Netflix recommendations

[wiskey]

We watched the first episode of The Queen’s Gambit and we really liked it. It’s a drama miniseries about an young orphan girl in 1960s America who turns out to be a chess prodigy, all while fighting her own demons and a drug addiction. Fantastic reviews across the board as well

This came up as my next watch according to the algorithm gods so I obeyed and ended up watching it all this evening.

Brilliant. A thoroughly rewarding watch with interesting characters and a refreshingly frank way of looking at themes (amongst others) of feminism, grief, addiction, coming of age and family ... And then of course there's chess. I found it surprisingly moving at times.

Interesting that many of the main cast are English, although it seems like Thomas Sangster (Benny) will never look older than 12 no matter how much face fuzz he has!

 

[T & P]

This came up as my next watch according to the algorithm gods so I obeyed and ended up watching it all this evening.

Brilliant. A thoroughly rewarding watch with interesting characters and a refreshingly frank way of looking at themes (amongst others) of feminism, grief, addiction, coming of age and family ... And then of course there's chess. I found it surprisingly moving at times.

Interesting that many of the main cast are English, although it seems like Thomas Sangster (Benny) will never look older than 12 no matter how much face fuzz he has!

On episode 4 now ourselves and bloody loving it. One of the best Netflix originals in a long time.

I don’t remember seeing Anya Taylor-Joy in anything before but she’s fantastic in it. She (and the show) should collect a few gongs come the awards season.

 

[Epona]

Also loving The Queen's Gambit - it really is beautifully done. Going to start episode 5 when OH returns from having a cigarette

 

[Orang Utan]

On episode 4 now ourselves and bloody loving it. One of the best Netflix originals in a long time.

I don’t remember seeing Anya Taylor-Joy in anything before but she’s fantastic in it. She (and the show) should collect a few gongs come the awards season.

She’s Michael’s missus in Peaky Blinders

 

[T & P]

Also, Harry Potter’s cousin has turned out timo be quite a decent actor as an adult...

 

[wiskey]

Also, Harry Potter’s cousin has turned out to be quite a decent actor as an adult...

Which one is he?

Personally I think Moses Ingram is a scene stealer, and not just for the magnificent afro

 

[Orang Utan]

Which one is he?

Personally I think Moses Ingram is a scene stealer, and not just for the magnificent afro

Harry Melling

 

[Spymaster]

A Year In Space is outstanding. Documentary following an astronaut’s one year mission on the International Space Station from training, through launch, to return to his family a year later. A space doc hasn’t been done like this before with the actual astronauts filming it, there’s loads of awesome space photography including cockpit footage of launch, space walks, and re-entry in HD quality and I’ll never get tired of seeing pics of earth from space. A lot of it you’d think was CGI but it’s not. It’s presented in thirteen 15 minute episodes which was a bit irritating but still the best space doc yet made, imo.

Interesting fact. A single space suit as used by NASA astronauts for space walks costs 20 million dollars, can support the user's life for 6 hours in space and return the astronaut to the ship should they accidentally become untethered.

 

[T & P]

A Year In Space is outstanding. Documentary following an astronaut’s one year mission on the International Space Station from training, through launch, to return to his family a year later. A space doc hasn’t been done like this before with the actual astronauts filming it, there’s loads of awesome space photography including cockpit footage of launch, space walks, and re-entry in HD quality and I’ll never get tired of seeing pics of earth from space. A lot of it you’d think was CGI but it’s not. It’s presented in thirteen 15 minute episodes which was a bit irritating but still the best space doc yet made, imo.

Interesting fact. A single space suit as used by NASA astronauts for space walks costs 20 million dollars, can support the users life for 6 hours in space and return the astronaut to the ship should they accidentally become untethered.

Cheers for the heads-up. Still in the early episodes and enjoying it thoroughly already.

ETA: I had to turn the subtitles on as for whatever reason the English subtitles when a Russian is being interviewed are not always showing automatically. Netflix has a habit of doing this, on my account at least

 

[sojourner]

Aye, nice one Spymaster - just stuck it on my list

I came on to recommend the remake of Rebecca - absolutely loved it.

Also, The Boys in the Band - and the interviews with the writer, cast and crew afterwards. Absolutely fabulous!

 

[Spymaster]

ETA: I had to turn the subtitles on as for whatever reason the English subtitles when a Russian is being interviewed are not always showing automatically. Netflix has a habit of doing this, on my account at least

Same here. It's just slack subtitling.

 

[Ax^]

As much as one can form an opinion from watching just the first episode, I thoroughly recommend The Haunting of Bly Manor. Certainly to those who liked The Haunting of Hill House- which in fact this is a follow up of. Very promising so far

just finished it

very old school but interesting

 

[T & P]

Just finished The Queen’s Gambit. What a ludicrously fucking brilliant series this is. My face aches from smiling so much.

Can’t recommend it enough. And to anyone a bit doubtful about the subject matter, do not give it a moment’s thought even if you think it’s not for you or know fuck all about chess. It really doesn’t matter or plays any part into the enjoyment of the series.

Best Netflix original for ages, and Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance is exquisite and alone worth watching this- not that it’s the only reason to.

 

[keybored]

Someone's kept Simon Pegg in a bunker for years.. If only they'd kept him in for another 90 minutes we'd have been spared this pile of shit

I'd avoid The Boys if I were you.

 

[Spymaster]

The Inheritance

Someone's kept Simon Pegg in a bunker for years.. If only they'd kept him in for another 90 minutes we'd have been spared this pile of shit

I wasted 39 minutes of my life on that bollocks before dumping it.

 

[1927]

Did a search, but nothing came up!
Has anyone watched Kill the Messenger yet? About a small time reporter who uncovered the CIA involvement with the arms for contras affair. A sort of All the Presidents men for the 90s.

 

[DaveCinzano]

Did a search, but nothing came up!
Has anyone watched Kill the Messenger yet? About a small time reporter who uncovered the CIA involvement with the arms for contras affair. A sort of All the Presidents men for the 90s.

Yes, it's not great, but it is watchable.

 

[kittyP]

Fleabag, The Good Place and Father Ted are just a few "light entertainment comedy shows" which are popular around here. That's because they are good.

I wouldn't put Fleabag in a "light entertainment comedy" category.

 

[kittyP]

The Inheritance

Someone's kept Simon Pegg in a bunker for years.. If only they'd kept him in for another 90 minutes we'd have been spared this pile of shit

I thought it was quite entertaining shit

 

[Reno]

I wouldn't put Fleabag in a "light entertainment comedy" category.

I would but then I prefer a for most of my entertainment to be at least vaguely traumatic.

 

[kittyP]

I came on to recommend the remake of Rebecca - absolutely loved it.

Oh really?
I have not watched it yet as I've been too nervous.
I love the book and the Lawrence Olivier/Joan Fontaine version

 

[spanglechick]

Recent Netflix binging: all of iZombie. I know, it’s old, but quite endearing despite often less-than-compelling filler episodes.

Rebecca. Meh. It’s hard to transform the source material into something so forgettable. The reveal at the fancy dress ball should be excruciating... but I found it all a bit of a drag. There’s no doubt that Hammer is handsome, but he lacks the edge that Maxim should have. And she? She was too pretty to elicit much sympathy. Or perhaps she gave just not a good enough performance. Kristen Scott Thomas was splendid, but no surprise there.

I then watched both seasons of the Alienist. I would’ve given up but I’m a stickler for seeing things through. Both could have been significantly improved by being shortened to six episodes.

But it’s all ok because then I watched Queen’s Gambit. Oh how clever these storytellers can be. Even down to the structuring of the episodes. Glorious and skilful work.

 

[T & P]

But it’s all ok because then I watched Queen’s Gambit. Oh how clever these storytellers can be. Even down to the structuring of the episodes. Glorious and skilful work.

Not that those of us with a rudimentary or nonexistent knowledge of chess would have noticed it or cared, but in addition to its high overall quality, all the chess action is apparently impeccably accurate.

I was reading today a review of the series by a chess magazine, and they said everything from the openings to the tactics to even every single piece move shown on camera were absolutely spot on. They said it was without doubt the most chess-realistic fiction series or film ever made. IIRC two chess grandmasters were consulted throughout to ensure this was so. Harry Melling was also quoted as saying he knew nothing about chess and had to memorise all the moves he was to play on camera as the producers/ director wouldn’t have anyone moving pieces randomly.

 

[Chilli.s]

Queen’s Gambit, 3 episodes in and loving it.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

I guess I should put the Quees Gambit on my list then. I have gotten into a bit of a Netflix rut. I think I must have done all the top quality stuff, everything I am watching now seems very C and D grade. Struggling to be really interested in anything, and mostly re-watching things I previously enjoyed.

 

[Badgers]

#BoonSoon

 

[sojourner]

Oh really?
I have not watched it yet as I've been too nervous.
I love the book and the Lawrence Olivier/Joan Fontaine version

You won't be disappointed kittyP . I too love that version but this is fab. I've actually got the book to read, well, the fella got given it as a pressy so I suppose I have to let him read it first.

 

[Reno]

I thought the Rebecca remake was awful. In the Hitchcock film and the novel, these are fucked up, not very sympathetic characters. They smoothed away all the edges to make them bland and uncomplicated. I think "relatable" is the term used in pitches. They turned a gothic romance into an insipid love story. Both leads are disastrously miscast and only Kristen Scott Thomas gives a decent performance, but she still isn't a patch on Judith Anderson in the Hitchcock film.

 

[kittyP]

I thought the Rebecca remake was awful. In the Hitchcock film and the novel, these are fucked up, not very sympathetic people. They smoothed away all the edges to make them bland and uncomplicated. I think "relatable" is the term used in pitches. Both leads are disastrously miscast and only Kristen Scott Thomas gives a decent performance, but she still isn't a patch on Judith Anderson in the Hitchcock film.

Hmm I think I might leave it then.

 

[sojourner]

Hmm I think I might leave it then.

Do you not trust me?