What Are You Watching

[A Lark Ascending]

Last episode of 'Peaky Blinders' was edge of seat stuff. Still disturbed by the power to manipulate you - I was willing the priest to come to a nasty end from the off (he did!). Even when Alfie Solomons revealed Thomas' true nature to him, you remain on his side. Interesting twist at the end. Really pushing the limits of your sympathy. 

Storm Troupers: The Fight To Forecast The Weather

Fascinating historical documentary about how the science behind Britain's national pastime was uncovered (in an out of Britain...well done Bergen!). 

Edited June 11, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[paul secor]

Wallander (Swedish version) - Season 2 - disc 3

[paul secor]

Just finished watching Broadchurch Series One. Hadn't seen it before - intense stuff.

[A Lark Ascending]

Finished this last night. Really enjoyed it - reminded me a little of 'The Killing'. As with so many of these European series part of the appeal is the unfamiliarity of the landscape. 

[Shawn]

Alternating:  

Six Feet Under - season 1 

SouthLAnd - season 2  

 

[jazzbo]

Daredevil, Netflix series Season 2 via promo DVD set. Violent! But quite a good series. I'm one of the few people who liked the movie. This falls as far grittier. My ideal Daredevil is somewhere in between the movie and the TV series, that's sort of how the best years of the comic book were in my estimation (the Miller version).

I'm also getting caught up on 12 Monkeys. I didn't really "feel" the beginning episode of this second season and stopped it halfway and changed my DVR settings. But others have told me that I should have stuck at it. I'm about five episodes in and okay, it's better than I thought. . . but not essential viewing. 

And I just re-watched the last twenty minutes of last night's Cavs vs. Warriors again via DVR just for the heck of it. It was an unexpected joy to see them win at Oracle Stadium last night.

 

 

[A Lark Ascending]

Thought this was rather an old-fashioned sort of film. Reminded me of the way historical films were made in the 60s/70s rather than the 90s. 

Revolution and Romance (BBC4)

Enjoyable three part history of music in the 19thC. Suzy Klein can't help herself joining in, dressing up and resorting to cheesy visual puns but it's all very easy to watch. Made me listen to some things that I've never really cared for. And I really need to hear/watch 'Die Freischutz'. 

[kinuta]

OJ : Made In America

Half way through.  Not being American, the degree of his fame and stature as a ' football ' player were unknown to me and came as quite a surprise.

Well done and thought provoking, with a rare nod of approval from my better half.

[Ted O'Reilly]

2 hours ago, kinuta said:

OJ : Made In America

Half way through.  Not being American, the degree of his fame and stature as a ' football ' player were unknown to me and came as quite a surprise.

Well done and thought provoking, with a rare nod of approval from my better half.

Simpson's been a bit of a dormant topic, but he's trending upwards again.  I wonder why the renewed interest in him...

(But to add:  it's a very well-done documentary, at least the first three of five episodes.)

Edited June 17, 2016 by Ted O'Reilly
Add on.

[Jazzmoose]

    

Some mid-sixties show I have absolutely no memory of.  It's like picking up a copy of "Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane"-your first thought is complete confusion, because obviously it couldn't have come from our world.  But I couldn't stop watching.

 

 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, kinuta said:

Half way through.  Not being American, the degree of his fame and stature as a ' football ' player were unknown to me and came as quite a surprise.

 

An article I read the other day made an interesting point:  there are more people alive who are too young to remember the trial than there are old enough to remember watching him play football.  So I guess even here it's now a 'minor detail'.

[A Lark Ascending]

BBC1 From a few weeks back but only just got round to this. Excellent drama that has you squirming in your seat as the undercover policeman married to a civil rights lawyer sees his anonymity slowly stripped away. Adrian Lester and Sophie Okonedo are superb. Came under some criticism for being unrealistic from someone who lived through a similar experience. But as drama, very powerful with lots of moral ambiguity. 

Mum (BBC2)

Really nice series of 30 minute comedies - bitter-sweet based around a mother recently bereaved and her dealings with her family. Overplays the incomprehension of the 20-somethings to 'old people' and they do come across as all airheads, but gently funny nonetheless. Suburban, middle class comedy, perhaps (like 'Nina' on BBC1) but that's my world.  

Edited June 19, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[Shawn]

Been a long time since I sat down and watched this series.  I decided to watch the original versions instead of the ones with redone FX, that's the way I remember them and it satisfies the nostalgic element.  I don't think I've ever actually watched the series in sequence, grew up seeing it on reruns on TV, so it should be an interesting trip.

 

 

[Jazzmoose]

On 6/19/2016 at 0:37 PM, Shawn said:

Been a long time since I sat down and watched this series.  I decided to watch the original versions instead of the ones with redone FX, that's the way I remember them and it satisfies the nostalgic element.  I don't think I've ever actually watched the series in sequence, grew up seeing it on reruns on TV, so it should be an interesting trip.

 

 

Hah!  I just watched A Piece of the Action last night.

Also finished up season two of Bosch.  I enjoyed it except for that pain-in-the-ass kid.  Hmmm.  I had the same complaint about a movie a bit ago.  Maybe I just can't stand teenagers anymore.  And here I am with no lawn...

What else is worth watching on Amazon (of their original stuff, I mean)?  Man in the High Castle is on my list, of course.  Anything else recommended?

[Jazzjet]

11 hours ago, Jazzmoose said:

Hah!  I just watched A Piece of the Action last night.

Also finished up season two of Bosch.  I enjoyed it except for that pain-in-the-ass kid.  Hmmm.  I had the same complaint about a movie a bit ago.  Maybe I just can't stand teenagers anymore.  And here I am with no lawn...

What else is worth watching on Amazon (of their original stuff, I mean)?  Man in the High Castle is on my list, of course.  Anything else recommended?

I would strongly recommend 'Mr Robot'. Also, 'Halt and Catch Fire' is pretty good. The subject matter - the early 80s computer industry - may sound unpromising but it's hooked me so far. On the comedy front there's 'Transparent' if you're in the market for a modern transgender sitcom.

[Shawn]

18 hours ago, Jazzmoose said:

Hah!  I just watched A Piece of the Action last night.

Also finished up season two of Bosch.  I enjoyed it except for that pain-in-the-ass kid.  Hmmm.  I had the same complaint about a movie a bit ago.  Maybe I just can't stand teenagers anymore.  And here I am with no lawn...

What else is worth watching on Amazon (of their original stuff, I mean)?  Man in the High Castle is on my list, of course.  Anything else recommended?

Not original, but Prime does have some exclusive stuff you won't find on other services.  If you have a strong stomach I can highly recommend the series "Hannibal" which takes the pulp origins and elevates them into art, they have the first 2 seasons so far, the final season should be added very soon.  

[jlhoots]

Animal Kingdom - Ellen Barkin

[kinuta]

4 hours ago, Shawn said:

Not original, but Prime does have some exclusive stuff you won't find on other services.  If you have a strong stomach I can highly recommend the series "Hannibal" which takes the pulp origins and elevates them into art, they have the first 2 seasons so far, the final season should be added very soon.  

I didn't especially like The Man In The High Castle or Mr Robot.

Halt & Catch Fire was quite good though.

[Jazzmoose]

15 hours ago, Jazzjet said:

I would strongly recommend 'Mr Robot'. Also, 'Halt and Catch Fire' is pretty good. The subject matter - the early 80s computer industry - may sound unpromising but it's hooked me so far. On the comedy front there's 'Transparent' if you're in the market for a modern transgender sitcom.

Actually, it sounds very interesting to me-I was a tech in silicon valley at the time. 

I was hoping Mr. Robot would be recommended; it caught my eye.

[jlhoots]

Queen Of The South

[kinuta]

BBC coverage of the Brexit catastrophe.

[A Lark Ascending]

1 hour ago, kinuta said:

BBC coverage of the Brexit catastrophe.

Just as catastrophic on the radio. I've been awake all night listening. Gave up even trying to sleep two hours ago. 

[sidewinder]

Did somebody put something in the water yesterday?

[A Lark Ascending]

Series 1 1 (watched off the TV). Very good survey from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. I used to be really into this period but haven't paid much attention for many years - this series brought it all back. Neil Oliver does like to strike 'Holding Out For A Hero' postures on windswept cliffs but he's an engaging presenter (still prefer Dr Alice Roberts). Spectacular photography of some beautiful places.  

Just watched the first episode (the pilot, I think) of this. Not completely convinced...the woman had a rather 'KGB-indoctrinated robot as viewed from the USA' about her. But it probably needs time to settle into something more nuanced. 

[sidewinder]

C4 - Good nostalgia value. 

 

[alankin]

6 hours ago, A Lark Ascending said:

Just watched the first episode (the pilot, I think) of this. Not completely convinced...the woman had a rather 'KGB-indoctrinated robot as viewed from the USA' about her. But it probably needs time to settle into something more nuanced.

 

I think it's worth sticking with it for a while.  I've been impressed by the stories and the acting, which gets more nuanced.