What Are You Watching

[JohnS]

Saga is very compelling but Laure Berthaud is still my choice.

Now watching for the Shorty Rogers soundtrack

 

Edited December 22, 2015 by JohnS

[A Lark Ascending]

At the local cinema. Don't know this play; enjoyed it very much, especially the bucolic fourth act. 

Also watched the last 7 episodes of Mad Men over the last fortnight. Don reinvents himself again as Om Man. Sad to see it go

[A Lark Ascending]

"And Then There Were None" - three part BBC adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel.

Afraid I'm finding it very corny (last part tonight) with all the characters at a perpetual pitch of hysteria (understandable, I suppose, if everyone is being mysteriously murdered around you). But there's some brilliant photography - glowering skies over seascapes. Typically well done BBC production - suspect my reservations lie more in the tale than the telling.  

Interesting to see that the BBC swept the board with the ratings figures for most watched TV over Xmas. No wonder Murdoch has instructed Eton Boy to kill it. 

Also been watching:

I must be the only person in Britain who has never watched a Peter Kay programme but I think this is brilliant. Who'd have thought a sit-com (and they sit a lot) about driving to Manchester and back every day could be so compelling. Really funny dialogue and a constant 'will they, won't they' tension.

Edited December 28, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[medjuck]

6 hours ago, A Lark Ascending said:

"And Then There Were None" - three part BBC adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel.

I was just talking about that book last night.  Loved it when I was a kid.  More recently discovered it was originally titled "Ten Little Niggers".

[Shawn]

Watched the pilot episodes of Manhattan (will continue watching) and Quantico (will NOT continue watching).  

Also enjoyed rewatching some classic Avengers episodes from the first year they went to color.  Emma Peel and John Steed always makes me smile.  I've also noticed that many of the technical crew that worked on that series were also regulars at Hammer Films during that era.  

Edited December 28, 2015 by Shawn

[kinuta]

Rewatching Jessica Jones, one of my favourites of the year.

Tried both Manhattan & Quantico but abandoned them both in short order.

Also watched the two parter Luther. OK but rather insubstantial.

[jazzbo]

Manhattan took a bit to get going but when it did, good stuff. Quantico is fluff.

I want more Luther!

Right now, Black Sails Season 2 on Blu-ray.

[A Lark Ascending]

I'm no film buff - I only have the vaguest notion of producers/directors and often get left puzzled by classic films of the past (I had to give up on La Dolce Vita half way through). 

Watched 'Citizen Kane' last year which I enjoyed but couldn't really see why it was regularly nominated as 'best film ever'. 

However, I loved this last night. OK, some of the dialogue and action (the car whizzing through Vienna at breakneck speed) seemed a bit corny 60+ years on. But overall it was an intriguing film, with enough ambiguities left in it to keep you thinking...loved the ending with the girl walking off quite indifferent to the 'hero'.

Above all it was beautiful to look it - incredibly sharp b+w photography, odd camera angles and use of shadow; and the Escher-like chase in the sewers. Managed to conjour up post-WWII Vienna with a minimum of locations.  

Edited December 30, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[mjazzg]

On ‎28‎/‎12‎/‎2015 at 8:27 AM, A Lark Ascending said:

"And Then There Were None" - three part BBC adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel.

Afraid I'm finding it very corny (last part tonight) with all the characters at a perpetual pitch of hysteria (understandable, I suppose, if everyone is being mysteriously murdered around you). But there's some brilliant photography - glowering skies over seascapes. Typically well done BBC production - suspect my reservations lie more in the tale than the telling.  

Interesting to see that the BBC swept the board with the ratings figures for most watched TV over Xmas. No wonder Murdoch has instructed Eton Boy to kill it. 

Also been watching:

I must be the only person in Britain who has never watched a Peter Kay programme but I think this is brilliant. Who'd have thought a sit-com (and they sit a lot) about driving to Manchester and back every day could be so compelling. Really funny dialogue and a constant 'will they, won't they' tension.

Peter Kay is very talented I think. His one man shows, that often crop up on telly, tend to be very funny too. I haven't seen Car Share but I like the premise and can definitely imagine how Kay's everyday humour and his everyman approach would fit the concept well

[Jazzjet]

On 12/28/2015 at 8:27 AM, A Lark Ascending said:

"And Then There Were None" - three part BBC adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel.

Afraid I'm finding it very corny (last part tonight) with all the characters at a perpetual pitch of hysteria (understandable, I suppose, if everyone is being mysteriously murdered around you). But there's some brilliant photography - glowering skies over seascapes. Typically well done BBC production - suspect my reservations lie more in the tale than the telling.  

Interesting to see that the BBC swept the board with the ratings figures for most watched TV over Xmas. No wonder Murdoch has instructed Eton Boy to kill it. 

Also been watching:

I must be the only person in Britain who has never watched a Peter Kay programme but I think this is brilliant. Who'd have thought a sit-com (and they sit a lot) about driving to Manchester and back every day could be so compelling. Really funny dialogue and a constant 'will they, won't they' tension.

The Peter Kay Car Share series is great, one of the best sitcoms for ages. The 'misunderstanding' about dogging was brilliant and there are some great sight gags with funny shop names etc. The radio station, Forever FM, was specially created for the show and is enjoyably naff.

[A Lark Ascending]

Apparently it was made for the BBC iPlayer initially. A second series has been commissioned.

[A Lark Ascending]

Grim, taught thriller set in Belfast as 'The Troubles' hit their first nasty peak. Viewed largely from the perspective of a rookie squaddy thrown into the mayhem, a victim of the internecine politics of the province and the mysterious undercover connections between the army and the various sectarian groups. Apart from an early scene where the RUC take apart a Catholic home the film didn't give much of an idea why the anti-British hostility was so high. 

Dominic Sandbrook - Let Us Entertain You (BBC)

Sandbrook has written 4 excellent books on Britain from 1965 to the late 70s (well, 3 of them are excellent, I've still to read the fourth)...even though he shows his Tory inclinations! Manages to balance the political and economic complexities with cultural changes. 

A highly dubious thesis to this series - Britain lost its place as the workshop of the world and instead became the pre-eminent entertainer of the world!!! Erm, what about the USA (let alone the cultural preferences outside the Anglocentric world?)?

Nevertheless, an entertaining series so far (I'm two episodes in) - Sandbrook is always good on the continuities of history where most popular TV series stress the changes. Good second programme on the British entertainment industry's obsession with the aristocracy, public schools and the monarchy - I think he's dead right in his argument that all the 'rebellious' culture over the years has been co-opted by the establishment and used to further shore up its defences rather than being undermined by it.     

Edited December 31, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[soulpope]

50 minutes ago, A Lark Ascending said:

Grim, taught thriller set in Belfast as 'The Troubles' hit their first nasty peak. Viewed largely from the perspective of a rookie squaddy thrown into the mayhem, a victim of the internecine politics of the province and the mysterious undercover connections between the army and the various sectarian groups. Apart from an early scene where the RUC take apart a Catholic home the film didn't give much of an idea why the anti-British hostility was so high. 

that`s a good one ...

Edited December 31, 2015 by soulpope

[Jazzjet]

14 hours ago, A Lark Ascending said:

Grim, taught thriller set in Belfast as 'The Troubles' hit their first nasty peak. Viewed largely from the perspective of a rookie squaddy thrown into the mayhem, a victim of the internecine politics of the province and the mysterious undercover connections between the army and the various sectarian groups. Apart from an early scene where the RUC take apart a Catholic home the film didn't give much of an idea why the anti-British hostility was so high. 

Dominic Sandbrook - Let Us Entertain You (BBC)

Sandbrook has written 4 excellent books on Britain from 1965 to the late 70s (well, 3 of them are excellent, I've still to read the fourth)...even though he shows his Tory inclinations! Manages to balance the political and economic complexities with cultural changes. 

A highly dubious thesis to this series - Britain lost its place as the workshop of the world and instead became the pre-eminent entertainer of the world!!! Erm, what about the USA (let alone the cultural preferences outside the Anglocentric world?)?

Nevertheless, an entertaining series so far (I'm two episodes in) - Sandbrook is always good on the continuities of history where most popular TV series stress the changes. Good second programme on the British entertainment industry's obsession with the aristocracy, public schools and the monarchy - I think he's dead right in his argument that all the 'rebellious' culture over the years has been co-opted by the establishment and used to further shore up its defences rather than being undermined by it.     

Vastly preferable to Dominic Sandbrook's books is David Kynaston's excellent 'Tales Of A New Jerusalem' (1945-1979) series which is up to about 1962 so far. Much more depth and insight, and although it has yet to reach the mid 60s it has all the signs of being the definitive work on modern British history.

[A Lark Ascending]

9 hours ago, Jazzjet said:

Vastly preferable to Dominic Sandbrook's books is David Kynaston's excellent 'Tales Of A New Jerusalem' (1945-1979) series which is up to about 1962 so far. Much more depth and insight, and although it has yet to reach the mid 60s it has all the signs of being the definitive work on modern British history.

I did start the first Kynaston about three years back but found it too detailed to hold my attention and gave up after 100 pages or so. I think they are writing for different audiences - Kynaston is more the academic, Sandbrook writes for the wider audience for popular history. I get the impression Sandbrook's real passion is popular culture.

Will hopefully have another crack at Kynaston now I've not got the distractions of a working life! 

[jazzbo]

"The Leftovers" Season 2 

Edited January 2, 2016 by jazzbo

[A Lark Ascending]

Really enjoyed this adventure yarn based around Melville's interviewing of an old whale captain prior to writing 'Moby Dick'. One of the reviews I read grumbled about the quality of the special effects but can't say they bothered me. Some of the shots were clearly Turner inspired.

Might now take another crack at Moby Dick....not to mention get out all those records of sea shanties and whaling songs! 

First time also I've invoked my senior citizen status for a cheaper ticket. The £2 saved almost paid for the car park. 

[A Lark Ascending]

Leningrad and the Orchestra That Defied Adolf Hitler (BBC2)

The story of Shostakovich's Seventh has been told many times in recent year in books and radio broadcasts. This 90 minute programme told you nothing new. But it's well worth watching for the film images and, above all, the testimony of a number of survivors who attended the first Leningrad performance. Incredibly moving as they recollect the horrors of the siege and the impact of hearing music in a situation where staying alive was the priority.

Two presenters wandering around in places, Amanda Vickery and Tom Service, neither TV naturals. The section where Service listened to a rather over-the-top singer, clearly very self-conscious about being filmed and then turned to the camera to make a pertinent point during an instrumental section, was particularly naff. 

Voice overs, voice overs BBC please; celebrity (or otherwise) presenters are a distraction. The most compelling parts were easily when the witnesses were allowed to talk into the camera with no flipping over to the interviewer.  

Edited January 3, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[fasstrack]

2 hours ago, erwbol said:

I'm watching this now. Thanks for the tip. 

At least Russian speakers are subtitled, because those kind of voice overs are infuriating.

Wasn't this once a film? Or am I confused? I remember seeing a film in the 80s about this symphony and his sly defiance of the Russian regime.

Edited January 4, 2016 by fasstrack

[A Lark Ascending]

27 minutes ago, erwbol said:

Deutschland 83 season 1 binge-watch.

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jan/03/channel-4-cold-war-drama-deutschland-83

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2016/jan/03/deutschland-83-recap-episode-one-quantum-jump

 

I'm going to start that tonight. Apparently it's about Operation Abel Archer, something I knew nothing about until I stumbled on it while teaching the Cold War. Major misinterpretation of a military exercise that had both sides in the Cold War on the highest alert...and we were totally unaware. Wish I'd asked by father about it - he was in the military in Germany at the time and might have known something. 

17 minutes ago, fasstrack said:

Wasn't this once a film? Or am I confused? I remember seeing a film in the 80s about this symphony and his sly defiance of the Russian regime.

You might be thinking of:

Tony Palmer's film - it's a film about his wider life. The new BBC programme is specifically about the Leningrad Symphony and the siege of Leningrad.  

**********************

Watched the first of the new 'Endeavour' series last night (Morse prequel). As usual, convoluted and very nostalgic but a nice couple of hours. 

Edited January 4, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[fasstrack]

13 minutes ago, A Lark Ascending said:

I'm going to start that tonight. Apparently it's about Operation Abel Archer, something I knew nothing about until I stumbled on it while teaching the Cold War. Major misinterpretation of a military exercise that had both sides in the Cold War on the highest alert...and we were totally unaware. Wish I'd asked by father about it - he was in the military in Germany at the time and might have known something. 

You might be thinking of:

Tony Palmer's film - it's a film about his wider life. The new BBC programme is specifically about the Leningrad Symphony and the siege of Leningrad.  

That's it, Testimony. Thanks! (It had a performance of the Leningrad Symphony featured, hence my confusion).

Edited January 4, 2016 by fasstrack

[catesta]

I've finished watching all five seasons of Game of Thrones. I'm now giving Shameless a shot. So far, so good.

[A Lark Ascending]

A couple of 'pleasant entertainment but not exactly classics':

Deutschland 83

Enjoyed the first episode but just found the ease with which they got the hero into the top general's office and then the lax security as they go to lunch a bit unconvincing. 

War and Peace (new BBC production in the Sunday night frilly costume slot) 

I read this on trains whilst going for job interviews in 1977 and it left a powerful impression. Good to be reminded of the story. But, as many reviews have pointed out, it's more than a bit Downton Abbey. Trying to do it in 6 episodes was never going to produce a TV classic.  

My abiding memory of the book was Tolstoy's brilliant evocation of the utter confusion of battle and the way that those in command were constantly lost in the fog of war. The first battle scene certainly didn't convey that - just a frightened rooky getting out by the skin of his teeth (a pretty standard scene in war films).

Edited January 6, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[A Lark Ascending]

1 hour ago, erwbol said:

The second and third episodes continue in this vein.

It's weekly here so part 2 won't be around until Sunday. I'll probably stick with it because I'm interested in this period of history. But I'm not expecting much. 

[A Lark Ascending]

Britain's Outlaws: Highwaymen, Pirates and Rogues

Nice little 3 part series about naughty 17th/18thC boys (and a few gals). Willis is best known as a naval historian - his book on the 'The Fighting Temeraire' is a fantastic read. He turned up at the Sidmouth Folk Festival last year playing a coup[le of songs with Martha Tilston and Jim Causley and they both appear here illustrating the broadside ballads that helped turn the real life villains into myths.

All the usual dressing up and jumping around in front of the camera in locations around the world. Must be hugely expensive to make programmes like this. Wonder how they recoup their costs.