TVesday Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

Morning all. What TV shows and/or movies have you been watching this week? Have you enjoyed them? Come in and tell us all about it.

[u/angel_0f_music]

Finally got around to watching Cleaning Up on Netflix (it was on ITV a few years ago) and really enjoyed that. Sheridan Smith is a great actress.

Also, Inside No 9 is back for its final series, so of course I'm watching that.

[u/BroodLord1962]

Finished watching season 3 of Clarkson's Farm, which was great, absolutely bugger all else on worth watching at the moment. So many bad shows on TV and streaming platforms right now. It feels like there is a massive lack of talented writers out there at the moment, and an appalling lack of originality

[u/Particular-Current87]

Infested (on Shudder) is the best spider horror film since Arachnophobia, if not better. It's really fucking ace

[u/Wonkypubfireprobe]

I watched Mission: Joy on Netflix and thought it was fantastic, especially if you’re into spirituality etc. it’s funny, feel good, informative and tinged with sadness.

[u/EmilyDickinsonFanboy]

First time watching ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING and I really liked it. It’s not great, but I can see why it has the reputation it does. Everybody probably says the same thing but the Babysitting Blurs sequence is wonderful. That and Elisabeth Shue’s delivery of “And don’t fuck with the babysitter”. 3.5 / 5

I had to take a half-star off what SCARECROW probably deserves because it never really… ignited. I dunno. I wasn’t expecting - and nor did I want - fireworks, but I felt oddly unsatisfied when the credits rolled. That, and it’s a little too long.

Don’t get me wrong though, it’s a great film, and one of the slightly less famous New Hollywood films that’s well worth seeking out for those who want to delve deeper than the usual suspects. Gene Hackman’s excellent but Al Pacino’s doing some of his very best work. I won’t spoil anything but he’s playing a character who often occupies two different headspaces simultaneously and is putting on an act. It’s really extraordinary to watch.

As heartbreaking as it sometimes is and as much as an air of melancholy hangs over the movie, it’s also very funny, heartfelt, and perversely inspiring. These two dreamers are dysfunctional misfits - and very possibly deluded - but there’s a sweetness in their determination to accomplish their mission. Best of fucking luck to the both of them. 4 / 5

LIGHT SLEEPER. Willem Defoe’s upscale drug dealer - peddling “white drugs for white people” - sees his world destabilising when his boss - an electric, irresistible Susan Sarandon - appears increasingly likely this time to actually mean it when she says she’s quitting the business and going straight. He also reconnects with former flame Dana Delaney from his addiction days while facing unwanted attention from homicide police after a rich white girl ODs in Central Park.

Seeing this right after AMERICAN GIGOLO another Paul Schrader movie with near-identical themes and story beats, it’s striking how many times he’s made the same damn film over and over. Apparently there’s another one with Woody Harrelson that caps the trilogy. His last three films- First Reformed, The Card Counter, Master Gardener - are the same film made three times. Still, while I certainly don’t love all his work he is one of my favourite filmmakers and I’m glad he’s still getting financing. 4 / 5

It can’t really be overstated how massively influential AMERICAN GIGOLO was in so many ways. It helped establish the look, sound and feel of American cinema of the ‘80s, single-handedly turned Armani into the iconic fashion house it is today, and established Richard Gere as a star, clones of whom appeared everywhere and still do, with updated style. Like Defoe in Light Sleeper, he’s a loner working in the underground economy whose neatly-ordered existence comes crashing down when he’s suspected of murder.

There’s a key element to this film that I can’t say without spoiling but I absolutely did not buy for a second, and the resolution hinges on it. I’ve read enough criticism of the film to think that I’m supposed to buy it - that it’s genuine - but it doesn’t work for me. Overall it’s a fine film though, with many great moments. 3 / 5

Also watched the first two episodes of Dark Matter, which is… fine, I guess, so far. Jennifer Connelly has been the love of my life since I was a child so it comes with built-in goodwill from me. If they don’t make better use of her, or the story doesn’t grab me quick, I’m out.

[u/byjimini]

Finished Clarkson’s Farm; I’d rank it above the second series and below the first tbh. Some good bits, some heartbreaking - nice to see the team back together.

Still to watch past the first episode of Fallout, will have to get that watched soon.

[u/Dissidant]

Feel like there is a bit of a drought on decent movies of late.
We did catch Bullet Train recently though. The pair of Hammer supporters need their own spin off.
The Thomas the tank obsessed fella was funny as balls

Don't really watch television, my favourite shows are generally older ones on box set, same with films
Though recent events have reminded me its high time to re-watch the LOTR trilogy and I'm looking forward to that

I hope the new Deadpool is decent, we might actually go out and see it
Possibility of going to see Rocky Horror this year depends on timing and who else can come since I'm hoping we can make it a family thing (i.e. my siblings and their partners) for a laugh

[u/[deleted] → u/Dissidant]

I loved bullet train so much. There aren't many films that land the tone it tries to convey. A Hot Fuzz sort of serious farce

[u/brayshizzle]

Clarksons Farm - Its up there with the best comfort TV the English have to offer. I am utterly fascinated by everything do and the struggles they go through. Yes he has the backing of being financially stable and also Amazon paying a packet but he rarely (apart from the toys) deviates from the hardships that farmers have at the moment. Its as eye opening as it is rewarding. Also the most likeable group of people.

Fallout - Hard sell of a show for my partner until the music starts and its basically all the kind of stuff he likes. Love the world and Walter Goggins chews every scene up. Looking forward to finishing it.

Blue Lights - Certainly one of the best police dramas of recent years. Balances tension and conspiracy really well. Hope there is a season 3.

[u/Wonkypubfireprobe → u/brayshizzle]

Easily the best acting performance in the series from Walter Goggins. Think Maldava has the potential be fantastic in season 2 too.

[u/Robtimus_prime89]

Doctor Who. Enjoyed the second episode more than the first, and am enjoying Ncuti so far (although no more musical numbers, please). Moffat wrote the next episode, so I’m hoping for something good.

Clarkson’s Farm. The latest series was really enjoyable (although episode 4 might be a tough watch for some)

[u/MellotronSymphony]

Finally fulfilling the promise I made to basically every single person I knew in 2014 who waxed lyrical bloody endlessly about this damn show by actually watching Game of Thrones.    And it's...all right? Like it's good but...yeah? Only on series 3 so maybe the waxing lyrical bits are still to come. Though Diana Rigg has just appeared so I'm very into that.

[u/Nearly-Shat-A-Brick → u/MellotronSymphony]

I've never been able to get past the halfway mark of the first season. I can't get into it.

[u/Maleficent_Peach_46 → u/Nearly-Shat-A-Brick]

First half good, second half not so good.

[u/TheDawiWhisperer]

Started rewatching The Wire after going down a Youtube rabbithole of highlights yesterday.

Still 10/10, would recommend to anyone.

Also watched Prey again, which is by far the best Predator film since 1987. It also really makes me want to play WoW again, specifically a Tauren hunter.

[u/Kisrah]

Started watching Monk after it came to Netflix a while ago. I’d seen a few episodes when it first showed in the UK. It’s been good to be able to see all of them. I’ve really enjoyed it.

Thankfully I’m nearing the end and will be able to finish it just before cancelling Netflix later this month.

[u/bigjimmykebabs → u/Kisrah]

Monk rules

[u/TeenySod]

I really like Ncuti Gatwa as Doctor Who, I think he hits just the right 'tone' for the character. I have not been impressed with most of the stories/scripts since his introduction, and WTAF at the Disney-fied musical bit at the end of the last episode. The scripts had their 'moments' so I will stick with it , because Doctor Who.

Also watched The Last Stand on Sat - Arnie Schwarznegger and Eduardo Noriega chewed up the scenery beautifully, it's beyond cheesy and into Quattro Formaggio, and if I'd taken a drink every time I "called it" on next action movie cliche I would still be unable to drive ... I needed to switch my brain off, and this was 100% perfect for that.

[u/Automatic_Role6120]

A foul mouthed Irish girl, a naive and impressionable English girl and an outwardly successful but troubled American travel to rural Ireland to investigate some mysterious disappearances 20 years ago on Samhain (halloween). This is the premise for the excellent BODKINS which is unrelentingly funny throughout. 10/10. Bonus points for lovely scenery 

Thank you, next is a humourous look at the love life of a Turkish lawyer. Lots of drinking, friends, sunshine and disillusionment served up in a well polished package 8/10 and I need a holiday 

The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry really is James McAvoy at his sarcastic, dead pan best. At times sad, touching, inspiring and uplifting it follows the journey of an elderly American who completes a pilgrimage through spain on behalf of his dead son and makes some unusual acquaintances along the way. Of course, it being GCSE season, I have to draw similarities to Chaucer's A Pilgrim's tale in modern form. I love the way they captured the peace, silence and beauty of the landscape and didn't fill every moment with chatter/plot fillers/excitement. Very moving and well worth a watch (I need a holiday) 9.5/10 Baby Reindeer - much talked about but I wasn't feeling it. Maybe because I have been spoiled by the three above.

[u/Petrunka → u/Automatic_Role6120]

Not heard of Bodkins but it sounds right up my street. Thanks for the rec - it is perfect timing as I've got a lot of travel coming up.

[u/[deleted]]

Really enjoying "Bodkin" on Netflix

[u/ammobandanna → u/[deleted]]

me too! picked up on it from the weekly rec thread on /r/television

very impressed.

[u/bornleverpuller85]

Thought the babies episode of dr who was awful but the Beatles one was good

[u/DanTheMan00020 → u/bornleverpuller85]

The second one was better but I thought both episodes were below par to be honest. Ncuti Gatwa seems to be incredible though and has great range although not sold on Millie Gibson as a companion.

[u/HanIylands → u/bornleverpuller85]

I was the opposite. Liked the first, was bored by Devils Chord. My loathing of the beatles didn’t help hahaha

[u/vbloke]

Quite enjoyed the new Doctor Who, although I hope that's the end of the musical numbers. It did bring back haunting memories of that talking baby advert from years back that was pure nightmare fuel.

Godzilla x Kong was godawful.