TV/Movies Megathread

[viper37]

There are a lot of small series for Warhammer and Warhammer 40k.  Some are small mini-series (Death Angels), most are independent episodes, even when the title is the same (The Tithes).

The series is uneven, and I do not recognize the settings for all of them.  Like, one series look like the Warhammer universe, in that it features a noble house, with a queen, princes, an exiled princess, but they fight in some kind of MechWarrior machines against demon Mechwarriors?

Anyway.  There are some very good stuff (The Tithes is excellent, but dark as fuck), and as expected of this universe, almost none of them have a good ending where they live happily ever after and had many children.  Civilians must breed like rabbit to regenerate the loss suffered by the military in this universe.  In one episode, there must have been 50% casualty rates for the Imperial Guard on one planet. 

Considering that in this universe they regularly destroy/sacrifice entire planets with billions of humans on each, the Horus Heresy of 10k years ago already depleted 50% of the Space Marines forces and made them irreplaceable at a legion level for that time... Well, it's surprising the Empire of Mankind hasn't yet fallen to its numerous enemies, really.

[Josquius]

Yeah. Warhammer 40k these days is really Grim-Derp.

[garbon]

What an elegant defense...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07y400jlngo

Andy Serkis defends lack of diversity in Lord of the Rings cast

Andy Serkis is the master of motion capture. He is Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Caesar in the Planet of Ape series, and Peter Jackson's King Kong.

So, it feels kind of appropriate that our interview is happening virtually. He is speaking on a screen from New Zealand, where he is directing and starring in the next Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum, which is scheduled to land in cinemas in time for Christmas next year.

"It sits absolutely between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, and books in fact," he explains handily, as it can be difficult to keep up with the ever-expanding Tolkienverse.

"It is very much a deep dive into the psychology and history of Gollum before he became Gollum, but also with a very burning question from Gandalf about what the potential origin of this ring that Bilbo Baggins has is," he reveals.

"The hunt takes place in two different dimensions really and that's about as far as I can say at the moment."

Serkis also confirms that he will not be directing the second new Lord of the Rings film, Shadow of the Past, written by the US chat show host Stephen Colbert.

"I think that that post has been taken, put it that way," says Serkis with a twinkle in his eye, before adding: "That's going to be a fascinating story too. I know it's something that Stephen's very, very excited about being part of."

Andy Serkis is the master of motion capture. He is Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Caesar in the Planet of Ape series, and Peter Jackson's King Kong.

So, it feels kind of appropriate that our interview is happening virtually. He is speaking on a screen from New Zealand, where he is directing and starring in the next Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum, which is scheduled to land in cinemas in time for Christmas next year.

"It sits absolutely between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, and books in fact," he explains handily, as it can be difficult to keep up with the ever-expanding Tolkienverse.

"It is very much a deep dive into the psychology and history of Gollum before he became Gollum, but also with a very burning question from Gandalf about what the potential origin of this ring that Bilbo Baggins has is," he reveals.

"The hunt takes place in two different dimensions really and that's about as far as I can say at the moment."

Serkis also confirms that he will not be directing the second new Lord of the Rings film, Shadow of the Past, written by the US chat show host Stephen Colbert.

"I think that that post has been taken, put it that way," says Serkis with a twinkle in his eye, before adding: "That's going to be a fascinating story too. I know it's something that Stephen's very, very excited about being part of."

Throughout his career, 62-year-old Serkis has been a campaigner for equality. In 2018, he said that being one of the few white actors in Black Panther gave him a new understanding of what it feels like to be the ethnic minority on a film set.

However, the previous Lord of the Rings films, made before colour-blind casting became common, had almost entirely white line-ups, and so far, his film looks like being the same.

Every major cast member announcement to date has been white; Jamie Dornan, Anna Taylor-Joy, Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall, as well as the returning stars including Elijah Wood and Sir Ian McKellan. The question is, why?

Serkis nods his head before answering and it is clear this is a subject he has given a lot of thought: "Tolkien himself was influenced a lot by Norse mythology, there's a lot of that feeling.

"The Shire feels very, very much like a very, a very white, you know..."

He tails off and pauses before continuing, with greater certainty: "They're not very concerned about what goes on beyond the borders of The Shire, but they know they don't want people coming in.

"Yes, there have been criticisms," he says, acknowledging arguments that are now almost a quarter of a century old.

"This particular film is somewhat acknowledging that. But we don't think we will be doing a politically correct just-casting-for-the sake-of-casting-and-ticking-boxes version of the film. So, it's only where relevant basically."

Although several major stars have been cast in The Hunt For Gollum already, further casting announcements are expected in the coming months.

...

[The Brain]

The Zone of Interest. Police photographer from Berlin homicide has gotten himself made commander of a work/death camp, and everyday life happens in the shadow of his work. It was totally OK, unfortunately a bit artsy but not in a dealbreaking way.

[Sheilbh]

What an elegant defense...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07y400jlngo

Not directly related but I am very much looking forward to the Odyssey being a big hit despite the internet racists' (led by Musk) months long breakdown over Lupita Nyong'o.

Said before but my view is basically that casting should be colour-blind unless race is an important part of the narrative/work. I think it's how theatre typially approaches it and I see no reason why film or TV should be any different.

[HVC]

I rarely have problems in a fantasy setting. Black Velaryon's in game of thrones, whatever. I get thrown off by a multicultural tiny little village in the middle of nowhere ( hello wheel of time) but it's not show destroying or anything. A all asian or all black village wouldn't raise my eyebrow. And I understand it doesn't make sense that I can ignore magic in a world but not that

Historical settings annoy me more. Mainly because I like history and then dumb people misrepresent races of people not understanding the difference between history and entertainment. The whole stupid cleopatra was black Jada Pickett documentary thing. It especially brother me with Egypt because it was the first ancient culture to really get me interested in history and mythology. It's also often the most misrepresented one. I think I got into an argument with garbon over it once

The odyssey is a weird halfway point, it's fantasy but also kind of set in reality. Or at least a cultural "reality". That being said I think the film will fail because it will suck. Blind casting won't help that. Probably lose more audience than it will gain by it.

[celedhring]

For me, it depends on how naturalistic the work aims to be (or if race explicitly plays a part in the story/character). In the case of most entertainment films/shows, that's actually very little so I don't care. Race switching will probably be the least of "realism sins" committed in that product for the sake of entertainment, and it really doesn't matter.

 I think brit shows approach this beautifully.  My mom and I were watching some random brit late middle ages murder mystery set in an abbey, and the abbot was black. The actor made a great job and was compelling in the part. So who cares?

[Josquius]

I rarely have problems in a fantasy setting. Black Velaryon's in game of thrones, whatever. I get thrown off by a multicultural tiny little village in the middle of nowhere ( hello wheel of time) but it's not show destroying or anything. A all asian or all black village wouldn't raise my eyebrow. And I understand it doesn't make sense that I can ignore magic in a world but not that

100%
Also when there's a random black guy in the remote village somehow.


The Odyssey racism stuff is stupid considering the characters are all meant to be from a civilization that no longer exists and it's a bloody fantasy.


History.... Ehhh..... I do think it depends on whether it's trying to be historic or more theatrical.
Is this the story of Agincourt - in which place white people please - or a character piece set around it - then who cares if idris Elba is Henry V.
Also I'm bothered less by a major part going to someone of a unfitting race who happens to be a good actor than unfitting extras.

[crazy canuck]

Not sure it's accurate to say the Odyssey is fantasy in the same way The Lord of the rings is fantasy.

I think the criticism about the armor, the boats and other wardrobe and set design decisions are justified since they don't reflect at all the historical setting in which of the Odyssey took place.


I don't really care about the colour of the actor's skin in this historical setting.  Particularly when one reads the classics and understands the respect the classical authors had for people with darker skin.  I can well imagine a dark skinned person being perceived as much more attractive.

But I find the most jarring in the trailers is the American accent being used.  That's just wrong.

Also, Lily White actors playing Mycenians?  I mean, I suppose colourblind casting is important, but isn't that a bit ridiculous?

[The Brain]

Apparently the movie industry can't find any actors from the Mediterranean region. Even in the 1960s Omar Sharif got major roles.

[garbon]

I rarely have problems in a fantasy setting. Black Velaryon's in game of thrones, whatever. I get thrown off by a multicultural tiny little village in the middle of nowhere ( hello wheel of time) but it's not show destroying or anything. A all asian or all black village wouldn't raise my eyebrow. And I understand it doesn't make sense that I can ignore magic in a world but not that

It wouldn't raise an eyebrow as it wouldn't ever be made here in the West. Or well maybe it would be some sort of Tyler Perry production that we wouldn't watch.

Historical settings annoy me more. Mainly because I like history and then dumb people misrepresent races of people not understanding the difference between history and entertainment. The whole stupid cleopatra was black Jada Pickett documentary thing. It especially brother me with Egypt because it was the first ancient culture to really get me interested in history and mythology. It's also often the most misrepresented one. I think I got into an argument with garbon over it once

But then you are also bringing modern conceptualisations of race back onto a historical time period with that stance. And an inconsistent one at that if we say look at how Jesus is oftent depicted.

The odyssey is a weird halfway point, it's fantasy but also kind of set in reality. Or at least a cultural "reality". That being said I think the film will fail because it will suck. Blind casting won't help that. Probably lose more audience than it will gain by it.

I think it'll suck too. But when we have people melting down over a black Helen of Troy, I say let's do that more often.