TV Serieseseses
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up to date with GOT, and while I am still liking it, as I suspected, it feels like they are just brushing the surface of things to squeeze it all into 1 series.<br />
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They could probably use up a whole episode with an upcoming pivotal event, but wont, so I hope they at least give it more than a few minutes.<br />
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Started S4 of Justified last night, love the little one liners that come through all the time, particularly from Raylan and Boyd. -
GOT suffers from similar narrative problems to LOTR in that there are multiple characters motivated by historical events who exist over a wide geographical area who then need to be in certain places at certain times to make the story work. The LOTR movies used a combination of flashbacks, exposition and lots of walking to convey the vastness and try to explain the story while GOT has favoured a form of exposition where the characters are either travelling or someone is naked.<br />
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The latest two episodes of season three of GOT felt like the showrunners were resetting for the next big round of set pieces. Obviously not as exciting as having a battle every week but it should build to the significant events of the season.<br />
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Has anyone been watching The Following? Serial killer-cult nonsense with Kevin Bacon and the always excellent James Purefoy. -
[quote name='scruffy-lookin' timestamp='1366153356' post='360184']<br />
Has anyone been watching The Following? Serial killer-cult nonsense with Kevin Bacon and the always excellent James Purefoy.<br />
[/quote]<br />
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Yeah I have been watching that on TV1.<br />
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The cult or 'following' aspect is OTT, but the acting is good, like oyu say, particularly Purefoy. -
[quote name='JK' timestamp='1364630338' post='355919']<br />
Hadnt seen it before but gave first episode a go. Will continue on based on that.<br />
[/quote]<br />
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I would give it more than one episode. You really need to get into the characters. It's that kind of story.<br />
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I think its bloody good. Sublime performances from a number of actors.<br />
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Oh and it makes me want to paddle on that lake, looking at those mountains, which I intend to do before long.<br />
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But it seems to have got a bad rap in NZ for a number of reasons and the Aussie funders pulled out when an Aussie actor didn't get the lead role (which went to Elizabeth Moss who to me nails the role and then some).<br />
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I think some people didn't like it because they felt it isn't "Kiwi" enough but the truth is it is a story which could be set anywhere. -
[quote name='Nepia' timestamp='1366154371' post='360187']<br />
After finding the first episode of GOT meh I've really enjoyed the following two - as stuff actually happens.<br />
[/quote]<br />
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<img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':yes:' /> This is one of the interesting things about TV structure - too much happens and it's unrealistic - too little and it's boring. Add in the time constraints where episodes must be 42 or 55 minutes long and network TV means you need to have multiple ad breaks in which the narrative builds to a mini cliffhanger several times and it's a wonder that anything on TV is worth watching.<br />
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One of my faves from a structural perspective is Criminal Minds which I only watch once or twice a season but I'm always amazed at how formulaic and yet well-crafted it manages to be. The scenes when the oh-so-smart FBI agents explain to the local rube law enforcement officers why they're using a particular line of investigation based on the details of a real-life serial killer never disappoint. I also admire the writers' commitment to almost every episode being able to stand alone as the FBI agents almost never mention the hundreds of serial killers that they have personally caught. -
Can anyone (Rusty especially but any others) recommend which of the more (very*) recent US sitcoms are worth watching? I have a whole in my content for my 20 min brain switch off before bed. <br />
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*The last couple of years as opposed to few years like Community, Parks and Rec etc. -
[quote name='Blue' timestamp='1366166427' post='360217']<br />
I would give it more than one episode. You really need to get into the characters. It's that kind of story.<br />
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I think its bloody good. Sublime performances from a number of actors.<br />
<br />
Oh and it makes me want to paddle on that lake, looking at those mountains, which I intend to do before long.<br />
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But it seems to have got a bad rap in NZ for a number of reasons and the Aussie funders pulled out when an Aussie actor didn't get the lead role (which went to Elizabeth Moss who to me nails the role and then some).<br />
<br />
I think some people didn't like it because they felt it isn't "Kiwi" enough but the truth is it is a story which could be set anywhere.<br />
[/quote]<br />
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I've been watching it but 'enjoying it' would be the wrong term to use. It's very well made, very well acted. The story is good (I think). The scenery is fantastic, but it's just all too 'Jane Campion' for me. The obvious juxtaposition of the beauty of nature against the ugliness of people and some of the over-wrought subject matter makes it something I record and tuck away to watch when it suits rather than as soon as possible. -
[quote name='Nepia' timestamp='1366171186' post='360233']<br />
Can anyone (Rusty especially but any others) recommend which of the more (very*) recent US sitcoms are worth watching? I have a whole in my content for my 20 min brain switch off before bed.<br />
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*The last couple of years as opposed to few years like Community, Parks and Rec etc.<br />
[/quote]New Arrested Development episodes out May 24th! Otherwise, cupboard is bare. I didn't catch onto any new comedies this year. I tried most, they all were shit (to me). I did blow through House of Lies S02 a couple of days ago. OKish, but not as good as S01, which was enjoyable but not special.<br />
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Sitcoms I watch right now<br />
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Californication<br />
House of Lies<br />
How I met Your Mother<br />
Modern Family<br />
Communnity<br />
Parks and Rec<br />
Big Bang Theory<br />
Happy Endings<br />
New Girl<br />
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Of those, Community, Happy Endings, New Girl, Parks and Rec my favs.<br />
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Have you watched The League? Very funny, I highly recommend. Always Sunny in Philly? (has it's ups and downs for me) Nurse Jackie? (never watched) -
[quote name='Crucial' timestamp='1366171639' post='360236']<br />
I've been watching it but 'enjoying it' would be the wrong term to use. It's very well made, very well acted. The story is good (I think). The scenery is fantastic, but it's just all too 'Jane Campion' for me. The obvious juxtaposition of the beauty of nature against the ugliness of people and some of the over-wrought subject matter makes it something I record and tuck away to watch when it suits rather than as soon as possible.<br />
[/quote]<br />
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Definitely not "easy" watching. It's not something I watch as soon as it's on. Have to be in the right mood. Grant it the concept isn't a novel one but it's well executed. But I tend to like shows or movies that's just about people and their shit so I was always going to like it.<br />
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Anyone else think this new series of Mad Men is meh? -
[quote name='Blue' timestamp='1366181025' post='360255']<br />
Definitely not "easy" watching. It's not something I watch as soon as it's on. Have to be in the right mood. Grant it the concept isn't a novel one but it's well executed. But I tend to like shows or movies that's just about people and their shit so I was always going to like it.<br />
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[b]Anyone else think this new series of Mad Men is meh?[/b]<br />
[/quote]<br />
Two (three) episodes in it's a bit hard to tell. I thought episode 1&2 combined were pretty poor, but I've only just watched season 5 and the opening 2 hour episode of that was average as well. At any rate I think I'm the reverse of most Mad Men fans, I thought that from midway through season 3 onwards it's been great, before that it was a little meh to me.<br />
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Rusty:<br />
Yep, seen all of those, and the League and watch Always Sunny in spits and starts. I'm midway through S2 of House of Lies and find it hard going. I really can't stand the guy who plays John Ralphio on Parks and Rec and it really diminishes my enjoyment of House of Lies having him in most scenes.<br />
The same four would be my faves as well.<br />
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Have you seen any of the Mindy Project? <br />
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Man I hope they don't stuff up Arrested Development! -
I'm watching the first episode of Hannibal. What the fuck am I watching? Is this weird fluffybunny psychic? Why, halfway through the episode has the title character not even looked like appearing?
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[quote name='Nepia' timestamp='1366182315' post='360258']Have you seen any of the Mindy Project?<br />
[/quote]Meh<br />
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[quote name='Nepia' timestamp='1366182315' post='360258']I'm midway through S2 of House of Lies and find it hard going. I really can't stand the guy who plays John Ralphio on Parks and Rec and it really diminishes my enjoyment of House of Lies having him in most scenes.[/quote]Similar. The whole show kind of bugs me. I have had the last three episodes on the laptop just sitting there for a while, and no motivation to watch them.<br />
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Going back in years. Have you seen Better off Ted? Grab both seasons of that if not. -
So you aren't a fan of The Office Rusty?<br />
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It has been really interesting in the last couple of months, quite a lot of drama and plot progression. They are clearly positioning themselves for the finale, so have gone away from the usual shenanigans for long periods. I'm really enjoying it. -
[quote name='barbarian' timestamp='1366241615' post='360351']<br />
So you aren't a fan of The Office Rusty?<br />
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It has been really interesting in the last couple of months, quite a lot of drama and plot progression. They are clearly positioning themselves for the finale, so have gone away from the usual shenanigans for long periods. I'm really enjoying it.<br />
[/quote]It should have ended with the episode where Steve Carrell left Scranton. Instead, they gave us two mediocre more seasons. I am still watching, just to see how it is going to end. But it really is quite lame compared to the first few seasons. I hated last year more than the current one, it just seemed so forced with the whole Robert California stuff. The Jim/Pam/Brian/Philly story has been a bit of a departure this year. And I am enjoying the reactions to the "documentary" finally being released. -
[quote name='rustycruiser' timestamp='1366243961' post='360353']<br />
It should have ended with the episode where Steve Carrell left Scranton. Instead, they gave us two mediocre more seasons. I am still watching, just to see how it is going to end. But it really is quite lame compared to the first few seasons. I hated last year more than the current one, it just seemed so forced with the whole Robert California stuff. The Jim/Pam/Brian/Philly story has been a bit of a departure this year. And I am enjoying the reactions to the "documentary" finally being released.<br />
[/quote]<br />
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Yeah. I have enjoyed the past two seasons more than most- I liked it that the ensemble characters (Stanley, Kevin, Oscar etc) had a bit more camera time. But agree the California/Nelly stuff seemed a bit forced.<br />
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The 'documentary' angle is a great one and something I didn't see coming. Certainly a great way for them to progress a few storylines too. -
[quote name='rustycruiser' timestamp='1366221385' post='360311']<br />
Meh<br />
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Similar. The whole show kind of bugs me. I have had the last three episodes on the laptop just sitting there for a while, and no motivation to watch them.<br />
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Going back in years. Have you seen Better off Ted? Grab both seasons of that if not.<br />
[/quote]<br />
Oh well, I had heard ok things about the Mindy Project but not enough to give it a shot.<br />
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Yep watched Better of Ted, was bloody good ... saw him on the latest American Pie movie playing a douche. -
For SOA Fans...<br />
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Just saw this pic of Filthy Phil with a groupie on FB<br />
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[img]http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s403x403/529502_649668218382730_1989947400_n.jpg[/img]<br />
Is he really that big or is she just tiny? She's more of a mascot than a fan. -
Got around to watching 'Hunted'.<br />
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I thought it was good. Not outstanding or anything but if you imagine an amped up version of something like Spooks with an underlying 'mystery' then you'll be close to it.<br />
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If you don't take any of it too seriously and ignore some of the plot holes and the drawn out mission to a rushed ending, it's actually a good watch.<br />
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I would recommend getting a hold of all 8 episodes and watching them in fairly quick succession to make it like a long movie.<br />
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The lead is irritating as she continually shifts between looking hot and looking like a pouty cow that needs to stop sulking.<br />
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I will certainly watch a second series if it gets made. This was a joint venture between BBC and Cinemax with BBC pulling the plug, it's up to Cinemax to find a way to fund what would have been a fairly expensive show. With the success of Banshee they will be putting a lot of resources that way but I hope they can find a way to continue this. -
I watched a got round to recently as well - The Hour S1. <br />
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I'd heard a lot of bad things about this show, from critics I like, mates who watch the same stuff as me ... but I really enjoyed it. I think a lot of people were put off by the spy story in favour of the show but I thought that was a good part of it - although TBF I did figure out who the 'mole' would be early on. Ben Winshaw is scarily skinny though, he could play a concentration camp inmate, I had to look away when he went shitless. McNulty was good value playing the upper crust presenter.
