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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 26, 2011 4:05:34 GMT
Gad, all my friends are addicted to Breaking Bad. I stopped watching it at the bathtub part in season one, but everyone tells me to just get over that.
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 26, 2011 14:14:42 GMT
Yeah, I'm pretty squeamish about blood. I skipped that whole episode and was fine with the everything else.
It's in its fourth season right now and it's a nail biter!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2011 14:33:36 GMT
One of the better French series recently was about a woman whose husband dies. He managed to hide his real profession from her during the marriage, but she soon discovers that he was the head of a production company for pornographic movies.
After her initial shock wears off, she takes a very "hands on" approach to the business. The name of the series is "Hard."
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 17, 2011 2:45:11 GMT
I've babbled on about this before, but without feedback from anyone. Is no one watching Boardwalk Empire? It's in season two and truly great stuff. Martin Scorsese directed the pilot and apparently keeps an artistic hand in. The sets -- particularly the interiors, the casting, the costuming, everything is terrific. And all the music is from the period. www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2019631,00.html Just a hint of the feel of the series. The man playing pool is Arnold Rothstein. The one in shirtsleeves making the introduction is Lucky Luciano.    |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2011 2:53:51 GMT
Isn't Rothstein the main character that De Niro plays in Scorcese's Casino?
He seems particularly obsessed with the man,no?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 17, 2011 3:04:06 GMT
I don't know -- never saw Casino. Rothstein is certainly an compellingly watchable character as presented in Bdwlk Empr.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2011 12:02:15 GMT
It is the same character.
I recently read Conversations with Scorcese,a worthy tome btw if you can wade your way through the minutia of seemingly rabid exchanges as to who knows more about a given topic between the author and subject.
Anyway,in the book,Scorcese waxes on and on about this Rothstein character almost to the point of bestowing him with hero status.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 21, 2011 11:11:41 GMT
On Sunday nights we are watching the new series "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and enjoying it very much.
So far only two episodes viewed and can't help wondering if it will be a three - part or more?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 22, 2011 4:18:09 GMT
I loved that book when I read it over 40 years ago. Even though it was so long ago, I still remember parts of it vividly. I'm very curious about the series. This is the first I'd heard of it. Thanks, Tod.
At the moment I am watching -- or actually taking a break from watching -- the pilot of Homeland. A friend of mine raves about this series, but it is not clicking for me at all. Anyone here watch it?
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Post by tod2 on Nov 22, 2011 7:48:26 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 22, 2011 17:01:59 GMT
Oh thanks, Tod. Yes -- Tess would have an open, curious, whimsical face, wouldn't she?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 23:04:04 GMT
Anybody watching Taboo?
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Post by lugg on Feb 4, 2017 19:33:36 GMT
Taboo....I have Lizzyfaire - what do you think of it? The last episode I saw made for quite painful viewing but I am going to stick with it. (I watch it a few days after its aired) Also been watching Appletree Yard, only just realised that I had read the book a while ago; controversial - the jury's out. Loving the much gentler "The Great Pottery Throw Down" which has created a surge in the number of applicants for pottery classes. ( even if it bears too much resemblance to the much missed Great British Bake Off. )
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2017 19:37:18 GMT
Taboo is not yet available in France, but I have read enough about it to want to watch it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2017 22:43:23 GMT
I quite like Taboo, because it's extreme and unlike almost anything else I've seen on t.v. And of course, the Nootka Sound storyline takes place less than a hundred kilometres from where I grew up. I like the collision of cultures that are occurring in this Regency London.
I find it interesting that some comment boards are whining about the foul language, the violence and the, well, breaking of taboos, as if the early 1800s were all clean and polite and genteel.
Speaking of which, I'm malingering today, so I took to my cushions and duvet and watched Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Not fully successful as a comedy of manners or as a horror flick, but what was enjoyable was the juxtaposition of the two. I'm not posting a trailer, because they're all intercut with pop music and slow-mo battle sequences (to appeal to whom? Young women and their dates?), and the film doesn't really have that. I appreciated the skewering of Jane Austen immensely (figuratively, she doesn't appear in the movie!).
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 4, 2017 22:53:19 GMT
I never heard of Taboo until Lizzy posted the trailer, but am definitely going to have to try it. My viewing habits mark me as an incredibly balanced person, I feel ~ favorites such as Game of Thrones and Vikings are enshrined right up there with Downton Abbey and The Forsyte Saga.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2017 23:07:23 GMT
Well, bixa, Taboo should be right up your alley. All the violence and incest of Game of Thrones, all the dirt and exoticism of Vikings, and the fancy costumes of the other two!
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Post by patricklondon on Feb 6, 2017 15:06:56 GMT
Taboo is backed up in the pile on my PVR. I'm working up to it. These last few weeks and months, I've been cocooning more and more in nostalgic nonsense - ancient films, old sitcoms I could practically recite by heart that are still filling the cheapo channels down the bottom of the EPG (I can't resist the sausages-down-trousers and sometimes surreal jokes of Allo!Allo! - Madame Fanny, learning that a duel is about to be fought over her daughter, reminisces about a duel over her youthful self, when two tram-drivers fell in love with her - "And what did they fight with, maman, swords or pistols?"
"Trams.") But Apple Tree Yard is quite gripping, especially now it's got to the point where the central character is learning what those of us of a more suspicious mind realise from early on (whenever there was a drama in which a too slickly handsome man was making up to a woman, my mother would start to sing The Gypsy's Warning - "Do not trust him, gentle maiden......!"!). Last episode tonight, so no spoilers, please. Then there are assorted documentaries to catch up on (French art, Italian cities, all about the brain.....)..... My blog | My photos | My video clips"too literate to be spam" |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 22:31:05 GMT
There is an article in the Guardian today about Taboo if anyone is interested. I like this quote, it's pretty apt.
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Post by Kimby on Sept 16, 2017 22:46:24 GMT
Not having cable TV or streaming video, I am late to discovering that series made for TV have actually gotten very good. With the advent of cable networks like HBO and streaming services like Netflix, and with the luxury of time offered by the series format, directors can build story arcs and create characters that viewers can get attached to, unlike with a 90-minute film. And books don't have to be so dramatically abridged in translation to the screen as to lose their appeal.
Now that so many series are out on DVD, I've been borrowing them from the library and binge-watching, but don't know which of the more obscure ones are worth seeking out.
I was hoping we could start the thread with lists, in order to get the names of good series near the top. Subsequent posts can elaborate on plot, theme, subject matter, actors, etc,
As for bolding titles, it would help in text-heavy posts, but probably over-kill in lists. But it appears there isn't a bold option in iPhone reply box. So ALL CAPS will have to suffice for me. (Though I won't use all caps in the lists that follow, as that would be shouting.)
We have watched - and really enjoyed - all seasons of Sopranos, The Wire, Breaking Bad, 24, Downton Abbey, and Treme. We are watching House of Cards, Homeland, The Americans, The Affair, Broadchurch, and Better Call Saul, as new seasons become available.
We watched a couple seasons of Dr. Who (post-reissue), Mad Men, Californication, and Deadwood before abandoning them. We saw the first season of The Knick. We tried to watch Lost, but failed to engage.
What are some of your favorites? It would be great to have them all in one place, instead of scattered throughout the Recent Small Screen Viewing thread. It isn't necessary to describe what each item in the list is about, as long as it's clear whether you'd recommend each title or not. After we're done sharing lists, we can get down to the nitty gritty of critiquing individual titles or sharing new discoveries.
Sound like a plan?
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Post by onlyMark on Sept 17, 2017 7:04:58 GMT
If you liked House of Cards (for me it was ok but at times a bit too gratuitously complex) have you seen the original UK version?
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Post by Kimby on Sept 17, 2017 14:04:17 GMT
Yes, Mark, we accidentally picked up the original British HOUSE OF CARDS at the Sanibel library, not realizing that there were two versions. We couldn't relate to the bewigged Lords, and wondered what the fuss was....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 16:17:21 GMT
I have watched so very many over the years I will try and remember most of them and as others are mentioned it may jolt my memory.
Many of the ones I got hooked on pre internet ; Netflix etc. were weekly Public TV series, mostly BBC, Masterpiece Theatre productions.
In no particular order of preference or otherwise:
The Jewel In The Crown
Upstairs Downstairs
Prime Suspect
Homicide; Life on the Streets (a David Simon produced series who also did The Wire and Treme)
Twin Peaks
Deadwood
Downton Abbey
House of Cards, (American version, like Kimby, I tried the UK original and stalled out after only a few episodes)
Six Feet Under (revved up initially and then it became tedious)
Blacklist
Treme (under pressure to watch and mixed feelings still regarding much of it based on personal knowledge of many of the characters portrayed).
Damages (I binged through and really enjoyed it although, toward the last season it was sluggish for lack of a better word. I just adore Glenn Close.)
Person of Interest (adored this !!!, so very quirky. I could see how others could not wrap their head around it).
West Wing
Breaking Bad
Broadchurch
The Killing
The Hand Maids Tale
Ozark (real recent and initially resisted it until a good friend insisted and she was right.)
The Good Wife (currently on Season 2)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 16:49:30 GMT
I have often wanted to post about a series but don't on many occasions because like Kimby I don't want to have to comb through all the previous posts of the same series. We even have threads dedicated to single series along with the ones in Small Screen. (Leave it to Kimby to figure out...hee hee  ) I will ponder about this but dunno... Replication at this point may well be a moot point. (perhaps our newest member i'vebeenmoved might have some advice to lend on this ) |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 17:51:02 GMT
I agree. I just perused Small Screen and it would be a major undertaking to try and consolidate all the various mentionig of series and singular threads per Bixa's comment.
With regard to my listing, I was tempted to do a rating of sorts with *'s and, if people want to have a discussion of their "review"of sorts, they can inquire and/or comment and make the thread more interesting as opposed to just a mere list.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 17, 2017 18:07:39 GMT
Exactly!
Also, if a person wanted to include previous discussion of a particular series from the SSV thread, it would be easy enough to find the remarks, Quote or Quick Quote them, then copy & paste the quote(s) into any pertinent discussion in this new thread.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Sept 17, 2017 18:40:29 GMT
I am a Doctor Who addict. I know that it can be very silly but I feel a huge amount of loyalty to the show...watched as a child from the very first episode...something I watched with my beloved Dad. However if I'm objective (rather than sentimental) Wallander : the Swedish version...there are two different actors playing the lead role over a few years. Both incarnations are good. Gritty but gripping. The Bridge : also Swedish/Finish. Nobody does a dark detective/murder series like the Scandinavians do...compelling stuff. Cranford: period drama with Judy Dench amongst other brilliant actors...charming and gentle (far superior to the copycat Lark Rise to Candleford imo) The Missing : especially the second series. Not an easy watch but superb drama. The Green Wing: comedy (channel 4) set in a hospital...made in the 90s I think. Absolutely brilliant....probably too silly for some. Spaced: another channel 4 comedy series (with Simon Pegg -of Hot Fuzz, Sean of the Dead fame) very silly. I bought the boxed set (there are 2 series) Sherlock : only the first three series...the last one was ridiculous imo I don't like a lot of the more popular dramas like Downton, Mr Selfridges, Ripper Street and Doctor Foster. They just make me cross. My OH watches a lot of dystopian dramas set in a post apocalyptic world where the only survivors/people who can save everybody are terribly good looking, thin and under 25...preferably wearing tight, revealing clothing....I don't know what he sees in them....  things like The 100, Walking Dead, Gotham and others that seem to all be roughly the same... We watched The Handmaid's Tale which was very well done, and several Netflix wonders like The Expanse, The OA and others... |
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Post by Kimby on Sept 17, 2017 23:42:35 GMT
If I start moving old posts from the "small screen" thread to this one, please be aware that they will appear in chronological order -- therefore before all of the first posts on this new thread. I'm not sure if I can move Kimby's introductory post to the top when I finish. So should I bring in the old posts or not? Perhaps if someone were to scroll quickly through the 95 pages(!) of the thread and just list the titles that were likes or dislikes, typing them into one post on this thread that would be sufficient. (More than sufficient, greatly appreciated!). Maybe quote some of the better reviews and copy the quotes into this thread, also. What do you think? |
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Post by Kimby on Sept 17, 2017 23:48:15 GMT
Will we need to rename Small Screen Viewing so new posts about series get put here? Like "Movies on the Small Screen" perhaps?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2017 2:21:09 GMT
Hello Kimby!!!! (might you remember some years back when we went through a similar ordeal with literature? Something along the lines of Top Ten Books or something of the sort. Mon Dieu, 'twas akin to impacted wisdom teeth...) |
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things like The 100, Walking Dead, Gotham and others that seem to all be roughly the same...