Now Watching...

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MicrowavedGerbil
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Re: Now Watching...

#276 Post by MicrowavedGerbil » Sat May 19, 2018 3:15 am

Watching the karate kid (1984) for the billionths time this year and learning each time I watch it that Daniel is the true villain..

https://youtu.be/szUHIM-jgls

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Re: Now Watching...

#277 Post by creep » Sat May 19, 2018 3:25 pm

Safe on Netflix was really good. It was weird that Dexter has an english accent.


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Re: Now Watching...

#278 Post by Artemis » Mon May 21, 2018 5:36 pm

Check out Patrick Melrose.
Benedict Cumberbatch is so good in this!





https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainme ... ew/560009/
Patrick Melrose Is a Lacerating Tour de Force
The new Showtime adaptation of Edward St. Aubyn’s novels stars Benedict Cumberbatch as an Englishman ravaged by trauma.

The genius of Edward St. Aubyn’s five Patrick Melrose novels is in how relentlessly they amalgamate horror and beauty. The loosely autobiographical series—once named the Melrosiad by a Guardian reviewer—depicts child sexual abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism, and a smorgasbord of emotional torture, but does so in such entrancing prose that it insulates the reader from the unbearable. Heroin, in St. Aubyn’s writing, is “as soft and rich as the throat of a wood pigeon, or the splash of sealing wax onto a page, or a handful of gems slipping from palm to palm.” The failure of a love affair is when “the jeweled daggers that used to pierce one’s heart are replaced by ever-blunter penknives.” Patrick’s mother, deliberately myopic to her husband’s abuse of her son, is “perfectly preserved in the pickling jar of money, alcohol, and fantasy.”

The question for a television adaptation, then, is how to translate this layer of literary embellishment for the screen, with infinitely fewer words to work with. Patrick Melrose, which debuts Saturday on Showtime in a five-part miniseries starring Benedict Cumberbatch, pulls it off. In the hands of the screenwriter David Nicholls and the director Edward Berger, the distancing device of metaphor is replaced with lush, hypersaturated imagery. There’s a savage kind of beauty in the way a mustard-colored velvet slipper crushes a ripe fig into the dusty ground, and in a bright-red spot of blood that forms in the crook of Patrick’s blue-and-white striped shirt.

With the exception of the fourth installment, each of the Melrose novels takes place in a single day, a structure that lends itself neatly to episodic television. Nicholls switches the order of the first two books so that the miniseries starts with Bad News, in which a heroin-addled, 20-something Patrick is informed that his father has died, and is summoned to New York to pick up the late David Melrose’s ashes. It’s an effective trick that prolongs the inevitable question as to why Patrick is so hopelessly lost and miserably self-anesthetizing. Then, in the second episode—set at one of the Melrose family homes in the south of France when Patrick is a child—we find out.

Adapting the Melrosiad is a passion project for Cumberbatch, who once described Patrick alongside Hamlet as the two roles he desperately wanted to play. The books are somehow both intensely honest (writing them seems to have been a relatively therapeutic way for St. Aubyn to exorcise his familial demons) and darkly satirical, lampooning the strangeness of the English upper classes with execution that only an insider could manage. The miniseries, arriving into a culture that typically has little sympathy for such crystallized white male privilege, delves deeply into the trauma that has fragmented Patrick’s mind in such brutal fashion. In the first episode, he’s boorish, entitled, and wafting catastrophe like cologne, but the show makes clear that these are just symptoms of the various ills that afflict him: abuse, addiction, and aristocracy.


“Bad News” feels at times like an unholy fusion of Evelyn Waugh and Hunter S. Thompson. Patrick flies to New York, checks into his regular Central Park–adjacent suite, promises himself out loud that he won’t take drugs, and then embarks on a bender only previously emulated by Keith Richards during the Exile on Main Street era. Berger conveys Patrick’s frightening mental decline in sharp color with rapid cuts between shots. But there’s exquisite comedy in his careless one-liners, with Cumberbatch wrapping Patrick’s morbid humor around himself like a protective coat. In one scene, when Patrick opens his father’s coffin, he puts on an affectedly chirpy voice and says, “It’s just what I wanted! You shouldn’t have.”

The second episode, “Never Mind,” depicts the first book in the series, and the one in which St. Aubyn got to the crux of what happened to him. David Melrose, played in radiantly sadistic form by Hugo Weaving, lives a sybaritic lifestyle in France in a house bought with his wife’s money. Eleanor Melrose (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is an American heiress whose ugly marriage seems to have driven her into a cotton-wool cloud of inebriation. She’s occasionally gentle and loving to her son, young Patrick (played magnificently by the newcomer Sebastian Maltz), but primarily weak and selfish. Nicholls allows Eleanor flashes of St. Aubyn’s mordant wit: Describing the family home to a guest, she says, “We were going to turn it into a house for alcoholics. Which, in a sense, we did.”

The moment when David’s acute savagery first becomes clear is when he shouts down from his bedroom window to a maid who’s carrying a tray of antique china, and silently relishes the way the plates clank in her shaking, terrified hands. He terrorizes his wife, who spends as little time in his presence as possible, and holds a dinner knife to a young woman’s bare leg under the table at dinner. But Patrick is the target for his most ferocious assaults, which Nicholls and Berger wisely decline to depict. David justifies his abuse as something that will necessarily harden his son for the world—a lie so deeply entrenched in the rituals of the British class system that it may never be excavated. “What felt like cruelty at the time was actually a gift,” David tells his son, in a tight, cut-glass breath. “Was actually love. I don’t expect you to thank me now.”

It’s only in the third episode that Patrick begins to get to grips with this cursed legacy: not just the assaults that shattered his childhood, but also the inheritance of casual viciousness and purposelessness that defines his social stratum. “Some Hope” takes place largely at a party where Princess Margaret (an acidic Harriet Walter) is in attendance, and the series draws more explicit parallels between the ghastliness of the event and the horror of Patrick’s life than the book does. Compared to the rosier portrayals of the British elite in The Crown, Patrick Melrose lacerates a class of people whom centuries of self-indulgence have calcified into callousness and toxic absurdity.

The miniseries is an achievement on two fronts. For one thing, it’s the most remarkably faithful adaptation of a series of books in recent memory, capturing the tone and the aesthetic of the Melrose novels without sacrificing cohesion. But Patrick Melrose is also darkly entertaining, veering between young Patrick’s anguish and older Patrick’s episodes of situational comedy without diminishing either. Cumberbatch—and Maltz—convey how trauma has ravaged Patrick’s psyche, but the series also hints that the cycle of violence handed down through generations of Melroses might end with him, and with his recovery and acceptance. “You don’t need to get so Californian about it,” Patrick says in one scene to his friend Johnny, who’s in Narcotics Anonymous. “There’s no need to be so English,” Johnny replies. And Patrick seems to agree.

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Re: Now Watching...

#279 Post by creep » Sun Jun 10, 2018 9:25 pm

I watched the first episode of the staicase on Netflix on Friday and 13 episodes later I'm all done. Releasing complete series at once is not healthy for me. Interesting stuff.


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Re: Now Watching...

#280 Post by chaos » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:59 am

Artemis wrote:Check out Patrick Melrose.
Benedict Cumberbatch is so good in this!





https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainme ... ew/560009/
I binged this miniseries on Saturday. It was great, and Cumberbatch was outstanding. I hope he gets an emmy nod (among other accolades).

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Re: Now Watching...

#281 Post by kevin » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:15 am

creep wrote:I watched the first episode of the staicase on Netflix on Friday and 13 episodes later I'm all done. Releasing complete series at once is not healthy for me. Interesting stuff.

So I have a thing for true crime. Especially when it is presented in a straightforward manner. I’ve been recording Forensic Files on HLN and binge watching. Well, season 11 episode 22 covers this exact case in 30 minutes. I’d watch the Forensic Files episode after the Netflix series.

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Re: Now Watching...

#282 Post by Pandemonium » Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:58 am

On a whim, I bought a Roku+ stick this weekend even though I have DirecTV. Mostly, I wanted to see if it handled streaming Netflix and YouTube in HD better than my Oppo Blu-ray player (which does a pretty good job). Aside from having to link a CC before I could even use the fuckin' thing because half the good channels want to start charging the user after the promotional period, I had to chuckle at some of the so-called channels, especially the music channels having a selection of about a dozen movies or songs total.

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Re: Now Watching...

#283 Post by Hype » Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:56 am

I never understood using those sticks. You can also just hook up a computer (get a mini-/micro-tower and hide it behind something) to your TV and use the Windows Netflix, iTunes, etc., apps (or the browser). If your video card has HDMI out, you can send hi-def audio and video to a receiver (and then out to the TV) so you're not just using the TV's hookups with yer stick. Plus you can also use the Kodi app or whatever for the same streaming stuff if you want. :noclue:

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Re: Now Watching...

#284 Post by wally » Tue Jun 12, 2018 12:17 pm

Hype wrote:I never understood using those sticks. You can also just hook up a computer (get a mini-/micro-tower and hide it behind something) to your TV and use the Windows Netflix, iTunes, etc., apps (or the browser). If your video card has HDMI out, you can send hi-def audio and video to a receiver (and then out to the TV) so you're not just using the TV's hookups with yer stick. Plus you can also use the Kodi app or whatever for the same streaming stuff if you want. :noclue:
I subscirbe to motogp.com to watch the races all year. I have a few choices if I want to watch it on the tv. I can use an apple laptop/device and the apple tv (worst pic quality and terrible controls) or I can use the chromecast and my android phone, for great picture quality and i can easily rewind etc. The chrome cast was 25 dollars or something ridiculous and i don't have to hide it or have a pc running all the time.
my tv is connected to my stereo so I get to hear the sweet sweet sounds of 260 hp motorcycles at full throttle in stunning surround sound. works for me.

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Re: Now Watching...

#285 Post by creep » Tue Jun 12, 2018 8:55 pm

kevin wrote:
creep wrote:I watched the first episode of the staicase on Netflix on Friday and 13 episodes later I'm all done. Releasing complete series at once is not healthy for me. Interesting stuff.

So I have a thing for true crime. Especially when it is presented in a straightforward manner. I’ve been recording Forensic Files on HLN and binge watching. Well, season 11 episode 22 covers this exact case in 30 minutes. I’d watch the Forensic Files episode after the Netflix series.
I just watched the FF episode. I thought he was guilty after watching the Netflix series. This brought up some evidence that I didn't know about. Very odd family.

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Re: Now Watching...

#286 Post by Pandemonium » Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:02 am

I've really grown to like Billions.

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Re: Now Watching...

#287 Post by perkana » Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:36 pm

kevin wrote:
creep wrote:I watched the first episode of the staicase on Netflix on Friday and 13 episodes later I'm all done. Releasing complete series at once is not healthy for me. Interesting stuff.

So I have a thing for true crime. Especially when it is presented in a straightforward manner. I’ve been recording Forensic Files on HLN and binge watching. Well, season 11 episode 22 covers this exact case in 30 minutes. I’d watch the Forensic Files episode after the Netflix series.
I watched it in 3 days...really good.
I binge watched "Cobra Kai" in two days. I really, really, really, but REALLY enjoyed it :wiggle:

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Re: Now Watching...

#288 Post by perkana » Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:39 pm

creep wrote:
kevin wrote:
creep wrote:I watched the first episode of the staicase on Netflix on Friday and 13 episodes later I'm all done. Releasing complete series at once is not healthy for me. Interesting stuff.

So I have a thing for true crime. Especially when it is presented in a straightforward manner. I’ve been recording Forensic Files on HLN and binge watching. Well, season 11 episode 22 covers this exact case in 30 minutes. I’d watch the Forensic Files episode after the Netflix series.
I just watched the FF episode. I thought he was guilty after watching the Netflix series. This brought up some evidence that I didn't know about. Very odd family.
I hated his wife's sisters to be honest. And I thought he was innocent. And more after hearing about the theory they didn't use in court. For once, I won't spoil it for anyone.

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Re: Now Watching...

#289 Post by perkana » Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:41 pm

Hype wrote:I never understood using those sticks. You can also just hook up a computer (get a mini-/micro-tower and hide it behind something) to your TV and use the Windows Netflix, iTunes, etc., apps (or the browser). If your video card has HDMI out, you can send hi-def audio and video to a receiver (and then out to the TV) so you're not just using the TV's hookups with yer stick. Plus you can also use the Kodi app or whatever for the same streaming stuff if you want. :noclue:
I would advice getting a smart tv, they are getting cheaper every year. Roku was prohibited here in Mexico because people would still antenna/cable signal.

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Re: Now Watching...

#290 Post by perkana » Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:45 pm

creep wrote:Safe on Netflix was really good. It was weird that Dexter has an english accent.

I liked it at first, but after half of it, I thought it was too much. Ending was so disappointing. But I had to get through it. Another one I watched too, and loved/hated it was "Marcella".

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Re: Now Watching...

#291 Post by creep » Mon Jun 18, 2018 5:55 pm

It's not getting great reviews but I thought the first three episodes of Succession were really good.


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Re: Now Watching...

#292 Post by Artemis » Tue Jun 19, 2018 4:01 pm

I like Succession too. Seems to get better with each episode. I wasn't crazy about the first one, but glad I decided to stick with it.

A couple of shows I like: Claws and Pose.

Claws is in its second season now. It's like the tv show equivalent of a dive bar.. :lol:
Trailer from Season 1.


Pose is new this year.





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Re: Now Watching...

#293 Post by creep » Sat Jul 07, 2018 6:25 pm

Yellowstone on the Paramount network is really good. I've pretty much liked everything Taylor Sheridan has written...Sicario, Wind River, Hell or High Water. Talented guy. :thumb:


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Re: Now Watching...

#294 Post by Artemis » Thu Jul 12, 2018 4:57 pm

I liked the first episode of Sharp Objects on HBO. It's new, just started last Sunday. The show is based on a novel by Gillian Flynn(Gone Girl) and stars Amy Adams. Her character is a reporter who returns to her hometown in Missouri to report on a couple of murders.
The first episode may be too slow moving for some but I liked it and am interested to watch more. Definitely a True Detective vibe..


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Re: Now Watching...

#295 Post by Hype » Thu Jul 12, 2018 6:17 pm

perkana wrote:
creep wrote:
kevin wrote:
creep wrote:I watched the first episode of the staicase on Netflix on Friday and 13 episodes later I'm all done. Releasing complete series at once is not healthy for me. Interesting stuff.

So I have a thing for true crime. Especially when it is presented in a straightforward manner. I’ve been recording Forensic Files on HLN and binge watching. Well, season 11 episode 22 covers this exact case in 30 minutes. I’d watch the Forensic Files episode after the Netflix series.
I just watched the FF episode. I thought he was guilty after watching the Netflix series. This brought up some evidence that I didn't know about. Very odd family.
I hated his wife's sisters to be honest. And I thought he was innocent. And more after hearing about the theory they didn't use in court. For once, I won't spoil it for anyone.
I'm on the last two episodes now. I'm pretty sure the guy did do it, too. It struck me that there's been criticism of the show for portraying the guy too sympathetically, but I haven't seen much, if any, sadness on his part. He always seems either exuberant or angry, which made me think: wtf... he's mentioned his wife's death a bunch of times, but always in passing, and never seems to crack thinking about it, but he gets really angry and worked up about how long it's been since the first trial. I'd have thought that if he were innocent and the filmmakers were trying to paint him in the best possible light, they'd show at least a few cases of him really genuinely feeling sad about his wife's death. :confused:

But just like in that other series about the two guys from Wisconsin, it's amazing to see how much incompetence and malevolence there is on the side of "justice" and the prosecution, too... to the point where innocent people are being wrongfully convicted, and guilty people are being set free... it's gross.

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Re: Now Watching...

#296 Post by crater » Thu Jul 12, 2018 6:19 pm

Artemis wrote: The first episode may be too slow moving for some
Very slow moving. Ugh. Still watched and thought it was ok. Hopefully the pace picks up in the upcoming episodes.

And one thing I noticed towards the end of this first episode is that she never once changed her clothes :confused:

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Re: Now Watching...

#297 Post by creep » Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:14 pm

Artemis wrote:
creep wrote:
is mr robot good?
billions?
the young pope?
??
?
?
I liked the first season of Mr Robot, season two was so-so.

I liked Billions.

A little while ago, I watched Goliath and enjoyed it. It's with Billy Bob Thornton.




I'm currently watching Riverdale and loving it. It's the dark, teen show based on the Archie comics. It started a few weeks ago, episode 4 this week. Luke Perry(90210 Dylan) plays Archie's dad. :lol:

I really liked Goliath S1. I'm halfway through S2 and it isn't as good.

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Re: Now Watching...

#298 Post by creep » Tue Jul 24, 2018 7:50 pm

crater wrote:
Artemis wrote: The first episode may be too slow moving for some
Very slow moving. Ugh. Still watched and thought it was ok. Hopefully the pace picks up in the upcoming episodes.

And one thing I noticed towards the end of this first episode is that she never once changed her clothes :confused:
The series so far has been OK. Too many flashbacks and dream sequences though. I hope the murder case starts to pickup. Doesn't seem to be a big part of the series yet.

So who is the murderer? My guess is Amy Adams dad. :noclue:

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Re: Now Watching...

#299 Post by creep » Tue Jul 24, 2018 7:51 pm

creep wrote:It's not getting great reviews but I thought the first three episodes of Succession were really good.

Probably my favorite series going right now. Way better than Billions.

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Re: Now Watching...

#300 Post by Artemis » Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:31 am

creep wrote:
crater wrote:
Artemis wrote: The first episode may be too slow moving for some
Very slow moving. Ugh. Still watched and thought it was ok. Hopefully the pace picks up in the upcoming episodes.

And one thing I noticed towards the end of this first episode is that she never once changed her clothes :confused:
The series so far has been OK. Too many flashbacks and dream sequences though. I hope the murder case starts to pickup. Doesn't seem to be a big part of the series yet.

So who is the murderer? My guess is Amy Adams dad. :noclue:
I came close to quitting the show after the latest episode. Way too many flashbacks and not enough advancement of the murder case. At least we know now why Camille listens to Led Zeppelin.

Crater mentioned this before, Amy Adams is still wearing the same outfit. :lol:


Yeah, I was thinking about the dad too. Maybe even the mother is involved or knows something.

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