resonance at the moment.
Quote from: Slim on March 07, 2022, 10:53:28 AMI love cold war thrillers although they have a slightly disturbing resonance at the moment.
Recommend https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B09G3G9VPC/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
The Courier on Amazon prime
Rick and Morty Season 5 (Netflix)
8)
Tonight's entertainment was The Adam Project (Netflix).
Entertaining enough science fiction action comedy for family viewing, but not up to the standard set by Shawn Levy & Ryan Reynolds earlier collaboration on Free Guy.
The Boys
Enjoying it
Going to give The Fear Index a whirl...
All done with A Discovery of Witches, 3 series in total. The final series felt like they were just going through the motions to get it done; and only 7 episodes. For all 3 series: 7/10
Nearing the end of Bones season 9.
When we've finished all 12 seasons of Bones, the next long running beast we are going to tackle (again) is The West Wing .
The second season of the excellent Upload. 2 eps in out of 7 and only 30 odd minutes long each one. It has a lot of charm this show, with a decent amount of humour. 9/10 thus far.
Just finished Inventing Anna on Netflix. Highly enjoyable and recommended
The podcast is excellent as well on BBC sounds
We completed Se02 of Upload tonight. I think this is another of those shows affected by Covid as it felt rushed (only 7 eps) and it finished with obviously a lot more to come. 8/10
Just finished series 2 of Raised by Wolves. Whilst series 1 started well, it got a bit messy later on. However, this series starts well and stays good throughout. Lots more to come as there is a lot unresolved - in fact there are some really weird events going on and it's full of mystery and intrigue.
Also up to episode 4 of the final series of Peaky Blinders. I loved Peaky Blinders, but this series is a big let down for me. There isn't actually much going on and I'd go as far to say it's really gone up its own arse - too many lingering shots, ineffective music without any substance, it all just seems so ridiculous and convoluted now. I understand the final episode will be feature length as a practice for a spin-off movie. I just hope it improves - a lot.
4 episodes in to Series 3 of Servant. Still dead weird and no wiser as to actually what is going on. Good though.
Boiling point on Netflix. Stressful chef/restaurant film.
Quote from: Nick on March 27, 2022, 08:10:40 PMBoiling point on Netflix. Stressful chef/restaurant film.
Really enjoyed that film
Peacemaker on Sky. Spin off from the Suicide squad. Its absolutely ridiculous!!!! But I'm loving it
Finished series 3 of Servant - I enjoyed it as a whole, but answers need to start coming. It's only so long the makers can keep up this mystery - 3 series now and still no real idea wth is going on.
Finished Peaky Blinders last night. It did improve a bit in the last 2 episodes, but overall a disappointing series. I'm glad it's all over tbh.
Now watching season 3 of Snowpiercer, still as daft as ever but a guilty pleasure.
Quote from: pxr5 on March 29, 2022, 09:20:19 PMFinished series 3 of Servant - I enjoyed it as a whole, but answers need to start coming. It's only so long the makers can keep up this mystery - 3 series now and still no real idea wth is going on.
A final season has been approved I think...
Quote from: pxr5 on April 04, 2022, 03:35:47 PMNow watching season 3 of Snowpiercer, still as daft as ever but a guilty pleasure
yeah I'm coming to the end of season 3.
House of Maxwell on iPlayer. Riveting stuff.
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 04, 2022, 09:20:48 PMQuote from: pxr5 on April 04, 2022, 03:35:47 PMNow watching season 3 of Snowpiercer, still as daft as ever but a guilty pleasure
yeah I'm coming to the end of season 3.
We finished it last night. The weakest of the 3 seasons so far. Sean Bean is starting to annoy too.
Quote from: pxr5 on April 07, 2022, 01:30:23 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 04, 2022, 09:20:48 PMQuote from: pxr5 on April 04, 2022, 03:35:47 PMNow watching season 3 of Snowpiercer, still as daft as ever but a guilty pleasure
yeah I'm coming to the end of season 3.
We finished it last night. The weakest of the 3 seasons so far. Sean Bean is starting to annoy too.
He's (violently) annoyed a few wives in his time. Bit of a wife-beater with a short temper (also a very proud yorkshireman that likes a cuppa)
;)
Just bought the Blu ray of The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey.
I remember watching it on TV years ago and it was dead weird.
Jimmy Savile on Netflix.
Quote from: Nick on April 07, 2022, 05:14:15 PMJimmy Savile on Netflix.
There was a doc on the other night about Saville, Hall, Harris and Glitter. Caught the tail end of it.
My dad, every Saturday evening without fail: "he doesn't smoke those cigars" ;D
Probably the mildest deception he was guilty of
Moon Knight. Latest Marvel offering.
Not getting into it at all
Quote from: Nick on April 07, 2022, 05:14:15 PMJimmy Savile on Netflix.
Watched the first part - waste of time, there's already been superior docs broadcast. Won't be bothering with the second part.
Quote from: Matt2112 on April 08, 2022, 01:31:46 PMQuote from: Nick on April 07, 2022, 05:14:15 PMJimmy Savile on Netflix.
Watched the first part - waste of time, there's already been superior docs broadcast. Won't be bothering with the second part.
Agree I have watched better documentaries previously, this one is a bit of a mess.
I understand why you watch documentaries like this. But I can not watch them, just like I can not watch a documentary about the Holocaust. And I know I am being a hypocrite because I watch War films. Humans are funny beings.
He was a very odd man.
Quote from: Nick on April 08, 2022, 03:32:15 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on April 08, 2022, 01:31:46 PMQuote from: Nick on April 07, 2022, 05:14:15 PMJimmy Savile on Netflix.
Watched the first part - waste of time, there's already been superior docs broadcast. Won't be bothering with the second part.
Agree I have watched better documentaries previously, this one is a bit of a mess.
Yes, it just seems very unfocused; and the usually quite astute critic Mark Lawson is reduced to reaction shots and stating the obvious.
The forthcoming BBC drama with Steve Coogan looks far more interesting, if only to see how it can strike a seemingly impossible balance of an engaging yet non-exploitative drama.
Quote from: captainkurtz on April 07, 2022, 07:49:43 AMHouse of Maxwell on iPlayer. Riveting stuff.
Indeed.. watched it over a couple Of nights.. a fairly loathsome family it has to be said.... Noticed a pic of Ghislaine when she was in with the "good and the great" of her and Roger Waters... still think Ian and Kevin Maxwell are dodgy as fuck as well....
Moonfall - It cost $150m dollars to make this. Like a lot of Hollywood movies the money is spent on effects rather than a decent script. I'll give it 3/10, my wife was 1/10 - it isn't good.
Watched very last episode of The Last Kingdom - Uhtred son of Uhtred destiny is all.
Absolutely brilliant Viking v Wessex drama series. Is it better than Vikings probably, although I loved Ragnar Lodbrok.
Metal Lords - Netflix. Like School of rock but metal.
Latest Series of Killing Eve - still great
Quote from: Nick on April 11, 2022, 07:45:29 PMMetal Lords - Netflix. Like School of rock but metal.
I tried to convince the missus that this would be worth watching, only yesterday........I didn't ;D
Pointless
Quote from: pxr5 on April 11, 2022, 07:49:04 PMLatest Series of Killing Eve - still great
I'm not so sure in all honesty. I've watched 6 of 8 and haven't found this season half as gripping as those before.
Quote from: Matt2112 on April 12, 2022, 06:03:54 PMQuote from: pxr5 on April 11, 2022, 07:49:04 PMLatest Series of Killing Eve - still great
I'm not so sure in all honesty. I've watched 6 of 8 and haven't found this season half as gripping as those before.
I loved the first two but the third became a chore about halfway through. Never finished it.
Gave up after first episode on season 3.. just got tired of the cat n mouse bullshit...
Brian Cox's Adventures In Time And Space
Saw episode 1 last night live on BBC 4, and episode 2 on iPlayer tonight.
Great stuff.
Must be just me then - I'm loving it :)
Finished Killing Eve last night - a great ending to a superb series.
No time to die - think I'm going to give up on action films, just can't take the endless shooting/explosions etc.
Quote from: Nick on April 15, 2022, 07:53:41 PMNo time to die - think I'm going to give up on action films, just can't take the endless shooting/explosions etc.
Funny enough I was streaming that last night. For thd first 5 minutes or so I thought they had titled the wrong film. Surely the most unusual Bond beginning ever!
Just saw part 2 of the Johnny Worricker trilogy last night (Turks & Caicos). Will plow on with part 3 tonight, "Salting The Battlefield".
Bill Nighy really is an outstanding actor.
If you are unaware of the trilogy, it is well worth checking out. A modern spy story.
Worricker trilogy DVD on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Worricker-Trilogy-DVD-Bill-Nighy/dp/B00I5Q6IMU)
Available to watch for free via the imdbtv app, with adverts.
Quote from: dom on April 15, 2022, 08:14:03 PMQuote from: Nick on April 15, 2022, 07:53:41 PMNo time to die - think I'm going to give up on action films, just can't take the endless shooting/explosions etc.
Funny enough I was streaming that last night. For thd first 5 minutes or so I thought they had titled the wrong film. Surely the most unusual Bond beginning ever!
saw this at the Cinema and gave it 3 out 10, I then bought the 4k blu ray and its a top JB movie 7 out of 10. Better than Skyfall which is over rated.
Netflix Emma, okish - goodish.
From - I'm only 2 episodes in so far, but gripped by this drama. I'm worried that it'll go nowhere as many of these US shows do but I'm hoping for an end that's as good as the start. It's basically a town where any one entering (against their will) can't leave and are terrorised after dark by some creepy inhabitants.
Quote from: pxr5 on April 17, 2022, 07:26:47 PMFrom - I'm only 2 episodes in so far, but gripped by this drama. I'm worried that it'll go nowhere as many of these US shows do but I'm hoping for an end that's as good as the start. It's basically a town where any one entering (against their will) can't leave and are terrorised after dark by some creepy inhabitants.
Downloaded that last week and next up to watch which will be next week due to work.
Finished Killing Eve Season 3 in the early hours of yesterday morning after blitzing through it over 2 nights (the joys of quiet nightshifts).
Netflix film Black Crab a few days ago, first half hour had me hopeful but starts to go very bad after that (4/10).
Amazon Prime - The Expanse.
Tried to watch it in lock down but the picture was to dark, something about HDR 4k filming. I think amazon have listened to the complaints and now it looks fine.
Finished Killing Eve Season 4.
A hurried, massively anti-climactic mess. What a shame.
Doctor Who : Legend Of The Sea Devils
Oh dear.
Finished Series 1 of From last night. Really enjoyed it. It definitely has a Lost vibe (which is a good thing IMO), but more gory and scary. Coincidentally Harold Perrineau appeared in both shows (he stars in From). Obviously there are many mysteries and questions - so hopefully it doesn't get cancelled. 9/10.
Quote from: pxr5 on April 20, 2022, 06:46:42 PMFinished Series 1 of From last night. Really enjoyed it. It definitely has a Lost vibe (which is a good thing IMO), but more gory and scary. Coincidentally Harold Perrineau appeared in both shows (he stars in From). Obviously there are many mysteries and questions - so hopefully it doesn't get cancelled. 9/10.
3 eps in and ready for giving up... the kid from the camper van is annoying as fuck.. the weird bloke is annoying as fuck.. the drug crazed bloke involved in the crash with the camper van is annoying as fuck and the whole premise of it is just shit frankly...
Quote from: R6GYY on April 17, 2022, 04:35:21 PMJust saw part 2 of the Johnny Worricker trilogy last night (Turks & Caicos). Will plow on with part 3 tonight, "Salting The Battlefield".
Bill Nighy really is an outstanding actor.
If you are unaware of the trilogy, it is well worth checking out. A modern spy story.
Worricker trilogy DVD on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Worricker-Trilogy-DVD-Bill-Nighy/dp/B00I5Q6IMU)
Available to watch for free via the imdbtv app, with adverts.
I caught the first episode by accident when it first came out. It is brilliant (in a John Le Carre way) and I was completely hooked.
Quote from: R6GYY on April 20, 2022, 12:41:47 PMDoctor Who : Legend Of The Sea Devils
Oh dear.
It was very average wasn't it. A good idea badly done.
Friday night was movie night. So we watched The Batman. Hmm, it's got good reviews and it was refreshing going back to basics (a reset); the baddy (The Riddler) was the best part and The Penguin makes an appearance too; Robert Patterson is very good as is Zoe Kravitz. So far so good. But, it's too long (3 hours); it's dark too both the moody sort and the visible - yes it's 3 hours of darkness, I only recall a very brief time when it was ever daylight and even then it was grim. All in all it's not a bad effort, but be prepared for a long drag (I'm glad I didn't go to the flicks to watch it). A kind 7/10
Watched a couple of films from Netflix;
Choose or Die....plays out like a long epiosde of Black Mirror about a 1980s computer game (6.5/10)
The Last Stand...can't believe I hadn't seen this, Big Arnie doing what he does best - guns, explosions & sillyness (7.5/10)
Quote from: pxr5 on April 23, 2022, 01:44:18 PMFriday night was movie night. So we watched The Batman. Hmm, it's got good reviews and it was refreshing going back to basics (a reset); the baddy (The Riddler) was the best part and The Penguin makes an appearance too; Robert Patterson is very good as is Zoe Kravitz. So far so good. But, it's too long (3 hours); it's dark too both the moody sort and the visible - yes it's 3 hours of darkness, I only recall a very brief time when it was ever daylight and even then it was grim. All in all it's not a bad effort, but be prepared for a long drag (I'm glad I didn't go to the flicks to watch it). A kind 7/10
I agree that it is way too long. I did go to see it at the cinema, and in Imax.
If they were to trim at least a 1/2 hour, it would make for a punchier experience and be all the better for it. I did like Robert Pattinson as the Batman mind you.
Also, I just don't get the point of Colin Farrell being unrecognizable as the Penguin. Why?
Not one for re-watching.
Maybe I've been spoiled by Gotham (although I still haven't finished it).
Speaking of Gotham - I was a tad annoyed that whoever made the film ignored that "The Bat And The Cat" knew each other in their teens. Meh.
Will I go and see the inevitable sequel? Of course.
Is gotham worth it? Marks out of 10 please.
If you like cartoons then Arcane on Netflix is brilliant. https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81435684
Hmm... I enjoyed Gotham a lot. But I never got around to finishing it.
I haven't seen any of season 5, and nor all of season 4.
So I need to go back and catch up.
Try a couple of episodes of season 1 and see if you are interested.
Uncharted - Totally forgettable of what could have been so much more - what a waste. The ending was quite good visually though, but failed in pretty much all other departments. Tom Holland was his usual charismatic self, Mark Wahlberg wasn't. 5.5/10
The first episode of the new series of Inside Number Nine. Not very good this one and hopefully it'll improve.
Series 1 of Peacemaker https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13146488/ (3 episodes in). It follows straight on from the movie Suicide Squad. I knew it had pretty good reviews (8.4 on imdb) before I watched, but even then these shows often disappoint. But shit, where the hell did this come from - it's brilliant. It's crude, rude, violent, hilarious and action-packed. It really is like no other superhero movie or TV show I've seen, and it's a real breath of fresh air. I was laughing out loud quite a lot, there are some great comedy moments. The music has a lot of 80s cheesy Rock tunes from the likes Cinderella and The Quireboys which really adds to the whole thing. Great stuff and stupid fun.
I started watching 'Super Duper Alice Cooper' last night. Recorded from Sky Arts, it's another Banger Films production from the guys that brought us 'Beyond The Lighted Stage'. I'm enjoying it so far. Loads of very early clips of the classic Alice Cooper band. Looking forward to the rest of it
Quote from: Fishy on April 20, 2022, 08:16:44 PMQuote from: pxr5 on April 20, 2022, 06:46:42 PMFinished Series 1 of From last night. Really enjoyed it. It definitely has a Lost vibe (which is a good thing IMO), but more gory and scary. Coincidentally Harold Perrineau appeared in both shows (he stars in From). Obviously there are many mysteries and questions - so hopefully it doesn't get cancelled. 9/10.
3 eps in and ready for giving up... the kid from the camper van is annoying as fuck.. the weird bloke is annoying as fuck.. the drug crazed bloke involved in the crash with the camper van is annoying as fuck and the whole premise of it is just shit frankly...
Gave up and binned...
Series 1 Episode 5 of The Expanse.....and there is a space ship in it called the Rocinante! I googled it and the writers are bigs fans of Rush...good taste those writers.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheExpanse/comments/8kkeqf/expanse_writers_fans_of_rush/
Worked through some more of Better Call Saul Season 5.
Just superb. Everything is tight as a drum.
Quote from: David L on April 26, 2022, 09:47:27 AMI started watching 'Super Duper Alice Cooper' last night. Recorded from Sky Arts, it's another Banger Films production from the guys that brought us 'Beyond The Lighted Stage'. I'm enjoying it so far. Loads of very early clips of the classic Alice Cooper band. Looking forward to the rest of it
Finished watching this last night. Excellent. Fully recommend it to any Cooper fans. And a real bonus, the track 'Poison' didn't feature once ;D
Finished Peacemaker last night. Brilliant, loved it. 9.5/10
Finally finished all 12 seasons of Bones, and have now started on The West Wing.
Also, we have finished Harlan Coben's Stay Close, and have now started on another of his adaptations, Safe.
I do have a gripe with this one - Michael C. Hall trying to do an English accent. It just grates. Will try and get over it though.
Over the last couple of nights I watched The Rise of the Krays and its inevitable sequel, The Fall of the Krays. Not the greatest and I've no idea how accurate they were but they were strangely compelling
Bling Ring - a 3 part documentary on the celebrity robberies in Hollywood on Channel 4. I nearly turned it off, but it oddly compelling and turned out to be a decent watch.
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/bling-ring-hollywood-heist
7 episodes of The West Wing season 1 done now and here are some initial thoughts (even though I've seen some of it before) . . .
They really hit the ground running - no slow introduction. If you aren't hooked after episode 1, then probably not worth carrying on.
What terrific TV this was (is) - and the 40-odd minutes of each episode just fly by.
Seriously sharp dialogue delivered so well by a brilliant ensemble cast.
Excellent stuff.
Half way through Vikings: Valhalla. It takes place 100 years after Ragnar Lothbrook and it tells of the Viking return to England after the ones living there had all been eliminated by the old King. It's not as good as Vikings and some imdb reviews are scathing, but as long as one looks beyond the historical inaccuracies it's not too bad. But a massive blunder - a black African queen heading the Vikings at Kattegat - seriously!!
Quote from: pxr5 on April 24, 2022, 01:04:16 PMThe first episode of the new series of Inside Number Nine. Not very good this one and hopefully it'll improve.
My God, I thought the first episode was bad, but the second was appalling. I think they've really lost their way with this now.
Quote from: pxr5 on May 01, 2022, 03:46:29 PMHalf way through Vikings: Valhalla. It takes place 100 years after Ragnar Lothbrook and it tells of the Viking return to England after the ones living there had all been eliminated by the old King. It's not as good as Vikings and some imdb reviews are scathing, but as long as one looks beyond the historical inaccuracies it's not too bad. But a massive blunder - a black African queen heading the Vikings at Kattegat - seriously!!
I am enjoying it. Viking lost its way in the end. The last kingdom is my favourite Vikings series.
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on May 02, 2022, 06:46:41 PMQuote from: pxr5 on May 01, 2022, 03:46:29 PMHalf way through Vikings: Valhalla. It takes place 100 years after Ragnar Lothbrook and it tells of the Viking return to England after the ones living there had all been eliminated by the old King. It's not as good as Vikings and some imdb reviews are scathing, but as long as one looks beyond the historical inaccuracies it's not too bad. But a massive blunder - a black African queen heading the Vikings at Kattegat - seriously!!
I am enjoying it. Viking lost its way in the end. The last kingdom is my favourite Vikings series.
I did start watching The Last Kingdom, but gave up early on as it didn't appeal like Vikings did. I may give it another try one day.
Just finished Vikings: Valhalla Not too bad overall with more to come probably.
Not sure what to watch next as everything I fancy is foreign, therefore concentrating on subs :-X
All of Us are Dead More S. Korean zombies madness. This time it all starts in a school. The Koreans have a real skill for doing these type of zombie TV shows. This is up there with Kingdom. Each episode is about an hour long and there are 12 of them. We've watched 2 so far and they went by in a flash. Very tense, chaotic with lots of manic action. I understand it all takes place in the school so it may be difficult to maintain this standard without getting repetitive. 9.5/10 so far.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14169960/
Quote from: pxr5 on May 03, 2022, 10:04:57 PMAll of Us are Dead More S. Korean zombies madness. This time it all starts in a school. The Koreans have a real skill for doing these type of zombie TV shows. This is up there with Kingdom. Each episode is about an hour long and there are 12 of them. We've watched 2 so far and they went by in a flash. Very tense, chaotic with lots of manic action. I understand it all takes place in the school so it may be difficult to maintain this standard without getting repetitive. 9.5/10 so far.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14169960/
Ok kingdom was so good i watched it twice, i will watch this. Thank you.
I think what I like about All of Us are Dead is the fact they are trapped in one building/area. Films like that always appeal to me; the master of that style being Dawn of the Dead in the shopping mall.
P.S. Have you watched the Kingdom spin off movie - Kingdom: Ashin of the North, it's great too? Kingdom has a second series too:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13412252/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6611916/episodes?season=2&ref_=tt_eps_sn_2
Quote from: pxr5 on May 04, 2022, 02:32:17 PMI think what I like about All of Us are Dead is the fact they are trapped in one building/area. Films like that always appeal to me; the master of that style being Dawn of the Dead in the shopping mall.
P.S. Have you watched the Kingdom spin off movie - Kingdom: Ashin of the North, it's great too? Kingdom has a second series too:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13412252/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6611916/episodes?season=2&ref_=tt_eps_sn_2
Yes watched both. I could watch it all again.
The Godfather - not watched it for many years.
Quote from: Nick on May 04, 2022, 04:02:48 PMThe Godfather - not watched it for many years.
Brilliant in every way.
Recently watched the Irishman again, also good, but not in the same league.
Now working through Better Caul Saul Season 6.
Gentleman Jack
Not really my thing, however much of it of course is filmed a reasonably walkable distance from my house, so I enjoy the spotting of very familiar locations - and I can't help looking for anachronisms. ::) :)
We finished All of Us are Dead last night. Really enjoyed it as a whole, but I feel exhausted. It's pretty much non-stop since the word go. I did warm to the characters, but Koreans are rather odd in the way they treat each other (maybe that was a fault of the poor translation though). I'm zombied out for a while now lol 9.5/10
The Pentaverate - Mike Myers comedy on Netflix with him playing several characters about a secret Masonic type group.
Only watched the first 2 half hour episodes these past 2 nights and raised a few laughs, working round the clock at the moment (11th 12 hour shift in a row with another 8 to go !!) and can't stay awake for more than 30 minutes before passing out.
Was going to watch The Northman tonight, but instead went for The Lost City as it's a bit shorter. The first half was really good and quite funny. Alas it all went downhill fast in the second half. Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock just dialled it in, but Brad Pitt's cameo was the best part. 7/10 first half, 3/10 second half - so 4/10
Watched a couple more episodes of The Pentaverate, good Shrek cameo in one and i'm just hanging in there with it.
The Hunt (Netflix film), 90 minute nonsense violent thriller.....6/10.
Love, Death and Robots Season 3 out this Friday !!
Quote from: Red Lenses on May 17, 2022, 09:24:54 PMWatched a couple more episodes of The Pentaverate, good Shrek cameo in one and i'm just hanging in there with it.
The Hunt (Netflix film), 90 minute nonsense violent thriller.....6/10.
Love, Death and Robots Season 3 out this Friday !!
Yes, the trailer for Se03 of Love, Death and Robots on imdb looks amazing.
Started watching Das Boot, the Sky Atlantic version
Heavy going, but starting to get into it
TOTP: 1992 Christmas Special
Showing on BBC Four in May 2022, bizarrely.
This was during the period when the acts were performing live - at least vocally.
This might explain why Would I Lie To You by Charles & Eddie has stood the test of time far, far better than the likes of The End Of The Road by Boyz II Men. 😏
Thanks for that review. I'm going to try and catch that this week at my local Cineworld.
Yep, Empire's five-star review said pretty much the same as pxr, so this is high on the priority list.
Six episodes into Series 4 of the brilliant Ozark.
I caught this documentary on ITV today: Britain's Strictest Headmistress. https://www.itv.com/hub/britains-strictest-headmistress/10a2923 What an eye opener. Why the government doesn't use this as a template for all schools is beyond me. It's all so obvious when you see schools run like this and the children truly thrive; and in one of the poorest boroughs in London. Remarkable.
Ricky Gervais - Super Nature (Netflix).
The usual baiting schtick.
Best enjoyed realising he's a professional comedian giving an often provocative performance of stand-up comedy that is constructed of jokes.
But it seems half of those on Tw@tter are determined not to get that. ::)
Ricky Gervais - Super Nature. Very good - belly laughs and one accidental fart ;D
Finished Series 4 of Ozark last night. Blimey, this is good TV - I can't wait for the next one.
Half way through Series 3 of the French sci-fi show Missions. A totally different feel to this series, but still pretty good. I can't say much about it without spoiling it but if you've seen the first 2, it's worth carrying on.
Quote from: pxr5 on May 29, 2022, 10:10:16 PMHalf way through Series 3 of the French sci-fi show Missions. A totally different feel to this series, but still pretty good. I can't say much about it without spoiling it but if you've seen the first 2, it's worth carrying on.
Not got round to watching it yet. Probably next on my list.
Quote from: pdw1 on May 30, 2022, 05:48:16 PMQuote from: pxr5 on May 29, 2022, 10:10:16 PMHalf way through Series 3 of the French sci-fi show Missions. A totally different feel to this series, but still pretty good. I can't say much about it without spoiling it but if you've seen the first 2, it's worth carrying on.
Not got round to watching it yet. Probably next on my list.
Finished it last night after 2 sittings. It's confusing and I think that may be the end of it all too. But well done though, just I have no idea what really happened lol.
Hunted - the current season. It never ceases to amaze me how dumb people can be. Either that or they haven't seen previous seasons and the mistakes people make.
The biggest one being using any of your family, friends or contacts along the way.
Love Death Robots..Episode called Jibaro, one of the most amazing visual things I have seen, stunning on an Oled tv.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - Some quite harsh reviews, but I really enjoyed it (my wife thought it was a drag). I read that Johnny Depp did one scene before being sacked and because of the contract earned the full $16m.
Mads Mikkelsen as the replacement does Ok in my opinion but lacks the gravitas that Depp would have brought. A decent story and some great action scenes; most of the actors are just going through the motions for their pay cheques though. 7.5/10
Quote from: Nick on May 31, 2022, 09:00:57 PMLove Death Robots..Episode called Jibaro, one of the most amazing visual things I have seen, stunning on an Oled tv.
I saw the trailer for this and I'm looking forward to it (the animation looks amazing) and the whole series 3. I can't find the series in UHD though, but at least it's available in 1080p HDR. Also it's pure animation, no motion capture at all - incredible.
I was discussing this show to my son and it turns out the company he works for was involved in the animation. They do media for games and movie/tv trailers etc.
This is the future for animation.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Fantastic Beasts film and have watched it more than once, but I thought the 2nd film far too messy / disjointed.
I can't say the thought of watching the 3rd instalment thrills me but no doubt I will on a small screen some day.
Hatching (aka Pahanhautoja) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12519030/ A very odd movie from Finland about a young girl who finds, and hatches, a very strange egg. Some really weird ways of doing things these Finns, but as a whole it sort of works in a way. 7/10
TOTP 1983 on BBC Four.
Featuring Little Angels playing (well, semi-playing) Womankind.
They deserved a wider following.
Speaking of which, now here's the one and only Paul McCartney in the studio performing Hope Of Deliverance.
Yes, I'd completely forgotten about this baffling dud of a song as well. :-\
The Northman - The latest Viking movie starring Alexander Skarsgård. Neither my wife or I liked this one. The story wasn't great but the execution was even worse. It dragged too and by the hundredth roar I'd had enough. Lots of weird arty scenes which only added to the unnecessary length. Apart from Skarsgård it was miscast as well. If I'd seen this in a cinema I would probably have walked out. Watch Vikings instead. 3/10
Quote from: pxr5 on June 05, 2022, 10:56:28 AMThe Northman - The latest Viking movie starring Alexander Skarsgård. Neither my wife or I liked this one. The story wasn't great but the execution was even worse. It dragged too and by the hundredth roar I'd had enough. Lots of weird arty scenes which only added to the unnecessary length. Apart from Skarsgård it was miscast as well. If I'd seen this in a cinema I would probably have walked out. Watch Vikings instead. 3/10
Yes, especially disappointing as Robert Eggers' previous film The Lighthouse was so good.
Quote from: Matt2112 on June 05, 2022, 03:31:54 PMQuote from: pxr5 on June 05, 2022, 10:56:28 AMThe Northman - The latest Viking movie starring Alexander Skarsgård. Neither my wife or I liked this one. The story wasn't great but the execution was even worse. It dragged too and by the hundredth roar I'd had enough. Lots of weird arty scenes which only added to the unnecessary length. Apart from Skarsgård it was miscast as well. If I'd seen this in a cinema I would probably have walked out. Watch Vikings instead. 3/10
Yes, especially disappointing as Robert Eggers' previous film The Lighthouse was so good.
Quite, The Lighthouse was excellent.
Moon Knight - Marvel/Egyptian adventures. The premise sounds daft but it's really done quite well. And with only 6 episodes there is little superfluous padding. Oscar Isaac plays the 2 characters well and the action is great. 8/10
Quote from: pxr5 on June 07, 2022, 10:20:16 PMMoon Knight - Marvel/Egyptian adventures. The premise sounds daft but it's really done quite well. And with only 6 episodes there is little superfluous padding. Oscar Isaac plays the 2 characters well and the action is great. 8/10
Couldnt get into it at all, bored me stiff
Just finished Ozark. Wasnt the ending I was expecting or hoping for
Quote from: pxr5 on June 07, 2022, 10:20:16 PMMoon Knight - Marvel/Egyptian adventures. The premise sounds daft but it's really done quite well. And with only 6 episodes there is little superfluous padding. Oscar Isaac plays the 2 characters well and the action is great. 8/10
Didn't enjoy it and I wanted to after the trailers, started okay and tailed off badly (5/10).
Only one episode of Love,Death & Robots to go...the episode after Masons Rats which was excellent !!
For the first time in years I'm watching a show as it comes out weekly, Obi-Wan Kenobi and really enjoying it so far.
Ozark Season 4 (watching with the wife), only 3 episodes to go.
Downloading The Man Who Fell To Earth as the episodes get released (my 2nd most read book).
Well, we've just finished Moon Knight and an enjoyable romp it was too, with a nice little after-credit scene at the end.
Quote from: Jonners on June 08, 2022, 08:58:39 AMQuote from: pxr5 on June 07, 2022, 10:20:16 PMMoon Knight - Marvel/Egyptian adventures. The premise sounds daft but it's really done quite well. And with only 6 episodes there is little superfluous padding. Oscar Isaac plays the 2 characters well and the action is great. 8/10
Couldnt get into it at all, bored me stiff
Just finished Ozark. Wasnt the ending I was expecting or hoping for
.
Spoiler alert...half way through.
started series 3 of Missions
and I am gripped....
Leave No Trace
Inspired by a true story, a father and his teenage daughter live off grid in a forest on the edge of downtown Portland.
This reminded me of the hugely over-rated Nomadland, and while Leave No Trace is smaller in scope, it's also superior for it.
There's nothing earth-shaking here, but it held my interest.
Rating: ***
Dallas Buyers Club
Good; most notable for the two principal performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, for which they won Oscars for Leading Actor and Supporting Actor respectively at the 2014 Academy Awards - quite understandably.
Rating: ***
Shining Girls - An eight episode sci-fi mystery starring Elizabeth Moss. A woman who was brutally assaulted meets a reporter and together try to figure out the mysterious serial killings carried out on various women over the years. It has elements of time travel and parallel universes and whilst a slow burner it's gripping stuff. 8.5/10
Pistol
Very enjoyable docu drama about the Sex Pistols and the Punk Revolution
And Chrissie Hynde is a minx!
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on June 08, 2022, 10:30:52 PMQuote from: Jonners on June 08, 2022, 08:58:39 AMQuote from: pxr5 on June 07, 2022, 10:20:16 PMMoon Knight - Marvel/Egyptian adventures. The premise sounds daft but it's really done quite well. And with only 6 episodes there is little superfluous padding. Oscar Isaac plays the 2 characters well and the action is great. 8/10
Couldnt get into it at all, bored me stiff
Just finished Ozark. Wasnt the ending I was expecting or hoping for
.
Spoiler alert...half way through.
Sorry, i thought you would have known that the series does end....... ;)
Mod's note: I have split out pxr5's post on Everything Everywhere All At Once into its own thread. (I'm assuming pxr5 is okay with that). :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on June 13, 2022, 08:07:49 PMMod's note: I have split out pxr5's post on Everything Everywhere All At Once into its own thread. (I'm assuming pxr5 is okay with that). :)
Yeah no probs from me and thanks for your review. An interesting take, but you know my feelings on this movie.
We finished Shining Girls last night. It was well done and a decent story, until the end. It all seemed rushed and left so many unanswered questions it spoilt the overall enjoyment. Maybe there is another series, but it doesn't feel that way in the manner it concluded. Shame 6.5/10
Rattling through The West Wing. On season 5 now.
The Midwich Cuckoos - A retelling of John Wyndham's classic 1957 novel as a 7 part TV series. I'm 2 episodes in so far and it's pretty good. Some comments have slated it for being 'woke'. I can see why, but it doesn't bother me and it seems to be in keeping with the original story so far. The excellent Keely Hawes stars alongside the scowling Max Beesley. 8/10 so far.
Quote from: pxr5 on June 14, 2022, 08:57:44 PMThe Midwich Cuckoos - A retelling of John Wyndham's classic 1957 novel as a 7 part TV series. I'm 2 episodes in so far and it's pretty good. Some comments have slated it for being 'woke'. I can see why, but it doesn't bother me and it seems to be in keeping with the original story so far. The excellent Keely Hawes stars alongside the scowling Max Beesley. 8/10 so far.
John Wyndham is one of the best Sci Fi writers ever so will give this a go
We finished The Midwich Cuckoos last night. I enjoyed it as a whole, but nothing ground breaking (I much prefer the 60s movie The Village of the Damned).
Movie night. Tonight's offer is this great little movie called Dual. The blurb: "A woman opts for a cloning procedure after she receives a terminal diagnosis but when she recovers her attempts to have her clone decommissioned fail, leading to a court-mandated duel to the death."
The excellent Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul star. It's really quirky with some deadpan, black humour. The acting is almost robotic but it really works and I laughed out loud a lot. It's a bit gory too, but not overly so. A strange tale for sure, but at least it was refreshingly different from the normal Hollywood dross. 8.5/10
The Orville: Season 3 (New Horizons)
Seasons 1 and 2 were Sky exclusives I think, but the new season is on Disney+. Yippee say I.
We just started watching Severance. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11280740/ Brilliant, loving it - this is my sort of show. Really well done too and a great cast. I can't wait to see how it plays out, but it's gripping and I'm savouring each episode.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6953928/
Documentary on Netflix about the Einsatzgruppe in WWII
Deeply moving, and absolutely holds no punches!
Netflix - Web Of Make Believe, only watched the first 3 episodes of this docuseries but each story has been interesting (8/10 so far).
Netflix - God's Favourite Idiot, Temples Of Syrinx playing in the first 5 minutes of episode 1 and Tom Sawyer playing in episode 4, only watched 4 episodes so far and some laugh out loud moments (7/10 so far)
Finished Ozark and a decent enough ending of the series (9/10)
Netflix - Interceptor, film getting dreadful reviews but switch the brain off and it is passable (7/10)
Quote from: R6GYY on June 18, 2022, 10:50:14 PMThe Orville: Season 3 (New Horizons)
Seasons 1 and 2 were Sky exclusives I think, but the new season is on Disney+. Yippee say I.
Didn't realise that was finished yet! I'll see if I can obtain it, by some method. Loved the first couple of series.
Hi James.
Only 3 episodes out so far. Disney+ is releasing one a week.
Loki
I caught episode 4 of the new Orville: New Horizons last night, and (not really a spoiler), I was mightily impressed by the work they had put in to portraying the Krill home world. Stunning.
Definitely visual elements of Blade Runner on exteriors, but some of the interiors were kind of awe inspiring. More than I would expect from 'just' a TV show.
Very impressed. This show continues to thrill. More power to your elbow Mr. MacFarlane :)
Oh, and episode 3 was pretty darned good, but I can't discuss it for fear of spoiling the ride.
Sampled Glasto.
Absolute fcking wank. All of them.
BBC's coverage is sh!te as well.
BBC's Glasto coverage is completely OTT, there's been in depth features on the News since Wednesday FFS and how many people do they have there?
Remember kiddies, other music festivals are available; other music festivals with better music are available.
1430 today on the West Holts stage is the awesome black midi. Probably the only thing I have any interest in. I'll try to download a copy using get-iplayer.
Finished Severance last night. Absolutely brilliant and a big wow at the final episode. An intelligent sci-fi written, acted and directed (mainly Ben Stiller) superbly. Bring on the next series.
Movie Night. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - Looks amazing in 4K on an OLED TV and the story wasn't that bad. So a rather enjoyable 2 hour romp. Typical Marvel though and really nothing new and I'll likely forgotten all about it tomorrow. 7.5/10
Glasto. Surprised Macca is not dodging bottles of piss ;D
Quote from: Matt2112 on June 25, 2022, 01:44:01 AMSampled Glasto.
Absolute fcking wank. All of them.
BBC's coverage is sh!te as well.
I think I can forgive them all the other shit after watching Paul McCartney's set. Just short of 3 hours of brilliance.
Quote from: pdw1 on June 26, 2022, 01:34:06 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on June 25, 2022, 01:44:01 AMSampled Glasto.
Absolute fcking wank. All of them.
BBC's coverage is sh!te as well.
I think I can forgive them all the other shit after watching Paul McCartney's set. Just short of 3 hours of brilliance.
I need to catch up on that.
I didn't see it because the best band to have played at Glasto before Macca were performing a 12-minute bus trip from my door.
Nile Rodgers & Chic were absolutely stunning tonight.
I only went mostly out of curiosity and familiarity and to experience the "buzz" of the town. But they blew me away. 🤷🏻�♂️
Quote from: pdw1 on June 26, 2022, 01:34:06 AMI think I can forgive them all the other shit after watching Paul McCartney's set. Just short of 3 hours of brilliance.
Perhaps I was unlucky to switch on just before he played Obli di obla da and then felt it necessary to blow smoke up Dave Grohl's arse :-\
Quote from: David L on June 26, 2022, 08:22:08 AMQuote from: pdw1 on June 26, 2022, 01:34:06 AMI think I can forgive them all the other shit after watching Paul McCartney's set. Just short of 3 hours of brilliance.
Perhaps I was unlucky to switch on just before he played Obli di obla da and then felt it necessary to blow smoke up Dave Grohl's arse :-\
I flicked through channels and caught the beginning of Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da. I flicked back quickly. I feckin' hate that song, always have done, always will. Whoever wrote that should be condemned to eternal torment >:(
I then put Megan Thee Fat Slag on for Mrs S. She wasn't impressed. Thankfully I could get back to an old 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown, it was the one where Sean Lock read
The Tiger Who came for a Pint. Lovely.
Finished season 3 of Stranger things and will start S4 shortly. Well written and acted and its one of the few shows I watch with my daughter so very enjoyable.
Watched a couple of episodes of Shining Girls. Intriguing and exciting. Really like Elizabeth Moss too
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 26, 2022, 10:58:11 AMQuote from: David L on June 26, 2022, 08:22:08 AMQuote from: pdw1 on June 26, 2022, 01:34:06 AMI think I can forgive them all the other shit after watching Paul McCartney's set. Just short of 3 hours of brilliance.
Perhaps I was unlucky to switch on just before he played Obli di obla da and then felt it necessary to blow smoke up Dave Grohl's arse :-\
I flicked through channels and caught the beginning of Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da. I flicked back quickly. I feckin' hate that song, always have done, always will. Whoever wrote that should be condemned to eternal torment >:(
I then put Megan Thee Fat Slag on for Mrs S. She wasn't impressed. Thankfully I could get back to an old 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown, it was the one where Sean Lock read The Tiger Who came for a Pint. Lovely.
I just checked Megan thee Stallion and enjoyed it, might have to give it a second viewing. For sure the most booty I have seen on stage.
Diana Ross...in UHD!
Iconic songs, but not really enjoying this. Her voice is buried in the mix for a start and seems a bit ropey. She looks chic, but doesn't sound it...
She's 78 though and "Legend" status isn't won in a raffle, so it seems churlish to be hyper-critical.
Her band is as tight as a gnat's chuff of course, so there's that.
I've just watched the Diana Ross set at Glastonbury and I agree with Matt, her voice was very ropey though. You'd think with all those backing singers they could hide her a bit. But even though her voice was second in the mix every bum note shone through - and there were a lot of those. What a relief at the end when the backing singers got their go at the front. Yeah, 78 she is and time to put her feet up and remember the good times methinks.
I have managed to save copies* of 2 sets too - those being black midi and Squid. I did watch black midi live yesterday and again the download today and I noticed that a song had been cut from the copy, apparently due to excessive swearing - oops.
*To permanently save TV shows from Iplayer, use the excellent get-iplayer tool - https://github.com/get-iplayer/get_iplayer
Quote from: Nick on June 26, 2022, 02:19:40 PMI just checked Megan thee Stallion and enjoyed it, might have to give it a second viewing. For sure the most booty I have seen on stage.
All I could think was "I hope they clean their arses well". I'm big on personal hygiene.
Kendrick Lamar currently preaching his gospel to a horde of white, middle class folks. I think I just spotted Sir Lenworth Henry down the front with a condensed milk sandwich - "Oooooo- kaaaaaaaaay" ;D
(Did a bit of 'googling'. Didn't realise there's a familial connection to Coronation Street's Jack and Vera ;D)
Quote from: David L on June 26, 2022, 10:12:20 PMKendrick Lamar currently preaching his gospel to a horde of white, middle class folks. I think I spotted Sir Lenworth Henry down the front - "Oh- kaaaaaaaaay ;D
(Did a bit of 'googling'. Didn't realise there's a familial connection to Coronation Street's Jack and Vera ;D)
I'm afraid he simply reminds me of Chris Morris's creation from The Day Today, Fur Q. Except this guy seems unparodyable.
By the way, what's the threshold for complaining to the BBC for the number of times the word "nigga" is used? One? Fifty? A hundred and fifty? ::)
I bet Gary Lineker is there too. We 'nah wot ya mean' Gary, blood ;D
Quote from: R6GYY on June 24, 2022, 11:20:13 AMI caught episode 4 of the new Orville: New Horizons last night, and (not really a spoiler), I was mightily impressed by the work they had put in to portraying the Krill home world. Stunning.
I've just watched the first episode of the third series. Sorry to say I was disappointed. Long on very impressive CGI and special effects, short on laughs.
This used to be fun, full of jokes, a clever spoof. The Ed Mercer character, for example - he's supposed to be insecure, a little bit inept on occasion. A frequent butt of jokes in the script. But there's none of that here.
Also, it's overlong, to my taste anyway.
Watched a few episodes of God's Favourite Idiot. As a religion based comedy its a little like The Good Place. Not as good as that though but it does make me laugh at times and the Rush references have kept me watching
New Dr STrange fim
Rubbish
Just finished S3 of Succession.
What an amazing show. Brilliant. Can't wait for S4
Tried a couple of episodes of Billions but its not in the same league
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_Leonardo
Documentary on Sky Arts about the Salvator Mundi picture/story
Absolutely fascinating and mind blowing, not even close to what I thought it was going to be, ended up being like an international thriller/Dan Brown type story (but true and based on facts!)
Highly recommend this!
Ricky Gervais - Humanity
I've just started The Time Travellers Wife (the TV series). Only 6 episodes. I'd heard of the book and the subsequent movie and I thought it was some soppy chick flick, but this new TV series was getting some good reviews so I gave it a go. 2 episodes through so far and it's surprisingly good and not what I expected. Created by Steven Moffatt, both stars are also British (it's an American show). OK there is an element of romance, but it's funny at times too and a well thought out time travelling story, executed excellently by all involved.
Yesterday's Tour de France Highlights. Watched them last night, watched it live yesterday afternoon, but it was bloody fantastic :)
We finished The Time Travellers Wife TV series last night. Quite enjoyable and well done if a little mind-bending at times. It ended quite suddenly though and I expected more to come but seems it's been cancelled. Shame. I was getting a bit fed up with seeing Theo James naked all the time, slamming down into one awkward situation after another. They showed his arse way too much, but never the front, until the end when it seemed they couldn't be bothered hiding his todger any more lol. 8/10
Series 3 of The Boys. I love this show, hampered slightly by the appalling cockney accent from Karl Urban - I suppose Americans think it's spot on though, much in the vein of Dick Van Dyke. Antony Starr is incredible and such a different role than Banshee, but just as good. 2 of 8 episodes complete so far.
The Umbrella Academy Season 3, rattled through the first 6 episodes (nightshift now so will take a few days to watch the remaining episodes) and every bit as good as the previous 2 seasons !!
Mother/Android movie from Netflix, robot uprising and not too bad 6/10.
Finished The Boys series 3 last night. Remains a good show, but they need to mix things up a bit now I think. And it's a bit too crude sometimes. I'm no prude but some of the stuff is really cringe.
Next will be Series 3 of The Umbrella Academy.
Last Night In Soho
With Edgar Wright at the helm, gifted rising stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Thomasin McKenzie in the leads and very famous old hands in support, I'd have thought this would have enough talent involved that it couldn't fail.
This appeared to be the case in the film's first half, which established its intersecting London worlds of the present and the 60's with plenty of craft, striking visuals and an intriguing underlying sense of the uncanny.
Unfortunately, in the latter half all that great work gradually fell apart at the seams, mainly due to the script and storytelling, which relied far too much on horror/suspense cliches and anticlimactic, guessable revelations.
Wright has undoubted technical chops and everything he puts on screen has a formidable slickness to it all, but he's much, much better when there is as much comedy as horror in his movies - while I've got to admire the ambition in dabbling in other sub-genres, for me Last Night In Soho unfortunately ends up as less than the sum of its parts.
Rating: **
Midnight Movie Club:
The Brood
It seems the further back in time you delve into the filmography of David Cronenburg, the more there appears to be a disparity between his ideas and methods and the the resources to properly realise them.
This is a typical example, however its more infamous scenes (one of which was cut by censors pretty much across the board at the time) have lost none of their power to shock. Oliver Reed is as intense as he always was but it's the remarkable performance of Samantha Eggar that stays in the mind far more than its occasional technical shortcomings.
Rating: ***
Midnight Movie Club:
The Brood
It seems the further back in time you delve into the filmography of David Cronenburg, the more there appears to be a disparity between his ideas and methods and the the resources to properly realise them.
This is a typical example, however its more infamous scenes (one of which was cut by censors pretty much across the board at the time) have lost none of their power to shock. Oliver Reed is as intense as he always was but it's the remarkable performance of Samantha Eggar that stays in the mind far more than anything else, including the film's occasional technical shortcomings.
Rating: ***
^ I remember the trailers for The Brood - it showed people fainting in the cinema. It was an OK movie, but looks quite tame these days.
Two recent movies for me:
The Man From Toronto - Kevin Hart and Woody Harrleson head the cast. I really like both these actors and what could have been a very mediocre movie was certainly lifted by having these 2 in it. The odd laugh out loud moment but it's a typical by-the-book Hollywood comedy film. 6.5/10
Men - Another 2 actors who I really like: Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear are in the prominent roles here (in fact Rory Kinnear plays half a dozen other characters). It's an oddball horror as Jessie Buckley's character rents a large country manor house after a personal tragedy at home where she meets male characters (all played by Kinnear). It's really weird and I admit to having no idea what it was all about. It was shot beautifully and Rory Kinnear was amazing as always, but they're about the only positives one can take from this mess. The end scenes are shocking, but bonkers, and then it ends. I did read an analysis but I'm none the wiser. So 4/10
Jurassic World: Dominion. More of those roaring dinosaurs (did dinos really roar - doubt it?), It's long and I had low expectations after the lacklustre reviews, but it's actually quite good. I mean how can you mess up with CGI dinosaurs? It looks spectacular on an OLED TV in HDR10 and the spirited story keeps the momentum throughout. Laura Dern, Sam Neil and Jeff Goldum are back too, which is nice. 7/10
Ah I'm itching (literally) to get back to the cinema as it is blockbuster season, but a recent (just over 2 weeks ago) operation on my nose means that while it is healing, I try to wear my glasses only when needed.
Things are getting a bit better now, although my nose doesn't half itch from time to time - I take that as a good sign.
I plan to go tomorrow to a Cineworld, as it is National Hot Dog Day or so they say, and there is a free hot dog up for grabs on that day only for Unlimited card holders. But what to see? Minions: The Rise Of Gru is probably top of the bunch as not likely to be too long. I will check durations.
Then there is Thor, and Jurassic World and I don't know what else.
I would imagine Thor and Jurassic World would look amazing in the cinema Reg. Alas my cinema days are long gone - I just can't be doing with all the other people anymore. Every year I can get 6 free cinema tickets through Lloyds Bank - I normally just give them to my son to use.
The Reader- a very dark parable(?) set in Germany just after WW2 staring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes.
Nearly half way through Series 3 of The Umbrella Academy. It remains a well made, solid show and is still as good as previous seasons. The first episode was a blast, though I expect it was made at the end of season 2 as everyone looked different from the second episode of this series. This show is so much better than Doom Patrol, which is just too weird.
Just finished the Beeb's Sherwood. I have started a separate thread for it too. Terrific stuff.
Finished Series 3 of The Umbrella Academy last night. I really enjoyed this series more than 1 or 2. Not sure why, but it felt a bit different and a great ending too. 9/10 this season.
We are half way through Halo. I've played the game briefly with my son a few years back, but know little of any story arc. Maybe gamers will dislike it, but coming from my point of view, it's quite good. It's a bit cheesy and a little cliched but the scope and scale are impressive. The opening battle is very well done indeed. So pretty good so far. 8/10
Titans Season 3 on Netflix, Iain Glen plays a good role as Batman throughout the seasons (8/10).
Not sure what will be next :-
Man Who Fell To Earth
The Boys Season 3
Stranger Things Season 3
Resident Evil
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Completed the first season of Halo last night. You know sometimes, I get side-tracked and only give limited attention to a show, but for some reason Halo really kept my attention throughout. There were a couple of duller episodes, but overall (9 eps) the pace kept me gripped and I found it really enjoyable. Some of the battle scenes were excellently done, especially the first person perspective moments (like a fps game). The CGI was well done too and the alien planets look spectacular in 4K HDR10. In fact I'm going to up my rating to 9/10
I've ended my Netflix subscription following finishing off Season 4 of Stranger Things.
It ends on August 15th so I thought I might as well see if there is anything worth watching while I've still got access.
So last night we watched a Netflix original film - The Man From Toronto, which pretty much delivers what it promises from the trailer. We were drawn in by the pairing of stars Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson.
Ok, but not terrific. Probably 3.5/5. Worth a watch, but the director Patrick Hughes' The Hitman's Bodyguard is much better if you haven't seen it and are in the market for a comedy action thrill ride.
Movie Night. The Black Phone - A horror/thriller set in 1978 follows the story of child abductions by 'The Grabber' and focuses on one boy involved in the crimes. The feel of 1978 is captured brilliantly (much better than the 80s of Stranger Things). The two main child actors really are superb. One scene in particular of the little girl being 'belted' by her father is just so realistic and disturbing. Ethan Hawke exudes evilness and is great in the role. A definite recommendation - 9/10
One of the two you tube channels I follow, Bald and Bankrupt just posted a fantastic adventure to see the Soviet "Buran" space shuttle in Kazakstan. Remarkable adventure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZ-r5Qe3tM
Last night we dug out a favourite on bluray - Twister, with the late, great, Bill Paxton.
Always a great watch.
Quote from: R6GYY on July 31, 2022, 08:17:59 PMLast night we dug out a favourite on bluray - Twister, with the late, great, Bill Paxton.
Always a great watch.
Also featuring Humans Being by Van Halen. :)
More zombies with Resident Evil - the TV show. I've watched all the movies from this franchise and they've all been pretty crap to be frank. Anyway I went in to this quite cold and knew nothing about it at all. But my wife and I enjoyed the first 2 episodes quite a lot and it's well done overall. Again though they've used black actors for what were originally white characters, but that seems normal these days. Anyway I checked out the show on iMDB - 3.8 lol. It really isn't that bad, but the aforementioned fact that the characters have been changed and possibly the reviewers are Resident Evil game fanboys leads partly to such a low score I think. Me, I'll give it 7/10 so far.
We tried the 1st episode of Paper Girls last night. Hmm. Not entirely convinced yet, and Sian thought it was rubbish. I'll probably watch another episode on my own to see if it 'gels'. Ok-ish build-up and introduction to the characters, but it all went a bit disjointed after about 25 minutes.
Is this the 1st of many Stanger Things wannabees?
Quote from: R6GYY on August 02, 2022, 05:44:34 PMWe tried the 1st episode of Paper Girls last night. Hmm. Not entirely convinced yet, and Sian thought it was rubbish. I'll probably watch another episode on my own to see if it 'gels'. Ok-ish build-up and introduction to the characters, but it all went a bit disjointed after about 25 minutes.
Is this the 1st of many Stanger Things wannabees?
Paper Girls is next on my list to watch. Hopefully it'll improve.
Trainwreck Woodstock 99 -Netflix- Jesus what a shitshow (the festival not the program)
Completed Resident Evil last night. The first 4 episodes were a lot better than the last 4. I doubt it will get a second series due to the very poor reviews and the culls than streaming companies are making right now. I'm down-grading my rating to 5.5/10 too.
Been watching Murder in Successville, I know it aired a few years ago but it can be so funny, well worth a watch.
The Jamie Lang (S1, Ep1) and Richard Osman (S3, Ep 1) episodes had me in stitches
Only murders in the building series 2 -Disney-
Also starting on Sandman -Netflix
Started on s series that's being shown on Channel 5 called La Brea. Basically a massive sink hole opens up in the middle of LA. All those that fall in end up going back in time to LA 10000 BC. It's a good idea, but most of the money must have been spent on the pilot as after that it becomes a cliched, formulaic drag. I'll see it through though - the masochist that I am ;D
Tonight's entertainment shall be another classic from the vaults, The Towering Inferno, from the Master of Disaster himself, Irwin Allen.
Ah. The Towering Inferno didn't happen due to a later start than we expected. So we watched the 1st Mission: Impossible film on All4 instead.
If anyone is interested in these, All4 currently have all 6 on offer to watch for free. With ads of course.
Quote from: R6GYY on August 07, 2022, 02:50:20 PMSo we watched the 1st Mission: Impossible film on All4 instead.
If anyone is interested in these, All4 currently have all 6 on offer to watch for free. With ads of course.
Funny you should say that, Reg. I've been planning to work through the M:I films in sequence - I think I've seen only the first three and those were obviously a fair while ago now; got to say the prospect of ads puts me right off though, so it might be a case of just sticking them on my Cinema Paradiso list.
5 episodes in to Sandman and really enjoying it. David Thewlis is top notch.
Finished La Brea. It didn't improve at all and astonishingly there is to be a second series starting next month. Me, i wouldn't bother but my wife quite likes it. 3/10
Just finished the 8 part TV adaptation of The Right Stuff on Disney+
Very enjoyable. Jake McDorman (who plays Alan Shepard) looks so different to how he did on Limitless only a few years back. I didn't recognize him but I did notice his name in the credits so looked him up and yes, it is the same guy.
2 Episodes in to The Sandman. I'm enjoying it but a little worried as the the last Neil Gaiman TV Show (American Gods) went downhill fast and got binned after the 3rd series.
The Orville Season 3 (Disney+) - superb stuff 9/10.
Prey (Disney+) - an excellent addition to the Predator series 8.5/10, still haven't seen The Predator from a few years back...seem to remember it getting bad reviews so didn't go looking for it at the time.
Started on Upload Season 2 (Amazon).
Quote from: R6GYY on August 06, 2022, 07:19:47 PMTonight's entertainment shall be another classic from the vaults, The Towering Inferno, from the Master of Disaster himself, Irwin Allen.
One of the first films our household ever recorded on our Ferguson Videostar recorder back in the 80s, it was one film that never got taped over for some reason....watched it loads of times.
Quote from: Red Lenses on August 12, 2022, 02:54:04 AMThe Orville Season 3 (Disney+) - superb stuff 9/10.
Prey (Disney+) - an excellent addition to the Predator series 8.5/10, still haven't seen The Predator from a few years back...seem to remember it getting bad reviews so didn't go looking for it at the time.
Started on Upload Season 2 (Amazon).
I concur re: The Orville Season 3 (or New Horizons). I haven't finished it yet, but this is terrific stuff. I watched episode 6 last night (Twice In A Lifetime), and it was excellent. 4 to go, but I don't want to rush these.
As regards the recent
The Predator film, I quite enjoyed it. As I did
Predators.
I haven't seen Prey yet, but it is high up my list.
Finished The Sandman tonight. Really good and it kept my interest throughout. It sort of had 2 separate stories though and the the first 6 episodes (story 1) were much better than the last 4 (story 2). Anyway there must be loads to come with the available source material from Neil Gaiman. Stand out moments from this series were the scenes with David Thewlis, who is phenomenal (as in Fargo too) and Gwendoline Christie as well. I just hope this doesn't go the way of American Gods which sadly went to pot after the first series. 9.5/10 for the first 6 eps, 8/10 for the rest. P.S. Top marks for anyone spotting Lenny Henry in this.
The Grey Man (Netflix), superb nonsense and thoroughly enjoyed it 8/10.
Spiderhead (Netflix), not bad and enjoyed the theme of the movie 7/10.
The Boys Season 3 (Amazon), superb stuff and Hold Your Fire t-shirt in the last episode 9/10.
Halfway through Season 2 of Upload, still getting some laughs and have watched the first 3 episodes of The Man Who Fell To Earth (HBO)....starting to get a bit Starman (John Carpenter) vibe in episodes 2 & 3 !!
Nightmare Alley
After this and The Shape Of Water, I'm increasingly of the opinion that Guillermo Del Toro is currently one of the most over-rated directors in the business.
You can't fault the magnificent production design in his films, however he takes a very long time to tell a very underwhelming and overly portentous story.
A shame, because there is a wealth of acting talent in Nightmare Alley (Bradley Cooper, Willem Dafoe and a magnetic Cate Blanchett) and they have some riveting scenes together. But they are not terribly well-served by an uneven script that failed to truly draw me in.
Rating: **
Got halfway through it and agree with your comments
I took advantage of a free £5 Amazon Prime credit to rent The Duke last night.
Engaging in parts - particularly the courtroom scenes, but ultimately we felt a little let down with what we were promised by the trailer.
Also surprised to note in the credits that although the film is set in Newcastle (or thereabouts), it was actually filmed in Bradford and Leeds.
Ho hum.
Interested to see comments above about the third series of The Orville. I watched the first one then gave up, because it just had none of the fun of the first two series. I'll give the second one a go this week.
Up to episode 6 of The Man Who Fell To Earth, ticking along nicely with some excellent performances from the main lead actors/actresses.
Prey. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11866324/ A Predator origin story set in 1719 Comanche country. It's not overlong and pretty much what you'd expect, but it is very well done. It's quite a slow build up, but the last 30 minutes of battle is spectacular with some original, well-enacted scenes. Overall an enjoyable action/horror movie and a great addition to the Predator series 9/10
Finished The Man Who Fell To Earth, really enjoyed it & superb performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor - 8/10.
Swiss Army Man
Before co-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert made the (for me) ultimately underwhelming Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, in 2016 they made this smaller film but which has much of the bittersweet, wildly absurdist elements of their breakthrough movie.
And my reaction was very much the same: aspects I liked (the hugely ambitious originality, one genuinely brilliant performance from Daniel Radcliffe, as someone who is apparently dead) but more facets which missed the mark (the tiresome, cheap, smutty humour, the vapid pop philosophising).
There's a good film in these guys if they can keep the sniggering schoolboys within them in check.
Whatever you think of this (or EEAAO), I'd recommend watching Holy Motors, which is similarly surreal and outrageous, yet done with a good deal more charm, craft and class in my opinion.
Rating: **
Just about to start the new game of thrones thing.
Watched Sliding Doors for the 1st time yesterday. Obviously I knew the premise and it's really all about the premise so entertaining and not much else really.
Nope https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10954984/ Jordan Peele directs and Daniel Kaluuya stars. From those 2, you can probably have an idea what to expect. But it's crap. There is not one redeeming feature of this film. Daniel Kaluuya mumbles his way through and the actress playing his sister is the most annoying ever. There is ridiculous side show about a chimp that goes berserk on an old TV show and has absolutely nothing to do with the plot. Also a wild west show run by Steven Yeun (yeah right) that also has little bearing on the main storyline. The story itself is ridiculous and if you do suffer all the way through, you'll be gobsmacked at the 'monster' - it's just all too silly and terribly told. And the title 'Nope' - no idea unless it's because it's the most used word in the script. Honestly don't bother - 1/10
Shining Girls
We Own This City
Severance
Black Bird
Saturday night was a movie double bill.
First up Top Gun: Maverick.
This is my 2nd viewing and it confirms that this really is top-notch cinematic entertainment.
Followed by the deeply underwhelming:
The Lost City.
Not sure why we bothered, but once we started, we sort of felt obliged to see it through to the end. A side note is that Daniel Radcliffe seems to be making a pigeon-hole for himself as a megalomaniac antagonist (see Now You See Me 2).
The biggest problem here is the lack of chemistry between stars Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. There is a great performance (albeit relatively brief) from Brad Pitt which is probably the best thing about the film.
Kind of a poor man's version of the much much (much) better Jungle Cruise with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Just completed my second M*A*S*H-athon. I watched all 250-odd episodes from the pilot episode made in 1972 to the Grand Finale from 1983 over a period of three months in 2008, and I decided to do it all again this year starting on January 1st at the more civilised pace of one per day (with very few exceptions when I've watched two). I've watched an episode every day this year, it's been a very pleasing diversion and I'll miss it.
The final, two-hour finale was first shown on British TV during the Christmas holidays in 1984 (New Year's Eve I think) but it was shown on US TV in February 1983. That's something that couldn't happen in the more globally joined-up world today, I think.
It's really beautifully done. Having watched eleven years' worth of stories set in the Korean War, a conflict that actually only lasted three in real life, I found the end of the war quite emotional.
Yesterday's episode ('As Time Goes By') was also a final episode of sorts; the last one to be filmed. Perversely, the 'Goodbye, Farewell and Amen' finale which I watched tonight was actually filmed fairly early on in the final series production schedule.
Watched The Marriage four parter on the Beeb with Sean Bean and Nicola Walker .. getting some terrible reviews in places but I really enjoyed it...
Trainwreck - Woodstock 99 - forgotten how badly this festival went down - handing out 100,000 candles at the end was never going to go well......
Fyre - US conman creates aspirational Music Festival on a paradise Island that's too good to be true and the wheels fell off once the rich punters arrived - felt sorry for the locals who lost money and never got paid.
I Came By .... Pretty naff tbh...
The Phantom Of The Open
Very engaging throughout and some terrific 70's music.
All of the cast are superb and I really think they should have given Rhys Ifans (bizarrely playing a Scotsman) a twitch similar to Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther films.
Rhys Ifans plays Keith Mackenzie (not sure of his title, but head honcho at St. Andrews).
Anyhoo - highly entertaining, and I would say much more worthy of your time and attention that the underwhelming The Duke which we watched a couple of weeks ago.
Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing series 5.
Started on BBC2 last night. Luckily it wasn't rescheduled due to current events.
We do like this program. Neither of us have any interest in fishing, but the 2 of them together are very entertaining and watchable. Some beautiful photography too, and they stay in some fantastic locations.
Great stuff. Hopefully a Xmas special to follow the series too.
Its a lovely show, is that season 3?
Quote from: dom on September 10, 2022, 02:06:42 PMIts a lovely show, is that season 3?
Series 5. The new series.
Terminal List (Amazon) - 9/10.
The Defeated (Netflix), Berlin at the end of WWII - 9/10.
Deceit (Disney+), originally a CH4 show about the true story of the investigation of Rachael Nickel murder in 1992 - 8/10.
Curse of Skinwalker Ranch Season 3 is one of these History Channel shows I can't not watch that started back up this week and i've also started watching Kings of Pain, the 2 guys in this show are mental getting bit and stung by all sorts of animals !!
The Capture.. last episode tonight.. quite entertaining but pretty daft tbh...
First series was much better I feel..
Quote from: Fishy on September 12, 2022, 11:29:43 AMThe Capture.. last episode tonight.. quite entertaining but pretty daft tbh...
First series was much better I feel..
Quote from: Nick on September 11, 2022, 06:10:15 PMQuote from: dom on September 11, 2022, 11:57:45 AMQuote from: R6GYY on September 10, 2022, 04:40:47 PMQuote from: dom on September 10, 2022, 02:06:42 PMIts a lovely show, is that season 3?
Series 5. The new series.
I must have missed a couple!
In my neck of the woods on the River Exe in the first episode.
The stunning scenery is part of what makes it such a special show
Quote from: Fishy on September 12, 2022, 11:29:43 AMThe Capture.. last episode tonight.. quite entertaining but pretty daft tbh...
First series was much better I feel..
Watching season 1 now, 2 episodes in. Didn't see it when it came out but heard about it when S2 aired. Enjoying it!
Son is a huge fan of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and he's got me watching it - up to season 6 now.
It can be very funny but they are all such awful people that I can't watch more than 2 at once (despite being only 20 minutes long) without getting a headache
The Anthrax Attacks (Netflix) - 90 minute documentary set just after 9/11 (7.5/10)
Fall (watched through Kodi at work as i'm nightshift), simple premise that had all of us in our Control Room glued to the screen....this would have been excellent to watch in a full cinema due to the vertigo inducing cinema shots (8/10)
The Blues Brothers
Polished off The Capture Season 2 .. daft and a bit implausible in many ways but good fun...
I can only manage very small doses of watching anything at the moment.
I have watched the new trailer for the forthcoming Marvel series Secret Invasion, starring Samuel L. Jackson, only because there is a glimpse of Halifax's historic Piece Hall - and it's been subjected to some heavy CGI treatment to make it look "bigger".
There was no need. :-\
Ridley ITV Adrian Dunbar .. utter shit avoid...
The Grand Tour.
Season 5 Episode 1: "A Scandi Flick".
Series 11 (yep 11 and the final one) of The Walking Dead. I was really just going through the motions to watch this as I've invested in 10 series so far and wasn't expecting much. But oddly it's very good indeed. It feels like it did back in the day and the new baddies are pretty cool. 16 episodes are out so far (split of course) but there are still 2 more to go on 02 Oct. I watched 4 episodes last night as it is quite gripping.
You Season 3 (Netflix) - another enjoyable season 8/10
From (Sky Sci-Fi) - right up my street this, glad we're getting a 2nd Season to hopefully answer many questions 8/10
Pointless .. new co- presenter .. awful... bring back Dickie Osman
The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage plays a parody of himself, with initially very entertaining results until the film lurches into a join-the-dots Taken-esque yarn.
Rating: ***
^^ Thanks Matt. This is on my list of to-watch movies. I'll not expect too much from it ;)
Quote from: Fishy on September 20, 2022, 07:42:24 PMPointless .. new co- presenter .. awful... bring back Dickie Osman
Oh no! Who is it?
Quote from: dom on September 21, 2022, 07:26:24 PMQuote from: Fishy on September 20, 2022, 07:42:24 PMPointless .. new co- presenter .. awful... bring back Dickie Osman
Oh no! Who is it?
At the moment it's Sally Lindsay (Who?) and she is absolutely shite >:(
However, it's going to be a series of guests in Osman's stead, including Stephen Mangan, Lauren Laverne and Ed Gamble amongst others.
Would have been better to kill the show off.
I cant believe I post on a forum that discusses Pointless. God we have all grown old.
The new beeb drama Crossfire.... More like shitfire tbh..
Up
A "solid" Pixar entry rather than "vintage" Pixar, though they are capable of such exceptional standards that a "solid" effort almost borders on disappointing, even though it's actually still quite good.
This ticks all the usual boxes, it's consistently entertaining and pushes your buttons, though some of the story choices (the "talking" dog collars) don't really hit the mark.
But it's...solid. 🙂
Rating: ***
Quote from: Matt2112 on September 23, 2022, 10:50:38 AMUp
A "solid" Pixar entry rather than "vintage" Pixar, though they are capable of such exceptional standards that a "solid" effort almost borders on disappointing, even though it's actually still quite good.
This ticks all the usual boxes, it's consistently entertaining and pushes your buttons, though some of the story choices (the "talking" dog collars) don't really hit the mark.
But it's...solid. 🙂
Rating: ***
Dug the dog has a spin off series of shorts on Disney+. We've watched them all more than once. Worth a watch if you've got access to them.
Watched parts of Rush Time Machine live in Cleveland. I always enjoy watching / listening to Alex playing a Telecaster. Vital Signs is technically fascinating as he pedals in and out of delay so precisely. The band's musical timing on stage was exceptional.
Suspiria
The 1977 original from Dario Argento.
Widely hailed as a masterpiece of Italian horror but I can't say I'm inclined to agree.
Yes, there are striking visuals and the restored version I watched on Amazon Prime certainly brings out blood red colours and superb lighting effects that dominate this film and give it a memorable look. However, I couldn't overlook its obvious shortcomings: shoddy acting from pretty much all the cast, an unengaging story and set-pieces whose shock value hasn't dated terribly well.
I'm interested to compare it with the 2018 remake though.
Rating: **
Operation Mincemeat
What a delight. Watch the trailer and you will get the idea.
Quite the powerhouse ensemble of British acting talent on show here, telling a very worthwhile story that I knew nothing about. A very enjoyable couple of hours.
Been on my radar that one, Reg, so based on your review I'll bump it up the list.
We've caught up with Series 11 of The Walking Dead - to episode 16 (there are the final ever 2 episodes to come 02 Oct). It's been quite enjoyable this season. Something that always bugged me in TWD was that old cliché of "why don't you just kill them instead of fannying around". Not so this series, when you want something to happen - it just happens, and it's such a relief that. How many times in the past could Negan have been killed - but no he gets away again, to wreak more havoc. I actually think I may miss TWD.
Alas my TV/movie viewing will be a bit stymied these next few weeks due to Strictly Come Dancing - my wife is an avid viewer, even the daily spin-off show.
New beeb drama Inside Man .. it's very good...
Quote from: Fishy on September 28, 2022, 10:07:31 AMNew beeb drama Inside Man .. it's very good...
We watched the first episode last night and I agree - very good. How things escalate quickly eh?
Ooh - not started it yet, but we've just spotted a 2nd series of Bloodlands has started, and so we are going to re-watch series 1 (as we remember it being very good), as a reminder of who's who and what's what.
Think James Nesbitt's eyebrows are doing most of the acting in the new Bloodlands .. daft story but good fun
Quote from: Fishy on September 28, 2022, 12:57:36 PMThink James Nesbitt's eyebrows are doing most of the acting in the new Bloodlands .. daft story but good fun
Were they transplanted?..along with his hair!
Stewart Lee Tornado/Snowflake on iPlayer
The Jeffrey Dahmer Netflix thing... it's not easy viewing that's for sure...
Just one more episode of Inside Man to go - I'm really intrigued how this is going to play out.
Also I've just discovered that there are actually 8 more episodes of The Walking Dead to go (not 2 as I thought). Good God it'll never end.
Yes I hope Inside Man concludes with a decent ending and not hanging on for a second series...
Quote from: Fishy on October 04, 2022, 10:59:48 AMYes I hope Inside Man concludes with a decent ending and not hanging on for a second series...
Oh no, not another series - I certainly hope not. I have a feeling there is a major twist coming.
Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.
Conversations With A Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes (Netflix), documentary on the mass murderer - 9/10
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix), 6 episodes in and compelling viewing - 8/10 so far.
New Quantum Leap. 2 episodes in and it is quite enjoyable. Definite box-ticking exercise on the casting though.
I am currently in the process of obtaining all 5 seasons of the original Quantum Leap for a mammoth re-run although I imagine it will be a bit dated now.
Quote from: Fishy on October 04, 2022, 10:59:48 AMYes I hope Inside Man concludes with a decent ending and not hanging on for a second series...
Did everyone make it to the post credit scene?
Quote from: Fishy on October 05, 2022, 08:00:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on October 04, 2022, 10:59:48 AMYes I hope Inside Man concludes with a decent ending and not hanging on for a second series...
Did everyone make it to the post credit scene?
I did yes. Not that great overall. Started well, but was just a bit too daft at times.
Quote from: pxr5 on October 05, 2022, 11:03:44 AMQuote from: Fishy on October 05, 2022, 08:00:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on October 04, 2022, 10:59:48 AMYes I hope Inside Man concludes with a decent ending and not hanging on for a second series...
Did everyone make it to the post credit scene?
I did yes. Not that great overall. Started well, but was just a bit too daft at times.
What was in the box that the delivery guy had.. reminded me of the end of the film Seven...
Quote from: Fishy on October 05, 2022, 01:03:04 PMQuote from: pxr5 on October 05, 2022, 11:03:44 AMQuote from: Fishy on October 05, 2022, 08:00:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on October 04, 2022, 10:59:48 AMYes I hope Inside Man concludes with a decent ending and not hanging on for a second series...
Did everyone make it to the post credit scene?
I did yes. Not that great overall. Started well, but was just a bit too daft at times.
What was in the box that the delivery guy had.. reminded me of the end of the film Seven...
Now that would have a good twist.
Finished off the Dahmer Netflix series..
The Batman
Yet another iteration, and I initially wasn't that minded to bother, especially given a near three-hour running time (which is really more like 2 hours 45 minutes, films nowadays requiring a 10-minute credits roll at the end).
However, I was persuaded by the presence of Robert Pattinson in the title role, having now established himself as a genuinely talented and credible movie star, and some favourable word-of-mouth amongst friends.
And there really is a lot to like about this; it has a grungier feel than other versions (and even a bit of Nirvana as a reminder) and all the performances are very solid.
The fantastically realised world of Gotham City quickly drew me into the story and for a good while it all took me along completely.
However, the more that was thrown on the plot, the more coherence it shedded, and so the considerable initial impact of the film diminished somewhat.
Overall, though, it's a commendable entry into the DC Batman Universe and worth a try - if time permits.
Rating: ***
Knives Out
We've been waiting for a while to watch this, as something else has always seemed to get in the way.
What can I say - we were both delighted with this triumph of a film. I really don't want to spoil anything, but part of the charm here is simply watching the ensemble crew chewing up the scenery. In particular I was enamoured of Toni Colette's performance, although Ana de Armas as Marta the nurse is an excellent turn and a great choice for the role.
Such a joy to watch this, and you will be guessing and changing your ideas as you go along. Great stuff.
NOT your average who-dunnit this. One of the differences is that people are questioned and give their answers, you actually see what they were remembering in a flashback scene, which sometimes differs wildly from the truth.
However, even as these truths unfold, you still probably won't crack the case before the end.
You know what, I'm going to give this 4.5 stars out of 5. I can't really see what I've deducted the half a star for though. Initially maybe for Daniel Craig's awful southern drawl, but clearly this was a deliberate choice, and adds to the film overall.
Highly recommended viewing.
Very much looking forward to the sequel: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
p.s. in the main I agree with Matt's comments about The Batman.
It was a terrific start, and I too was drawn in by Robert Pattinson (after seeing him in action in Tenet).
The big problem for me if I remember correctly was that it was overlong, and indeed overblown, and the last 'act' of the film seemed kind of tagged on.
With better editing choices, and losing 30 minutes or so, this could have been a much tighter, and more tense outing.
In the end, I think I ended up thinking "what was the point?". Hey ho.
Quote from: Fishy on October 06, 2022, 04:28:32 PMFinished off the Dahmer Netflix series..
Just started. Evan Peters is very, very good in this. Quite unpleasant viewing though, but still gripping.
Just to add to Reg's review above, Knives Out is very good yarn and certainly gets my recommendation.
May give it a re-watch before the sequel.
Quote from: Matt2112 on October 10, 2022, 11:44:52 AMJust to add to Reg's review above, Knives Out is very good yarn and certainly gets my recommendation.
May give it a re-watch before the sequel.
I found Daniel Craig's accent extremely annoying I have to say...
Quote from: Fishy on October 10, 2022, 01:16:13 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on October 10, 2022, 11:44:52 AMJust to add to Reg's review above, Knives Out is very good yarn and certainly gets my recommendation.
May give it a re-watch before the sequel.
I found Daniel Craig's accent extremely annoying I have to say...
So did we to start with, but over time it just became part of the ruch tapestry that the director was weaving. A bit like Brannagh's Poirot accent in
Murder On The Orient Express but with added humour. Side note: Brannagh's accent I think improved with
Death On The Nile.
I liked Knives Out and wasn't bothered by Craig's accent. Unfortunately, though it was acted very well and a nice take on the whodunnit theme, I found the story rather weak and the ending a bit flat - which in these things is the main focus. Agatha Christie it wasn't.
Michael Palin in North Korea (My5), next up is his visit to Iraq.
Avenue 5 Season 2
Quote from: Red Lenses on October 12, 2022, 05:35:37 AMMichael Palin in North Korea (My5), next up is his visit to Iraq.
I'm watching the Iraq one, very interesting indeed - the contrast between cities is astonishing. Michael Palin seems to be losing it a bit though. You'll see him say something, I think first episode, that really isn't like him.
Completed the Dahmer series tonight: Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Maybe 3 or 4 episodes too long. I'm sure Evan Peters deserves an award for his portrayal of Dahmer, but due to the subject matter he likely won't. 8/10
Quantum Leap 2022
4 episodes watched now, and it is getting better as it develops. It definitely helps this new series having some of the action take place 'back home' as it were in current day Quantum Leap time as the team try to figure out what happened and Why did Ben leap?
Great stuff and we are lapping it up. We will go back and watch the original 5 seasons of Quantum Leap when we are done with this.
I think I read somewhere that season 1 of Quantum Leap 2022 has already been extended.
Operation Mincemeat.. great film and music by the wonderful Thomas Newman
Quote from: R6GYY on October 16, 2022, 03:10:26 PMQuantum Leap 2022
I think I read somewhere that season 1 of Quantum Leap 2022 has already been extended.
Indeed I did. Originally to run 12 episodes, NBC have ordered 6 more to bring season 1 up to 18 episodes.
Starting on the new Netflix The Watcher
Quote from: Fishy on October 16, 2022, 08:03:43 PMStarting on the new Netflix The Watcher
With Naomi Watts, yes I'll be watching this one soon too.
We watched the first 4 episodes of Paper Girls tonight. This one flew under the radar somewhat and it wasn't publicised much by Amazon. Which is a shame as it's really quite good. 4 young girls from 1988 find themselves transported to 2019 in the midst of a future battle. It is sci-fi but also very character driven. It's fun to see the girls meet their future selves and relatives too. Of course comparisons have been made to Stranger Things, but this is better in my opinion (and it's based on a comic book that pre dates Stranger Things). 9/10 so far.
Just watched the first episode of The Midnight Club on Netflix
Quote from: Fishy on October 16, 2022, 08:03:43 PMStarting on the new Netflix The Watcher
It's a bit shit really.. one episode to go...
First episode of The Peripheral on Amazon Prime.
Looks promising so far - based on a William Gibson book (which I haven't read).
A movie last night. Day Shift with Jamie Foxx about a modern day vampire hunter in LA. The story is typical Hollywood garbage and the script isn't much better. But these serve only to showcase the tremendous effects, particularly in the fight and chase scenes. I read that many of the vampires were played by out of work circus performers (to give them work during covid) and you can see how well this translates into the packed action sequences with some mind-blowing contortions. In the car chase scenes drones are you to embellish the filming that I've never seen before and it certainly adds another dimension to these stunts (though I think it will become common place in time). Story 2/10, effects and action 10/10, so an average of 6/10
Quote from: R6GYY on October 21, 2022, 10:43:37 PMFirst episode of The Peripheral on Amazon Prime.
Looks promising so far - based on a William Gibson book (which I haven't read).
I actually watched episode 2 last night after I realised that they had released the first 2 episodes yesterday.
I read somewhere that this is a bit 'dumbed down' from the book but that is ok. I know from experience that Gibson can be difficult to read.
This is shaping up quite well though, with influences from all over the place. Tenet / Altered Carbon / Westworld spring to mind.
This series was developed by the makers of Westworld, so no great surprise there I guess.
Licorice Pizza
Director Paul Thomas Anderson is on terrific form with this semi-autobiographical, nostalgic, unconventional, freewheeling 70s-set coming-of-age comedy/romance.
This is over 2 hours long, but engaged and endeared me so much I would have been more than happy had it gone on for another hour.
Debutantes Alana Haim and Cooper (son of the late Philip Seymour) Hoffman are utterly irresistible as an oddball will-they-won't-they couple, and the cameos from rather more familiar and established names are all excellent, with one in particular I'm still smiling about almost 24 hours later.
Perfect, classy viewing for a Friday night with a few tinnies; warmly recommended.
Rating: ****
Handmaids Tale Season 5
House of the Dragon - 2 episodes in. Set 200 years before Game of Thrones. It's a good story, but the scale is nowhere near that of GoT. It's dark a lot of the time too and the odd daytime shot is a relief.
Finished off the watcher.. fairly unsatisfying I have to say...
Watched a couple of films on the plane to and from Lanzarote...
Cop Land - don't know how I missed this one first time around 7.5/10
Lou (Netflix) - easy watch and straight forward story 7/10
TOTP 1987 on BBC Four
The usual mixture of songs that established themselves as classics, still-admired deeper cuts and utter bilge that was rightly forgotten as soon as it dropped out of the charts.
Wonderful.
The Devil's Hour
An Amazon Prime original I think.
We watched the 1st episode of this psychological thriller which we knew nothing about other than seeing the trailer with Peter Capaldi and Jessica Raine. This caught our attention :)
IF they go somewhere with the different strands, and bring it all to a satisfactory conclusion on the way, then this has the makings of being a seriously top dollar series. We have some theories about what it going on - but that is one of the delights of something like this.
So far it has been very, very good and we are looking forward to seeing the mysteries unfold.
Guillermo del toro's cabinet of curiosities Netflix - 8 episodes of horror,a good hit to miss ratio
Quote from: Nick on October 29, 2022, 07:33:25 PMGuillermo del toro's cabinet of curiosities Netflix - 8 episodes of horror,a good hit to miss ratio
Watched the 1st episode last night and really enjoyed it !!
Quote from: R6GYY on October 16, 2022, 03:10:26 PMQuantum Leap 2022
4 episodes watched now, and it is getting better as it develops. It definitely helps this new series having some of the action take place 'back home' as it were in current day Quantum Leap time as the team try to figure out what happened and Why did Ben leap?
Great stuff and we are lapping it up. We will go back and watch the original 5 seasons of Quantum Leap when we are done with this.
I think I read somewhere that season 1 of Quantum Leap 2022 has already been extended.
Ok. 6 episodes in, and episode 6 was a belter. To these eyes and ears, this really is upping its game as it goes along. I do wonder and worry though, whether the writers can keep the pace up.
Looking forward to tomorrow's Halloween episode. By that I mean it is shown tomorrow, Halloween, and is set on the night of Halloween. Somebody clearly planned ahead :D
Oh yes - nice to see a familiar sci-fi genre face (in the guise of Jewel Staite - Firefly / Stargate Atlantis) turn up in episode 6 too.
Polished off The Pact on beeb 1 now starting on The White Lotus season 2
Finished House of the Dragon last night (I mistakenly thought there was another to come). Ten episodes in all and not too bad without reaching the heights of GoT. Scenes with Paddy Considine and Matt Smith were the best parts and other than that it was quite flat. Not much action either and a lot of discussion. As I said before it was too dark - at times it was impossible to actually see anything. There were few outdoor scenes either and nowhere near as good as GoT (it seems it was done on the cheap to me) 7/10 with more to come I imagine. Beware numerous, graphic birthing scenes too.
We'll watch Wreck next on the BBC - looks good.
Wreck on the BBC (in Ultra HD on iPlayer). A comedy horror set aboard a massive cruise liner, follows a young man's search for his sister who went missing from the ship on a previous voyage. Funny and jumpy, a decent watch. 8/10 so far (2 eps in).
Quote from: Nick on October 29, 2022, 07:33:25 PMGuillermo del toro's cabinet of curiosities Netflix - 8 episodes of horror,a good hit to miss ratio
Now watched the first 4 episodes, the one with the rats was poor and the others have been fine.
Bad Sisters (Apple TV), watched 8 of the 10 episodes and very good so far.
Watching Bad Sisters at the moment . Really enjoyable, set on the coast to the North of Dublin and starring Sharon Horgan, it's more a howdidtheydoit than a whodunnit. Bono's daughter is a good actress!
Finished Wreck now. Hmm, it was OK, but could have been reduced by an episode or 2. There is a conclusion, but it could carry on with future series too. I'm dropping my score to 7/10 as it started to drag a but and as a black comedy, it really wasn't funny enough.
Riverside - Live in Oberhausen
Scream (2022); aka: Scream 5
The "meta" slasher franchise finds another angle in its "self-aware" horror sub-genre, the origin of which is usually acknowledged as Wes Craven's Scream from 1996.
Twenty-six years and three increasingly inferior sequels later, Scream (2022) arrives hiding the ball somewhat about whether it is a re-boot, sequel or a hybrid "requel", and indeed one of its better scenes has some "meta" fun discussing which.
Meanwhile, plot-wise there are the familiar whodunnit quadruple-bluffs, ironic call-backs, contemporary references and a bunch of graphic, played-straight slayings by the iconic Ghostface (surely the most light-footed bogeyman in horror film history).
It's all entertaining enough, but gets pretty silly at the end even in its "meta" context; for a franchise that fancies itself as a clever twist on the horror genre, it does work better with your brain switched to standby.
Rating: ***
We've just watched Lost Worlds with Ben Fogle: Cyprus on Channel 5. An hour and a half hour documentary on the Buffer Zone that still divides Cyprus to this day. It was created in 1974 after a Greek coup and the subsequent invasion of Turkish troops. This is the only time I've seen a documentary that covers this issue to such an extent - from the build up in 1974, and before, to present day. In balance Ben talked to both the Greek Cypriots of the south and the Turkish Cypriots from the north. I lived in Cyprus from 2001 to 2005 so was there when the 'border' opened in 2003 and took the opportunity to visit the north on occasion. I was also extremely lucky to have escorted access to the Buffer Zone as it passes through Nicosia - very few people are allowed to do this and certainly not tourists. This documentary really shows what it's like in this surreal place, even the abandoned 1974 Datsuns with almost no miles on the clock stuck inside the buffer zone (I was told that Nissan have been trying to get hold of these 50 odd vehicles but have, as yet, not been given permission to get them out). It's really worth a watch - to see a place frozen in time from 1974 is fascinating. Ben Fogle is always a good to watch too.
https://www.channel5.com/show/lost-worlds-with-ben-fogle-cyprus
^^^ Thanks, I'll try to catch that. As a tourist I had an enjoyable day excursion to Nicosia in 2014; I wasn't exactly expecting watchtowers when crossing from the Greek to the Turkish side, but was still surprised how easily and informally access was granted, with barely a glance at passports etc.
Ep 2 of The White Lotus
Quote from: Fishy on November 08, 2022, 04:00:46 PMEp 2 of The White Lotus
the second season?
Loved the first season..
Quote from: Fishy on November 08, 2022, 04:00:46 PMEp 2 of The White Lotus
Want to watch this but need to binge it, can't be doing with weekly waits.
Just finished Handmaid's Tail Season 5
Quote from: Fishy on November 09, 2022, 09:27:30 PMJust finished Handmaid's Tail Season 5
Watching this next. Only one more season to go after this.
Quote from: pxr5 on November 09, 2022, 09:34:08 PMQuote from: Fishy on November 09, 2022, 09:27:30 PMJust finished Handmaid's Tail Season 5
Watching this next. Only one more season to go after this.
Thank God it's getting a bit ropey...
Series 5 of The Handmaid's Tale. I normally get through 2 or episodes a night when watching a TV show. With this we are managing only one a night, so only 2 so far. It's hard work as it's so slow - in fact my wife fell asleep each time we've watched it. And shoving a camera in Elizabeth Moss's face is so stale now. It's a drag for sure.
Ep 3 Season 2The White Lotus
The Old Man
This came up in my fb feed yesterday. Made me smile. Imagine if your most memorable teachers from the 70s formed a band. Image? They didn't give a flying one!
There's a bit of 'mucking about' here as it's obviously a 'performance', lip-synching to the single edit but to think they could effortlessly pull this off live! Superb musicians
When rock ruled the world. RIP Robby Steinhardt.
Frank Marino - Live At The Agora - set one
Polished off The Old Man last night
Quote from: Fishy on November 20, 2022, 08:15:34 AMPolished off The Old Man last night
A very satisfying conclusion, I take it? 😏
Quote from: Matt2112 on November 20, 2022, 09:42:09 AMQuote from: Fishy on November 20, 2022, 08:15:34 AMPolished off The Old Man last night
A very satisfying conclusion, I take it? 😏
Kinda for now but season 2 already on the cards
Ep 4 season 2 the white lotus
After mistakenly thinking The Walking Dead had nearly finished we've just kicked off the last ever 8 episodes of series 11 (24 episodes in total). It's definitely picked up in the story telling and the budget appears much higher with some grim, gory death scenes. I had a scoot at how the comics ended and the TV show and comics really weren't aligned that closely. My son and his girlfriend have just started watching from the very beginning - that'll be a drag, especially when Negan turns up. 177 Episodes in total in 11 series. ???
Ambulance
Michael Bay (yes, the producer/director of old school big, dumb but spectacular action movies where the camera never stops moving) uses his new toy - a drone - to achieve some cool shots, at the expense of any coherence to the action scenes, script, story, acting and pretty much everything else.
Almost instantly forgettable popcorn fodder.
Rating: **
I saw the trailer for Ambulance, and it did not in any way entice me to watch it :D
I've got Ambulance in my to-watch list, maybe I'll not bother now.
Perhaps a bit early as we are not even in December yet, but last night I lapped up the Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+.
Great fun for all the family 8).
Quote from: pxr5 on November 25, 2022, 01:04:24 PMI've got Ambulance in my to-watch list, maybe I'll not bother now.
It's not terrible, it's just all done so crack-handedly. It will fill the time if there's nothing better to do.
Speaking of which, being about 2 hrs 15 minutes long I thought it would be about 2 hours with the rest the interminable end credits scroll you get with expensive movies nowadays. But, surprisingly, there is only about 4 minutes of that; maybe this could be the start of a refreshing trend?
Boom. And that is The Walking Dead finished at last (all 177 episodes). Overall a good final series, and as I said before a much bigger budget was clear to see. The whole show definitely dipped around the arrival of Negan, as it just dragged on and on - but I'm glad I watched it all to the end and enjoyed it the main. But I think many people stopped watching around this point.
At the end of the final episode are some hints of what's to come: The Walking Dead: Dead City, Daryl Dixon and an untitled Rick & Michonne Spin-Off. So 3 more series as well as Fear the Walking Dead (which I'm still watching) and The Walking Dead: World Beyond which was crap and I stopped watching after 2 episodes. There maybe a movie sometime too. (The Walking Dead will be my specialist subject if I ever do mastermind lol).
Ep5 white lotus
King Crimson - Rock in Rio
From the KC at 50 box set
Ep6 The White Lotus...
Just started the third and final season of See with Jason Momoa. It's got slowly worse after the exciting first series. Still watchable and has some great characters though; and only 8 episodes.
Was going to finally start season 2 of
Gangs Of London
but have decided to work through season 1 again first.
Watched episode 1 of Wednesday - not quite sure what it's place is or what it's trying to do. Too horrific at times for children but very childish at times. Made me laugh on occasion but nothing like the classic sitcom, and you wouldn't call it a comedy. Maybe things will become clearer if I stick with it for a while. It is well acted and up to netflix standard with production values so I think the journey will be worth it.
As a warm up to the upcoming National Treasure: Edge Of History series which is due to start on Dec 14th (on Disney+), we watched the first film last Saturday, and have the 2nd lined up for tonight.
p.s. Jack Ryan season 3 starts on Dec 21st :D
Apocalypse Now Final Cut
Still watching See, but today we watched 3 episodes of SAS Rogue Heroes. I wasn't going to bother but it's actually pretty good. Some good tunes played in it too: ACDC, The Damned, Saxon, The Clash etc.
Last episode of The White Lotus.. enjoyed that season
Moonfall
Hmm.. typical popcorn fodder from director Roland Emmerich although there were elements of hard-core science-fiction in it that I really enjoyed (but Sian didn't). Things to do with Dyson spheres, arks, and other 'megastructures'.
Enjoyable enough hokum overall.
Not up there with Independence Day, but certainly better than the awful sequel. To me anyway.
Pinocchio- Netflix, amazing animation.
Gangs Of London Season 1 all re-watched.
Enjoyed it even more this time round - director/show-runner Gareth Evans's work on Ep. 5 is outstanding, up there with the frenetic hyper-violent brilliance of The Raid.
On to season 2...
Kevin Can Fuck Himself Season 2
We finished SAS: Rogue Heroes last night - 6 episodes in total. Quite good it all was as well. Some of it seems unbelievable, but I read up online about it and even though the stories have been over played, it is all true. What was nice too was that old, black and white original footage was mixed in with the modern day incidents. For example when they were leaping off the back of trucks or high towers during training the real stuff was mingled in with the acting; I really liked that. 9/10 from me and another series in the works.
Started on The Devil's Hour last night .. first episode was pretty good👍
Finished White Lotus 2
just finished the 3rd and final series of See. A decent ending rounded off a pretty decent TV show. 3 series is certainly enough though.
From what I'm consistently reading here and elsewhere, I'm thinking The White Lotus has crossed the threshold of required viewing.
I'll work through season 2 of Gangs Of London first though. :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 17, 2022, 12:11:29 AMFrom what I'm consistently reading here and elsewhere, I'm thinking The White Lotus has crossed the threshold of required viewing.
I'll work through season 2 of Gangs Of London first though. :)
White Lotus is great😀
Quote from: Fishy on December 17, 2022, 09:19:02 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on December 17, 2022, 12:11:29 AMFrom what I'm consistently reading here and elsewhere, I'm thinking The White Lotus has crossed the threshold of required viewing.
I'll work through season 2 of Gangs Of London first though. :)
White Lotus is great😀
Seconded
Season 1 was superb.
I'll watch season 2 over Christmas...
My wife was out at a Christmas meal so I watched The Eagle Has Landed on BBC2 tonight. Great movie and a fantastic cast.
We watched the opening 2 episodes of (Disney+) National Treasure : Edge Of History last night. Will stick with it I guess.
Caught up with yesterday's women's Cyclocross from Val di Sole on GCN+
Bicycle racing on snow, what can be better than that?
Saw bits of a cyclocross event at my local park today while walking the dog. Wouldn't like to be cleaning their chains after!
Black Adam. I had zero expectations of this DC movie with The Rock, but I really rather enjoyed it. The story is crap as always in these super hero flicks but the special effects and action sequences were incredible. There are moments of comedy which lightens things a bit, but really this was made by the tech boys. I watched in UHD and it looked jaw-droppingly good as well. My missus didn't like it, but it appealed to me and I'll give it an 8/10.
Quote from: dom on December 18, 2022, 08:58:01 PMSaw bits of a cyclocross event at my local park today while walking the dog. Wouldn't like to be cleaning their chains after!
The pros have a team to do that. They also change their bikes every lap when its muddy!
Smile. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15474916/ There hasn't been a decent horror movie for ages. In fact the last one I recall is an excellent low budget movie called It Follows https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3235888/ from 2014. So after some great trailers for Smile I had high hopes. Unfortunately, despite being well produced and acted it failed to deliver a decent horror story. It starts out well and shows potential but then it just drifts along to an unsatisfactory conclusion. Early on I was thinking 'there's an easy solution to all this women's problems', but no it frustrates when it should be thrilling. A shame 5/10
Yes, It Follows is pretty good.
There's been a decent wave of low budget horror films these past few years that rely more on getting into your head and under your skin than graphic shocks; Saint Maud is one that comes immediately to mind - highly recommend that one.
Gangs Of London Season 2
Done - not as tightly wound as season 1 and relies on some goodwill from how good that was. Worth it though.
Big Sky
Season 3 kicked off last night on Disney+
Looking forward to Jack Ryan season 3 - which is now available on Amazon Prime I believe.
I have finally been catching up with the remaining Reacher episodes, and have the finale to watch tonight. Overall I am very pleased with this adaptation.
Season 2 has started filming I think, and is based on book 11 "Bad Luck And Trouble".
TOTP 1990 Christmas Day Special on BBC Four
I think by this time I'd given up putting time aside on Christmas Day to watch what was effectively the TOTP review of the year - the worm was definitely turning. Still, some of these songs do powerfully evoke plenty of memories from that time - I was a sixth-former, having so much fun that I couldn't be arsed completing my A-levels, and I basically became a dole-dosser for a few months.
Fortunately I soon realised that was an untenable life choice, so enrolled for a BTEC in Business Administration and earned some beer tokens working at a local Chinese takeaway - now run by the children of the chap who took me on.
Here's a fun Christmas song fact: since Cliff Richard's (utterly appalling) Saviour's Day was Christmas no. 1 in 1990, there has not been an original Christmas-themed song that has reached No. 1 in the same year of its release since.
Make of that what you will... :)
Nice stat! I think it proves that the 70s were inarguably the best era for pop and rock music...by a fair margin. All the Xmas bangers, bar for a couple of exceptions, come from that glorious decade. Oh, to be a boomer!
Hell Or High Water
This had been on the to-watch list since it was nominated for multiple Oscars way back in 2017 - and the wait was rewarded.
It's a modern "neo-Western noir" about two brothers turning to bank robbery to pay off large debts, with a state trooper on their trail, played superbly by Jeff Bridges in surely one of the best performances of his career.
Director David Mackenzie orchestrates the story brilliantly, capturing the remote Texan and Deep South locations that drip with Americana to perfection despite being British himself.
So this is undoubtedly a quality film, which I have no hesitation recommending.
However - this is one of those films, at 1 hour 40 minutes, that is actually too short. Though I can see the dilemma here: while making it longer would allow what are already very good scenes to "breathe" more and have a more lasting impact, this would of course slow the pace of the story. The result for the final cut is that there's no real resolution between these trade-offs, which holds the film back from bona fide greatness.
I would love to see a director's cut of this with at least 20 minutes added, but I would still warmly recommend this in its current form.
Rating: ***
Watched Whiplash again last night. Great movie
The Quiet Girl - An Cailín Ciúin
Simple, touching, moving, beautiful.
Not an awful lot happens but it keeps your attention throughout. Rapt.
Tears flowed at the end.
It's A Wonderful Life - Colourised version
Great film, fantastic technology. Incredible to think this is 76 years old and even more frightening to consider that some much watched movies will be 100 in the not too distant future. A bit like B-52 bombers. Quite ancient but still in use.
Now: Die Hard
Earlier today: Holiday Inn
Another 2022 Irish film. The Banshees of Inisheren.
Although it had some funny moments the primary emotion it created was melancholy, if not depression. Colm Farrell and Brendan Gleeson were both excellent
Quote from: R6GYY on December 26, 2022, 06:17:09 PMNow: Die Hard
Earlier today: Holiday Inn
And now Die Hard 2 8)
For some reason an old episode of Star Trek came to mind a week or two ago. The only thing I could remember was that it was something about an overpopulated planet, and a bizarre scene where a bunch of ghostly heads appear on the viewscreen.
I googled it and watched it earlier. It's a third series episode called The Mark Of Gideon. Terrible episode. Really dumb story idea, a script that doesn't make sense and appears to have been shot on a shoescreen budget - no outdoor locations or sets based outside the Enterprise except for one room on another planet.
But later, I watched The Detectorists; a feature-length special. I'd never seen it before and didn't intend to watch it last night. Only inertia kept me in front of the telly after University Challenge.
It was brilliant. Very clever. Funny without being a sitcom, beautifully directed and photographed and very pleasantly slow-paced. Loved it.
Quote from: Slim on December 27, 2022, 02:46:42 PMBut later, I watched The Detectorists; a feature-length special. I'd never seen it before and didn't intend to watch it last night. Only inertia kept me in front of the telly after University Challenge.
It was brilliant. Very clever. Funny without being a sitcom, beautifully directed and photographed and very pleasantly slow-paced. Loved it.
Something I keep meaning to watch.
Quote from: R6GYY on December 27, 2022, 04:32:25 PMQuote from: Slim on December 27, 2022, 02:46:42 PMBut later, I watched The Detectorists; a feature-length special. I'd never seen it before and didn't intend to watch it last night. Only inertia kept me in front of the telly after University Challenge.
It was brilliant. Very clever. Funny without being a sitcom, beautifully directed and photographed and very pleasantly slow-paced. Loved it.
Something I keep meaning to watch.
I intended to watch that last night, but when I visited the iPlayer I discovered they had made three series. I'd missed all of the earlier episodes so decided to watch series 1 episode 1 instead. I'm glad I did. It provided a bit of context to the characters, albeit simple, which I hadn't known before. I'm looking forward to running through the rest now.
I was a latecomer to The Detectorists as well, one of the best series made I think, the soft soundtrack, genteel humour and the nature shots make it a perfect watch.
Hitchcock's Rope
See How They Run
On Disney+
We had been saving this one for viewing over the holidays and watched it last night, both of us having been enchanted by the trailer.
Sadly, the film doesn't live up to the expectations set by said trailer.
I will say however that Saoirse Ronan was a delight to watch as newbie Constable Stalker.
Overall, we felt a bit deflated and let down.
Glass Onion - A Knives Out Mystery
Now I'm used to Daniel Craig's Southern US drawl
I found it highly enjoyable.
Worthy of an Agatha Christie whodunit and such a lavish production.
His Dark Material Season 3 just polished it off..
Quote from: dom on December 28, 2022, 09:24:08 PMGlass Onion - A Knives Out Mystery
Now I'm used to Daniel Craig's Southern US drawl
I found it highly enjoyable.
Worthy of an Agatha Christie whodunit and such a lavish production.
We watched it last night and were slightly underwhelmed. Great production indeed. Can't put my finger on what let it down for us exactly, but for me - I just wasn't as engaged with it as I was with the first. Still enjoyable to watch.
Quote from: Fishy on December 28, 2022, 10:31:52 PMHis Dark Material Season 3 just polished it off..
Just started this last series. Great production, but feels a bit flat this time.
BBC Proms "highlights"; look, either give us Rhapsody In Blue from start to finish, or not at all.
Epic fcking fail. ::)
Oh, and get Maxim Vengerov on.
1917
Barbarian
A lot of buzz about this old school style horror (available on Disney+) and while it's not the instant classic it seems to be have been made out to be, there's quite a bit to like nonetheless.
The first half is particularly strong with some original touches, quite powerful suspense and fine performances, particularly from lead Georgina Campbell, who looks set for bigger things.
For me, however, the latter half increasingly reverted to more well-worn horror tropes, suggesting all the best ideas had been used up.
Still, if a late-night modern horror film with a retro vibe takes your fancy (I watched this in the very early hours of 2023 when the house was finally quiet), there are a lot worse about.
Rating: ***
We treated ourselves to dusting down another Bogart classic from the archives last night.
1941's The Maltese Falcon
Not a patch on the following year's sublime Casablanca but still worth watching with some great performances and dialogue.
Next stop The Big Sleep if I can find it.
We finished His Dark Materials Season 3 last night. Blimey they certainly dragged out the end. 7/10 overall.
Die Hard With A Vengeance
I don't know why, but I hadn't twigged until today that John McTiernan was back at the helm after skipping the 2nd instalment.
Followed by Happy Valley the first episode of the new series.
Happy Valley ep 1 season 3
Quote from: pxr5 on January 01, 2023, 02:17:51 PMWe finished His Dark Materials Season 3 last night. Blimey they certainly dragged out the end. 7/10 overall.
We have just finished it here. I thought it was wonderful.
Have you read the books?
Quote from: pdw1 on January 05, 2023, 09:29:34 PMQuote from: pxr5 on January 01, 2023, 02:17:51 PMWe finished His Dark Materials Season 3 last night. Blimey they certainly dragged out the end. 7/10 overall.
We have just finished it here. I thought it was wonderful.
Have you read the books?
No I haven't and I likely won't now the TV show has finished (in saying that I do sometimes read books after a show has finished. In fact right now I'm reading The Shining Girls). Have you read them?
Quote from: pxr5 on January 05, 2023, 09:42:32 PMQuote from: pdw1 on January 05, 2023, 09:29:34 PMQuote from: pxr5 on January 01, 2023, 02:17:51 PMWe finished His Dark Materials Season 3 last night. Blimey they certainly dragged out the end. 7/10 overall.
We have just finished it here. I thought it was wonderful.
Have you read the books?
No I haven't and I likely won't now the TV show has finished (in saying that I do sometimes read books after a show has finished. In fact right now I'm reading The Shining Girls). Have you read them?
yes the books are good but the 3 series sorted out the timelines and themes better than the books. Well worth a read.
After the recent passing of John Bird, worked through a bunch of videos on YouTube of his "George Parr" interviews with John Fortune.
Just brilliant stuff; deadpan satirical humour at its finest, when politics wasn't beyond it.
Quote from: pdw1 on January 05, 2023, 11:01:14 PMQuote from: pxr5 on January 05, 2023, 09:42:32 PMQuote from: pdw1 on January 05, 2023, 09:29:34 PMQuote from: pxr5 on January 01, 2023, 02:17:51 PMWe finished His Dark Materials Season 3 last night. Blimey they certainly dragged out the end. 7/10 overall.
We have just finished it here. I thought it was wonderful.
Have you read the books?
No I haven't and I likely won't now the TV show has finished (in saying that I do sometimes read books after a show has finished. In fact right now I'm reading The Shining Girls). Have you read them?
yes the books are good but the 3 series sorted out the timelines and themes better than the books. Well worth a read.
Thanks for the recommendation. I may well give them a go sometime then.
Bullet Train
Former stuntman David Leitch directs this slick but often shamelessly silly Friday night popcorn fare, mashing up Kill Bill, Train To Busan and, more obviously, Kingsman and Lock, (Rolling) Stock & Two Smoking Barrels.
I found that the more I worked down my very pleasant bottle of Chilean Cab Sav, the more I enjoyed this film, so I'd recommend watching while half cut for maximum benefit.
Rating: ***
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Terribly acted, terribly written crap.
Rating: *
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on December 28, 2022, 11:59:01 AMQuote from: R6GYY on December 27, 2022, 04:32:25 PMQuote from: Slim on December 27, 2022, 02:46:42 PMBut later, I watched The Detectorists; a feature-length special. I'd never seen it before and didn't intend to watch it last night. Only inertia kept me in front of the telly after University Challenge.
It was brilliant. Very clever. Funny without being a sitcom, beautifully directed and photographed and very pleasantly slow-paced. Loved it.
Something I keep meaning to watch.
I intended to watch that last night, but when I visited the iPlayer I discovered they had made three series. I'd missed all of the earlier episodes so decided to watch series 1 episode 1 instead. I'm glad I did. It provided a bit of context to the characters, albeit simple, which I hadn't known before. I'm looking forward to running through the rest now.
I've just reached Series 3 Episode 1 and the realisation is now that I might still be an episode or so away from where I joined this wonderful programme first time around. I'm at that point now where I don't want this to end and I'm glad there's a final extended length special to look forward to. It's supposed to be set in Essex but most of it was shot in the stunning, summer Sussex countryside. I spent a lot of time there in the 90s, mainly Essex, but with regular excursions into Sussex for day trips. I've lived in the same town all my life and would find it a wrench to move away, but I feel a genuine longing to spend much more time in Sussex. Perhaps it's time to make that move. This is probably one of the reasons why this series is in my top five TV programmes of the past ten years, but it's also greatly due to the gentle way it moves along, wonderful script and acting, and a terrific soundtrack. The music just fits so well. I wish this was its first screening and it had its own thread. Missed the boat.
The Rig
The Menu - Disney- foodie horror, tasty dark humour.
https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/movies/the-menu/6qKeWn5NKzDY
Shawshank Redemption..
The Pale Blue eye - Netflix
Just started with Wednesday. Great fun and very well done.
Ep2 of Happy Valley Season 3 .. it's very good..
Finished off The Rig.......pants
Now onto binge watching Detectorists..glorious..... half way thru season 3
BBC Four TOTP 1994 nostalgia-fest (again).
They play some stuff from twenty years previously (i.e., in this particular case, the 70s) as some sort of...nostalgic throwback...
Which reminds me: remember that almost novelty dance song Blue by Eiffel 65 that got to no. 1 in 1998?
25 years later it's been put through the wringer of 2020s shite, atonal, hookless pop blandola resulting in it being used as a "sample" for an atrocious pop-dance effort that is of course now being played everywhere.
Some things make you glad you were young and carefree then, as opposed to now.
Quote from: Fishy on January 12, 2023, 09:47:56 PMNow onto binge watching Detectorists..glorious..... half way thru season 3
Wonderful stuff. The writing, acting, photography, all amazing. I'm keeping the special for a rainy day (metaphorically).
Quote from: Matt2112 on January 14, 2023, 03:12:44 AMWhich reminds me: remember that almost novelty dance song Blue by Eiffel 65 that got to no. 1 in 1998?
I thought I'd never heard this so jumped onto YouTube. Noticed there was 148K comments, so as the first verse played I assumed I had been living on Mars when it had been released, as I still didn't recognise the song. Then, that chorus hit. It all came flooding back. Truly awful.😁
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 14, 2023, 11:03:04 AMQuote from: Fishy on January 12, 2023, 09:47:56 PMNow onto binge watching Detectorists..glorious..... half way thru season 3
Wonderful stuff. The writing, acting, photography, all amazing. I'm keeping the special for a rainy day (metaphorically).
Yep absolutely..now finished it off...
I watched David Bowie: Finding Fame last night on the iPlayer. Fantastic documentary examining Bowie's career from his earliest days as Davy Jones up to Ziggy Stardust.
What really struck me, apart from the number of failures early on is that in the late '60s, when there's some fantastically progressive and innovative music coming out of Britain, David is still writing and recording really schlocky, blandly orchestrated musical theatre type housewife music. And yet he overcomes this to be two steps ahead of everyone else in the space of a few short years.
Banshees of Inisherin
Funny little film. At times, watching it was a slog. But it lingers in the memory and I found it quite affecting. ASTOUNDING performances abound. The young lad, in particular, gives an incredible performance and once scene in particular is devastating.
Barry Keoghan? He was excellent. I've followed him since I saw him in the Irish drug drama Love/Hate. Then he was in Chernobyl. In both roles he shot at pets. In Love/Hate it was a cat, he was playing a teen given a gun by the gang. In Chernobyl he was a soldier charged with killing all the radiation infected dogs in the area. Must have thought he was getting typecast!
That's the one. Brilliant here, really brilliant.
Just finished Wednesday. A great first series. All the actors are excellent; it's well written too with excellent production. A solid 9/10 and hopefully a second series soon.
Servant Season 4 ep 1
Slow Horses, a bit like a grimy version of Spooks, first impressions are good
Happy Valley
Quote from: dom on January 15, 2023, 10:19:28 PMSlow Horses, a bit like a grimy version of Spooks, first impressions are good
Just watched a trailer. I love anything with Gary Oldman in it really and he seems to be excellent in this. Wonder if I can download it somewhere.
Quote from: Slim on January 16, 2023, 12:44:31 AMQuote from: dom on January 15, 2023, 10:19:28 PMSlow Horses, a bit like a grimy version of Spooks, first impressions are good
Just watched a trailer. I love anything with Gary Oldman in it really and he seems to be excellent in this. Wonder if I can download it somewhere.
He is very good, the star name in a great cast, well produced and written. Criminal that it is available to such a small audience. That's the way tv seems to be going though
We've just started The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Looks incredible, but not too sure of the story/script so far; poor reviews as well.
Boiling Point
Brilliantly orchestrated one-take, real-time film featuring a superb leading performance from Stephen Graham.
This must be one of the quickest-seeming 90-minute films I've ever sat through; it's so gripping and engrossing it feels like that time passes by twice as fast.
The supporting cast are all excellent, there isn't a single moment wasted and technically it is hugely impressive.
I think I noticed one possible tiny duff moment, but to reveal it is a potential minor spoiler, so I won't.
Apparently eight continuous 90-minute takes were scheduled, but they were curtailed by Covid restrictions; however, four takes were completed, of which takes three and four were considered "nailed". After "Cut!" was called on third take, the cast celebrated "like they'd won the Champions League final", according to director Phillip Barantini.
And while the fourth take was considered to be the best technically, the third take was used due to the slightly better performances.
I effusively recommend this; it's one of the best U.K. films in years - currently available on Netflix.
Rating: ****
Agreed Matt, wonderfully done, a film that deserves more recognition
Night Sky
Big Sky
On GCN+ been watching the Tour Down Under. Pity there's no Mapatasi on show.
I've got 2 more episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to go and I think it's absolutely brilliant. Set 1000 years before the events of LOTR, this is a show with everything going for it for me. It's far better than the recent House of the Dragon. I've no idea why the review scores are so low, maybe there is some sort of vendetta against it for some reason - but it's often stated that the show has problems with pace and characterisations. Me, I don't see it at all. I'd say it's on par with the LOTR movies, if not better in parts. All the actors are excellent and the script keeps things moving along without becoming dull (something House of the Dragon suffered from). You can also see how much was spent on this - the scale and beauty of the sets and landscapes are breath-taking; and the action sequences are phenomenal. House of the Dragon felt dark and claustrophobic, whereas this is open and bright - a feast for the eyes. Nope, I can't fault this at all and I really can't see how anyone else could either. It's memorable too, and it'll stay in my mind for months to come (so many movies and TV shows are forgotten in a heartbeat, not this show). Accents are fun as well: Elves are posh, men are common, Dwarfs are Scottish, the harfoots (hobbits) are Irish and Orcs are cockney. 9.5/10 and 4 more seasons in the pipeline, I can't wait.
In Bruges
After being hugely impressed by last year's The Banshees Of Inisherin, I vowed to re-visit and re-appraise In Bruges, also of course written and directed by Martin McDonagh and starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.
I originally saw it in the wonderful Elland Rex on its release almost 15 years ago now, and remember coming away from it being disappointed, underwhelmed and even a little repulsed.
Not so on my viewing in the wee small hours of last night; in some respects, this is even better than Banshees, and certainly much more darkly comic, with some scenes at a level of humour that is so pitch black that I can't think of anything that surpasses it.
It's also one of the most gloriously politically incorrect films you'll see, yet none of it is gratuitous - McDonagh's script is absolutely sublime, heading off all potential righteous outrage at the pass.
The tragedy in this tragicomedy is portrayed unflinchingly by - be warned - a profoundly upsetting scene (which I'd forgotten about over the years), played absolutely straight as appropriate; I haven't felt so disturbed watching a film since I put myself through The Painted Bird a couple of years ago. However, what both films also have in common is genuine contextual and narrative justification and good faith. A major reason this is the case in In Bruges is Colin Farrell's sympathetic portrayal of how this tragic element manifests itself, which is utterly astonishing.
So, it's safe to say my take on this film is very different to 15 years ago; I strongly recommend this for its superb script, dialogue, performances (Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes are also both excellent), sublime dark comedy and outrageous set-pieces. What was I thinking back then!
Rating: ****
More episodes of Night Sky...
Just started watching Warship: Tour of Duty on the BBC. I really like these sort of shows, and there are some great characters amongst the Navy guys on board. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dnvb5k
Also started The Lazarus Project as well. I thought it was a US show, but it's actually British. It's a time jump story but it's a novel idea and a great start.
Last night was episode 9 of Quantum Leap (2022) which has started up again after the 'mid-season' break. Followed by Happy Valley.
This TV Show: The Lazarus Project is turning out to be really, really good. It's not only a great thriller but demonstrates how awful things can be with time travel in ways I've not seen before. Without giving too much away, with the time travel model they use in the story, a poor woman has to go through the same child birth over and over again as time keeps getting reset - and it's quite harrowing to see. I'm really impressed with this.
Happy Valley
Boiling Point
Finished The Lazarus Project tonight. Just brilliant, and one of the best time travel stories I've seen. More to come too.
This Is Spinal Tap
A movie - M3gan (A robotics engineer at a toy company builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own). It's a movie about a robot doll that goes bad. It's dull and 'devil doll' films have been done better than this many times before. The effects are OK, but that's just about all that's in anyway memorable. In fact it's already erased from my memory. 2/10
Been a while and I have watched a lot of stuff with not really taking it all in :-
Copenhagen Cowboy (Netflix), exactly the type of series you would expect from Nicolas Winding Refn (8/10)
Treason (Neflix), 1st time i've seen Daredevil actor Charlie Cox in a UK show (8/10)
Tehran Season 2 (Apple TV), superb again and getting another season (9/10)
Echo 3 (Apple TV), based on an Israeli series and fairly zips along (8/10)
Jack Ryan Season 3 (Amazon), good stuff and pertinent to what is going on in Europe this now (8/10)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+), really enjoyed this & like where its going (8/10)
The Rig (Amazon), so so (6/10)
In From The Cold (Netflix), stopped watching after 4 episodes.
The Midnight Club (Netflix), the 1st episode must make you jump at least half a dozen times (8/10).
Dead To Me Season 3 (Netflix), sad end to an enjoyable show (8/10).
Silent Witness Season ?(BBC), one I watch with the wife and I do enjoy it (7/10)
Mayans Season 4 (Disney+), ticking along nicely and lots of loose ends at the end of the season (8/10)
Andor (Disney+), maybe mentioned this before but definitely the best Star Wars so far for me (9/10)
The Bear (Disney+), enjoyed it but I think most folk won't (8/10)
and loads more I have forgotten.
Currently watching Fauda Season 4 (Netflix) and weekly watching Curse of Oak Island (sucker for these shows) and have started to weekly download The Last Of Us which is getting great reviews so far.
Sci-Fi movie I have been waiting on has just landed on Netflix - Vesper (will watch Monday or Tuesday).
^ Vesper is OK; it's not brilliant but certainly a decent watch. It's a bit grim though.
I'm waiting for all episodes of The Last of Us before watching (I hate waiting a week between eps) and I've got The Midnight Club on my to-watch list.
Next TV show we'll be watching here will be series 2 of Alice in Borderland - the first series was brilliant.
Polished off Night Sky... shame it got cancelled..back to Servant Season 4
A couple of recent horror movies:
First Countdown from 2019 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10039344/. It's similar to Final Destination, but in this case our victims download an app called Countdown which tells the user when they will die (to the second). Not bad if it's 60 years, but more worrying when it's days or hours as befalls our subjects, with no way of stopping it (which they try to do of course). It's a short movie and quite well done as it could have been the normal crapfest; but this one raises it's head above the rest - slightly. 6.5/10.
Next up from 2022 is Barbarian https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15791034/. This is one of the better horror movies I've seen for a while. The IMDb trailer shows footage of real audiences reacting to the scares (like in The Brood in the late 1970s if anyone remembers that) and whilst there are some very well played out jump scenes it's the simplicity of the movie and the way it's executed that makes it so appealing to horror lovers. It's a no frills, in your face basic horror akin maybe to something like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Of course there are some daft moments, but these have to be there to keep the story moving along. Good stuff 8.5/10
The Last of Us
3 eps in of The Last of Us
The Worst Person In The World
A Nordic arthouse picture that found a natural home with snootier critics but I found far less impressive.
Basically it follows an accomplished woman on the cusp of her thirties as she tries to find contentment in her life; unfortunately she seems unable to find it as she makes her way through relationships that are initially exciting but fade into drudgery, seemingly making her convinced the grass must always be greener on the other side.
There's no doubt of the film's technical proficiencies - it's shot and acted very well - but I just got the impression the script is not half as insightful and "profound" as it thinks it is. Overall the story arc just reminded me of a school child who gets easily bored working through a Netflix series and so abandons it for another, wasting a lot of time before eventually realising maybe the original choice might have been the best. Except here it's applied to a near-thirty-year-old working through a series of nice, attractive men, neurotically over-thinking everything as she goes, for over two hours.
So with all the goodwill in the world that I give any kind of film, unfortunately this one - while it has some laudable qualities - just didn't resonate with me at all.
Rating: **
After seeing all the recommendations on here I decided to give The White Lotus a whirl. Wow
what a great show Brilliant stuff. Season 1 done and 2 episodes left of season 2. And to think I wouldn't have heard of it without this site!
The Pale Blue Eye - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14138650/. A world-weary detective is hired to investigate the murder of a West Point cadet. Stymied by the cadets' code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case - a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allan Poe. Set in 1830 Christian Bale's dour detective is joined by a young Edgar Allan Poe (brilliantly played by Harry Melling) to solve the gruesome death of a West Point Cadet. I like it a lot, my wife not so much. It's grim and gothic feeling and it captures the time and place excellently. All the cast are very good, but the script is a little weak and the pacing suffers consequently. However it keeps you gripped throughout with a neat twist at the end. Well worth a watch 8/10
Quote from: dom on February 01, 2023, 04:50:52 PMAfter seeing all the recommendations on here I decided to give The White Lotus a whirl. Wow
what a great show Brilliant stuff. Season 1 done and 2 episodes left of season 2. And to think I wouldn't have heard of it without this site!
Yes it's very good👍
Quote from: Fishy on February 01, 2023, 07:19:15 PMQuote from: dom on February 01, 2023, 04:50:52 PMAfter seeing all the recommendations on here I decided to give The White Lotus a whirl. Wow
what a great show Brilliant stuff. Season 1 done and 2 episodes left of season 2. And to think I wouldn't have heard of it without this site!
Yes it's very good👍
Agree, one of the best series of recent times, amazing that two different casts have been so strong.
Started watching the Channel 5 four-part drama/thriller, The Catch. it actually started last week so we did the first episode on catch-up and set the OVR fir series record (at least that will allow us to ff through the ads).
My interest was piqued by an interview on Vanessa Feltz's Talk TV show with The Catch's male lead, Jason Watkins.
Looks like it could be entertaining.
Quote from: pxr5 on January 29, 2023, 02:41:45 PM^ Vesper is OK; it's not brilliant but certainly a decent watch. It's a bit grim though.
I'm waiting for all episodes of The Last of Us before watching (I hate waiting a week between eps) and I've got The Midnight Club on my to-watch list.
Next TV show we'll be watching here will be series 2 of Alice in Borderland - the first series was brilliant.
Vesper was ok, I thought it would be more than it was....too much that we didn't get to see !!
Watched Alice In Borderland Season 2 from the day it came out, as good as the first season.
Finished Fauda Season 4 (Netflix), very good again (8/10).
Started on Star Trek Discovery Season 4 (Paramount+) even though the 3rd season wasn't the best.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery I wasn't that keen on the first one, and this sequel has a similarly disappointing vibe. It was OK, but just not much of a mystery/whodunnit. All the cast were good, but the story/script simply wasn't good enough. The start was slow, the middle a bit more exciting and a crappy conclusion. Someone else needs to write these I think. 5.5/10
Quote from: pxr5 on February 02, 2023, 02:24:01 PMGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery I wasn't that keen on the first one, and this sequel has a similarly disappointing vibe. It was OK, but just not much of a mystery/whodunnit. All the cast were good, but the story/script simply wasn't good enough. The start was slow, the middle a bit more exciting and a crappy conclusion. Someone else needs to write these I think. 5.5/10
Agreed. The first one was quite entertaining but in the second one Rian Johnson was so keen to include "clever" little details like subtle portents and call-backs that he forgot to make the actual plot in any way gripping. It does have a Rush poster in it though, so credit where it's due. :)
Started watching some Alan Partridge Netflix thing.. utter shit.. avoid...
The Menu https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9764362/ - Interesting start wondering what's going to happen. Then it just got ridiculous. What a waste of an idea. 3/10
Father Ted - from the start. Sublime.
Star Trek: Discovery - after a long gap from watching the first 2 episodes, am now continuing with this. Prompted by the 1st episode of Strange New Worlds referring back to events from Discovery.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. A little over long though but I did like the new foes. 6.6/10
Jeff Beck - Live At The Hollywood Bowl
More Servant season 4 and more The Last of Us
You People (Netflix), some good laugh out loud moments (8/10)
Nolly
Just watched the first 2 episodes of season 2 of Alice in Borderland. Carrying on straight after season 1, it starts with mayhem and chaos and some really intense action. Still no idea of what is actually going on, but it's enthralling stuff for sure. I love these Squid Game/Battle Royale style shows.
Last ep of Happy Valley..a satisfactory ending I would say
This is Spinal Tap
Quote from: pdw1 on February 07, 2023, 12:00:34 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on February 06, 2023, 10:25:22 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on February 06, 2023, 09:45:24 PMQuote from: pdw1 on February 06, 2023, 08:13:45 PMQuote from: R6GYY on February 04, 2023, 11:40:46 AMFather Ted - from the start. Sublime.
Feck
Down with this sort of thing!
Careful now.
drink
ARSE!
Have whizzed through Season 1, and am now 2 episodes into Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery
We completed Series 2 of Alice in Borderland last night and brilliant it was too. It came to a conclusion but with a possibility of more to come. However the manga comic it's based on did not carry on past this point so we'll have to wait and see. For me, they can carry on - it's superb 9.5/10
Finished the last Happy Valley and went back to S1 Ep1. Lordy, Sarah Lancashire has aged, bit like us all
All Quiet On The Western Front
Multiple Oscar nominations propelled this up the to-watch list and I finally got round to it last night.
It reminded me of Sam Mendes's 1917 in that it's so technically accomplished it actually kind of distracts from becoming engrossed in the film. I think it will win the award for its utterly lush cinematography - it would be well deserved.
Narratively, there are of course plenty of powerful sequences depicting life (and death) on the front line, all tremendously and sympathetically performed by an excellent cast.
But then for the last half hour of its 140 minutes, it seemed to rather unnecessarily smuggle in a bunch of Hollywood tropes, sacrificing historical accuracy for dramatic license - a shame that, as it struck me to have the opposite effect to that intended.
Still, well worth seeing overall.
Rating: ***
Just finished season 2 of Star Trek : Discovery.
Bloody hell that was good and I can see why Anson Mount has become a fan favourite as Captain Christopher Pike. He is terrific!
But I think I will continue on with Discovery season 3 now, and keep Strange New Worlds for later.
Thunderbirds "Anniversary" episodes on ITVX.
Better.. the new BBC drama it's very good
Station Eleven (HBO Max), superb story telling after a world wide pandemic (9/10)
Started on City On A Hill (Paramount+) last night.
Quote from: R6GYY on February 12, 2023, 07:08:25 PMJust finished season 2 of Star Trek : Discovery.
Bloody hell that was good and I can see why Anson Mount has become a fan favourite as Captain Christopher Pike. He is terrific!
But I think I will continue on with Discovery season 3 now, and keep Strange New Worlds for later.
Its all downhill from now (Season 3 onwards) with Discovery.
Strange New Worlds is excellent.
Quote from: Red Lenses on February 16, 2023, 12:27:30 PMStation Eleven (HBO Max), superb story telling after a world wide pandemic (9/10)
Started on City On A Hill (Paramount+) last night.
Station Eleven is great. I'd recommend the book too - it's slightly different, but still good.
The Billionaires Who Made Our World: Bill Gates.
Ch4 documentary exploring the rise, fall and rise again.
Wow! By insiders who know. Con man
Infinity Pool https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10365998/ Directed by Brandon Cronenberg, son of David, it seems too that he can make crap films like his father (see Existenz, Naked Lunch). The idea seems good, it's just so poorly executed. It's set at a holiday complex in a fictional country where James (Alexander Skarsgård) accidentally kills a local whilst driving from a beach. When arrested he is given the option of having a clone created to suffer an execution by the son of the dead local. Sounds promising so far, but soon spirals down into the weird and surreal and goes nowhere. if tempted, honestly don't bother. 2/10
Currently half way through The Midnight Club - made by Mike Flangan (He of the The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Blythe Manor, Midnight Mass - all excellent). Set in 1994 this series is based on a Christopher Pike novel about a group of terminally ill teenagers at a hospice who tell each other ghost/horror stories as well as investigating mysterious goings on from the past. It's quite slow going, but the acting and script are top notch. I'll reserve judgement on the story itself as it pans out. So far though - 8/10
Quote from: pxr5 on February 21, 2023, 11:13:04 AMCurrently half way through The Midnight Club - made by Mike Flangan (He of the The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Blythe Manor, Midnight Mass - all excellent). Set in 1994 this series is based on a Christopher Pike novel about a group of terminally ill teenagers at a hospice who tell each other ghost/horror stories as well as investigating mysterious goings on from the past. It's quite slow going, but the acting and script are top notch. I'll reserve judgement on the story itself as it pans out. So far though - 8/10
Started it but lost interest :-\
Quote from: David L on February 21, 2023, 11:15:57 AMQuote from: pxr5 on February 21, 2023, 11:13:04 AMCurrently half way through The Midnight Club - made by Mike Flangan (He of the The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Blythe Manor, Midnight Mass - all excellent). Set in 1994 this series is based on a Christopher Pike novel about a group of terminally ill teenagers at a hospice who tell each other ghost/horror stories as well as investigating mysterious goings on from the past. It's quite slow going, but the acting and script are top notch. I'll reserve judgement on the story itself as it pans out. So far though - 8/10
Started it but lost interest :-\
Yes it is a bit slow. My wife has lost a bit of interest too, but I'll try and get through it. 10 episodes rather than the normal 8 though, which probably isn't needed.
Quote from: Matt2112 on February 11, 2023, 02:26:59 PMAll Quiet On The Western Front
Multiple Oscar nominations propelled this up the to-watch list and I finally got round to it last night.
It reminded me of Sam Mendes's 1917 in that it's so technically accomplished it actually kind of distracts from becoming engrossed in the film. I think it will win the award for its utterly lush cinematography - it would be well deserved.
Narratively, there are of course plenty of powerful sequences depicting life (and death) on the front line, all tremendously and sympathetically performed by an excellent cast.
But then for the last half hour of its 140 minutes, it seemed to rather unnecessarily smuggle in a bunch of Hollywood tropes, sacrificing historical accuracy for dramatic license - a shame that, as it struck me to have the opposite effect to that intended.
Still, well worth seeing overall.
Rating: ***
We watched the BAFTAs on Sunday, and this did extremely well. Best Director and Best Film being the top honours, but there were others.
Best Animated Feature went to Del Toro's
Pinocchio, which I had not heard of. One to look out for.
All My Friends Hate Me
Entertaining British dark comedy/psychological horror from last year about a guy who is invited to a country home to celebrate his birthday, which also serves as a kind of student reunion cringefest where he constantly feels like an outsider.
There's plenty to like about this - it reminded me of The Game (the 1997 film with Michael Douglas) but crossed with the style of acclaimed Brit horror director Ben Wheatley.
The resolution doesn't quite live up to everything leading up to it, but overall it's 90 minutes well spent.
Rating: ***
I see that there is a trailer out for Foundation Season 2. Should be airing in the summer or so it said (I think).
If it is as good as the first season, then we should be in for a treat. I might the first season again before season 2 kicks off actually - get up to speed again.
^ Yep, the first season of Foundation was tremendous
Your Honor season 2
Quote from: R6GYY on February 21, 2023, 06:26:01 PMI see that there is a trailer out for Foundation Season 2. Should be airing in the summer or so it said (I think).
If it is as good as the first season, then we should be in for a treat. I might the first season again before season 2 kicks off actually - get up to speed again.
Excellent news.
Rattled through all 3 seasons on
City On A Hill which had Kevin Bacon belting out Tom Sawyer at the end of the 1st episode - 8/10.
Not sure what to watch next, stock pilling The Last Of Us to binge watch but thinking it will likely be Hunters Season 2 on Amazon (cannot believe Amazon have gone for a 2nd season of The Rig !?!?)
Have been off work this past week on holiday as I never work the week of my birthday and have watched a lot of films :-
Jaws, The Thing, The Warriors, Star Trek The Motion Picture, Star Trek Insurrection, Prince of Darkness, The Ipcress File, Team America - World Police, The Hunger Games, Blade Runner.
Finished The Midnight Club yesterday. Overall, pretty good and there are talks of a follow on series. I'll watch it if there is.
Richard Marx - BBC Piano Room session (on iplayer)
Class!
Knock at the Cabin - The latest M. Night Shyamalan movie based on the book The Cabin At the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. From IMDb: "While vacationing, a girl and her parents are taken hostage by armed strangers who demand that the family make a choice to avert the apocalypse.". And really that's about it, nothing more. It's well acted and very tense in parts but ultimately unfulfilling. This is not M. Night Shyamalan's best work by a long way and nowhere near as good as his previous movie: Old. But it's the story telling that let's it down mostly, it's just not strong enough. It's short too so worth watch to fill an hour and a half but only 6/10 for me.
Have acquired Brandon Cronenberg's latest 2 films (Possessor & Infinity Pool) to try and watch over this coming week, also grabbed Greyhound which I have been wanting to watch for a while.
Brian and Charles - an odd, quirky comedy about a guy living in a remote Welsh village who somehow manages to create a robot. A few laughs and a little heart warming but not enough to recommend it. It is only 90 minutes though
Quote from: Red Lenses on February 25, 2023, 12:05:44 AMHave acquired Brandon Cronenberg's latest 2 films (Possessor & Infinity Pool) to try and watch over this coming week, also grabbed Greyhound which I have been wanting to watch for a while.
I really didn't think much of Infinity Pool YMMV http://betweenthewheels.net/index.php?msg=10949
We've just been been binge watching some episodes of 80's "Pop Quiz" on YouTube.
On BBC Two I happened upon an Old Grey Whistle Test Special featuring a performance by Emmylou Harris from 1977.
I don't care much for her plodding country songs but...whooah, how fit was she back then?!! :o
Series 11 of American Horror Story. This totally passed me by, so eventually started on it last night. This time it's called American Horror Story - NYC, set in the 80s and focuses on a string of killings involving gay men and the emergence of a new virus. Russell Tovey is excellent as a gay New York cop with a perfect American accent and it's a seedy romp in typical AHS fashion. Only a few of the recurring actors have shown up so far (2 eps in), so no Evan Peter or Sarah Paulson as yet. It's good so far and I'm intrigued to see how this plays out.
Just finished Series 11 of American Horror Story and it wasn't good. Despite an interesting beginning it rambled on to an extremely unsatisfactory conclusion. This has happened a few times in AHS where an interesting premise meanders on to nothing, almost like the writers were making it up as they went along. A shame really as it showed promise and the setting, acting and feel of the show was excellent. 3/10
Sounds like Christopher Nolan was involved. ;)
Watched The Old Man (Disney+) starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow this past week, excellent TV with a Jason Bourne vibe to it and renewed for a 2nd season - 9/10.
Started watching Full Swing (Netflix) golf documentary, 3 episodes in and interesting enough so far.
Quote from: pxr5 on March 01, 2023, 10:07:58 PMJust finished Series 11 of American Horror Story and it wasn't good. Despite an interesting beginning it rambled on to an extremely unsatisfactory conclusion. This has happened a few times in AHS where an interesting premise meanders on to nothing, almost like the writers were making it up as they went along. A shame really as it showed promise and the setting, acting and feel of the show was excellent. 3/10
Sounds like Christopher Nolan was involved. ;)
Maybe I'm losing my mind but I don't have any recollection of that text in red and nor would it would be something I'd write. Was it edited by someone with privilege?
Yesterday I caught up with The Mandalorian Season 3 episode 1 on Disney+.
Cracking start. Even though the actual episode was only about 35 minutes including credits (which are nice viewing too for the artwork), it packed a lot in.
Great stuff.
Quote from: pxr5 on March 05, 2023, 01:55:23 PMQuote from: pxr5 on March 01, 2023, 10:07:58 PMJust finished Series 11 of American Horror Story and it wasn't good. Despite an interesting beginning it rambled on to an extremely unsatisfactory conclusion. This has happened a few times in AHS where an interesting premise meanders on to nothing, almost like the writers were making it up as they went along. A shame really as it showed promise and the setting, acting and feel of the show was excellent. 3/10
Sounds like Christopher Nolan was involved. ;)
Maybe I'm losing my mind but I don't have any recollection of that text in red and nor would it would be something I'd write. Was it edited by someone with privilege?
That was my reply, not sure what happened with it.
Quote from: Matt2112 on March 05, 2023, 07:13:48 PMQuote from: pxr5 on March 05, 2023, 01:55:23 PMQuote from: pxr5 on March 01, 2023, 10:07:58 PMJust finished Series 11 of American Horror Story and it wasn't good. Despite an interesting beginning it rambled on to an extremely unsatisfactory conclusion. This has happened a few times in AHS where an interesting premise meanders on to nothing, almost like the writers were making it up as they went along. A shame really as it showed promise and the setting, acting and feel of the show was excellent. 3/10
Sounds like Christopher Nolan was involved. ;)
Maybe I'm losing my mind but I don't have any recollection of that text in red and nor would it would be something I'd write. Was it edited by someone with privilege?
That was my reply, not sure what happened with it.
Weird ???
More of Your Honor Season 2
␂La Brea Season 2. Why oh why am I watching this drivel? The first season was awful, and this is worse - a whole 14 episodes too. But something is compelling me to watch it and it is fitting into that SBIG (So Bad It's Good) criteria - which makes it unintentionally hilarious at times.
Quote from: pxr5 on March 05, 2023, 07:46:24 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on March 05, 2023, 07:13:48 PMQuote from: pxr5 on March 05, 2023, 01:55:23 PMQuote from: pxr5 on March 01, 2023, 10:07:58 PMJust finished Series 11 of American Horror Story and it wasn't good. Despite an interesting beginning it rambled on to an extremely unsatisfactory conclusion. This has happened a few times in AHS where an interesting premise meanders on to nothing, almost like the writers were making it up as they went along. A shame really as it showed promise and the setting, acting and feel of the show was excellent. 3/10
Sounds like Christopher Nolan was involved. ;)
Maybe I'm losing my mind but I don't have any recollection of that text in red and nor would it would be something I'd write. Was it edited by someone with privilege?
That was my reply, not sure what happened with it.
Weird ???
It's me, I pressed a mod button instead of the reply button. Apologies!
I deserve a medal for completing series 2 of La Brea (I doubt many others have achieved such an amazing feat). It's truly appalling 1/10.
Anyway to cleanse my brain I started watching Guillermo Del Toros Cabinet of Curiosities and managed the first 3 eps last night. I love these type of short horror stories and each one had its merits. Hopefully the rest are as good.
Watching the 2018 Haken - L-1ve concert on DVD, filmed in Amsterdam. Pretty good it is too.
Hidden Figures
On the to-watch list for literally years, and very glad I finally got round to it.
Somehow this manages to be both a spotlight on an historical outrage and rollicking good entertainment.
Yes, it pushes your buttons hard at times, but the irony of the astounding human achievement of safely getting a person into space and back against the institutional racial segregation of those working to make it happen is always present - and correct.
Rating: ****
Watched a film from the turn of the Century last night, featuring a young James Naisbitt and even younger Kris Marshall. Plenty of other recognisable faces in "The Most Fertile Man in Ireland". Shallow but entertaining
The Last of Us finale...
Quote from: Fishy on March 13, 2023, 11:47:53 AMThe Last of Us finale...
It's my next show top watch as this final episode has now aired (I rarely start a show until all eps are out). However, my TV viewing has been stymied somewhat as my wife has started series 10 of
Married at First Site Australia - which runs for 30 odd one hour episodes. Geez, it's painful to watch.
I completed
Guillermo Del Toros Cabinet of Curiosities as well. Whilst the first few episodes were good, the rest are rather poor. A shame as it's clear a lot of work went into these, just the stories were so weak with crappy endings.
I just caught up with the first couple of episodes of Rick And Morty Season 6. I'd actually forgotten that Season 6 was out!
I particularly liked episode 2 - the "Die Hard" episode.
Blacklist Season 10 first couple of episodes...
Just finished Station Eleven .. that was very hard going...
The Last of Us - Simply brilliant. Easily a 10/10, best TV in ages.
8 episodes in to Rick And Morty Season 6, and it is sooooo good.
Next planned viewing is to continue with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1, followed by The Last Of Us, which I have heard so many good things about.
Caught the first episode of season 3 of Ted Lasso - excellent show and seems to be maintaining its high standard.
The Boston Strangler enjoyable but not really ground breaking. Keira Knightly convinces with her American accent.
Last epic of Your Honor season 2
and last ep of Servant season 4
Watched Stranger Things Season 4 (Netflix) last week, daughter had been at me for ages to watch it - 7.5/10.
5 episodes of The Last Of Us (HBO) blitzed these past couple of nights, superb TV.
Finished season 6 of Rick And Morty. Excellent stuff.
Next up is Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, continuing on with episode 3.
Finished The Last of Us - Great TV, despite a couple of slower, back-story episodes. 10/10.
I'm looking forward to the fourth series of Servant, great show. It's between that and the second series of Carnival Row as what to watch next.
I thought servant season 4 was fairly shit tbh...
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - season 1
New Amsterdam - 5th and final season. Will miss this when its gone :(
The Mandalorian Season 3
The Rookie Season 5
Jack Ryan Season 3
Quantum Leap 2022 Season 1
For the future:
S.W.A.T. Season 6.
The Last Of Us Season 1 (this will be solo viewing!)
Quote from: Fishy on March 20, 2023, 05:07:15 PMI thought servant season 4 was fairly shit tbh...
Yeah, I agree. I've still no idea what was going on.
The Cleaner Season 2 binged watched
Finished The Last Of Us, superb TV and i'm sure we'll be getting a 2nd season.
1 episode of Kaleidoscope (NetFlix) to go, okay'ish and a Rush t-shirt on show in one episode.
Alan Partridge: Stratagem
Squeezing the last few morsels out of the character now. Glad I didn't get a ticket.
Rating: **
Quote from: Matt2112 on March 25, 2023, 02:26:02 PMAlan Partridge: Stratagem
Squeezing the last few morsels out of the character now. Glad I didn't get a ticket.
Rating: **
I managed about 10 mins .. utter shit..
The Night Agent.. 3 eps in...
Watched Split which I found utterly enthralling. James McEvoy must have loved playing that role playing 5? different characters. Anya Taylor Joy was excellent too. Only very loosely could it be called a sequel to Unbreakable which I also watched this weekend.
Quote from: dom on March 26, 2023, 12:18:42 AMWatched Split which I found utterly enthralling. James McEvoy must have loved playing that role playing 5? different characters. Anya Taylor Joy was excellent too. Only very loosely could it be called a sequel to Unbreakable which I also watched this weekend.
You'll need to watch
Glass next: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6823368/. It sort of brings it all together.
We took a gamble on Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton in The Protege on Amazon Prime.
We both thoroughly enjoyed it - and to be fair to the plot/script, there were a couple of twists that we didn't see coming, so that was good too.
Directed by Martin Campbell (known in my eyes for Bond movies), but this is definitely more in John Wick territory than James Bond.
A nice warm up for my trip to see John Wick 4 tomorrow at my local IMAX.
Finished Kaleidoscope (NetFlix), not very good - 6/10.
Quote from: Red Lenses on March 27, 2023, 04:07:10 AMFinished Kaleidoscope (NetFlix), not very good - 6/10.
My son suggested this to me (he hasn't watched it though). Apparently you can watch the episodes in any order, which seems a like a gimmick to me. I shan't bother based on your appraisal.
Night Agent.. couple more episodes..
Started the second series of Carnival Row last night. As good as the first series so far.
I see too that series 4 of Succession has just started - as always I'll wait until they are all out before watching.
The first episode of the new series of The Cleaner with Greg Davies. Very, very funny and so much better than the awful Xmas special.
Quote from: pxr5 on March 27, 2023, 01:29:30 PMStarted the second series of Carnival Row last night. As good as the first series so far.
I see too that series 4 of Succession has just started - as always I'll wait until they are all out before watching.
I'll make sure I use the spoiler function when posting in the Succession thread then!
^ Thank you :)
Finished off Night Agent moving on to Rabbit Hole
Just finished the second, and final, series of Carnival Row. It's not as good as the first series and it seemed a bit rushed to a conclusion. Nevertheless, still an enjoyable ride. 7/10 this season 8/10 overall
Magpie Murders on the beeb.. it's great
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Saw this at the local Vue with the (increasingly not so) little 'un.
The first half is very good indeed: it's chock full of visual wit and snappy dialogue and includes a truly outstanding scene set in a dingy bar where Puss meets Wolf, a brilliantly fearsome character who represents Death; the Grim Reaper in all but name. It's been a few hours now but I still can't get this sequence out of my head. I notice Ethan Coen has an additional writer credit so he surely had substantial input in this bit.
It seemed though that the more the film went on, the more Coen's influence waned as it fell into more by-numbers Dreamworks territory.
Still, this is obviously best enjoyed by the pre-teen demographic that are its natural audience and it's certainly worth the trip out.
Rating: ***
Hoorah, Married at First Sight Australia has finished at last (36 hideous episodes worth). So, got back some proper TV watching and started with Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches last night with the stunning Alexandra Daddario. I wasn't expecting much as the reviews are distinctly average, but I really enjoyed the first 2 episodes. A bit slow in places but a decent story to keep things moving along.
New Beeb drama Blue Lights
Sian and I watched the first episode of The Terminal List last night, and both enjoyed it.
More Blue Lights
Ted Lasso S3 Ep 4
Guy Ritchie's new film on Amazon Prime: Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerres
I will be kind to this film and say that it is not Ritchie's best work. Others seemed to have liked it a lot though.
Inside - With Willem Dafoe as an art thief who gets trapped in a luxury apartment after a burglary goes wrong. It's like Castaway, but this time, erm, inside. It's a bit far-fetched and some of the things he does are odd decisions. The problem though is it's too long at 1hr45min; as despite Willem Dafoe being an excellent actor it's a big ask for anyone to carry a film alone. It goes a bit odd at the end too. I enjoyed it overall (my wife didn't) and I've thought about it a few times today. 7.5/10
The Bank of Dave. Falls into all those Feel Good Northern based film tropes.
Baddie Southern Bankers meant that the clichés kept coming.
Still, based on a true story, you can only be impressed by Dave (played by Rory Kinnear) for what he achieved and it was a decent yarn. A must watch if you're a fan of Def Leppsrd.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods - The first movie was a surprising hit - a decent, funny watch. This sequel on the other hand is complete garbage. How on earth can the makers get something so wrong? All they needed to do was keep it simple and employ the same writers. But no, we get this abomination instead and 2hr10mins of it too. It has no redeeming features whatsoever. Horrid 1/10
Couple of episodes of Blue Lights last night.
Quote from: R6GYY on April 09, 2023, 06:00:14 PMCouple of episodes of Blue Lights last night.
It's very good isn't it?
Down to the last episode of 'The Responder'. Excellent tv! Martin Freeman is a brilliant actor
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Saw this at our local Vue with the little 'un, who enjoys the odd game of Super Mario Kart on our Nintendo Switch and was keen to see this.
It's basically a thinly-plotted, manic 90-minute ride through scenarios familiar from the games, with eye-popping visuals and a constant stream of Easter Eggs serving as mostly unsubtle nods and winks to fans.
What was actually quite refreshing was that this is aimed squarely at kids and kids only - there's virtually no knowing, nudge-nudge gags for accompanying adults and the knockabout humour is all played with a very straight bat, save for perhaps one line which made me smile at how purposely bathetic it was.
There's no Lego Movie cleverness or Pixar emotional profundity here - its brief is purely to entertain and serve its characters' fans, which it does perfectly adequately.
Rating: ***
Rewatching Succession from the beginning. TV at its finest.
Couple of movies :-
Equalizer 2 ..... Denzel Washington being Denzel Washington and an easy watch (7/10)
Welcome To The Punch .... James McAvoy and Mark Strong, not a bad watch (7/10)
ITV Unforgotten Season 5, still a good watch (8/10).
Succession 4.3, top tv.
Finished off Blue Lights.. best telly for a while...
Quote from: Fishy on April 12, 2023, 09:21:33 AMFinished off Blue Lights.. best telly for a while...
Heard a lot of good things about it, so might well investigate (swidt).
We are now half way through Blue Lights, and another thumbs up from us here. Probably watch episode 4 tonight.
What else?
Started on the new series of Masterchef.
Looking forward to the final series of Paul O'Grady's For The Love Of Dogs which starts tomorrow night at 8:30.
3 eps in on Beef the new Netflix thing... quite good so far
Finished off Blue Lights last night with back-to-back episodes 5 and 6.
We couldn't go to sleep without knowing what-happens-next after the end of episode 5.
Terrific.
Thanks for Fishy for introducing me to this. Thumbs up!
X
Was meaning to watch this for ages and with its prequel Pearl just being released I was spurred into action.
This is a slasher horror based in 1979 and shot as if it was made in that year - and quite brilliantly so.
But this has many other things that sets it apart from inevitable comparisons to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and the current crowded retro-horror field as it deftly weaves through various themes and tonal shifts. There's buckets of blood and gore (not for the squeamish), scares (not cheap jump-scares) and a terrific sense of the uncanny while it somehow manages to deconstruct itself the way the Scream franchise once did quite successfully, whereas where Scream relies on audience knowledge, this assumes audience intelligence.
It's very well performed by all the cast and Ti West's skilful direction is very impressive indeed.
For me this is one of the best horror films of the 2020s and highly, enthusiastically recommended. (Available on Amazon Prime).
Rating: ****
65 with Adam Driver. An alien (who oddly looks human and speaks English) from 65 million years ago crash lands his spaceship on a dinosaur filled earth. Hmm, yeah right. Anyway Driver is great as always but with this outline the film should be exciting as he, and a cargo passenger recovered from stasis, attempt to get to their escape ship before the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs hits. But it's rather dull. Which is a shame really and a bit of a wasted opportunity. At least it's short - 5/10
At my wife's behest we started on series 1 of White Lotus last night. Not the sort of TV we normally go for, it's mainly sci-fi or horror for us. But this is rather enjoyable and quite funny at times. We could have done without an eyeful of cock and balls in the the first episode though lol. Hawaii looks gorgeous too.
Quote from: pxr5 on April 17, 2023, 10:53:53 AMAt my wife's behest we started on series 1 of White Lotus last night. Not the sort of TV we normally go for, it's mainly sci-fi or horror for us. But this is rather enjoyable and quite funny at times. We could have done without an eyeful of cock and balls in the the first episode though lol. Hawaii looks gorgeous too.
Brilliant show! Both seasons!
Rattled through Blue Lights, superb stuff and we're getting a second season (9/10).
The Night Agent (NetFlix), very decent watch and kept me interested throughout (8/10).
Finished se01 of The White Lotus last night - very enjoyable, if a tad weird at times. I'll let that one digest before watching series 2 in Sicily.
Shadow and Bone series 2. I could barely remember series 1 it was that long ago (2 years lol) and it started without a recap so I had to read a synopsis of the first series. Based on the books of the same name it creates an interesting world with some strange characters. It's developed to have 2 story arcs: the main one being a dullish teen adventure, the second an odd gang of reprobates with a mission unknown as yet - but much more thrilling. There are 3 books in the series, so probably another series to come yet. Not too shabby - 7/10
More of Netflix Beef
6 episodes into the 3rd season of Jack Ryan and I will say this (to me) is the most enjoyable so far.
I think that it is the 'cold war' vibe, although very much up to date of course with Russia's actions.
Excellent TV.
Six Four (ITVX), only 4 episodes and decent enough - 7/10.
Mandalorian Season 3 (Disney+), 5 episodes in and enjoying it so far.
Just finished Beef.. pretty good
Quote from: Fishy on April 25, 2023, 02:34:39 PMJust finished Beef.. pretty good
Just started. 3 episodes in and enjoying it a lot.
And Beef finished tonight. Started out really well, but stopped being a comedy half way through and became a serious drama that ended in a strange sort of way. I really didn't like either of the main characters either - no empathy or sympathy. 6/10
Citadel (Amazon Prime).
We have been eagerly awaiting this since seeing the trailers, and the 1st 2 episodes are available now.
We are hooked in. The only downer is that the 40 minute episodes just fly by. Terrific stuff and looking forward to seeing how this plays out.
A movie last night: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. 95% of the film takes place in a CGI world - the Quantum Realm - the visual effects are stunning and look glorious in 4K HDR. But that's where the good bits end unfortunately. It's just another weak MCU movie. The 4 main actors: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Douglas whilst all great had no chance to shine as it's all about the effects. The story, what it is, is so shallow that a school kid could have come up with it. A shame really as this is supposed to be start of Phase 5 of the MCU, which doesn't give much confidence in what is to come. 4/10
Quote from: R6GYY on April 29, 2023, 12:30:19 AMCitadel (Amazon Prime).
We have been eagerly awaiting this since seeing the trailers, and the 1st 2 episodes are available now.
We are hooked in. The only downer is that the 40 minute episodes just fly by. Terrific stuff and looking forward to seeing how this plays out.
We watched the first one last night😀
Quote from: R6GYY on April 29, 2023, 12:30:19 AMCitadel (Amazon Prime).
We have been eagerly awaiting this since seeing the trailers, and the 1st 2 episodes are available now.
We are hooked in. The only downer is that the 40 minute episodes just fly by. Terrific stuff and looking forward to seeing how this plays out.
Watched the 2nd one tonight...👍
Quote from: Fishy on May 01, 2023, 09:37:37 PMWatched the 2nd one tonight...👍
If this series keeps up what has been delivered (and promised?) so far, then 6 x 40 minute episodes is going to feel woefully short :'(
It appears to be generating quite a lot of 'buzz' so hopefully there will be a Season 2 and it will be green-lit pretty quickly.
Quote from: R6GYY on May 02, 2023, 10:19:19 AMQuote from: Fishy on May 01, 2023, 09:37:37 PMWatched the 2nd one tonight...👍
If this series keeps up what has been delivered (and promised?) so far, then 6 x 40 minute episodes is going to feel woefully short :'(
It appears to be generating quite a lot of 'buzz' so hopefully there will be a Season 2 and it will be green-lit pretty quickly.
It's good fun but I'm not sure about Maddens American accent???
Ep3 of Citadel last night...
Frankie Boyle's Farewell To The Monarchy
Bit of a mixed bag this. When he's ripping in to the monarchy as a concept and the moral turpitude of its family members it's superbly vicious - there's plenty of near-the-knuckle, slam-dunk zingers to give republicans a great deal of satisfaction here.
On the other hand, Boyle just can't help himself can he - there's a unnecessary and tangential segment on the history of colonialism and slavery where the usual laser-precision of his bon mots goes awry.
Overall though, a welcome antidote to the tsunami of saccharine sycophancy dominating broadcast media at the moment.
Mandalorian Season 3 (Disney+), excellent 9/10.
Picard Season 3 (Amazon), if you have any love of Star Trek: The Next Generation then you'll absolutely lap this up 10/10.
Beef (Netflix), okay'ish with a very poor last episode 6/10.
Banshee Season 4, rewatching this season as I just fancied it again....still excellent.
Couple of good things on iPlayer.. "When albums ruled the world" and a doc about the 70s group Fanny
Quote from: Fishy on May 11, 2023, 10:49:57 PMCouple of good things on iPlayer.. "When albums ruled the world" and a doc about the 70s group Fanny
I happened upon that doc about Fanny and pressed the record button instinctively. I've yet to watch it though (I've seen When albums ruled the world)
Ep4 Citadel
Nope
Had very mixed reviews at the time of release but I quite enjoyed it.
It's a sort of sci-fi/Western/horror mash-up with heavy allegorical elements and all impressively crafted by writer/director Jordan Peele.
Its best sequences are superbly done, in particular an unforgettably disturbing scene with a rampaging chimp which is almost Kubrickian in how clinically, brilliantly disconcerting and creepy it is.
While I thought some of the plot points didn't stand up to much scrutiny, and the tone uneven at times, this was well worth a couple of hours of my time.
Rating: ***
Steeltown Murders on the Beeb.
Interesting to see a different take on this cold case centred in Port Talbot - not too far from my birth place.
We had already watched the "Dark Lands" series on BBC Wales about the solving (or not) of cold cases. One of these (possibly series 1 episode 1?) covered the same case, complete with the real people involved - Jackie Roberts and Paul Bethell in particular.
I've just checked, and sadly only series 2 is available to watch now.
Anyone interested can head here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p5p8 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p5p8)
Yep we blitzed the Steeltown Murders last couple of nights.. it was very good
Black Night (Netflix), trailer made this look far better than it is which is the job of a trailer - 6/10.
Apollo 11
A stunning achievement stunningly depicted.
The recovered footage looks extraordinary and the events are all the more effectively depicted by not having any intrusive narrative voiceover offering hindsight - it is all impressive and profound on its own terms; it's a triumph of the past speaking for itself.
It's almost perfection - my only issue was that the music didn't quite live up to scenes and events it accompanied; but still, there's plenty of gob-smacking moments that make this superb documentary essential viewing.
Rating: ****
If I remember correctly Matt - I think I saw that in the Imax.
Mesmerising. I think I commented at the time how wonderful the tracking shot was through the banks of equipment in one of the control rooms.
The music was performed on electronic equipment that was available, or would have been available at the time.
For anyone with the slightest interest in this period of space exploration, this film should be top of your must see list.
Remarkable.
Ep5 Citadel
Citadel episode 5 on Friday night - and episode 2 of Steeltown Murders.
Saturday night we polished off the last 2 episodes of Steeltown Murders, and we found a new documentary on iPlayer too so we watched that as well. All good stuff.
Tonight - 1st 2 episodes of Annika. We are liking this.
Quote from: R6GYY on May 21, 2023, 02:05:10 PMIf I remember correctly Matt - I think I saw that in the Imax.
Mesmerising. I think I commented at the time how wonderful the tracking shot was through the banks of equipment in one of the control rooms.
The music was performed on electronic equipment that was available, or would have been available at the time.
For anyone with the slightest interest in this period of space exploration, this film should be top of your must see list.
Remarkable.
Indeed, Reg. I noted in the credits that the hardware that generated the music was literally of its time. :)
Quote from: R6GYY on May 21, 2023, 10:57:53 PMCitadel episode 5 on Friday night - and episode 2 of Steeltown Murders.
Saturday night we polished off the last 2 episodes of Steeltown Murders, and we found a new documentary on iPlayer too so we watched that as well. All good stuff.
Tonight - 1st 2 episodes of Annika. We are liking this.
We watched a couple of eps of Annika.. thought it was very dull and this talking to camera stuff I didn't like much as well
I've been watching a lot of Christopher Hitchens on YouTube over the past couple of days as I try to develop a taste for single malt whisky. I think that the combination of the two has left me with the image of my brain being the size of the half morsel which tops a walnut whip. He's without doubt the alive or dead person I would not wish to be a dinner guest. It disappoints me greatly that after all these long years on this planet I probably couldn't engage his interest for more than a few seconds.
Been watching The Why Files on YouTube, about a 3rd of the way through his conspiracy/historical videos and I love the way he presents the subject matter.
Just watched the ones on Denver Airport and then Dulce Base, totally grabs my attention !!
Triangle Of Sadness
2022's Palm D'Or winner that's been high on the to-watch list.
This is a satisfyingly savage and hugely entertaining social satire about a couple of models and "influencers" who bag a freebie aboard a super-yacht cruise, encountering a motley crew of wealthy clientele, overworked staff and - perversely - an anti-capitalist captain (an excellent Woody Harrelson).
I won't expand on that as there's quite a lot to process over its two-and-a-half hour running time; suffice to say that, for the most part, it's an enthralling watch, the mid-section in particular being utterly brilliant, and masterfully directed by Swedish auteur Ruben Ostlund (I have immediately placed his previous film The Square high on the to-watch list).
While it often lays on the narrative allegories with a blunt rock, and the targets of its satire aren't exactly original, this is still a superbly crafted film that's a class above most others.
Rating: ****
Ep6 Citadel nice twist at the end..
Quote from: Fishy on May 27, 2023, 03:29:06 PMEp6 Citadel nice twist at the end..
We will be watching this tonight.
Quote from: R6GYY on May 27, 2023, 07:16:19 PMQuote from: Fishy on May 27, 2023, 03:29:06 PMEp6 Citadel nice twist at the end..
We will be watching this tonight.
A second season has been given the green light...
There was a trailer for it at the end. Called Citadel: Diana.
Expanding the, and I quote "Citadel Spyverse", and due in 2024.
Turns out that Citadel: Diana is the first of potentially a number of spin-offs and is already in the can.
There will also be Citadel season 2 although this may be delayed due to the WGA writers' strike.
Blacklist Season 10 . It's all a bit shit now.. last season thankfully..
Quote from: Fishy on May 29, 2023, 10:31:24 AMBlacklist Season 10 . It's all a bit shit now.. last season thankfully..
We gave up after season 5 when they killed off one of our favourite characters.
Looking forward to the Masterchef final tonight.
Quote from: R6GYY on June 01, 2023, 12:02:20 PMLooking forward to the Masterchef final tonight.
Me too!
Finished Ted Lasso last night, then started Colin from Accounts
Watched the 1st episode of True Lies on Disney+ last night.
Wish I hadn't.
I stuck with it through 42 minutes, in the hope that it would improve.
It didn't.
I won't be watching any more. I may well go back and watch the film though. Been a good few years since we saw that.
Whilst the new series of James May's Oh Cook! is a bit patchy (I've watched4 so far), the first episode concentrating on French classics was very interesting. 4 recipes I fancy having a go at. French Onion Soup, Coq Au Vin, Tarte Tatin and Croque Monsieur (and indeed Croque Madame).
Oh yes - finished off Annika's 6 episodes, and we really hope this proves popular enough that it gets a second series. We really liked it.
Quote from: R6GYY on June 01, 2023, 05:48:42 PMWatched the 1st episode of True Lies on Disney+ last night.
Wish I hadn't.
Watched the first 4 episodes of
Fubar (Netflix) which has True Lies vibes going on with it.... always like Big Arnie so lapping this up so far !!
Tonight we kick off our warm-up for July's impending release of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (Part 1) in the cinema (planning on taking Sian to this for her first exposure to the IMAX experience).
1996's Mission: Impossible is up tonight, followed by an instalment each Saturday to take us into July.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves - An enjoyable fantasy romp with Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez. This must have been a blast to make and it shows with the actors attitudes. Some really funny moments lift it from the normal and enough adventure and thrills to distract from the obvious CGI. I really enjoyed it 8.5/10
Quote from: R6GYY on June 03, 2023, 07:33:00 PMTonight we kick off our warm-up for July's impending release of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (Part 1) in the cinema (planning on taking Sian to this for her first exposure to the IMAX experience).
1996's Mission: Impossible is up tonight, followed by an instalment each Saturday to take us into July.
I might well join you in that, Reg. Think I saw the first four on release - obviously that was a while ago now - but none of the follow-ups.
I've seen the featurette of Cruise's utterly gob-smacking stunt from the forthcoming film - apparently he did it six times, the absolute mad lad.
4 episodes into Magpie Murders. Really good!
Tar
Now, per se I really don't mind films that are "arty", slow, slightly (or highly) enigmatic, proudly intellectual and even slightly pretentious, that appeal to the "snooty" critics and are nominated for awards the world over - if they lodge themselves in the mind and make you think about them, or even get under your skin and affect you on an even more elevated level of profundity.
When it all works, I find it thrilling (classic examples off the top of my head: Mulholland Dr., The Lighthouse, Holy Motors); when it doesn't it all comes across as the Emperor's New Clothes.
Tar, for me, is an example of the latter. This is 2 hours 38 minutes long and by "long" I mean "really long".
Yes, Cate Blanchett was rightly lauded for her impressive performance as a world-renowned orchestra conductor whose career and personal life goes through a steady meltdown. We're also meant to be wowed by Todd Field's script and direction and all their "arty" trimmings - but I'm afraid I just found it rather pretentious window-dressing for what amounts to not much at all.
Like fellow Oscar nominee Everything Everywhere All At Once, this is chronically over-rated.
Rating: **
Finished Fubar (Netflix) which ran out of steam with long episodes and 2 episodes longer than needed (6/10).
7 episodes out of 8 watched of Pieces of Her (Netflix) and decent enough so far....watching this with the wife.
2 episodes into The Days (Netflix) of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, good viewing so far.
Arnold
Watched the first part of this three-part Netflix documentary where Arnold Schwarzenegger talks quite candidly about his life and career - as "Athlete", "Actor" and "American".
Quite good so far.
Series 2 of The White Lotus. Great TV and I'm really liking it.
Last night, Mission Impossible II.
So this slightly strange. When it came out (2000) I thought that this was the bee's knees.
But sadly, I don't think it has stood the test of time very well although Thandie Newton is still, well, Thandie Newton 8)
To me, this is very much the weak link in the series. I still have a lot of warm fuzzy feelings for the first film, but looking at the series as a whole, I think number 2 was 'of its time', but things really got going again with the 3rd instalment, helmed by JJ Abrams, but that's for next weekend :D
We finished series 2 of The White Lotus tonight. A great show with more series in the pipeline. I think all in all I slightly preferred the first season, but both were really well written and produced.
Joan is awful ...first ep of the new black mirror season
[quote author ;D =Fishy link=msg=14059 date=1686921321]
Joan is awful ...first ep of the new black mirror season
[/quote]
I initially read that as a criticism of something called "Joan". ;D
Quote from: Fishy on June 16, 2023, 02:15:21 PMJoan is awful ...first ep of the new black mirror season
Watched this tonight and the second episode
Loch Henry. I'll comment more in the Black Mirror thread, but it's great to have this show back. In fact I'm going to watch them all again from the first series.
Just started:
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02 E01
Loch Henry ep2 of new Black Mirror season
Finished The Days (Netflix) which was good viewing, obviously not in the same league production values wise when it comes to Chernobyl - 8/10.
Finished Pieces of Her (Netflix) which was decent enough - 7/10.
Hopefully start on Black Mirror this week.
Enys Men
Cornish for "stone island" and pronounced "Ennis Main", this is Mark Jenkin's follow-up to his debut feature Bait, which is very good indeed and highly recommended.
With folk horror strangeness, a deep sense of the uncanny, and recalling the likes of Don't Look Now, The Shining, The Lighthouse, Hammer horror and even Lynchian elements, this for the most part was right up my street.
This film does however require a great deal of forbearance from the viewer: especially in the early stages, it's necessarily slow and monotonous as it establishes the sense of isolation of the main character.
By the end of its 90 minutes I was left more impressed with the technical achievements of Jenkin's undoubted talents for directing, writing, filming, editing etc etc than unsettled by the eeriness of the film itself.
Overall, it's worth seeing if you're into cultish oddities - just be prepared for something very odd indeed.
Rating: ***
Saturday night was Mission Impossible: 3.
What a fantastic start to this film!
What I liked about it from when I first saw it, and this hasn't changed, is how deeply personal this is for Ethan Hunt, and Cruise steps up to the mark in the acting stakes.
Of course, he is also paired off against the superb Philip Seymour Hoffman as the antagonist.
Despite some timing quibbles about the whole getting from the USA to Shanghai business, and other minor issues, this is something still quite special. JJ Abrams also stayed at the helm for the following Ghost Protocol, which will follow next weekend :D then it'll be on to McQ territory for 5 and 6.
Must admit, I'm getting quite psyched now about the new film, although it is only on at the IMAX for a week or so, so we will have to be quick.
Just kicked off Series 2 of From. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9813792/ More weirdness from the folks trapped in a spooky town
Quote from: pxr5 on June 19, 2023, 10:01:28 PMJust kicked off Series 2 of From. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9813792/ More weirdness from the folks trapped in a spooky town
Is it as weird and spooky as being trapped in
Wayward Pines?
Quote from: R6GYY on June 20, 2023, 10:32:06 AMQuote from: pxr5 on June 19, 2023, 10:01:28 PMJust kicked off Series 2 of From. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9813792/ More weirdness from the folks trapped in a spooky town
Is it as weird and spooky as being trapped in Wayward Pines?
Haha yes, it is a bit similar. The big problem with
Wayward Pines was that as soon as it was revealed what was going on it sort of became pointless. With
From (now on series 2) nothing has been explained yet. It's worth a watch though.
Trivial trivia: Harold Perrineau, who is the lead in
From, was also in
Lost
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Revisited ahead of seeing its sequel in the cinema (hopefully).
I'll keep it short and sweet: this deserved Best Animated Feature Oscar-winner is not only the best Spider-Man film of them all thus far, animated or otherwise, but also the best "multi-verse" film.
I took the opportunity to watch it undisturbed with the house empty, so the sub-woofer had a terrific workout. :)
Rating: ****
Speaking of superheros, well I'm just back from The Flash at my local IMAX. Not a big DC fan myself, but I was drawn in by Michael Keaton.
I'm glad I went now - this is terrific fun, and Ezra Miller has won me over (regardless of whatever difficulties he is facing personally).
There are cameos a-plenty, including the post-credits scene. The relevance of which went over my head. Must mean something to somebody.
First 2 episodes of Silo
I think it is worth sticking with.
^ Silo is likely my next watch (that, Yellowjackets series 2 or Sweet Tooth series 2 - my wife will choose)
Watched 5 episodes of Silo now. And 2 of Strange New Worlds Season 2.
Tonight's viewing shall be Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.
Finished Series 2 of From last night. A good first series, but a drab second one. No answers whatsoever, just more questions and mystery. The acting is half decent at least.
First 2 episodes of Silo last night. Loving it so far.
Quote from: pxr5 on June 28, 2023, 02:31:51 PMFirst 2 episodes of Silo last night. Loving it so far.
I've done 9 now. Just waiting for the final episode which is out on Friday I think.
Hijack eps 1 &2..it's very good
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 20, 2023, 01:47:51 PMApollo 11
A stunning achievement stunningly depicted.
The recovered footage looks extraordinary and the events are all the more effectively depicted by not having any intrusive narrative voiceover offering hindsight - it is all impressive and profound on its own terms; it's a triumph of the past speaking for itself.
It's almost perfection - my only issue was that the music didn't quite live up to scenes and events it accompanied; but still, there's plenty of gob-smacking moments that make this superb documentary essential viewing.
Rating: ****
Bought the BluRay a couple of years ago. Must watch it again.
Started watching this, after being teased by a trailer that YouTube threw up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Inbetween
Pretty good so far.
Started We Hunt Together last night.. it's very good...
Tour de France: Unchained. Great behind the scenes Netfilx doc of the 2022 tour. Just watched the first two of the eight episodes
Really want to watch that David. Watching The Change at the moment which is surprisingly good, better than I expected
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Season 2, episode 3.
Bloody hell that was good!
Quote from: R6GYY on June 30, 2023, 11:51:20 PMStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Season 2, episode 3.
Bloody hell that was good!
The
Star Trek franchise is getting to be a bit like
Superman .. can't keep up with all the spinoffs.
Silo finished now. Cracking ending to a great series.
Tonight's most excellent viewing was Mission Impossible : Rogue Nation.
Chris McQuarrie significantly (in my eyes at least) raised the franchise a few levels with this instalment, and then again with the 6th (Fallout).
And boy oh boy, Sean Harris is so scary.
So next weekend it will be Fallout at home, leading nicely into the cinematic release of Dead Reckoning Part 1 on July 10th.
Quote from: R6GYY on July 01, 2023, 05:17:32 PMSilo finished now. Cracking ending to a great series.
Just finished too. And yes an amazing, twist of an ending - I never saw that coming. I notice that Silo is based on the books by Hugh Howey, I may give them a go.
Just tracked down and watched a feature length documentary on YouTube called "The Coffee Man".
Only of interest to fellow coffee nerds!
We've started watching the original 1st series of Mission: Impossible, from 1966.
It looks so very primitive now - very much of the time. A bit like watching the original Star Trek I should think.
Filmed in a time when smoking was still 'cool' or 'hip', and the sexist attitudes regarding the use of Cinnamon (Barbara Bain) are definitely (I hope) a thing of the past.
My memory is obviously very vague about the series, as I thought that Martin Landau, Barbara Bain and Leonard Nimoy all appeared together in episodes but this couldn't have been, as Martin Landau and Barabara Bain left after series 3, and Leonard Nimoy came on board in series 4 (I guess to effectively replace Martin Landau's 'master of disguise' character?).
Anyway, we will persevere with it with an episode here and there.
Sweet Tooth series 2 finished last night. It's staggering how a really well made, successful first series can plummet to the dross of the second one. A real shame as this could have been brilliant. The story is fine, but the execution is severely lacking. 9/10 for series 1, 2/10 series 2.
Next will series 2 of Yellowjackets.
Finished off We Hunt Together Season 1
Quote from: pxr5 on July 06, 2023, 01:26:33 PMSweet Tooth series 2 finished last night. It's staggering how a really well made, successful first series can plummet to the dross of the second one. A real shame as this could have been brilliant. The story is fine, but the execution is severely lacking. 9/10 for series 1, 2/10 series 2.
Next will series 2 of Yellowjackets.
Aye Sir, the wife and I were watching it and we pulled out after 3 episodes season 2. What a shame.
Quote from: Thenop on July 07, 2023, 06:45:06 PMQuote from: pxr5 on July 06, 2023, 01:26:33 PMSweet Tooth series 2 finished last night. It's staggering how a really well made, successful first series can plummet to the dross of the second one. A real shame as this could have been brilliant. The story is fine, but the execution is severely lacking. 9/10 for series 1, 2/10 series 2.
Next will series 2 of Yellowjackets.
Aye Sir, the wife and I were watching it and we pulled out after 3 episodes season 2. What a shame.
Good call - it actually gets worse.
Hijack ep 3
Midnight Movie Club:
Knock At The Cabin
This was widely touted as a "return to form" for M. Night Shyamalan, who has been trying unsuccessfully to make a film as good as The Sixth Sense for over two decades now.
While this is not without merit - the central premise (adapted from a novel) has originality and all the performances are good - it suffers from Shyamalan's usual penchant for daftness and corniness to move the plot along.
I can't help thinking he's just a bit of a hack.
Rating: **
Caught up with the first 2 episodes of Yellowjackets. Thankfully, unlike Sweet Tooth, it's still very good - but it's time for some answers methinks.
So . . . tonight was the fantastic Mission Impossible : Fallout.
McQ and company raised the bar yet again with this instalment.
Now counting the hours until Monday afternoon and number 7. IMAX of course.
Netflix Wham doc..
Just finished episode 4 of The Last Of Us.
Really enjoying this.
We Hunt Together Season 2 ...done
Just finished series 2 of Yellowjackets. Very good all round really. I've read there are to be 5 series in total so not too much has been given away so far. But it's still gripping stuff and quite brutal at times. this season 8.5/10
Started on Rabbit Hole
Strange New Worlds, S02E04
The Last Of Us, S01E05
I watched an old Barney Miller on YouTube last night. I'd remembered that they were all filmed on the same precinct squad room set, like a play. But this one had a scene from Barney's house as well.
Really nice gentle comedy with nice dry humour. Will look for another one this evening.
Hijack ep 4
Rabbit Hole ep 2
The Lost King. Decent film about the exhumation of Richard III.
More Rabbit Hole
So. Finished The Last Of Us last night - polishing off the last 2 episodes in one sitting.
All in all a very good watch, and the 2 leads are exceptional.
Avatar : The Way Of Water is planned for tonight's home viewing (Disney+)
Finished off Rabbit Hole
A movie last night - The Last Sentinel. An interesting idea where the world has flooded and there are only 2 land masses left who of course are at war with each other. In the middle of the ocean between these 2 areas is a Mausnell type Fort manned by 4 soldiers from one of the countries. Complete with a big artillery gun and a 20 megaton nuke the soldiers' 2 month tour continues as their replacements haven't turned up - then an empty ship appears. I really liked this and though it's quite slow the story was great. All the actors were top notch and it ended with a satisfactory conclusion. 8/10
Just remembered I hadn't finished season 1 of Loki. So I caught up with episode 4 last night. Highly enjoyable hokum.
Also the other night I watched the highly anticipated 1st episode of the 2nd season of Foundation.
Quote from: pxr5 on July 02, 2023, 04:28:43 PMQuote from: R6GYY on July 01, 2023, 05:17:32 PMSilo finished now. Cracking ending to a great series.
Just finished too. And yes an amazing, twist of an ending - I never saw that coming. I notice that Silo is based on the books by Hugh Howey, I may give them a go.
Yep, thought the same when I finished the full season in 2 days at the weekend....downloaded the books the next day as I need to find out what happens next, last time I did that was when I watched The Maze Runner movie.
Now rattled through the first 7 episodes of
From (Season 2), will finish it tomorrow....superb stuff again !!
Just started Silo.. it's very good
Finished Loki. Started The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Elemental
Took the little 'un to the local Vue to see this as part of a weekend of treats for an exceptional end of term school report. :)
I'll get straight to the point: as Pixar films go, this is a bit of a clunker. It's clearly an allegorical morality tale about characters representing "fire" and "water", how they are on the face of it utterly incompatible but, guess what everyone, they can actually complement each other and even live in perfect harmony.
The "Fire" character is part of an immigrant fire family, running a shop in what appears to be a ghettoised part of the city.
Yes, it's all very unsubtle for the adults watching, yet too mired in symbolism for youngsters; hence the story isn't gripping at all, the script and dialogue are flat, and the set-pieces dull and uninspired. The film is just always trying too hard to be "worthy".
In fairness, there is a very good sight gag, but similar such sparky moments are very brief and few and far between.
All the above is why Elemental will I think not fare well compared with this year's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which eschewed virtue signalling and any concessions to adult sensibilities in favour of pure, unadulterated, silly, manic, eye-poppingly colourful, escapist hokum aimed squarely at young kids' sense of fun; Pixar should be wary their crown doesn't start to slip too much.
Rating: **
Binging the beebs World on Fire
Hijack ep5
Silo ep 2
World on Fire ep5
Westworld Series 4. Series 1 was brilliant, 2 and 3 not so much - it all got too confusing so I've been putting off watching this, the final, series (cancelled after this). It's better than series 2 and 3, but still confusing. Half way through now then I can forget about it after 4 more eps.
I ditched westworld.. struggled thru 2 and3 .. 4? Nah forget it..
All done with Westworld. This was the second best after the first series, though it went all a bit too weird at the end. No more thankfully.
Westworld - another example of Christopher Nolan having a good concept, but not having the chops to fully realise its potential (see also: Inception, Interstellar, Tenet).
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 21, 2023, 11:41:32 PMWestworld - another example of Christopher Nolan having a good concept, but not having the chops to fully realise its potential (see also: Inception, Interstellar, Tenet).
Er, Westworld was his brother Jonathan wasn't it?
Quote from: R6GYY on July 22, 2023, 10:03:30 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on July 21, 2023, 11:41:32 PMWestworld - another example of Christopher Nolan having a good concept, but not having the chops to fully realise its potential (see also: Inception, Interstellar, Tenet).
Er, Westworld was his brother Jonathan wasn't it?
Yes Reg, I stand corrected, I had in my head they were both involved.
Still, something clearly runs in the family..!!
For the record, Memento, in which both were involved, is conceptually and narratively pretty much flawless and still the best thing either of them have done (haven't seen Oppenheimer yet).
Midnight Movie Club:
M3GAN
(Review for the Blu-ray's "Unrated" version)
Well, this was a very welcome surprise: I expected a solidly entertaining Friday night killer doll slasher flick; but it's actually so much more than that.
This is more concerned with exploring themes of parental responsibility and child safeguarding and development in the advent of AI. And it does this extremely well; the script is brilliantly written, serving as more of an astute, multi-layered thought experiment than a vehicle for bloody deaths.
The titular robot doll herself is a triumph technically and artistically; of course, she - sorry, "it"!! - has the genre-regulation formidable creepiness you'd expect, but the masterful puppetry, animatronics and an extraordinary physical performance by 12-year-old champion dancer Amie Donald combine to create a pretty unforgettable character (especially in a scene in which she dances, which is gaining iconic status).
I could go on, but I'll just enthusiastically recommend this is promoted to the top of anyone's to-watch list.
Rating: ****
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 22, 2023, 12:36:56 PMQuote from: R6GYY on July 22, 2023, 10:03:30 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on July 21, 2023, 11:41:32 PMWestworld - another example of Christopher Nolan having a good concept, but not having the chops to fully realise its potential (see also: Inception, Interstellar, Tenet).
Er, Westworld was his brother Jonathan wasn't it?
Yes Reg, I stand corrected, I had in my head they were both involved.
Still, something clearly runs in the family..!!
For the record, Memento, in which both were involved, is conceptually and narratively pretty much flawless and still the best thing either of them have done (haven't seen Oppenheimer yet).
I agree re Memento - it's a superb movie. I did quite like Interstellar, but not Inception or Tenet. I didn't care for Dunkirk either.
Quote from: Fishy on July 19, 2023, 08:56:41 AMBinging the beebs World on Fire
I liked the first series albeit it wasn't exactly realistic, but this new series is decidedly second-rate IMO.
Quote from: Slim on July 22, 2023, 08:01:52 PMQuote from: Fishy on July 19, 2023, 08:56:41 AMBinging the beebs World on Fire
I liked the first series albeit it wasn't exactly realistic, but this new series is decidedly second-rate IMO.
We finished it off last night . Enjoyed it👍
The Sixth commandment...iplayer
Dunkirk last night.
Quote from: Nick on July 23, 2023, 08:49:01 AMThe Sixth commandment...iplayer
It's very good.. we've got the last one to watch tonight
Last Night - The Flash I wasn't expecting much from this DC effort and I'm not a fan of Ezra Miller either, but the start actually showed some promise and there were some great and funny action scenes. Ezra Miller was actually OK and played the role perfectly. But like all these movies it quickly descended into a cliched mess. Something else that's really grating with these action movies is the length of the film - why do they make them so long with all that unnecessary filler? Keep them tight and improving the script would make a world of difference. The CGI looked poor too, they must have used an Amiga. 5/10
For a wet, Sunday afternoon at home we chose to watch Renfield - a comedy/horror with Nicholas Hoult as Renfield and Nicholas Cage as Dracula. It's worth a watch to kill 90 minutes on a miserable day like today. Cage hams it up tremendously as the Count and Hoult plays the meek-mannered Renfield to good effect. The story is a side-line to the horror theatrics and it's a blood soaked blast from start to finish (and thankfully short enough to not get dull). I enjoyed it - 7/10
Tried episode 1 of Lucy Worsley's Puzzling a while back. Didn't make it through the 1st episode. Cheapest looking TV we've seen in a long while!
Speaking of cheap TV, we ARE working our way through Popmaster 8) .
Quote from: Fishy on July 23, 2023, 09:07:46 AMQuote from: Nick on July 23, 2023, 08:49:01 AMThe Sixth commandment...iplayer
It's very good.. we've got the last one to watch tonight
Finished it off tonight.. excellent
Finally catching up with Series 7 of
Fear the Walking Dead (SE08 is on at the moment). Also I've found out that
The Walking Dead: Dead City with Negan and Maggie is on too - and
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon starts in September - in France of all places lol:
Just caught up with episodes 6 and 7 of Strange New Worlds season 2.
Episode 7, the long awaited Strange New Worlds / Lower Decks crossover is incredibly entertaining.
A new Exorcist movie, an actual sequel to the original. Who thinks it's going to be shit?
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12921446/
Hijack ep 6
Silo ep 4
Silo ep 5
And thankfully finished off The Blacklist.. a pretty woeful season and ridiculous finale..
Quote from: Fishy on July 27, 2023, 10:32:30 PMSilo ep 5
And thankfully finished off The Blacklist.. a pretty woeful season and ridiculous finale..
I gave up on
The Blacklist when, er, somebody particular stopped being in it (season 5 I think). Just trying not to spoil things.
Did you watch the spin-off series
The Blacklist: Redemption? I seem to remember that was quite good.
Well I've now finished off season 1 of Loki, and also James May: Our Man In Italy.
Quote from: R6GYY on July 28, 2023, 10:35:36 AMQuote from: Fishy on July 27, 2023, 10:32:30 PMSilo ep 5
And thankfully finished off The Blacklist.. a pretty woeful season and ridiculous finale..
I gave up on The Blacklist when, er, somebody particular stopped being in it (season 5 I think). Just trying not to spoil things.
Did you watch the spin-off series The Blacklist: Redemption? I seem to remember that was quite good.
No 10 seasons of blacklist is enough for us.. so much more stuff to get thru
16 rather crap episodes of Series 7 of Fear the Walking Dead completed last night. I'll probably start watching the second series of Good Omens next.
Quote from: pxr5 on July 29, 2023, 03:12:34 PM16 rather crap episodes of Series 7 of Fear the Walking Dead completed last night. I'll probably start watching the second series of Good Omens next.
I watched episode 1 of
Good Omens series 2 last night. Promising start :D
Did the 6 episodes of series 2 of Good Omens over a couple of nights. A very enjoyable watch but not as good as the first series. You can see the work that went into it but the main story was a bit weak and was mixed in with too much history stuff. 7/10
1ep of Silo to go.. it's great
Enjoyed the first episode of Silo and Hijack. Just seems to be so much out there to watch these days.
Saw The Pope's Exorcist. Very impressed with Russell Crowe's Italian (and English with an Italian accent)
That's Silo finished.. really enjoyed that..👍
Quote from: Fishy on July 31, 2023, 07:51:19 PMThat's Silo finished.. really enjoyed that..👍
A good ending eh? :)
Got the last ep of Hijack lined up for tonight...
Finished Rabbit Hole (Paramount+), okay'ish - 6.5/10.
Watched a couple of shows from My5 at the weekend picked by the wife due to her mum recommending them :-
Blindspot - dreadful stuff and Grant Mitchell's acting was worse than in Eastenders - 1/10.
For Her Sins - okayish - 6.5/10.
Started on Season 2 of The Bear (Disney+), 5 episodes in and decent so far.
Quote from: Fishy on August 02, 2023, 01:10:21 PMGot the last ep of Hijack lined up for tonight...
Bit of a daft finale actually...
Started watching Wolf on the BBC. It's an intriguing start for sure.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2.
Caught up with episodes 8 and 9 over the last 2 nights.
Episode 8 is very serious stuff about the Human/Klingon war.
Episode 9 is a musical! Quite an audacious production and really well done. Applause!!!
Tonight we will be watching Gerard Butler in Kandahar on Amazon Prime.
I'm not expecting too much but who knows?
Quadrophenia.. great album very shitty film...
Only 1 episode of Wolf to watch tonight. What a weird show this has been. I'm still not sure what's going on, but in bed last night I had a revelation as to what's happened - we'll see.
Quote from: R6GYY on August 05, 2023, 07:37:26 PMTonight we will be watching Gerard Butler in Kandahar on Amazon Prime.
I'm not expecting too much but who knows?
Better than expected actually, and Mr. Butler got to use his native accent and the performance was all the better for it. A very topical film (and based on real events apparently).
Delighted to find the first 11 episodes of Ade In Britain (from 2011?) on youtube. We've watched 4 so far.
I've been trying to find the whole lot (series 1: 20 episodes, and series 2: 30 episodes) but no luck.
Well, not strictly true - you can buy all (I think) of the individual episodes on Amazon Prime for £1.89 each. But no price for buying the whole season which I find a bit strange. 50 episodes would work out at £94.50. I don't want to watch it that badly!
Started on A Spy Among Friends
Also finished the final season of Jack Ryan tonight.
Finished Wolf last night. I was nearly right with what was going on. God show 8/10. Also been watching The Power of Parker. Brilliant, I love it and it's great to get that early 90s feel.
Good Omens season 2 now finished. Mostly enjoyable and clearly set up for season 3.
Great supporting cast, but David Tennant and Michael Sheen really shine in this. And Jon Hamm obviously enjoyed himself in this.
Just caught the first 2 episodes of The Peripheral. Brilliant, intelligent sci-fi - I wish I'd watched it sooner.
The Bear (Disney+), superb episodes throughout the 2nd half of Season 2 - 9/10.
Mr.Inbetween Season 1(Disney+), quick episodes and very enjoyable & now ready to start Season 2 - 9/10.
65, decent enough film with Adam Driver and all done in 90 minutes - 8/10.
Quote from: Fishy on July 22, 2023, 08:23:29 PMQuote from: Slim on July 22, 2023, 08:01:52 PMQuote from: Fishy on July 19, 2023, 08:56:41 AMBinging the beebs World on Fire
I liked the first series albeit it wasn't exactly realistic, but this new series is decidedly second-rate IMO.
We finished it off last night . Enjoyed it👍
I've watched the first four now and I must say it's developing nicely, though I could do without the PC race-baiting in the plot thread about the war in North Africa. The senior upper class British officer who's inflexible, incompetent and (of coure) racist is a ridiculous cliche, as well. But that's the BBC for you. Even General Melchett was a more subtle caricature.
Caught up with Guy Ritchie's The Covenant tonight. Very similar in some regards to last week's Kandahar. The trailer will give you a good idea of what you are in for.
Vice - excellent film. Christian Bale, Steve Carrell and Amy Adams give fantastic portrayals of the lead characters.
Finished The Peripheral last night. All was going well until the last episode - it just felt rushed and confusing. A couple of jump the shark moments ruined the whole show too, but I think it's to set up season 2. A shame really as most of it was fantastic sci-fi. 7/10
I'm watching The Patient just now. Only 10 short (20 mins) episodes so it should be completed soon. From IMDb: A psychotherapist finds himself held prisoner by a serial killer who demands he help him curb his homicidal urges. It's strange to see Steve Carrell in a serious role, but he plays the ageing psychotherapist very well. Domhnall Gleeson is superb as the serial killer though; with a perfect American accent. Tense stuff.
Thanks for the info about The Patient. I watched the first 2 episodes last night, and will do at least 1 more in a mo.
This afternoon I caught up with Gran Turismo at the cinema (not on Imax).
Whilst I enjoyed it a lot, I was left a little under-whelmed by the racing action. The climactic race in the film is the 24 hour Le Mans race, and the Christian Bale / Matt Damon picture Le Mans 66 did this soooo much better - so visceral in the intensity of the driving footage - especially at night in the rain. Genuinely scary arse-tightening to watch at times.
Gran Turismo IS well worth a watch though, and (based on truth) a story worth telling.
I was surprised to discover that the director was none other than Neill Blomkamp, he of District 9 fame. Now THAT was a debut film and a half.
Went with the family to see Barbie. A bit of a mess I thought. It went on too long and got boring. It came across as confused and incoherent.
Quote from: dom on August 15, 2023, 11:41:32 PMWent with the family to see Barbie. A bit of a mess I thought. It went on too long and got boring. It came across as confused and incoherent.
Serves you right
😁
Quote from: David L on August 16, 2023, 10:17:41 AMQuote from: dom on August 15, 2023, 11:41:32 PMWent with the family to see Barbie. A bit of a mess I thought. It went on too long and got boring. It came across as confused and incoherent.
Serves you right
😁
Fair comment ;D
Finished The Patient last night. Very good overall. The later episodes were a little bit longer than the first few. 8.5/10
A new horror movie - Nefarious. From IMDb: On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of his own. I didn't know anything about this movie beforehand, but gets a half decent score on IMDb, so I thought why not. The acting by Sean Patrick Flanery is excellent and he plays the demon/Edward with great effect, switching effortlessly between roles and interacts well with the interviewing psychiatrist (most of the movie is dialogue between the two). When it had finished I looked it up online. Turns out it was made by a Christian independent production company based on a book by a republican supporting Christian. Some of the comments on the book see it as some sort of a warning if we don't heed the evil amongst us. Ignoring all that pap, the film is quite good and the acting (mostly by Sean Patrick Flanery) is spot on. There is no major twist, but the ending is unexpected and a neat way to finish up. Thankfully not overlong either. 6.5/10
Another new horror movie just now - Cobweb. IMDb says: An eight-year-old boy tries to investigate the mysterious knocking sounds that are coming from inside the walls of his house, unveiling a dark secret that his sinister parents have kept hidden from him. A slow start leads to a manic last 20 minutes. The tense build up is good, but the conclusion is all a bit daft really. All the actors were good enough (the excellent Antony Starr and Lizzy Caplan lead) and the script adequate. But for a horror it just wasn't scary enough and I found it monotonous. A runtime of 88 minutes. Overall a poor effort 4/10
We went with one of Sian's favourites tonight - Air Force One.
On episode 3 of season 3 of Only Murders in the Building.
Funny and entertaining.
Martin Short is brilliant. Meryl Streep too
Secret Invasion - A marvel series focussing on Nick Fury. Only 6 episodes and we rattled through 3 tonight. It's okay-ish and that's about it. I'll likely forget I've watched 10 minutes after the last episode.
2 more episodes (3 and 4) of the 1st series of Shooter tonight.
Quote from: pxr5 on August 20, 2023, 10:19:59 PMSecret Invasion - A marvel series focussing on Nick Fury. Only 6 episodes and we rattled through 3 tonight. It's okay-ish and that's about it. I'll likely forget I've watched 10 minutes after the last episode.
Nice to see they rebuilt Halifax's Piece Hall in time for the summer series of gigs. ;) :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on August 22, 2023, 08:26:03 AMQuote from: pxr5 on August 20, 2023, 10:19:59 PMSecret Invasion - A marvel series focussing on Nick Fury. Only 6 episodes and we rattled through 3 tonight. It's okay-ish and that's about it. I'll likely forget I've watched 10 minutes after the last episode.
Nice to see they rebuilt Halifax's Piece Hall in time for the summer series of gigs. ;) :)
I didn't know it was Halifax but there were a lot of UK locations in this show. I finished last night and it actually started to improve as the episodes got shorter in length.
6/10
I've been watching a couple of episodes of Cheers each night for the past few weeks. I'm now on season 10 out of 11 and will be sorry when I've completed them all. Shelley Long was good at the beginning. She played her character very well, but it became a bit tiresome. Kirstie Alley is magnificent as the lunatic Rebecca and makes for far better plots. Woody was an inspirational replacement for the much missed Coach. I have to say however, my heart always sinks when they leave the bar. Anything off set descends into English farce and becomes almost unwatchable slapstick. It's why I rarely watch Frasier. Kelsey Grammer is a great comedy actor, but the scripts are very much like the worst of Cheers.
Cheers. One of the best lines ever, by Norm:
"Women, can't live with 'em. Pass the beer-nuts".
Not that I have anything against women, I just thought it was a well-written, perfectly delivered line.
Move along now, nothing to see here . . .
Series 3 of The Witcher. I've only watched 2 episodes so far and all I can say is 'Oh Dear'. I'm shocked at how bad it's got and you can't blame Henry Cavill (he's not even in it much this series) for sacking this off. It looks amazing and some of the monsters are the best I've seen (the second episode in particular); the acting and cinematography are all top draw. However, the script is nonsense with an incredibly confusing storyline and scenes jump around in a horrible mess. There are so many character names thrown around you have no idea who is who or where they are; there is no character development at all, or back stories to justify anyone's actions. It's a real shame, but I'll see it out just for the action parts that do look stunning in 4K HDR. I doubt there will be any more seasons after this shambolic mess.
Quote from: pxr5 on August 14, 2023, 08:46:14 PMI'm watching The Patient just now. Only 10 short (20 mins) episodes so it should be completed soon. From IMDb: A psychotherapist finds himself held prisoner by a serial killer who demands he help him curb his homicidal urges. It's strange to see Steve Carrell in a serious role, but he plays the ageing psychotherapist very well. Domhnall Gleeson is superb as the serial killer though; with a perfect American accent. Tense stuff.
3 eps in.. it's good stuff..😀
Quote from: R6GYY on August 05, 2023, 07:37:26 PMTonight we will be watching Gerard Butler in Kandahar on Amazon Prime.
I'm not expecting too much but who knows?
Better than expected actually, and Mr. Butler got to use his native accent and the performance was all the better for it. A very topical film (and based on real events apparently).
Have to agree that Kandahar was rather decent - 8/10, wonder if we will get a sequel ?
Finished
Mr.Inbetween (Disney+) Seasons 2 & 3, gutted we won't get anymore - 9/10.
Rattling through
Star Trek Strange New Worlds (Paramount+) Season 2, just finished the one with Lower Decks which was excellent as have been some of the previous episodes !!
Quote from: Fishy on August 23, 2023, 11:45:45 AMQuote from: pxr5 on August 14, 2023, 08:46:14 PMI'm watching The Patient just now. Only 10 short (20 mins) episodes so it should be completed soon. From IMDb: A psychotherapist finds himself held prisoner by a serial killer who demands he help him curb his homicidal urges. It's strange to see Steve Carrell in a serious role, but he plays the ageing psychotherapist very well. Domhnall Gleeson is superb as the serial killer though; with a perfect American accent. Tense stuff.
3 eps in.. it's good stuff..😀
2eps to go.. still very good😀
Watched Marriage a BBC four parter from last year with Sean Bean and Nicola Walker. Watched all episodes over a couple of nights. Understated yet thought provoking
First two eps of Netflix Painkiller
Finished off The Patient.. a satisfying end to a great series..
Finished The Witcher series 3. This was so frustrating - you can see the money was spent on effects, costumes and scenery, but, oh dear, the script and story were appalling. And it appears it is to continue with Liam Hemsworth playing The Witcher. Henry Cavill made this series and they'll really have to turn it round an awful lot to improve it in anyway. 4/10 for SE03
Last night The Escape Artist part 1. Gripping stuff and we will watch part 2 tonight.
When that is done, will move on to series 1 of Guilt.
And also continue with Shooter season 1 which is our weekly Sunday night viewing at the moment.
Quote from: pxr5 on August 25, 2023, 01:57:55 PMFinished The Witcher series 3. This was so frustrating - you can see the money was spent on effects, costumes and scenery, but, oh dear, the script and story were appalling. And it appears it is to continue with Liam Hemsworth playing The Witcher. Henry Cavill made this series and they'll really have to turn it round an awful lot to improve it in anyway. 4/10 for SE03
Will finish it this weekend. Was aware Cavill won't continue, was nor aware Hemsworth would step in. Not so sure I want to see that...
I'm half way through Twisted Metal. It's loosely based on an old Playstation game (I admit I've not heard of). 10 shortish episodes - from IMDb: Follows a motor-mouthed outsider offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. It's a blast - violent, funny and action packed from the word go. Think of it like a cross between Mad Max and Damnation Alley. The acting and editing are a bit ropey buy you hardly notice as there's so much going on. Anthony Mackie is surprisingly good and keeps the comedy flowing throughout. And Sweet Tooth the mad clown is violently bonkers but hilarious too (voiced by Will Arnett but played by an ex wrestler, but seamless). It's trash of the highest order, easily 9/10.
Flying through Painkiller. This has already been done very recently with Michael Keaton in Dopesick, but I can't get enough of this story. Worst excesses of corporate greed.
We finished Twisted Metal last night. A great show and an intriguing ending which leaves more to come - hopefully.
Finished Painkiller - In hindsight I think Dopesick covered the story better but Painkiller was excellent as well. What a fecking awful family the Sacklers were/are. How they are not all in prison amazes me.
Quote from: dom on August 29, 2023, 12:54:27 PMFinished Painkiller - In hindsight I think Dopesick covered the story better but Painkiller was excellent as well. What a fecking awful family the Sacklers were/are. How they are not all in prison amazes me.
We've just rattled thru Painkiller.. was very good preferred Dopesick I think..
Started the new Beeb drama Woman in the Wall
Finally got around to the first series of Guilt. Watched 2 episodes tonight. Excellent stuff.
Quote from: Matt2112 on April 15, 2023, 12:12:13 PMX
Was meaning to watch this for ages and with its prequel Pearl just being released I was spurred into action.
This is a slasher horror based in 1979 and shot as if it was made in that year - and quite brilliantly so.
But this has many other things that sets it apart from inevitable comparisons to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and the current crowded retro-horror field as it deftly weaves through various themes and tonal shifts. There's buckets of blood and gore (not for the squeamish), scares (not cheap jump-scares) and a terrific sense of the uncanny while it somehow manages to deconstruct itself the way the Scream franchise once did quite successfully, whereas where Scream relies on audience knowledge, this assumes audience intelligence.
It's very well performed by all the cast and Ti West's skilful direction is very impressive indeed.
For me this is one of the best horror films of the 2020s and highly, enthusiastically recommended. (Available on Amazon Prime).
Rating: ****
I re-watched this on Prime this evening ahead of watching its prequel Pearl, the bluray of which dropped through my letter box from Cinema Paradiso recently.
I won't repeat myself - suffice to say my original appraisal definitely holds. :)
Half way through series 2 of Guilt now. Fantastic stuff.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter Most people are likely to recall the ship, the Demeter, that brings Count Dracula to England that is found washed up on the coast of Whitby with all crew missing apart from a loan sailor dead, and strapped to the wheel. Well this story tells of that fateful journey from Romania. Dracula here is not all suave and sophisticated, rather a monster much like the beast from Nosferatu. It progresses as you'd expect with the unfortunate sailors being taken out one at a time to provide sustenance to the vampire during the trip. It's well done and has that necessary scariness all throughout the movie. It won't win any awards but it's a great idea for a film and it's a surprise this part of the story hasn't been told before like this. 7/10
Watched the last 2 episodes of Guilt series 2 tonight.
So well written. I hope the 3rd series keeps it up.
Invasion SE01 This one totally passed me by (2021), but I started with 2 episodes tonight. It's a slow burner for sure and it's purely character driven, so don't expect martians and ray guns and tons of shitty CGI. Follows individuals from all over the world as they are slowly experiencing the commencement of an alien invasion: An old retiring sheriff from Idaho, a Japanese JASA comms expert, an Indian-American doctor dealing with an unfaithful husband, a bullied English schoolboy and a Navy Seal in Kandahar. I love shows like this and series 2 has just started as well - great stuff.
The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies The new Beeb drama .. wasn't sure about this going in but it's very good..
Quote from: Fishy on September 04, 2023, 08:50:00 AMThe Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies The new Beeb drama .. wasn't sure about this going in but it's very good..
I'm assuming it is based on the BBC newsroom
;)
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 22, 2023, 10:43:50 AMI've been watching a couple of episodes of Cheers each night for the past few weeks. I'm now on season 10 out of 11 and will be sorry when I've completed them all. Shelley Long was good at the beginning. She played her character very well, but it became a bit tiresome. Kirstie Alley is magnificent as the lunatic Rebecca and makes for far better plots. Woody was an inspirational replacement for the much missed Coach. I have to say however, my heart always sinks when they leave the bar. Anything off set descends into English farce and becomes almost unwatchable slapstick. It's why I rarely watch Frasier. Kelsey Grammer is a great comedy actor, but the scripts are very much like the worst of Cheers.
Getting perilously close to the end of the final series and don't know what to replace it with for that last watch at night. The strange thing is, having watched all the episodes back in the day, I don't remember any of them apart from a couple of crazy Kirstie Alley lines.
Just started on the 3rd series of the sublime Guilt.
And we will be following finals week in Celebrity Masterchef.
Quote from: pxr5 on September 03, 2023, 09:40:29 PMInvasion SE01 This one totally passed me by (2021), but I started with 2 episodes tonight. It's a slow burner for sure and it's purely character driven, so don't expect martians and ray guns and tons of shitty CGI. Follows individuals from all over the world as they are slowly experiencing the commencement of an alien invasion: An old retiring sheriff from Idaho, a Japanese JASA comms expert, an Indian-American doctor dealing with an unfaithful husband, a bullied English schoolboy and a Navy Seal in Kandahar. I love shows like this and series 2 has just started as well - great stuff.
Managed half way thru second episode .. far too slow and ponderous for me.. the unfaithful husband and Japanese storylines were just naff... sorry
Quote from: Fishy on September 05, 2023, 01:50:05 PMQuote from: pxr5 on September 03, 2023, 09:40:29 PMInvasion SE01 This one totally passed me by (2021), but I started with 2 episodes tonight. It's a slow burner for sure and it's purely character driven, so don't expect martians and ray guns and tons of shitty CGI. Follows individuals from all over the world as they are slowly experiencing the commencement of an alien invasion: An old retiring sheriff from Idaho, a Japanese JASA comms expert, an Indian-American doctor dealing with an unfaithful husband, a bullied English schoolboy and a Navy Seal in Kandahar. I love shows like this and series 2 has just started as well - great stuff.
Managed half way thru second episode .. far too slow and ponderous for me.. the unfaithful husband and Japanese storylines were just naff... sorry
Yeah I can understand that and it is slow. But I prefer it for that; I do get fed up with typical Hollywood pap that gets churned out. This just feels different and I like all the individual stories. Also I believe that things really take off around episode 6 and hey it must be OK as it got the green light for a second series (unlike many recent shows e.g. The Peripheral)
We finished series 1 of Invasion last night. Quite good overall, but some odd moments ruined it a little. Series 2 has started, but I'll wait for all episodes before continuing. 7/10
Pearl
Ti West's prequel to the, um, excellent X that was #1 on my to-watch list.
So maybe my expectations were raised too high as, unfortunately, I found this quite disappointing.
There's a fair bit to admire - the technical proficiency, the performances (lead Mia Goth is quite remarkable) but for me the script rather let it down; it just doesn't match the lurid, grisly fascination of X.
Still, I look forward to X's sequel, MaXXXine, which completes the trilogy and is released next year.
Rating: **
Started watching Top Guns: Inside the RAF on Channel 4, made me feel quite nostalgic, but things have changed a lot since I left. And beards - I really can't get my head around those, and on the men ;) Better than I thought it was going to be. RAF Lossiemouth looks better than I remember too.
Working my way through....
Ash vs Evil Dead Season 3 (Netflix) and Twisted Metal Season 1 (Download), both have similar sillyness and gore !!!
Watched a few shows from National Geographic channel on Disney+ :-
Into The Grand Canyon, The Deepest Cave & Lost In The Artic
Film in work tonight was Talk To Me, very decent horror about conjuring spirits with an embalmed hand - 7/10.
The Continental
Also catching up with something we missed when it came out. Working our way through 4 seasons of Whitechapel.
Grabbed the 2 series of the BBC Colditz drama... working my way thru them
Boiling Point (short film)
Caught this by chance on the BBC ahead of the series starting next Sunday.
Very good indeed, just like the feature film adaptation released a year or so later, which was also brilliantly executed in an engrossing single take and featured a powerhouse lead performance from Stephen Graham.
However, as prep for the series (Graham and the feature's cast return) I would recommend viewing the feature film rather than the short, as the latter acts almost as an extended trailer for the former, complete with inevitable plot spoilers.
I'll create a dedicated thread for the series.
Rating: ****
Loved the film and looking forward to the series. Hadn't heard of the short, might look out for it
Barbie - Looked good and started out quite well until it became preachy crap. I'll give it a 4/10. I'll use my wife's exact description when I asked her what she thought - "Shite".
Quote from: pxr5 on September 29, 2023, 10:07:06 PMBarbie - Looked good and started out quite well until it became preachy crap. I'll give it a 4/10. I'll use my wife's exact description when I asked her what she thought - "Shite".
Yes, an example of influential players in the Hollywood bubble (Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie) thinking they've produced something revelatory, when it's actually way behind the curve - and actually ends up patronising
everyone, no matter what their stance on feminism.
Might deservedly win technical Oscars - but that's all.
Boiling Point
Quote from: Fishy on October 02, 2023, 09:58:36 PMBoiling Point
The series I assume? Hopefully will catch the first one tonight.
Quote from: Matt2112 on October 03, 2023, 06:33:34 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 02, 2023, 09:58:36 PMBoiling Point
The series I assume? Hopefully will catch the first one tonight.
Yep the series.. watching more tonight👍
Finished Boiling Point last night.. have to say the audio mix is terrible... couldn't hear half the dialogue in some scenes..
Quote from: Fishy on October 04, 2023, 08:43:50 AMFinished Boiling Point last night.. have to say the audio mix is terrible... couldn't hear half the dialogue in some scenes..
A common complaint apparently. Haven't yet started it.
The Long Shadow
Finished The Continental earlier tonight and just now watched Loki S02E01 with was terrific.
Sometime over the weekend we've got S02E01 of the new Quantum Leap to watch.
Aftersun
Critically lauded and award-winning British arthouse film from debut writer-director Charlotte Wells (a name to watch).
A father-daughter tale, beautifully portrayed by Paul Mescal (for which he received a Best Actor Oscar nomination this year) and young Frankie Corio, who was plucked from non-acting obscurity and turns in an affectingly naturalistic performance.
There are many weighty, heart-wrenching themes here, which are sympathetically told but rather heavy on symbolism and allegory - for me this sometimes worked as much against the story as for it. So while I was left quite impressed, I wasn't quite the gibbering emotional wreck by the end as the film presumably intended.
I watched the bluray's Q&A where Charlotte Wells mentions she wanted a two-and-a-half-hour cut, but was ordered to lop at least a fifth off that; however, while I'm certain the longer version would have been a much more affecting experience (and I hope it sees the light of day), the film as it stands is well worth a look.
Rating: ***
Finished off The Long Shadow then watched Boiling Point (the film) again..
The Reckoning.. new Beeb drama about Saville
Quote from: Fishy on October 09, 2023, 10:16:54 PMThe Reckoning.. new Beeb drama about Saville
Watched the first episode. All seems a bit superfluous, there's nothing revelatory or especially insightful. It just trawls through what is very well known, at least so far.
Coogan seems mis-cast also; I admire the bravery at taking it on, but this won't rank as one of his greatest acting performances.
Series 2 of Foundation. The scale of it is impressive indeed and it must have cost Apple a fortune to make. Great TV though and an excellent source to use for sci-fi.
Quote from: Fishy on October 09, 2023, 10:16:54 PMThe Reckoning.. new Beeb drama about Saville
Ep2 tonight
Finished The Reckoning; I thought the last episode in particular was very well done.
This was never going to be a comfortable viewing experience for several reasons, but it was at least clear that it was made with great care and sensitivity. It gets the balance exactly right between portraying repulsive acts of abuse, but not so graphically it feels exploitative.
And after four hours of Steve Coogan being in virtually every scene I take back my comment after the first episode that he was mis-cast; he gives a brave, skilled, nuanced performance which very effectively conveys Savile how he was remembered before his public disgrace, and how he's been regarded since. Coogan somehow makes the segues from documentary footage of the real Savile to the dramatic scenes feel seamless, so in that sense it's a triumph. I wouldn't put his performance at the same level as his superb portrayal of Stan Laurel in Stan And Ollie, but it's hugely admirable all the same.
Rating: ***
Quote from: Matt2112 on October 13, 2023, 12:46:51 PMFinished The Reckoning; I thought the last episode in particular was very well done.
This was never going to be a comfortable viewing experience for several reasons, but it was at least clear that it was made with great care and sensitivity. It gets the balance exactly right between portraying repulsive acts of abuse, but not so graphically it feels exploitative.
And after four hours of Steve Coogan being in virtually every scene I take back my comment after the first episode that he was mis-cast; he gives a brave, skilled, nuanced performance which very effectively conveys Savile how he was remembered before his public disgrace, and how he's been regarded since. Coogan somehow makes the segues from documentary footage of the real Savile to the dramatic scenes feel seamless, so in that sense it's a triumph. I wouldn't put his performance at the same level as his superb portrayal of Stan Laurel in Stan And Ollie, but it's hugely admirable all the same.
Rating: ***
Yes we finished it off tonight..I'd forgotten about the mortuary stuff.. deary me horrid man.. those poor people.. top performance from Coogan
Also tonight finished off Season 1 of The Bear
Quote from: Matt2112 on October 13, 2023, 12:46:51 PMFinished The Reckoning; I thought the last episode in particular was very well done.
This was never going to be a comfortable viewing experience for several reasons, but it was at least clear that it was made with great care and sensitivity. It gets the balance exactly right between portraying repulsive acts of abuse, but not so graphically it feels exploitative.
And after four hours of Steve Coogan being in virtually every scene I take back my comment after the first episode that he was mis-cast; he gives a brave, skilled, nuanced performance which very effectively conveys Savile how he was remembered before his public disgrace, and how he's been regarded since. Coogan somehow makes the segues from documentary footage of the real Savile to the dramatic scenes feel seamless, so in that sense it's a triumph. I wouldn't put his performance at the same level as his superb portrayal of Stan Laurel in Stan And Ollie, but it's hugely admirable all the same.
Rating: ***
Started watching this the other night. Coogan's performance seems pretty accurate down to Saville's unique mannerisms. Started the second episode but had to abandon when I fell asleep.
Interestingly, the BBC are taking a bit of flak for their obsession with wokery
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12627569/Friend-Pops-victim-Jimmy-Savile-killed-questions-BBC-changed-appearance-suicide-Reckoning-broadcaster-DENIES-supposed-her.html
The Bear season 2. First four episodes..
Just finished series 2 of Foundation. Brilliant sci-fi, role on series 3.
Sian and I are currently working our way from the start through Taskmaster. Currently mid-way through series 3. Series 1 to 9 are on UKTV Play but I think it is up to around series 14 now?
Also mid-way through the final series of Whitechapel.
More season 2 The Bear
Flying through the last season of Ghosts. Wonderfully warm comedy.
Series 2 of The Wheel of Time. It's been a while since the first season and I have no idea what's going on and who is who despite a, very, quick recap at the start. Maybe it's an age thing :-\ Still quite good and I believe Amazon spent a fortune on this. GoT it isn't though.
Polished off both seasons of the Beebs 70s drama Colditz over the past few weeks .. some of zee put on German accents were a bit annoying but it was aired in 1972/73
Quote from: Fishy on October 19, 2023, 05:35:58 PMPolished off both seasons of the Beebs 70s drama Colditz over the past few weeks .. some of zee put on German accents were a bit annoying but it was aired in 1972/73
It was essential viewing back then. The episode where one of the prisoners feigned madness, only to actually lose his mind in the end has always stuck with me. A classic series
Quote from: David L on October 19, 2023, 10:37:09 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 19, 2023, 05:35:58 PMPolished off both seasons of the Beebs 70s drama Colditz over the past few weeks .. some of zee put on German accents were a bit annoying but it was aired in 1972/73
It was essential viewing back then. The episode where one of the prisoners feigned madness, only to actually lose his mind in the end has always stuck with me. A classic series
Yes that was the episode Tweedledum in the first series..
Quote from: David L on October 19, 2023, 10:37:09 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 19, 2023, 05:35:58 PMPolished off both seasons of the Beebs 70s drama Colditz over the past few weeks .. some of zee put on German accents were a bit annoying but it was aired in 1972/73
It was essential viewing back then. The episode where one of the prisoners feigned madness, only to actually lose his mind in the end has always stuck with me. A classic series
I recall watching Colditz too. My mum wouldn't let me watch this particular episode and it was only later I understood why.
Quote from: pxr5 on October 20, 2023, 12:22:52 PMQuote from: David L on October 19, 2023, 10:37:09 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 19, 2023, 05:35:58 PMPolished off both seasons of the Beebs 70s drama Colditz over the past few weeks .. some of zee put on German accents were a bit annoying but it was aired in 1972/73
It was essential viewing back then. The episode where one of the prisoners feigned madness, only to actually lose his mind in the end has always stuck with me. A classic series
I recall watching Colditz too. My mum wouldn't let me watch this particular episode and it was only later I understood why.
Yes but did u get the board game for Xmas that year😀
Quote from: Fishy on October 20, 2023, 02:53:25 PMQuote from: pxr5 on October 20, 2023, 12:22:52 PMQuote from: David L on October 19, 2023, 10:37:09 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 19, 2023, 05:35:58 PMPolished off both seasons of the Beebs 70s drama Colditz over the past few weeks .. some of zee put on German accents were a bit annoying but it was aired in 1972/73
It was essential viewing back then. The episode where one of the prisoners feigned madness, only to actually lose his mind in the end has always stuck with me. A classic series
I recall watching Colditz too. My mum wouldn't let me watch this particular episode and it was only later I understood why.
Yes but did u get the board game for Xmas that year😀
Ha, no. But a mate did and I played it - I recall it being quite hard lol
Quote from: pxr5 on October 20, 2023, 04:07:01 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 20, 2023, 02:53:25 PMQuote from: pxr5 on October 20, 2023, 12:22:52 PMQuote from: David L on October 19, 2023, 10:37:09 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 19, 2023, 05:35:58 PMPolished off both seasons of the Beebs 70s drama Colditz over the past few weeks .. some of zee put on German accents were a bit annoying but it was aired in 1972/73
It was essential viewing back then. The episode where one of the prisoners feigned madness, only to actually lose his mind in the end has always stuck with me. A classic series
I recall watching Colditz too. My mum wouldn't let me watch this particular episode and it was only later I understood why.
Yes but did u get the board game for Xmas that year😀
Ha, no. But a mate did and I played it - I recall it being quite hard lol
It was a bit contrived but it was actually a bloody good game.. ( unless u were the Germans)
Finished off the Bear Season 2
Started on Bodies
Finished series 2 of The Wheel of Time. Looks great but a weak and confusing script and story lets it down a lot. 5/10
Quote from: Fishy on October 22, 2023, 09:15:46 PMFinished off the Bear Season 2
What did you make of it? Really enjoyed season 1 but gave up after a couple of episodes of season 2. Felt it lost its way when the restaurant was closed down.
Quote from: dom on October 24, 2023, 11:13:36 AMQuote from: Fishy on October 22, 2023, 09:15:46 PMFinished off the Bear Season 2
What did you make of it? Really enjoyed season 1 but gave up after a couple of episodes of season 2. Felt it lost its way when the restaurant was closed down.
Yeah enjoyed it.. the Xmas dinner episode was very manic.. and they eventually do open but ends of course with a bit of a cliff hanger so assuming a season 3 is on the cards...
Suzi Q, the 2019 film of the life and times of our favourite female glamster. I was surprised to find there's quite a story there
Lessons in Chemistry. Found the first 2 episodes a little dull, but has really taken off with the 3rd.
More Of Netflix Bodies
Just started series 2 of Invasion. It appears to have a larger budget, but a weaker script in my opinion. All the characters from season 1 have returned, which I was very surprised at - even the school bully is here. Some tenuous links seem to appear from nowhere and these are used to drive the story, which is understandable, but niggling nonetheless.
1st episode of Bodies... intrigued!
Quote from: dom on October 26, 2023, 03:20:05 PM1st episode of Bodies... intrigued!
Yes I was but I'm 5 eps in now and it's all getting a bit silly and shitty now
Quote from: Fishy on October 26, 2023, 03:38:24 PMQuote from: dom on October 26, 2023, 03:20:05 PM1st episode of Bodies... intrigued!
Yes I was but I'm 5 eps in now and it's all getting a bit silly and shitty now
That's always a danger when the BBC and Sci Fi try to link up!
More bodies..one ep to go luckily...
Loki Season 2 continues to delight. Episode 4 was a real belter.
Quantum Leap Season 2. Can't believe that is 4 episodes in too.
Rick And Morty Season 7. Indeed. Season 7 would you believe? And on terrestrial TV too. Available on catch-up for a few weeks.
Quote from: David L on October 24, 2023, 06:37:50 PMSuzi Q, the 2019 film of the life and times of our favourite female glamster. I was surprised to find there's quite a story there
We caught up with that on Saturday night. Thanks for the heads-up :)
Quote from: Fishy on October 26, 2023, 10:33:41 PMMore bodies..one ep to go luckily...
And finished..it was pretty shit tbh...
Now started on the new beeb drama Time
Justified: City Primeval (Disney+), decent enough story for a revival and hopefully a 2nd season 8/10.
5 episodes into The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix), ticking along nicely !!
Lockwood & Co Set in an alternate 1980s England, events take place 50 years after "The Problem". Initially not much is given away about The Problem but it has caused ghosts and spirits to become prevalent, necessitating the need for "special" agents to tackle them. The story starts when a young girl starts her training to become a hunter. When things go wrong she moves to The Smoke and joins a brand new agency called Lockwood & Co. I wasn't giving this much hope and assumed it was a YA show. But it's surprisingly good and really well made with great action scenes and a decent story (it's based on a book series which gives it chance). The music is top notch with lots of 80s goth music used - in episode 1 there were 2 Bauhaus songs and some Cure too - which is rather nice. It's getting great ratings too which is why the reason Netflix has not renewed a second series is baffling (they didn't market it at all either). 9/10 so far.
The Enfield Poltergeist
Quote from: dom on January 15, 2023, 10:19:28 PMSlow Horses, a bit like a grimy version of Spooks, first impressions are good
Finally finished season1 of Slow Horses. Can't believe it was Jan when I saw the first episode! Will hope to watch season 2 much more quickly!
More of The Walk In
Finished Lockwood & Co - brilliant. It's a real shame Netflix have not renewed, but hopefully another network will take it on (as The Expanse)
Putting lockwood and co down as a must watch!
I've just finished watching the 3 part documentary on the BBC: The Detectives Taking Down an OCG. This is a fascinating watch and one of the best of this ilk I've seen. The police and witnesses in this are incredible people; brave is not a strong enough word to describe them. It's tense and disturbing in equal measures. Really well done and takes place over 2 years of investigation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0d5wrmv
Finished off The Walk In
All The light We Cannot See
Ep 5 of Lessons in Chemistry
Dire Straits - On Every Street
Expend4bles - A bit of mindless violence can be fun (John Wick) and previous Expendables movies have been just that. This 4th in the series is far from those earlier flicks. Nobody looks like they want to be there, the story is as weak as pond water, the action scenes are amateurish, CGI is obvious (and bad). It was a relief when the 1hr40mins came to an end. If another one is made God help us 2/10
Quote from: Fishy on November 09, 2023, 10:02:20 PMAll The light We Cannot See
Finished it off.... Mmm I'm two thirds thru the book and this adaptation was a bit shit tbh...
Loki - Season 2 finale.
Astonishing.
The Diplomat
Last night we finished series 3 of the excellent Upload. Series 2 suffered because of covid but this latest one was on the ball. Brilliant comedy/sci-fi. 9/10
Finished The Diplomat.. moved on to Season 2 of The Newsreader
Series 2 of the excellent The Lazarus Project. A great idea for time travel I've not seen before.
Speaking of time travel - next up tonight is episode 6 of the 2nd series of the new Quantum Leap.
Bring it.
Over the weekend watched the whole of season 1 of Irving Welsh's Crime. Excellent!
Finished off season 2 The Newsreader
I'm A Celebrity....Get Me Out Of Here!
Boat Story
watched season 1 of Blood with Adrian Dunbar. A well written and acted psychological family drama. Really good - I had no idea it was from 2018 when I started watching it. They made a 2nd season in 2020 so will catch that too. The whole thing was filmed just down the road from me in Kilcock.
Just discovered that season 2 of something we enjoyed called Traces is on UK TV Play, so that has been added to our watch list.
Just completed season 2 of The Lazarus Project and very enjoyable it was indeed. It's complicated (time travel within time travel etc etc) but weirdly it all makes sense too, which is down to the very tight script. Hopefully another series will happen. Highly recommended 9/10
Also watching I'm a Celebrity... This season my have some fireworks - hopefully.
Finished off Boat Story.. very enjoyable
Doctor Who
Just signed up to Paramount+ in the black Friday deal. 3 months at £3.49 a month.
First watch will probably be Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Amomg Thieves which I missed in the cinema.
Quote from: R6GYY on November 26, 2023, 09:23:14 PMJust signed up to Paramount+ in the black Friday deal. 3 months at £3.49 a month.
First watch will probably be Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Amomg Thieves which I missed in the cinema.
Did Geddy's show have any influence on that, Reg? 🙂
I've heard terrific things about D&D and it's on my Cinema Paradiso list.
Just watched the old original series Star Trek episode Spock's Brain. It's infamously one of the worst ever Star Trek stories and yes, it is pretty bad. But I enjoyed it. I hadn't seen it since the '70s.
What really made me laugh about it is that Kirk and the landing party beam down to a random location on the planet, but they find the underground complex where Spock's brain has been taken about a half-minute walk away. But that's quite a common phenomenon in the old, original Star Trek.
Synchronic on Netflix, time travel film starring Anthony Mackie & Jamie Dornan.....decent enough 7/10.
Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix, only the first 5 episodes available which i've rattled through and the final 5 episodes released on the 29th.....excellent TV 8/10.
Quote from: Matt2112 on November 26, 2023, 10:43:33 PMQuote from: R6GYY on November 26, 2023, 09:23:14 PMJust signed up to Paramount+ in the black Friday deal. 3 months at £3.49 a month.
First watch will probably be Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Amomg Thieves which I missed in the cinema.
Did Geddy's show have any influence on that, Reg? 🙂
I've heard terrific things about D&D and it's on my Cinema Paradiso list.
Er, no to the Geddy question but you have piqued my curiosity. Just adding to the Christmas viewing opportunities.
The Fall of the house of Usher.. first ep.. not bad...
Quote from: Fishy on November 29, 2023, 08:38:21 AMThe Fall of the house of Usher.. first ep.. not bad...
It's either that or the second season of Loki to watch for me next.
Quote from: pxr5 on November 29, 2023, 06:33:16 PMQuote from: Fishy on November 29, 2023, 08:38:21 AMThe Fall of the house of Usher.. first ep.. not bad...
It's either that or the second season of Loki to watch for me next.
I don't know about that other one but Loki season 2 is fantastic and has some really brain melting timey-wimey stuff that I had to try and process. Amazing. Best Marvel thing I've seen on t'TV.
That reminds me - I've got at least one Rick and Morty waiting to be watched :)
Talk To Me
Aussie horror from earlier this year that caused quite a bit of buzz at the time. But it's very overrated and gets increasingly silly as it goes on. Disappointing.
Rating: **
Concorde: The Race For Supersonic
Season 2 of Blood. Still enjoyable but S2 has brought in external threats releasing some of the internal family tension built in S1.
Doctor Who : Wild Blue Yonder
Best episode I've seen in years. Serious sci-fi, scary, mentally challenging (as in engaging the viewer in trying to work out what was going on). I hope this isn't a spoiler of sorts but I definitely got some Peter F. Hamilton "Night's Dawn" vibes in parts.
Fantastic. Not sure younger audiences would grasp some of the concepts but I lapped it up.
Quote from: Fishy on November 29, 2023, 08:38:21 AMThe Fall of the house of Usher.. first ep.. not bad...
Up to ep 5 now.. quite enjoying it now
Just started watching this (actually only did the first 20 minutes of the first episode, will watch the whole shebang later).
Ticks two big boxes for me.
Space programme ✅
Alternate History ✅
It imagines a world in which the Soviets were first to put a man on the Moon at the end of the '60s.
Finished Blood. Very suspenseful, edge of your seat stuff
Wish
Took the young 'un to the local Vue to see Disney's latest offering.
It meets the bare minimum in that it's engaging and entertaining enough for younger primary school age children. But I couldn't share in that enthusiasm, as I usually would for good, family-friendly films; this is a Disney dot-joining exercise with a lazy, unexciting plot that an AI bot would reject.
It has its moments of amusement and peril here and there as you'd expect, and the songs are okay, but it all seems very hurried and overall comes across as a pound shop Frozen in all honesty.
If you're not being urged to watch this at the behest of a young child, I wouldn't bother.
Rating: **
Quote from: Fishy on December 04, 2023, 10:53:26 AMQuote from: Fishy on November 29, 2023, 08:38:21 AMThe Fall of the house of Usher.. first ep.. not bad...
Up to ep 5 now.. quite enjoying it now
And finished
The Wicker Man.
First watch. Dracula and The Equalizer go head to head (Dracula wins).
The Killer (Netflix), not great despite Fassbender as the lead - 6/10.
Retribution (IPTV), typical Neeson film - 6/10.
Started watching the first series of The Traitors and sacked it off after one episode; also The Couple Next Door - though managed half of the second episode before giving up. So watching series 2 of Loki instead which is much better.
Completed Wolf - odd and slightly disconcerting
Quote from: pxr5 on December 08, 2023, 01:47:50 PMwatching series 2 of Loki instead which is much better.
Oh yeah.
I'm A Celebrity. Farage is still there! ;D ;D ;D
Doctor Who: The Giggle
Well I never. Big, brash and bold, but no spoilers here. I still preferred last week's head-twisting voyage to the edge of nowhere - more intimate and thought provoking, but this was a blast, and Neil Patrick Harris was most excellent as the Toymaker.
A fitting 'end' for David Tennant's "universe weary" Doctor who is clearly down-trodden with the weight of The Flux and other events.
Ncuti Gatwa may well rock the roll with renewed vim and vigour, and indeed swagger. He certainly made an entrance.
If the 3 anniversary episodes are anything to go by - the future of Doctor Who is in safe hands again and I am very much looking forward to it.
Great stuff overall.
Bring on the Goblins.
On any Sunday. Iconic 1971 Bruce Brown movie about off-road motorcycling in the US
Rick and Morty latest episode.
Dungeons And Dragons: Honour Among Thieves
^ A great movie that one. Just finished Loki - really good and 6 episodes were perfect.
Are bass players human too.
. it's ok.. famous rich bass players with Geddy.. dicking about with their hobbies such as surfing flying making wine.. and pretty much not too much to worry about in life I would say... it's in 20 min chunks so it's all a-bit short thankfully and lame really..
Last night I saw the 3rd trailer for
Dune: Part 2 and it looks spectacular (not that I expect anything less).
The Fall of the House of Usher Mike Flanagan can do no wrong these days and this is up there with his best. Actors from his past shows are here again, but they are all great. Loosely based on the Poe short story this is a tale of greed, excess and families. Only 2 eps in so far, but it's gripping and, oh my, the end of episode 2 was something else (I did sort of guess that it something like that would happen). Love it.
Vigil
Dune - Part One
Just as good as I remember at the cinema, this Star Wars-esque sci-fi-hokum-but-for-grownups is so technically outstanding on multiple levels it's easy to forgive some of the story's more incoherent aspects.
I watched this on bluray alone and undisturbed, so the soundbar and subwoofer were given a tremendous workout from the film's stunning sound mix. :)
Rating: ****
Reacher season 2.
I've been waiting eagerly for this one. The first series really grew on me.
It's a wonderful life
Quote from: Fishy on December 15, 2023, 10:08:13 PMIt's a wonderful life
Never seen it. It's shown at the legendary Elland Rex every year on or around Christmas Eve. I'm determined to finally actually make it this year.
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 17, 2023, 02:24:22 AMQuote from: Fishy on December 15, 2023, 10:08:13 PMIt's a wonderful life
Never seen it. It's shown at the legendary Elland Rex every year on or around Christmas Eve. I'm determined to finally actually make it this year.
First time for me and the mrs... be interested to hear what u think of it...
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 17, 2023, 02:24:22 AMQuote from: Fishy on December 15, 2023, 10:08:13 PMIt's a wonderful life
Never seen it. It's shown at the legendary Elland Rex every year on or around Christmas Eve. I'm determined to finally actually make it this year.
I've seen it 2 or 3 times over the years, including a festive time viewing at the multiplex cinema in Derby when I was working there, ooh, nearly 20 years ago now.
I do confess to having damp eyes in parts.
Well worth a trip Matt.
Now if only they would show
It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World at the cinema. That would be a joy, but I digress.
Just finished The Fall of the House of Usher. And what a TV show it is. There are so many nods to Edgar Allen Poe stories it's amazing they could get them all in. A wonderful script and excellent acting. It's easily a 10/10 for me.
More Vigil and Dr Who
Beacon 23 - Sc-Fi with Lena Heady. "A man living in the 23rd Century works at a remote "lighthouse" in space that serves as a beacon to help passing ships." It's OK, but the reviews on IMDb are quite poor. I'm liking it so far. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9174724/
Halo - on Paramount+
The bear - season 1
Not as engrossing as I thought it would be
Squaring the Circle
Brilliant documentary on Hipgnosis by Anton Corbijn. Well worth watching.
Slow Horses S3 Ep1. Great show
Finished of Vigil.. was a bit shit tbh..
Finished Beacon 23. A good idea but it went a bit confusing and rushed at the end. 6/10
Yes the Hipgnosis doc was excellent
Leave The World Behind (Netflix), really enjoyed this 8.5/10.
Extraction 2 (Netflix), complete nonsense with lots of explosions 6/10.
Reminiscence (Netflix), not what I thought it was going to be Sci-Fi wise 6/10.
2 episodes in of Obliterated (Netflix), good start and plenty of laughs so far 8/10 (at the moment).
Leave the world behind...excellent
Series 2 of Vikings: Valhalla. I have little recollection of series 1 though lol
I watched It's A Wonderful Life, for the first time. I bought a DVD copy about 15 years ago and never got round to watching it. I ended up watching it on Channel 4 by channel hopping.
Really something of a masterpiece.
Quote from: Slim on December 24, 2023, 12:24:07 AMI watched It's A Wonderful Life, for the first time. I bought a DVD copy about 15 years ago and never got round to watching it. I ended up watching it on Channel 4 by channel hopping.
Really something of a masterpiece.
That's on my 'to do' list as I've never watched it and been meaning to for years.
Yes, every year I intend to watch this at the good old Elland Rex cinema but my plan is always scuppered by something or other - usually family-related "fun stuff", so obviously that takes priority.
I note the showing is sold out anyway; might just have to do with streaming for now and try to make the cinema experience next year.
Quote from: Slim on December 24, 2023, 12:24:07 AMI watched It's A Wonderful Life, for the first time. I bought a DVD copy about 15 years ago and never got round to watching it. I ended up watching it on Channel 4 by channel hopping.
Really something of a masterpiece.
Did you watch the colourised version? I do prefer it.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on December 24, 2023, 12:21:50 PMQuote from: Slim on December 24, 2023, 12:24:07 AMI watched It's A Wonderful Life, for the first time. I bought a DVD copy about 15 years ago and never got round to watching it. I ended up watching it on Channel 4 by channel hopping.
Really something of a masterpiece.
Did you watch the colourised version? I do prefer it.
No, Channel 4 showed the original b&w version. I was wondering if there's a colourised version actually, must check it out.
Muppet Christmas Carol
Mog's Christmas. Really enjoyed this. Used to read the books to the kids at bedtime. Happy memories
Finished Vikings: Valhalla. It's certainly not got that Ragnar effect, but it actually turned out quite well as it went along and by the end it was an exciting romp. Another series to come too - which is nice. 8/10
Just started with The Watcher with Naomi Watts. Reviews aren't great but hey, who knows right?
Quote from: Fishy on December 24, 2023, 06:42:14 PMMuppet Christmas Carol
Another one I've yet to watch in full. :-\
I haven't watched Dr Who since Matt Smith finished, but last might's effort was very enjoyable indeed. Ilike the new Dr and his sidekick - I may watch the new series.
Well worth watching the 3 60th anniversary specials with David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
I enjoyed the Xmas special too.
Yesterday afternoon, that perennial classic: The Great Escape.
Last night, we ventured into musical territory. Tempted in by the pairing of Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, we struggled through about 1/2 hour of Spirited before giving up the ghost, as it were. Not for us. Too much musical, not enough comedy.
Others may lap it up.
Sat down and watched BlackBerry yesterday. Glen Howerton from Always Sunny was brilliant. It was far superior to the similarly veined Tetris
Finished The Watcher. It was quite good but petered out to a rather unsatisfactory conclusion. I'll give it a 6/10
Just finished watching the last series of Ghosts; and the Christmas special. Brilliant TV, superbly written and acted.
Up next tonight is another well-loved film.
Where Eagles Dare
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
The sequel to arguably the best Spider-Man movie of them all has to live up to an exceptionally high bar but, for me, falls some way short, unfortunately.
While it does somehow manage to ramp up even further the stunning visuals of its predecessor, and the production design is an astounding feast for the eyes, the story is bloated, the running time overlong, the exposition scenes too ploddy and the action sequences seem to be frenetic simply for the sake of it; there's definite pacing issues here.
Still, it shares enough of Into The Spider-Verse's DNA to keep you entertained and I look forward to the next part, Beyond The Spider-Verse, which hopefully will conclude the story with more of a bang.
Rating: ***
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes - It takes place when the future President Snow is but a teen. I've read the book and despite the movie being 2hr37 it seemed a bit rushed to me. Everything was covered but skimmed over too - a TV series would have done the story much more justice. 6/10
Saltburn - Amazon prime. Rather f@cked up but quite enjoyable in a weird type of way.
Leave the World Behind - I really enjoyed this one. 'A family's getaway to a luxurious rental home takes an ominous turn when a cyberattack knocks out their devices, and two strangers appear at their door'. The cinematography was splendid, great acting and script too; it's all been seen before, but this was a little different. The Tesla scene was a wtf moment 8/10
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12747748/
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Hogmanay Fishing
We plan to watch Baz Luhrmann's Elvis tonight.
Gone Hogmanay Fishing last night. I loved Paul Whitehouse's take on the festive period. He enjoys it up to a point but a couple of days suffice. After that, he just yearns for the return of the ordinary day to day stuff where he is quite content. I get that. There's always too much expectation at this time of year which invariably falls a bit flat. You can tell the alcohol is now well on the way out of my system.
Such a lovely show. 2 old funny blokes having a laugh with beautiful scenery and the odd fish!
Quote from: dom on December 30, 2023, 05:33:17 PMSuch a lovely show. 2 old funny blokes having a laugh with beautiful scenery and the odd fish!
....and Ted!
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire A Zack Snyder movie, supposedly a Star Wars contender. It looks incredible but it lacks in pretty much every other department. A shame as I was really looking forward to this. Part 2 may save the day I guess. 5/10
Both Sian and I thoroughly enjoyed Elvis. Quite a remarkable film.
Wish I'd seen it in the cinema now. Would have been outstanding at the Imax.
We are going to continue with a musical bio theme and watch Respect tonight. Another one that slipped past me in the cinema.
Quote from: pxr5 on December 30, 2023, 09:42:04 PMRebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire A Zack Snyder movie, supposedly a Star Wars contender. It looks incredible but it lacks in pretty much every other department. A shame as I was really looking forward to this. Part 2 may save the day I guess. 5/10
I tried about 30 mins of this, style over substance for sure. Bit slow too. Not for me.
Freelance with John Cena (who was brilliant in the hilarious Peacemaker). This movie is supposed to be a comedy/action flick. However it severely lacked in any humour and the action couldn't compensate for that. Sadly, quite a poor effort overall and instantly forgotten. 3/10
Quote from: R6GYY on December 31, 2023, 06:08:57 PMWe are going to continue with a musical bio theme and watch Respect tonight. Another one that slipped past me in the cinema.
Which led to the discovery of the documentary
Amazing Grace which was filmed over the course of 2 days recording the gospel album of the same name in 1972, but only released in 2019 (the 'birth' or history of this documentary film could need a documentary in its own right!).
Chuffed to discover that this is on BBC iPlayer, so we will catch up with this soon.
Here is a trailer . . .
Been watching Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix.
Absolutely brilliant telly. People forming alliances then betraying each other. People getting frightened and upset. I never would have thought you could have got a decent show out of a real version of Squid Game without people actually getting killed but it's been even better. I've just watched three hours of it, not something my attention span would normally allow.
Earlier - The Wizard of Oz
Now - Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Having heard all the stuff new to my ears in the Camel Box it's time to watch :)
Camel - The Video Vaults
Quote from: Slim on January 01, 2024, 09:21:07 PMBeen watching Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix.
Absolutely brilliant telly. People forming alliances then betraying each other. People getting frightened and upset. I never would have thought you could have got a decent show out of a real version of Squid Game without people actually getting killed but it's been even better. I've just watched three hours of it, not something my attention span would normally allow.
Watched all ten of these, now. Brilliant telly. Very cleverly edited and designed. Proper mindfuck material in parts.
Binged The Tourist season 2
Camel - The Video Vaults: BBC TV Sight and Sound in Concert 1977
Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Quote from: Fishy on January 05, 2024, 08:09:54 PMMr Bates vs The Post Office
Recorded 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office: the real story". After watching the dramatisation, I considered this essential
I've seen the first 3 episodes of Mr Bates vs the Post Office. I was first made aware of the issue when radio 4 covered it here...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m000jf7j?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
The Creator - This should have been great. A pretty decent story, great effects and the script wasn't bad. But it didn't click with me, as with others that I've read reviews from. I think what spoilt it for me was John David Washington - he's not a good actor and severely lacks any charisma. Another actor in the main role would have improved the movie immensely. Another movie he starred in, Tenet, was poor as well - may be that was him too. A shame as this film could have been an epic. 6/10
Agreed - I was soooo looking forward to The Creator, and came away from the cinema feeling deflated. Could & should have been much better.
Quote from: dom on January 06, 2024, 08:18:44 AMI've seen the first 3 episodes of Mr Bates vs the Post Office. I was first made aware of the issue when radio 4 covered it here...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m000jf7j?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
One of the local post mistresses in my town was accused of swindling £74k, heads have to roll for this but I guess the guilty are playing for time.
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/mr-bates-vs-post-office-9011700
Such an appalling abuse of power. Unbelievable really. Something you'd expect in a 3rd World country or despotic state, not the UK.
Second series of The Tourist on the BBC. I'm loving it so far, on a par, if not even better, than series 1.
Opeth - In Live Concert at the Royal Albert Hall
Speaking of Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office, we've just finished binge watching the 4 episodes tonight. Great TV documenting an almost incomprehensible misuse of power. We now plan to watch "the real story" tomorrow night if we can find it.
Finished off Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Camel - Pressure Points (Starring Bruno Tonioli)
Silent Witness.. why do I keep watching this...
Squaring the circle.. the hipgnosis story
That was great...
Finished S02 of The Tourist. Pretty good but a slightly disappointing ending, with a hint of may be more to come.
Quote from: pxr5 on January 09, 2024, 11:41:29 AMFinished S02 of The Tourist. Pretty good but a slightly disappointing ending, with a hint of may be more to come.
We are about three episodes in. Getting a bit too silly now IMHO
Started on Slow Horses season 1.. it's very good
Gen V - A spin off show from The Boys, follows a younger group of 'supes'. It's an interesting take on the world of The Boys and like it's predecessor can be quite brutal and shocking at times.
James May: Our Man In India
More Slow Horses
Jethro Tull live at the Landover Centre Maryland 21st November 1977
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 11, 2024, 03:05:22 PMJethro Tull live at the Landover Centre Maryland 21st November 1977
I read that quickly and wondered why Maryland would have a centre dedicated to Prince Phillip's favourite off-roader ;D
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Theives
If someone had insisted to me during 2023 that a film based on "D&D" - a game in which I've never had any interest whatsoever - was one of the best of the year, my immediate assumption would have been that they were pulling my leg.
However, it turns out that it really is true: this fantasy adventure comedy is wonderfully crafted in every respect, save for some of the CGI, though its slight shonkiness may well be intended.
Everything is pitched to perfection: the performances, the direction, the set-pieces, the fantastically self-aware humour that miraculously stops just short of spoof territory; this might well also be the funniest film of 2023, chock full of sharp, smart visual and verbal gags.
Effusively recommended.
Rating: ****
Reading Matt's review I've just realised that although I mentioned a few pages back that I was watching it / had watched it, I didn't say anything else about it.
Yes - very enjoyable hokum and well worth signing up to Paramount+ for £3.49 to watch it 8).
Greg Davies double bill tonight.
Kicked off with Who Do You Think You Are? Series 13, episode 7 (as in, Greg Davies).
Followed by the live show You Magnificent Beast.
Slow Horses Season 2..it's very good
Finished Gen V and very enjoyable it was too. Some extremely gross out moments as well, which seemed gorier than The Boys - good effects though. Nice to see a familiar face at the end. 8.5/10
Quote from: Fishy on January 14, 2024, 09:22:52 PMSlow Horses Season 2..it's very good
Finished it off last night.. moving onto season 3
Saltburn
I had high hopes for this second feature from Emerald Fennell after the quite brilliant Promising Young Woman.
It's also attracted a lot of social media chatter, particularly over a couple of "gross-out" scenes, and its 2006 setting has propelled songs it uses from that era back into the charts (Sophie Ellis-Bextor's evergreen banger Murder On The Dancefloor, for example).
Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to anywhere near all that hype. This is over two hours of slow-burn, blackly satirical comedy horror that simply fizzles out while you wait for it to combust, as Promising Young Woman did spectacularly.
Yes, Barry Keoghan in the lead role gives another showcase of his undoubted talent and there are fine turns in support, particularly from Rosamund Pike; but for me this was ultimately a disappointing and underwhelming experience given the personnel.
Available on Amazon Prime.
Rating: **
Three part documentary on Channel 5 about the 1972 plane crash in the Andes. This was extremely well done. I knew the story of course, but not the details of what actually happened and how the few survived for so long and were subsequently saved. There is a movie from 1993 called Alive - but more recently a Netflix version called Society of the Snow, which I'll likely watch in the future https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16277242/. I can definitely recommend the documentary though
Fargo se05. I've only watched the first episode so far and Fargo is back to its brilliant best (season 4 was a blip in an otherwise superb TV show). So many questions already and I can't wait to see how it pans out. Love those Minnesota accents too.
Quote from: Fishy on January 16, 2024, 09:39:43 AMQuote from: Fishy on January 14, 2024, 09:22:52 PMSlow Horses Season 2..it's very good
Finished it off last night.. moving onto season 3
3 eps in on season 3.. it really is very good
Finders keepers (ep.1). New Ch 5 four-parter
Quote from: Fishy on January 17, 2024, 11:17:17 PMQuote from: Fishy on January 16, 2024, 09:39:43 AMQuote from: Fishy on January 14, 2024, 09:22:52 PMSlow Horses Season 2..it's very good
Finished it off last night.. moving onto season 3
3 eps in on season 3.. it really is very good
Going to start that next...waiting for apple subscription to lapse..trying to cram in all of reservation dogs in the meantime.
Midnight Movie Club:
Sisu
One of the most purely entertaining films I've seen in a while.
This sees a bad-ass, taciturn Finnish soldier, self-exiled to the wilderness at the tail-end of World War Two, who crosses paths with a group of Nazis scorching the earth as they make their retreat out of Finland.
What follows is about 90 minutes of fantastic, bloody carnage, that might be summed up as Rambo-meets-Mad Max-during-WWII, but with a European arthouse sensibility.
It's also pristinely shot and looks astonishing, so I would highly recommend watching this on bluray rather than on streaming for best results.
It does get increasingly preposterous as it goes, but collects enough goodwill that it really doesn't matter - this is enormous fun and an instant cult classic. Get the pizza and beers in and enjoy.
Rating: ****
Miracles Out Of Nowhere - The story of Kansas
Finished off season 3 Slow Horses... it got a bit silly but still good fun
Infinity Pool
Brandon Cronenberg with another two hours where set-pieces of sadistically explicit violence and pornographic imagery are prioritised over a well-told story.
It may be shocking for those without strong stomachs, but it's simply tedious for anyone else, and even borders on unintentionally laughable by the latter stages.
One of 2023's turkeys and best avoided.
Rating: *
^ Yeah it was $hite:
http://betweenthewheels.net/index.php?topic=41.msg10949;topicseen#msg10949
Just finished series 5 of Fargo. Stunning TV, it's up there with the best of US shows. Every character was acted superbly. In fact there was no bad points at all - anywhere. We'll hopefully see Munch (Moonk) again. And the guy (Joe Keery) from Stranger Things was excellent too. A 10/10 for me.
Started on Criminal Record.. apple telly Peter Capaldi
Also started on Loudermilk
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - Some of the comedy was quite good and the effects were decent too. But that's where the good ends. It has the story and script written by a 5 year old, wooden acting and really the whole thing is quite forgettable. I always think I'll enjoy these type of movies, but it's all be done before and I come away completely unfulfilled. Ho hum - 4/10
Riverside - Woodstock Festival Poland 2011
True detective s4 e2...... chilling
Finders Keepers
Started on ...fleishman is in trouble
Wonka - I could have done without all the songs, but generally this is an enjoyable romp. Timothée Chalamet was born for the part, but what really lifts the movie are the great bunch of English actors in it - I even spotted 3 from Ghosts. I laughed quite a bit early on too. 8/10
Quote from: pxr5 on January 25, 2024, 09:44:07 PMWonka - I could have done without all the songs, but generally this is an enjoyable romp. Timothée Chalamet was born for the part, but what really lifts the movie are the great bunch of English actors in it - I even spotted 3 from Ghosts. I laughed quite a bit early on too. 8/10
Yes i saw this last weekend - didn't mind the songs and enjoyed the movie. Thought Tom Davis was great
Quote from: pxr5 on January 25, 2024, 09:44:07 PMWonka - I could have done without all the songs, but generally this is an enjoyable romp. Timothée Chalamet was born for the part, but what really lifts the movie are the great bunch of English actors in it - I even spotted 3 from Ghosts. I laughed quite a bit early on too. 8/10
Yes, and Hugh Grant is a blast once again as he enjoys his career renaissance as a highly-remunerated supporting actor. :)
Quote from: Fishy on January 25, 2024, 09:37:51 PMStarted on ...fleishman is in trouble
6 eps in now...
I'm in - the final season (8) of Fear the Walking Dead. It really is dire now but, I feel obliged to see it to a conclusion. I think the producers just wanted it done too. Only 12 eps though, thank God.
Watched Wonka again yesterday - this time at home. A delight.
Fleishman is in trouble.....god that was shit....
We've just finished the last series of Fear the Walking Dead. Man it was bad - but that's it for now (until we start on all the other WD spin offs), I need a break from zombies. :o
Trigger Point... very daft but entertaining
Moon. .. on iPlayer.. seem to remember watching this film ages ago.. really enjoyed it..
Nearly finished S1 of Loudermilk. Beginning to feel it may have jumped the shark. There's certainly a set of water skis and a set of very large teeth present.
Polished off trigger point.. ridiculous nonsense but quite watchable in a turn your brain off kinda way...
Quote from: dom on February 02, 2024, 06:54:22 PMNearly finished S1 of Loudermilk. Beginning to feel it may have jumped the shark. There's certainly a set of water skis and a set of very large teeth present.
I managed to the end of season 3..not convinced I liked it really.. stories were a bit lame.. not very funny...
Nobody. Tonight's feature on Channel 4. Just an excuse for gratuitous violence really. I guess it's what the young'uns want nowadays.
Nice to see Doc Emmett Brown looking so good after all these years though
Quote from: David L on February 03, 2024, 11:51:59 PMNobody. Tonight's feature on Channel 4. Just an excuse for gratuitous violence really. I guess it's what the young'uns want nowadays.
Nice to see Doc Emmett Brown looking so good after all these years though
Cracking film. I must still be a young 'un! :)
Masters of the air
Nanny McPhee
What Richard Did, a 2012 Irish film based on the 2000 murder of 18 year old Brian Murphy in Dublin.
Well made film, thought provoking.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law I've had this to watch for ages now but with not much else to watch I fancied, I eventually gave this a shot, with not much hope of it being any good tbh. You know what though it's actually OK. These things are always better when the main focus is humour (see Deadpool, Peacemaker, Loki) and this has lots of funny moments. Each ep is its own story too and relatively short at 30 minutes or so. The reviews are poor but it's miles better than some other recent super hero stuff (see Aquaman) 8/10
Curb Your Enthusiasm ep 1 season 12
Amityville an origin story.. 4 part doc on iPlayer. Very interesting..
Code 8 - A neat, low budget scifi from 2019. I only came across this as part 2 is released later this year. It was made on a small budget (2 million) which was crowd funded, but they really managed to squeeze every last drop of the cash to produce a decent movie. I'm really looking forward to part 2. 8/10
Midway through season 3 of slow horses. Fantastic stuff.
Ms. Marvel. We only managed 1.5 episodes before sacking it off. I'd have carried on but my wife was adamant. Wasn't great tbh.
Finished all 3 seasons of slow horses in a few weeks. Loved it.
Started on True Detective Season 1
Quote from: Fishy on February 15, 2024, 10:07:30 PMStarted on True Detective Season 1
It's very good. I'm just waiting for season 4 to complete until I start watching.
I was getting zombie withdrawal symptoms so started on The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon last night. It has a really different feel to other TWD series and a European setting adds to that; though it's not been shared yet how on earth he ended up washed ashore in France.
Se04 of True Detective concludes this weekend (6 episodes in total). So that will be our next watch.
Ooh - new Grand Tour tonight. This, and one more, and that will be that I've heard. Not surprised really - none of them are getting any younger.
Quote from: Fishy on February 15, 2024, 10:07:30 PMStarted on True Detective Season 1
2 more eps.. Alexandra Daddario..WOW
The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth (1/3)
We finished The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon tonight (only 6 episodes). You know what, I'd pretty much given up expecting anything decent from The Walking Dead anymore (TWD, FTWD etc.). But this series actually had a lot going for it. It's the first time since maybe the first 2 or 3 series of TWD that I actually felt some suspense and scares from the zombies. In this they seem different and the setting in France certainly adds another dimension. I think there is another series too, so hopefully this level can be maintained. Unfortunately, from what I've read, The Walking Dead: Dead City (Negan and Maggie) isn't as good, but we'll see.
Quote from: David L on February 18, 2024, 02:17:44 PMThe Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth (1/3)
Yes 2 eps in for us..it's very good and very poignant
Quote from: Fishy on February 18, 2024, 10:29:33 PMQuote from: David L on February 18, 2024, 02:17:44 PMThe Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth (1/3)
Yes 2 eps in for us..it's very good and very poignant
Watched the last ep.. that foam experiment was amazing... poor souls never had a chance..
Found a great creepy/supernatural film on iPlayer last night.. Relic... surprisingly good
True Detective series 4 - Only 2 episodes so far but wow this is good.
Quote from: Fishy on February 21, 2024, 10:10:11 AMFound a great creepy/supernatural film on iPlayer last night.. Relic... surprisingly good
Yes, that's quite a good chiller, with an original plot and sensitively-handled subject matter that makes it stand out from the crowd.
Last part of criminal record... kinda went out with a bit of a whimper tbh..
We finished True Detective - Night Country last night (series 4). On the whole very enjoyable. The 2 leads were both excellent and without Jodie Foster it wouldn't have been as good. I did like the ending and the conclusion was satisfactory. It was great to look at too* and the feeling of claustrophobia was maintained well. The second best of the 4 seasons so far for me, but the first one will take some beating. 8.5/10
*set in Alaska but filmed both there and Iceland - brrrrrr
The Welsh dystopian drama on the Beeb.. The Way
Started on a couple of movies last night, but both were crap so sacked them off and instead started on a TV show called Mrs Davis. It's really hard to sum up but this is the spiel from IMDb: "Sister Simone partners with her ex-boyfriend Wiley on a globe-spanning journey to destroy Mrs. Davis, a powerful artificial intelligence." It's as mad as a box of frogs but quite compelling too. Who comes up with this stuff? No idea, but I'm glad there are people out there willing to make bonkers stuff like this.
Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12 ep 4
Taskmaster series 12.
Quote from: Fishy on February 23, 2024, 02:37:17 PMThe Welsh dystopian drama on the Beeb.. The Way
And finished off the 2 remaining eps.. not sure what to think of it tbh...
Finished Mrs Davis last night. It was mad from beginning to end and reminiscent of Preacher in it's oddity. Very well dome though: acted and produced excellently 9/10
Curb Your Enthusiasm ep 5
My TV screen is mostly filled with Married at First Site Australia and Celebrity Big Brother these days so not really watching much else as the missus has control ???
Saltburn. Quite a disturbing watch with depraved Oliver! So many turns as it reached its conclusion. The turns were unexpected to begin with but became more and more predictable as the story wore on. Beautifully filmed and set and I enjoyed it.
Must watch Promising Young Woman as my daughter raves about it!
Quote from: dom on March 07, 2024, 01:25:39 PMSaltburn. Quite a disturbing watch with depraved Oliver! So many turns as it reached its conclusion. The turns were unexpected to begin with but became more and more predictable as the story wore on. Beautifully filmed and set and I enjoyed it.
Must watch Promising Young Woman as my daughter raves about it!
Promising Young Woman is superb - it possibly raised my expectations of Saltburn far too high, as I found that very underwhelming.
Argylle - I had very, very low expectations of this movie due to the scathing reviews. Maybe it's me then as I really liked it (my wife did too). Okay, maybe it was 20 minutes too long but it was funny and action packed. You sort of know what to expect with Matthew Vaughn (Stardust, Layer Cake, Kick Ass, Kingsman etc.) and to me this didn't disappoint. 8/10
Oppenheimer
Quote from: Fishy on March 09, 2024, 10:37:38 PMOppenheimer
Me too. It really is a brilliant film.
Official hour-long YouTube vid of Geddy's book tour show at Massey Hall - starring Alex Lifeson. ;)
Very annoyingly it's punctuated by minute-long ad-breaks you can't skip past, but the conversation between the two is absolute gold.
Quote from: Matt2112 on March 13, 2024, 09:12:18 AMOfficial hour-long YouTube vid of Geddy's book tour show at Massey Hall - starring Alex Lifeson. ;)
Very annoyingly it's punctuated by minute-long ad-breaks you can't skip past, but the conversation between the two is absolute gold.
Not sure how but didn't have any ads at all..
Quote from: Fishy on March 13, 2024, 03:43:58 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on March 13, 2024, 09:12:18 AMOfficial hour-long YouTube vid of Geddy's book tour show at Massey Hall - starring Alex Lifeson. ;)
Very annoyingly it's punctuated by minute-long ad-breaks you can't skip past, but the conversation between the two is absolute gold.
Not sure how but didn't have any ads at all..
YT Premium? I have it courtesy of my son, so don't see ads. In fact does Pi hole block YT ads?
Quote from: pxr5 on March 13, 2024, 06:18:13 PMQuote from: Fishy on March 13, 2024, 03:43:58 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on March 13, 2024, 09:12:18 AMOfficial hour-long YouTube vid of Geddy's book tour show at Massey Hall - starring Alex Lifeson. ;)
Very annoyingly it's punctuated by minute-long ad-breaks you can't skip past, but the conversation between the two is absolute gold.
Not sure how but didn't have any ads at all..
YT Premium? I have it courtesy of my son, so don't see ads. In fact does Pi hole block YT ads?
Just did a Google search and it was the first one that came up..
Quote from: Matt2112 on March 13, 2024, 09:12:18 AMOfficial hour-long YouTube vid of Geddy's book tour show at Massey Hall - starring Alex Lifeson. ;)
Very annoyingly it's punctuated by minute-long ad-breaks you can't skip past, but the conversation between the two is absolute gold.
I can recall a time very easily where I would have bought this for about £20 on its release date. The world is so different.
After weeks of watching Cheers and Friends I was hoping to find another long run to take the late night viewing slot. I'd heard good things about Modern Family but didn't connect with it straight away. Really enjoying it now. I'm hoping that after this I'll feel the same way about Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
CYE is great
Season 5 of Fargo. 3 episodes in and its excellent! Good music too. Episode 1 features I've seen all good people and Ep2 Working Man
Up to Ep5 of season 5 of Fargo. So good!
More CYE season 12
Just finished season 5 of Fargo - gripping!
It did drop a little for episodes 7 and 8 where there was a little more reliance on coincidence to keep the plot moving but still excellent!
3 Body Problem
Really enjoying this. Read the books some time ago, but really forget about those. The series needed to be adapted quite bit. It looks all great, and I am curious to see how this unfolds.
Brought to you by the Game of Thrones writers, some familiar faces in this as well.
^ 3 Body Problem is my next watch. I'm currently watching series 2 of the excellent Halo. After those 2 probably Avatar: The Last Airbender and the The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.
The 1% Club
I honestly got the 1% question well within the time. All 4 'contenders' didn't.
It really is about how your brain works. I am sure that my daily Wordle assisted in this as it was word-play 8).
Finished series 2 of Halo last night. I loved the first series, but this felt a bit flat to me - and confusing at times as well. The action scenes were frantic but a great watch. 6/10 for this series. More to come, possibly the story can continue from where it left off?
The 3rd and final series of the awful La Brea. Thankfully only 6 shortish episodes. It's total crap but compulsive in a SBIG way.
Renfield
Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage star as the title character and Dracula respectively in this comedy horror with plenty of cartoonish splatter.
Good Friday night fun.
Rating: ***
Started watching Bad Sisters on Apple TV.
Good first episode..
Quote from: captainkurtz on March 30, 2024, 12:59:59 PMStarted watching Bad Sisters on Apple TV.
Good first episode..
Hogan gives me the horn.. can u still say that these days or are u are arrested and thrown in jail..
Quote from: Fishy on March 30, 2024, 07:08:12 PMQuote from: captainkurtz on March 30, 2024, 12:59:59 PMStarted watching Bad Sisters on Apple TV.
Good first episode..
Hogan gives me the horn.. can u still say that these days or are u are arrested and thrown in jail..
Me as well. In fact all of the sisters are attractive..
More CYE season 12
American Fiction
Time for more Zombies (my wife's choice btw). The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - this tells the story of Rick and Michonne. Like the Daryl Dixon spin-off this is leagues above the last series of TWD and FTWD.
Finished Slow Horses- great stuff to can't wait for Season 4
More Bad Sisters
Started on 3 Body Problem last night. Based on a Chinese sci-fi story it's a slow build and lots of odd things going on between present day London and 1960/70s China. An interesting take on a well trodden theme. I'm really liking it so far.
Quote from: Fishy on April 04, 2024, 09:18:30 PMMore Bad Sisters
Just finished it off.. was very good
The Mighty - really good film with a very young Kieron Culkin (film was made in 1998), Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, Meatloaf and James Gandolfini. Highly recommended
Sian and I enjoyed watching series 1 of Whitstable Pearl on UKTvPlay, although the UKTvPlay app itself is rubbish.
Found that series 2 is available on AcornTV, so have started a 14 day free trial. Won't take 14 days to watch 6 episodes. We watched 2 last night :)
I've just watched episode 5 of 3 Body Problem. Just wow - brilliant. If you do start watching it just accept the first 4 episodes as scene setters, even if they seem a bit weird and silly. It will make sense later on. This episodes also has one of the best scenes/effects I've ever seen, just stunning.
Quote from: captainkurtz on March 30, 2024, 12:59:59 PMStarted watching Bad Sisters on Apple TV.
Good first episode..
1 episode left. Brilliant.
Last ever ep of CYE.. wasn't the best. But it's been a pretty pretty good 12 seasons
We only managed the penultimate episode last night of 3BP as the missus was nodding off. Turns out there is a Chinese version of 3 Body Problem from last year too which I'll watch (30x 1 hour episodes though opposed to the Netflix 8 episodes - wow). I'll reads the 3 books too - if I really like a TV show based on a book I'll always go and dig out the book to read - my wife doesn't understand that at all as she thinks it's daft to read something you know what's going to happen. Me, I just like the detail a book gives that a TV show/movie can rarely provide.
Quote from: pxr5 on April 10, 2024, 02:30:33 PMWe only managed the penultimate episode last night of 3BP as the missus was nodding off. Turns out there is a Chinese version of 3 Body Problem from last year too which I'll watch (30x 1 hour episodes though opposed to the Netflix 8 episodes - wow). I'll reads the 3 books too - if I really like a TV show based on a book I'll always go and dig out the book to read - my wife doesn't understand that at all as she thinks it's daft to read something you know what's going to happen. Me, I just like the detail a book gives that a TV show/movie can rarely provide.
I read the books in English and then again then they became available in Dutch. I am on the lookout for the 30 episode Chinese version.
Agree it is a brilliant show.
Thought I'd watch The Eagle has landed last night for old times sake...managed about 40 mins.. just absurd with Michael Caine as. German officer and Donald Sutherland being Donald Sutherland with a woeful Irish accent and Robert Duvall with an eye patch and fake German accent.. just shit really...
Quote from: pxr5 on March 08, 2024, 10:32:45 PMArgylle - I had very, very low expectations of this movie due to the scathing reviews. Maybe it's me then as I really liked it (my wife did too). Okay, maybe it was 20 minutes too long but it was funny and action packed. You sort of know what to expect with Matthew Vaughn (Stardust, Layer Cake, Kick Ass, Kingsman etc.) and to me this didn't disappoint. 8/10
Agreed. Best part for me was Sam Rockwell. I remember him from serious roles in Moon and Three Billboards...
He was such a joy in this.
It does lose its way a little towards the end and perhaps could have done with a little trimming, but it is great tongue-in-cheek fun.
We began watching Fallout last night. I know of the game from when I watched my lad playing it when he was younger. This TV series is a blast: humorous, gory, action-packed, a good story - definitely our sort of show. 2 episodes of 8 watched so far - brilliant.
I watched Fallout episode 1 last night.
I'm going to try and pace myself with this rather than binge it.
I can only imagine it getting better as it develops.
A most excellent start.
I am aware of the game but have never played it.
Baby Reindeer
Its ok.
We watched Top Gun: Maverick again last night.
I've also started on series 2 of Alex Rider.
Yeah half way thru ep 1 of Fallout
Blue Lights beeb one
Quote from: Fishy on April 15, 2024, 10:27:29 PMBlue Lights beeb one
Oooh we are holding off on that one whilst we watch series 2 of
Traces.
I thought traces season 1 was awful tbh..
Napoleon - epic, stunning battle scenes and great performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby
Finished season 2 of Alex Rider, and now 2 episodes in to season 3. This is a solo watch as Sian didn't care for the 1st season.
More Fallout
Watched the first episode of Mammoth last night. A PE teacher is frozen in an avalanche in 1979, and revived perfectly preserved in 2024. A bit like Life on Mars in reverse. Loved it. Especially liked the dialogue with the lesbian PE teacher he shares an office with. BBC2.
(https://i.ibb.co/16PMLTp/tony-mammoth.jpg)
Quote from: Slim on April 18, 2024, 04:12:54 PMWatched the first episode of Mammoth last night. A PE teacher is frozen in an avalanche in 1979, and revived perfectly preserved in 2024. A bit like Life on Mars in reverse. Loved it. Especially liked the dialogue with the lesbian PE teacher he shares an office with. BBC2.
(https://i.ibb.co/16PMLTp/tony-mammoth.jpg)
This was on a few years back. Not sure whether it was pilot episodes but I thought it had sunk without a trace. Surprised to see it back. Amusing, in the most part, for our demographic.
We've recorded it to watch later. I hope it has the wokerati frothing at the mouth!
Quote from: David L on April 18, 2024, 06:05:36 PMThis was on a few years back. Not sure whether it was pilot episodes but I thought it had sunk without a trace. Surprised to see it back. Amusing, in the most part, for our demographic.
We've recorded it to watch later. I hope it has the wokerati frothing at the mouth!
I was thinking about that last night. In some ways it does have the BBC Woke trademark - the colleague he shares an office with is gay, his best friend is black. But although Tony is obviously an unreconstructed '70s male with no sense of political correctness or propriety, he's not completely a unsympathetic character and some of the jokes work both ways. I think it's pretty inoffensive in both directions.
People like Mammoth really did exist, my driving instructor was one. So were one or two of the people I knew at RR.
Quote from: Slim on April 18, 2024, 06:47:12 PMQuote from: David L on April 18, 2024, 06:05:36 PMThis was on a few years back. Not sure whether it was pilot episodes but I thought it had sunk without a trace. Surprised to see it back. Amusing, in the most part, for our demographic.
We've recorded it to watch later. I hope it has the wokerati frothing at the mouth!
I was thinking about that last night. In some ways it does have the BBC Woke trademark - the colleague he shares an office with is gay, his best friend is black. Btu although Tony is obviously an unreconstructed '70s male with no sense of political correctness or propriety, he's not completely a unsympathetic character and some of the jokes work both ways. I think it's pretty inoffensive in both directions.
People like Mammoth really did exist, my driving instructor was one. So were one or two of the people I knew at RR.
When I look at that picture, I can smell Brut 33
Quote from: David L on April 18, 2024, 07:01:39 PMWhen I look at that picture, I can smell Brut 33
Interesting. I get Old Spice.
Quote from: Slim on April 18, 2024, 08:22:52 PMQuote from: David L on April 18, 2024, 07:01:39 PMWhen I look at that picture, I can smell Brut 33
Interesting. I get Old Spice.
Just watched it. Enjoyable. Just found this after a Google:
The pilot episode was released in 2021, one of six trial shows, commissioned by BBC Wales. Three further episodes were announced as a joint production by BBC Wales and BBC Studios in 2023. The full series debuted on BBC Two on 17 April 2024.Of course, in the three years since the pilot, the exponential rise in ridiculous societal change means there is even more material for the writers to work with. I think it will mainly appeal to a niche audience so it will be interesting to see if the idea has legs.
I have to say the Capri's bodywork was in great nick but if the clouds of smoke are anything to go by, the motor needs some attention. Nice that Brut 33 got a mention ;D
Wicked Little Letters, funny but was expecting more. Jessie Buckley was excellent though
Just finished Alex Rider series 3. A step up on the previous 2.
Constellation - I'm halfway through this now (8 episodes) and at first I had no idea what was going on. As it progresses it is improving a lot. Nice to see Jonathan Banks in something other than Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul too. I suppose you could call it an intelligent Sci-Fi. Interesting.
Up to ep5 of blue Lights
Finished off Blue Lights
3eps in on Fallout..
Finished Constellation last night. It ended suddenly with a few loose ends so hopefully it will carry on to anther series. It's a bit mind-bending and takes some concentration to try to know what's actually going on. Good though 8/10
Avatar - The Last Airbender I know the original has a sort of cult status but I haven't seen it, so I came into this new series cold. 4 elemental power controlled by 'benders'. Of course we need some malice and the fire benders are the baddies; but they are kept in check by the Avatar (who can bend all 4 elements). This new Avatar turns out to be a kid and it's his adventures we follow here. The story is good, so too are the action and effects. The script and acting are really poor though (maybe it's supposed to be like this). Everything looks clean and cartoonish (again maybe they where trying to do it like this) but I don't find it appealing at all. I'll stick with it as I rarely give up on a show no matter how poor.
Ripley
1 episode left.
Superb.
Baby reindeer first 3 eps.. it's very good...