Getting it back on track, I've nearly finished The Terror. Jared Harris is excellent, as he was in Chernobyl. I think all the naval intrigue and atmosphere is very well done. SPOILERS SPOILERS Shame about the bloody CGI monster. It could've been left virtually unseen with far better results, and left maybe as a collective figment owing to the crew-wide poisoning from the canned food.
Getting it back on track, I've nearly finished The Terror. Jared Harris is excellent, as he was in Chernobyl. I think all the naval intrigue and atmosphere is very well done. SPOILERS SPOILERS Shame about the bloody CGI monster. It could've been left virtually unseen with far better results, and left maybe as a collective figment owing to the crew-wide poisoning from the canned food.
Yep agree entirely. Having read about the real life incident, there was enough torment and suffering there without the CGI monster.
Tony is a very flawed character. He is also a total bastard of a human - but his flaws keep you invested in him. He becomes an extreme version of a 'lovable rogue'. It is great writing and production to get the main character to straddle that love/hate theme for so long.
It all changed for me when he (Spolier Alert) - Offs Chris.
That is when he transitioned to a character to hate for me.
Probably my favourite, longstanding long TV series for me.
Took a break from this thread as I was scared of seeing Gomorrah spoilers but as well as being into S3 of that I've also started the latest series of Unforgotten and Your Honor. Very excited to see where the latter goes.
I tried one episode of Bloodlands but got bored towards the end so not going to continue with it.
Re Gomorrah, series 3 is the high water mark I think, series 4 was all in all pretty disappointing. There’s an episode when Gennaro goes to London which was pretty cool (although some of the stuff he gets up to is pretty far fetched and none of the geography makes any sense) - kind of like the episode in S3 where you see Ciro’s life in Bulgaria.
Tony is a very flawed character. He is also a total bastard of a human - but his flaws keep you invested in him. He becomes an extreme version of a 'lovable rogue'. It is great writing and production to get the main character to straddle that love/hate theme for so long.
It all changed for me when he (Spolier Alert) - Offs Chris.
That is when he transitioned to a character to hate for me.
Probably my favourite, longstanding long TV series for me.
Took a break from this thread as I was scared of seeing Gomorrah spoilers but as well as being into S3 of that I've also started the latest series of Unforgotten and Your Honor. Very excited to see where the latter goes.
I tried one episode of Bloodlands but got bored towards the end so not going to continue with it.
Re Gomorrah, series 3 is the high water mark I think, series 4 was all in all pretty disappointing. There’s an episode when Gennaro goes to London which was pretty cool (although some of the stuff he gets up to is pretty far fetched and none of the geography makes any sense) - kind of like the episode in S3 where you see Ciro’s life in Bulgaria.
I’m not too hopeful for the fifth season.
Series 1,2,& 3 of Gomorrah were all good, and I agree that series 4 is weak. I only have 2 episodes left of series 4 to watch, but this has not gripped me like the earlier series.
Also I have to mention the music that they play. Often it accomodates the storyline perfectly. A good example is when Chris Moltasanti has been shot and he is on the verge of dying the soundtrack is Ottis Redding singing My Lover's Prayer.
I thought that the music was so good that I went on the Sopranos website where they list every song from every episode. From that I made 2 hour compilation of the music from the show with artists such as Van Morrison, Ottis Redding, Frank Sinatra, Kasey Chambers, Mazzy Starr etc. This is one of my favourite compilations of music.
Agreed about season 4, although it was redeemed somewhat by the final episode. With regards to season 5, for fans who didn't watch the Ciro spin-off film, L'Immortale, there will be a bloody big shock.
Gave the Finnish series 'The man in room 301' a watch over the past few days.
Started well and was watchable but the story had more holes in it than a pair of old tights. I expect ITV will be remaking it at some junction in time.
Agreed about season 4, although it was redeemed somewhat by the final episode. With regards to season 5, for fans who didn't watch the Ciro spin-off film, L'Immortale, there will be a bloody big shock.
I still can't find L'immortale anywhere, have had a good search. Doesn't help that the remote doesn't have an apostrophe option
You can find it on Sky Atlantic. You'll be able to search without the apostrophe, I imagine. I could only find it under the Italian title, rather than The Immortal.
Having dissed Apple TV, I've gotten into The Morning Show, and it's pretty decent. You need to be interested in the world of news media, and it's not in Mad Men class by any stretch, but looks like it will sustain me until something proper like Line of Duty comes along.
Apple TV is verrrry US oriented content. I don't know why they bother with the global audience. I certainly won't be paying a sub for it at this rate.
Chiming in on the discussion on The Wire, I watched it 10 years or so a go and thought it was genuinely brilliant! I’ve not watched an episode since so maybe it’s not aged well.... but would always be in my top 3 Along with The Leftovers (criminally overlooked) and Sons Of Anarchy, Breaking Bad just misses out.
Another highly recommended series would be Fargo, I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves
Currently watching Better Call Saul and enjoying it greatly
There will be spoilers ahead for those planning to watch The Wire.
I think the character with the best character arc, and who is perhaps not the first person you think of when you remember The Wire is Prez. When he arrives, he's the absolute f*ck up out of everyone. He accidentally lets off his fire arm in the basement, single-handedly starts a riot, then blinds a kid. But then, assigned to office duty for his own good, he eventually cracks the drug code and becomes an integral part of the team.
Then comes that shocking, and heartbreaking, moment when he and McNulty go out to pick up the celebratory Chinese takeaway, they stumble into a crime incident, and Prez ends killing one of the perpetrators, not knowing he was an undercover officer.
Then of course he turns up later, having retrained as a teacher, and turns out to be a truly inspirational educator, under very difficult circumstances.
There will be spoilers ahead for those planning to watch The Wire.
I think the character with the best character arc, and who is perhaps not the first person you think of when you remember The Wire is Prez. When he arrives, he's the absolute f*ck up out of everyone. He accidentally lets off his fire arm in the basement, single-handedly starts a riot, then blinds a kid. But then, assigned to office duty for his own good, he eventually cracks the drug code and becomes an integral part of the team.
Then comes that shocking, and heartbreaking, moment when he and McNulty go out to pick up the celebratory Chinese takeaway, they stumble into a crime incident, and Prez ends killing one of the perpetrators, not knowing he was an undercover officer.
Then of course he turns up later, having retrained as a teacher, and turns out to be a truly inspirational educator, under very difficult circumstances.
Absolutely. Not just inspirational but also very resilient. The 4th series is my favourite I think.
Another cop with an interesting, if more subtle, character arc is Ellis Carver as he becomes more thoughtful and mature under Bunny Colvin's influence.
Having dissed Apple TV, I've gotten into The Morning Show, and it's pretty decent. You need to be interested in the world of news media, and it's not in Mad Men class by any stretch, but looks like it will sustain me until something proper like Line of Duty comes along.
Apple TV is verrrry US oriented content. I don't know why they bother with the global audience. I certainly won't be paying a sub for it at this rate.
I enjoyed The Morning Show. It's great. Much faster paced than Mad Men - I think they are two completely different shows😉
Yes, they are, and it probably wasn't a great comparison. I meant that the Morning Show will probably not interest those who don't care at all about how journalism works, or doesn't work. I got straight into Mad Men because I also worked in that biz but its genius was that millions enjoyed it despite never having had, or wanting, a clue about ad agencies. But Mad Men was a real ground-breaker, especially its slow pace, and its meticulous attention to 60s detail. Can't see this series having the same impact, although the implosions on the UK's real-life commercial morning show right now, might give it some extra relevance there
Watched first couple of episodes of Schitt's Creek and didn't really get it. Came back and tried again and it was well worth persevering - the acting is excellent and some real lol moments. Just finished S1.
Similar with Sopranos - had never watched it so tried it in first lockdown. Not at all sure to begin with but get through 3/4 episodes and you're hooked.
Mind you, we're on our third -or maybe fourth- run through of West Wing. My all time favourite.
Bit late, but we have just watched first two episodes of Queens Gambit tonight.
Looks good.
It's brilliant.
Was disappointed with The man in Room 301.
If people haven't seen it the Danish film Land of Mine is on BBC4 next Saturday. About German pow's being forced to clear mines at war end before being released. Recommended.
We've massively overdone watching TV during lockdown but when the only other excitement is going to buy food it's understandable. We are really enjoying Spiral (French, first series 2005) and Amsterdam Vice (Dutch, recent). I don't much like sub-titles as you lose a lot of the richness of the dialogue, but these are good enough to make that worthwhile.
I watched the 1st season years ago but didn't really rate it as I think I was comparing it with the UK version too much in my mind. I tried it again recently after seeing a few on here rate it, and forgetting the comparison I just enjoyed it as its own series. I'm up to the final season now and really glad I gave it another try. So many proper laugh out loud and cringe moments.
Getting it back on track, I've nearly finished The Terror. Jared Harris is excellent, as he was in Chernobyl. I think all the naval intrigue and atmosphere is very well done. SPOILERS SPOILERS Shame about the bloody CGI monster. It could've been left virtually unseen with far better results, and left maybe as a collective figment owing to the crew-wide poisoning from the canned food.
Agree on the CGI - I saw it as a psychological metaphor for their collective fear and maybe best left unseen (just heard!!).
For me that's about the only criticism - brilliant television.
I watched the 1st season years ago but didn't really rate it as I think I was comparing it with the UK version too much in my mind. I tried it again recently after seeing a few on here rate it, and forgetting the comparison I just enjoyed it as its own series. I'm up to the final season now and really glad I gave it another try. So many proper laugh out loud and cringe moments.
Bit late, but we have just watched first two episodes of Queens Gambit tonight.
Looks good.
It's brilliant.
Was disappointed with The man in Room 301.
If people haven't seen it the Danish film Land of Mine is on BBC4 next Saturday. About German pow's being forced to clear mines at war end before being released. Recommended.
Land of Mine really is an excellent movie and comes at the subject from a very different viewpoint.
I watched the 1st season years ago but didn't really rate it as I think I was comparing it with the UK version too much in my mind. I tried it again recently after seeing a few on here rate it, and forgetting the comparison I just enjoyed it as its own series. I'm up to the final season now and really glad I gave it another try. So many proper laugh out loud and cringe moments.
I watched the 1st season years ago but didn't really rate it as I think I was comparing it with the UK version too much in my mind. I tried it again recently after seeing a few on here rate it, and forgetting the comparison I just enjoyed it as its own series. I'm up to the final season now and really glad I gave it another try. So many proper laugh out loud and cringe moments.
I watched the 1st season years ago but didn't really rate it as I think I was comparing it with the UK version too much in my mind. I tried it again recently after seeing a few on here rate it, and forgetting the comparison I just enjoyed it as its own series. I'm up to the final season now and really glad I gave it another try. So many proper laugh out loud and cringe moments.
The first season does have a lot of the same jokes and situations as the British version, but it becomes its own thing after that.
A truly excellent show for 6 out of 9 seasons, but really didn’t work half as well after Steve Carell left. Some of the Andy Bernard stuff was just plain awful and the whole Robert California storyline was just idiotic.
Comments
I’m not too hopeful for the fifth season.
I only have 2 episodes left of series 4 to watch, but this has not gripped me like the earlier series.
Also I have to mention the music that they play. Often it accomodates the storyline perfectly. A good example is when Chris Moltasanti has been shot and he is on the verge of dying the soundtrack is Ottis Redding singing My Lover's Prayer.
I thought that the music was so good that I went on the Sopranos website where they list every song from every episode.
From that I made 2 hour compilation of the music from the show with artists such as Van Morrison, Ottis Redding, Frank Sinatra, Kasey Chambers, Mazzy Starr etc.
This is one of my favourite compilations of music.
Started well and was watchable but the story had more holes in it than a pair of old tights.
I expect ITV will be remaking it at some junction in time.
Apple TV is verrrry US oriented content. I don't know why they bother with the global audience. I certainly won't be paying a sub for it at this rate.
Another highly recommended series would be Fargo, I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves
Currently watching Better Call Saul and enjoying it greatly
I think the character with the best character arc, and who is perhaps not the first person you think of when you remember The Wire is Prez. When he arrives, he's the absolute f*ck up out of everyone. He accidentally lets off his fire arm in the basement, single-handedly starts a riot, then blinds a kid. But then, assigned to office duty for his own good, he eventually cracks the drug code and becomes an integral part of the team.
Then comes that shocking, and heartbreaking, moment when he and McNulty go out to pick up the celebratory Chinese takeaway, they stumble into a crime incident, and Prez ends killing one of the perpetrators, not knowing he was an undercover officer.
Then of course he turns up later, having retrained as a teacher, and turns out to be a truly inspirational educator, under very difficult circumstances.
Another cop with an interesting, if more subtle, character arc is Ellis Carver as he becomes more thoughtful and mature under Bunny Colvin's influence.
Can't see this series having the same impact, although the implosions on the UK's real-life commercial morning show right now, might give it some extra relevance there
Similar with Sopranos - had never watched it so tried it in first lockdown. Not at all sure to begin with but get through 3/4 episodes and you're hooked.
Mind you, we're on our third -or maybe fourth- run through of West Wing. My all time favourite.
Was disappointed with The man in Room 301.
If people haven't seen it the Danish film Land of Mine is on BBC4 next Saturday. About German pow's being forced to clear mines at war end before being released. Recommended.
I watched the 1st season years ago but didn't really rate it as I think I was comparing it with the UK version too much in my mind. I tried it again recently after seeing a few on here rate it, and forgetting the comparison I just enjoyed it as its own series. I'm up to the final season now and really glad I gave it another try. So many proper laugh out loud and cringe moments.
worth a bookmark: www.justwatch.com