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Post by ShantiSal on Aug 1, 2014 8:19:24 GMT
Just caught up with the second series of Borgen. Think I enjoyed it even more than the first series.  Sidse Babbett Knudsen has really grown into the role of Birgitte Nyborg, and I love the relationship between her and her spin doctor, Kasper. My favourite (possibly 'favourite' is not the most appropriate word giving the topic it covers, but still) episode/scene involved Birgitte and Kasper having a mock debate to prepare her for the real thing, but it involves an issue which is very close to the bone for Kasper, and there's a moment where it clicks over from being 'playfight' to being very real rage/fear. Both actors did a fantastic job with that scene. Overall, the series did clunk a little bit in places, but I still can't wait to see the third series. The third series has just started here - Brigitte Nyborg decides to get back into politics after a 2.5 year hiatus. She even gets a bit of love action... Lol. The first episode was great so have the Foxtel box set to record the series.
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Post by emily on Aug 2, 2014 12:07:05 GMT
Starz released their newest show's first episode for free viewing on their website. It's called Outlander, and so far, it's excellent. I may be biased because the source material is my favorite book series, but I'd encourage anyone to check it out!
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Post by chrisanthi on Aug 3, 2014 5:51:02 GMT
Saw the first episode of Being Human (the British one) on Netflix streaming. I liked it. It's nothing terribly groundbreaking in terms of how these characters are presented ( of course the vampire character is trying not to feed on human blood and finding it difficult and of course the werewolf character is the mildest sweetest guy when he's not a slobbering monster), but the acting is good and I like their interactions so far. Throwing a ghost into the mix is kind of fun, and I wonder how much she'll be able to do throughout the series, being non-corporeal and all. I finally got around to watching series 5 of Being Human; I enjoyed it. Admitedly the main reason I enjoyed it so much is because I really liked the interaction between the three leads. As far as the story goes, I thought it was an interesting idea but there were inconsitencies and plot holes in it; however, I decided to not overanalyse stuff and just go with the flow. As usual, the acting is very good. I realise that this doesn't really sound like a glowing endorsement but I did really like it.
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odadune
Star of the item number
 
not around much due to stuff in my personal life.
Posts: 1,494
Favorite actor: Currently a certain Kumar, but I like most of them
Favorite actress: whoever's in films I'm interested in this week
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Post by odadune on Oct 25, 2014 20:15:16 GMT
More Casual Fan got into Sherlock, so I've seen some of that. The production values are impressive (the MCF particularly likes the menswear and the cars), the nods to the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories are cute (I lol'ed at the "Geek Interpreter"), the dialogue is witty (even if writer Mark Gatiss saves all the best lines for Mycroft, whom he also plays onscreen), and the lead actors and most of the guest stars are good. But it just feels kind of hollow, like a British crime-solving version of the Big Bang Theory, with Benedict Cumberbatch as Sheldon, Martin Freeman as Leonard, the Moriarty Bobblehead as Wil Wheaton, and the landlady as Sheldon's mom. Also way too much "socially clueless person makes a hash of things" humor, very cringe-inducing. I did not care for the decision to cast Freeman's partner/common law wife Amanda Abbington as Mary Watson (nee Morstan): their real life affection doesn't translate well onscreen, she's styled in an unflattering way, and she's a poor fit for some of the things revealed about the character over the course of the last season. I find Mark Gatiss's Mycroft amusing and one of my favorite characters in the show, perhaps because Gatiss's line readings remind me so much of Andrew Robinson as Garak on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. 
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Post by Dil Bert on Dec 26, 2015 14:46:06 GMT
iZombie. Zombies made cool. First two seasons have been very consistent lightweight fun. Turns the usual problem of characters acting inconsistently from episode to episode into a feature by having zombies take on personality traits of people they eat. Features Rahul Kohli as a comedic male lead.
Jessica Jones (on Netflix streaming). Overall good, very female-centric show from Marvel. The characters may not be completely realistic, but are generally 3-dimensional and imperfect. Less gory than Daredevil, but perhaps darker overall.
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Post by emily on Jan 10, 2016 8:23:54 GMT
Since I last posted in this thread (I don't watch a lot of TV!) has been a while, I'd like to share some of my favorite TV shows currently airing:
Outlander (Starz): Based on my favorite book series. Sci-fi, historical romance (really straddles a LOT of genres very well). Very well done; highly recommend it.
House of Cards (Netflix): Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are sublime in this political drama. Fourth season set to return in early March. Also worth a mention is Michael Kelly, who plays Spacey's right hand man; he's incredible, and needs more roles.
The Walking Dead (AMC): Cliche, perhaps, but I love it, and all indications say that the series will intensify further when it returns in mid-February.
Quantico (ABC): Starring our Bolly darling Priyanka Chopra. Perhaps not the BEST TV show out there, but I've found it quite gripping so far, and it has a great supporting cast.
Making a Murderer (Netflix): Finished this one rather quickly. A MUST-SEE if you're into crime shows like Dateline. Extremely well put-together, and always intriguing.
F is for Family (Netflix): Check this one out if you're familiar with and like Bill Burr's stand-up comedy. I love him. He voices the main character in this animated series, and it's basically just your no-holds barred comedy.
Turn (AMC): Really well-done series revolving around the spy ring utilized by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Not terribly historically accurate, but does a good job at keeping neutral and not swaying you toward either side in the war.
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Post by chrisanthi on Jan 13, 2016 7:11:53 GMT
Since I last posted in this thread (I don't watch a lot of TV!) has been a while, I'd like to share some of my favorite TV shows currently airing: Outlander (Starz): Based on my favorite book series. Sci-fi, historical romance (really straddles a LOT of genres very well). Very well done; highly recommend it. Yes. I watch this too. I originally started watching it because I like historical stuff and time travel stories. Add to that the Scottish Highlands, Scottish accents, men in kilts and some nifty knitwear and what's not to love? I love the way it's filmed, love the costumes and all the actors are doing a really good job; also the story (so far) is interesting. Quantico (ABC): Starring our Bolly darling Priyanka Chopra. Perhaps not the BEST TV show out there, but I've found it quite gripping so far, and it has a great supporting cast. Really? I think the acting is pretty dire. I do, however, really like the actor who plays Simon (he's so good and, by far, the best) and the actress who plays the director. As you said not the best show but it does keep me coming back.
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Post by Dil Bert on Mar 1, 2016 11:16:28 GMT
Agent Carter (Season 2) - Marvel seems to be segmenting its properties, aiming them at different demographics. Agent Carter seems to be aimed at women over 30. Not complaining, just sharing in case some are looking for a new TV show to try. The latest episode even included a musical number (dream sequence) between the lead and her two romantic interests. Luther: The Calling - If you enjoyed the Luther TV series (at least before the last season) know that the writer of the show has written a book, which is a prequel to the series. Naturally it's just as good as the TV show. Ash vs Evil Dead - If you enjoyed the movies, the TV show is just as fun. Twin of Brothers - Pretty good wuxia series. Lots of interesting/powerful female characters. Stunning China settings. The Game - UK spy series set in the 1970's. Stylish and good overall. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Game_%28UK_TV_series%29
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Post by chrisanthi on May 16, 2016 5:57:42 GMT
I marathoned House of Cards - it was good, maybe not as good as I as expecting but still good. As a whole, the cast was very good; Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were a delight to watch - my God what a couple! so unscrupulous. House of Cards (Netflix): Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are sublime in this political drama. Fourth season set to return in early March. Also worth a mention is Michael Kelly, who plays Spacey's right hand man; he's incredible, and needs more roles. Totally agree about Michael Kelly - definitely need to see him in more roles. Next I marathoned The Mentalist. Although I can stand Patrick Jane in small doses, after3 or 4 episodes I found him immensely irritating and just wanted to slap that self-satisfied smirk off his face. Also, I found Jane's ploys to trick the criminals so that they can be captured tiring after a while. Would it have killed the writers to write an episode or two where the cops capture the crooks and don't rely on super Patrick and his ploys to capture the crooks? I had stumbled across a spoiler so the reveal of Red John wasn't a surprise - it was, however, a disappointment. I hated the ending, which seemed forced to me. It's a pity 'cause the series started off really well and then seemed to drag a bit and sizzle out. Two final complaints; the first is that they completely changed Lisbon's character and the second is that I am apalled that Jane was acquited of murder in season three (I think) when there were at least two hundred people who witnessed the murder. He as acquited 'cause he killed a very bad man. I'm apalled that the writers conveyed the message that it's ok to kill someone if they're bad. Firstly,, violence s never the answer and secondly, what 's the point of having a judicial system if people take the law into their own hands?
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Post by Dil Bert on May 22, 2016 23:57:27 GMT
Quantico At least the show maintained the same level of quality (very little) and realism (almost none) throughout. Have to learn to cut my losses and just give up on bad shows.
Party Down If you've ever worked a McJob, you may be able to relate to this very NSFW comedy about actors making ends meet by working for a catering company while waiting for their big break. Features a number of Veronica Mars alums.
Fear the Walking Dead Second season is improved over the first; actor Frank Dilane (Nick) is a standout.
ETA: Cupid (2007) Funny, romantic show about someone claiming to be Cupid making matches in modern NYC. Each episode is like a romcom. Remake of earlier series of the same name.
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Post by MrB on May 23, 2016 12:06:21 GMT
Quantico At least the show maintained the same level of quality (very little) and realism (almost none) throughout. Have to learn to cut my losses and just give up on bad shows. I watched Quantico out of a sort of loyalty but have just given up, at episode 11 (we're a long way behind in the UK). It's just become too silly; and you get nothing back for your suspension of disbelief, except for the requirement to suspend it even further when the next impossible twist appears.
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Post by Dil Bert on May 23, 2016 12:33:48 GMT
I watched Quantico out of a sort of loyalty but have just given up, at episode 11 (we're a long way behind in the UK). It's just become too silly; and you get nothing back for your suspension of disbelief, except for the requirement to suspend it even further when the next impossible twist appears. I could have cut it much more slack had it been set in a fictional agency just getting started with strays and scraps for recruits. But setting it in the FBI with all the vetted recruits having dark secrets made the show ridiculous right from the start. Add the magical technology and as you say impossible twist after impossible twist... I stopped watching around 11 as well and just binged the second half over a few days out of a need for completeness. But this show also suffered a common malady which can ruin many shows if you know of it: {Click to view!} I read somewhere that many TV shows have characters of any age act with the emotional maturity of 15 year olds. It is sadly true and really detracts from shows to see seeming adults acting like teens.
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Post by MrB on May 23, 2016 16:53:29 GMT
I could have cut it much more slack had it been set in a fictional agency just getting started with strays and scraps for recruits. But setting it in the FBI with all the vetted recruits having dark secrets made the show ridiculous right from the start. Add the magical technology and as you say impossible twist after impossible twist... I stopped watching around 11 as well and just binged the second half over a few days out of a need for completeness. But this show also suffered a common malady which can ruin many shows if you know of it:...
I had that problem as well: how could the FBI not have discovered all those secrets when recruiting them? One or two might slip through, but every single character has a murky past. Your malady is absolutely right. I gave up at the point when a roomful of people were pointing guns at the latest suspect, he said something along the lines of, "I was framed by him!", and they all turned as one and pointed their guns at a different person. Not the act of mature, thinking adults.
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Post by dancelover on May 23, 2016 20:51:04 GMT
I glanced at a couple of episodes, a couple of times. I also read the Wikipedia article, with plot summaries. An FBI full of nepotism, full of corruption, not a story the actual FBI would want anything to do with - no wonder that they filmed it in Canada! But, it occurred to me that such stories - nepotism and corruption in the police - have been made many times before, especially in India! Can't you see Mithun, Mammootty, or Mohanlal in a story like this? Priyanka might feel right at home! Dancelover I watched Quantico out of a sort of loyalty but have just given up, at episode 11 (we're a long way behind in the UK). It's just become too silly; and you get nothing back for your suspension of disbelief, except for the requirement to suspend it even further when the next impossible twist appears. I could have cut it much more slack had it been set in a fictional agency just getting started with strays and scraps for recruits. But setting it in the FBI with all the vetted recruits having dark secrets made the show ridiculous right from the start. Add the magical technology and as you say impossible twist after impossible twist... I stopped watching around 11 as well and just binged the second half over a few days out of a need for completeness. But this show also suffered a common malady which can ruin many shows if you know of it: {Click to view!} I read somewhere that many TV shows have characters of any age act with the emotional maturity of 15 year olds. It is sadly true and really detracts from shows to see seeming adults acting like teens.
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Post by emily on May 27, 2016 6:18:01 GMT
Ha, I actually quite liked Quantico and am looking forward to S2. I kind of have a penchant for liking garbage TV, though, so there's that...
Agree with Dil Bert on Frank Dillane on FTWD. He's so great. His range is excellent.
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