TV/Movies Megathread

[celedhring]

I love Things To Come. Certainly not a "good" film, but an apocalyptic British 1930s sci-flick is something so unique that certainly's got to be treasured. I love how, for example, the film portrays the idea - prevalent at the age - that strategic bombing could potentially turn civilization into ashes.

The problem for me is that the script is way too preachy, fixated on conveying its message rather than letting its characters being real people and not puppets. It's actually not even a proper story, just a dramatized chronicle of hypothetical future events, which makes it hard to get involved in. Sets and visuals are amazing, though.

Moreover, it features engineers setting up a technocratic dictatorship and taking over the world. A gripping cautionary tale.

[jimmy olsen]

Superman has a point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnY4p_ASV9M

[crazy canuck]

Watched a few episodes of the Last Ship.  I dont think I will continue with this.

In one episode our merry band of mariners narrowly escape from the clutches of an evil Russian admiral with a superior ship ([spoiler]and magically teleport the two crew members who went on a suicide run to do accomplish that goal back on board)[/spoiler]

In the next episode they are dead in the water because of an engine problem (they needed Scottie) and they broadcast their position over the airwaves to try to get the attention of any ship in the area who might assist them.  Apparently the big bad Russian ship that is presumably trying to find them didnt have a radio crew working that shift.

[CountDeMoney]

You watched "a few episodes" too many of that useless steamer.

[derspiess]

I watched part of an episode with my wife.  Wasn't impressed. 

[viper37]

Watched a few episodes of the Last Ship.  I dont think I will continue with this.

In one episode our merry band of mariners narrowly escape from the clutches of an evil Russian admiral with a superior ship ([spoiler]and magically teleport the two crew members who went on a suicide run to do accomplish that goal back on board)[/spoiler]

In the next episode they are dead in the water because of an engine problem (they needed Scottie) and they broadcast their position over the airwaves to try to get the attention of any ship in the area who might assist them.  Apparently the big bad Russian ship that is presumably trying to find them didnt have a radio crew working that shift.

As I said to CdM, I could have told you to avoid this just by watching the trailer.  I'm glad I didn't waste my time

[Josephus]

Watched a few episodes of the Last Ship.  I dont think I will continue with this.

In one episode our merry band of mariners narrowly escape from the clutches of an evil Russian admiral with a superior ship ([spoiler]and magically teleport the two crew members who went on a suicide run to do accomplish that goal back on board)[/spoiler]

In the next episode they are dead in the water because of an engine problem (they needed Scottie) and they broadcast their position over the airwaves to try to get the attention of any ship in the area who might assist them.  Apparently the big bad Russian ship that is presumably trying to find them didnt have a radio crew working that shift.

I watched exactly one and a half episodes.

[Josephus]

finished watching Prisoners of War, Season One, the Israeli, and original version, of Homeland. Really different as you might imagine. More focussed on the emotional trauma of returning POWs on their families than an out-and-out race against the clock suspense.

[crazy canuck]

Watched a few episodes of the Last Ship.  I dont think I will continue with this.

In one episode our merry band of mariners narrowly escape from the clutches of an evil Russian admiral with a superior ship ([spoiler]and magically teleport the two crew members who went on a suicide run to do accomplish that goal back on board)[/spoiler]

In the next episode they are dead in the water because of an engine problem (they needed Scottie) and they broadcast their position over the airwaves to try to get the attention of any ship in the area who might assist them.  Apparently the big bad Russian ship that is presumably trying to find them didnt have a radio crew working that shift.

As I said to CdM, I could have told you to avoid this just by watching the trailer.  I'm glad I didn't waste my time

Great, you told Cdm but not me.  Thanks buddy.

[Ideologue]

I love Things To Come. Certainly not a "good" film, but an apocalyptic British 1930s sci-flick is something so unique that certainly's got to be treasured. I love how, for example, the film portrays the idea - prevalent at the age - that strategic bombing could potentially turn civilization into ashes.

The problem for me is that the script is way too preachy, fixated on conveying its message rather than letting its characters being real people and not puppets. It's actually not even a proper story, just a dramatized chronicle of hypothetical future events, which makes it hard to get involved in. Sets and visuals are amazing, though.

Moreover, it features engineers setting up a technocratic dictatorship and taking over the world. A gripping cautionary inspirational tale.

[Ed Anger]

Still going through the old Law and Order episodes. The ones where New York was a shithole.

[Eddie Teach]

I've started watching Boss. It's pretty decent. It reminds me of The Wire in some ways. Well, what it would be if Littlefinger was the focus and the only really interesting character.

[crazy canuck]

I have been watching Generation Kill.

It is based on a book written by a reporter who was imbedded during the invasion of Iraq.  I sure hope the incompetance of the officers is exaggerated for dramatic effect.

[viper37]

than an out-and-out race against the clock suspense.

I never felt that watching Homeland.  I found it quite the opposite actually, very, very slow pace.

[Savonarola]

The TAMI Show (1964)



This is a legendary concert video featuring a who's who of rock and R&B performing artists from 1964.  The house band is none other than The Wrecking Crew; (Phil Spector's band in the "Wall of Sound" years as well as the backing band on a number of other west coast musicians.)

This was made in the middle of the British invasion, shortly after the civil rights bill had been signed and in an era where Rock and Roll was still considered music for teenagers; (college students were more likely listen to jazz or folk.)  The audience was taken from the local high schools in Santa Monica and they scream and scream and scream throughout.

The acts were:

Chuck Berry was the opening number; he nearly derailed the show on his own.  The day of the show, a Sunday, he demanded to be paid in cash or money order before he would go on.  That wasn't so easy to do on a Sunday in 1964; but the show had big enough backers that they were able to do that.

Gerry and the Pacemakers played concurrently with Chuck, starting off with their version of "Maybellene."  One of the Wrecking Crew, and impossibly young and short-haired Leon Russell was on stage with them.

Next came out Smokey Robinson and the Miracles followed by Marvin Gaye and the Blossoms.  One of the Blossoms, Darlene Love, would go on to have a solo career of her own.  Some of the Motown road band played with them (and later with The Supremes.)  They were off camera, though.

The queen of teenage female angst, Leslie Gore, was on next.  In the commentary the director, Steve Binder, speculated that Leslie could have probably had even more hits had she not quit show business to go to college.  She was quite short; that's really brought out when she stands next to Jan and Dean.

Jan and Dean were both hosts for the show as well as an act.  They had little skits throughout the show.  One of their songs, "Sidewalk Surfin'" was "Catch a Wave" with lyrics about skateboarding.  Binder speculated that had Jan not been in the car accident they might have been much bigger stars, they were just getting ready to make a movie when that happened.

The Beach Boys follow Jan and Dean.  Even though Brian doesn't usually sing lead you can tell he's the band leader just in the way he stands out from everyone else.  (Even so Dennis was the real star as far as the girls were concerned.)  This would be one of the last live appearances of the original members Beach Boys and Brian would suffer his first nervous breakdown later that year and wouldn't perform live with them again for nearly twenty years.

Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas were on next; not only were all their hits, except "Little Children," written by Lennon and McCartney; John Lennon gave Billy J. Kramer his stage name.

The Supremes followed.  It struck me that Mary Wilson did have a lot of stage presence.  She didn't have Diana's voice, or those really big eyes, but it's not so much a surprise that they were able to soldier on after Diana Ross went solo.

The Barbarians were on next; they were a garage band out of Cape Cod who dressed like pirates, wore sandals and were led by a one armed drummer.  They have a couple songs on the compilation "Nuggets" but never really went anywhere.  It's too bad; they would have been the coolest band ever.

The hardest working man in show business, James Brown, was up next.  His performance is amazing, even by the standards of James Brown he was on fire that night.

The Rolling Stones close out the show.  Keith Richards said that following James Brown was the biggest mistake of their career.  Watching Mick Jagger try to dance after James Brown and the Famous Flames is indescribably sad.     Still they put on a decent show.  Jan announced that they were "Five Lads from Liverpool" at the show (this being the middle of the British Invasion, everyone was from Liverpool.)  They re-recorded the line to "Five Lads from London Town" in post production.

It's a great show and a must see for anyone interested in that phase of Rock and Roll or Rhythm and Blues.