What was the last TV show you watched?

[3fingers]

Started season 1 of The Waltons on Amazon. It reminds me very much of my paternal grandparents and how they (and by extension, I to a degree) lived up into the late 1970's/early '80's. Taken as a whole, we are not better off, and I still see it as a loss.

 

[Worf]

"Deathnote" This Japanese anime features the finest battle of wits and wills between detective and villain since Holmes vs. Moriarty. I'm serious. A high school student, through means I won't mention, is given the ability to kill at will, from a distance, anyone he so desires. He then decides to use this power to rid the world of crime and evil people. This brings him into conflict with a mysterious international detective known only as "L". The two are soon locked in a battle of wits to the DEATH and I mean death. Shows what truly "adult" anime can do.

Worf

PS Avoid the Netflix movie of the same name... that thing stunk worse than last years garbage. Rubbage I tell you rubbage!

 

[Touchofevil]

This week: the first season finale of Fortitude, some UFC, and some Anthony Bourdain.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I'm halfway through the second season of Iron Fist on Netflix. Yes, it's better than the first season.

 

[Worf]

"One Punch Man" - A hilarious parody of Japanese Anime, particularly the over-powered hero type of anime (Dragonball Z and Naruto) in which our hero is bummed because he's so strong he can vanquish any opponent with one punch. Bald as a Tootsie Roll pop and about as skinny, Saitama is constantly beset by berserk, doom spouting, over the top monsters and opponents who explode in hilarious ways beneath his fist. Astoundingly funny send up of a genre that sometimes takes itself a little too seriously.

Worf

 

[3fingers]

Fallen Angel. Pretty decent movie about a con man (Dana Andrews), a waitress (Linda Darnell), and a sheltered wealthy lady (Alice Faye).
The con man chases the waitress, but she wants a man with money, so he sets out to swindle the rich girl to get it.
Things don't turn out the way he expected.

 

[MisterCairo]

I finished season two, sadly the final season, of HBO's Rome, and am now re-watching the Sharpe series of telefilms. Four so far. Love this series.

Paul McGann is the superstar that should have been. He was one of several potential James Bond actors back in the 90s, he was originally Sharpe but injured his leg playing soccer, getting one of the largest insurance payouts after being replaced by Sean Bean, he was Doctor Who for that tv movie they made, and was to play the role regularly had the re-boot been picked up at that time (it was not - he has reprised the role in specials). I love his work though (Our Mutual Friend, Withnail & I, Luther, Ripper Street, etc.).

 

[HadleyH1]

Again.....CI from cable (Crime Investigation- real life.... in my opinion more interesting than any movie) "Swamp Murders".

 

[Edward]

Single-parent tv shows - how could I have possibly forgotten about The Courtship of Eddie apostrophe s Father (my wife has set the keyboard to French for f$#@ apostrophe s sake) and in an usual way Family Affair where Brian Keith apostrophe s character has to take care of his nieces and nephew. I always loved Mr. French, my first exposure to a gentleman apostrophe s personal gentleman.

La francais de votre femme est sur l'ordinateur.

"Deathnote" This Japanese anime features the finest battle of wits and wills between detective and villain since Holmes vs. Moriarty. I'm serious. A high school student, through means I won't mention, is given the ability to kill at will, from a distance, anyone he so desires. He then decides to use this power to rid the world of crime and evil people. This brings him into conflict with a mysterious international detective known only as "L". The two are soon locked in a battle of wits to the DEATH and I mean death. Shows what truly "adult" anime can do.

Worf

PS Avoid the Netflix movie of the same name... that thing stunk worse than last years garbage. Rubbage I tell you rubbage!

I've seen the original Japanese live action film - and the sequel. Did the anime come before or after that? I notice Netflix has done a version.... I wasn't sure what the point was, given that unlike, say, The Ring there are no elements of the narrative that need 'translated' into a culturally relevant form to make sense or whatever. I suppose it's for those who don't care to read subtitles....

Paul McGann is the superstar that should have been. He was one of several potential James Bond actors back in the 90s, he was originally Sharpe but injured his leg playing soccer, getting one of the largest insurance payouts after being replaced by Sean Bean, he was Doctor Who for that tv movie they made, and was to play the role regularly had the re-boot been picked up at that time (it was not - he has reprised the role in specials). I love his work though (Our Mutual Friend, Withnail & I, Luther, Ripper Street, etc.).

A very gifted actor and - so I hear in Who fan circles - desperately shy off camera. He wasn't given great material with which to work on that Who tv film - it was pretty awful all told (though it could have been worse - a persistent rumour suggests that at one point Hollywood wanted Hasslehoff in the role, with a talking Tardis.... srsly), but he was a credible Doctor. He was excellent in the little short that showed his transition into the War Doctor (what a shame the rest of the anniversary material was nowhere near that quality - bad writing has a lot for which to answer). He was also particularly good in The Hanging Gale, in which he played an Irish teacher in the famine era who choses the path of violence against British rule. Not sure what he's doing these days, but I'd love to see him on stage.

 

[MisterCairo]

Not sure what he's doing these days, but I'd love to see him on stage.

He joined the cast of Holby City last year. I can't seem to find that anywhere on Canadian tv. I forgot his role as Lt Bush on Hornblower for several episodes. He''s also had roles in several British and American films, always supporting though.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

The Miniaturist. PBS. Talk about a beautiful show. A gorgeous color palette. Costumes and sets out the wazoo. Considering it is only three parts, it didn't get very far in the first episode. Made me think of the great Rembrandt painting, The Night Watch. Turn the volume up. It's one of those "what did they just say?" shows.

Save Me. Starz. Another abduction series. We'll see. Counterpart got my hopes up.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I'm recording The Miniaturist to binge after it finishes airing. Obviously, it's gorgeous, but how is it dramatically?

I'm curious to see if it's a wonderful story of that period a la Girl With A Pearl Earring... or just beautifully made junk set at that time like Tulip Fever.

 

[Worf]

I've seen the original Japanese live action film - and the sequel. Did the anime come before or after that? I notice Netflix has done a version.... I wasn't sure what the point was, given that unlike, say, The Ring there are no elements of the narrative that need 'translated' into a culturally relevant form to make sense or whatever. I suppose it's for those who don't care to read subtitles....

IIRC the progression was typical for Japanese productions. Manga (B&W Comic) then Anime (if it's super popular) and finally live action film. Then sometimes, if Hollywood thinks they can cash in you get an American adaptation.

Worf

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I'm recording The Miniaturist to binge after it finishes airing. Obviously, it's gorgeous, but how is it dramatically?

I'm curious to see if it's a wonderful story of that period a la Girl With A Pearl Earring... or just beautifully made junk set at that time like Tulip Fever.

The acting is quality, but I feel it is too early to say whether it is high quality. The story is either on the flimsy side, or like I said, they haven't done a lot with episode one. I'll try not to give any spoilers one way or the other. I'm not familiar with those other two, so I cannot compare.

Save Me. Starz. I've now watched three episodes. It's better than I thought it was going to be. Some twists and unconventional telling of the situation, so it is relatively fresh for an abduction story. Lennie James created, wrote, and is starring in this series. He seems to be a popular guy in AMC TV Hollywood. He's been on Walking Dead, Fear of the Walking Dead, and Low Winter Sun. Must be a likeable person. Gets his work on US TV on the regular. I'm not, not a fan, but it also has me a bit miffed.

 

[Zombie_61]

Over the last week my wife and I have been re-watching Hell on Wheels when we can't agree on anything else to watch. Sure, the building of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S. is merely a setting for the stories they wanted to tell, but we like the show for it's entertainment value, not it's historical accuracy.

 

[Seb Lucas]

A very gifted actor and - so I hear in Who fan circles - desperately shy off camera. He wasn't given great material with which to work on that Who tv film - it was pretty awful all told (though it could have been worse - a persistent rumour suggests that at one point Hollywood wanted Hasslehoff in the role, with a talking Tardis.... srsly), but he was a credible Doctor. He was excellent in the little short that showed his transition into the War Doctor (what a shame the rest of the anniversary material was nowhere near that quality - bad writing has a lot for which to answer). He was also particularly good in The Hanging Gale, in which he played an Irish teacher in the famine era who choses the path of violence against British rule. Not sure what he's doing these days, but I'd love to see him on stage.

Well said, Edward. Pity they couldn't give him some additional Who stuff - such a missed opportunity. For me McGann embodied the Doctor far more than Capaldi managed across three seasons. That Who short was stellar.

 

[Edward]

Well said, Edward. Pity they couldn't give him some additional Who stuff - such a missed opportunity. For me McGann embodied the Doctor far more than Capaldi managed across three seasons. That Who short was stellar.

I'll always be gutted they cast Capaldi during Moffat's tenure. I loved him as the Doctor, but ninety per cent of what he was given to work with was dreck. He shone in the last series (in which I suspect Moffat was mostly under supervision from Higher ups).

 

[MisterCairo]

Working my way through Sharpe. The war with Bony is over, Sharpe's back in England and he's pissed!!!!

 

[Worf]

"Cobra Kai" - Ahh Youtube! They must've learned their business model from drug dealers. They give you the first two episodes of this for FREE to get you good n' hooked then want you to sign up to their premium service to see it after that. Legal but very smarmy. This series sets out to stand the entire "Karate Kid" meme on its pointy little head. 30 plus years after the original you find the villain of the first film down on his luck, living in a crappy apartment, divorced with a nasty son who hates him with a passion. On the other side of the tracks, literally and figuratively "Daniel San" is living what a first appears to be the American Dream. Of course they're set on a collision course once again. The show is bright, funny, sharp and is constantly pointing out the stupidity of the first film when compared to the problems facing us today. The soundtrack is right out of the early 80's. Now if I could only figure out a way to steal the remaining episodes......

Worf

Oh and before I forget both Zabka and Macchio return to reprise their respective roles. Man what a kick in the head.

 

[MisterCairo]

I have finished the Sharpe series, as I have it in the deluxe boxed (crated, in fact) set. I have yet to ever see the additional two episodes they made after Waterloo, must track those down!