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Netflix recommendations

We binged Ripley over the weekend, really enjoyed all the vintage cinematic techniques it draws on, and the understated humour. I think the actual story was only half the enjoyment of it, so if you don't get anything else out of it it probably won't be that interesting!
 
I'm loving Ripley - it's just so beautifully shot, understatedly funny and dark. Only gripe is that I think Jude Law made a better Dickie - and also - is the Dickie in Ripley meant to be closeted gay, or not gay at all? He seems to have a strong distaste for homosexality but is it because he's hiding something or just how most people felt about it back then? I'm thinking the former, but I might be wrong. Are Freddie and Dickie more than friends? I think so.... (edit, having watched the next episode, perhaps not, looks like they were just good friends)

I don't think it is ever clear if Ripley's obsession is sexual or financial - even in the book? If the book was written in 1955 any references to homosexuality would have been subtle, but I definitely felt an undercurrent of it in "The talented Mr. Ripley" (film).

 
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You get to hang out with your dog and your dog gets to hang out with you.

What's not to like?
Yeah, but not much good for people in the office who don't like/are allergic to dogs. And Jeez, it's a workplace, not a dog minding facility.

(Someone had their dog in the gym the other day. In a studio you're not allowed to wear outdoor shoes in. Apparently dog feet are fine though. 🤷‍♀️)
 
Don't bother with Treason.

We were jonesing bad after finishing Slow Horses, but Treason is basically the Ultimate Meh, despite having Ciaran Hinds as a senior spook.
 
Boy Swallows Universe

Delightful Australian drama about family and crime that comes apart somewhat in the last 2 episodes but otherwise brilliant.
 
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You can see why they've done it in black and white but they shouldn't have. That part of Italy is spectacularly colourful so for me the b&w detracts rather than adds.
I can understand that. For me the b+w was a plus. b+w being a reference to all my cultural memories and associated imagery from historic etc. I wonder if b+w will ever drop off in popularity
 
Looks to me like it was shot on video, (quite flat with little depth) and just made black and white. Some early scenes are framed and (maybe also due to frame rate and lighting) look like a cheap itv drama with the picture de-saturated. I do like the more documentary style of cutaway establishers that add a pause for breath but keep the action moving at a decent pace (it adds a particular style to the series that isn't 'out there' or noticeably intrusive). And despite my opening criticism of some dull vanilla shots, these are probably only highlighted because of some more thoughtful cinematography here and there.

That said, I have not been sufficiently gripped to venture onto episode two as of yet.
 
Finished watching All of Us are Dead. Laughable plot hole was the class president who turns half zombie. Non of them stopped to think that she could have easily helped them escape by walking out and distracting the zombies :facepalm:
 
I mean, it was set in the 60s. That was how I interpreted the black and white.

The book written in 1955

It says at the start of the Netflix series that it’s 1960 or something.

The Wizard of Oz was 1939 and (mostly) in colour - I don't see the later era Ripley is supposed to be (whether 50s or 60s) as being monochrome.
Personally, I didn't feel that it being in black and white added anything to it, and just made it feel a bit gloomy.
 
I thought the b&w in Ripley was as a bit of a homage to Fellini? And it definitely nods to Hitchcock, even if many of his movies were in colour... The atmosphere was that of a b&w Hitchcock movie, I thought...
 
I thought the b&w in Ripley was as a bit of a homage to Fellini? And it definitely nods to Hitchcock, even if many of his movies were in colour... The atmosphere was that of a b&w Hitchcock movie, I thought...
Yeah I got that feel from it, I think you're right about that - but it didn't do it for me personally.
I watched the first couple of episodes but haven't yet felt motivated to go back to it - I expect I will, but it's not a high priority (for me).
 
Haven’t finished it yet but Baby Reindeer is really fucking good. What initially feels like an offbeat comedy transforms episode by episode into an increasingly dark and tense stalking thriller/ drama, and one based on a true story experienced by the main lead actor / writer for good measure. Very well written, and Jessica Gunning is superlative as the main antagonist.

 
Haven’t finished it yet but Baby Reindeer is really fucking good. What initially feels like an offbeat comedy transforms episode by episode into an increasingly dark and tense stalking thriller/ drama, and one based on a true story experienced by the main lead actor / writer for good measure. Very well written, and Jessica Gunning is superlative as the main antagonist.

Ooh that sounds like something that might appeal to my tastes, will give it a whirl, thanks for the recommendation.
 
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