Re: The TV Series Thread - Part 5

[Hapless_Hans]

Top of the Lake is a social realism series.

Not just, if you keep at it. Season 2 is infused with some relentless farce

[Arquitecto]

Nicole Kidman's performance in the Undoing might be the single worst instance of acting I have ever seen, I struggle to think of anything that comes close to being so ridiculously, appalingly bad.
I honestly have no fucking idea how something like this is even possible, how a director would let this happen, or even, one has to imagine, encourage it.
I'm watching this incredulously, mouth open in a half grimace, not sure whether to laugh or remain stoic, how something so bad could be made with such earnestness and with so much expense.
Baffflingly, astonishingly, goulishly terrible acting, what an absolute trainwreck of a character, it's like a train the size of a planet crashed.

Susanne Bier lmao, what a truly horrible piece of directing this is.

Amazing. Hard to believe this exists.

Kidman is actually a brilliant actress. Like very good.

Why is she so bad in this as you say?

Well about 5-8 years ago she's been on a serial botox spree thats basically rendered her face into what resembles acting by now.

[Robespierre]

I watch a good number of tv series every year ... But yet Am I the only one that stuggles to watch them in Summer ?
Just if it a great series just released and at that point I can't resist till to Autumn --- as it was for Dark last year
Otherwise I can't, hot weather, summer period  etc I don't feel to be in ideal conditions for watching series
Books >>> tv series  in summer imo

[RealGunner]

Feels like every TV series now is just the same. Most ideas are done to death and now it's just slight variation. That's why invincible was such a fresh show and enjoyable to watch.

[Warrior]

I don't follow much series, if i do, i usually lose interest after season 1-2

That's about where originality can lead you it seems. After that it becomes the same recycled stuff, someone important dies, we learn that XXX is the son of ZZZ, who sleeps with who... etc

[Hapless_Hans]

Nicole Kidman's performance in the Undoing might be the single worst instance of acting I have ever seen, I struggle to think of anything that comes close to being so ridiculously, appalingly bad.
I honestly have no fucking idea how something like this is even possible, how a director would let this happen, or even, one has to imagine, encourage it.
I'm watching this incredulously, mouth open in a half grimace, not sure whether to laugh or remain stoic, how something so bad could be made with such earnestness and with so much expense.
Baffflingly, astonishingly, goulishly terrible acting, what an absolute trainwreck of a character, it's like a train the size of a planet crashed.

Susanne Bier lmao, what a truly horrible piece of directing this is.

Amazing. Hard to believe this exists.

Kidman is actually a brilliant actress. Like very good.

Why is she so bad in this as you say?

Well about 5-8 years ago she's been on a serial botox spree thats basically rendered her face into what resembles acting by now.

The Botox does play a role, for sure. It's like watching a plastic doll with red curly doll hair and moving eyes. It's creepy and bizarre. (funnily enough though, Kidman is working well, playing well, and cast well, in Top of the Lake Season 2)
But it's also to do with what they think the character is supposed to be and how they render it, which is some kind of monstrous calamity

[El Gunner]

finally finished off Leftovers... what a bunch of baseless nonsensical hogwash that tried so hard to be profound. Gets worse and worse the longer it goes on, all the promise that season 1 attempts to offer never gets a payoff because the show kept drifting further and further away into a pile of chicken shit. Damon Lindelof is at his best when he sets up a premise and then stretches it out for a bit with mystery and suspense, but it only takes a while before his creative juices run out and ultimately fail him because he has no vision for climactic endings and catharsis.

[CBarca]

GL is the only place it seems people aren't talking about Ted Lasso.

I thought the first season was great, and enjoyed the upbeat and uncompromisingly positive tone of the show (like everyone else). I remember watching the trailer and not being impressed but the show certainly surpassed what everyone thought it could be. Idk what the viewing numbers are (I'm not sure those are released?) but it has to be massive based on the reception and how quickly Apple greenlit two more seasons.

Second season has been good in the sense that we've got more of the same from the first season, but the plot of the second season is struggling along a bit I feel. They're also leaning a little harder into the "feel good" aspect of the show, in ways that sometimes feel a bit more forced. The thing about the first season that I think made it so effective is that there were elements of evil and darkness that existed and manifested in real ways, not just in the characters around Ted, but in Ted himself. A lot of the "feel good" was seeing kindness, caring, and strong conviction in humans overcome. This season feels a lot more like it's just being overtly positive and upbeat in tone simply to do it. I mean, releasing a fluff Christmas episode in August?

Curious what others who are watching are thinking. If you haven't been watching and have access to it, I would highly suggest the show. It's great. I kept things vague here so that there weren't any overt spoilers.

[El Gunner]

i don't know, sounds to happy-go-lucky for me, might cringe too much

instead i just finished racing through another show that has been hyped lately... The White Lotus
Starts off very well with suspense and intrigue. What ends up carrying the show is its refreshing premise, setting and the colourful characters, as well as the show's off-beat tone and nature - you feel like anything can happen at any moment. But the show never really goes in too hard as it can on that promise. The end ends up being a bit underwhelming. And also the whole social commentary on classism and racism gets too messy and it doesn't give any clear message on it - except for perhaps "we're fucked" in the most lame way.

Think i'll give it a 7 out of 10 overall though.

[CBarca]

I'd be the first to cringe if something was unnecessarily happy go lucky. That's not the vibe at all in the first season. That *can* be an occasional problem in the second season

[Hapless_Hans]

ffs Omar has died too

RIP

[M99]

https://nypost.com/2021/09/06/actor-michael-k-williams-found-dead-in-nyc-apartment/

RIP

[Hapless_Hans]

I've been having Life During Wartime sitting on my hard drive waiting for me to watch it for years, guess now is the time

[BarrileteCosmico]

Goddammit Omar. Such a great role and actor.

[El Gunner]

RIP legend

[Lucifer]

RIP

[Pedram]

[McLewis]

History binge:

The White Queen
The White Princess
The Spanish Princess
The Tudors.

A near linear charting of English history starting from the War of the Roses all the way through Henry VIII's reign, about 100 years.

Going to finish off with the 2 Elizabeth movies (Blanchett version).

The quality of these shows varies wildly, but it's been a good watch, as a history nerd. Even if they're all riddled with inaccuracies.

[Robespierre]

I've loved Billions for 4 seasons , I wasn't liking the first half of 5th season but the 2nd part ( divided due to Covid ) 's started great as in old times . I love this show.

[El Gunner]

The King Show of Television is back baby

[McLewis]

Yeah latest episode of Billions really dialed things up a notch.

[El Gunner]

Succession S03E1 dropped and it was brilliant... this season is going to be balls-out incredible!
who's watching with me? i think it will be better to go episode per episode in order to avoid any internet spoilers

[Myesyats]

I tried but couldnt get into Succession. Found it kind of boring. Does it only start slow and pick up the pace later on?

[El Gunner]

well yea it does gain momentum as the series goes on... it thrives on its characters and their relationships and the inner politics of the company.. so the more you learn the better it gets.

but then i also get that it might be an acquired taste for some. Think Adam McKay satires in terms of style and comedy, but less nerdy and actually really really good

[Pedram]

Yeah i just watched it and the comedy is still top notch. Kendall already descending into madness, he's gonna self destruct as usual.

That Logan insult to Karl though.

Spoiler:

[El Gunner]

Spoiler:

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