Netflix recommendations

[Reno]

Well I’ve watched this up to ep.9 on your recommendation, since this is the Netflix recommendations thread and with everything hidden in the spoiler tag I didn’t read your comments until just now. Might be worth posting a brief précis first then reserving the spoiler tag for actual plot spoilers.

Overall I agree it’s not great. Worse than that really. For a sci-fi it has very little to reward science / engineering minded viewers and plenty to insult the intelligence of the viewer. Makes me wonder how many great scripts get passed over when Netflix reserve their budget for making such tripe.

There is no endless amount of great scripts or pitches to be passed on, they are very rare. Netflix doesn’t operate by picking scripts by the way, they usually sign talent with a proven track record to develop shows and films for them. Doesn’t always work out as planned, there is no sure thing in the entertainment industry.

 

[T & P]

Ryan Murphy is a busy guy at the moment. A brand new film has just landed: The Boys in the Band. Apparently a comedy-drama about a dinner party attended by seven gay men in NY set in 1968, and things happen when an unexpected guest shows up. Or something like that anyway.

About to watch it, will report later.

The Boys in the Band (2020 film) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[T & P]

Update on previous post. The film is basically a play, which is no surprise as it is based on the play of the same name. The playwright in question has apparently co-written the script for this- he must be in his 80s given the play was from 1968.

It is an acidic look into love, attitudes and relationships within the NY gay community of that era. It is at as visceral and vicious as Abigail’s Party so this no feel-good film, but I liked it. Zachary Quinto is great in it.

 

[quimcunx]

Enjoying Bordertown for any of you nordic noir* fans who haven't already seen it. Bit of a binge and started season 3 already.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Just started Ratched and I love it! I'm a big fan of AHS. Even though it did fall prey to the law of diminshing returns the good outweighs the bad for me.

It looks beautiful. I adore the colour palette. There are lots of women in it. Lots of older women. It's delicious nonsense and I love it.

As the cliche goes...I could watch Sarah Paulson read the phone directory. Especially if she's dressed in the New Look swoon.

 

[fucthest8]

Update on previous post. The film is basically a play, which is no surprise as it is based on the play of the same name. The playwright in question has apparently co-written the script for this- he must be in his 80s given the play was from 1968.

It is an acidic look into love, attitudes and relationships within the NY gay community of that era. It is at as visceral and vicious as Abigail’s Party so this no feel-good film, but I liked it. Zachary Quinto is great in it.

Sounds ace, ta

 

[Reno]

I've only seen the first film version of The Boys in the Band, which was made by William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) in 1970, a few years after the play hit the stage. I found it unbearable, as a young gay man I found the self hatred of the characters hard to relate too. They were broad stereotypes and not the type of gay man I wanted to grow into. It may work better as a period piece, which is what this new version is, but I'm in no rush to check it out. While gay men like that did exist, it was an exaggerated theatrical representation which appealed to the prejudices of straight audiences, not necessarily a representation of the reality of most gay men. I can see how this new version is aware of that and tempers this somewhat via the performances and the period aspect but the play will still be the same.

 

[T & P]

I've only seen the first film version of The Boys in the Band, which was made by William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) in 1970, a few years after the play hit the stage. I found it unbearable, as a young gay man I found the self hatred of the characters hard to relate too. They were broad stereotypes and not the type of gay man I wanted to grow into. It may work better as a period piece, which is what this new version is, but I'm in no rush to check it out. While gay men like that did exist, it was an exaggerated theatrical representation which appealed to the prejudices of straight audiences, not necessarily a representation of the reality of most gay men. I can see how this new version is aware of that and tempers this somewhat via the performances and the period aspect but the play will still be the same.

View attachment 232572

What you describe is broadly the vibe of this film so you might not enjoy it. It’s not overtly nasty but there’s enough of it. It gives an impression of a general state of self-contempt embedded in the gay community, in NY in the late 60s at least.

I’m not gay but I have enough gay friends and have spent enough time in their company to know the general vibe and perception of each other within the LGBTQ community couldn’t be further from what we see here. I guess you have to write it off as one isolated group of friends with a bitter and complicated relationship using their sexuality as yet another tool to diss each other with.

Regarding the character Michael, played here by Jim Parsons

Spoiler

I don’t know if the reason for his extreme nastiness towards his friends is different in the version you saw. In this film it turns out it’s because he’s a closet heterosexual due to his religious beliefs. Which I frankly found a rather unlikely scenario (though not impossible of course).

 

[Reno]

Last night I watched Enola Holms but I had problems accessing my inner teenage girl and it didn't do much for me.

Tonight I watched American Murder, a documentary about the Watts family murder case. The main reason it exists was that the wife, who was one of the murder victims, put much of her family life on social media, therefore they were able to make this almost like a narrative film. The murderer and his motive remained an enigma and I wasn't much wiser by the end.

 

[wiskey]

Tonight I watched American Murder, a documentary about the Watts family murder case. The main reason it exists was that the wife, who was one of the murder victims, put much of her family life on social media, therefore they were able to make this almost like a narrative film. The murderer and his motive remained an enigma and I wasn't much wiser by the end.

I have just finished watching this too. Tbh it felt needlessly voyeuristic and I'm not sure I gained much from watching it, actually I'd go further and say that I wish I'd not watched it because it's a horrible horrible case and it just seems like it was made because it was easy as so much footage was available.

Having said that I think it was probably a much bigger thing in America so maybe that's why they made it.

 

[sojourner]

Well I’ve watched this up to ep.9 on your recommendation, since this is the Netflix recommendations thread and with everything hidden in the spoiler tag I didn’t read your comments until just now. Might be worth posting a brief précis first then reserving the spoiler tag for actual plot spoilers.

Overall I agree it’s not great. Worse than that really. For a sci-fi it has very little to reward science / engineering minded viewers and plenty to insult the intelligence of the viewer. Makes me wonder how many great scripts get passed over when Netflix reserve their budget for making such tripe.

Umm, both me and editor were complaining quite publicly about how shit it was.

 

[keybored]

Netflix are pushing Undercover season 2 pretty hard as a "coming soon" item and I keep expecting to see it up. I checked yesterday and it's not being released until fucking September.

Stuck for something to watch tonight and just discovered season 2 has been out a couple of weeks. I feel like I just checked into a Travelodge room and found a balcony with a hot tub.

EDIT wtf is this fuckery

 

[Scaggs]

We couldn't find it either. But noticed there were a few episodes on the torrents

 

[T & P]

They’re not the only ones, but their ‘new releases’ and ‘latest’ categories have stuff that’s been there for weeks if not months.

How hard would it be to add ‘new today’ and ‘new this week’ categories to their interface?

 

[keybored]

We couldn't find it either. But noticed there were a few episodes on the torrents

Thanks... I did check but all the trackers had (2019) in the titles so I assumed those were season 1 episodes

 

[fucthest8]

Rocks.

Bunch of teenage girls in London, dealing with life.

Just go watch it, trust me.

Brilliant bit of film making in which most of the cast aren't actors and collaborated with the writers and producer to create a film that consequently feels almost completely real. Heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Really can't recommend it enough.

 

[Orang Utan]

Rocks.

Bunch of teenage girls in London, dealing with life.

Just go watch it, trust me.

Brilliant bit of film making in which most of the cast aren't actors and collaborated with the writers and producer to create a film that consequently feels almost completely real. Heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Really can't recommend it enough.

I saw this at a film festival last year and it was an audience favourite. Also can’t recommend it enough

 

[purenarcotic]

Rocks.

Bunch of teenage girls in London, dealing with life.

Just go watch it, trust me.

Brilliant bit of film making in which most of the cast aren't actors and collaborated with the writers and producer to create a film that consequently feels almost completely real. Heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Really can't recommend it enough.

Just finished this. Great watch.

 

[Mattym]

I'd suggest Rita to you if you've not seen it already.
Danish series. I just finished all 5 series and highly recommend it.

Great recommendation- watched all 5 as well. Isn't there also a spin off 'Hjordis' series? Also wins the award for worst opening song (Rita, I mean here)

 

[Aladdin]

Great recommendation- watched all 5 as well. Isn't there also a spin off 'Hjordis' series? Also wins the award for worst opening song (Rita, I mean here)

Yay!! I am glad you enjoyed Rita
I've sent everyone I know a recommendation text about Rita. I'm that impressed..

Started watching the spin off "Hjordis" last week. Different to Rita but enjoyable.

 

[Aladdin]

Has anyone else picked up Bloodline again?

We enjoyed the first series (2016), got a bit bored with the second after a few episodes and left it, then after two years picked it up again and now there's a third season.

It's one that you have to persevere with a bit through the second series as it doesn't pick up until mid way but then it really gets interesting. We're 3 into the 3rd series now and it's one of the best shows we've seen for a while. A real slow burning, atmospheric thriller set in the Florida Keys with some superb characters. I'm surprised there's not much mention of it on here.

We've been up and down with it but love it now. Interested to hear what others think. Reno you must have done this one?

Started this last night. I shared my Netflix with my 81 yr old mum and I has added all sorts of series for her that I thought she might like.
She found Bloodline and watched it all in 2 weeks.

 

[1927]

"Last Breath" about a deep sea diver who gets into trouble is and interesting edge of your seat documentary.

Highly recommend.

 

[fucthest8]

Dick Johnson is Dead. For those of you who like an unusual documentary.

The filmaker's father is getting on so she decides to stage and film a load of different - mostly accidental - ways that he could "die" to help them think about the inevitable.

Brave and clever stuff. Also funny, sad and yet heartwarming, covering one of the things we find it hardest to talk about. Brilliant.

 

[keybored]

Thinking of starting to watch The Bridge but is it really as shit as Google is making it seem?

 

[Aladdin]

Thinking of starting to watch The Bridge but is it really as shit as Google is making it seem? View attachment 232965

I cant find that on Netflix

 

[keybored]

I cant find that on Netflix

If you mean the Nordic one it's on torrents and I think maybe Amazon Prime or iPlayer. I've started Bordertown now anyway, it's looking good!

 

[Aladdin]

If you mean the Nordic one it's on torrents and I think maybe Amazon Prime or iPlayer. I've started Bordertown now anyway, it's looking good!

Bordertown is excellent!!

 

[Epona]

I didn't get why everyone hated Away so much - I worked in the civil service for over a decade and it was just the horrendous backbiting misogynist office politics put into a mildly sci-fi setting, if it had been set in a government office with the same characters it wouldn't have seemed so unbelievable - I thoroughly enjoyed it, but then I used to work in the civil service and it could have been a film about the office I worked in. Set in space.

 

[skyscraper101]

American Murder: The Family Next Door

Watched this doc last night, and I enjoyed very much. All the footage seems to be pieced together from cellphone social media, police body cams, photos and news footage, but done very well.

 

[sojourner]

Gonna say it again - Mars, both seasons. Absolutely brilliant, hadn't realised it was produced by National Geographic until I finished it and looked it up. Ticked all my boxes for spacey stuff and I loved the fact/fictional narrative aspect of it.