What I'm Watching [Archive]

Watch_Tower

03-07-16, 05:37 PM

I thought I'd start a new series where I list the tv shows I am currently watching or have watched in the past. It's just meant to give a brief summary of the shows, you guys can pitch in too.

So here goes:

The Night Manager
Where? BBC 2

Is it any good? Not really, a budget James Bond with some horrible dialogue e.g. "I googled you Jack Lyndon and I didn't find anything"...well duh Sherlock, not everyone can be found on Google. Oh and there's this clunker, "Do it for England"....God, who wrote this?

Will I be watching again? After 1.5 episodes, HELL NO!

Rating: 0/5

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03545/The_Night_Manager_3545309b.jpg

Watch_Tower

03-07-16, 05:40 PM

The Walking Dead Season 6
Where? FX

Is it any good? Lots of blood, lots more gore and a tonne of zombies? Of course it's friggin good! It hasn't quite hit my personal highs of season 4 and 5 but with the world expanding and even more dodgy middle aged men around, I'm sure things are going to end on a high note. #ifglenndiesieatyourface

Will I be watching again? Of course.

Rating: 3/5

http://www.blastr.com/sites/blastr/files/TheWalkingDead-S6cast.jpg

honeykid

03-08-16, 11:46 AM

Watch_Tower

03-09-16, 01:26 PM

I've only seen the first episode of The Night Manager and, while it's not hitting any heights, I'll certainly give it another episode, at least.

I'd probably have those thoughts and ratings the other way around, because I could only make it through the first episode of The Walking Dead and I struggled to do that.

I see Egg is still in it. :D

I watched the second ep of The Night Manager and just couldn't bare it any longer. It looks like a cheap porno "parody" of James Bond lol

And how can you not like TWD? You are the devil!

Watch_Tower

03-09-16, 01:30 PM

Master of None

Where? Netflix

Is it any good? Well....yes and no. There is genuine heart here and Aziz Ansari is still funny but the acting is sloppy and the directing is so old fashioned. For a guy whose whole comedy schtick is based on being young and hip, this plays like a show filmed way back in the dark ages of American tv...the 90s.

Buuuuuut, the second episode really struck home as my parents were immigrants too, so I'll give it a couple more episodes.

Will I be watching again? Yes...for now.

Rating: Undecided but give it a watch if you like Aziz Ansari and if you like brown people.

https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wyALSvddnsvnUq8BNI68HiMjNgM=/1200x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4239805/maste_s1_003_h.0.jpg

honeykid

03-10-16, 05:46 PM

Rio Ferdinand on the left?

Watch_Tower

03-12-16, 08:02 AM

LOL Rio wishes he had that much hair

Watch_Tower

03-12-16, 08:15 AM

Keeping up with the Khans

Where? Channel 4

Is it any good? Well...if you're into so called, "reality" tv, then it's right up your street. The story of the once migrant Pakistani community in Sheffield (a dreary part of England) and their now successful families. It links up with the new migrants from Africa, the Mid-East and eastern Europe. Kinda uncomfortable when channel 4 pull their usual trick of making us laugh at poor people rather than understanding what they are going through.

Will I be watching again? After 2 episodes...possibly? If only to pass time.

Rating: 1.5/5

honeykid

03-12-16, 11:42 AM

TBH the title is more than enough to put me off paying any more attention to this.

Watch_Tower

03-17-16, 04:30 PM

Better Call Saul

Where? Netflix

Is it any good? We all loved Breaking Bad, it had Walter White, Jessie Pinkman, drugs, gangsters, crime, total badass chemistry bombs, so I guess the people behind this show thought, "Hey, they all loved that, so let's give them a show about Breaking Bad's b-characters!". Yay for marketing.

The reality is, this show isn't bad. In fact, it's quite good. At times funny, at times somber. Well written obviously and well acted but it doesn't stand out. We've swapped seeing explosions, drugs, violence and Cranston in his undies for court rooms! And of course, litigation!

Will I be watching again? Seen season 1. Might watch season 2 just to see how the story unfolds in the first couple episodes.

Rating: 2/5

http://nerdreactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/saul.jpg

Watch_Tower

03-19-16, 08:30 AM

Daredevil Season 1

Where? Netflix

Is it any good? Most certainly! By no means an exceptional show but it does Daredevil, one of Marvel's most intriguing creations, justice. All the bad taste from Aflecks horrible movie can now be forgotten.

It's a bit too heavy on the dialogue but when the action goes and it does by the end of the season, the show comes into it's own. Probably the best Netflix original.

Will I be watching again? Yes.

Rating: 2.5/5

http://cdn2-www.comingsoon.net/assets/uploads/gallery/marvels-daredevil-1413056220/11060044_1614421008794136_1780791116049922554_o.jpg

Tugg

03-19-16, 09:16 AM

Better Call Saul

We've swapped seeing explosions, drugs, violence and Cranston in his undies for court rooms! And of course, litigation!
There should be much more crime and much less boring lawyer workplace politics.

CelluloidGeek

03-19-16, 03:37 PM

Get tv
Cimarron city

Watch_Tower

03-19-16, 08:52 PM

There should be much more crime and much less boring lawyer workplace politics.
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I have to agree with this.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is different from Breaking Bad and it's clear the creators wanted to make something...else. Sadly, the new direction just doesn't work enough to elevate this to "must see" status.

There are some positives, with a handful of strong scripts and endearing characters but it all gets a bit too lost in...boxes of files, lawsuits and threatening letters!

Watch_Tower

04-02-16, 08:23 AM

Daredevil Season 2

Where? Netflix

Is it any good? Wana know how to make a show where the main character is as bland as yesterdays pizza? Well get in touch with the daredevil season runners, because they will have the answers. It's not bad enough that charlie cox (Daredevil) is a charisma vacuum but casting John Bernthal (THE most underused man in Hollywood) to play opposite him was a major mistake.

This is all about The Punisher, when he's not on screen, there is literally no reason to watch. Daredevil's story arc is about as interesting as an enema. Heck, secondary characters Karen and Foggy (wtf kinda name is that) get to do more, have better lines and more important story arcs.

Wait, I haven't even started on how they have massacred Elektra. She's gone from being an ass kicking assassin in the comics to being a little, sniveling, love struck, hormonal ******* crazy, assassin who still manages to kick ass every now and then. Her story is only slightly better than Daredevils.

Oh, and to answer the question, it's ok when The Punisher is around.

Will I be watching again? No. Just make a Punisher spinoff.

Rating: 2/5

Watch_Tower

04-19-16, 06:04 PM

American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson

https://assets.fxnetworks.com/cms/prod/shows/american-crime-story/photos/web_largecoverart_series_american-crime-story_270x398_update.jpg

Where? BBC2 HD (UK)

Is it any good? Yes...yes yes yes. Now, as a kid in the UK, I have the vaguest memory of the scene where OJ is trying on the gloves and they don't quite go on. That was pretty much all I knew before the show. Lots of evidence but OJ walks free.

The show delves deeper, into the racial tensions at that time in LA, mirroring what is happening with various police forces across the US today. It also gives you a view of just how idiotic the prosecution were. They had all that evidence but didn't know how to present it. Face palm huh?

My only gripe with it all is, once I stared looking into the facts behind the trial, it wasn't as simple as "black jurors love OJ, white jurors hate him". Then again, this is TV. Still, it's beautifully shot and well acted. In my opinion, Travolta as Bob Shepiro (one of the very rich lawyers hired by OJ) and Courtney B. Vance (as another very rich lawyer but this time black) absolutely steal the show. Travolta, in the process, has made his 700th comeback.

Will I be watching again? Yes.

Rating: 3.5/5

honeykid

04-20-16, 08:18 AM

Are you commenting on the whole series or just the first/one episode?

I've really enjoyed it and I agree that Vance has stolen the show.

Watch_Tower

04-21-16, 07:14 PM

The whole series. When I say I'll be watching again, I mean the second season. I heard it's an anthology series, so next season will delve into another "true crime". Can't wait to see where they go.

honeykid

04-21-16, 10:31 PM

It's Katrina, isn't it?

Watch_Tower

04-23-16, 12:29 PM

Is it? I had no idea. What will they do with the Katrina story?

Watch_Tower

04-23-16, 12:33 PM

11.22.63

Where? FX (UK)

Is it any good? It's pretty damn good. As a King fan (haven't read this particular book) I feel his movie/TV adaptations have been average at best (The Shining) or just plain horrible (Carrie). The Shawshank Redemption is obviously an anomaly. This show can be added to the list of anomalies.

James Franco is at his weird best in this one, every scene he's in manages to crack me up, even when it's not meant to be funny and it somehow works. Maybe it's the paranoid 1960s setting, or the ridiculous time travel plot or the fact that everyone else around him is trying to be so damn serious. It's a weird mix which makes for intriguing television.

Will I be watching again? After the first 2 episodes, yes I will.

Rating: 2.5/5

http://cdn5.thr.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/scale_crop_768_433/2016/02/112263_franco_russ_martin.jpg

honeykid

04-23-16, 05:27 PM

Dammit. I didn't know this had already started. :(

Is it? I had no idea. What will they do with the Katrina story?

wiki says they're going to concentrate on the aftermath of it. I think I've heard people saying it'll be from multiple viewpoints/victims.

Camo

04-23-16, 05:28 PM

11.22.63 is amazing :up:

Camo

04-23-16, 05:29 PM

Dammit. I didn't know this had already started.

If you are talking about 11.22.63 it is finished.

honeykid

04-23-16, 05:39 PM

Not over here surely?

Watch_Tower

04-23-16, 06:50 PM

No no, still only ep 2 here. We're getting to ep 3 this week.

Watch_Tower

04-23-16, 06:50 PM

Dammit. I didn't know this had already started. :(

wiki says they're going to concentrate on the aftermath of it. I think I've heard people saying it'll be from multiple viewpoints/victims.

But then it's not a crime story :( Or is it more about the governments lack of effort, which is honestly a crime.

Camo

04-23-16, 06:59 PM

Not over here surely?

Nah, i didn't know you were talking about it airing in the UK.

Watch_Tower

04-25-16, 04:01 PM

Better Call Saul Season 2

Where? netflix

Is it any good? Litigation, so much more litigation....and paper work, filing, dates, signatures...Lord! But in all seriousness, this is far better than season 1 and genuinely entertaining and violent at times. The already brilliant writing is once against coupled with a more Breaking Bad-esque framework.

There are certain divisive aspects to the new season, such as diverging story paths for Saul and Mike, at times so different they feel like 2 different tv shows. Did we really need to know every minute detail of Mikes life before Walter White? I'm of the opinion we didn't. But hey, at least it brought us some shooting.

In terms of Saul, he is as magnetic as ever and just as slick. It's great fun watching him and his dynamic relationship with Kim is one of the best on screen...ever. There's none of the smarmy, cheesy bs we're used to. This is straight up real dawg...as people in California would say.

Will I be watching again? Yes. Bring on season 3.

Rating: 3/5

http://images.amcnetworks.com/amc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/201-JimmyPool.jpg

Watch_Tower

05-02-16, 06:32 PM

Game of Thrones Season 6 (Spoilers)

Where? Sky Atlantic/HBO

Is it any good? Oh what a run for this series, a thrilling first season, an even better second season and then the drop with season 3. Season 4 was a sustained resurgence and I was like, "Ok, I know the next couple books are dull but season 5 can liven things up"....It didn't. The last 3 episodes were exceptional but it may not have been enough to save my interest.

So here we are, 2 episodes into season 6 and a complete divergence from the books. We've had Roose Bolton killed by his own son, we had a little baby torn apart by dogs and some actual comedy...yes, comedy. Not the Tyrion type either but genuine,3 idiots style comedy. I liked that. The fact that it came from the Dothraki was even better.

So, onto those big deaths...does it even matter at this stage? Zero build up involved. They seem to have been thrown in just for the heck of it, like the "rape" scene last season. Oh and Jon Snow's alive, like most people predicted, the method of his resurrection was predicted too. Nothing dramatic about it.

Hopefully episode 3 is better or I might have to turn off.

Will I be watching again? Maybe...stay tuned for more.

Rating: 2/5 thus far

honeykid

05-02-16, 06:52 PM

You thought the second season was better than the first but what you're watching now is putting you off? Man, I can't even imagine how awful it must be. :D Season 2 was enough to put the mockers on it for me.

Watch_Tower

05-09-16, 01:31 PM

honeykid

05-09-16, 04:20 PM

Usually it means to put a jinx on something, but I usually use/have heard it used to means that something put an end to something. So, if you were telling someone about a plan to have a BBQ but it rained it'd be something like; we were going to have a BBQ, but then it rained, so that put the mockers on that.

Watch_Tower

07-23-16, 09:22 AM

Stranger Things

Where? Netflix

Is it any good? If you like 80s movies, everything from Aliens to The Goonies is covered, then you will love this. I grew up as a kid in the 90s watching Gremlins, ET and so on and this takes me right back to my childhood of watching those old movie reruns. Having said that, this is more than just a homage and will keep you hooked on it's own premise.

There are a few problems though, all the usual cliches concerning pre-teens and teens, the good old fashioned all American town is annoying as **** and those bikes...kids constantly riding around in bikes. Then again, that's the whole point of the show, it's meant to be the 80s, through and through.

Will I be watching again? A few issues but most definitely worth a watch, I'm almost at the finale and I will most certainly be watching.

Rating: 3/5

http://www.what-song.com/images/showposters/173.jpg

MonnoM

07-23-16, 02:05 PM

Will I be watching again? A few issues

What are those issues? In my opinion Winona Ryder is a big issue. I don't even think she's a bad actor but for some reason she's not meshing well with the show.

honeykid

07-23-16, 06:54 PM

Winona is in it? Suddenly I have a lot more interest in this. :randy:

Watch_Tower

07-25-16, 06:38 AM

What are those issues? In my opinion Winona Ryder is a big issue. I don't even think she's a bad actor but for some reason she's not meshing well with the show.

Like I said, some of the cliches are a real problem. The usual teen stuff, the kids stuff etc but I realise it's meant to be that way. It's an almost scene for scene homage to every classic 80s movie.

In terms of Winona I agree, I've never found her to be a good actress and she seems kinda over the top here, always shaking and looking harassed. But the kids hit it out the park and the Sheriff is a great new face.

Watch_Tower

07-25-16, 06:39 AM

Winona is in it? Suddenly I have a lot more interest in this. :randy:

lol just to warn you, she has aged :p

Watch_Tower

01-03-17, 01:10 PM

Sherlock (Season 4)

Where? BBC One

Is it any good? All style and no substance. This should be the by line of the last several Sherlock episodes. Ultimately, much like everything else Gattis and Moffat have done for the BBC lately, it's a show that crumbles under its own presumption of genius. The smarter it thinks it is, the dumber it becomes.

Even the style and flash isn't worth it. A prime example is the scene in the aquarium, where it's pretty obvious that they haven't bothered filming inside the location and have put up screens showing fish swimming around. This is children's tv bad. Oh and the action scenes dotted around every ten minutes have the production value of a Nollywood movie. I won't waste anymore time on this one.

Will I be watching again? It's elementary my dear ... oh **** it, of course not.

Rating: 1/5

Gideon58

01-04-17, 05:01 PM

I do all of my TV viewing online so I don't watch a lot of stuff on pay channels, but these are the TV shows that are on my regular prime time viewing schedule...I think the easiest way to do this is by network/channel:

ABC: The Real O Neals, Fresh off the Boat, The Goldbergs, American Housewife, Modern Family, Black-ish, Speechless, Designated Survivor, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Notorious, Last Man Standing

CBS: 2 Broke Girls, Man with a Plan, The Odd Couple, Bull, Criminal Minds, Mom, Life in Pieces, Blue Bloods

NBC: Law & Order: SVU, This is Us

FOX: Son of Zorn, Family Guy, Gotham, Empire, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Pitch, The Mick, Scream Queens

The CW: Supergirl

SHOWTIME: The Affair

Watch_Tower

01-11-17, 05:39 PM

Watch_Tower

11-30-17, 06:48 AM

wow it has been a long time, time to get back into this ladies and gents

The Punisher

Where? Netflix (well...)

Is it any good? Yes and no. Jon Bernthal is as watchable as ever and in my opinion, this is his best role to date. The problem arises with The Punisher ... well, not punishing anyone or even wearing his famous skull vest. It's basically just some guy fixing things in a widows house and then the odd action set piece. Dare Devil Season 2 got the character just right but this show doesn't seem to know if it wants to be a family drama, a buddy movie, an action piece or a political statement.

Too many cooks and all that.

Will I be watching again? After 4 episodes yes, but only because I trust in Bernthal

Rating: 3/5

Ultraviolence

11-30-17, 07:06 AM

Currently watching:

Samurai Jack Season 5 - The Last Season (4/5)
Fate/Apocrypha (3/5)
One Piece (3,5/5)
Punisher (1/5)
Stranger Things season 2 (1/5)

All notes are based in what I have watched so far...

John-Connor

03-13-19, 06:47 AM

The Umbrella Academy
https://i.imgur.com/qJPuabQ.png

Watch_Tower

12-08-19, 07:57 AM

And so we return after a season of some big TV additions, I'll start with

His Dark Materials

Where? BBC One

Is it any good? Yes...and no. This is a difficult one, as is the subject matter. I read the trilogy in my early teen years and found it enjoyable, thought provoking and just plain cool. As a Muslim, I have never been taken by the atheist agenda or "arguments" but I thought Pullman handled his opinions/thoughts/ideology very well. It was a clear atheist agenda but it did not get shoved down my throat.

Fast forward some 15 years, all of Pullman's maniacal and in all honesty, idiotic comments, coupled with the mainstream media rise of the likes of Ricky Gervais, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and co. I start to wonder how responsible this type of film making is in such a climate of hate and prejudice.

Yet the BBC has handled it well...for the most part. The anti-religious undertones are there but masked in some terrific fantasy film making but in-your-face feminism (scene after scene of Mrs Coulter trumping her male counterparts, which are not present in the book seem to take up 10-15 minutes per episode) and then there is the ethnic "diversity"...diversity so much so that any character who isn't white is black. The Gyptians would have been the perfect opportunity to introduce a string of rising Asian actors in the UK and Pullman clearly based this group on the Romani gypsies and their way of life, far closer in culture and looks to people of the subcontinent than Africa.

I must sound horrible saying all this but if you want to make such in your face statements, then you have to do it right.

However the special effects and the flow of the programme is fun and passable enough...it just could have been better without all the politics.

Will I be watching again? 5 episodes in, I may finish the final episode if I have time.

Rating: 2.5/5 - not a must watch

https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2019/09/19023384-low_res-his-dark-materials-2b6ac23.jpg?quality=90&resize=620,413