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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 20, 2021 18:00:16 GMT
Oh, you are good, Casimira! I sort of picked up on that mood when I watched the series the first time, but the Cheever connection really only hit me last night. You are obviously a deeper viewer to have pinpointed it the first time round.
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2021 16:51:53 GMT
When I first saw Shameless, I thought that American series had just about reached their limit of acceptabilty. But now I have started watching Euphoria which goes far far beyond anything I have ever seen in a series. I certainly can't say that I love it since so much nasty stuff happens, but I am definitely hooked, at least temporarily. One thing that I didn't expect was that they could put hard core porn into a series about high school students (not that you see them spending more than about 3 minutes in school).
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Post by mich64 on Feb 22, 2021 2:33:59 GMT
We just watched the first episode of Belgravia, the new series based on the 2016 novel by Julian Fellowes. We really enjoyed it and are eager for the next episode!
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Post by lugg on Feb 26, 2021 21:04:11 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 27, 2021 12:32:27 GMT
I have decided to watch all of Six Feet Under again, particularly since I am certain that I missed a few episodes along the way. I've only watched the first two episodes so far and was already surprised that Keith and Brenda already appeared in the pilot. I knew they entered the storyline early, but I had completely forgotten that they were there right from the start.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 27, 2021 23:45:23 GMT
Just to make sure I don't accidentally get too smart, I am watching Resident Alien. It's pretty stupid although it's made me laugh a couple of times.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 4, 2021 13:07:25 GMT
A new sci-fi suspense series has begun on NBC. It’s called DEBRIS, and here’s a synopsis from a viewer review: “The whole premise of the show is really intriguing, pieces of a wrecked alien craft of unknown origin falling to earth over a long period of time. Each piece has different qualities and is widely sought after on the black market. The series starts 3 years after the initial pieces of Debris fell to earth, and a joint US and UK task force are tracking down any pieces they can find. Not a spoiler, as this is pretty much gone over in the opening titles. There were some really cool scenes, with people affected by the debris in different ways, and yes, an undeniable X-Files feel to it, but that can only be a good thing in my book.” The trailer is worth a look. www.imdb.com/video/vi968146969
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 4, 2021 15:38:34 GMT
Ooooo ~ thanks! That really looks like good viewing. I'm still watching Resident Alien and still being entertained by it, which was not what I expected to happen. One of the things I like about it is that it doesn't work too hard to get laughs. The show WandaVision has been relentlessly promoted. Neither the premise nor the look of it seemed promising to me, but after continuously hearing about it, I tried to give it a chance. I don't think I lasted even 15 minutes. Maybe there is a whole segment of the younger (below 60?) population who find anything the least bit vintage-y to be worthwhile.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 4, 2021 21:10:57 GMT
We are currently watching the first episode of The Terror on BBC2.
'The crew of a 19th century Royal Naval expedition are sent on dangerous mission to find the Arctic's treacherous Northwest Passage'
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Post by lugg on Mar 7, 2021 20:11:27 GMT
A new sci-fi suspense series has begun on NBC. It’s called DEBRIS We are currently watching the first episode of The Terror on BBC2. I am watching Resident Alien. It's pretty stupid although it's made me laugh a couple of times. I have decided to watch all of Six Feet Under again . We are currently watching the first episode of The Terror on BBC2. Thank you - will check them out I need something new to watch I have just started the Bloodlands series I mentioned further up. One episode in - I need to watch more before I decide. It definitely has the Jed Mercurio stamp. It's got very mixed reviews but of course that will not put me off.
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Post by Biddy on Mar 8, 2021 2:51:18 GMT
can't wait to watch Bloodlands which will be available mid-month. I just finished Lupin which I enjoyed despite it being just a tad unbelievable. I just finished Unforgiven on Acorn which was good.
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Post by lugg on Mar 8, 2021 19:49:28 GMT
can't wait to watch Bloodlands which will be available mid-month Looking forward to reading your thoughts .
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 14, 2021 19:12:03 GMT
I continue to be hooked on Skam (Skam France/Belgique being the version that I watch). Although it started in Norway, Skam France has been the longest running version. Other versions have been Germany, Italy, United States (Skam Austin), Spain, Netherlands, Belgian Flanders. The only version running as long as the French version is the German version. It has a changing cast of high school students as the years go by, facing problems which I am relieved to have never faced (or at least I denied them). This year's French version, still in progress, addresses two different subjects -- denial of pregnancy and transgender love. The main character this year gave birth unexpectedly after a sports competition. She gave up the baby (parental pressure) and then took it back. Apparently you have two months to do this in France. Naturally she has a supportive band of friends, but she fell in love with one of them -- Max -- a trans man. In this day and age, a real trans man was cast in the role. There is no information about whether he is pre or post operative, because it is none of our business, but the whole concept stretches my concept of such things quite a bit, and that's a good thing. The actor, Sohan Pague, is also a singer and made a video using exclusively trans people to illustrate it. Some of them are more successful than others in their gender shift, but I found it outstandingly informative (and courageous for some of the participants).
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Post by lugg on Mar 17, 2021 20:13:42 GMT
She gave up the baby (parental pressure) and then took it back. Apparently you have two months to do this in France Minimum 6 weeks in UK but in reality approx. 10 weeks or up to time the Adoption Order is made.
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Post by lugg on Mar 17, 2021 20:24:56 GMT
So I have finished watching Bloodlands - would I recommend it ? Nope sorry. ( Although very excited that new series of Line of Duty starts next week ) So now, as there is a hiatus re This Is Us due to Covid , I have started watching The Serpent, two episodes down and despite the, sometime, confusing time hops really engaged with it. The series is based on the true life story of serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who killed young western travellers in 1975 and 1976 in India , Thailand, Nepal and probably other places. I don't think there are too many spoilers in the link below although of course some of you will be aware of the back story anyway. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jan/29/the-serpent-more-than-a-killer-thriller-bbc-iplayer
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 17, 2021 21:52:36 GMT
All of y'all are still watching more intelligent shows than I. That's okay. I'm content with my comfort viewing for now & also know I can come back to this thread for recommendations when I'm ready for meatier tv.
The one kind of grown-up show I'm watching, based on several recommendations here, is Hanna, which I absolutely love. Wow. The concept, the tension, the way little is revealed so that the viewer is forced to really pay attention -- all make for great viewing. But the girl who plays Hanna -- whew! So much presence and so utterly believable. (Also, the guy who plays her father is immensely good-looking -- always a plus.)
My other two shows are Dickenson, season two and Resident Alien, first season. I'm not really sure if Dickenson is meant for adults, but who cares.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 18, 2021 14:16:15 GMT
I finally made it through all 63 episodes of Six Feet Under. I watched about 8 of them twice to see them with the commentary by the director or the actors. Now I can move on to something more serious.
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Post by spaceneedle on Mar 27, 2021 8:57:32 GMT
Here are some recent views since my last post:
Nomadland - As usual, Frances McDormand is magnificent The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel Operation Varsity Blues Allen vs. Farrow One Night in Miami I Care a Lot Night Stalker: Hunt for a Serial Killer
Seems I've been on a docu-series binge lately.
Just started watching a series from Israel, Shtisel
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 27, 2021 9:36:33 GMT
I highly recommend the Belgian miniseries La Trêve, called The Break by Netflix. Once again, the person you least suspect through all ten episodes is the killer. One of these days there will be a real surprise and the person you suspected right from the start will turn out to be the killer.
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Post by Biddy on Mar 27, 2021 14:42:23 GMT
I started The Attache but abandoned it after a couple of episodes. I found it totally unbelievable.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 29, 2021 17:56:28 GMT
Wandering through the 300 or so series available on my optical fibre service, I came across Queer as Folk. I had of course read about it so I was a bit curious, especially since Russell T. Davies produced so much children's televison before going on to Doctor Who, Torchwood and Sarah Jane. I basically hated just about everything about it although the acting was good. Considering how different Charlie Hunnam's other roles have been, it was strange to see him as a randy 15 year old trying to be fucked by about as many men as he could encounter.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 29, 2021 18:08:26 GMT
I never looked at Queer as Folk, but somehow thought it was a documentary. It sounds as though I still don't need to see it.
Biddy, I looked up The Attaché & see that IMDb only gives it a 5.9 rating, which is pretty lukewarm.
I would not have been attracted to that show anyway, which makes it all the odder that I'm enjoying the hell out of Hanna, which is chock-full of cold blooded killing.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 29, 2021 18:13:19 GMT
I have to admit that now I am a tiny bit curious about the US version of Queer as Folk, which is also available to me but basically just to see how much they watered it down.
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Post by Biddy on Mar 29, 2021 18:37:58 GMT
Bixa - I like to watch the French language shows - the addition of Hebrew adds to the mix. The Attache just has a lame plot. I am also watching Bloodlands. Northern Ireland and the Troubles a real pull for me. However the old prejudices do rear their ugly heads.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 29, 2021 18:45:44 GMT
In the series or the reaction in your own head?
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Post by Biddy on Mar 29, 2021 19:41:05 GMT
Lol - K2 both!
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Post by Kimby on Mar 29, 2021 20:35:04 GMT
We recently acquired the second (and final) season of THE KNICK, which is short for the Knickerbocker Hospital.
Set in turn of the 20th century NYC, a Black surgeon struggles with hospital administration, his chief of surgery (Clive Owen) has just been freed from a shady drug rehab where he was being “treated” for his cocaine addiction, the hospital board is trying to build a new hospital “uptown” and courting wealthy donors and corrupt politicians, with Tammany Hall and hospital project overseers both lining their own pockets.
The old Knick is a truly lovely building, and the surgical scenes are almost too realistic. (And now I know why they call the operating room the “surgical theater.”). And the society ladies clothing and millinery would make bixa swoon.
I’m enjoying it, but Mr.Kimby may bail on me in favor of two other series, The Young Pope and Succession that are awaiting our attention.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 30, 2021 15:47:04 GMT
I started watching The Stand. I'm not sure that it makes for good pandemic viewing.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 31, 2021 3:16:28 GMT
Extremely excited to learn that The Stand has been made into a mini-series. I read the book many years ago, maybe when it first came out. I was traveling from Louisiana, through Texas, up to Oklahoma, and on to Boulder, Colorado while i was reading the book. heh heh heh heh heh
Fun fact I just learned ~ Samantha Morton (Harlots) is the real-life mother of Esme Creed-Miles (Hanna).
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Post by kerouac2 on Apr 2, 2021 14:37:43 GMT
I finished watching The Stand, which is not at all great but which isn't as bad as the terrible reviews that it received. I think I liked it better than the 1994 adaptation which was in 4 episodes while this new adaptation is in 9 episodes. The book and the first mini-series are already too far in the past for me to remember a lot of the details. However, I remember that I was obviously a bit disappointed since they had to cut so much for the adaptation, a problem with nearly every adapted book.
For the new version, one of the things that I liked is probably what a lot of people hated -- there were a lot more changes to the story, which I noticed even with my feeble memory. So it remained suspenseful for me even though I knew how it was going to end. (Or did I?) The update of the period was very well done with plenty of references to recent things. One thing that got really creepy though was the ambience in New Vegas. The way Randall Flagg talked to the crowds and the way they reacted no matter how insane he got reminded me far too much of a recent American president and the people who adore him.
And the trailer for the old version...
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