Caught the season 1 finale Saturday of Orphan Black on BBC-A, on its second run, and the wife and I both really liked this program. Will likely show up on Amazon Prime and Netflix as most BBC shows do.
Looking forward to 11/23 - The Day Of The Doctor. BBC-A is running an almost non-stop Doctor Who-a-thon all week until then. If I could only hook the little woman on the Doctor it would make my viewing schedule much easier.
Skylar White (Anna Gunn) herself has been cast as Det. Miller in the U.S. remake of Broadchurch. I really hope they don't make it an exact remake. No point for me to watch it if they don't mix it up, even with Tennant playing the same role with a U.S. accent.
Talking of David Tennant he is in the 50th anniversary Dr Who special this coming Saturday. I presume that the US is also getting a number of JFK themed programmes like us. For people of my generation that is one of a handful of key events that I can remember exactly what I was doing when I heard about it. Far more mundane Downton ended about ten days ago. Stick with it, the series is much better than the last, Christmas special still to come.
We also watched the last four ever Poirot episodes. Whilst not up to the usual quality storylines they are well worth watching to see how David Suchet ages during the series. I can see why some of the stories had not previously been televised, though.
My favorite lines from a recent Parks & Rec scene:
[Leslie Knopes]
What are they gonna do - kick me out of office?
Why did it take me so long to realize this?
There are no consequences to my actions any more.
No matter what I do, literally nothing bad can happen to me.
I'm like a white male US senator!
Agreed Katrina. We have had a play about the series start 50 years ago, various programmes discussing its development, actors etc, plus lots of items on news channels and even main news bulletins. The actual programme on Saturday evening did not disappoint though, I thought it was excellent.
So, I've finally gotten into Twin Peaks. After multiple, failed attempts over the last couple decades to get into that show, I finally seem to be hooked. Previously, I just get bored out of my mind and fall asleep on it. But now, I'm liking it all right.
It doesn't blow me away, and quite honestly, I'm glad there's only 30 episodes to get through, because I'm about half way there and already starting to fade. But I do enjoy watching it.
Some awful acting, but it may be a stylistic thing. I've always found the acting in David Lynch movies/shows to be atrocious, so this may just be an aesthetic he prefers... ham-fisted delivery of lines, over-emoting, stilted dialog... that kind of thing.
SPOILER
I was surprised that they reveal the killer around the half-way point. I actually saw the Fire Walk With Me movie about ten years ago, just for shits and giggles, and obviously they reveal the killer there. I had always assumed that the wrap-up movie was where the big reveal happens. I like how they're handling it right now.
This Twin Peaks town is seriously fucked up. Unfortunately, it's gotten so bad that it's become like a bad soap opera, and now every new plot twist and character deficiency loses its resonance. The shocking has become quite dull.
But I'm gonna stick it out. Over half way to the finish line, and then I can be done with this show for good. Hopefully it'll have some more good moments.
I've been watching "Family Tree" which is on HBO and is partially produced by Christopher Guest who brought up Spinal Tap among other things. It's kind of funny, especially the later episodes, especially the episode "Civil War," but not usually as funny as most of his movies.
I seriously enjoyed "Family Tree" although you're right it isn't usually laugh out loud funny. Chris O'Dowd is great in it. His deadpan is perfect for things like finding out your great grandfather's claim to fame was as the back end of horse.
I really wish his mate would have set him up on more dates. I love listening to him describe every woman as "fiiiiiiiit".
Only a few people would use fit in that way - it is really dated slang used by mainly a few now middle aged men about women to show that they are still in fashion, but are actually decades out of date. It is a term, eg, that I have never used; it is foreign to most Brits too, but I do know the meaning!
We needed something "new" to watch together on Netflix so we started "Freaks & Geeks". Really good so far, and it's fun seeing where the whole Apatow crowd got their start. Plus, Joe Flaherty is the dad I plan on being when my daughter is a teenager.
Didn't "fit" figure prominently in a Monty Python skit? About "your wife"? I'm disappointed as well.
Caught something on Netflix called "The Sweeney" with Ray Winstone - pretty entertaining gritty Brit cop movie. We had seen him in a more recent movie with Colin Ferrell and Noomi Rapace called Dead Man Down that was very good - also on Netflix.
So, I just wrapped up the first season of Dexter, and I also watched the first season of House of Cards (US version).
***Spoilers Ahead, I think, maybe, I dunno, Better Not Risk It***
The thing that would've normally turned me off about both shows didn't, mostly because they were both so strong. Dexter, with its incessant voice-overs, and House of Cards, with it's, whatdyacallit, fourth-wall talking to the camera thing. I hate both those things, but both shows did them well, so I kept watching.
I liked Dexter. I can see myself tiring of it quickly, but I enjoyed season one. A self-congratulatory note, I guessed who the ice truck killer was very early on, but it wasn't until right up near the big reveal that I guessed he was Dexter's brother. While the whole thing was sort of hokey, I did enjoy it and I did buy in. Reasoning and logic aside, the story of two brothers is appealing, when both brothers are outcasts and have no one else in the world.
I've heard things go downhill after season two. In truth, I might not even get that far. I sort of just want to only watch season one, and have good feelings about the show. I know that sounds weird, but, well, that's where it's at for me right now.
House of Cards was well paced, well acted, well written, well shot. I liked it. I'm looking forward to season two. The show wasn't predictable. The relationship between Spacey and the reporter chick got tedious. The relationship between Spacey and his wife got real good.
I'm still trying to wrap up Twin Peaks. I've only got a couple episodes left, but it's just so bad now, it hurts to watch it. I'm gonna finish it. I'm gonna finish what I began. I want the sense of accomplishment of getting through the whole series. But damn, they ain't making it easy. There isn't one person on that show who can act. It's just terrible.
We tried watching episode two of Call the Midwifes (or whatever it's called), after a long delay since watching episode one. We only got about fifteen minutes in, then quit. Too damn stressful. Who the hell wants to watch labor pains for an hour? Not this guy. Also, that main actress? I sort of hate her face. It irritates me.
Any update on Game of Thrones? I'm ready for my season to begin.
I may pick Treme back up. I stopped watching around episode five. I got a little bored, but the time for me to watch it, perhaps, just wasn't right. Maybe it's more of a cold weather show. Also, someone at work clued me in that John Goodman doesn't stay on the show long, so that also might bring me back, because I can't stand that guy.
The Dexter season with John Lithgow (4? or 3?) is very good but other than that I was just hatewatching it the last few years. The last season and finale was truly absurd in the worst possible way.
Game of Thrones is back in March I believe.
I adore Treme and when it ended forever this week I cried. ;-(
On Netflix, I recommend the French TV show "Spiral" (Engrenages) - the cop parts are a bit like The Shield but my favourite bits were the legal side of it, lots of corruption and intrigue and the somewhat baffling French judicial system.
Oooh, I have Spiral in my queue. Will look at immediately.
Hm, not a huge fan of Lithgow (except of 3rd Rock, of course). I could see his performance going either way for me. I'm intrigued. Might have to keep watching.
I am ready for March. I am ready to find out what happens with whats-their-names and The Wall and the battle with the White Walkers.
We have watched a few programmes over the last couple of weeks that may interest a few people. Dr Who has probably been on in the States so I won't mention that. No spoilers I promise. Downton Abbey Christmas special was much better than last year's. It added to the overall narrative besides having its own story. Some US interest too. We also saw Death at Pemberley. Highly recommended to amc2 and Mrs amc2!! It follows five years on from Pride and Prejudice with a murder mystery, written by crime author PD James. It is a fairly gentle story (remainder deleted, I almost put a spoiler!).
Sherlock started a couple of nights ago. Sadly it is only three episodes long and the next is on Sunday, so it will be over all too soon. I will say nothing about it, as you need to see it, other than it was brilliant, as usual.
Besides the recent Doctor Who activity (Name of..., Day of...., Time of...), which I have DVR'd because I am not entirely sure I get what's happened yet, what I'm really looking forward to, besides GOT, is Season Two of Orphan Black - April over here I believe. I think Tatiana Maslany is up for a Golden Globe - is she Best Actress or Best Ensemble? - but we loved that show.
I thought the Downton Abbey premiere was pretty good, although I have to say I was very surprised by the Zombie attack. Oh, sorry, guess I should have said "Spoiler Alert"! Still, it was nice to see Matthew and Sibyl back again.
Our short run of Sherlock ended last night - three programmes in 12 days. Amazingly good, well worth watching. I don't want to give anything away, just watch if you get the opportunity! If I say anymore it will be a spoiler...
Also The Voice Series 3 started on Saturday. Kylie Minogue is, IMO, far better than Jessie J as a judge, but Will.i.am is becoming the star of the programme.
I need help with Broen. I can tell the nationalities of the characters by their accents, but I can't tell what language they are using when speaking to each other (which is salient at some points). Does Martin only speak in Danish, or does he switch when talking to Saga (or vice-versea)?
Comments
Looking forward to 11/23 - The Day Of The Doctor. BBC-A is running an almost non-stop Doctor Who-a-thon all week until then. If I could only hook the little woman on the Doctor it would make my viewing schedule much easier.
Craig
We also watched the last four ever Poirot episodes. Whilst not up to the usual quality storylines they are well worth watching to see how David Suchet ages during the series. I can see why some of the stories had not previously been televised, though.
My favorite lines from a recent Parks & Rec scene:
[Leslie Knopes]
What are they gonna do - kick me out of office?
Why did it take me so long to realize this?
There are no consequences to my actions any more.
No matter what I do, literally nothing bad can happen to me.
I'm like a white male US senator!
It doesn't blow me away, and quite honestly, I'm glad there's only 30 episodes to get through, because I'm about half way there and already starting to fade. But I do enjoy watching it.
Some awful acting, but it may be a stylistic thing. I've always found the acting in David Lynch movies/shows to be atrocious, so this may just be an aesthetic he prefers... ham-fisted delivery of lines, over-emoting, stilted dialog... that kind of thing.
SPOILER
I was surprised that they reveal the killer around the half-way point. I actually saw the Fire Walk With Me movie about ten years ago, just for shits and giggles, and obviously they reveal the killer there. I had always assumed that the wrap-up movie was where the big reveal happens. I like how they're handling it right now.
This Twin Peaks town is seriously fucked up. Unfortunately, it's gotten so bad that it's become like a bad soap opera, and now every new plot twist and character deficiency loses its resonance. The shocking has become quite dull.
But I'm gonna stick it out. Over half way to the finish line, and then I can be done with this show for good. Hopefully it'll have some more good moments.
I really wish his mate would have set him up on more dates. I love listening to him describe every woman as "fiiiiiiiit".
Craig
I wonder how much of Family Tree is improvised.
Greg - I'm disappointed it's out of use in the UK. Always one of my favorite Britishisms.
Craig
Caught something on Netflix called "The Sweeney" with Ray Winstone - pretty entertaining gritty Brit cop movie. We had seen him in a more recent movie with Colin Ferrell and Noomi Rapace called Dead Man Down that was very good - also on Netflix.
Craig
***Spoilers Ahead, I think, maybe, I dunno, Better Not Risk It***
The thing that would've normally turned me off about both shows didn't, mostly because they were both so strong. Dexter, with its incessant voice-overs, and House of Cards, with it's, whatdyacallit, fourth-wall talking to the camera thing. I hate both those things, but both shows did them well, so I kept watching.
I liked Dexter. I can see myself tiring of it quickly, but I enjoyed season one. A self-congratulatory note, I guessed who the ice truck killer was very early on, but it wasn't until right up near the big reveal that I guessed he was Dexter's brother. While the whole thing was sort of hokey, I did enjoy it and I did buy in. Reasoning and logic aside, the story of two brothers is appealing, when both brothers are outcasts and have no one else in the world.
I've heard things go downhill after season two. In truth, I might not even get that far. I sort of just want to only watch season one, and have good feelings about the show. I know that sounds weird, but, well, that's where it's at for me right now.
House of Cards was well paced, well acted, well written, well shot. I liked it. I'm looking forward to season two. The show wasn't predictable. The relationship between Spacey and the reporter chick got tedious. The relationship between Spacey and his wife got real good.
I'm still trying to wrap up Twin Peaks. I've only got a couple episodes left, but it's just so bad now, it hurts to watch it. I'm gonna finish it. I'm gonna finish what I began. I want the sense of accomplishment of getting through the whole series. But damn, they ain't making it easy. There isn't one person on that show who can act. It's just terrible.
We tried watching episode two of Call the Midwifes (or whatever it's called), after a long delay since watching episode one. We only got about fifteen minutes in, then quit. Too damn stressful. Who the hell wants to watch labor pains for an hour? Not this guy. Also, that main actress? I sort of hate her face. It irritates me.
Any update on Game of Thrones? I'm ready for my season to begin.
I may pick Treme back up. I stopped watching around episode five. I got a little bored, but the time for me to watch it, perhaps, just wasn't right. Maybe it's more of a cold weather show. Also, someone at work clued me in that John Goodman doesn't stay on the show long, so that also might bring me back, because I can't stand that guy.
I think that's it.
Cheers.
Auto-tuna.
Game of Thrones is back in March I believe.
I adore Treme and when it ended forever this week I cried. ;-(
On Netflix, I recommend the French TV show "Spiral" (Engrenages) - the cop parts are a bit like The Shield but my favourite bits were the legal side of it, lots of corruption and intrigue and the somewhat baffling French judicial system.
Hm, not a huge fan of Lithgow (except of 3rd Rock, of course). I could see his performance going either way for me. I'm intrigued. Might have to keep watching.
I am ready for March. I am ready to find out what happens with whats-their-names and The Wall and the battle with the White Walkers.
Sherlock started a couple of nights ago. Sadly it is only three episodes long and the next is on Sunday, so it will be over all too soon. I will say nothing about it, as you need to see it, other than it was brilliant, as usual.
I binge watched Scandal seasons 2 and 3 last week- ridiculous bit ridiculously entertaining!
Also The Voice Series 3 started on Saturday. Kylie Minogue is, IMO, far better than Jessie J as a judge, but Will.i.am is becoming the star of the programme.
I need help with Broen. I can tell the nationalities of the characters by their accents, but I can't tell what language they are using when speaking to each other (which is salient at some points). Does Martin only speak in Danish, or does he switch when talking to Saga (or vice-versea)?