Entertainment Discussion Forum

[Noon_Shadow]

Watching a bit of BSG Reimagined right now. Felt a hankering for it, so I dialed up the miniseries. It's a bit rough watching it, though. It was a long time favorite of my deceased best friend, and it was something she finally got me to go back and watch shortly before she died. In fact, we got together and watched the final episode together-my first viewing of it-two months before she died. I wish we'd spent more time talking about some of the subplots...

Okay, should I start watching "Orange is the New Black" ? What's it about, anyway? Also, what about "House of Cards?" Something else I haven't watched yet.

I need to finish up with Star Trek: DS9 first. I've gone through it over the past few weeks and I'm now down to the last 5 episodes or so, rewatching it.

 

[thestruggle]

Okay, should I start watching "Orange is the New Black" ? What's it about, anyway?

You should. It's about a woman who goes to federal prison for a year for a drug crime that she committed ten years earlier and all of the hijinks that occur while she's in there. Heh, prison hijinks. It's good. One of the things I liked most about it was that Laverne Cox is in it.

Also, Laura Prepon and the glasses and the eyebrows and the lips and the everything.

 

[Noon_Shadow]

I enjoyed House Of Cards, too. Its a little uneven, but who doesn't love Kevin Spacey?
Next I'm watching Orphan Black, I think.

Always a big fan of Kevin Spacey. He's the only reason I went to go see that Superman Returns movie a few years ago.

My only memory of that movie, though, was the scene in which Superman realized he was on a big block of Kryptonite and the thugs were beating him up. There was a little kid in the row behind me who had been nice and quiet through the film up to that point, but then he had the most heartbreakingly cute, "Get up, Superman!!" It was so adorable.

 

[Noon_Shadow]

Okay, so another confession. I never had watched Firefly...until recently. Basically watched through the whole series, and then Serenity, within a stretch of about four days. It was worth it. And I can also see why so many people hate it-if they'd had time to fully flesh out some of those subplots, things would have turned out much better.

For now, I'm getting caught up on Burn Notice. Finished the watch-through of STar Trek: DS9 that I had mentioned earlier, but it seemed wrong not to start watching through Voyager after that. Though Voyager isn't nearly as good...but still, that's the main thing for now. Also starting a little bit of a rewatch through BSG-the reimagined series. Mainly I dialed up the miniseries because I wanted to see the really cool space battle the end, with Starbuck being badass.

Still need to get started on "Orange is the new Black." That's on my cue, at least. And have a few new books to read. I'm keeping myself helpfully busy.

 

[thestruggle]

Okay, so another confession. I never had watched Firefly...until recently. Basically watched through the whole series, and then Serenity, within a stretch of about four days. It was worth it. And I can also see why so many people hate it-if they'd had time to fully flesh out some of those subplots, things would have turned out much better.

For now, I'm getting caught up on Burn Notice. Finished the watch-through of STar Trek: DS9 that I had mentioned earlier, but it seemed wrong not to start watching through Voyager after that. Though Voyager isn't nearly as good...but still, that's the main thing for now. Also starting a little bit of a rewatch through BSG-the reimagined series. Mainly I dialed up the miniseries because I wanted to see the really cool space battle the end, with Starbuck being badass.

Still need to get started on "Orange is the new Black." That's on my cue, at least. And have a few new books to read. I'm keeping myself helpfully busy.

There are people that hate Firefly? Or do you mean, there are people that hate Fox?

 

[Noon_Shadow]

There are people that hate Firefly? Or do you mean, there are people that hate Fox?

Was talking about why people hate Fox for canceling it, naturally. Of course, I was jabbering, and I perhaps also meant the fact of it's cancellation more than the network. But the network really did screw them over really bad, from what I've read. They forced a 4:3 aspect ratio even though the whole series was actually shot in widescreen, they shoved it into the Friday night timeslot, they aired the episodes out of order, etc.

But yes, finally seen it, and I'm glad. Eventually I will need to figure out what my next obsession is going to be-other than A Song of Ice and Fire, at least. I picked up Ender's Game, mostly because I saw they're making a film.

 

[thestruggle]

Was talking about why people hate Fox for canceling it, naturally. Of course, I was jabbering, and I perhaps also meant the fact of it's cancellation more than the network. But the network really did screw them over really bad, from what I've read. They forced a 4:3 aspect ratio even though the whole series was actually shot in widescreen, they shoved it into the Friday night timeslot, they aired the episodes out of order, etc.

But yes, finally seen it, and I'm glad. Eventually I will need to figure out what my next obsession is going to be-other than A Song of Ice and Fire, at least. I picked up Ender's Game, mostly because I saw they're making a film.

Yeah, Fox can go die in a fire.

 

[Raven_Timothy]

Only if its a slow one.

 

[Noon_Shadow]

The best entertainment is thought-provoking. That's why I love the Re-imagined BSG. They use a lot of moral (and other types of) ambiguity and heavy symbolism. Characters often speak in metaphor. It lends itself to being analyzed and thought about. Just rewatched an episode I've seen several times, and I'm still enjoying chewing over the decisions characters made and what went wrong and right. It's easy to write a situation where there's a debate and one character is completely wrong and another is completely right. It's harder to provide a satisfying conclusion to a story that still makes you think about the situation the characters were in, and what else might have been done. Even though someone turned out to be completely right based on knowledge we have as viewers, I still wonder how I'd have acted from the standpoint of the characters.

 

[Veroe]

The best entertainment is thought-provoking. That's why I love the Re-imagined BSG. They use a lot of moral (and other types of) ambiguity and heavy symbolism. Characters often speak in metaphor. It lends itself to being analyzed and thought about. Just rewatched an episode I've seen several times, and I'm still enjoying chewing over the decisions characters made and what went wrong and right. It's easy to write a situation where there's a debate and one character is completely wrong and another is completely right. It's harder to provide a satisfying conclusion to a story that still makes you think about the situation the characters were in, and what else might have been done. Even though someone turned out to be completely right based on knowledge we have as viewers, I still wonder how I'd have acted from the standpoint of the characters.

Never could get into the new BSG, but I think that was because I was wanting an updated version of the classic BSG.

The original was a space opera show.
The new one was more of a mystery thriller.

I wanted them to get into their Vipers and shoot down robots trying to kill the humans instead I get entire episodes of "You're a Frakking Cylon. OR maybe I'm really the frakking Cylon and I'm just not telling myself?"

I wanted it to be a different show than they gave me, really.

 

[Noon_Shadow]

Was just saying this earlier, how I like good show/movie to engage my brain, to make me think. There's two things I really dislike in my entertainment, and that's brainlessness, and preaching.

Well, just got home after seeing Matt Damon's movie Elysium. It's both. Horrible movie, absolutely the antithesis of a good sci-fi story because it doesn't engage the mind at all. It simply lectures at you. Yes, I get the heavily moralized immigration and health care subplots. But you created a future in which there's nothing problematic at all, so the only reason Earth is a shithouse is because people are assholes. It trivializes the actual problems of healthcare and immigration by setting up a straw-man metaphor-there's a very easy fix in the film that the assholes refuse to ever consider because they're selfish and heartless. There are no quick, easy fixes in the real world, and intelligent people have room to disagree in numerous ways. The action scenes weren't good enough to make me sit that silly plot.

 

[VampyVixen]

Was just saying this earlier, how I like good show/movie to engage my brain, to make me think. There's two things I really dislike in my entertainment, and that's brainlessness, and preaching.

Well, just got home after seeing Matt Damon's movie Elysium. It's both. Horrible movie, absolutely the antithesis of a good sci-fi story because it doesn't engage the mind at all. It simply lectures at you. Yes, I get the heavily moralized immigration and health care subplots. But you created a future in which there's nothing problematic at all, so the only reason Earth is a shithouse is because people are assholes. It trivializes the actual problems of healthcare and immigration by setting up a straw-man metaphor-there's a very easy fix in the film that the assholes refuse to ever consider because they're selfish and heartless. There are no quick, easy fixes in the real world, and intelligent people have room to disagree in numerous ways. The action scenes weren't good enough to make me sit that silly plot.

I hear you! I felt the same about Planes. Although my little one loved it.

 

[Britwitch]

Arrow: Guilty pleasure. Why can't I stop myself???
Walkiing Dead: New season, starting strong!
Agent's Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Easily my biggest disappointment. It would be so easy to fix this, but I know they won't (strike that, I know they won't fix it the way I think they should...which would be fast and easy and peasy...)

looks around and whispers

Might be indulging in 'Arrow' too

grins

 

[thestruggle]

I was watching Scandal until I got completely fed up with the role that the writers had Kerry Washington playing. It freaks me out that there are women in the US that probably think it's a symbol of feminism.

Walking Dead, for sure. I wish it was on right now so I could stop studying, argh.

Really, lately, I've been watching movies more than TV shows other than WD. I watched The Conjuring on Friday night and it was pretty good. It probably spooked me more than Insidious, which is saying something, but Insidious really lost its rhythm in some places. I hope the second one will be better.

 

[Vailyn]

Arrow if fun eye candy with decent fight sequences. My best friend drools over him each time. Hahaha!

I'm looking forward to swallowing up more Newsroom, see what spazzy jinx is up with Smash S2, can't wait for more Grimms, Person of Interest, UK Sherlock, Dr. Who, American Horror Story (I hope?), Haven, Mentalist and a bunch of other shows.

I watch everything via streaming and really hate waiting for new episodes! I tend to just wait until the season is over and catch up.

Has anyone tried the new Sleepy Hollow, Witches of East End & S.H.I.E.L.D?

Tess, have you seen the Collection on Netflix? I actually liked it! I haven't liked a "horror" flick since Cabin in the Woods and that one isn't really a horror story. The newest Fright Night is fun. We about died when we realized David Tennant was in it.

OH I highly recommend Now You See Me. Such a good magic tricks movie! I really enjoyed it.

Who else is looking for to Ender's Game? Coming out next week! Woo!

 

[Vailyn]

Ah. I hope I will be entertained by S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sometimes, I wish Firefly had enough of a following way back then to be going still. Or at least those movies that were being talked about were actually made!

I'm trying to think of a series I saw recently that I thought was well plotted. Escaping me for the moment.

Scandal was a lot of fun. The scenarios kept me amused and I enjoyed the chemistry between the Prez & gal. I did not take it seriously.

666 Park Avenue had promise. I think it's not continued?

Last Booth at the End was a ton of fun too! Man, I could go on and on about shows that should have passed 1st season.

I hear you on Card. I admit that I do not think about the author. This may be a bit strange, I know. I just really love the book Ender's Game. Not the whole series. Though, I have enjoyed the YA spinoffs he wrote later.

The only author I've banned myself from purchasing again is Dan Brown. Gimmick writers. I wish they were less obvious and made less money. Haha!

 

[thestruggle]

I really tried with AHS. No matter how much I love Jessica Lange, the first season was such a damn plot mess that I haven't even watched the second. That's apparently a good thing; most of the people I've talked to said the second season sucked. But the third is supposed to be better, although I'm not a fan of Emma Roberts after the domestic violence incident against Evan Peters. The Witches of East End isn't really my type of thing. I will probably watch Newsroom eventually. I like Sorkin, even though I shouldn't because I think he's kind of an asshole.

I'll probably watch The Collection. My quota for horror movies is much lower than it used to be. I'm oddly squeamish now or maybe it's just that I like to watch things that make me think more. Documentaries on Netflix and shit like that.

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Witches of East End is a little soap operaish, but it is the Lifetime network, yes? I don't know, I usually like most witch-themed shows, so I'll probably keep watching it. I know that it's bad to watch something for a couple, because writers tend to enjoy ripping viewer's hearts out, but there is one couple on the show that's very steamy. And I'm a sucker.

Speaking of witches, I'm really enjoying this season of AHS. I stopped watching during the middle of the second season, so I'm happy to start watching a plot again that I can jump on board with.

Being the nerd that I am, I'm also disappointed and let down with SHIELD. I think it promised more than it's offering, and after only a few episodes I really don't feel like I'm missing much.

Is anyone watching the Tomorrow People?

 

[Vailyn]

Tomorrow People looks like fun! Is it on now?

What is AHS?

I like drama. That's why I watched Hart of Dixie. Goofy drama. =D

Sucks that SHIELD is a let down. *grumbles* It's okay. You can watch Grimms instead! Storyline is decent in that one.

Hell on Wheels is great. If anyone likes Western style show, you should watch that.

I should try to figure out the last show I really liked. Hmmm... currently rewatching X-Files and laughing a lot. On the other hand, they did some really great episodes that were better done than some of the lame "horror" movies that have been released in the past 7 years.

 

[thestruggle]

I've also been watching Once Upon a Time. Shut up, I like fairy tales. Some of the female characters get kickass representation in that show, so I'm happy. Has anybody watched that one show with James Spader? The Blacklist, I think?

 

[SortOfBeautiful]

Heart of Dixie is adorable! It's one of those shows that I can watch, and know that I'm not going to want to throw something at my TV, cry over, or threaten to stop watching. It's so light-hearted and cute, and I love it.

Plus, Wade is hot.

I guess that means I should stop watching the Tomorrow People? I don't really care to pay attention to the reviews, but I do pay attention a lot to ratings and such, to know if I should just give up before the show is cancelled.

I still watch Once Upon a Time, but not as passionately as I used to. Hook was a nice addition, but I'm still not sure how I feel about them revealing Henry's dad already. Too complicated.

 

[saysalice]

I'm giving AHS one more shot, with this season. I appreciate the storytelling, and I even appreciate that much of the shock-value, knife-twistingly uncomfortable scenes are what horrify and disturb the average "American"...it's just difficult to watch, to the point of being the opposite of entertaining, and the payoff always seems to fall short. Still...we watch - almost compulsively - and there's not much we watch together, me and my geektastic husband.

It's a guilty pleasure. This season is promising. We'll see how long I can stomach it.


I'm loving The Blacklist, but that may very well be my enduring Spader crush. I missed the last episode, and the one before that was kinda gruesome, but bearable. But if I've guessed the mystery link between him and her, already, I will be disappointed enough to drop it. Can't be that obvious, can it?

Oh, I may not be disappointed enough to drop it. He's so funny. And still sexy! Gentlemen, take note.

 

[Vailyn]

AHS = American Horror Story
Tomorrow People is getting horrible reviews. I've seen the original show, actually, which was really just for kids (like 40 years ago).

I watched most of the first season of Grimm and just couldn't get into it.

Initially, I felt the same about Grimms because I was watching it as it aired but I watched S1+2 earlier this year and really loved it for the story weaving. Lots of good details are put into the show and used again or foreshadow stuff. It's one of those shows that get better over time.

Ah! I enjoyed S1 of AHS more than S2. I must hunt down S3. Haha

I've also been watching Once Upon a Time. Shut up, I like fairy tales. Some of the female characters get kickass representation in that show, so I'm happy. Has anybody watched that one show with James Spader? The Blacklist, I think?

I remember the preview for Blacklist. I'll hunt it down and let you know how I feel about it.

I wanted more Mulan in Once Upon a Time. Though, I had to wonder about her hairstyle and why she was such an oddly placed character. Dunno how I feel about the Peter Pan twist. Season 2 was fun but I really despised the first handful of episodes. I felt like the first 4 or 5 were just dragging their heels for no reason.

I thought the tie in for Henry's Dad was pretty silly and TV-land stereotypical. I like Tamara but wish she was written into the story better than she has been.

Lie to Me can be added to the list of shows that should have kept going.

No one watches Haven? Newsroom? Person of Interest?

 

[Vailyn]

I have been sampling shows in the past handful of days and here are my thoughts:

Blacklist: 1st episode was epic! Then the rest of it falls into a flat, predictable pattern of sorts. It has a lot of promise. I hope it picks back up to the potential shown in the first episode.

American Horror Story S3: This may be my favorite season of thus far. The truth of that will come to pass as the season continues.

Tomorrow People seems like a direct translation of a YA series. It reminds me of Kyle XY and looks to be fluffy fun.

Mentalist: The first few episodes were meh but it's picking up and I can't wait to see what happens.

Ravenswood: Watched the available episodes and totally intrigued to keep going. I like some of the older actors placed in the show and there is good chance that the story will stay interesting/intriguing in a supernatural fashion.

Going to Watch & Try Out

White Collar - Woot! Just found out that there are more seasons to watch.

The Originals - Apparently there is a Vampire Diaries spin off. I'm not up to date with VD but this could be interesting?

Escape Artist - Has David Tennant!

Sleepy Hollow - Time travel?

 

[Joanne86]

TV shows

I would not bother with sleepy hollow if I were you have watched only one episode and fell asleep, however, the originals is completely another story and must admit I am a fan after only two episodes and i could not really get into vampire diaries although the books by L J smith are a really good read.