OT: Capitals Cinema Club: TV and Movies

[HTFN]

Yeah, I think I heard they have no plans of continuing the Watchmen series. I've not seen it yet, so I don't know if it had a worthwhile ending.

And regarding Lindelof, I think I saw his name in the credits of the new Mrs. Davis show. I watched the first episode and it's zany as hell. I was entertained, but could not even begin to tell you what it's actually about. Total mindscrew, that one, but fun so far.

Ever since Lost I've come to equate him with mystery boxes that have no answers. It's really fun to start unpacking them but he's not good at wrapping his shit up, for the most part.

 

[Jags]

Ever since Lost I've come to equate him with mystery boxes that have no answers. It's really fun to start unpacking them but he's not good at wrapping his shit up, for the most part.

I had two issues with Lost...

First, whichever season it was where they found the underground bunker... A few episodes in, when it became clear that the whole season was going to be about that, it dawned on me: "Oh, they have absolutely no idea where they're going with any of this. They're just going to conjure up polar bears, smoke monsters, and on and on, then when the ratings start to dip they'll hire writers to come in and try to make sense of it all." I quit soon thereafter, but I hear that's pretty much what happened.

If you want to write a mystery, you have to know where it's going before you start, especially if it's going to be the foundation of a series that lasts multiple novels/movies/seasons. If you're just writing and publishing/airing chapters without real direction, that's what fan fiction writers do and you should stick to soap operas at best.

And second, if you've got a show with 20 characters that's only on half the year, it's conceited to think that anyone's going to remember what the hell's going on 8 months after your last episode, let alone some wacky little sub-mystery from four years ago that's now suddenly super important.

At the watercooler in 2009...

Co-worker: "What do you mean you don't know what's going on??? It's the best show EVER!"

Me: "Yeah, okay. But this kid showed up and I think we were supposed to recognize him or something, but it made NO sense."

CW: "You don't remember the kid from Season 1?!?!?!"

Me: "No."

CW: "Come on, you know... THE KID!!"

Me: "That's not helping."

CW: "How do you not remember the kid?"

Me: "Season 1 was literally five years ago. That was an entire presidential term, plus a year. For a whole different president. Things happen in 5 years, I only have so much brain, and I'm guessing it decided that 'THE KID from that show I watched 5 years ago with the smoke thing and the polar bear or Smokey The Bear or whatever' didn't make the cut."

CW: "He was literally the only kid on the show."

Me: "Okay, but he didn't seem familiar, is what I'm saying..."

CW: "Well the actor aged in 5 years, duh. He's like 15 now."

Me: "But you get my point though, right?"

CW: "No..."

Me: "We've been talking about this for five minutes now and I'm still no closer to knowing who that goddamn kid was. I literally feel dumber for having had this conversation. f*** that show..."

And like 2 or 3 years later I was having the same damn conversations about Game of Thrones...

Robert and Robb aren't the same guy. Neither are Bronn or Bran or Brienne, or Yoren or Jorah or Yara. Khaleesi isn't a name, and if it's not a name then I don't know her name. One guy has one name when he has a dick and another when he doesn't. I can't remember which one is Tywin and which is Tyrion; I had it down but someone said I'm not allowed to say 'midget' anymore and I lost track...

Maybe I'm just getting old. Get off my lawn!

 

[HTFN]

I had two issues with Lost...

First, whichever season it was where they found the underground bunker... A few episodes in, when it became clear that the whole season was going to be about that, it dawned on me: "Oh, they have absolutely no idea where they're going with any of this. They're just going to conjure up polar bears, smoke monsters, and on and on, then when the ratings start to dip they'll hire writers to come in and try to make sense of it all." I quit soon thereafter, but I hear that's pretty much what happened.

If you want to write a mystery, you have to know where it's going before you start, especially if it's going to be the foundation of a series that lasts multiple novels/movies/seasons. If you're just writing and publishing/airing chapters without real direction, that's what fan fiction writers do and you should stick to soap operas at best.

And second, if you've got a show with 20 characters that's only on half the year, it's conceited to think that anyone's going to remember what the hell's going on 8 months after your last episode, let alone some wacky little sub-mystery from four years ago that's now suddenly super important.

At the watercooler in 2009...

Co-worker: "What do you mean you don't know what's going on??? It's the best show EVER!"

Me: "Yeah, okay. But this kid showed up and I think we were supposed to recognize him or something, but it made NO sense."

CW: "You don't remember the kid from Season 1?!?!?!"

Me: "No."

CW: "Come on, you know... THE KID!!"

Me: "That's not helping."

CW: "How do you not remember the kid?"

Me: "Season 1 was literally five years ago. That was an entire presidential term, plus a year. For a whole different president. Things happen in 5 years, I only have so much brain, and I'm guessing it decided that 'THE KID from that show I watched 5 years ago with the smoke thing and the polar bear or Smokey The Bear or whatever' didn't make the cut."

CW: "He was literally the only kid on the show."

Me: "Okay, but he didn't seem familiar, is what I'm saying..."

CW: "Well the actor aged in 5 years, duh. He's like 15 now."

Me: "But you get my point though, right?"

CW: "No..."

Me: "We've been talking about this for five minutes now and I'm still no closer to knowing who that goddamn kid was. I literally feel dumber for having had this conversation. f*** that show..."

And like 2 or 3 years later I was having the same damn conversations about Game of Thrones...

Robert and Robb aren't the same guy. Neither are Bronn or Bran or Brienne, or Yoren or Jorah or Yara. Khaleesi isn't a name, and if it's not a name then I don't know her name. One guy has one name when he has a dick and another when he doesn't. I can't remember which one is Tywin and which is Tyrion; I had it down but someone said I'm not allowed to say 'midget' anymore and I lost track...

Maybe I'm just getting old. Get off my lawn!

Wasn’t that right in the middle of the Writer’s Strike, or was that just classic Lindelof/Abrams “someone else finish my idea” stuff? I agree with basically all that, Lost is even hard to binge and keep proper track of. Game of Thrones I do better with since I read the books but it’s a fair point

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I just got around to watching the HBO Watchmen series, I'm on episode 7 but this shit suddenly unpacked in a way that I wasn't expecting and have so many questions about.

That said, I noticed really early that it's a Damon Lindelof show so I'm tapering my expectations for real answers.

I liked it…that type of content is like candy for me.

 

[HTFN]

I liked it…that type of content is like candy for me.

I was tapering my expectations but it was pretty tight and well told. I think I had a few minor gripes but for the most part I also gobbled it up and just went “neat, works for me”. I was worried he was going to burn me once I got super invested but it paid off

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Wasn’t that right in the middle of the Writer’s Strike, or was that just classic Lindelof/Abrams “someone else finish my idea” stuff? I agree with basically all that, Lost is even hard to binge and keep proper track of. Game of Thrones I do better with since I read the books but it’s a fair point

Funny I was considering a binge, thinking it would be easier to keep it all connected in a short window….2nd time around.

 

[HTFN]

Funny I was considering a binge, thinking it would be easier to keep it all connected in a short window….2nd time around.

It’s definitely the only way to do it, and it starts off a great experience, but Jags is pretty right on, by the time they’re in the bunker or doing Dharma stuff you just start rubbing your temples trying to remember which parts are important

 

[Ajax1995]

It’s definitely the only way to do it, and it starts off a great experience, but Jags is pretty right on, by the time they’re in the bunker or doing Dharma stuff you just start rubbing your temples trying to remember which parts are important

For shows that do that kind of crap I kind of appreciate the ‘previously on…’ where they show a little bit from the last episode but also something from a while ago that at least half the audience wouldn’t likely remember so now when the bit part character from 3 seasons ago walks onto the screen you have a fighting chance to know what it means.

 

[usiel]

For S3 of Lost as it seemed pretty clear it would be eternal mystery show and/or did not have confidence the show runners really knew how to end the show.

2007/2008 as the writer strike. I mainly recall it painfully hurting Heroes S2 (S1 as strong season imho).

 

[HeyMattyB]

2007/2008 as the writer strike. I mainly recall it painfully hurting Heroes S2 (S1 as strong season imho).

Speaking of which...



Follow up: A couple of good introductory Twitter threads about how things got here. Stand with the union!

 

[Neil Racki]

^^ Cant say i understand much of the second post laying out the disputes (me dumb issue) .. but good job by the Union to get that out and lay things out clearly.

John Rodgers lays things out well from an opinion stand point

interesting stuff .. beyond my mushy brain cells

----------

Beau is Afraid .. only playing at 4:40 pm today.

Anyone seen it yet? seems like a movie I can wait to watch on couch as its not a bid screen must movie

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

^^ Cant say i understand much of the second post laying out the disputes (me dumb issue) .. but good job by the Union to get that out and lay things out clearly.

John Rodgers lays things out well from an opinion stand point

interesting stuff .. beyond my mushy brain cells

----------

Beau is Afraid .. only playing at 4:40 pm today.

Anyone seen it yet? seems like a movie I can wait to watch on couch as its not a big screen must movie

Nope, but definitely not….

 

[usiel]

Speaking of which...



Follow up: A couple of good introductory Twitter threads about how things got here. Stand with the union!

Nice twitter link summary. But had read up on the issues a bit and the union has legit stuff there.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Ok warped dark horror fans….watched a dark one…..2008 French film….Martyrs……yikes….not the movie you think it is half way in. Saw it on Shudder. Suuuuper hard to watch at times (violence)……..but a strong movie.

 

[RedRocking]

Ok warped dark horror fans….watched a dark one…..2008 French film….Martyrs……yikes….not the movie you think it is half way in. Saw it on Shudder. Suuuuper hard to watch at times (violence)……..but a strong movie.

Did someone call my name? I’ll have to check it out.

Bit bummed that you didn’t think “Evil Dead Rise” was that good. Looking forward regardless. I liked the reboot they did a few years ago.

 

[Neil Racki]

Ok warped dark horror fans….watched a dark one…..2008 French film….Martyrs……yikes….not the movie you think it is half way in. Saw it on Shudder. Suuuuper hard to watch at times (violence)……..but a strong movie.

Looks like an interesting movie to watch once.

Good call out

Do you pay for Shudder? I dont think i can do another pay streaming ..its getting out of hand

Tried watching original Texas Chain Saw thsi weekend but it was only on a free streaming with ads ... had to turn it off half way through. Certain movies cant be done with ads.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Looks like an interesting movie to watch once.

Good call out

Do you pay for Shudder? I dont think i can do another pay streaming ..its getting out of hand

Tried watching original Texas Chain Saw thsi weekend but it was only on a free streaming with ads ... had to turn it off half way through. Certain movies cant be done with ads.

I do….it’s like $6…..but I usually find at least one horror a month I would have missed entirely….

Did someone call my name? I’ll have to check it out.

Bit bummed that you didn’t think “Evil Dead Rise” was that good. Looking forward regardless. I liked the reboot they did a few years ago.

I liked the reboot better than the most recent…..love me some Jane Levy….

 

[shtorm2005]

 

[HTFN]

For S3 of Lost as it seemed pretty clear it would be eternal mystery show and/or did not have confidence the show runners really knew how to end the show.

2007/2008 as the writer strike. I mainly recall it painfully hurting Heroes S2 (S1 as strong season imho).

Oh
You’re totally right, that was the show that lost all mojo from the writer’s strike, I totally got them mixed up. Lost was a bit earlier wasn’t it? Like 2003–??? Or something, not going to look it up, just going to bullshit and call my shot. But anyway that means that doesn’t line up as an excuse so…

In that case f*** mystery box writers

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Damn thats quite the power move, Replace the writers on strike with AI.

 

[usiel]

Oh
You’re totally right, that was the show that lost all mojo from the writer’s strike, I totally got them mixed up. Lost was a bit earlier wasn’t it? Like 2003–??? Or something, not going to look it up, just going to bullshit and call my shot. But anyway that means that doesn’t line up as an excuse so…

In that case f*** mystery box writers

I thought they lost the showrunner from the first season but couldn't confirm it.

Also:

Season two coincided with the WGA writers' strike, meaning only 11 out of the planned 24 episodes were produced.[29] That forced the producers to redesign the season to encompass only the Generations volume out of the three planned.[30] The planned third volume, Exodus,[31] which was originally designed to be a story arc reflecting the effects of the release of strain 138 of the Shanti virus, was cancelled. The planned fourth volume, Villains, was changed to the third volume and moved into season three.[6] Scenes from the volume two finale, "Powerless", were reshot to reflect the cancelation of the Exodus volume, and to tie up all the loose plot storylines of Generations.[32][33]

One of the later episodes S1 episodes I thought could have led to something cool where there like a dark alternate future Milo V.'s character that was bad ass which would have been cool to explore but they never did.

 

[usiel]

Damn thats quite the power move, Replace the writers on strike with AI.

Oh which is why the the writers user is hearing crickets on restricting generative AI.

Hell you could probably train up Chat GPT using Joseph Cambell's The Golden Baugh which probably do the trick as far as the hero's journey for storylines. Imagine every decent script in the movie/show talk era in a database.

Even in my previous 20+ year old technical support run the amount of answers to about every issue I meticulous documented the troubleshooting decision tree to the resolution is basically super hard to find because one of the biggest CRMs out there we use for the support cases has just a terrible search engine.

 

[Jags]

Oh
You’re totally right, that was the show that lost all mojo from the writer’s strike, I totally got them mixed up. Lost was a bit earlier wasn’t it? Like 2003–??? Or something, not going to look it up, just going to bullshit and call my shot. But anyway that means that doesn’t line up as an excuse so…

Yeah, that strike had some real casualties. FNL took a real hit during that one, and Damian Lewis had a new cop show I can't remember the name of that I was really enjoying and lost all its momentum after the strike.

Look how things are shaping up for this one... Yellowstone's behind-the-scenes drama will only be complicated by this. Now that it's cancelled and the strike is delaying the production of the rest of the last season and the beginning of the new show (unless Sheridan scabs), that franchise is at least going to take a huge vacation. Lots of big fantasy shows likely to take a hit getting their second seasons out -- Wheel of Time, LotR, GoT.

If this strike drags on, TV could be a wasteland come 1/1/24.

 

[usiel]

Yeah, that strike had some real casualties. FNL took a real hit during that one, and Damian Lewis had a new cop show I can't remember the name of that I was really enjoying and lost all its momentum after the strike.

Look how things are shaping up for this one... Yellowstone's behind-the-scenes drama will only be complicated by this. Now that it's cancelled and the strike is delaying the production of the rest of the last season and the beginning of the new show (unless Sheridan scabs), that franchise is at least going to take a huge vacation. Lots of big fantasy shows likely to take a hit getting their second seasons out -- Wheel of Time, LotR, GoT.

If this strike drags on, TV could be a wasteland come 1/1/24.

Oh forgot about that Damian Lewis show but yeah watched it and it was decent.

 

[Jags]

Oh forgot about that Damian Lewis show but yeah watched it and it was decent.

It was a cool premise. At a time when damn near every show was a hacky procedural, they had a cop who did 12 years in maximum security prison and was freed on DNA or whatever and got his job back. So he was a pretty kooky guy most of the time with this pretty wild dark side from being a cop in GenPop, had millions in settlement money but didn't really spend it, had no furniture in his house because he'd become claustrophobic...

Quirky show. Only 2 seasons because of the strike, but I remember they knew they were cancelled and were able to bring it to a satisfying conclusion. I liked it.