OT: Capitals Cinema Club: TV and Movies

[CapitalsCupReality]

Untold: Swamp Kings..first two episodes (of 4) down…..compelling TV. Did not know Meyer was such a hard ass. Dude ran boot camps……

And hearing Tebow…..it’s like a man child talking…..is he really so sugary sweet?

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I saw "Elemental" over the weekend. Gorgeous, lush visuals wasted on a thin story, no attempt at world budiling, and a completely unconvincing romance. I mean, Amber I could see as a fairly attractive character, but Wade? He was wimpier than 10 Steve Urkels. Another low point for Pixar, unfortunately, in a series of recent low points (Elemental, Lightyear, Soul, Onward).

Soul and Onward were... fine. Luca was terrific but isn't as popular as I thought it would be.

I wonder if Pixar's formula just doesn't land with kids of this generation or if they've genuinely just run out of ideas. I have two kids between five and ten and they couldn't care less about Disney or Pixar movies. They would much prefer to watch stuff like Floor is Lava, Is it Cake, Dance Moms, etc. It's a real bummer because I was looking forward to sharing those movies with them and they like things like Toy Story and The Incredibles but they have so many other options these days that it's not a defining chapter of their childhood as it was with ours.

 

[Hivemind]

@Hivemind you’re right Heredity was pretty good. I didn’t watch any trailers so I had no idea what it was about. I liked how it was pretty unpredictable since horror movies usually sorta set the tone early, it was genuinely scarier than usually jump scare moves. Def the best horror flick I’ve seen in a while.

Spoiler

Did Paimon initially want to go after the girl? Since she died he had attach to the boy instead? Or was the plan to always to get to the son

It's definitely one of my favorite horror movies of all time.

To build off the conversation between you and HTFN (without engaging in any spoilers myself) - Hereditary is up there alongside It Follows in terms of best horror movies to rewatch. There's so many details, bits of foreshadowing, visual and dialogue hints, etc. that are sprinkled through-out the movie that help explain what happens later. Things that flash by on the first viewing suddenly become meaningful once you know what's coming later on. Aster's next film (Midsommar) also does this visually a lot.

 

[Neil Racki]

Dang .. I need to re-watch Hereditary. My wife said we watched it .. and I vaguely remember a car accident? And the young actor from Jumanji?

House of Lies tv series - pretty pretty pretty good. Maybe only 5 episodes in but funny, good feel, lots of titties. Thank you for the recommendation

 

[ChaosLord]

Anyone see the Ahsoka epsiodes? Again the reviews are completely all over the place, both from critics and from fans, that its almost impossible to get a bead on the series (other than watching it of course, but right now that likely won't happen for me until the season is over).

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Anyone see the Ahsoka epsiodes? Again the reviews are completely all over the place, both from critics and from fans, that its almost impossible to get a bead on the series (other than watching it of course, but right now that likely won't happen for me until the season is over).

Probably waiting for more episodes to come out. These new Marvel and Star Wars series Disney+ has been releasing. have mostly been garbage.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Probably waiting for more episodes to come out. These new Marvel and Star Wars series Disney+ has been releasing. have mostly been garbage.

A tad strong…..

I too will wait for them to all release. I am beholden to NO ONE!

 

[ChaosLord]

Yeah I dont know whats going on w Pixar. They were so consistent in putting out top tier family movies that anyone could dig ... missed last 3 movies or so.

Might not even get around to watching Elemental.

I know what will set things right: come out with Incredibles 3. I love the Incredibles franchise. Incredibles 2 got critciized in some corners, but i thought that movie was awesome, especially with the bad a** hydrofoil at the end. A third Incredibles movie would definitely have me energized.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

A tad strong…..

I too will wait for them to all release. I am beholden to NO ONE!

Compared when Netflix had the marvel series. These aren’t even close. I used to get excited for those.

 

[Hivemind]

Anyone see the Ahsoka epsiodes? Again the reviews are completely all over the place, both from critics and from fans, that its almost impossible to get a bead on the series (other than watching it of course, but right now that likely won't happen for me until the season is over).

I'm... mildly optimistic? I guess?

First two episodes were good enough, but I also am already familiar with the characters from having seen Rebels. Someone dropped right into them without prior knowledge probably isn't going to care as much. Plot-wise it seems exciting so far, even if it's a pretty standard plot (macguffin fetch quest) - but the plot of the early episodes of Obi Wan and Boba Fett was also fine (both of those got worse as they went along). It's definitely a big step up visually from Mandalorian season 3 (which felt utterly cramped on the Volume, with all the times they went in and out of caves and whatnot making it feel like moving between screens in a Final Fantasy game). The acting might be the area where fans not familiar with the cartoons have an advantage, and can give Rosario Dawson a clean state instead of comparing her to Ashley Eckstein and the animated Ahsoka character.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Compared when Netflix had the marvel series. These aren’t even close. I used to get excited for those.

Iron Fist? Luke Cage? pretty average, but I watched them all……

I did love a Jessica Jones (specifically season 1 with David Tennant (in Ashoka BTW) as one of the best villains ever)…..same tier as Daredevil for me, mostly because of the individual performances of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio overcome arguably the two most annoying characters in Marvel history, Karen, go figure, and Foggy.

I’ll just disagree that one set are garbage and the other is way better.

Since we’re referring to Ashoka in the SW universe, you think Mandalorian and Andor sucked I guess? I enjoyed them and I’m a Trekkie by preference.

 

[HTFN]

Iron Fist? Luke Cage? pretty average, but I watched them all……

I did love a Jessica Jones (specifically season 1 with David Tennant (in Ashoka BTW) as one of the best villains ever)…..same tier as Daredevil for me, mostly because of the individual performances of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio overcome arguably the two most annoying characters in Marvel history, Karen, go figure, and Foggy.

I’ll just disagree that one set are garbage and the other is way better.

Since we’re referring to Ashoka in the SW universe, you think Mandalorian and Andor sucked I guess? I enjoyed them and I’m a Trekkie by preference.

Honestly on balance, I think they're probably right.

First Mandalorian season or two pretty good, Book of Boba Fett mostly meh. Call it the Luke Cage of the Star Wars shows, because it's pretty bland and only really serves as a through route for others. No idea why it becomes .5 of a season of the Mandalorian but by that point it really seems like they were slipping. Andor I didn't watch because they burned me out on sub-par television. I've heard it's good but I'd love for someone to put it in a way that doesn't basically sound like the pitch for Rogue One but a TV show.

Sad to say because the bar isn't high at all but Obi-Wan and Iron Fist kind of wash out. On one hand, the production is probably better in Obi-Wan but both shows suck, and frankly if I have to watch something that sucks I think I'd prefer the mythology/source material I don't know well enough to see all the places where it sucks.

On balance I think there are more good seasons of the Netflix shows, between Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher than I've seen Star Wars put out so far. I think if I were asked I've seen about 2.5 good seasons of Star Wars stuff, we'll call it 3.5 since I'm putting off Andor. That's basically both Punisher seasons, the first Jessica Jones, and like half of season 2 just for the fallout of the first season and the flashbacks. Now pepper in Daredevil and Star Wars has a hill to climb.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Just disagreeing with the use of the term “garbage”….

 

[HTFN]

Just disagreeing with the use of the term “garbage”….

I don't know if I'd say garbage either.

But more have been Iron Fist than expected.

 

[usiel]

Impressive FX.

 

[Hivemind]

Andor I didn't watch because they burned me out on sub-par television. I've heard it's good but I'd love for someone to put it in a way that doesn't basically sound like the pitch for Rogue One but a TV show.

Andor is the best single season of TV since Westworld season 1, perhaps even True Detective season 1. It's HBO-quality (and maturity) Star Wars. It's dialogue-driven, but still managed to embrace "show, don't tell." The characters are nuanced and multi-dimensional. It may be Star Wars, but it's also incredibly grounded and definitely has real-world themes and applicability. It's an incredible study on the banality and mundanity of oppression and evil. The villains are the most terrifyingly real Star Wars antagonists since Grand Moff Tarkin.

It also has the best overall acting in Star Wars, period. I mean, just look at the supporting cast. Stellan Skarsgard. Andy Serkis (in what is his finest non-CGI performance). Forrest Whitaker. Anton Lesser. And a break-out performances by Kyle Soller and Denise Gough. And Adria Arjona is awfully easy on the eyes (not to detract from her quality performance as well).

 

[usiel]

I still need to get back to Andor the SW overall fatigue is still high for me.

 

[RedRocking]

I'm... mildly optimistic? I guess?

First two episodes were good enough, but I also am already familiar with the characters from having seen Rebels. Someone dropped right into them without prior knowledge probably isn't going to care as much. Plot-wise it seems exciting so far, even if it's a pretty standard plot (macguffin fetch quest) - but the plot of the early episodes of Obi Wan and Boba Fett was also fine (both of those got worse as they went along). It's definitely a big step up visually from Mandalorian season 3 (which felt utterly cramped on the Volume, with all the times they went in and out of caves and whatnot making it feel like moving between screens in a Final Fantasy game). The acting might be the area where fans not familiar with the cartoons have an advantage, and can give Rosario Dawson a clean state instead of comparing her to Ashley Eckstein and the animated Ahsoka character.

Yea, I had some issues with the first couple of episodes - but I really am excited to see these characters in live action and am choosing to just enjoy it and hope it’s not BoBF level bad. Filoni knows how to write compelling SW stories, and Ahsoka is his favorite creation. He’s always saying she is this Gandalf-esque transformative figure - so I hope he has a great story for her.

The Volume stuff really does drive me nuts at this point - but the visuals were good enough so far. The lightsabers maybe looked a little janky? I like that they’re going for the OT look and vibe. Plus, Kiner’s score is outstanding.

I’m also curious how people with no history with these characters will receive this show. Except for Andor, it’s hard to get people excited about SW projects nowadays.

Edit: co-sign @Hivemind ’s description of Andor. It’s one of the best shows of the year, period - not just sci-fi. It’s the best SW anything in recent memory - while being its own thing, telling an original story that’s not based around nostalgia.

 

[kicksavedave]

Andor is the best single season of TV since Westworld season 1, perhaps even True Detective season 1. It's HBO-quality (and maturity) Star Wars. It's dialogue-driven, but still managed to embrace "show, don't tell." The characters are nuanced and multi-dimensional. It may be Star Wars, but it's also incredibly grounded and definitely has real-world themes and applicability. It's an incredible study on the banality and mundanity of oppression and evil. The villains are the most terrifyingly real Star Wars antagonists since Grand Moff Tarkin.

It also has the best overall acting in Star Wars, period. I mean, just look at the supporting cast. Stellan Skarsgard. Andy Serkis (in what is his finest non-CGI performance). Forrest Whitaker. Anton Lesser. And a break-out performances by Kyle Soller and Denise Gough. And Adria Arjona is awfully easy on the eyes (not to detract from her quality performance as well).

@HTFN ^^^ All of this, plus, without too many spoilers, its great TV with a SW setting, but doesn't overly rely on light saber battles with hapless droids and absurd star fights. Its not just cheesy action pew pew scene after scene with implausible escapes, worn out comic relief, plus there are a dozen planets and none of them are Tattooine, so there's that. A couple monologues are "best in the franchise" level good.

Just watch it, both you and @usiel

And don't skip the entire closing credits on the finale.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Well, you guys sold me to give Andor a chance.

 

[JayBeagleFanAccount]

Spoiler: Spoiler

Paimon wants a male form, yeah. There are a few ways they reference it, can’t remember the movie verbatim anymore but I’m pretty sure grandma missed her chance with Peter because they were non contact since she was super weird (duh). Charlie got time with grandma, and no coincidence, she’s got a “masculine” presenting name. Grandma wanted Charlie to be a boy, I think it’s even stated in the film but it’s so early you don’t blink.

One theory is that Paimon being inside an improper host is one of the reasons Charlie has health issues and is a little off. Knowing that, a little more spelled out in the film is the idea that the entire cult orchestrated her death, including planting the roadkill (I think that’s just a scene, but can’t recall) to free Paimon up for Peter

But yeah, if you watch horror you get so used to the “language” and setups that when Charlie just… dies and the next 20 minutes is dark, heavy trauma… holy shit, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I think I started standing up behind my chair and pacing the living room. I saw the trailer once in theaters and went “oh wow, they got a great creepy kid, this is going to probably be a pretty good B level possession type movie” but then she’s just gone and it takes you on a hell of a ride after, it’s like you can’t catch up once it pulls the rug out

Spoiler: spoiler

during Annie's grief session she mentions how her brother went insane and killed himself which I attributed to a failed possestion by Paimon.

 

[kicksavedave]

I remember, a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, when a light saber through the gut was instant death. Qui Gon must be pissed.

 

[HTFN]

Andor is the best single season of TV since Westworld season 1, perhaps even True Detective season 1. It's HBO-quality (and maturity) Star Wars. It's dialogue-driven, but still managed to embrace "show, don't tell." The characters are nuanced and multi-dimensional. It may be Star Wars, but it's also incredibly grounded and definitely has real-world themes and applicability. It's an incredible study on the banality and mundanity of oppression and evil. The villains are the most terrifyingly real Star Wars antagonists since Grand Moff Tarkin.

It also has the best overall acting in Star Wars, period. I mean, just look at the supporting cast. Stellan Skarsgard. Andy Serkis (in what is his finest non-CGI performance). Forrest Whitaker. Anton Lesser. And a break-out performances by Kyle Soller and Denise Gough. And Adria Arjona is awfully easy on the eyes (not to detract from her quality performance as well).

I might have bad news, because I've tried two or three times to get in to Westworld and I still can't clear two episodes. I fully acknowledge that the concept is neat but the episodes don't move enough for me. I feel like knowing HBO there's a kick that I'm missing but I don't know if I'll have the tolerance for a slow build on a Rogue One character I didn't care about, so if it's that.... man....

If it's just a quality comparison, like we won't call it the Wire or the Sopranos, then I get that. But on the scale of those two, Breaking Bad, Band of Brothers, Mad Men, etc. is it truly great television?

 

[HTFN]

I remember, a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, when a light saber through the gut was instant death. Qui Gon must be pissed.

My favorite was when Obi-Wan was like "it's over, I have the high ground" on like... a slope, when I was sitting there going "bitch do you not remember when you did super flips over a guy off your fingertips from the inside of a vertical pipe, landed behind him, and cut him completely in half?"

Yeah, he was right, but my in-series brain went "okay what the f*** was that?"

 

[ChaosLord]

My favorite was when Obi-Wan was like "it's over, I have the high ground" on like... a slope,

George Lucas will be ridiculed for that line for the rest of his existence.