Thought of this on and off for the past two weeks, and when the day came, I missed it. So, here we go.
103 thoughts on “Movie Day”
Got one of these up and running as well.
Between unpacking, influenza, strep, voles and above all, finishing Final Fantasy XV, I saw little in the way of film for the last month. My daughters and I are watching the Harry Potter movies (they've never seen them) and finished the second a few nights ago; the Milkmaid ran across some deals on Studio Ghibli movies yesterday so she picked those up for the girls as well. I watched Night of the Living Deb, a terrible zombie comedy with a script that has holes you could drive a truck through. Characters will just stop doing things or even noticing what's going on to allow other characters to have a side conversation, or even escape, if that's what the screenwriter needs. There's a love story at the center of the movie, and the lead guy is mostly likable but can't act, and the lead girl is a fairly good actress (Maria Thayer, who you've probably all seen, though I'm not sure how recognizable her name is yet) playing a character that's irritating as hell.
I watched season 1 of The Expanse, and then realized I could watch them weekly on the Syfy Roku app, so I'm caught up on season 2 as well. I'm really liking it and its weird to see decent acting and special effects on SyFy.
Also watched the first episode of Legion which was definitely different and interesting, although the last bit of the episode featured some really iffy effects. I'm trying to find the time to watch the second episode, but its an "after the kids go to bed" show.
I've picked back up on It's Always Sunny, watching season 7 right now. (I'm still laughing from watching "Chardee McDennis".)
I've watched less on the movie front. I was able to watch Dead Snow 2 when the kids went out to Disney on Ice the other week. I loved the concept and thought it was pretty hilarious overall. The only thing I really didn't like was the very last scene, which was just.... uncomfortable.
I'll disagree a bit with your opinion of "decent acting" re: The Expanse, but I'm continuing to enjoy it as well.
I'm using it loosely, and relatively, in the sense that it isn't great but it's also not really distracting.
Well, it's definitely not SyFy acting! I think part of the problem is the stereotypical characters and not necessarily the acting.
You know, I thought I'd get used to the "SyFy" name eventually like I give up caring about almost everything else in time, but man, do I still hate looking at it.
It sucks to type, too.
I don't have a problem with "SyFy" because it now differentiates it from quality stuff that is "Sci-Fi"
Heh. Can't rightly argue with that.
Count me in as enjoying it too. I don't comment on acting because I know the Dunning-Kruger effect would be in full force.
"Chardee MacDennis" is a very strong contender to Best IASIP episode ever. If you're not a stickler for order, I'd also recommend going ahead and jumping forward to "Chardee MacDennis II"
My two other all-time favorites are The Nightman Cometh and the one where Charlie is a bird lawyer.
I think my favorite is "who got Dee pregnant? "
Actually, I've picked up IASiP again as well. I think I'm in about season 6, maybe 7. The reason I've been watching it again is because it still seems to have stayed strong.
I actually slowed down watching the show forever ago because a few different people told me of a big dropoff in quality around season 4-5 or so. Now I'm well past that, and really don't see what they were talking about. It doesn't feel different to me in any significant way.
Right. For some reason, I imagined there was a drop in quality too. After finishing season 6, I haven't seen it. From season 5, "The Gang Hits The Road", "intervention", and "Kitten Mittens" are some of my favorite episodes (any episode with Unger as The Lawyer is great).
I was worried that the "Chardee" episode was going to be overhyped for me aaannnddd... it kinda was. Maybe I'm watching too many episodes at once.
Oh, I also started "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend." Very funny and charming, and the lead is excellent.
I watched the first few episodes and agree with everything you said, but still decided it just wasn't for me.
It definitely isn't going to grab everyone here.
I've followed Rachel Bloom a bit for years and she's always been just a short distance from my funny bone even though I want to like her.
Henry sat through his first movie in a theater the other day. We went and saw Sing. He and every other kid in the theater hit their wall with about 20 minutes left. But it was a good time.
Runner daughter and I have been enjoying Legion on FX. I think one of the reasons it's clicking is that it's not strictly a mutant series, but that it's focusing on the main character's dealings with a "mental illness" and its repercussions, which add a whole 'nother level of conflict. The "what the heck did I just see?" of the audience is a mirror of what is going on in the lead's head as well.
recording Legion. Have not started watching yet.
Watched the first couple episodes of Westworld. It's a doozy, all right...
It continues along the "its a doozy, all right" path all season, too.
I actually went to the theater a couple times. Lego Batman and Hidden Figures. Lego Batman wasn't as good as The Lego Movie but was still alright. It had a couple good super hero jokes.
Hidden Figures was good but no surprises at all. Very Disney-like.
Lego Batman wasn't as good as The Lego Movie...
That would be a very lofty bar to get to. I have no doubt I will enjoy this one, though.
Also, lets hear it for WB and DC! Their best superhero movie during this stretch will be the one made of LEGOS.
So, you're saying not everything was awesome?
Everything was ok. (Doesn't have the same hook.)
It's funny... the first time I saw The Lego Movie I thought "yeah, that was okay." It happened to be on TV not long ago and I sat down to watch again and suddenly it clicked into place for me. Not sure why the difference, but I'd certainly count it as a movie I'd recommend now. But I thought Lego Batman looked pretty good from previews.
I like the idea of Will Arnett being Batman.
Do you think it's because you know the ending/moral of the story and are rewatching it through those eyes? Or did you just find the jokes funnier?
I felt like it was the jokes mostly. Like maybe I just wasn't in the right mood/operating at the right speed the first time through. I was not particularly impressed by Morgan Freeman's character the first time, but found him fantastic this time.
I love Freeman in that role.
I love the subtle changes to his outfit as the movie moves along.
See, I knew what was coming, and I still audibly giggled reading it just now. The first time through the movie that did not happen for me. Glad I came around on this one.
I'm into the second season of Rectify. It is excellent. I highly recommend it.
I watched the first couple episodes of This Is Us. I don't know what I think yet. It has potential.
I ate up all of The Magicians season 1 in a week (via Netflix).
It's R-Rated (well, TV-MA) Harry Potter + Narnia + [archetype I can't place]. Rating is earned via violence and blood and skin and suspense.
I had no idea it was SyFy until I was hooked; meaning its quality was not noticeably lacking.
I see it's based on a book series. I'm almost tempted to read them.
I really liked the Stellan Skarsgård in In Order of Disappearance (Norwegian with Subtitles, via Netflix).
Best movie about snowplowing and revenge against drug dealers I've ever seen.
Pål Sverre Hagen as the object of the revenge, trying to bridge modern cosmopolitanism (but with Norwegian racism) with cruel crime boss and getting flustered and wavering along the way is pretty cool, too. I mean he's a true villian, but there's a humanity and depth of character there (and it's not made obvious, and he's not sympathetic... you want him to pay for his sins, but you get a sense of where he's coming from and that he feels a bit like he's in over his head and faking it.)
That movie caught my attention. Maybe an endorsement here will get me to put it on soon.
Finished Season 1 of The Man In The High Castle. Started, then stopped, Season 2. There's a lot happening, and the story is moving forward, but somehow it's not moving quickly enough... Like, it feels like I'd be better served reading the book, because I suspect that doesn't hold as much back. Anyway, I think I'm done with it.
Started Stranger Things after seeing the ad for the second season. Something about that ad made me move it up my list. 2.5 episodes in, and I'm intrigued.
Secret Life of Pets - Kids enjoyed it. I thought it held something back... like it was trying to also play to adults, but in so doing didn't hit the mark it would have if it just went all-in on appealing to kids. Not that the kids noticed.
Short Circuit. I grew up with this classic. Philosofette had never seen it. She enjoyed it. Kids loved it. What a great '80's flick.
Let's not be too fast and loose with the word "classic," now.
As for The Secret Life of Pets, my daughters are getting old enough to where they don't automatically love every movie aimed at kids anymore. They were both largely unimpressed by this one, and noticed without my prompting that the plot never really got going. When it was over, I was amazed we weren't still in the exposition stage. I may also have been irritated by the sale of this movie. I thought the idea of the secret life of pets was interesting enough, but it really isn't about that at all. The movie just needed a title, I guess.
Steve Guttenberg. Ally Sheedy. A robot that comes to life. If that's not classic 80's, I don't know what is.
(But yeah, "classic" not "Classic.")
Okay, I can accept this if the entire term "classic 80s" is applied. It's certainly a product of its time.
Funny enough, a few coworkers and I were trying to name the defining 80s movie just a couple of days ago. It didn't have to be a good movie, and indeed, it's probably better if it's not. It has to be something that just wouldn't feel correct in any other decade. Mannequin was my offering. Weekend at Bernie's got a lot of traction as well, though it just barely snuck into the decade. I didn't mention Weird Science or Better Off Dead but probably should have.
War Games?
For whatever reason, I never caught that movie, but it feels like it would apply.
The Wizard
Oooohhhh. Good one.
About 50% of the time, I pronounce it "Kaaaalllliffffoornya!"
I loved Mannequin growing up for some reason. Howard The Duck too.
Howard the Duck is really painful, but my cousins watched it all the time and I developed a soft spot for it despite not really liking it even then. My cousins would just sit there and giggle in anticipation of the big boner moment.
Solid entry.
Real Genius needs some love -- one of my favorites. So does The Last Starfighter*. But yeah, Wargames would be my nomination.
*"I've been to another planet, Ma."
I saw the Starfighter movie and Poltergeist on the same day in my youth.
I had a nightmare that combined them.
Short Circuit -- you can say that again two times!
The Breakfast Club or Ferris Buehler.
Both good movies, so if we allow for that, they certainly qualify.
I might break my 2+ year streak of not going to the theaters for either "John Wick 2" or "Lego Batman"
I haven't gone to the theaters for either of those movies for over 55 years now!!1!!!
John Wick is Keanu Reeves being utilized for the perfect purpose, with his emotive limitations not coming into play, as his portrayal of the broken, understated man was always when he was at his best. I really loved the first one.
I should have waited, but I couldn't and posted it in a cuppa. Arrival.
I finished Stranger Things tonight. Absolutely loved it. There would maybe be a few small criticisms, but compared to the scope of the show and the successful way it executed, those are very small issues.
as mentioned, i wanted to like it, and i did, but it felt like there was a steep decline from mid-season on, yeah?
i will be watching the second season in any case.
I went and read the WGOM comments on it from months past right after finishing. I disagree on the decline. I watched the last 4 episodes within the last 2.5 days, which is pretty quick for me, so maybe I haven't had enough time for them to percolate. But I thought it developed about as I would have expected/hoped, with a few surprises and still some moments of levity. Already having seen the preview for season two might have helped my expectations too. Also, less crazy Ryder the last couple episodes.
as i'm always at least a good year behind on anything, i go back as well. the part where it all broke down for me was
when the goonies cheerleader proxy chick climbed into the tree of doom. seriously, for what possible reason? everything got all tropey after that.
I will give you that one. But at least it ended quickly enough.
I'm on team decline. I thought the build up was much better.
I didn't think the show was great but it was fun.
I largely agree that the show ended up more fluff than substance, but the nostalgia factor really hooked me. I'll give the second season a shot as well.
For me, the fact that Steve was a more complex character than would initially be expected was huge. I can't call the show fluff when it did something like that so right. The boys... Yeah, they were nothing particularly deep. But Steve (and to a lesser extent Nancy and Jonathan) and Hopper... Those two for me were the real depth.
We saw him do good/repentance away from other characters (cleaning the graffiti), so we have every reason to believe in him. His growth helped make things interesting.
The turn of this discussion makes me wonder... For me, the show was more about Hopper and Jonathan/Nancy/Steve, and the boys were less engaging. If others feel the opposite, maybe that shapes overall reaction?
Yeah, the only obvious plot twist they didn't take was the hot girl gets with formerly creepy dweeb. 'Good' Steve is a sham in my book.
Question for either of you... what do you mean when you say you don't believe in "Good Steve"? Do you mean you think his development towards the good was insincere? Or that you just preferred believing him to be entirely a bad guy? Or something else?
It didn't feel true to the character.
Huh. For me it did.
Yeah, it worked for me. I felt that they built it up enough that by the time we're supposed to be believing in "good Steve", it fits.
I'll sign on to the "Good Steve was a sham" train (I mean, look at that sweater!), however I did like they didn't do the "the hot girl gets with formerly creepy dweeb" trope. That said, poor little Dave Pirner junior...
I appreciated the ethical issues but it still bothers me that they are making super hero shows specifically for adults. And if they make them for adults, they can't have holes where I need to pretend that a gun couldn't have been a much better solution than hand-to-hand combat.
Re your spoiler, this is pretty much my entire problem with Dare Devil.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Indiana Jones and Star Wars were two movies in my youth with major holes for adults. But they were aimed at kids (and I was a kid). These Marvel shows on Netflix are aimed at adults. I expect more.
that scene is famous and allegedly ad-libbed. Ford was supposed to have a big fight scene with the swordsman, but had been sick that day.
Probably why he shot Greedo first, too.
To tie this thread together, I was very amused when Mac and Charlie offer to protect an elementary school (poor Dave Foley) and Charlie cites that scene as why his gun would be more useful than Mac's samarai sword.
I thought I mentioned it before, but man, that show gets the best guest stars.
I'm really liking Schitt's Creek. I saw a late night appearance by Dan Levy and tried an episode, then binge watched seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix. The humor is absurd and dry, just how I like it. I probably shouldn't have been, but I was really surprised when I realized Catherine O'Hara was the mom from Home Alone.
My wife watched the first two episodes and her report to me was that the funniest joke was the title.
Philosofette and I caught an episode or two once upon a time when we stumbled upon it on TV. It felt like it had to be a much older show than it was. I'd give it more credit than just the name, but it was an odd duck, and I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone.
The channel that I get it on is standard definition, so it feels like an especially old show watching on traditional TV. On Netflix it feels more modern.
It definitely isn't for everyone. When I first got excited about it and wanted to get friends to watch it, I could only think of a few people to recommend it to. I described it as Absolutely Fabulous crossed with Best in Show. I haven't seen either of those shows in over a decade, so that might not be a completely accurate review.
J & I are completely hooked on Riverdale. Archie is very uninteresting but Betty & Veronica are the absolute best. The show leans in pretty hard to the camp, and it's all the better for it.
I've been watching Big Little Lies and it's trash, and I mean that in the most positive, loving way. Lots of very good actors, good cinematography, and beautiful scenery.
Planning on going to Get Out this weekend, and if I don't have to travel for work, I'm also going to go see Kong: Skull Island.
Riverdale is a CW show so it should be on Hulu, right?
Not anymore, unfortunately. CW has a new distribution deal with Netflix, so it should all be up on Netflix shortly after the season finishes airing. I think everything streams on cwtv.com for free during the season? It streams on Netflix the day after it airs everywhere in the world... except the U.S. Sigh!
I looked it up last night before checking back here and couldn't find it.
The only other show I've watched that I knew was on the CW was Reign, and that only had the 5 most recent episodes up on Hulu.
So maybe this will be better because I can start at the beginning.
Yeah, they had a rolling 5 episodes which was annoying. I'm thankful it's streaming in Canada on Netflix for J & I, since I'm not sure we'd be able to hold on and binge season 3 of iZombie.
Finished Parenthood recently. Didn't love it, but my wife did. I hated basically every infidelity/sleeping around story line and I thought the show was stronger when it wasn't dealing with sex. That said, they had some strong characters and at times were able to produce some really good moments.
Re-watched No Country For Old Men on Netflix streaming, still as great as before. I think it will stand up for quite some time.
Watched the first season of Grand Tour. Something's missing from Top Gear, I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I think it might be that it feels a bit too much like the inmates are running the asylum. I actually really like that they can't do celeb interviews, though, that was always my least favorite segment on Top Gear.
Saw Brooklyn last night. Solid movie. I felt like I could relate somewhat with the struggle of moving from a small town to a big city in search of opportunity, though it would be so much harder emotionally to do that when a letter is weeks away rather than milliseconds away.
Saw some Black Mirror. The first episode was...something...but I really like the themes that they are exploring.
Keep on keeping on with Black Mirror. Some of those episodes... wow. And the last one of Season 3? I'm still waiting for someone else to have seen it, so I can discuss.
I keep seeing lists and things that make the first episode of Black Mirror out to be the pinnacle of the show. For me, it's easily the worst episode through two seasons (admittedly, that's only six episodes, but every other episode is way better, imo)
I think I'd take it over "The Waldo Moment" (I think we've discussed how that one had more potential, but ended up missing?), and it's certainly more novel than some of the ideas out there, but otherwise I agree. But keep going. 3 of the last 4 are 3 of my 4 favorites.
I've watched in an odd order by accident. I saw the first two episodes of the third season first, thinking it was the first season. Then someone mentioned that the first episode was notable, and I was confused, so I finally figured out why I was confused.
I actually think that S3E1 makes S1E1 a little less shocking because they already introduced downsides of social media as a theme.
I will give them credit with the first episode that I didn't think they would follow through on the premise. I liked the point they were making, presumably, about how the existence of instant-approval ratings could get leaders to do things they would otherwise consider unethical or immoral. But I didn't totally buy in that the polls would have leaned in that direction to begin with. It didn't quite seem like shock for the sake of shock, but it's possible the message would have been delivered better if it wasn't quite so out there.
I think S3E1 would absolutely have an effect on how you saw S1E1. I'd also agree that some things are certainly set up (like the polls) that I don't know if they'd bear out that way in reality. At least, in this reality. I've actually spent a fair amount of time since finishing the series thinking about the reasons why things couldn't quite get as bleak as many of the various episodes posit. Sometimes I struggle to figure out real reasons though.
I watched Keanu recently. That was very, very funny. I also love the fact that Method Man played a villainous gangster named... Cheddar.
I saw keanu in the theater, and couldn't resist whispering, "the cheese stands alone" to dr. Chop when method man made his appearance.
Got one of these up and running as well.
Between unpacking, influenza, strep, voles and above all, finishing Final Fantasy XV, I saw little in the way of film for the last month. My daughters and I are watching the Harry Potter movies (they've never seen them) and finished the second a few nights ago; the Milkmaid ran across some deals on Studio Ghibli movies yesterday so she picked those up for the girls as well. I watched Night of the Living Deb, a terrible zombie comedy with a script that has holes you could drive a truck through. Characters will just stop doing things or even noticing what's going on to allow other characters to have a side conversation, or even escape, if that's what the screenwriter needs. There's a love story at the center of the movie, and the lead guy is mostly likable but can't act, and the lead girl is a fairly good actress (Maria Thayer, who you've probably all seen, though I'm not sure how recognizable her name is yet) playing a character that's irritating as hell.
I watched season 1 of The Expanse, and then realized I could watch them weekly on the Syfy Roku app, so I'm caught up on season 2 as well. I'm really liking it and its weird to see decent acting and special effects on SyFy.
Also watched the first episode of Legion which was definitely different and interesting, although the last bit of the episode featured some really iffy effects. I'm trying to find the time to watch the second episode, but its an "after the kids go to bed" show.
I've picked back up on It's Always Sunny, watching season 7 right now. (I'm still laughing from watching "Chardee McDennis".)
I've watched less on the movie front. I was able to watch Dead Snow 2 when the kids went out to Disney on Ice the other week. I loved the concept and thought it was pretty hilarious overall. The only thing I really didn't like was the very last scene, which was just.... uncomfortable.
I'll disagree a bit with your opinion of "decent acting" re: The Expanse, but I'm continuing to enjoy it as well.
I'm using it loosely, and relatively, in the sense that it isn't great but it's also not really distracting.
Well, it's definitely not SyFy acting! I think part of the problem is the stereotypical characters and not necessarily the acting.
You know, I thought I'd get used to the "SyFy" name eventually like I give up caring about almost everything else in time, but man, do I still hate looking at it.
It sucks to type, too.
I don't have a problem with "SyFy" because it now differentiates it from quality stuff that is "Sci-Fi"
Heh. Can't rightly argue with that.
Count me in as enjoying it too. I don't comment on acting because I know the Dunning-Kruger effect would be in full force.
"Chardee MacDennis" is a very strong contender to Best IASIP episode ever. If you're not a stickler for order, I'd also recommend going ahead and jumping forward to "Chardee MacDennis II"
My two other all-time favorites are The Nightman Cometh and the one where Charlie is a bird lawyer.
I think my favorite is "who got Dee pregnant? "
Actually, I've picked up IASiP again as well. I think I'm in about season 6, maybe 7. The reason I've been watching it again is because it still seems to have stayed strong.
I actually slowed down watching the show forever ago because a few different people told me of a big dropoff in quality around season 4-5 or so. Now I'm well past that, and really don't see what they were talking about. It doesn't feel different to me in any significant way.
Right. For some reason, I imagined there was a drop in quality too. After finishing season 6, I haven't seen it. From season 5, "The Gang Hits The Road", "intervention", and "Kitten Mittens" are some of my favorite episodes (any episode with Unger as The Lawyer is great).
I was worried that the "Chardee" episode was going to be overhyped for me aaannnddd... it kinda was. Maybe I'm watching too many episodes at once.
Oh, I also started "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend." Very funny and charming, and the lead is excellent.
I watched the first few episodes and agree with everything you said, but still decided it just wasn't for me.
It definitely isn't going to grab everyone here.
I've followed Rachel Bloom a bit for years and she's always been just a short distance from my funny bone even though I want to like her.
Henry sat through his first movie in a theater the other day. We went and saw Sing. He and every other kid in the theater hit their wall with about 20 minutes left. But it was a good time.
Runner daughter and I have been enjoying Legion on FX. I think one of the reasons it's clicking is that it's not strictly a mutant series, but that it's focusing on the main character's dealings with a "mental illness" and its repercussions, which add a whole 'nother level of conflict. The "what the heck did I just see?" of the audience is a mirror of what is going on in the lead's head as well.
recording Legion. Have not started watching yet.
Watched the first couple episodes of Westworld. It's a doozy, all right...
It continues along the "its a doozy, all right" path all season, too.
I actually went to the theater a couple times. Lego Batman and Hidden Figures. Lego Batman wasn't as good as The Lego Movie but was still alright. It had a couple good super hero jokes.
Hidden Figures was good but no surprises at all. Very Disney-like.
Lego Batman wasn't as good as The Lego Movie...
That would be a very lofty bar to get to. I have no doubt I will enjoy this one, though.
Also, lets hear it for WB and DC! Their best superhero movie during this stretch will be the one made of LEGOS.
So, you're saying not everything was awesome?
Everything was ok. (Doesn't have the same hook.)
It's funny... the first time I saw The Lego Movie I thought "yeah, that was okay." It happened to be on TV not long ago and I sat down to watch again and suddenly it clicked into place for me. Not sure why the difference, but I'd certainly count it as a movie I'd recommend now. But I thought Lego Batman looked pretty good from previews.
I like the idea of Will Arnett being Batman.
Do you think it's because you know the ending/moral of the story and are rewatching it through those eyes? Or did you just find the jokes funnier?
I felt like it was the jokes mostly. Like maybe I just wasn't in the right mood/operating at the right speed the first time through. I was not particularly impressed by Morgan Freeman's character the first time, but found him fantastic this time.
I love Freeman in that role.
I love the subtle changes to his outfit as the movie moves along.
"Emmit, you didn't let me finish earlier,
See, I knew what was coming, and I still audibly giggled reading it just now. The first time through the movie that did not happen for me. Glad I came around on this one.
I'm into the second season of Rectify. It is excellent. I highly recommend it.
I watched the first couple episodes of This Is Us. I don't know what I think yet. It has potential.
I ate up all of The Magicians season 1 in a week (via Netflix).
It's R-Rated (well, TV-MA) Harry Potter + Narnia + [archetype I can't place]. Rating is earned via violence and blood and skin and suspense.
I had no idea it was SyFy until I was hooked; meaning its quality was not noticeably lacking.
I see it's based on a book series. I'm almost tempted to read them.
I really liked the Stellan Skarsgård in In Order of Disappearance (Norwegian with Subtitles, via Netflix).
Best movie about snowplowing and revenge against drug dealers I've ever seen.
Pål Sverre Hagen as the object of the revenge, trying to bridge modern cosmopolitanism (but with Norwegian racism) with cruel crime boss and getting flustered and wavering along the way is pretty cool, too. I mean he's a true villian, but there's a humanity and depth of character there (and it's not made obvious, and he's not sympathetic... you want him to pay for his sins, but you get a sense of where he's coming from and that he feels a bit like he's in over his head and faking it.)
That movie caught my attention. Maybe an endorsement here will get me to put it on soon.
Finished Season 1 of The Man In The High Castle. Started, then stopped, Season 2. There's a lot happening, and the story is moving forward, but somehow it's not moving quickly enough... Like, it feels like I'd be better served reading the book, because I suspect that doesn't hold as much back. Anyway, I think I'm done with it.
Started Stranger Things after seeing the ad for the second season. Something about that ad made me move it up my list. 2.5 episodes in, and I'm intrigued.
Secret Life of Pets - Kids enjoyed it. I thought it held something back... like it was trying to also play to adults, but in so doing didn't hit the mark it would have if it just went all-in on appealing to kids. Not that the kids noticed.
Short Circuit. I grew up with this classic. Philosofette had never seen it. She enjoyed it. Kids loved it. What a great '80's flick.
Stranger Things let me down in the end, but it's still good fun (Winona Ryder not withstanding).
Let's not be too fast and loose with the word "classic," now.
As for The Secret Life of Pets, my daughters are getting old enough to where they don't automatically love every movie aimed at kids anymore. They were both largely unimpressed by this one, and noticed without my prompting that the plot never really got going. When it was over, I was amazed we weren't still in the exposition stage. I may also have been irritated by the sale of this movie. I thought the idea of the secret life of pets was interesting enough, but it really isn't about that at all. The movie just needed a title, I guess.
Steve Guttenberg. Ally Sheedy. A robot that comes to life. If that's not classic 80's, I don't know what is.
(But yeah, "classic" not "Classic.")
Okay, I can accept this if the entire term "classic 80s" is applied. It's certainly a product of its time.
Funny enough, a few coworkers and I were trying to name the defining 80s movie just a couple of days ago. It didn't have to be a good movie, and indeed, it's probably better if it's not. It has to be something that just wouldn't feel correct in any other decade. Mannequin was my offering. Weekend at Bernie's got a lot of traction as well, though it just barely snuck into the decade. I didn't mention Weird Science or Better Off Dead but probably should have.
War Games?
For whatever reason, I never caught that movie, but it feels like it would apply.
The Wizard
Oooohhhh. Good one.
About 50% of the time, I pronounce it "Kaaaalllliffffoornya!"
I loved Mannequin growing up for some reason. Howard The Duck too.
Howard the Duck is really painful, but my cousins watched it all the time and I developed a soft spot for it despite not really liking it even then. My cousins would just sit there and giggle in anticipation of the big boner moment.
Solid entry.
Real Genius needs some love -- one of my favorites. So does The Last Starfighter*. But yeah, Wargames would be my nomination.
*"I've been to another planet, Ma."
I saw the Starfighter movie and Poltergeist on the same day in my youth.
I had a nightmare that combined them.
Short Circuit -- you can say that again two times!
The Breakfast Club or Ferris Buehler.
Both good movies, so if we allow for that, they certainly qualify.
I might break my 2+ year streak of not going to the theaters for either "John Wick 2" or "Lego Batman"
I haven't gone to the theaters for either of those movies for over 55 years now!!1!!!
John Wick is Keanu Reeves being utilized for the perfect purpose, with his emotive limitations not coming into play, as his portrayal of the broken, understated man was always when he was at his best. I really loved the first one.
I should have waited, but I couldn't and posted it in a cuppa. Arrival.
I finished Stranger Things tonight. Absolutely loved it. There would maybe be a few small criticisms, but compared to the scope of the show and the successful way it executed, those are very small issues.
as mentioned, i wanted to like it, and i did, but it felt like there was a steep decline from mid-season on, yeah?
i will be watching the second season in any case.
I went and read the WGOM comments on it from months past right after finishing. I disagree on the decline. I watched the last 4 episodes within the last 2.5 days, which is pretty quick for me, so maybe I haven't had enough time for them to percolate. But I thought it developed about as I would have expected/hoped, with a few surprises and still some moments of levity. Already having seen the preview for season two might have helped my expectations too. Also, less crazy Ryder the last couple episodes.
as i'm always at least a good year behind on anything, i go back as well. the part where it all broke down for me was
I will give you that one. But at least it ended quickly enough.
I'm on team decline. I thought the build up was much better.
I didn't think the show was great but it was fun.
I largely agree that the show ended up more fluff than substance, but the nostalgia factor really hooked me. I'll give the second season a shot as well.
The turn of this discussion makes me wonder... For me, the show was more about Hopper and Jonathan/Nancy/Steve, and the boys were less engaging. If others feel the opposite, maybe that shapes overall reaction?
Yeah, the only obvious plot twist they didn't take was the hot girl gets with formerly creepy dweeb. 'Good' Steve is a sham in my book.
Question for either of you... what do you mean when you say you don't believe in "Good Steve"? Do you mean you think his development towards the good was insincere? Or that you just preferred believing him to be entirely a bad guy? Or something else?
It didn't feel true to the character.
Huh. For me it did.
Yeah, it worked for me. I felt that they built it up enough that by the time we're supposed to be believing in "good Steve", it fits.
I finished Jessica Jones last night.
Re your spoiler, this is pretty much my entire problem with Dare Devil.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Indiana Jones and Star Wars were two movies in my youth with major holes for adults. But they were aimed at kids (and I was a kid). These Marvel shows on Netflix are aimed at adults. I expect more.
that scene is famous and allegedly ad-libbed. Ford was supposed to have a big fight scene with the swordsman, but had been sick that day.
Probably why he shot Greedo first, too.
To tie this thread together, I was very amused when Mac and Charlie offer to protect an elementary school (poor Dave Foley) and Charlie cites that scene as why his gun would be more useful than Mac's samarai sword.
I thought I mentioned it before, but man, that show gets the best guest stars.
I'm really liking Schitt's Creek. I saw a late night appearance by Dan Levy and tried an episode, then binge watched seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix. The humor is absurd and dry, just how I like it. I probably shouldn't have been, but I was really surprised when I realized Catherine O'Hara was the mom from Home Alone.
My wife watched the first two episodes and her report to me was that the funniest joke was the title.
Philosofette and I caught an episode or two once upon a time when we stumbled upon it on TV. It felt like it had to be a much older show than it was. I'd give it more credit than just the name, but it was an odd duck, and I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone.
The channel that I get it on is standard definition, so it feels like an especially old show watching on traditional TV. On Netflix it feels more modern.
It definitely isn't for everyone. When I first got excited about it and wanted to get friends to watch it, I could only think of a few people to recommend it to. I described it as Absolutely Fabulous crossed with Best in Show. I haven't seen either of those shows in over a decade, so that might not be a completely accurate review.
J & I are completely hooked on Riverdale. Archie is very uninteresting but Betty & Veronica are the absolute best. The show leans in pretty hard to the camp, and it's all the better for it.
I've been watching Big Little Lies and it's trash, and I mean that in the most positive, loving way. Lots of very good actors, good cinematography, and beautiful scenery.
Planning on going to Get Out this weekend, and if I don't have to travel for work, I'm also going to go see Kong: Skull Island.
Riverdale is a CW show so it should be on Hulu, right?
Not anymore, unfortunately. CW has a new distribution deal with Netflix, so it should all be up on Netflix shortly after the season finishes airing. I think everything streams on cwtv.com for free during the season? It streams on Netflix the day after it airs everywhere in the world... except the U.S. Sigh!
I looked it up last night before checking back here and couldn't find it.
The only other show I've watched that I knew was on the CW was Reign, and that only had the 5 most recent episodes up on Hulu.
So maybe this will be better because I can start at the beginning.
Yeah, they had a rolling 5 episodes which was annoying. I'm thankful it's streaming in Canada on Netflix for J & I, since I'm not sure we'd be able to hold on and binge season 3 of iZombie.
Finished Parenthood recently. Didn't love it, but my wife did. I hated basically every infidelity/sleeping around story line and I thought the show was stronger when it wasn't dealing with sex. That said, they had some strong characters and at times were able to produce some really good moments.
Re-watched No Country For Old Men on Netflix streaming, still as great as before. I think it will stand up for quite some time.
Watched the first season of Grand Tour. Something's missing from Top Gear, I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I think it might be that it feels a bit too much like the inmates are running the asylum. I actually really like that they can't do celeb interviews, though, that was always my least favorite segment on Top Gear.
Saw Brooklyn last night. Solid movie. I felt like I could relate somewhat with the struggle of moving from a small town to a big city in search of opportunity, though it would be so much harder emotionally to do that when a letter is weeks away rather than milliseconds away.
Saw some Black Mirror. The first episode was...something...but I really like the themes that they are exploring.
Keep on keeping on with Black Mirror. Some of those episodes... wow. And the last one of Season 3? I'm still waiting for someone else to have seen it, so I can discuss.
I keep seeing lists and things that make the first episode of Black Mirror out to be the pinnacle of the show. For me, it's easily the worst episode through two seasons (admittedly, that's only six episodes, but every other episode is way better, imo)
I think I'd take it over "The Waldo Moment" (I think we've discussed how that one had more potential, but ended up missing?), and it's certainly more novel than some of the ideas out there, but otherwise I agree. But keep going. 3 of the last 4 are 3 of my 4 favorites.
I've watched in an odd order by accident. I saw the first two episodes of the third season first, thinking it was the first season. Then someone mentioned that the first episode was notable, and I was confused, so I finally figured out why I was confused.
I actually think that S3E1 makes S1E1 a little less shocking because they already introduced downsides of social media as a theme.
I think S3E1 would absolutely have an effect on how you saw S1E1. I'd also agree that some things are certainly set up (like the polls) that I don't know if they'd bear out that way in reality. At least, in this reality. I've actually spent a fair amount of time since finishing the series thinking about the reasons why things couldn't quite get as bleak as many of the various episodes posit. Sometimes I struggle to figure out real reasons though.
I watched Keanu recently. That was very, very funny. I also love the fact that Method Man played a villainous gangster named... Cheddar.
I saw keanu in the theater, and couldn't resist whispering, "the cheese stands alone" to dr. Chop when method man made his appearance.