@winetarelli posted:This past Sunday’s “Curb” was back to form, imo.
It was the first episode this season where I’ve laughed out loud. Twice.
Started watching Lupin
This past Sunday’s “Curb” was a full return to form. It dragged on a bit too long in the last 40%, but it was also hilarious.
@winetarelli posted:This past Sunday’s “Curb” was a full return to form. It dragged on a bit too long in the last 40%, but it was also hilarious.
Well...yes, it was a great improvement. What Larry David has pulled over for 11 seasons is very difficult. For those in the know, it was Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House that stood in for the exterior of the synagogue. It's been used in many films including Blade Runner and the original House Haunted Hill.
Started Wheel Of Time
The Outlaws
Brit comedy/drama created/written/directed by and starring Stephen Merchant. Also starring Christopher Walken.
I'm afraid Curb Your Enthusiasm may have stayed too long at the fair. This week's episode was a mirthless affair except perhaps for a few chuckles near the end. At this point I'm only watching it for some views of my favorite places in LA and Brentwood in particular.
I am torn on wheel of time having grown up a better part of my middle/high school and college years reading the epic story.
There are certainly moments that story feels like it's weaved together better, but the first episode is terrible. It pays homage to every non sensical teenage drama angst required of any show that belongs on CW and none of the maturity in topics that robert jordan tried conveying
The backstories and alot of the characteristics of alot of the main characters have been shifted around with some characters having unnecessary storylines added and thrown away on a whim.
One of the main things missed with the start of the series is the world building. Yes, the series is beautifully shot, unfortunately it doesnt really show case the grandness of things that Robert Jordan tried to portray. One is that 2 rivers is suppose to be a town t hat is able to field 3000 archers later on in the story, yet the series makes 2 rivers look like a small tribe or village at best. This wasn't meant to be the shire.
Few things that the series did definitely get right, the pace was definitely great. The books spent alot of time world building visuals and feel. Something that can be achieved much more quickly with visuals, and there are flashes of moments where the series nails it. Movements of shadows, the motions behind weaving, all work well.
This series is exciting to watch if one goes in without the background of reading the books, it's a bit of a let down if you're looking for something that follows the storylines due to the fact one may have spent alot of time reading hte books and reflecting on how the characters developed through the 2 decades the books took to finish and for me to read.
I was always a science fiction nerd over fantasy. Though of course I'd read Lord of the Rings, and think its film adaptation is great. It wasn't until both the books and TV series of Game of Thrones that I found myself interested in a fantasy. And of course there's something about Martin's books (at least the first three) and the series that transcends the genre.
"This series is exciting to watch if one goes in without the background of reading the books." Well...as a non-reader of Wheel of Time I watched the first episode with no real pre-conceived notions. I could not finish it. Just compare the first episode of GoT to WoT and there just isn't the depth of characters, and even story, in the latter. And certainly the actors can't compare.
However, my ex-wife, who is a mild fan of the genre, is continuing to watch. She also finished the first season of Foundation which I thought was dreadful. She did say it picks up in the final three episodes but I just can't bring myself to watch more of it.
@The Old Man posted:I was always a science fiction nerd over fantasy. Though of course I'd read Lord of the Rings, and think its film adaptation is great. It wasn't until both the books and TV series of Game of Thrones that I found myself interested in a fantasy. And of course there's something about Martin's books (at least the first three) and the series that transcends the genre.
"This series is exciting to watch if one goes in without the background of reading the books." Well...as a non-reader of Wheel of Time I watched the first episode with no real pre-conceived notions. I could not finish it. Just compare the first episode of GoT to WoT and there just isn't the depth of characters, and even story, in the latter. And certainly the actors can't compare.
However, my ex-wife, who is a mild fan of the genre, is continuing to watch. She also finished the first season of Foundation which I thought was dreadful. She did say it picks up in the final three episodes but I just can't bring myself to watch more of it.
yea i agree, the first episode is absolutely terrible. the 2nd episode is where it starts picking up a little better, 3 and 4, they at least start relaying the ground work for the WoT storyline.
The just rush too much through all the character development just to hit a few "talking points"
@The Old Man posted:I'm afraid Curb Your Enthusiasm may have stayed too long at the fair. This week's episode was a mirthless affair except perhaps for a few chuckles near the end. At this point I'm only watching it for some views of my favorite places in LA and Brentwood in particular.
There have definitely been some LOL moments this season, and we won't stop watching, but it has been a little forced at times. I think the addition of Vince Vaughn has been great.
Started watching The Good Place
@jcocktosten posted:Started watching The Good Place
I was ambivalent about it through the first few episodes but it got better and better as it went along. Though I think Ted Dawson was badly cast.
@jcocktosten posted:Started watching The Good Place
There are lots of problems with the show but the general tone of sweetness carries it through.
@The Old Man posted:There are lots of problems with the show but the general tone of sweetness carries it through.
I am watching simply from the perspective of being entertained - and I laughed a lot and the episodes fly by -
@jcocktosten posted:I am watching simply from the perspective of being entertained
As do I but its flaws are obvious.
" - and I laughed a lot and the episodes fly by -"
And for me some of the episodes also flew by because they weren't worth paying attention to.
The End of the F***ing World on Netflix.
"Puppies Crash Christmas"
Grooving on Season 4 of Yellowstone.
Binged the latest installments of Billions, it was excellent, already looking forward to the second part of the season in January.
Also enjoying the continuation of Dexter, the finale was so terrible but I think they have done a good job picking it up in present day .
Watched all of Star Trek Picard - on the way to and from Paris. I enjoyed it and was directed by someone I went to High School with.
Just finished the Netflix series The End of the F***ing World. I highly recommend it if you like quirky.
1883 - First two episodes were excellent.
@jcocktosten posted:Started watching The Good Place
It's not the first time I come across with the recommendation. Is it worth watching?
“Hawkeye” was fun Christmas-y stuff.
Am greatly enjoying True Story on Netflix. Starring Kevin Hart in a dramatic role, it features lots of "oh fuck" plot twists.
The White Lotus - biting dark comedy
Mare of Easttown - dreary bleak murder mystery but all the better for it!
I watched the first episode of "Yellowstone" last night. I guess we are beginning that series.
@Rothko posted:I watched the first episode of "Yellowstone" last night. I guess we are beginning that series.
You won't be sorry.
First 7 episodes of Season 4 of Ozark out today, I know what our plans for the weekend are. The last 7 episodes will drop Spring/Summer
Stay Close, a limited series on Netflix based on a Harlan Coben book.
Wrapped up Season 4 of Yellowstone and then watched 1883.
Now starting "Star Trek - Picard"
Waiting for the next season of Outlander to begin next month.
@Rothko posted:Wrapped up Season 4 of Yellowstone and then watched 1883.
Now starting "Star Trek - Picard"
Waiting for the next season of Outlander to begin next month.
Are you watching Season 1 of Picard? Two isn't out until 3/3.
We're 100% caught up on Yellowstone and 1883.
We're going back and watching/catching up on The Crown. We're in Season 3 at this point.
Star Trek fans Disco Ep 8 went live last night.
Watching Reacher. Good... I like it.
@napacat posted:Watching Reacher. Good... I like it.
Excellent guilty pleasure.
Vienna Blood. On PBS. Good detective story set in early 20th century Vienna. Bunch of episodes.
Watched Episode 9 of 1883 last night. I think we are going to learn how they came up with the name "Yellowstone", and we aren't going to like it.
Finally finished all six seasons of Line of Duty on Netflix and it's probably the best cop show I've seen. Then we watched the one and only season of Bodyguard, created and written by the same guy who did Line of Duty.
If you like a slow burning storyline leading to sudden action, real surprises, and lots of twists and turns, but still within the realm of possibility, you gotta try Line of Duty. Bodyguard is also good but Line of Duty is better.