What Are You Watching Lately? (Rants/Raves/Reviews)

[kyphysics]

I've now watched the 1st 2 episodes. I plan to keep watching.

So far I actually like it better than the Rings of Power with Psycho-Galadriel and Doogie Elrond. Season 1 never really gave an hint of WTH was the point of those dirty hobbits and the dirty Stranger with amnesia -- except maybe to generate social media traffic. I doubt the Stranger's purpose was to teach hobbits how to bathe -- although they did seem to develop cleaner habits over the course of a few thousand of years, as depicted in LoTR.

Sounds good. I haven't had time to watch yet. I've seen the main actress before in something else and liked her. The visuals looked good in the trailer and there was a Matrix-y feel, which suits me fine.

It actually also made me think of the metaverse.

 

[strangerep]

I hear [Orville's] latest seasons have dispensed with the comedy aspect and are going for a deadly serious vibe.

Yeah -- not so much comedy, more political correctness, and tying up loose end into what (I hope) is a neat final end to the series.

I liked it better at the start -- the scene of a guy talking on a screen while his beagle licked itself in the background still makes me laugh.

In contrast, all the moclan storylines made me a bit sick/bored.

 

[kyphysics]

Just finished Ep. 1 of Peripheral.

Intriguing from the start. Not sure what the relationship is between the sim world and the "real world," but it's interesting.

I like the hour+ run-time with all show. Unlike Disney+ shows, where they give you 5-7 minutes of recap and the 5-7 minutes of end credits on an already condensed run-time (say, 45 minutes), this was a full hour + . . .

Maybe this will save Amazon Prime Video's reputation after their LOTR debacle? ...on to Ep. 2 now (bonus)! Woohoo.

 

[strangerep]

Just finished Ep. 1 of Peripheral.

Intriguing from the start. Not sure what the relationship is between the sim world and the "real world," but it's interesting.

That becomes clearer in Ep2, but I'll refrain from giving spoilers. (I'm not sure I believe what Ep2 presents anyway, but we'll see.)

 

[kyphysics]

That becomes clearer in Ep2, but I'll refrain from giving spoilers. (I'm not sure I believe what Ep2 presents anyway, but we'll see.)

Well, Ep 2 sheds more light on things, but it's still very confusing (for me).

Like:
1.) Are the sim worlds time-travel worlds or just sims (or, both - as in, it depends on the situation)?
2.) Why do people want to kill and/or find Aelita? They tried to kill her in Ep.1 and find her in Ep.2. Who is she and why is she so important?
3.) Why is Flynn "chosen"/special to be able to find Aelita? Obviously, she has "gaming"/sim skills, but other than that, what's special about her?

I have many more questions, but these were the basic ones. I feel like the complexities of the plot and the technology/science don't get explained well enough (at least, not yet). The tension, mystery, and characters are all great - as well as the visuals - and keep me watching/interested, but I feel like you have to do a lot of work outside the show to figure out what's happening. . . .I wish that weren't so.

 

[strangerep]

1.) Are the sim worlds time-travel worlds or just sims (or, both - as in, it depends on the situation)?

I got the impression the sim world is indeed a time-travel world -- from the hint: "why put me in an android if this is a sim, why not an ordinary body?".

2.) Why do people want to kill and/or find Aelita? The tried to kill her in Ep.1 and find her in Ep.2. Who is she and why is she so important?

No idea yet, but I'll guess it's something like "she does something very significant in the future, therefore the bad guys want to kill her now". I.e., a rehash of standard time travel plotlines. I hope it's something more nuanced than that.

3.) Why is Flynn "chosen"/special to be able to find Aelita? Obviously, she has "gaming"/sim skills, but other than that, what's special about her?

Possibly the same answer as in (2) above. It's hard to know who's a time agent and who's not.

I have many more questions, but these were the basic ones. I feel like the complexities of the plot and the technology/science don't get explained well enough (at least, not yet). The tension, mystery, and characters are all great - as well as the visuals - and keep me watching/interested, but I feel like you have to do a lot of work outside the show to figure out what's happening. . . .I wish that weren't so.

Oh, I don't mind a generous helping of "WTF?" I just hope it doesn't evolve into "oh no, another rehash of that old lame storyline" -- which is what Star Trek Picard became for me.

 

[kyphysics]

Oh, I don't mind a generous helping of "WTF?" I just hope it doesn't evolve into "oh no, another rehash of that old lame storyline" -- which is what Star Trek Picard became for me.

For me, it depends on how complicated things are. For example, I couldn't finish watching Tenet (the Christopher Nolan film), despite owning it and trying numerous times.

I couldn't follow the plot and things were happening so fast that I couldn't really enjoy it. I feel there's a balance between intrigue/mystery and something that's just so complicated and fast-paced that you're lost. . .Not saying Peripheral is like that (yet), but I have my limits. I don't think I'd abandon it like Tenet, b/c Peripheral is a show with lots of "slow" sequences too and gives you time to think about what's happening (and it's not going to be over in 2-3 hours).

I also like the side characters in this show and the acting. It doesn't hurt that I have a crush on Flynn either. Makes watching kinda "nice" for me.

 

[DaveC426913]

Watched She-Hulk Ep 1 the other day.
Can anyone give me a reason to see Ep 2?

 

[kyphysics]

Watched She-Hulk Ep 1 the other day.
Can anyone give me a reason to see Ep 2?

I loved Ep. 1. . .the problem for me came after Ep. 2 when I started losing interest. . . I think I stopped the series after Ep. 3 or 4. . . don't even remember, which is probably a bad sign. I think the episodes were too short and lacked depth of plot intrigue.

I liked the witty banter of characters, the way things looked (from the corporate/law environment to the action scenes), and the unique social/gender issues surrounding She-Hulk. I just think the series lacked a compelling "deeper" tension. There didn't feel like there were any major "stakes" to keep me excited and intrigued.

 

[strangerep]

I started "The Northman", got through Ep1 and half-way through Ep2 before deciding "Nope, that's it for me". Tooooo nasty.

 

[kyphysics]

I started "The Northman", got through Ep1 and half-way through Ep2 before deciding "Nope, that's it for me". Tooooo nasty.

I thought you meant this movie:

...then I realized you said "Ep . . ."

This actually looks kind of good (haven't seen it). It feels like a darker version of Braveheart.

What did you think of YOUR version of The Northman? Peripheral Ep. 3 is out tonight, btw. Too tired to watch it, but will this weekend.

 

[strangerep]

[The Northman] actually looks kind of good (haven't seen it). What did you think of YOUR version of The Northman?

As I said... too nasty for me.

It feels like a darker version of Braveheart.

I found Braveheart too unpleasant to watch in the end. Realistic history is horrible. Sometimes I really hate the human world.

Peripheral Ep. 3 is out tonight, btw. Too tired to watch it, but will this weekend.

I'm having difficulty finding things on Prime Video that I actually want to watch. I might have to take out a subscription to Binge to watch a couple of other things.

 

[pinball1970]

As I said... too nasty for me.

I found Braveheart too unpleasant to watch in the end. Realistic history is horrible. Sometimes I really hate the human world. I'm having difficulty finding things on Prime Video that I actually want to watch. I might have to take out a subscription to Binge to watch a couple of other things.

You have to finish Braveheart. Yes it is horrific but a lot of things were in the 13thC.
There are highs and lows and lot of artistic license on things that could not be known now.
It is also a very beautiful story, heart breaking but those are best yes?
Casablanca is not a classic because everything works out.
I will not be specific in case you have not seen it!

 

[kyphysics]

You have to finish Braveheart. Yes it is horrific but a lot of things were in the 13thC.
There are highs and lows and lot of artistic license on things that could not be known now.
It is also a very beautiful story, heart breaking but those are best yes?

Yeah, I think it's eye-opening as to how brutal human existence was for most of history. War and violence were regular parts of life. I mean, it's true today too (just look at reports of rape and torture of Ukrainians by Russian troops - literally a big story came this week), but it's thankfully more rare/tame in modern, civilized societies.

As horrific as the onscreen stuff may be, I think it's fair and powerful to still depict it, as it can give a sense of what life was really like (and what it meant to those people). I am thankful we don't live in those times.


Braveheart had powerful scenes like this and, of course, the ending death. I feel they are more meaningful in light of the horrific violence people faced back then. A "Disney version," while less visually gruesome, wouldn't have the same impact for me.

 

[pinball1970]

Yeah, I think it's eye-opening as to how brutal human existence was for most of history. War and violence were regular parts of life. I mean, it's true today too (just look at reports of rape and torture of Ukrainians by Russian troops - literally a big story came this week), but it's thankfully more rare/tame in modern, civilized societies.

As horrific as the onscreen stuff may be, I think it's fair and powerful to still depict it, as it can give a sense of what life was really like (and what it meant to those people). I am thankful we don't live in those times.


Braveheart had powerful scenes like this and, of course, the ending death. I feel they are more meaningful in light of the horrific violence people faced back then. A "Disney version," while less visually gruesome, wouldn't have the same impact for me.

Yes it is a beautiful powerful speech and those guys had limited ways to Raise and motivate people.
Oration like the clip and being a valiant warrior.
I am English but I wanted Wallace to kick our English ass in that film (I didn't know how it panned out, when Bruce turned up I thought that was his victory).

 

[kyphysics]

I am English but I wanted Wallace to kick our English ass in that film (I didn't know how it panned out, when Bruce turned up I thought that was his victory).

haha. Yeah, sometimes, there is just a universal good guy and universal bad guy (regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, etc.) that people identify with and can support. Wallace was so inspirational in that film.

The music in Braveheart was also very moving. So many amazing things came together in that film.

 

[kyphysics]

I'm having difficulty finding things on Prime Video that I actually want to watch. I might have to take out a subscription to Binge to watch a couple of other things.

Prime's probably the worst major streamer, imho. I yawn at the stuff they have. . . .I think they just give you a smattering of free stuff to try to keep you hooked on Prime. It's not meant to be like a Netflix (whose primary business is video).

That being said, did you watch The Expanse?

 

[BWV]

Yes it is a beautiful powerful speech and those guys had limited ways to Raise and motivate people.
Oration like the clip and being a valiant warrior.
I am English but I wanted Wallace to kick our English ass in that film (I didn't know how it panned out, when Bruce turned up I thought that was his victory).

Although this bit where Wallace had Hugh de Cressingham flayed and made a scabbard from his skin got left out of the movie

kind of like Shakespear’s Henry V speech where in reality the king did little more than rape and pillage his way across France

 

[strangerep]

Prime's probably the worst major streamer, imho. I yawn at the stuff they have. . . .I think they just give you a smattering of free stuff to try to keep you hooked on Prime.

I subscribed to Prime just to get the Rings of Power, but it was a disappointment. I'm glad now that I didn't invest in a much better TV just to watch that.

I binge-watched Star Trek - BNW on Paramount+, utilizing their 14-day free trial, but didn't find enough other stuff to make me want to subscribe for real.

It's not meant to be like a Netflix (whose primary business is video).

I've looked at Netflix's menu many times, but never found anything that made me want to subscribe.

That being said, did you watch The Expanse?

I started to, but got bored partway through Ep1 and didn't bother continuing. Maybe I'll give it another try when I'm desperately short of other entertainment. Have you watched Teleios? I'm about to give it a try, although it gets mediocre reviews.

 

[kyphysics]

I subscribed to Prime just to get the Rings of Power, but it was a disappointment. I'm glad now that I didn't invest in a much better TV just to watch that.

I binge-watched Star Trek - BNW on Paramount+, utilizing their 14-day free trial, but didn't find enough other stuff to make me want to subscribe for real.
I've looked at Netflix's menu many times, but never found anything that made me want to subscribe.

I started to, but got bored partway through Ep1 and didn't bother continuing. Maybe I'll give it another try when I'm desperately short of other entertainment. Have you watched Teleios?

re: Telelios - no

I can't seem to remember, but is Succession on Prime (I thought it was mutually shared with HBO Max)? I thought I saw it the other day, but am too lazy to login right now. I actually purchased Season 1 on YouTube. It's popular show if you're into rich people intrigue. LOL.

I'm the same in that I cannot find a good streamer. On Netflix, I actually watch their documentaries more than fictional shows. I just don't like their selection of fiction that much. Netflix has volume, but lots of crap, imho. On Disney+, I will watch the a good number of shows and movies. But, D+ lacks volume (it feels like they have 1/8th of the number of titles that Netflix does).

I haven't tried HBO Max yet. . .maybe I will.

Maybe in a few years, the less successful streamers will get bought out and merged with a better one. Consolidation could lead to a few mega winners, who have lots of content, making subbing to just one or two all you need. Nowadays, people seem to be churning a lot from one streamer to the next month-by-month, depending on hot shows.

 

[strangerep]

I can't seem to remember, but is Succession on Prime (I thought it was mutually shared with HBO Max)?

I could get it here on Binge. Now that you've mentioned it, I might try it since it seems to get very good reviews. I could get all HBO Max through Binge, so it says. I haven't explored it though.

 

[BWV]

Anyone interested in James Cameron’s Avatar sequel? Here is a trailer:

 

[kyphysics]

Anyone seen Wakanda Forever yet? I want to, but don't want to go alone. Going with friends for Thanksgiving, though.

 

[strangerep]

I just finished watching season 1 of Infiniti. That's 6 hrs of my life I'll never get back.

 

[Rive]

I hear their [Orville] latest seasons have dispensed with the comedy aspect and are going for a deadly serious vibe.

Well, as I see it's not 'deadly serious' but rather just some ruined rush job

They just dropped the steady pace of events centered around character development and went on with mindless turmix and pew-pew to get to some closing point within the allocated screen time.

Only one (and a third) episode left so I'll finish it but then it'll be finished

 

[Hornbein]

I like the fact Kate Bush has had something of a renaissance because of the series. She is one of the UK's national treasures. One that most are not aware of.
I have seen some of the series, it looks pretty good. Quite dark.

?!? What does she have to do with She Hulk?

I'd say The Ninth Wave is the greatest.

 

[Hornbein]

I'm watching an apocalyptic version of Duran Duran's Ordinary World.

 

[DaveC426913]

I like the fact Kate Bush has had something of a renaissance because of the series.

?!? What does she have to do with She Hulk?

I think you missed the last line of the kphysics post to which pinball was responding:

Was never a Stranger Things fan, but hear it's gotten massive views.

 

[Bystander]

I just finished watching season 1 of Infiniti. That's 6 hrs of my life I'll never get back.

Easy Rider for free while in "The Nam," same/similar sensation/feeling of "loss." Could have pulled KP, had a V8, anything....

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Just watched Childhood's End again. So good!!!

I loved The Good Place and fell in love with Kristen Bell. Grrrrrrrr!!!!
I also loved The OA! So creative!!! It got a bit hokey at the end but it rates as one of my top favorites.
Another favorite that was crude and rude but very smart, is Fleabag.

These all have strong, female leads. Brit Marling, who is both gorgeous and amazing not only starred in The OA, she was also the co-creator, writer, and producer.

I've watched a bunch of other stuff and will surely think of a few more favorites, but these are certainly at the top of my list of favorites.

Kristen Bell

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Oh yes, I just watched Vesper and found it to be very good. It too is very creative. And while I wouldn't rank it as a top favorite, it is certainly worth a watch.

 

[DaveC426913]

Just watched Childhood's End again. So good!!!

Which one? I didn't know there was one, let alone two.

 

[pinball1970]

First season of Tulsa King, I thought it was great.
Also just started 'Old man' with Jeff Bridges, I like that as well.

I have noticed that the dialogue/writing is getting less and less like soap opera and more like real life, gritty.
More believable in other words.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Which one? I didn't know there was one, let alone two.

There are three!

It's a 3-part miniseries.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Who remembers Dennis Weaver being terrorized by this in the TV movie Duel?

I was surprised to learn that was an early Spielberg movie!

 

[DaveC426913]

Yep!

 

[hmmm27]

That 90's Show : too much of an "afterschool TV special" vibe, or maybe I just can't identify with '90s teens culture as I could with the '70s. Gonna wait a few weeks, see if they get their rhythm.

Night Court : Great to see John Larroquette struttin' his stuff. Not sure Melissa Rauch is up to filling Harry Anderson's shoes yet, but they're only a couple episodes in.

Letterkenny : still a hoot, but yikes this season's humour seems to be much cruder than usual.

 

[pinball1970]

Who remembers Dennis Weaver being terrorized by this in the TV movie Duel?

View attachment 320943

I was surprised to learn that was an early Spielberg movie!

Brilliant. Around the same time he directed this Columbo episode, one of my favourites.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066932/

 

[gleem]

Two series that I found engaging were "Shooter" on Netflix and "Reacher" on Prime Video.

Shooter followed an ex-marine sniper trying to find out why he was set up for carrying out an assassination he did not do. 3 seasons.

Reacher, a character based on a Lee Child novel series, is a retired army officer wandering through the south who gets blamed for a murder in a town he is passing through. 2nd season is soon resuming his travels.

 

[pinball1970]

Two series that I found engaging were "Shooter" on Netflix and "Reacher" on Prime Video.

Shooter followed an ex-marine sniper trying to find out why he was set up for carrying out an assassination he did not do. 3 seasons.

Reacher, a character based on a Lee Child novel series, is a retired army officer wandering through the south who gets blamed for a murder in a town he is passing through. 2nd season is soon resuming his travels.

I liked Reacher, I like Tom Cruise and the film but I had no idea the character from the book was this huge bruiser.
I was hooked pretty quickly.

 

[gleem]

I liked Reacher, I like Tom Cruise and the film but I had no idea the character from the book was this huge bruiser.

I had read a few of the novels so when a movie version was announced with Cruise in the leading role I thought, you kidding me?

 

[pinball1970]

I had read a few of the novels so when a movie version was announced with Cruise in the leading role I thought, you kidding me?

Yes I think that was reaction last time!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

The Phenomenon (2020)
Very well done.

 

[strangerep]

I had read a few of the [Reacher] novels so when a movie version was announced with Cruise in the leading role I thought, you kidding me?

Oh, his ego is easily large enough...

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Brilliant. Around the same time he directed this Columbo episode, one of my favourites.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066932/

Huh!

Remember The Waltons and John Boy Walton, who aspired to be a writer? The real John Boy was Earl Hamner Jr., who created the TV show, which was based on his novel. He also wrote a number of episodes of The Twilight Zone [a few of my favorites!]. Note that he wrote several episodes about mountain people.

• "The Hunt" (1962)
• "A Piano in the House" (1962)
• "Jess-Belle" (1963)
• "Ring-a-Ding Girl" (1963)
• "You Drive" (1964)
• "Black Leather Jackets" (1964)
• "Stopover in a Quiet Town" (1964)
• "The Bewitchin' Pool

He was also the creator and writer for Falcon Crest.

 

[pinball1970]

Huh!

Remember The Waltons and John Boy Walton, who aspired to be a writer? The real John Boy was Earl Hamner Jr., who created the TV show, which was based on his novel. He also wrote a number of episodes of The Twilight Zone [a few of my favorites!]. Note that he wrote several episodes about mountain people.

• "The Hunt" (1962)
• "A Piano in the House" (1962)
• "Jess-Belle" (1963)
• "Ring-a-Ding Girl" (1963)
• "You Drive" (1964)
• "Black Leather Jackets" (1964)
• "Stopover in a Quiet Town" (1964)
• "The Bewitchin' Pool

He was also the creator and writer for Falcon Crest.

Brilliant. I spent about 12 months going through every single episode in order.
I remember most of those you cited from reading the plot on wiki.
The Waltons and John Boy, yes that was a nice series. Pretty cool he wrote those episodes, quite dark!
Falcon Crest was probably watched by my mother and sister, I would have been elsewhere!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Brilliant. I spent about 12 months going through every single episode in order.
I remember most of those you cited from reading the plot on wiki.
The Waltons and John Boy, yes that was a nice series. Pretty cool he wrote those episodes, quite dark!
Falcon Crest was probably watched by my mother and sister, I would have been elsewhere!

Yes! That was something I found striking - the contrast between John Boy, as portrayed, and the stories the real John Boy later wrote.

I saw an interview with Hamner once. He said that until she passed, Hamner's mother would often invite the curious to join her for lemonade on the porch of "the real Walton house". It wasn't the house from the show but the house where Hamner grew up. The curious public would drive by to see the house for many years after the show ended. And she was quick to wave and invite them to stop.

Hamner and Richard Thomas on the set.

 

[DennisN]

I'm watching an apocalyptic version of Duran Duran's Ordinary World.

That is an amazing song, one of my favorites.
Extremely well written, in my opinion.
And the story behind it is fascinating.
The story is told here on the youtube channel "Professor of Rock":

 

[DennisN]

Who remembers Dennis Weaver being terrorized by this in the TV movie Duel?

Wow, I had forgotten about it, but I remember it.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Wow, I had forgotten about it, but I remember it.

It was Jaws on wheels.