Recommendations for Television Shows

@irwin posted:

Been watching Squid game.  I find it disturbing.  I think we’re half way through, and I suppose we’ll watch the rest but I am not sure I understand why it is so popular.
I am also watching “Guilt” which is a masterpiece theater thing on pbs.   I like that a lot.  

it's a more visual commentary about today's society, individualism and getting ahead. 

"Hey as long as I survive"  or "hey there's someone who gets killed everyday" kind of crowd.  The ending of the series is directly finger pointed at today's societal ideals.

I get it.  But, and this won’t spoil anything, why the repetitive use of The Blue Danube waltz music and the Haydn trumpet concerto?  

@irwin posted:

I get it.  But, and this won’t spoil anything, why the repetitive use of The Blue Danube waltz music and the Haydn trumpet concerto?  

the blue danube is kubrick influence.  think beethoven's 9th in clockwork orange for instance.

The other pieces of bravado classical pieces were thrown in  to show a more classy affair vs say, K pop music.  Only rich people listen to classical music =)

@g-man posted:

the blue danube is kubrick influence.  think beethoven's 9th in clockwork orange for instance.

The other pieces of bravado classical pieces were thrown in  to show a more classy affair vs say, K pop music.  Only rich people listen to classical music =)

I figured it was because (I think) one needs not pay royalties for the music.

Just started Shadow and Bone on Netflix.  I have read the books

@irwin posted:

I figured it was because (I think) one needs not pay royalties for the music.

haha i'm sure that was it too, but when you start making a motif about it during certain scenes =)

I'm still waiting on the wheel of time!

@irwin posted:

I get it.  But, and this won’t spoil anything, why the repetitive use of The Blue Danube waltz music...

I saw its use as a tip of the hat to "2001:  A Space Odyssey."   Much of 2001 takes place in a sterile environment which eventually becomes a killing field. In the same way the Escher-like stairway in Squid Game (I believe the only place that piece is played) also turns nto a place soiled by blood.

As for the series itself there has been for some time a movement in Korean cinema that mixes horror with social commentary. The height of that was of course "Parasite." Now this streamer tends to go further. I do warn certain people away from it. I definitely find it superior in its intention to American torture porn.

@The Old Man posted:

I saw its use as a tip of the hat to "2001:  A Space Odyssey."   Much of 2001 takes place in a sterile environment which eventually becomes a killing field. In the same way the Escher-like stairway in Squid Game (I believe the only place that piece is played) also turns nto a place soiled by blood.

interesting that you went with 2001, i def see kubrick but i figured it was more clockwork orange.  Take a game that is known, then adulterate it, and for what?  for the enjoyment of someone else.

@g-man posted:

I'm still waiting on the wheel of time!

Me too.  Watched the preview recently

@g-man posted:

interesting that you went with 2001, i def see kubrick but i figured it was more clockwork orange.  Take a game that is known, then adulterate it, and for what?  for the enjoyment of someone else.

The Blue Danube Waltz is featured twice in the early space scenes in 2001. It's a direct reference.

Beethoven’s 7th symphony is used in “Mr. Holland’s Opus .”   So what?

I think if Strauss watched squid game and heard his music being used, he’d throw up.

@irwin posted:

Beethoven’s 7th symphony is used in “Mr. Holland’s Opus .”   So what?

I think if Strauss watched squid game and heard his music being used, he’d throw up.

it wasn't a motif though =)

and much like beethoven if he saw clockwork orange =P

@jcocktosten posted:

Me too.  Watched the preview recently

rosamond pike casting as moraine was brilliant too

@The Old Man posted:

The Blue Danube Waltz is featured twice in the early space scenes in 2001. It's a direct reference.

And now that I've finished the show, without spoilers, there is a lot of similarities between the final scenes of "2001" and the close to final scenes of "Squid Game."  Note the color of the pillow which is the color of the "apartment" in "2001."

@The Old Man posted:

And now that I've finished the show, without spoilers, there is a lot of similarities between the final scenes of "2001" and the close to final scenes of "Squid Game."  Note the color of the pillow which is the color of the "apartment" in "2001."

oh nice find, i'll have to rewatch

You guys know a lot more about this stuff than I do, that’s for sure.

@g-man posted:

rosamond pike casting as moraine was brilliant too

Agreed. The Padan Fain actor looks super creepy

For anyone who remembers and liked Connections with James Burke, there is a similar show on Discovery+.  It's called Six Degrees with Mike Rowe. While not quite as polished as Connections, it still creates interest thru humor and re-enactments, and of course you have Mike Rowe, who probably rivals Tom Hanks for most-likeable personality in entertainment.

@mneeley490 posted:

For anyone who remembers and liked Connections with James Burke, there is a similar show on Discovery+.  It's called Six Degrees with Mike Rowe. While not quite as polished as Connections, it still creates interest thru humor and re-enactments, and of course you have Mike Rowe, who probably rivals Tom Hanks for most-likeable personality in entertainment.

We used to have Connections viewing parties in the seventies.

@The Old Man posted:

We used to have Connections viewing parties in the seventies.

Burke did a live tour in the 80's, I saw him in Seattle. Don't remember much of it except he seemed to really lash on England's history and policies. He said, "You may ask why I'm so being so derivative of England? <pause> I'm Irish." <Huge applause>

@mneeley490 posted:

Burke did a live tour in the 80's, I saw him in Seattle. Don't remember much of it except he seemed to really lash on England's history and policies. He said, "You may ask why I'm so being so derivative of England? <pause> I'm Irish." <Huge applause>

Was he wearing his beige leisure suit? Lol.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been shocked at how good a series is.

I have never once in my life liked feel-good “chicken soup for the soul” dramatic comedies. At no point had it ever happened — in fact I actively detest them, both in concept and in execution.

“Ted Lasso” is absolutely brilliant. One of the best things I’ve seen on television in many years. It is joyful and necessary in these times, and anyone who hasn’t watched it would be doing himself an extraordinary service to.

@winetarelli posted:

It’s been a long time since I’ve been shocked at how good a series is.

I have never once in my life liked feel-good “chicken soup for the soul” dramatic comedies. At no point had it ever happened — in fact I actively detest them, both in concept and in execution.

“Ted Lasso” is absolutely brilliant. One of the best things I’ve seen on television in many years. It is joyful and necessary in these times, and anyone who hasn’t watched it would be doing himself an extraordinary service to.

I guess I have to figure out how to watch it.  I don't think I've used Apple TV before.

@Rothko posted:

I guess I have to figure out how to watch it.  I don't think I've used Apple TV before.

Do you have Roku or similar?  You can stream it that way.

Unorthodox

@jcocktosten posted:

Unorthodox

Now see if you can watch more than 5 minutes of "My Unorthodox Life" for another take.

@The Old Man posted:

Now see if you can watch more than 5 minutes of "My Unorthodox Life" for another take.

I think I will pass

Curb returns tonight!

Started Ted Lasso last night.  Enjoyable so far.

@The Old Man posted:

Curb returns tonight!

Had to set the DVR (can't stay up that late on a school/work night, every for Curb).  Will watch this evening but expecting nothing less than the usual brilliance.

The Morning Show, season 2 is out there) tivimate on the firestick is a cool thing which help to stream all the newest shows, movies and sports. Also looking forward to watch Squid game soon. Just need to find time for that.

The thing is the 37+ minute episode, which started in season 9, is finally getting to Larry David. That, and the yearly release schedule he's maintained for a number of years now, is very grueling. He often is playing a caricature of his caricature of himself. Season's 11 second episode, Angel Muffin, is perhaps the worst episode in Curb's history. A big problem is the "everything Larry does is rude" schtick is often forced. I found it actually got tedious in this episode. However, there are always a few laughs and it's great to see places in Brentwood like the Brentwood Country Mart and other westside "landmarks."

@The Old Man posted:

The thing is the 37+ minute episode, which started in season 9, is finally getting to Larry David. That, and the yearly release schedule he's maintained for a number of years now, is very grueling. He often is playing a caricature of his caricature of himself. Season's 11 second episode, Angel Muffin, is perhaps the worst episode in Curb's history. A big problem is the "everything Larry does is rude" schtick is often forced. I found it actually got tedious in this episode. However, there are always a few laughs and it's great to see places in Brentwood like the Brentwood Country Mart and other westside "landmarks."

I found several moments in the episode cringe inducing. But the last scene very funny.

@winetarelli posted:

I found several moments in the episode cringe inducing. But the last scene very funny.

We know he's building to something and we can already see the threads. And at the end of the season there will be a "big payoff." It's just there's a lot of additional unnecessary, or outright bad, filler.

Not sure if it falls here or Movies but Found on Netflix. 

Am watching a fascinating and emotional documentary series on PBS called American Veteran.  Highly recommend it.

Watching "Only Murders In the Building"

Fun

This past Sunday’s “Curb” was back to form, imo.

@winetarelli posted:

This past Sunday’s “Curb” was back to form, imo.

It was better. Even with that there were times I was considering dropping it forever.