Movies/Films/TV - Opinions

[RandomGuy99]

Doctor Who - shite and now this happened

BBC News - Ncuti Gatwa regenerates into Billie Piper as he leaves Doctor Who
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[advent2016]

I liked Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and some Peter Davidson. Haven't watched much after.  I watched a bit of one where they'd obviously been reading scripts to the Time Tunnel and the gang appeared just before Rosa Parks caused trouble on a bus.

[scutty brown]

Doctor Who - shite and now this happened

BBC News - Ncuti Gatwa regenerates into Billie Piper as he leaves Doctor Who
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Wish I'd put money on that. One of the newspapers predicted it  online a week ago

[stampjones]

Couldn’t agree more.  Watched this back in December and thought total trash.  I really can’t understand how it’s garnered the kudos that it has - maybe the hashtag MeToo crowd?  Either way, it was in my view a complete load of cak and waste of time.

I dont know, Demi Moore and Margret Qualley walking around starkers for large chunks of the movie wasnt a complete waste of time. I also thought it was quite funny in places (smile of amusement funny rather than laugh out loud to be fair)

[Ali Katt]

Doctor Who - shite and now this happened

BBC News - Ncuti Gatwa regenerates into Billie Piper as he leaves Doctor Who
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Dr Who has been shit for decades now. People only watch it because they grew up watching it. Eccleston's constant gurning, a female Dr Who that upset fans I suspect largely because of shit acting and bad scripts rather than any sexism, Matt Smith and Tennant's camper than a row of pink tents doctors. You could argue at least Pertwee looked like he could be an eccentric doctor.

[mr.bluesky]

Dr Who has been shit for decades now. People only watch it because they grew up watching it. Eccleston's constant gurning, a female Dr Who that upset fans I suspect largely because of shit acting and bad scripts rather than any sexism, Matt Smith and Tennant's camper than a row of pink tents doctors. You could argue at least Pertwee looked like he could be an eccentric doctor.

Tom Baker was the best playing an " eccentric " doctor. Ever since Russell T Davies took over the show its has been shit.

[RandomGuy99]

Tom Baker was the best playing an " eccentric " doctor. Ever since Russell T Davies took over the show its has been shit.

We need walls that wobble, Daleks with sink plungers as ray guns.

[mr.bluesky]

We need walls that wobble, Daleks with sink plungers as ray guns.

And cybermen in silver rubber suits 

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[ulstersubbie]

Bloody Oranges (2021). Three interweaving tales: elderly couple in debt attempt to win a dance contest, a fraudulent politician evades tax, a virgin gets kidnapped by a pervert. Bloody Oranges is the blackest of black comedies, obscene, at times thoroughly disgusting and above all very French, quite brilliant and I definitely recommend it.  A

Highway 65 (2024). Daphna, a police officer finds herself investigating the disappearance of a former beauty queen in a small Israeli town. Low key, slow burning thriller that has a kind of Chinatown vibe to it (for those familiar with the Roman Polanski film), intriguing and very different to what you would expect from a European or American film.  A-

[RandomGuy99]

The Heretiic - ok

[Dickled]

I watched Nosferatu directed by Robert Eggers.
It was passable, and had atmosphere, but there is something about his films that turns me off.
I think the word may be baroque, and I find a total lack of cinematic thrill.
I came to the Northman a year or two ago full of excitement, because I love Viking stuff, and I found it virtually unwatchable, same with the Witch before that, a certain creepy atmosphere and for me that was all.
I never bothered with the Lighthouse.

[mr.bluesky]

I watched Nosferatu directed by Robert Eggers.
It was passable, and had atmosphere, but there is something about his films that turns me off.
I think the word may be baroque, and I find a total lack of cinematic thrill.
I came to the Northman a year or two ago full of excitement, because I love Viking stuff, and I found it virtually unwatchable, same with the Witch before that, a certain creepy atmosphere and for me that was all.
I never bothered with the Lighthouse.

Have to agree about the Northman film. Pretty sure I gave it a scathing review when it first came out at the cinema.  I know it's hard to compare a film with a tv series but the TV series Vikings ( originally shown on the History channel) was leagues better than the " Northman" film.

[catweazle]

I've been watching - off and on - Department Q on Netflix, and I'm still not sure what to make of it.  At the start of Episode 1, I thought it was set in America, only to find it's actually set in Edinburgh.

Part of the plot line is very intriguing, and part is rather unbelievable.  Worth a look if you've nothing else on the agenda.

[Doc Holliday]

I've been watching - off and on - Department Q on Netflix, and I'm still not sure what to make of it.  At the start of Episode 1, I thought it was set in America, only to find it's actually set in Edinburgh.

Part of the plot line is very intriguing, and part is rather unbelievable.  Worth a look if you've nothing else on the agenda.

I am about halfway through myself and haven't binge watched it either. Overall positive so far and it is well reviewed.

For complicated reasons I have developed a degree of claustrophobia in my old age and so find it a little uncomfortable at times 

[Ali Katt]

I watched Nosferatu directed by Robert Eggers.
It was passable, and had atmosphere, but there is something about his films that turns me off.
I think the word may be baroque, and I find a total lack of cinematic thrill.
I came to the Northman a year or two ago full of excitement, because I love Viking stuff, and I found it virtually unwatchable, same with the Witch before that, a certain creepy atmosphere and for me that was all.
I never bothered with the Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse is IMO one of the best films of the last 10 or so years. The Witch I like, but don't love. Nosferatu, I'm a huge fan of the original 1922 film and had low expectations, I think it's really solid. In all honestly his films aren't designed to be exciting, they're more in the style of someone like Bergman or Tarkovsky - I'm not saying they're as good they are nowhere near as masterful, they're existential msuings with a bunch of chaotic shit which is deliberately disjointed. I think someone like Paul Verhoeven does the mix of classy and trashy much better, however I find Eggers interesting, especially as he's not making these dumb, hipster movies written by jaded middle-aged women who haven't had a decent fuck in the since the millennium like Diablo Cody.

[catweazle]

For complicated reasons I have developed a degree of claustrophobia in my old age and so find it a little uncomfortable at times 

I can well understand why the series triggers your claustrophobia, Doc.

[ulstersubbie]

Nosferatu, I'm a huge fan of the original 1922 film I find Eggers interesting, especially as he's not making these dumb, hipster movies written by jaded middle-aged women who haven't had a decent fuck in the since the millennium like Diablo Cody.

You can't beat the original Murnau film, and yes dumb, hipster movies drive me mad, yet they seem to be surprisingly popular with a certain type of audience.

[Dickled]

Have to agree about the Northman film. Pretty sure I gave it a scathing review when it first came out at the cinema.  I know it's hard to compare a film with a tv series but the TV series Vikings ( originally shown on the History channel) was leagues better than the " Northman" film.

Yes, the Vikings TV series was superb, particularly with Travis Fimmel and Katheryn Winnick. And even something like the Vikings made in 1958 with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis. Was but a nipper when I first saw it, but found it so thrilling, and I think it still stands up as great entertainment, Kirk Douglas having his eye torn out by a hawk, Ernest Borgnine as Ragnar, Janet Leigh, the film locations, the fantastic soundtrack music, etc.
I respect Ali Katt's opinions, and perhaps Robert Eggers films are movies for darker, more existentially fraught times, but I don't think I'm ever going to be a fan.

[Steve2]

Sirens on Netflix. easy watching 5/10

Formula 1 academy on Netflix. Gives some insight in the female F1 hopefuls

[Stevelondon]

Yep…… just finished watching Dept Q this evening.

Overall……. Liked it.
Particularly the ever so little comedy bits littered throughout.


Reminded me of a Billy Connolly show I saw years back in Hammersmith. One of the last things he said at the gig.

“You’ll go home tonight and you won’t be able to recall any of the jokes or things that made you laugh. But when try to hail a taxi just outside here the driver ignores you and drives right past. You’ll shout out Ya fucking bastard” (even though before the gig… you never swore) 

[sparkus]

Yeah, Dept Q definitely one of the best TV progs seen for a while.

Overwritten in parts but great acting and story.

[advent2016]

Yeah, Dept Q definitely one of the best TV progs seen for a while.

Overwritten in parts but great acting and story.

I enjoyed some. It felt like one of these series that could have been done in 3 episodes. For me, too much time dwelling in the compression chamber eking out the obvious clues. Slow, boring and tedious investigation and Carl at every opportunity getting videoed and seen on the news / social media. I thought the ending was poor and unrealistic, particularly regarding handling a damaged hyperbaric chamber, especially with the expertise available to them.

It still feels like New Tricks on location in Scotland. I hope it doesn't become a regular series like Taggart.

[Jabba the Slut]

Currently watching an old show from the 80s Big Deal.
About a small time London Gambler Bobby Box and his family.
Starring Ray Brooks and the lovely Sharon Dulce.
A BBC production from the same guy that wrote Minder.
Enjoyable,light hearted entertainment that was so common in the 80s.Some legend has stuck it up on Utube and there are 3 series and 10 episodes in each.

[RandomGuy99]

The Accountant 2 on Prime - not great.

[WARSZAWA16]

Currently watching an old show from the 80s Big Deal.
About a small time London Gambler Bobby Box and his family.
Starring Ray Brooks and the lovely Sharon Dulce.
A BBC production from the same guy that wrote Minder.
Enjoyable,light hearted entertainment that was so common in the 80s.Some legend has stuck it up on Utube and there are 3 series and 10 episodes in each.

Yes, I remember that first time round. Quite liked it at the time.

[Waterhouse]

The Accountant 2 on Prime - not great.

I was looking forward to this film for ages… love first one, but when I saw the trailer, his personality seemed so different.  It looked like they had tried to infuse it with humour and make him more like Rainman, which was not what the character was about in the first film.

Will still give it ago, probably this evening, but not holding out much hope based on what I’ve seen so far.

[RandomGuy99]

I was looking forward to this film for ages… love first one, but when I saw the trailer, his personality seemed so different.  It looked like they had tried to infuse it with humour and make him more like Rainman, which was not what the character was about in the first film.

Will still give it ago, probably this evening, but not holding out much hope based on what I’ve seen so far.

Yes, in the first one his personality was quiet, but when he spoke it was quite deep and well considered. In this one they have him speed dating, talking very quickly and playing up a few "typical" autistic traits. I preferred the first movie.

[ulstersubbie]

The Wait (2023). Gamekeeper in Andalusia becomes increasingly unhinged after the death of his wife and son. Spanish horror fantasy that unfolds slowly but the visuals and acting are top notch, recommended.  A

The Abandoned (2023). Serial killer targets illegal female workers in Taipei. Taiwanese thriller that looks and feels like your typical Hollywood offering, it passes the time but it's predictable fare at the end of the day.  C

Restless (2024). A mild mannered nurse has her life upended when the neighbour from hell moves in next door. British thriller that begins promisingly but loses momentum as it goes on, watchable but it could have been so much better.  C

[akauya]

The Accountant 2 on Prime - not great.

I agree. I fast forwarded in a few places. Disappointing.

[Bangman]

I saw the new mission impossible movie last night in cinema AND this week, re watched the others..
Here's my take...
Part 1 - Watched it after 27 years or so..Loved it, Excellent for a 1996 movie.
Part 2 - Good in parts, but overall Disappointing, can't believe it was directed by Legend John Woo (if you know, you know- Hard Boiled, Bullet in the head, The killer)
Part 3 - Average..
Part 4 - WOW, Took it to another level..Superb
Part 5 - Brilliant
Part 6 - Fantastic
Part 7 - Amazing!
And the final Part 8 - running time a little long But i Absolutely Loved it, TERRIFIC...

[Xtro]

The Wait (2023). Gamekeeper in Andalusia becomes increasingly unhinged after the death of his wife and son. Spanish horror fantasy that unfolds slowly but the visuals and acting are top notch, recommended.  A
.....

Cheers, I'll look out for it and report back.   

[Waterhouse]

The Wait (2023). Gamekeeper in Andalusia becomes increasingly unhinged after the death of his wife and son. Spanish horror fantasy that unfolds slowly but the visuals and acting are top notch, recommended.  A

Been watching a fair bit of Spanish TV and films recently… underrated IMO.

Cheers for the heads-up on this one - will give it a go.

 

[ulstersubbie]

Been watching a fair bit of Spanish TV and films recently… underrated IMO.

Cheers for the heads-up on this one - will give it a go.

 

Spanish cinema has been setting a very high standard in the last few years, I've seen some cracking films from that part of the world. Be interested to hear what you and Xtro thought of The Wait.

[Stevelondon]

I was looking forward to this film for ages… love first one, but when I saw the trailer, his personality seemed so different.  It looked like they had tried to infuse it with humour and make him more like Rainman, which was not what the character was about in the first film.

Will still give it ago, probably this evening, but not holding out much hope based on what I’ve seen so far.

I was going to say don’t.
But you probably have 🤷🏼


Anybody heard of Cole Escola.
Just won a Tony.

Can’t say I’d ever heard the name before but then realised I had watched something he/she/they/them…….whatever …. Had been in.
Certainly made an impressive scene when winning the award.

Google. You’ll see what I mean.

By the way. I have no problems with folk being who or what they want to be.
It’s just the whole business about wanting to be called They/Them that irritates the fuck out of me. 

[Punterperson1971]

Straw
A woman has an ill daughter and she loses her job and unknowingly robs a bank very very good film

[stampjones]

By the way. I have no problems with folk being who or what they want to be.
It’s just the whole business about wanting to be called They/Them that irritates the fuck out of me. 

Yeah exactly. If you want a different pronoun at least pick one that isnt already used to mean something else in the same fucking context!
I tried to read a book recently which used they/them and it was pretty much unreadable as I never knew whether the author meant the group or the character. I just gave up in the end

[Dickled]

I've started watching A Gentleman in Moscow with Ewan McGregor, on Paramount, about a Russian aristocrat trapped in a hotel in post revolutionary Russia.
I didn't expect much when I started watching it, but I find myself really enjoying it since I think it has real depth, one of the reasons for that being the performance of Ewan McGregor as the main protagonist.
As a young actor I could take him or leave him, but as an older performer I find him very impressive in this particular production, possessing real presence.
Alongside this I think the series projects a convincing sense of place and time and a storyline that really engages.

[Murphy54]

Just finished watching Dept Q on Netflix. A really well written series along the lines of Slow Horses. Hopefully they will make another series.

[Steve2]

It would be really helpful if, when mentioning what you watched, to add where it was available to watch. Thanks in advance 

[Ali Katt]

I saw the new mission impossible movie last night in cinema AND this week, re watched the others..
Here's my take...
Part 1 - Watched it after 27 years or so..Loved it, Excellent for a 1996 movie.
Part 2 - Good in parts, but overall Disappointing, can't believe it was directed by Legend John Woo (if you know, you know- Hard Boiled, Bullet in the head, The killer)
Part 3 - Average..
Part 4 - WOW, Took it to another level..Superb
Part 5 - Brilliant
Part 6 - Fantastic
Part 7 - Amazing!
And the final Part 8 - running time a little long But i Absolutely Loved it, TERRIFIC...

I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I've only ever seen the original and I thought it was mediocre. Way better Hollywood action films around at the same time like The Rock, Con Air; I would even put The Substitute above it because at least it's fun.

[ulstersubbie]

I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I've only ever seen the original and I thought it was mediocre. Way better Hollywood action films around at the same time like The Rock, Con Air; I would even put The Substitute above it because at least it's fun.

Hollywood action films are pretty awful AK, I admit there are honourable exceptions but it's really scraping the bottom of the barrel with some of them.

[Bangman]

Ali Katt, honestly I saw Mission impossible 1 around 1997 or so and at the time found it average, but re watching it for the 2nd time after 28 years, i liked it much more....
Similar to James Bond movies. Maybe due to recent poor action films over the last decade or 2 and I crave and good action film, I liked it more. Especially part 4 to 8.

You mentioned The Rock, ive seen that 3 or 4 times, very good film. Con Air is a guilty pleasure, I've got the extended version on DVD and seen that over 10 times, love that film.

[Stevelondon]

It would be really helpful if, when mentioning what you watched, to add where it was available to watch. Thanks in advance 

Good point Steve.

My apologies.

I watched Dept Q on my telly in the living room. 👍🏻


Sorry. Couldn’t resist. 

[Stevelondon]

Like Bangman I went to the cinema to watch Mish impossible. (Final reckoning……. Until the next one that is)
Been ages since I’ve been to the flicks.
Horrendously expensive, make sure you buy your popcorn from the shops before entering the place.
I did but still had to buy two hotdogs and now can’t afford to eat meat for a week. 🤷🏼

Loved the recliner seating though 👍🏻

[catweazle]

Lately, I've been watching The Crow Girl on Paramount+. Fairly good cop drama, set ( unusually) in Bristol.  Not yet sure how the various threads will all come together so I'm sticking with it. A few well-known faces in it (e.g. Katherine Kelly).  Fills a few hours

[standardpostage]

It would be really helpful if, when mentioning what you watched, to add where it was available to watch. Thanks in advance 

+1

[lostandfound]

Lately, I've been watching The Crow Girl on Paramount+. Fairly good cop drama, set ( unusually) in Bristol.  Not yet sure how the various threads will all come together so I'm sticking with it. A few well-known faces in it (e.g. Katherine Kelly).  Fills a few hours

I believe I remember them filming this. Kept closing parts of Central Bristol blocking my jogging route!

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[Waterhouse]

Yes, in the first one his personality was quiet, but when he spoke it was quite deep and well considered. In this one they have him speed dating, talking very quickly and playing up a few "typical" autistic traits. I preferred the first movie.

Well, to sum up Accountant 2 in one word in my opinion - Travesty.  What a waste of talent, time, and money.  I kept checking how far into the film I was as I just wanted it to be over.  Such a disappointment, more so because I love the first film.  I really can’t believe it was written, produced, directed and starring the same team. Shocked how dull it was in comparison.

Will have to watch the original to purge it from my memory, not that it was in any way memorable except for how poor it was.

[Stevelondon]

Well, to sum up Accountant 2 in one word in my opinion - Travesty.  What a waste of talent, time, and money.  I kept checking how far into the film I was as I just wanted it to be over.  Such a disappointment, more so because I love the first film.  I really can’t believe it was written, produced, directed and starring the same team. Shocked how dull it was in comparison.

Will have to watch the original to purge it from my memory, not that it was in any way memorable except for how poor it was.

I’ve told you before. Don’t go watching stuff without asking me first. 🤷🏼

The way you go on about Afleck.
Anybody would think you were a cunt struck fanb……………. Oh let’s not go there again 

[RandomGuy99]

Well, to sum up Accountant 2 in one word in my opinion - Travesty.  What a waste of talent, time, and money.  I kept checking how far into the film I was as I just wanted it to be over.  Such a disappointment, more so because I love the first film.  I really can’t believe it was written, produced, directed and starring the same team. Shocked how dull it was in comparison.

Will have to watch the original to purge it from my memory, not that it was in any way memorable except for how poor it was.

I think Accountant 1 was made for cinema release. Accountant 2 was direct to streaming and movies made for streaming platforms just aren't as good. The team obviously got paid well for jt, but there will be a lot of disappointed viewers but the streaming platforms make a killing in new sign ups for the platform.