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Watched all of Stranger Things yesterday, and I thought it was a lot of fun. Definitely flawed in some ways (Ryder's character was a little one dimensional, but she did a good job with what she had, some subplots dragged -- though usually with a satisfying resolve). It didn't strike me as 80's nostalgia for the sake of 80's nostalgia -- yes, a lot of the set dressing is sprinkled with references to TV shows and movies from that time, with some direct spoken references to various works, but not to the detriment of the story. If something is set in the 1980s and is about kids in a small town, I expect it to have quite a few references to the culture at that time. Overall one of the better original Netflix series that I've watched.
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Jul 18, 2016 14:43
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Hubbardologist posted:If something is set in the 1980s and is about kids in a small town, I expect it to have quite a few references to the culture at that time. Those are the posters I had on my wall, the music I listened to, the clothes I wore, the bikes I rode, and so on. The only complaint I find legitimate about the 80's references is the opening credits and the heavy John Carpenter influenced theme song. That said I love both of them, so I don't care. Edit: I just saw that the composers of theme are former members of SURVIVE. You can find their work also on the The Guest soundtrack (Hourglass is awesome). nate fisher fucked around with this message at 14:54 on Jul 18, 2016 |
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Jul 18, 2016 14:50
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fishtobaskets posted:While I agree with you that nostalgia movies have been a thing for a while and the examples you mention are great movies, this current trend feels a little different. In Dazed & Confused and American Graffiti, the setting was from the previous generation, but the style of the movies was essentially contemporary. In this latest run of movies that are paying homage to the 80's, they mostly take place in a contemporary setting, but they feature things like Miami Vice title cards, piercing synth soundtracks, and anachronistic wardrobes/sets. Exactly. I have nothing against it taking place in the 80's except it doesn't seem to have any reason to other than "look guys! The 80's!" It's all there as fluff to cover up the incredibly average plot. Doing period pieces is cool and good, but Stranger things is just using it to milk nostalgia. I do agree it's entertaining enough, but I really don't think it's a very good show.
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Jul 18, 2016 17:46
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I wouldn't say it has no reason to take place in the 80's. The type of story its telling was very prevalent in the late 70's and 80's, so setting it then gives the whole thing a more cohesive feel. I think you could definitely argue that it goes a little too far at times, I'm not sure there needed to be specific mentions of Stephen King and Poltergeist, the movie posters and the overall homage of the story itself would have been enough.
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Jul 18, 2016 17:50
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it was good and cool
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Jul 18, 2016 17:51
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Setting it in the 80s was not a nostalgia bandwagon ride. The mid 80s is about as late as you can go and still be pre-cellphone and internet, both of which would have affected significant story elements. If you notice any thriller/horror movies set in modern day, they have to spend a few minutes pointing out that cell service is down and/or internet is out for the story to work. In this case, that would have strained suspension of disbelief past the breaking point.
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Jul 18, 2016 17:58
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Yeah like in Hush, they had to make a huge deal out of not having service. although it seems like a plot hole that the main character didn't know you can't text to 911. unless I missed something related to that
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Jul 18, 2016 18:36
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Text 911 is not available in many places. In fact they just implemented it in my city last week. E: Oh wait you said can't now I'm confused. Either way that scenario really depends.
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Jul 18, 2016 18:41
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Golli posted:If you notice any thriller/horror movies set in modern day, they have to spend a few minutes pointing out that cell service is down and/or internet is out for the story to work. In this case, that would have strained suspension of disbelief past the breaking point. Most recent example I've seen is The Visit. Multiple scenes where its explained they can't get service and even then it wouldn't make sense except for the fact that the kids are really afraid of offending their grandparents. Otherwise they'd get the hell out of there and call someone ASAP.
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Jul 18, 2016 18:42
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At the same time cell phone service is a pretty silly justification for warranting a period piece. I don't think lack of cell phones is nearly enough to convince me Stranger Things needed to take place in the 80's.
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Jul 18, 2016 18:46
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NESguerilla posted:Text 911 is not available in many places. In fact they just implemented it in my city last week. I meant the first thing I guess. too many negatives
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Jul 18, 2016 19:16
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I like Stranger Things so far with one ep left, but it is hilarious how the sheriff is an unstoppable knock out machine.
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Jul 18, 2016 23:17
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Watched Trumbo on Prime. Good movie with Bryan Cranston really doing the heavy lifting. His performance was fantastic. And Louis CK may be the worst comedian turned actor in modern history. Every scene with him felt like he was horribly out of place. Franchescanado posted:I want to disagree. Certain movies work better with a nostalgic 80's aesthetic. I just watched The Final Girls last night again, and that movie just wouldn't work without the 80's aesthetic. The Final Girls works because it's part of the storyline. She's transported back to the 80s horror movie her recently dead mom had a role in. So it makes sense they get to play around in that aesthetic. There's no real reason why Stranger Things should've been set in the 80s. It would have worked just as well as a modern day story just ignore cell phones/social media/nationwide news, say the brother is using a film camera because he's poor/pretentious, have the science teacher find an old junky ham radio in the basement for the nerd boys to mess with, etc That said, I thought it was a fun miniseries. Call Me Charlie fucked around with this message at 23:46 on Jul 18, 2016 |
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Jul 18, 2016 23:35
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DeathSandwich posted:I seen Penny Dreadful pop up on netflix here recently. That's still a goon favorite right? It's more of a "middle aged Goth women" favorite, but my wife (22 year old ex-Goth) and a bunch of Goth dudes I know are super into it. I think it's pretty awesome, and it makes a great double bill to alternate episodes of it and Peaky Blinders to get your period piece freak on.
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Jul 19, 2016 01:13
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Wiggles Von Huggins posted:I like Stranger Things so far with one ep left, but it is hilarious how the sheriff is an unstoppable knock out machine. Haha that felt like a throwback too. Back before viewers scrutinized fistfights and there were just henchmen vs heroes basically the opposite of Daredevil fights
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Jul 19, 2016 01:17
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Call Me Charlie posted:And Louis CK may be the worst comedian turned actor in modern history. Every scene with him felt like he was horribly out of place. It's fun watching him doing a guest role in season 2 of Parks and Recreation and seeing the exact same caliber of acting he would bring to multiple Academy Award nominated/winning movies in the years to come.
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Jul 19, 2016 01:44
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DeathSandwich posted:I seen Penny Dreadful pop up on netflix here recently. That's still a goon favorite right? It has some good parts, like Eva Green being weird. I perceived a pretty big drop in quality in the second season, though.
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Jul 19, 2016 04:08
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No Pants posted:It has some good parts, like Eva Green being weird. I perceived a pretty big drop in quality in the second season, though. I think the second season villain was way cooler. And it had a better balance of elements...at least that's my memory of it. And it leans even more into Eva Green. Edit: But the point is, I agree, people should watch it. I love the universe it creates. Cocoa Ninja fucked around with this message at 05:38 on Jul 19, 2016 |
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Jul 19, 2016 05:32
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Season 2 of Penny Dreadful is significantly better than the first imo
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Jul 19, 2016 06:00
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So, I finished Mr. Robot and it was...fine. I enjoyed it, but don't really get the huge amount of praise it gets. The first episode is loving great and completely sold me, but then it just goes along being a well-putt-together and well acted and well directed but not overly exciting or engaging show. All the weird sex stuff with Tyrell (He likes watching girl's pee! he's into BDSM! how edgy!) was just awkwardly done, as was most of his character. Show had a lot of style I liked, though. Thing that really sunk it for me was that, in the end, it was just a hacker version of Fight Club, from the twist that Slater's character isn't really there, right down to FSociety's (Project Mayhem) plot to erase debt, to even using 'Where is My Mind' during a climactic end scene. Maybe this was on purpose, but it felt hacky to me.. Like I said, not a bad show, just not as good as all the praise would lead to me believe. I did love how it used music and songs at times.
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Jul 19, 2016 15:36
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Favorites: Babadook (horror, 2014) Netflix Green Room (thriller, 2015) NOPE Tommy Boy (comedy, 1995) Netflix (USER WAS PUT ON PROBATION FOR THIS POST) Somebody fucked around with this message at 17:23 on Jul 19, 2016 |
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Jul 19, 2016 17:19
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The last episode of Stranger things could use an epilepsy warning. 30 straights minutes of flickering strobe lights seriously? I was probably a little hard on it though. Show was decent enough. veni veni veni fucked around with this message at 05:51 on Jul 20, 2016 |
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Jul 20, 2016 05:43
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enigmahfc posted:All the weird sex stuff with Tyrell (He likes watching girl's pee! he's into BDSM! how edgy!) was just awkwardly done, as was most of his character. I think the point was more he was an empty Patrick Bateman style suit that was willing to play whatever role was required of him. like having gay sex with someone just so he could bug his phone. or watching the wife piss as a power play. or doing bdsm because his wife wanted it
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Jul 20, 2016 06:25
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enigmahfc posted:So, I finished Mr. Robot and it was...fine. I enjoyed it, but don't really get the huge amount of praise it gets. The first episode is loving great and completely sold me, but then it just goes along being a well-putt-together and well acted and well directed but not overly exciting or engaging show. All the weird sex stuff with Tyrell (He likes watching girl's pee! he's into BDSM! how edgy!) was just awkwardly done, as was most of his character. Show had a lot of style I liked, though. The twist was so obvious (I would imagined most people knew it was coming) that I remember telling my wife during the first or second episode that the show is pulling a Fight Club. Still Mr. Robot had a lot of style that helped it overcome it's weaker story points, and I really liked it. It was at least one of my top 10 shows of 2015. I do agree that it might be slightly overpraised, but I would of never watched it if wasn't for that praise. I just wished Halt & Catch Fire caught on like this show has (since they are both are centered around technology and people). I think it is a better show, but it has been pretty much ignored by everyone but critics. For a computer related show Call Me Charlie posted:I think the point was more he was an empty Patrick Bateman style suit that was willing to play whatever role was required of him. like having gay sex with someone just so he could bug his phone. or watching the wife piss as a power play. or doing bdsm because his wife wanted it Yes that is exactly how I took him, and I also called him Patrick Bateman after seeing him the first time. nate fisher fucked around with this message at 13:16 on Jul 20, 2016 |
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Jul 20, 2016 13:14
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Call Me Charlie posted:I think the point was more he was an empty Patrick Bateman style suit that was willing to play whatever role was required of him. like having gay sex with someone just so he could bug his phone. or watching the wife piss as a power play. or doing bdsm because his wife wanted it Yeah, he was obviously a Patrick Bateman wannabe, that was the first thing that popped out to me right after his first appearances in the show, it just felt clunky how that was portrayed sometimes. He was a guy with power issues, who wanted authority more than anything, but was constantly undermined or punked out and sucked of all power. His character was ... interesting, just not entertaining to watch. Than again, if some of the stuff hinted at in the season finally come to term, that might be interesting.
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Jul 20, 2016 14:52
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NESguerilla posted:The last episode of Stranger things could use an epilepsy warning. 30 straights minutes of flickering strobe lights seriously? So true. I have never been sensitive to this stuff but there was one point in the episode where a bright white light was flickering behind them and gently caress poo poo my brain was getting really bothered by it. I don't see at all how they can create a second season without it wandering all over the place.
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Jul 20, 2016 15:01
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Blind Rasputin posted:I don't see at all how they can create a second season without it wandering all over the place. I'm assuming a second season would be a completely unrelated story, I think the show would work well as more of an anthology series.
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Jul 20, 2016 15:08
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A War is really great, go watch A War.
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Jul 20, 2016 15:11
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Maybe the next season could be about an alien with mystical healing powers who's accidentally left behind by his mothership and takes shelter in a boy's closet after being found found in his backyard.
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Jul 20, 2016 15:22
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Blind Rasputin posted:Maybe the next season could be about an alien with mystical healing powers who's accidentally left behind by his mothership and takes shelter in a boy's closet after being found found in his backyard. & the alien and boy both befriend a young girl whose parents were part of a secret government experiment and because of that she is able to start fire with her mind. She is living at the hotel down the street, because they are on the run from something called 'The Shop'. Edit: I just watched Midnight Special (sorry only for rent right now), and it was pretty much a good version of Firestarter. nate fisher fucked around with this message at 15:52 on Jul 20, 2016 |
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Jul 20, 2016 15:49
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K. Waste posted:A War is really great, go watch A War. Is that the one by the guy who did A Hijacking? A Hijacking was really good.
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Jul 20, 2016 16:12
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Uncle Boogeyman posted:Is that the one by the guy who did A Hijacking? A Hijacking was really good. the very same - still need to see A Highjacking
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Jul 20, 2016 16:25
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K. Waste posted:the very same - still need to see A Highjacking It's great. A much better version of Captain Phillips basically (and I liked Captain Phillips). Is A War on Netflix? A Hijacking was for a while, may still be.
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Jul 20, 2016 16:27
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Uncle Boogeyman posted:It's great. A much better version of Captain Phillips basically (and I liked Captain Phillips). I think they are both, at least that's where I saw it.
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Jul 20, 2016 16:31
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Uncle Boogeyman posted:It's great. A much better version of Captain Phillips basically (and I liked Captain Phillips). Added both of these to my list. In Captain Phillips when he's in shock after being rescued I was like  . Road to Perdition has my favorite Tom Hanks performance, but that scene is some of the most incredible acting I've ever seen.
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Jul 20, 2016 16:47
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MeatwadIsGod posted:Added both of these to my list. In Captain Phillips when he's in shock after being rescued I was like A Hijacking has a very similar moment near the end that is just as good.
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Jul 20, 2016 16:48
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MeatwadIsGod posted:Added both of these to my list. In Captain Phillips when he's in shock after being rescued I was like I'm glad someone else noticed and appreciated this. It's a breathtaking piece of acting. It's got to be difficult to act in shock because it's such a visceral, involuntary human condition. I guess I have to watch A Hijacking now.
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Jul 20, 2016 16:58
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fishtobaskets posted:I'm glad someone else noticed and appreciated this. It's a breathtaking piece of acting. It's got to be difficult to act in shock because it's such a visceral, involuntary human condition. I guess I have to watch A Hijacking now. That was one of my favorite parts of the movie. You almost never get to see the aftermath of something like that, and when you do it's never that human.
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Jul 20, 2016 17:40
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poo poo. Now I need to watch this.
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Jul 20, 2016 17:44
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MeatwadIsGod posted:Added both of these to my list. In Captain Phillips when he's in shock after being rescued I was like It really is amazing. I thought the movie overall was sort of unremarkable (beyond Barkhad Abdi's performance) but that closing scene blew my mind and stayed with me for a long time afterwards.
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Jul 20, 2016 18:15
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