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Recommendations for Television Shows

mneeley490mneeley490Member

Starting to get into Tales From the Loop, an Amazon series based on images by Swedish artist  Simon Stålenhag. Odd doesn't even begin to cover it; think unexplained, retro sci-fi machinery, spires, giant robots, and abandoned metal spheres littering the landscape. Ostensibly centered someplace in Ohio, it is mostly filmed in a perpetual twilight and oozes Scandinavian winter dreariness. But each episode centers on one person in the town, and though slow moving, it draws you in by being utterly fascinating. 

Last edited by mneeley490
S spoMember
purplehaze posted:
spo posted:

Looking forward to season 3 of Fauda on Netflix.

 

I loved the first two seasons of this series.  Very happy to know that season 3 is coming soon. As someone who is a friend of several Israelis and Palestinians,  I can recommend the first 2 seasons without hesitation.  Reasonably balanced, and very well done.  Hope season 3 is equally balanced and entertaining.

PH

Did you watch this? I watched the whole season in 2 sittings. Best season yet! 

Last edited by spo
purplehazepurplehazeMember
spo posted:
purplehaze posted:
spo posted:

Looking forward to season 3 of Fauda on Netflix.

 

I loved the first two seasons of this series.  Very happy to know that season 3 is coming soon. As someone who is a friend of several Israelis and Palestinians,  I can recommend the first 2 seasons without hesitation.  Reasonably balanced, and very well done.  Hope season 3 is equally balanced and entertaining.

PH

Did you watch this? I watched the whole season in 2 sittings. Best season yet! 

Only the first episode.  I'm psyched at your review of S3.  I hope to get a few  episodes in tonight.  

Folks, if you haven't tried this show, please do.  It's really, really good.  I'll echo a recommendation I read here early on in Season 1 to watch this show in the original Hebrew and Arabic and use subtitles.  The English overdubs are not so good.  Plus I've learned some new words in both languages!

PH

J jcocktostenMember
irwin posted:
jcocktosten posted:
irwin posted:

I'm looking forward to the next offline with PH, when he and I can speak Hebrew with each other so as to confuse the other guys.  How do you say, "Nice tannins" in Hebrew anyway?

Most likely טנינים טובים

Yes, we lawyers have not much to do these days.

Speak for yourself - I am swamped (although doing it all from home which is not all that unusual for me) - 

purplehazepurplehazeMember
jcocktosten posted:
irwin posted:

I'm looking forward to the next offline with PH, when he and I can speak Hebrew with each other so as to confuse the other guys.  How do you say, "Nice tannins" in Hebrew anyway?

Most likely טנינים טובים

Actually a word I learned that easy to say, and might be useful is (and I'm transliterating here) is:

Sababa.  

Apparently Arabic in origin, but used in both languages.  I am amazed at the similarities between Arab and Israeli culture, norms, diet and language and the continuous disconnect.  Similar to the Protestants and Catholics in Ireland.  Just find some common ground and work on that, people.

PH

Last edited by purplehaze
J jcocktostenMember
purplehaze posted:
jcocktosten posted:
irwin posted:

I'm looking forward to the next offline with PH, when he and I can speak Hebrew with each other so as to confuse the other guys.  How do you say, "Nice tannins" in Hebrew anyway?

Most likely טנינים טובים

Actually a word I learned that easy to say, and might be useful is (and I'm transliterating here) is:

Sababa.  

PH

Used in both Hebrew and Arabic I believe - very useful term - can be used as cool, great or no problem

J jcocktostenMember
purplehaze posted:
jcocktosten posted:
irwin posted:

I'm looking forward to the next offline with PH, when he and I can speak Hebrew with each other so as to confuse the other guys.  How do you say, "Nice tannins" in Hebrew anyway?

Most likely טנינים טובים

Actually a word I learned that easy to say, and might be useful is (and I'm transliterating here) is:

Sababa.  

PH

Last time I was in Israel, Stef and I turned to my sister and asked her what some signs were saying as we did not know the words and my sister turns to us laughing and says just sound it at -  they were just English words written in Hebrew letters so looked strange to us but simply said what they were in English.  Like television and espresso (I know not english but sane result) looked weird in Hebrew

irwinirwinMember

"I am amazed at the similarities between Arab and Israeli culture, norms, diet and language and the continuous disconnect." 

The press reported that last week some Palestinians in Gaza were trying to "zoom" with some Israelis to discuss peace. But, Hamas learned about it and arrested the Palestinians, and, I suppose, confiscated their computers and probably beat them up.   Disconnect indeed.

 

irwinirwinMember

"Last time I was in Israel, Stef and I turned to my sister and asked her what some signs were saying as we did not know the words and my sister turns to us laughing and says just sound it at -  they were just English words written in Hebrew letters so looked strange to us but simply said what they were in English."

I was in Israel for a visit years ago when Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge at a place I'd never heard of in Massachusetts called "Chappaquiddick"...  Try reading that in Hebrew, since there is no "CH" or "Q".  Hard enough to get through Massachusetts. 

 

 

The Old ManThe Old ManMember
@sunnylea57 posted:

Interesting how they take the basic plot of the books and completely rework the rest. Not just in this season. 

I read that season 7 will be the last. 

That has been one of its great strengths. Somehow they managed, of course with the help of Connolly himself, to mash up the books and change whole plots and still keep it very "Boschian." I'd say it's rare to have an author not only allow such major changes, but participate in it. Sounds like I'm going to be disappointed in season six, but I hope the essential LA-ness is still there.

The Old ManThe Old ManMember
@Vino Bevo posted:

Been blitzing through What We Do in the Shadows on Hulu...

I love this show, but I don't know how many seasons they can sustain. But they're always manage to hit some high points in every episode. For Matt Berry fans there is also "Toast of London" and his frequent appearances on "The IT Crowd."

"Letterkenny" continues to be the funniest , and stupidest, show on television. Also on Hulu, so pitter-patter...

mneeley490mneeley490Member
@mneeley490 posted:

Anyone else watching Dispatches From Elsewhere on AMC? It is freaky and confusing, but kind of wonderful in a way. 

This just finished up it's 10 episode run. Amazing doesn't begin to describe it. The final episode takes you someplace you would never have expected to go, and my respect for Jason Segel as a writer/producer has skyrocketed. He's not that guy from Freaks and Geeks or Forgetting Sarah Marshall anymore.

The Old ManThe Old ManMember
@steve8 posted:

Just started (first two episodes) The Plot Against America. Not bad so far.

After the horrors of The Man in the High Castle I couldn't watch another WWII era alternate reality story. I'm also planning on reading the book. Interesting tidbit, the spy author Len Deighton published in 1979 SS-GB which was a police procedural in Nazi occupied England. It was a good book which was made into a BBC series in 2017. I've not seen and it's supposed to have an open ending leading to a second season which isn't going to happen.

The Old ManThe Old ManMember

Finished the season six of Bosch and am rewatching the series from the beginning. I thought this was a good season even though I couldn't stand the build-up with the wacko group. Watching actors give it their all while spouting nonsense got very tedious after a number of episodes. It was good to see Richard Brooks, from the original Law and Order, after all these years.

What makes Bosch so interesting is that it exists in a parallel universe. The relationships on the TV show often do not reflect what occurs in the books. And yet both universes are excellent. Seeing him and J. Edgar, have a better relationship on the show than the books, makes for a more engaging show. It's been a joy to watch Madison Lintz grow up (into almost a fashion model) and a good actress whose scenes with Welliver are always interesting. Of course Titus Welliver is Bosch and all the other characters; Crate and Barrel, LT, the always fantastic Lance Reddick as Chief Irving, Mank and Honey/Money Chandler who work and react together in such a natural way.

I also want to mention Ernest Dickerson who started out as a cinematographer on the mostly forgotten, and very good, movie Brother From Another Planet and went on to be an excellent TV show director with credits such as this program and The Wire.

However, it is a little depressing watching a show that was so recently filmed in a world that may not exist again for some time. Bosch is one of those LA TV shows, and also like the books, that revels in its "LAness." Bosch is a guy who hangs in spots like Musso & Franks Grill, Du-Pars and Dan Tanas. The show used the Bradbury Building, Angels Flight, the Capitol Records tower and many other LA landmarks and locations to get the feel of LA. And now I can't even make one of my runs up there to go to Canter for a corned beef sandwich roam the Art District. 

Here's a odd note: Just having finished six and starting season one there's an interesting fashion statement that appears to run through the entire show--the men's neckties all have a large, loose knot. Not sure what it means, but it's something I recently noted.

Last edited by The Old Man
J jcocktostenMember

Watched 2 episodes last night - good cast, good performance - one must like musicals and not have a problem with characters breaking into song - 

I have no issue with that (some people cannot tolerateit) so liked it and will continue watching - I liked Jane Levy from Suburgatory, and cast includes - Peter Gallagher, Mary Steenburgen, Skylar Austin, Lauren Graham and others 

I never saw Eli Stone

sunnylea57sunnylea57Member

McMillions

The HBO documentary mini-series about the McDonalds Monopoly scam that took place in the 1990s. For my money, far more interesting and entertaining than Tiger King. The story and the cast of characters are equally bizarre.

We’re half way through the 6 episodes. I keep wondering why all these people - from the FBI agents to the mobster’s wife and brother- would agree to be interviewed on camera and reveal so much. 

VB Vino BevoMember

We've been working through a few series of various themes (and quality) these last few weeks:

  • What We Do in the Shadows (I mentioned this earlier in the post and like it so much I'll mention it again)
  • Good Omens (good concept - enjoyed)
  • A Discovery of Witches (my sister told my wife about it, and it's too much like Twilight - meh)
  • Upload (intriguing concept but jury is still out)
  • Jack Ryan (I'd seen but but she hadn't so went through it again, and forgot how much I liked season one better than two)
  • Fleabag (outstanding)
  • Damages (never watched when it originally came out and just finished season one - hooked!)

 

sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
@wine+art posted:

Hmm, now I want to try it. 

I can understand giving up during or after S01E01. She’s shallow and annoying, and the ”breaking the 4th wall” thing is hardly original.

But the series does a slow build over the course of the two seasons. There’s a deliberate arc to the story and character development. It’s not high art, but it’s very well done. Especially Season 2.

On the other hand, I suffered through the first season of her other series, Killing Eve. Didn’t like it at all.

sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
@The Old Man posted:

I think they could have easily cut McMillions in half. Also that supercilious, self-congratulating FBI agent really got tiresome.

I respectfully disagree. The first few episodes were fast paced and shallow. It had a “staring at a traffic accident” feel to it. “Look at all these stupid, freakish people!” But I appreciated that it took a more sober turn in the second half. They took the time to let us get to know some of the participants and how their lives were impacted by their actions.

As for that FBI agent, his more annoying traits got a lot of screen time in the first episode, but he was less of a focus as the story progressed, and when he was on camera, he was often more reserved. He sure did have a toothy grin, though. Reminded me of Ed Grimley (Martin Short’s character).

And the real estate guy was a dead ringer for John Goodman - both his looks and his voice.

robsutherlandrobsutherlandMember

Great british menu. 

The full 2019-2020 season is on YouTube as well as 2014. You can find 2018 online too (and of course watch all 15 seasons if you can get bbc iPlayer).

If you enjoy cooking competition shows this one pits mostly 1 and 2 star Michelin chefs against each other to cook one of four courses at a banquet. In no way "American" reality TV, they help each other, clean up, know what the hell they are doing and its the best cooking show on TV. 

sunnylea57sunnylea57Member

Mrs. America

Fantastic performances by all the leads, and every episode is fast paced and engaging. My biggest criticism: it tries to pack too much into the 9 episodes and consequently the nuance is often lost and most of the characters aren’t as fully realized as they could be, simply because they aren’t given enough screen time.

sunnylea57sunnylea57Member

Started watching The Spy, an Israeli espionage drama based on a true story. Created by Gideon Raff who previously did Prisoners of War, the Israeli series that the first seasons of Homeland were based on. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Noah Emmerich. 

Gave up after 3 episodes. It should have come in yellow packaging and been called "No Name Spy Series". It had every silly spy trope imaginable.

Sneaking out of a party to scale the outside wall of the building, and breaking into the host's 3rd floor office to take microfilm photos of documents, and nearly getting caught when someone gets suspicious and checks the office.

Nervously sweating it out at the Syrian border because the border guards are examining your suitcases and you don't want them to find the "spy gear" you've stashed inside the housing of an electric mixmaster*, so you come up with the idea of telling the guy in charge that you have porn magazines in your suitcase and it would be SO embarrassing if anyone saw them, and of course you both laugh at that and he stops the search and lets you go.

Ugh.

Noah Emmerich's bad Israeli accent also didn't help.

* Of course it's never explained why a supposedly successful Syrian businessman has an electric mixer in his suitcase.

W wine+artMember
@sunnylea57 posted:

Started watching The Spy, an Israeli espionage drama based on a true story. Created by Gideon Raff who previously did Prisoners of War, the Israeli series that the first seasons of Homeland were based on. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Noah Emmerich. 

Gave up after 3 episodes. It should have come in yellow packaging and been called "No Name Spy Series". It had every silly spy trope imaginable.

Sneaking out of a party to scale the outside wall of the building, and breaking into the host's 3rd floor office to take microfilm photos of documents, and nearly getting caught when someone gets suspicious and checks the office.

Nervously sweating it out at the Syrian border because the border guards are examining your suitcases and you don't want them to find the "spy gear" you've stashed inside the housing of an electric mixmaster*, so you come up with the idea of telling the guy in charge that you have porn magazines in your suitcase and it would be SO embarrassing if anyone saw them, and of course you both laugh at that and he stops the search and lets you go.

Ugh.

Noah Emmerich's bad Israeli accent also didn't help.

* Of course it's never explained why a supposedly successful Syrian businessman has an electric mixer in his suitcase.

@sunnylea57 posted:

Started watching The Spy, an Israeli espionage drama based on a true story. Created by Gideon Raff who previously did Prisoners of War, the Israeli series that the first seasons of Homeland were based on. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Noah Emmerich. 

Gave up after 3 episodes. It should have come in yellow packaging and been called "No Name Spy Series". It had every silly spy trope imaginable.

Sneaking out of a party to scale the outside wall of the building, and breaking into the host's 3rd floor office to take microfilm photos of documents, and nearly getting caught when someone gets suspicious and checks the office.

Nervously sweating it out at the Syrian border because the border guards are examining your suitcases and you don't want them to find the "spy gear" you've stashed inside the housing of an electric mixmaster*, so you come up with the idea of telling the guy in charge that you have porn magazines in your suitcase and it would be SO embarrassing if anyone saw them, and of course you both laugh at that and he stops the search and lets you go.

Ugh.

Noah Emmerich's bad Israeli accent also didn't help.

* Of course it's never explained why a supposedly successful Syrian businessman has an electric mixer in his suitcase.

Interesting. I too tried and couldn’t connect. This genre is right up my alley but didn’t work for some reason. 

The Old ManThe Old ManMember

"Quiz" -- 30pts. 3 part mini-series on the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" scandal in England in the 90s. It's simply horribly manipulative.

The show opens with a scene in a courtroom between the two sets of defendants they're at tells you the slant the show is going to take, then it settles down into the creation of the actual  quiz show itself. I found a lot of this interesting and I always seem to like things that Michael Sheen is in. The show then spends about an hour setting up strawmen which it's going to knock down in the final third episode. Besides having to believe, because of situations we see, the view point of the major and his wife. They are practically the definition of unreliable narrators. In addition, you have a number of ridiculous characters on the "bad guys" side including an absolutely impossible to believe, clueless lawyer for Celador. It just stacks the deck so hard.

Hey, if it's fiction, makeup any tale you want, but don't give me a fantasy version of actual occurrences.

Last edited by The Old Man
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
@purplehaze posted:

Two episodes into Giri / Haji on Netflix.  I like it so far.

PH

I had high hopes for this, but it just didn’t grab us. We moved onto other things after 3 episodes.

We really enjoyed the first season of Occupied (Okkupert). The second season isn’t quite as good, but still better than most series. We may have trouble finding S3, as it isn’t on Netflix here.

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