Stranger Things [Archive]

SevereEddie

08-18-16, 10:27 AM

I agree, a great show. A great 80's vibe throughout, dark undertones and a fantastic ruined parallel universe (it made me think of Silent Hill in many aspects). The children absolutely steal the show and the story is nicely rounded within these 8 episodes. I liked that. No cliffhangers, just an open road for a season 2.

What I didn't like, however, were the performances of the adult actors, especially Winona Ryder. She was pretty unconvincing and I couldn't stop imagining that actress who played Ray's wife in Everyone Loves Raymond in her stead. However, maybe that's also a part of the 80's feel. Her average acting emphasized children's performance.

All in all, (ignoring the Ryder hate) a great show. I am looking forward to seeing where it goes in season 2.

Iroquois

08-18-16, 10:44 AM

It's alright.

3

Gabrielle947

08-19-16, 02:53 PM

^ Haha, exactly my thoughts :D

TheUsualSuspect

09-16-16, 07:54 AM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Stranger_Things_logo.png/250px-Stranger_Things_logo.png

How is no one talking about this show?

It's if Spielberg directed an X-Files episode from the 80's.

The kids are all great, which is a nice surprise. The content is original and interesting, the atmosphere is perfect. The weakest link is Ryder, but that might be because I just don't like her in general.

Great show, look forward to season 2.

Swan

09-16-16, 07:58 AM

EVERYONE is talking about this show, bro. :p

Iroquois

09-16-16, 08:02 AM

That reminds me, I still need to check out The Get Down.

Mr Minio

09-16-16, 08:14 AM

Two of my film buddies told me it sucks. One told me it's ok. Not even going to bother.

The Sci-Fi Slob

09-16-16, 08:18 AM

Amazing show! It took me back to my childhood - Goonies, ET, The Lost Boys...oh yes. I can't wait for season 2.

Iroquois

09-16-16, 08:20 AM

Two of my film buddies told me it sucks. One told me it's ok. Not even going to bother.

It does not seem like your kind of thing, no.

Movie Max

09-16-16, 09:38 AM

Two of my film buddies told me it sucks. One told me it's ok. Not even going to bother.

Alright, but, be warned, you won't know what to do, if and when stranger things start happening in your neighborhood.:D

Evan_Wheatley

10-25-16, 01:05 PM

I adored this show from start to finish. It’s truly an 80s sci-fi/horror series for our generation. Check out my review of it on my review thread: http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=47061

Camo

10-25-16, 01:11 PM

Why did you post the exact same thing in both Stranger Things threads? And better yet why is there two Stranger Things threads?

I thought Now Playing was broken for a second.

Daniel M

10-25-16, 01:16 PM

And better yet why is there two Stranger Things threads?

The Upside Down, duh.

Yoda

10-25-16, 01:29 PM

Merged. Thought I'd done it earlier.

doubledenim

01-04-17, 09:42 PM

If you start thinking about the way these events unfold and how this can happen, but then this doesn't, you can blow holes through this.

That would truly be a shame though. So much spirit, charm, heart, atmosphere and those damn kids are so cute. I have not been so compelled to watch a show in a long time. Not Thrones, WD, WW, nothing. If you doubt how much I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'll leave you with this...

Friends...don't...lie.

Sigerson Holmes

01-04-17, 09:45 PM

I thought it was wonderful.

dragonfly

01-05-17, 04:48 PM

I enjoyed this so much. I got completely hooked instantly and binged which I've not done for years.
rating_5

doubledenim

01-05-17, 06:37 PM

I enjoyed this so much. I got completely hooked instantly and binged which I've not done for years.
rating_5

Agreed. I came home late this past weekend and stayed up until 11 am watching the rest of it.

Sir Toose

01-07-17, 02:57 PM

I liked it. It's minus some of the cheesiness that almost always accompanied 80's stuff.

I think Winona Ryder's character was my favorite. I also liked the christmas light message board... pretty cool.

Since the title treatment is a definite nod toward Stephen King books back in the day, it made me think that IT and some of the other novels up for cinematic treatment should be done as Stranger Things was (series of well planned episodes to offset necessitating the cutting of too much material).

Anyway, yeah, I'll watch season 2.

3

doubledenim

01-08-17, 10:34 AM

Copypasta from popsugar (http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Stranger-Things-Finale-Newspaper-Article-42014837)

This article is in regards to the newspaper clipping.

The season one finale of Stranger Things ties up a lot of loose ends, some in more subtle ways that others. If you were wondering how the Byers family explains Will's mysterious reappearance (after his funeral and all that), there's a newspaper clipping in a scene toward the end that clarifies what's going on. I was curious, so I zoomed in on it. Here's exactly what it says — except for the parts obscured by the other clipping on the left:The former missing child Will Byers has been found after a week of searching. He is presently in stable condition in Hawkins General Hospital. Byers' mother, Joyce Byers, alleges Will was the subject of a secret government program run by the Hawkins National Laboratory. The allegation comes amidst a massive investigation into the hidden organization and its elaborate experimentations in perusal of mind control.
The abuse detailed in the first report includes prolonged physical duress and psychological interrogation. This [gove]rnment sanctioned torture has [prov]oked outrage amongst the American . . . In a statement issued yesterday . . . Ives mentioned her "disgust" . . . the organization saying, "our own [Ame]rican people are being treated like . . . we should be directly our . . . to the real target, the Soviets, not . . . own daughters and sons." Under legal . . . Brenner has issued no comment on . . .
There are a few things of interest here:

Joyce breaks her promise to the lab that she'll leave them alone if she can just go find Will. She outs them to the public, and the government is investigating. Does this mean they'll continue to come after her?
Then again, if the government is investigating a government-run program, will Hawkins National Laboratory actually get shut down?
This line — "Ives mentioned her 'disgust'" — is curious. Her first name isn't mentioned, but we can assume that it might be Becky, Terry's sister. Remember, Terry is Eleven's mother. If Becky has been made aware of the situation with Will and, subsequently, with Eleven, will her mother come out of her catatonic state at the glimmer of hope that her daughter is alive?
Brenner hasn't commented because he's dead . . . LOL.

The two things that struck me are Becky and Brenner.

- Is Becky some sort of gov agent, maybe? Is she even the real sister. It would make sense to have someone on hand in case Terry had any dormant abilities that bubbled to the surface.

- I think there is a good chance Brenner is still alive. A sci-fi/ thriller/ mystery trope often used "if you don't see them die, they aren't dead". It may be a stretch, but when I first watched it I was struck by how anti-climatic his death was. It seems that El needs some sort of closure/vengeance for all he did to her and he would meet his fate by her hands.

I am dying to know why there aren't more monsters. We see the alien homage egg. Will slug-spitting in the sink. Barb gestating as well. The Duffer brothers apparently have 30 pages on the history of the Upside-Down.

doubledenim

01-11-17, 01:07 PM

https://media.giphy.com/media/3owyp1A67AkaWZUoX6/giphy.gif

doubledenim

01-13-17, 01:15 PM

http://i.imgur.com/U7E5Bpr.gif (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjN8tHKz7_RAhXC7CYKHR8ED9IQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fimgur.com%2Fgallery%2FOBMSy&psig=AFQjCNET4f1Ef-RQT3A-2JT3Vu5FIQ5ANQ&ust=1484414078684029)

doubledenim

01-21-17, 02:58 PM

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16142491_660945264102670_6987332612695036473_n.jpg?oh=e09d823045af9d08d55d293db7f611f4&oe=5912B808

Iroquois

01-22-17, 04:40 AM

just listen to this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktIzXU4N0Gk

doubledenim

01-22-17, 07:17 PM

That is pretty much the same.

I had the thought watching ST that so much of the 80's synth scores sound the same. Swells and delays.

Still, that is close like IIB is to Under Pressure.

doubledenim

02-04-17, 01:09 PM

http://i.imgur.com/iW80Gck.png

http://i.imgur.com/TY4fkLR.png

Yasashii

02-04-17, 01:16 PM

Shame that this wasn't something The Broadcast networks or even Cable networks went after.

Why? I, for one, am very happy to see that the medium that was previously ignored and thought of as a source of memes exclusively is now rubbing it into the faces of TV and printed media with award-winning shows and slowly, but surely, becoming the go-to medium for not just young folks, but everyone.

All hail the internet!

Austruck

02-04-17, 01:19 PM

Since the title treatment is a definite nod toward Stephen King books back in the day, it made me think that IT and some of the other novels up for cinematic treatment should be done as Stranger Things was (series of well planned episodes to offset necessitating the cutting of too much material).

Anyway, yeah, I'll watch season 2.

3
IT was originally done as a mini-series in 1990, two long episodes, starring Richard Thomas, Harry Anderson, Dennis Christopher, Richard Masur, John Ritter, and Annette O'Toole ... with Tim Curry as the beloved clown Pennywise. :)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099864/?ref_=tt_ov_inf

Dani8

02-04-17, 06:54 PM

I didnt think I would like it because
1. i've never liked winona's acting
and
2. mostly kids in my weekly entertainment doesn't thrill me

but this was good fun and I loved the nostalgia. The kids were excellent. I thought winona did a good job as the neurotic mother of a lost child but about half way through she was rubbing me up the wrong way. Still, really good show and I'll be watching out for these kids on screen in future.

doubledenim

02-05-17, 10:05 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Egf5U8xLo8

https://media.giphy.com/media/AjkUQrzvs5OCc/giphy.gif (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwi71LzFsfrRAhWqwFQKHdUvAmYQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgiphy.com%2Fgifs%2FAjkUQrzvs5OCc&psig=AFQjCNHba2DrZQx4ABkVamW_rBTqaRHAOQ&ust=1486433240459921)

They better be in the process of filming season 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 before these kids get any older.

Swan

02-05-17, 10:19 PM

Yes please! Great preview!

Austruck

02-06-17, 01:13 PM

doubledenim, even when I'm signed in to YouTube it says your video is unavailable. :(

doubledenim

02-06-17, 02:24 PM

They took it down I guess. Let me see here. (furious typing ensues)

P.E.

My guess is people were popping it up before there was an official Netflix link. Fixed.

Austruck

02-06-17, 02:29 PM

Thanks for fixing it! Great little trailer! Love those kids!

ScarletLion

02-06-17, 03:00 PM

Excellent. thanks for that. Cannot wait.

MonnoM

07-22-17, 09:35 PM

Season 2 Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgS2L7WPIO4

Dani8

07-23-17, 04:41 PM

Probably not for me. Even Winona's 1 second in the trailer made me want to punch the screen. Really enjoyed first season but I think this one is getting binned. Have fun, you lot. :up:

doubledenim

07-24-17, 12:05 AM

Blaspheme. You liked the first season, but the trailer for S2 killed your interest?

Don't resist. Succumb to all the guilty charm. Saccharin doesn't cause diabetes!

Dani8

07-25-17, 07:45 PM

Blaspheme. You liked the first season, but the trailer for S2 killed your interest?

Don't resist. Succumb to all the guilty charm. Saccharine doesn't cause diabetes!

I dropped it 3 episodes in but a friend kept encouraging me to pick it up again and I did. Enjoyed it except for Winona. Fun show but not enough to keep my interest.

doubledenim

08-22-17, 01:04 PM

The Duffer Bros have stated that they will end with 4 seasons.

I can see it now, the final season they ditch the bikes for mom's car.

Yoda

08-22-17, 01:08 PM

I'm still stunned this is going to continue with the same characters, rather than become an anthology. It never even occurred to me watching it that they'd try to do this.

Dani8

08-22-17, 01:12 PM

I must say I'm disappointed Winona is back in it and she gets love interest with someone who looks young enough to be her son.

doubledenim

08-22-17, 01:37 PM

As much as I love ST, I will admit 3 seems to be stretching it.

Looking at you True Blood.

ScarletLion

08-22-17, 03:38 PM

I must say I'm disappointed Winona is back in it and she gets love interest with someone who looks young enough to be her son.

How dare you. She can do no wrong.

Dani8

08-22-17, 03:39 PM

How dare you. She can do no wrong.

LOL. I;m sorry, scarlet. I will try harder to like her. If not you have permission to flog me.

Tony Roosevelt

08-22-17, 10:10 PM

I'm still stunned this is going to continue with the same characters, rather than become an anthology. It never even occurred to me watching it that they'd try to do this.
This surprised me as well I thought the anthology concept was more intriguing personally but I'm excited to see where this season goes

Dani8

08-22-17, 11:23 PM

This surprised me as well I thought the anthology concept was more intriguing personally but I'm excited to see where this season goes

I never thought it was going to be an anthology (and I dont usually like those anyway) but the kids were so well received I never considered they would do away with the cast. I'm just not a fan of Winona and dont want to see her love interest as Sean Astin. Just not working for me.

Austruck

08-22-17, 11:29 PM

That was my feeling too -- that perhaps they decided to do a sort of sequel because everyone adored those kids in those roles. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. :)

Tony Roosevelt

08-23-17, 12:33 PM

I can agree with that because the kids and the sheriff were the best parts for me but that's what was buzzing around after season 1 and I really liked the idea of season different story told that way but we're getting more stranger things so there's really no disappointment.

Dani8

08-23-17, 02:14 PM

Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ2RGaDBfwI

and renewed for a third season. I just love this music. Takes me back to The Omen, Exorcist or Rosemary's Baby.

https://www.facebook.com/NowThisEntertainment/videos/1533810266680530/

Dani8

10-13-17, 06:02 PM

OMG I didnt even recognise 11

Wasnt going to continue because Winona! (sorry winona fans but she reminds me of my ex sister in law) but missing the retro vibe for a skip down 80s lane.

New trailer. Starts 27/10

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/stranger-things-season-2-watch-final-trailer/

doubledenim

10-13-17, 09:22 PM

That music reminded me of Interstellar.

Of course Steve has a karate headband.

doubledenim

10-13-17, 10:56 PM

The internet wasted no time on this. Then again, I tend to believe this is studio released hype machine stuff.

Ernyway...

The trailer shows 11 opening a door with hur skillz. What seems like a standard tension moment is probably more.

This hallway / foyer is the one from her mother's house. Whether or not mum is home is another question.

doubledenim

10-14-17, 11:09 AM

The more I watch that second trailer, I think "tees wuz the feels I needed from the Last Jedi trailer."

Sedai

11-03-17, 03:03 PM

Just about done with the new season. While my thoughts on the season are mostly positive...

The story thread featuring 11 was definitely the weakest aspect of the season for me. The choice to keep her out of the group of kids for pretty much the entire season took a lot away from the dynamic of the group. I like Mad Max a whole lot, but they material they had 11 involved with seemed mostly tacked on, sometimes drifting so far out of range of the spirit of the show that i felt like I was watching a marvel show about a new group of emerging mutants. The "Give in to your anger" stuff that was slung around in episode 7 was derivative, and had me pining for more of the Hawkins story almost immediately. The show is at its best when it's focused on the adventurous group dynamics of the main group of kids, or when a googly-eyed Winona is hamming it up in full-on crazy mode.

The season has plenty to like, but I don't think it was as fresh or as well put together as the first.

doubledenim

11-04-17, 07:48 AM

I wonder what that guy just wrote....

I watched the first 3 episodes last night and I still love all these characters. The execution is falling short though and I don't need these new characters. I guess that is some kind of rule that a new season means you have to add people.

I will venture a part of the first season is having the mystery unfold in front of you. Without that aspect, it seems like we are left treading water for an eventual showdown.

-How many love triangles do I need? I'm hoping there is an explanation for why everyone's favorite no-filter Camel smoking, Hellboy daddy surrogate is not with Joyce.

- I know this show is nostalgia soaked fruitcake, but Billy is too much. Crazy mull, double-decking denim, TA blaring Scorpions. :lol: I guess I pick and choose with no rationale.

- Steve's a complete wimp now?

- How is the pollywog not a baby demogorgon and dead already?

- F you Bob and your sh#!++y advice. Too bad the internet already ruined your story. :nope:

It's only three episodes, so we'll see. Hard to catch lightning in the bottle twice.

Saunch

11-04-17, 05:55 PM

Steve was the best part of S2.

My reaction, overall, was the same as with S1: “fine but also meh”.

Really sweet ending, tho.

doubledenim

11-04-17, 08:55 PM

Yeah, well, well, you'd probably eat a bowl full of nougat.

doubledenim

11-05-17, 10:02 AM

S2:E4

-Shout out to Push it to the Limit on the playlist. I always forget that it's from Scarface.
-Hopper goes running around doing all sorta stuff , hiding a psionic fugitive from the government, yet the kids get tailed and nabbed...
-Good for you cat, that's what you get for being a cat :blush: . I hate that they made my favorite character, Dustin, an idiot.

I am enjoying the new episodes, but some of the issues are hard to turn my brain off to.

Saunch

11-05-17, 10:22 AM

Poor cat. I liked him/her.

gandalf26

11-05-17, 07:48 PM

I read a spot on critique on another forum, how do you start of a season with an exiting new character only for that character to be a bit of a sideshow/letdown and only feature in 1 ep.

S2 definitely didn't hit the highs of Season 1. Don't understand how they went from evil men in black type/gov doctors to nice guy doctors co-operating with locals, its more fun when there's an evil gov black ops type. Eleven is now Proffesor X, so powerful they have to get rid of her for nearly the whole season before she rides in to save the day. Still love the 80's "ET" boys on bikes vibe, with cool electro music. I watched the first 6 or so eps quite slowly which is a sign I wasn't sucked in like before, ending was OK I guess.

doubledenim

11-05-17, 08:19 PM

It feels like that band with a bonkers debut album. You know, the material they have tuned up for the past 5 years.

Then the label forces them to have the follow-up out in 6 months.

doubledenim

11-05-17, 08:23 PM

I read a spot on critique on another forum, how do you start of a season with an exiting new character only for that character to be a bit of a sideshow/letdown and only feature in 1 ep.

Cuz the end of season 4 is gonna be the Avengers/ Justice League.

Saunch

11-05-17, 08:25 PM

That whole episode shoulda been like 15 minutes.

doubledenim

11-05-17, 11:32 PM

I think I put my finger on it. There's not enough weird.

No grey hair Modine, no isolation tank scenes, no swimming pool, no 11 at the rock quarry, no christmas light decoder...

Pretty close to calling it Carnivale da-da-dummm season 2. Not bad, but nothing beats the first time.

doubledenim

11-06-17, 01:45 AM

So maybe I'm not the best at "using my words", but I really like Stranger Things. This season just seemed like they stretched the material too thin.

-What real purpose do Max and the Red Ranger really serve? Neither saved the day, provided insight or anything of note. Billy and his ratchet wig where just a billboard for all the 80's cliche...and let's make him hate the world because. Obviously their Cali exile gets fleshed out, but why should we care.

-Eleven was given all these subplots because she couldn't be with the gang, she's a superhero and eliminates all fear. The mom I get, that had to happen. The mustache girl, all that just to reassure us that Papa is still out there. Ugh.

-Will. Good luck next time bub, maybe you can be more than a plot device.

-Closing "the gate"??? How many different little gates did we see in S1? This is your finale and the impending doom monster is just swirling around behind it.

-No upside-down? Everything about this series is branded u/d, yet we didn't see any of it expanded on.

It seems like 3-4 episodes of material that they made punch out of. Carnivale is the best analogy I can think of, but I'm pretty sure they knew it was the end.

Plus the weird meter was on E all season.

doubledenim

11-06-17, 09:45 AM

What about Bob?

Producer, "Hey, yeah. Um, Sean Astin, is a ... you know the kid from Goonies, he's a big fan of S1. Would love to be a bumbling , expendable character we could use to facilitate a fetch quest. "

We are suppose to believe that Joyce is gonna turn away from the Alpha that saved her boy, whom she had prior chemistry with, to date Radio Shack because? All of the material they had with him being a nerd, founder of the world famous Hawkins A.V. club, that could have been used with the kids and you make him responsible for Will getting smoke inhalation.

It kills me that I can't think of 2 sentences to string together about the Florida Project, but this season is like a game of whack-a-mole.

Oh yeah. Taserface was the cook in Season 1.

MovieMad16

11-06-17, 11:25 AM

Liked season two, but will agree with others on here that Season one was better, but only just.

Do you know what this really reminds me of? Jaws 2 of all films. A good sequel, but perhaps lacking the magic of one. Just more of the characters you love really.

Still better than a lot of the other stuff on right now.

doubledenim

11-07-17, 09:25 PM

“We have a small version of that. I think, in Predator, the guy that Arnold is searching for is named Jim Hopper. And he’s like all skinned and killed by the Predator. So that’s our version. Stranger Things is just one elaborate Predator prequel.” […] “At the end of the show – I mean, he’s hunting monsters now – so the government’s like hey, you need to go to the jungle, and he gets killed and then that’s it. So that’s where we’re headed.” [laughs]

:goof:

seanc

11-09-17, 11:32 AM

Just started season 1 so I am obviously way behind. If the pilot is any indication I am going to really enjoy this series.

cat_sidhe

11-09-17, 11:34 AM

Just finished season 2. Kind of concur with everyone about season 2.

doubledenim

11-09-17, 05:40 PM

In season1, Hopper is seen in a stairwell crying over his daughter at "the hospital". Well, Dr. Owens is seen in almost the exact position after being wounded in a similar looking stairwell. Was Hopper's daughter at Hawkins instead of a hospital? Does Hopper's daughter hairband on 11's wrist at the Snow ball mean something more?

Moving on. Let's not forget about Dustin and Hopper's upside-down particulate exposure. How does that play out? Maybe the gang moves against Dustin because of his handling of the Dart situation. Is Hopper gonna be a threat? How about 11 going all Dark Phoenix? How do you handle your superhero who nerfs all situations? Kali means dark goddess in Indian, what about her?

Swan

11-10-17, 03:07 AM

Just finished season 2. I liked it a lot. I actually don't think season 1 is "better" (although I still need to digest the second season a bit), just more consistent. This one felt 'looser' tone-wise. Admittedly I wasn't crazy about episode 7. But there was plenty to love about it anyway. My favorite thing might have been that

Max went for Lucas. Those two have great chemistry, and
I always felt Lucas was a bit underrated. Maybe because he's often stubborn, but I think that stubbornness comes from the fact that he cares for his friends. I think he's an excellent character.

I wasn't sure how I was going to like this after the first episode - which I felt was a slightly bumpy start. But it quickly fell into place, and I liked it a lot, aside from that damn episode 7.

Dani8

11-10-17, 07:19 PM

i think mr d binged season 2 last night. he was really enjoying it.

Dani8

11-10-17, 09:52 PM

OMG i just read the whole thread. I cant believe how much i whined about winona. im sosorry winona fans. incessant whiners are such a wet blanket. so sorry. If it helps I think she's super pretty.

Im ashamed of myself :bawling:

ps Ithink she's probably also a really nice person. when the poop hit the fan with thegreat
love of her life (their break up probably led to her getting very sick) she didnt get into any depp bashing but stood by him not being a violentman.

I fell really terrible.

Saunch

11-10-17, 09:56 PM

37840

doubledenim

11-11-17, 06:01 PM

Winona in Beetlejuice and Christina Ricci in Addam's Fam are where they broke the mold.

fuze931

11-14-17, 04:30 PM

I loved the second season!!!! Great atmosphere and good to see the kids growing up!

Stirchley

11-27-17, 04:51 PM

I’m about to start streaming this from Netflix. Hope it’s as good as its reviews.

Dani8

11-27-17, 04:53 PM

I loved the second season!!!! Great atmosphere and good to see the kids growing up!

Good to read. I still have seasonn 2 to watch

Stirchley

11-29-17, 05:26 PM

Not feeling the pilot at all. Disappointing.

Watch_Tower

11-30-17, 07:09 AM

Season 2 was great.

Obviously not as charming as the original but the kids are getting older so thats bound to happen. Plus there was too much "romance" thrown in for my liking but the central premise was still as cool as ever.

Yoda

07-16-18, 05:03 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdMZgCTeFRM

Yoda

07-16-18, 05:03 PM

Really like the idea of setting most of the season in or around a mall, assuming that's what this means.

pahaK

07-16-18, 05:14 PM

Really like the idea of setting most of the season in or around a mall, assuming that's what this means.

I have no idea what this, eh, trailer means but based on the first two seasons I have pretty much faith in Duffers.

doubledenim

07-17-18, 03:43 AM

You really are Steve.

Next summer, yeeesh. Hopefully that means it's a lot better than s2. That 80's mall theme is a gold mine. Hot-Dog-on-a-Stick, Claires :lol:, state of the art food court with a K-car behind velvet ropes.

The Upside-Down mall lends itself to being a nice arena.

Saunch

07-17-18, 12:34 PM

All I can think of based off the teaser is how great a GLOW crossover episode would be.

Siddon

07-17-18, 12:39 PM

Really like the idea of setting most of the season in or around a mall, assuming that's what this means.

I'm thinking Starcorp will be our big bad this season

doubledenim

01-03-19, 01:30 AM

https://i.imgur.com/lx5vIj8.png

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlpmMRrt-s8
That music gets me eurytime

TheUsualSuspect

03-20-19, 10:02 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEG3bmU_WaI

doubledenim

03-20-19, 04:29 PM

If it wasn't for S2's complete lack of F's given, I would be inclined to say this looks awesome.

TheUsualSuspect

03-20-19, 05:23 PM

I'm a fan of season 2.

doubledenim

03-20-19, 05:49 PM

https://i.imgur.com/KTKvLMf.png

Yoda

04-10-19, 11:48 AM

Ya' know, I liked season 1, but I wasn't champing at the bit for season 2. Just a pleasant show. I liked season 2 slightly less, but again, still dug it. For some reason this one is a lot more exciting to me. Maybe it's the whole emphasis on summer, or the fact that it's getting closer to my own memories of childhood (not there yet, but getting there). I dunno. But I'm really looking forward to this.

Best guess, it's because the trailer looks a little more fun and bubbly than the previous ones.

ynwtf

04-10-19, 11:54 AM

Strange how that works, eh?
OMG OK, I'm stopping now. I've littered the forums enough this morning.

Yoda

04-10-19, 11:57 AM

That's bad and you should feel bad. It's not even really a pun!

Gah.

Sedai

04-10-19, 12:14 PM

Loved season 1, thought season 2 was pretty good. Looking forward to season 3!

John-Connor

06-04-19, 03:44 PM

https://i.imgur.com/h7Tlq54.jpg

doubledenim

06-04-19, 04:48 PM

TheUsualSuspect

06-04-19, 05:27 PM

Loved season 1, thought season 2 was pretty good. Looking forward to season 3!

I thought season 2 was on par with the first.

doubledenim

06-04-19, 07:36 PM

I can't remember what really stood out in S2, the memorable moments. Will came back, there was a guy with a mullet, E11ven went on a sidequest, the same monster kinda... I dunno, it just seemed like a rehash of sorts. Throw in some of the comments the Duffer's made about how they weren't really ready to do another season and had to get it out because the kids are in a small window where they can do these roles.

I enjoyed S2 because it was more of the characters, not because of any moments.

ynwtf

07-04-19, 03:23 PM

S3 up. And judging by the opening scene, it looks as though they've found Optimus' Matrix of Leadership!

:D

SFMZone

07-04-19, 05:15 PM

http://scifimoviezone.com/strangersthings.png
http://scifimoviezone.com/reel40.png

http://scifimoviezone.com/strangersthings2.png
http://scifimoviezone.com/reel25.png

http://scifimoviezone.com/strangersthings3.png
http://scifimoviezone.com/reel30.png

Larry

07-04-19, 11:29 PM

GulfportDoc

07-05-19, 10:32 AM

Watched the first two eps last night. It has the same appealing "Spielberg-with-horror" allure as did the first two seasons. To me it's a pretty clever blend of good-natured Americana-- more like a contemporary reflexion of Andy Hardy juxtaposed with scary horror elements.

Should be a good season. Love the atmospheric '80s music.

~Doc

Yoda

07-05-19, 10:34 AM

Three episodes in, good stuff so far. I'm at the point where the actual supernatural stuff feels like a distraction from the character stuff. :laugh: Good place for a show to be this early, I expect, and there's a lot of plot movement already.

Yoda

07-05-19, 12:34 PM

https://twitter.com/cjane87/status/1147165945489743876

doubledenim

07-06-19, 09:11 AM

Characters are what really make this show. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on S2, because I still love these little stinkfaces and Hopper. In light of the lack of momentum for S2 as a whole, there are shining moments like the Snowball Dance.

Hap and Leonard is an extreme example. The show is borderline garbini, but the characters are great.

pahaK

07-06-19, 11:29 PM

Loved season 1 and two. Thought all episodes were great except for one in season two where the girl goes off on a tangent with a group of misfits. Have now watched 2 episodes of season three. It's been over 9 months since I had seen season 1 and 2....Season 3 feels different, was it always trying to be a comedy? Every scene or near to every scene there is some attempt at humour. I remember stranger things being a bit more chill or cool. Hopefully things improve.

It felt very different to me too. Not only the non-stop comedy but the constant "tributes" to 80s films felt rather cheap. First two seasons had the 80s feel to them but they didn't force countless references down your throat. Even the scope of the story felt wrong (and while it certainly was the stuff of the 80s it was clearly from the different corner of the decade's B-movie box).

To me season 3 was clearly the worst of the three and while I kinda see where they're going (sequels usually meant bigger) I don't personally like the direction the show has taken. It's not bad by any means but pretty far from the glory of season 1.

Season 1 - 5
Season 2 - 4
Season 3 - 3.5

Siddon

07-07-19, 02:10 AM

The problem with Stranger Things is that it doesn't get the Game of Thrones philosophy of killing off characters and reducing the cast. Having three separate plot points running throughout the series killed the momentum for me.

It was fine for an 8 episode run, I enjoyed it a bit more than season 2. They needed something different this season than the CGI monster, they needed to do a better job with the Body Snatchers idea.

Larry

07-08-19, 04:57 AM

It felt very different to me too. Not only the non-stop comedy but the constant "tributes" to 80s films felt rather cheap. First two seasons had the 80s feel to them but they didn't force countless references down your throat. Even the scope of the story felt wrong (and while it certainly was the stuff of the 80s it was clearly from the different corner of the decade's B-movie box).

To me season 3 was clearly the worst of the three and while I kinda see where they're going (sequels usually meant bigger) I don't personally like the direction the show has taken. It's not bad by any means but pretty far from the glory of season 1.

Season 1 - 5
Season 2 - 4
Season 3 - 3.5

Glad I’m not alone. I’m shocked that people are liking it so much. I’d say the episodes are around 40 to 60 % good where as the last two seasons Imo, where on the 90% mark. This season is full of those lazy story writing coincidences that progress plot points. There is absolutely not tension or thrill when characters are joking non stop in dramatic situations. Not happy at all with it, two episodes to go, I’ll finish it though.

Larry

07-08-19, 04:58 AM

GulfportDoc

07-10-19, 10:57 AM

The New Coke tie-in really has me worried. That aside, this season looks like a return to the form of S1. Ima put S2 right there with S2 of Carnivale. Yea, I sed :yup: it. Exact same feels. A show that went from a pinnacle to a afterthought in 1 season.
Ha! You're so right. Talk about "product placement"..:eek: I was shocked at how much air time Coke got. Surely the Coca-Cola Co. paid big bucks for the blatant advertising. Maybe that's how the producers could afford so much CGI and special effects.

There were several others too, for example Curad bandages.

We finished the series last night. My wife enjoyed it more than I, probably because of all the '80s nostalgia. I thought it was watchable, mostly enjoyable; sort of a good natured Spielberg-esque portrait of adolescents with a penchant for potty mouth. The many appearances of the monster got a little long in the tooth. And we're assured of a 4th season to see what happens with Hopper and Joyce Byers..:) They'll have to make some serious changes with the kids, and also the supernatural stuff.

~Doc

Larry

07-11-19, 02:14 AM

Finished it last night also. I found the last episode to be the most enjoyable. It was almost ruined by the incessant bickering of Hopper and Byers, which I didn't find humorous. Also the duet scene was a terrible inclusion - it however made the dark small girl seems less annoying when compared to the new girlfriend, Samantha?

I've already commented on the humour being a problem - I did however find the Russian interpreter from the previous season(s) genuinely funny in this. I'm really hoping they tune it down in the future. I'd also say the multitude of characters is getting too much. We now have additions (sorry I'm terrible with names), ice cream store girl and black guys sister, plus what seems like more Hopper and Joyce. It's getting very crowded with three distinct groups that are growing plus villains.

What I did like was the CGI, thought they nailed it. And they didn't necessarily destroy the bond they had created with the first two seasons re the main characters, with the exception of Hopper, who I think is a loud, boorish, obnoxious, slob character now. I had liked him previously.

Anyway these are just my thoughts, my expectations were high given my fandom of the first two seasons but clearly I've been disappointed. My hope for season 4 would be new writers or the hiring of old writers and Duffer brothers but maybe its just the case that not much more can be done with this small down story without diminishing returns. Maybe S2 should have ended it all?

Doolallyfrank

07-11-19, 06:28 AM

Y'all watched the post credits scene right?

Sedai

07-17-19, 12:06 PM

Austruck

07-17-19, 12:10 PM

I come into the Stranger Things thread and here I find a bunch of crazy talk.

After watching all of season 3, I still place season 2 in last by a long shot. Season 2 took a big dip in quality, IMO, and I think season 3 rectified that for the most part. Nothing will top the freshness of season 1, so that is still the best season, but I think 3 had the strongest finale of all the seasons.

Agreed. Season 2 just seemed like a hot mess compared to seasons 1 or 3, which were both cogent and well-paced. Honestly, I don't remember a lot of consistency in season 2... just confusion trying to follow everything and figure out what the heck was going on. :D

Season 3 was once again stable, good storytelling, with the fun running jokes and character details we've come to love and expect.

And yes, I did watch past the credits. :)

doubledenim

10-16-19, 09:33 AM

I just started S3 last week, 3-4 episodes in and it is great. Str8 80's culture porn. New characters with good roles, old characters with expanded roles, dissent among the group, that weird year when some guys are chasing girls and others are still kids, Hopper, that guy from Princess Bride :suspicious:, Russians...

I still say the only memorable thing from S2 was Billy's wig.

ScarletLion

10-16-19, 09:35 AM

I gave up halfway through season 3. It started to parody itself, and after I watched 'Dark' season 2 - Stranger Things just paled into insignificance compared to it.

Ami-Scythe

10-16-19, 10:36 AM

The main reason why the show's quality is declining is due to prior knowledge. You know the characters, you know all about the Upside Down, inside and out and the stories have become nothing more than predictable. It was meant to stop at season 1 and proceed with an AHS template, but they continued the story because people loved the characters. This puts me on the fence about season 3 because there were things in it that made me wish they had kept going with the original plan as well as amazing things that I was happy I got to see. I didn't mind season 2 because it still had the element of mystery. It just started out to be really boring because the epilogue is 3 episodes long. Season 3 told you everything that was going on and then had you sit and wait for every inevitable beat. (And I have a mountain of other issues but we'll save that for YouTube lol)

doubledenim

10-17-19, 06:14 AM

I gave up halfway through season 3. It started to parody itself, and after I watched 'Dark' season 2 - Stranger Things just paled into insignificance compared to it.

I'm an easy mark for 80's culture. Kinda like being 3 drinks in before anything else happens. There is already a grin on my face and I'm ready to see what happens.

That said. Whether it is real or perceived, some characters seem to have become over-exaggerated. Hooper and his sidekick are the main offenders. It's kinda cartoonish at times, but hey :bashful:

doubledenim

10-18-19, 09:53 AM

It may be me, but I think they really dialed up the cheese. There are 2 episodes left and it seems to be more pronounced than previous seasons. Hopper seems to be way over-the-top now, unlike before.

GulfportDoc

10-18-19, 10:27 AM

Reportedly a season 4 has been confirmed by executive producer Shawn Levy. But no one seems to know when it might be out.

doubledenim

11-02-19, 07:55 AM

I finished with S3 and enjoyed....seeing my buddies again.

If I'm going to say that S2 is forgettable because of a poor story, S3's story is probably just as poor. Why are the Russians doing stuff? The Mind Flayer is...not the Demogorgon or The Spare Parts monster? It really feels like a band that had a first album, which is songs they've been tuning up for years and each album after is just grasping at straws.

Pretty sure most of these kids can't act, except for Max. Eleven grinds every scene she is in to a halt, except maybe the tearjerker stuff. The cast seems to be too large now, maybe it always was. What did Will do this season, outside of rub the back of his neck? Who had the idea for the Neverending Story song? We not gonna flesh out any of the backstory, the numbers gang, Papa?

That said, I really enjoyed it. This is textbook, "I missed my friends" viewing and that allows it to skate on the particulars.

Yoda

11-02-19, 10:34 AM

Totally agree on the first/last lines of your post. That's kinda where I'm at. Fun, familiar, and still genuinely amusing. They got me. I care about the characters and I know it's gonna be a fun watch.

Austruck

11-02-19, 11:20 AM

I'd assume the NeverEnding Story bit is mostly because that was a huge part of everyone's lives who grew up in the '80s. I can remember Yoda and his brother watching (and loving) that movie when they were wee tots.

The rest was quite enjoyable, partly because it was much more coherent than season 2 and more like season 1. If it was TOO much like a caricatured version of season 1, so be it. Every show does that to some degree. I remember watching sitcoms in the '70s and noticing that after a few seasons. Welcome Back, Kotter... Barney Miller... Taxi... all the great sitcoms ended up making their favorite characters cartoon versions of themselves. Even the actual cartoon series did it, especially The Simpsons.

I suppose that's why it didn't bother me. I always considered this show fun entertainment. I don't compare it to Dark precisely because it's not meant to be compared to that show. Apples and oranges. :)

doubledenim

11-02-19, 11:28 AM

I'd assume the NeverEnding Story bit is mostly because that was a huge part of everyone's lives who grew up in the '80s. I can remember Yoda and his brother watching (and loving) that movie when they were wee tots.

I too have a soft-spot from childhood for the movie. It was definitely checked out from the Forsyth County Library :D In light of that, a bunch of people are in life or death situations, climaxing the show and it just felt out of place. Maybe if it could have had its own moment, separate from the finale, I would have been able to enjoy it.

I'm with you, there is no comparing this with Dark other than "kids and weird stuff".

Yoda

02-14-20, 10:53 AM

Stranger Things 4 teaser out. Slightly spoilery, but if it's in the teaser you're not going to avoid it for long anyway:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB2GYwbIAlM

doubledenim

02-14-20, 02:13 PM

Ice level!?

Ami-Scythe

02-14-20, 02:20 PM

Stranger Things 4 teaser out. Slightly spoilery, but if it's in the teaser you're not going to avoid it for long anyway:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB2GYwbIAlM

Whaaaaaaaaaat? Noooooooo waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy. (intense sarcasm)

Also anyone remember when this show was about an innocent group of kids encountering a psychic girl with ties to government experiments who help them find their friend? Good times.

doubledenim

02-14-20, 04:22 PM

I think the Duff Bros. were exposed after last season. s2 was a misstep and s3 would have been even more so, if it wasn't slathered in 80's gravy.

TheUsualSuspect

02-14-20, 04:45 PM

I liked both seasons actually.

Ami-Scythe

02-14-20, 05:37 PM

I liked both seasons actually.

I'm not saying they're bad, they've just taken a wild turn since season 1. Which is your favorite season?

GulfportDoc

02-14-20, 07:53 PM

Reportedly there's going to be a Christmas or early 2021 release.

doubledenim

02-14-20, 08:58 PM

I liked all the seasons. It's just that my leaning seems to line up with everything I've read. "First season was lightning in a bottle. Cute kids, nostalgia, monsters. 2nd season was a rush job. 3rd season got a lot of stuff, but nothing really happened...again.

TheUsualSuspect

02-16-20, 10:14 AM

I'm not saying they're bad, they've just taken a wild turn since season 1. Which is your favorite season?

Season 2 is the freshest and most tight from a structural standpoint. But I'd honestly put them all on par with each other.

I liked 2 despite people hating it apparently. The misstep they had was the order of the outlier episode. It should have been episode 9. Have 11 show up at the door saving everyone and looking strange, then we go back and see why.

Ami-Scythe

02-16-20, 12:55 PM

Season 2 is the freshest and most tight from a structural standpoint. But I'd honestly put them all on par with each other.

I liked 2 despite people hating it apparently. The misstep they had was the order of the outlier episode. It should have been episode 9. Have 11 show up at the door saving everyone and looking strange, then we go back and see why.

I also like season 2. There was still an array of mystery and I actually enjoyed the filler episode.

Yoda

02-16-20, 01:10 PM

I like them all, and I don't think the quality has varied much. S1 is the best, but not by a lot. The mall was a great idea for S3. Admittedly, there's a formulaic quality to it all, but that's fine. When the characters are likable and the show is appropriately funny and well-made, it's perfectly fine not to be especially surprised or nervous (though you still can be, potentially), if the appeal of the show is "I get to spend time with these fictional personalities I really like."

I know this show isn't usually going to surprise or shock me, but I also know it's always going to be Pretty Good, and worth my time. That's valuable, too. Sometimes I want a challenging and surprising drama, and sometimes I want something familiar and pleasant, so I'm glad shows like this exist, when I want to enjoy something without the kind of intensity that great shows and prestige dramas require to get the most out of.

ynwtf

02-16-20, 01:35 PM

Yeah. I kinda think it's nearly unavoidable to enjoy a first season of any show more than following seasons. Especially with more novel stories such as Stranger Things. Of course there are exceptions, but this one hit a lot of nice and unexpected points.

It's very difficult to be as pleasantly surprised hearing the nostalgic dark synth arpeggios of the first title crawl after 5 or so episodes. Or discovering characters in a Goonie-like connection as opposed to then having to live with them over an investment of time. The shine always wears off as it becomes familiar where as the initial discovery is always something new and unknown. That may be more a fault of learned behavioral expectations of new, short lived pleasures than a fault of a show. Investment sucks when that first sugar high is so much tastier. I guess.

I'm pretty sure I've made harsh criticism of following seasons too though. But generally speaking, I think what I'm getting at is unavoidable.

doubledenim

02-16-20, 03:38 PM

That's why you have Umbrella Academy and Locke and Key . It's new AND shiny!

doubledenim

02-18-22, 08:16 AM

Over two years since any posts. Basically before the world turned into the Upside-down.

May 27th and July 1st are the dates for the new season, split in half.

CringeFest

02-19-22, 01:37 PM

I liked season 1 and 2 but season 3 didn't peak my interest, i think they should have just stayed with what they were doing.

doubledenim

04-12-22, 07:10 PM

https://youtu.be/yQEondeGvKo

doubledenim

04-13-22, 01:59 PM

Great trailer. The cheese is turned up to 11 and limburger which I’m down with. Then again, s3 trailer was amazing and that turned out…I’m the same guy with falls in love with the FnF trailer and reminds himself how after the last one he wasn’t watching them anymore.

My only nit (and it’s not, but I’m not just gonna gush) is Zombieface and the bats and the old house in the woods Universal Monsters feel. And he talks. Because we have to explain stuff.

Who’s that playing the epic guitar solo? 👀 Pretty sure we know

Dellbeam

04-14-22, 02:33 PM

I feel like this season would be so cool because of how Season 3 ended, along with the fact that Robert Englund is going to be in it. Can't wait!

John McClane

04-14-22, 02:37 PM

If I had a dime for every time I heard/saw "every ending has a beginning" I could have retired years ago.

:yawn:

doubledenim

05-27-22, 04:24 AM

All hail Pa’pah’s wig!

Whether it’s the 3 years or untold millions…first two eps were on fire. Teen angst stuff and they seem to have turned up the scary/unsettling stuff. So far, so great!

TheUsualSuspect

05-28-22, 04:44 PM

I only watched the first episode. Love the new character Eddie. After watching the first ep, I'm getting a Satanic Panic vibe coming up.

doubledenim

05-28-22, 06:36 PM

It's very difficult to be as pleasantly surprised hearing the nostalgic dark synth arpeggios of the first title crawl after 5 or so episodes.

Probably the only show I don’t “skip intro”. Really puts me in the mind state that some unreal crazy is getting ready to start. Plus the the little touches they put on the letters forming is something I’ve picked up on and enjoy.

GoT intro is probably the only thing close, but I appreciate the brevity of the ST intro.

xSookieStackhouse

05-28-22, 06:40 PM

i dont like the series but loved the music

GulfportDoc

05-29-22, 09:12 PM

i dont like the series but loved the music
That's pretty much my take. Boy, there's a lot of directions the series could have taken. If the first ep is any indication, the direction chosen is not for me nor my wife.

It's going to be like a paraphrase of the old comment about a book: "Put it down, couldn't pick it up"...:D

Is there any consensus that the series gets better? [Disclaimer: I'm not a horror fan.]

Instead we started The Lincoln Lawyer series, which is a little more my fare.

doubledenim

05-30-22, 12:31 AM

It’s definitely not for you. Horror is not something I really seek out and season 4 seems to have turned that dial up enough to make me uncomfortable in parts.

xSookieStackhouse

05-30-22, 03:06 AM

That's pretty much my take. Boy, there's a lot of directions the series could have taken. If the first ep is any indication, the direction chosen is not for me nor my wife.

It's going to be like a paraphrase of the old comment about a book: "Put it down, couldn't pick it up"...:D

Is there any consensus that the series gets better? [Disclaimer: I'm not a horror fan.]

Instead we started The Lincoln Lawyer series, which is a little more my fare.
the one with matthew mcconaughey?

GulfportDoc

05-30-22, 09:36 PM

[The Lincoln Lawyer] the one with matthew mcconaughey?
Sookie, the one I'm referring to is the series on Netflix:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lincoln_Lawyer_(TV_series)

xSookieStackhouse

05-31-22, 04:00 AM

Sookie, the one I'm referring to is the series on Netflix:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lincoln_Lawyer_(TV_series)
ohhh they made the series of it now i will check it out

pahaK

05-31-22, 08:36 PM

Finished the Season 4 - Volume 1 a bit late (I blame the NHL playoffs). It's definitely a step forward, a step backward situation (didn't rewatch the previous seasons this time, still considering a full rewatch before the Volume 2, but I'd remember it's about on par with the previous season).

I'll just do a simple + / - thing this time:

+ the comedy is toned down from season 3
+ it's more horror instead of the sci-fi commie plots
+ long episodes mean lots of character time but...

-...too often the character time feels somehow wasted
- like season 3, it's still force-feeding us with countless references to movies and books
- like season 3, it still feels fragmented due to splitting up the story between so many groups of people
- being largely a tribute, it's bound to be cliched, but it's starting to gather some cliches I don't like*
- some of the major plot points don't seem to make sense (at least yet)*

*My main concern is, that the story becomes too fixated on its characters. So instead of another dimension and inhuman creatures, it seems we're about to be told how 001 and 011 actually created the Upsidedown. I've always hated the way most writers make everything revolve around their protagonists as if the world wouldn't even exist without them. It's just poor writing.

On a smaller scale, I've been wondering how the described trauma of 011 blocked her abilities when it did while she was perfectly capable of using them for years after the event. Maybe it's just my personal hatred towards the whole "protagonist loses his/her powers" cliche that prevents me from seeing the connection?

I guess the rating is 3.5

doubledenim

06-01-22, 06:52 AM

Just finished s4e4 and it’s getting to a point that’s too much for before bed viewing 🫣

A point brought up by pk and articles and podcasts is the time. Too long or they could have cut parts. My thought is it could be even longer. Moar time. A chance to see these friends of yours again. Show me how the pineapple pizza gets made.

I obviously have a sentimental attachment, so it lacks any critical analysis. Sometimes I wish I could, but I’m thankful to get swept up instead.

ynwtf

06-04-22, 08:48 PM

Woooo.
Very A Nightmare on Elm Street vibe. Totally made up for the necessary up front character and settings development.

Oh, and I can't skip the intro synths and textured letter forms either.

ynwtf

06-05-22, 12:49 AM

omg it's HIM!!!!

doubledenim

06-05-22, 01:49 AM

The scene with the cheerleader (you know which one) was what really made think of NoES. Inside the house, turning corners, insert shocking image.

ynwtf

06-05-22, 01:53 AM

The scene with the cheerleader (you know which one) was what really made think of NoES. Inside the house, turning corners, insert shocking image.

yes'rie! GREAT pay off on that nod a few episodes later!!!

(btw, I assume we're on the same page with our code speak here)
:D

doubledenim

06-05-22, 02:49 AM

I’ve got two episodes left and I’m really craving some glass-jarred gif. Crazy how that stuff use to have the viscosity of pudding, even in freezing temperatures. Science!

WHITBISSELL!

06-05-22, 03:22 AM

Banged through 5 episodes on day 1 then the last two the next day. I liked this better than last season. Maybe it was the heavier dose of horror. Can't wait for Volume II less than four weeks away.

ynwtf

06-06-22, 03:45 PM

well, I wrapped up the 7th episode of season 4 last evening and was floored that there's a "volume 1" that I just HAPPENED to discover as the last episode's credits were rolling. I was NOT prepared for a month-long wait to close this story up. I would not have started when I did, had I known that going in. GRRRRRRR. This is the salt to my gaping Raised by Wolves injury from earlier last week.

all the ranting out of the way, i'm totally digging the show. yeah, there are moments (still) at which I'm screaming at the T.V., "WTF ARE YOU THINKING?! PULL YOUR #$#$%&$%&ING HAND BACK!!!!1!11!!!!" or something along those lines. still, it's a better "story" I think than I remember season 3 being, and manages to keep the ridiculous properly grounded in a state of ridiculous that totally makes sense in this world.

WlackBidow

06-09-22, 06:37 PM

Up until now, Lost was the number one TV series, for me, by a mile. In all these years, for almost two decades, nothing came remotely close to it, in my eyes and in my heart.

But now, while watching ST, during that scene with Maxine, it hit me. This is my new number one of all time. It has it all, and it reminds me of childhood in such a manner that I can't even begin to describe. What the Duffer brothers have done here is more than an homage. They have somehow managed to encapsulate the best decade in history in a short series about some kids. Sounds too simple, I know, but there's so much more to ST than meets the eye. It's an amazing piece of cinema art and I can tell for sure that it will pass the test of time with flying colors.

PS: It would be an amazing waste if they screw up the fifth (and final) season. Fingers crossed that they'll deliver a worthy ending to an amazing masterpiece.

WrinkledMind

06-17-22, 06:24 AM

Vecna's storyline was nicely done.

I reckon the second part of the fourth season will be all action.

doubledenim

06-19-22, 12:28 PM

I had salted away ep. 7 until last night. Shout out Light Bright. That was a real toy, might be hard for some to believe that.

How many people saw Vecna/1 killing the children? Originally told my sister it was him, because it seemed like they telegraphed it with the broken bones/eye sucks.

His origin story is cool, but a bit much, even for this show. He was a kid that had this epiphany, murdered his family, went to the Hawkins lab, got blasted into the UD by cgi-11; it’s a lot.

The Demogorgon didn’t die on screen.

We now know the series ends with 11 sacrificing herself to close the gates/UD forever. Mike gets messy.

Did the UD exist or did 11 create it. What kind of onboarding did 1 have to go through? Who were his references and which insurance plan did he go with?

How are they gonna handle the 11 vs. Vecna rematch? Gonna have to be some nerf, if she overpowered him as a cgi-youngling. Guess all the people he’s taken will power him up.

I don’t think they could have done a better job with all they have going on.

WHITBISSELL!

06-19-22, 12:51 PM

So volume II will only consist of two episodes? But they're extended? Episode 1 will run an hour and twenty five minutes and the season finale will be two and half hours! The Duffer brothers have been dropping hints about people getting killed off.

doubledenim

06-19-22, 05:23 PM

People are definitely dying. Somebody’s injuries make them go to the top of my list.

gandalf26

06-19-22, 06:12 PM

Kate Bush no 1 in the UK with "Running up that hill", 37 years after release breaking all kinds of records.

pahaK

06-19-22, 07:16 PM

cgi-11

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think there was a CGI-11. It was a younger girl playing her during (some of) the history scenes.

doubledenim

06-19-22, 10:36 PM

Martie Blair, eh?

I guess my mind just went there. It seemed like it had that floating/jiggle/uncanny valley effect when they do cgi faces.

pahaK

06-20-22, 09:50 AM

Martie Blair, eh?

I guess my mind just went there. It seemed like it had that floating/jiggle/uncanny valley effect when they do cgi faces.

Actually, it seems that you were right. At least this article (https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-the-love-attention-millie-showed-something-i-ll-never-forget-in-conversation-stranger-things-martie-blair-plays-young-eleven-season-4) says...

...Martie stood in as the 9-year old version of Eleven, with her face being digitally replaced with Millie Bobby Brown's during post-production.

I didn't really notice that, especially as Martie looks quite a lot like young Millie.

Sedai

06-21-22, 05:00 PM

GulfportDoc

06-21-22, 08:15 PM

I have enjoyed the season so far overall, but I have come to the conclusion that my interest in 011's storyline has waned at this point, and I just sort of wait for her scenes to be over so I can get back to the characters I enjoy watching more. It's a shame that Sadie Sink's screen time screeched to a halt after she put her Walkman on, as she is easily the better of the two actors when compared to Millie Bobbie Brown.

I am a little bummed to learn that there will be a 5th season - This seemed to be ramping up to a grand finale, and I feel like the time is right to end the show. I guess Netflix doesn't want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
I'm surprised too. To my taste the series has gone way off track, especially since there are a lot of ways the writers could have gone. I'm not attracted to its particular juxtaposition of comedy and horror, which seems to me that was done better in the 1950s.

If the show is popular, all power to it. But I had to bail.

doubledenim

06-22-22, 12:34 AM

Fast forward them to the 90’s, let them grow some facial hair. They’re all 20+ anyways. Mine some new fields of nostalgia and put a bow on it.

pahaK

06-22-22, 10:54 AM

They’re all 20+ anyways.

That would be my reasoning to have some steamy sex scenes and nudity.

doubledenim

06-22-22, 04:03 PM

Will and Mike finally quench their long simmering thirst of desire. Then Will gets gored by (insert this season’s villain) and Mike is left trying to pick up the pieces. 11 is conflicted on trying to avenge Byers and save the world, because Mike really didn’t love her.

This was definitely a comment on how gruesome violence is okay and young, bad hair love is not.

WlackBidow

07-01-22, 07:35 PM

Just finished S4, Volume II.

Still epic, still the best.

PS: Max xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

pahaK

07-02-22, 05:12 AM

It's still good, I guess, but I'm not too happy about some of the stuff. Volume II would have needed some trimming, too. I think I'm bracing myself for a lackluster final season, but also hoping that Duffers can deliver something better (at least all the pieces are in the same place now).

Nausicaä

07-02-22, 10:32 AM

Been waiting forever for series 1 to come out on blu ray but my patience ran out after seeing trailers for the latest series, so yesterday I started watching series 1... I'm four episodes in and really enjoying it. Wish I watched it when it first came out! :tsk:

AgrippinaX

07-03-22, 04:40 AM

I never liked it much, but Season 4 Part 2 is the first time I can relate to the discomfort around the bizarre Holocaust references/aesthetic. I don’t even feel like I need to point it out.

Really quite surreal and extraordinary that with sensitivity readers supposedly present on every set, someone looked at that and said, yeah, totally cool, let’s have it in. Wtf. Rampant antisemitism and, as usual, no one cares, that’s not discrimination, that’s life.

Overall I’ve always loved (and continue to love) all things ‘80s; but this one is just incredibly tasteless on every level.

AgrippinaX

07-03-22, 04:44 AM

That would be my reasoning to have some steamy sex scenes and nudity.

Indeed. That would help.

WrinkledMind

07-03-22, 04:27 PM

GulfportDoc

07-04-22, 08:22 PM

The Final episode could have easily been an hour shorter. Such long ass endings are only meant for series finales. In fact I thought the last two episodes were underwhelming, and part of it was down to knowing that this doesn't end this season.

However, overall this season was a massive improvement on the third season. Anda big reason for it was the plot that was inspired from that horror movie.
I agree with you. The last lengthy episode painfully dragged on. It really felt padded to me.

Truthfully I didn't like the series that much, but found it to be "watchable". It did put me in mind of some of the comedy/horror pictures from the 1950s, the difference being that with CGI and improvements in monster costume construction, the creatures look more real.

IMO it's good that the next season will be the final one. I won't be happy about there being another season, but I'll probably watch it...:shrug:

xSookieStackhouse

07-04-22, 08:41 PM

not a fan of the show like never watch it and not type of a show i like but the music is pretty cool

doubledenim

07-08-22, 06:51 AM

Really get the feeling that Will’s questioned/implied sexuality is a red herring for being different. Henry was different and they’ve had a connection since s1 👀

Of all the episodes, the finale was the only one that felt too long.

What’s the explanation for the UD that Henry discovers, not being attacked by the locals when he arrives and how it changes to mirror Hawkins?

The Talisman and Needful Things both have some concepts that are likely to show up in s5.

Sedai

07-08-22, 12:47 PM

Finally finished this season...

The season did a lot right, but still ended up feeling like a slog in the end. I enjoyed some story threads much more than others; the eleven stuff is just a drag at this point, and I found myself waiting for her segments to end so we could get back to the better characters and more exciting scenes. I am glad they brought Sadie Sink back into the forefront after sidelining her during the middle of the season - she is an excellent actress and is more fun to watch than Millie Bobby Frown. Most of the cast is great, really, but Sink and the kid that played Eddie really stood out to me this time around. Also: NEED MORE ERICA. She brings a much needed levity to fairly dire proceedings.

So yea, as I mentioned earlier, I am kind of fatigued with the show at this point, and am ready for it to finish up.

I also wanted to mention a particularly stupid line of dialogue that had me gritting my teeth in the final episode:

When Sinclair said something along the lines of "I wanted to be normal, but normal is just a raging psychopath," I physically cringed at how ridiculously stupid it was. I am sick to death of the tired ass trope of how regular kids that like to play sports and do perhaps less interesting things are evil to their core. Totally untrue, way overused, and purposely divisive. The idea that only awkward introverted people are good people is just plain dumb, and I think it's time to put this crap to bed for good. I know plenty of kids that play sports who aren't bullies, and are kind and helpful people. Terrible writing, and about as on the nose as you can get.

doubledenim

07-08-22, 08:01 PM

I have a strong feeling we are gonna see some time-traveling. If Hawkins is days away from ruin at the end of s4, I don’t see the group hanging out there the whole time. They’ve already emphasized that the UD is stuck on one date and that didn’t really play much of a role, yet. I can easily see them going back to that date, trying to change things and avoid the entire season taking place in a hellscape.

GulfportDoc

07-08-22, 08:43 PM

Finally finished this season...
...
I also wanted to mention a particularly stupid line of dialogue that had me gritting my teeth in the final episode:

Good points. If you want to see a great example of hackneyed, stupid dialogue, just watch an ep or two of Superman & Lois...:frustrated:

n3wt

07-09-22, 09:21 AM

Eddie plus Master of Puppets was So epic

doubledenim

07-09-22, 03:36 PM

My sister said she cried at that part. Dustin the roadie

Other than removing him from the board, there was no reason for Eddie to die.

Yoda

07-09-22, 04:00 PM

Other than removing him from the board, there was no reason for Eddie to die.
Other than having him die, there was no reason for him to join the cast!

There is sort of a push-pull thing here where they literally need to introduce characters so they can have people die/have stakes without killing off fan favorites. It's a little cheap when you notice it, but usually whether it "works" just depends on how well they establish the new characters. It works for Eddie because he was well written, well acted, and was enough of an archetype that he immediately felt as if he'd always been part of the world. It's a tough balancing act but it worked here, even if the underlying logic is, I think, the same.

doubledenim

07-09-22, 06:30 PM

Maya Hawke must have some connections…

doubledenim

07-12-22, 08:29 AM

1. One of the answers in Dr. Brenner’s crossword was Kali (Shiva’s wife) who is #8, 11’s sister. Depending on the interpretation, Shiva can alter time or destiny. This could play into the possibility of time travel to fix things.

2. Mrs. Wheeler may be Henry’s sister Alice. Why did Vecna show Nancy what he did? They’re related. Why was Mrs. Wheeler featured in the promo posters, when she is not a main character?

All this stuff can be looked up and explained better on the internet.

And the sword Hopper used versus the Demogorgon, the original sword from Conan the Barbarian.

MovieGal

07-13-22, 07:50 PM

I just started watching a week ago. I'm in the middle of season 3. Kind of glad over some of the kills, like Sean Astin and Jake Busey. It's an interesting concept. Just waiting to see how each season ends.

Oh yeah, can't wait for Billy to go. Ugh, I don't like his character.

MovieGal

07-14-22, 09:48 PM

My favorite so far is

when El cracked Angela in the face with the wheels of the roller skates

I hate bullies!

doubledenim

07-15-22, 05:07 PM

doubledenim

07-15-22, 05:09 PM

Guess nobody heard the Chrissy song…It’s all I listen to.

MovieGal

07-15-22, 05:33 PM

I think Billy’s wig got recycled on Eddie.

That was a terrible wig.

MovieGal

07-15-22, 05:35 PM

I heard about this yesterday on the news.

https://fox59.com/indiana-news/stranger-things-crop-art-created-in-indiana-cornfield/

TONGO

08-11-22, 08:43 PM

This is The Scooby-Doo Show without Scooby-Doo.

TONGO

08-12-22, 11:45 PM

I'm watching it, and feeling very dirty because I'm hoping some of the characters die. Actually more the better. If the show was for little kids I'd understand keeping them all alive but it isn't. It's too gory at times for young children yet too aggravating illogical for grown ups. Bah

Top 10 characters that need to die in Stranger Things.

10. Sassy little black girl.
9. Her older brother Token
8. Argyle the stoner
7. Winona Ryder. Her actings gotten even worse with age.
6. Matthew Modine
5. Matthew Modines hair
4. Steve
3. Wills older brother who is so forgettable I still can't remember his characters name.
2. Ethan Hawkes daughter who is the Gay Token
1. Mike. Die Mike Die. Preferably killed by Eleven, establishing herself as the last villain.

I am the missing Russo Brother.

Austruck

08-12-22, 11:57 PM

If you get your way, though, there's nobody left but Hopper and Murray. :D And Eleven, who would probably kill them both anyway. :D

Oh wait, and Dustin. Yeah, he stays. And Steve's hair.
And Argyle. He's so over the top that I love him for it.

I'm watching it, and feeling very dirty because I'm hoping some of the characters die. Actually more the better. If the show was for little kids I'd understand keeping them all alive but it isn't. It's too gory at times for young children yet too aggravating illogical for grown ups. Bah

Top 10 characters that need to die in Stranger Things.

10. Sassy little black girl.
9. Her older brother Token
8. Argyle the stoner
7. Winona Ryder. Her actings gotten even worse with age.
6. Matthew Modine
5. Matthew Modines hair
4. Steve
3. Wills older brother who is so forgettable I still can't remember his characters name.
2. Ethan Hawkes daughter who is the Gay Token
1. Mike. Die Mike Die. Preferably killed by Eleven, establishing herself as the last villain.

I am the missing Russo Brother.

TONGO

08-13-22, 12:25 PM

If you get your way, though, there's nobody left but Hopper and Murray. :D And Eleven, who would probably kill them both anyway. :D

Oh wait, and Dustin. Yeah, he stays. And Steve's hair.
And Argyle. He's so over the top that I love him for it.

I was in a bad mood last night when writing that. Im still trying to find the gumption to finish these last 3 episodes. Actually if they followed the list then 11, Dustin, Max, Hopper, Murray, and Will would be the only ones left. Ive always had this nagging thought that Will is gonna end up being the reason all this Pop Culture horror has manifested over the years. Millie Bobby Brown imo is gonna be a huge star, she looks like Alyssa Milano did but can actually act.

Austruck

08-13-22, 12:38 PM

I was in a bad mood last night when writing that. Im still trying to find the gumption to finish these last 3 episodes. Actually if they followed the list then 11, Dustin, Max, Hopper, Murray, and Will would be the only ones left. Ive always had this nagging thought that Will is gonna end up being the reason all this Pop Culture horror has manifested over the years. Millie Bobby Brown imo is gonna be a huge star, she looks like Alyssa Milano did but can actually act.

Brown is really good in the Sherlock Holmes movie thing (Enola Holmes, I think?). It's a fun flick and she's so different from her Eleven character that I appreciate her acting chops a lot more now.

Finish those three episodes at some point. I admit I kept assuming this was the final season, since the storyline seems to have built to that point... and then we end up with a sort of "THE END???" ending... again.

I mean... c'mon...

We have the entire backstory of Henry/One, and our gang even mostly defeated him this season. Why, oh why, do they think they need to keep making things come back to annoy Hawkins one more time? Oh yeah... money. Franchise. Merchandising. Advertising. (sigh)