TV you've just watched

[vol.2]

Just finished Stranger Things Season 4. It seemed high production value but I was only mildly entertained throughout, with the exception of E7, that episode and the reveal of the baddie was decently made.

I thought all the stuff with eleven at high school was fucking awful, but it picked up a lot when that was over. The ending had some great moments, but it was super obvious that they shot it without knowing they would be picked up for another season and the ending had to work either way.

Spoiler

It was either going to be the bad guy goes down at the end of this season, or it goes down next season.

It was enjoyable overall, but I had a better time with S1 and S3. This is still miles better than S2 though. 7.5/10

Absolutely. Season 2 sucked ass. I had given up hope and was surprised at how much I enjoyed 3. 4 is carried by the story that 3 laid out; it fails to break drastically different ground, while not really breaking any significant promises made to the audience.

[Mischief Maker]

I'm about 3 episodes in to LOTR: Rings of Power. And...

...I do not get the hate at all.

The show relies heavily on practical effects and New Zealand scenery like the Peter Jackson films, and it's gorgeous to behold. The music's good. The proto-hobbits are adorable. The orks are hideous. And if you think pretty blonde ladies putting on armor and fighting in battles "ruins" LOTR:



At its worst, Rings of Power is a step above The Witcher show.

As far as I can tell, this is another Shadow Warrior 3 situation. The high priests of the online right in their foam pope hats declared a fun piece of media "woke" and a cancel mob has been swarming the review sites ever since.

[Sumez]

I kinda enjoyed Rings of Power as well, at least a lot more than I'd expected. There's one episode that's just a big action scene which was boring, but the rest of the season actually relied on meaningful storytelling and interesting setpieces rather than just fantasy stereotypes, while still managing to fit into the world that invented fantasy stereotypes. I especially liked the dwarves and actually loved the harfoots.

Unfortunately there are also a few things I didn't like much, but I think overall the show is still a lot better than expected.

1. There were multiple episodes without harfoots at all.
2. The Ascetic (the extremely evil looking bald'ish lady that follows the Stranger) felt completely out of place and overall super goofy. Could have easily lost that character entirely, especially given she ended up functioning mostly just as a red herring.
3. The last episode had a bunch of really dumb plot twists that don't really feel at home in the setting and style of storytelling
4. What's up with the shitty editing? In terms of cinematic value it's fairly well done, but the story is often extremely confusingly told simply due to the way scenes are cut together, making it really hard to understand otherwise very simple developments such as which people are where, where they are going, and why.
5. That unintentionally funny "name change scene". My GF and I joked about them doing that right as the camera zoomed out, and then the madlads actually did it. If you've seen the show you know what I'm talking about.

[Mischief Maker]

Spoiler tags plz! Only 3 episodes in!

[Mischief Maker]

Just finished. Love the ending twist. When the first unmistakable clue dropped I jumped out of my seat.

If you aren't nerd enough to have read the appendices in Return of the King, this show probably isn't for you.

Spoiler

Alternate Title: How Sauron got his groove back

I almost want to watch it again, now that I know the twist.

[vol.2]

I watched the Disney + Werewolf special last night. It was just okay. There's a great appearance by a comic book property I won't spoil in case you want to watch it

Spoiler

it's Swamp Thing

, but other than that it's mostly kitschy silliness. They do a decent job of the classic MGM monster movie vibe, and the set design is actually really beautiful. I wish I could say the story really captivated me, but it's really nothing much, just a 50 min long special that tries to cover more ground than it should.

6/10 because it's just silly fun and doesn't take itself seriously.

[Air Master Burst]

There's a great appearance by a comic book property I won't spoil in case you want to watch it

Spoiler

it's Swamp Thing

Spoiler

It's actually Man-Thing, Swamp Thing is the DC version.

[vol.2]

Spoiler

It's actually Man-Thing, Swamp Thing is the DC version.

Spoiler

Oh shit, yeah. I was thinking about the whole combustion power not making sense, but I didn't put that together. I've never read any Man Thing actually; I have the Bronze Age Swamp Thing Graphic Novel and I love that one. Still have yet to read any of the Alan Moore stuff that people are so wet over.

[NYN]

Masters of Horror: John Carpenter's Cigarette Burns

Just that one ep. Yes, I was curious. No, I wouldn't fall for the trappings just for the name. Which are: it's after dark (Ghosts of Mars); it's from 2005; it's (I'm told) cable TV; guessing budget was lower than any project of his before (discounting Dark Star). It shows, nonetheless. It's not written by him, not composed by him (his son instead). That leaves just the direction, which feels with under 1h runtime fairly rigid. It has for names Norman Reedus (never seen TWD, don't care to) and Udo Kier, who I consider something of a secret weapon, yet how he keeps working with no correction of his heinous accent is beyond me (and maybe him). I dunno about plot. It's slightly meta: violent movies and tropes like madness, a naked dead babe, crazies, and of course a meek fallen angel in chains. Mostly it's talk talk talk not show show show, needing somehow some more. Some fun. Some thing. Performance switch 'tween "what-did-he-say?" accent, subdued facial expression, and "I'm a batty loon now, hear my gibberish..."

Except for the ironic title I couldn't associate it with the name. Pity.

[vol.2]

I just started watching Heavy Metal L-Gaim. It's fun but a bit silly. I'm a sucker for vintage Mecha anime, so I can put up with a little silly. There's some pretty cool details to the Mecha as well, like how Gaim has to plug in certain weapons to the chassis to use them. Goodstuff.

[Air Master Burst]

Went through season 1 of Yellowjackets for a second time and it still fucking rules. You should watch Yellowjackets, it's dope as hell. Excellent practical effects for the gore!

Season 2 got delayed to like March or some shit which sucks because I need answers.

ETA: Yellowjackets actually nails the 90s nostalgia better than most of the other recent attempts I've seen, and the present timeline combo of Juliette Lewis and Christina Ricci is like the most 90s pairing they could possibly have found. All it's missing is, like, Winona Ryder or some shit.

ETA2:

I just started watching Heavy Metal L-Gaim. It's fun but a bit silly. I'm a sucker for vintage Mecha anime, so I can put up with a little silly. There's some pretty cool details to the Mecha as well, like how Gaim has to plug in certain weapons to the chassis to use them. Goodstuff.

L-Gaim is dope! You should try Votoms next if you haven't yet.

[GaijinPunch]

I listened to Christini Ricci on a podcast recently. Was pretty interesting. Definitely piqued my interest. I'll check this one out.

[cj iwakura]

I happened to catch an episode of Yellowjackets on TV while I was in Paris(!) and it sure looked unsettling.

[NYN]

OK. Being in Season 4 of BB now, I think I "finally" ( ) found something that cain't satisfy me. You can call it a nitpick, though I don't consider myself that petty. It's the progression of time or the depiction of that or more the lack of it. It's almost as if the production tries to keep it secret how many weeks pass after the pilot sets the start. Sure, sometimes it's stated, yet only at the barest minimum. As at the end of season 2, when there is rehap and an operation, things that take time get their time. Season 3 has 3 months as a time frame, but being in S4 now I cain't tell how close they are of being up. The newborn not getting any growth is telling, too. That the setting is the South, doesn't help any in determinating the seasons. Is there a reason for this, if only to swerve possible incontinuity?
I cain't say. But hey, man, that New Mexican sky sure is azure, huh?

I've settled for a fave character, and it's Mike. Way impressive how the weary face and the edge-sharp pro-level mesh in him.
Dunno, but I feel it is this dude that Kurosawa was initially talking about.

[GaijinPunch]

You gonna give Better Call Saul a go after? You definitely should!

[NYN]

Oh yeah. I'll put a dollar in his pocket. I'm informed my aforementioned fave is in it start to finish. I like Bob's Saul and his antics fine enough in BB (when the inflatable Lady Liberty over his shop announces his entry in eps I start to grin), though really can't say if it's enough to make him the center of things, as opposed to WW. But that lies in the telling, doesn't it?

Do you have a theory about the time depiction in BB, or is it all supposed to be in one calender year?

[GaijinPunch]

though really can't say if it's enough to make him the center of things, as opposed to WW.

Fair enough, but remember that it's not BB. Definitely the same DNA but it is a much slower burn. As with BB, the supporting cast is phenomenal.

Do you have a theory about the time depiction in BB, or is it all supposed to be in one calender year?

This will come into play in BCS, somewhat obviously. I always though it was a few years altogether but I'm also getting old and can't remember shit.

[xxx1993]

I’m not sure what to think of Cabinet of Curiosities. As for Romantic Killer, the anime was fine until the Yandere showed up.

[xxx1993]

Warrior Nun Season 2. Better than the first.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Somehow missed out on Lilliehammer. Really dumb show but I like it so far.

[neorichieb1971]

The Periperhal - Amazon Prime.

Take Ready Player 1, which I regard as one of the best movies in recent years, take a dose of Matrix and Westworld, a bit of time travel shenanigans and mix it together. I watched the first 5 episodes in the past 2 days and it has the ingredients of something really big in my humble opinion.

Ep1 spoiler - Prototype VR headset is tested, when you put it on your actually there, but the world in the sim seems like you're actually there, you can feel everything. The real world is at 2032 and the prototype headset owner is in the USA, but the year in the sim is 2099 and its in London. A great way to make a trans atlantic show. Cast are great, has lots of mystery. Main actress is the girl from kick ass and whilst no fighting has really happened, I would love to see that girl do her kickass moves again.

5 eps in, I would recommend it if you like Sci fi.

[neorichieb1971]

I’m not sure what to think of Cabinet of Curiosities. As for Romantic Killer, the anime was fine until the Yandere showed up.

I watched 3 eps, its a bit slow. 90% build up for 10% reward.

[Herr Schatten]

The Periperhal - Amazon Prime.

Glad to hear it holds up. I’m a huge Gibson fan and enjoyed the book and its sequel quite a bit. I don’t have Prime, but I’m looking forward to watching the series via another channel somewhere in the future.

Spoiler

Don’t hold your breath for any cool fighting moves, though. In the books, those are all done by remote controlled combat drones.

[BIL]

Oh yeah. I'll put a dollar in his pocket. I'm informed my aforementioned fave is in it start to finish. I like Bob's Saul and his antics fine enough in BB (when the inflatable Lady Liberty over his shop announces his entry in eps I start to grin), though really can't say if it's enough to make him the center of things, as opposed to WW. But that lies in the telling, doesn't it?

I experienced a bit of this in BCS's first couple eps, where Jimmy is very much in his Saul mode (just without the notoriety or cash). Same lovable rogue, doing raucous scams - but can they really get six seasons out of this? Without spoiling, the trepidation rapidly fades, as it becomes apparent that Saul is Jimmy's Heisenberg... and while BB is, by its nature, a terminal descent for Walt, Jimmy's tale is like a reverse Odyssey. He's a long, long way to go from the starting point of Proto-Saui, even if by the show's prequel nature, you know he'll arrive back there somehow.

When all of your wishes are granted
Many of your dreams will be destroyed

A tale of what was lost. A YT commenter nailed it, on a random Saul BB clip. "Pre-BCS, this is just Saul being Saul. Post-BCS, it's heartbreaking."

All this without even touching on P2 / MIKE EHRMANTRAUT, the Jimmy to Jimmy's Billy. Very, very much a dual-protagonist affair, with lots of clever near-misses and occasional catastrophic head-ons between its parallel legal/cartel worlds.

TLDR: Recommended. X-TRA recommend (with SUPER VALUE GUARANTEE ) if you enjoy BB. It's every bit that show's companion piece. Superior quality black-humoured crime drama with an A+ cast, drop-dead gorgeous cinematography, and bravura soundtracking.

[xxx1993]

Just got done with the Cuphead Show!

[rapoon]

I’m not sure what to think of Cabinet of Curiosities. As for Romantic Killer, the anime was fine until the Yandere showed up.

I watched 3 eps, its a bit slow. 90% build up for 10% reward.

Pickman's Model is ep 5. if you're a HPL fan, may wanna check that out.

Christini Ricci.

that's a name I haven't heard in a while. i had the biggest thing for her and her giant forehead back in the 90's. not even joking, she was hot (looks like she still is too).

[GaijinPunch]

that's a name I haven't heard in a while. i had the biggest thing for her and her giant forehead back in the 90's. not even joking, she was hot (looks like she still is too).

You are correct.

[Air Master Burst]

Doom Patrol is a heck of a lot of fun! Pretty faithful to the Morrison run. The whole cast is excellent; special shoutout to the mighty pile of man playing FLEX MENTALLO! Love that guy so much, he could absolutely GET IT.

Both Dalton and Fraser's career resurgences are wonderful to see, especially since the criminally underrated Looney Toons: Back In Action bombing was a bit of a nadir for both of them.

[vol.2]

I enjoyed Doom Patrol. Brandon Frasier is excellent, really nails it.

[Mischief Maker]

Doom Patrol season 1 is great.

Season 2 and 3 fell off IMO.

Another case of "the mystery is solved... now what? Oh well, let's do callbacks to the favorite characters from Season 1. Remember DANNY????!!!!!!!!"