TV/Movies Megathread

[Malthus]

Any of you seen the Russian series Life and Fate on Amazon Prime (or elsewhere)?

I think it may be of interest to this crowd.

It's based on the book by the same name by Vasily Grossman. Grossman was a journalist and writer famous in the Soviet Union, who was actually present at many of the pivotal battles of WW2, including Stalingrad (the setting for this book and series). He wrote this book, submitted it for publication - and was effectively made an "unperson"; all his stuff was confiscated, down to the ribbon of the typewriter on which he wrote it. Fortunately he made a copy, which was smuggled out of the Soviet Union and published, though after Grossman's death.

Anyway, I've only seen the first couple of episodes, and it looks good to me. I wondered what this crowd would think of it.

And no, Churchill doesn't show up at Stalingrad to win the battle. 

[Syt]

Any of you seen the Russian series Life and Fate on Amazon Prime (or elsewhere)?

I think it may be of interest to this crowd.

It's based on the book by the same name by Vasily Grossman. Grossman was a journalist and writer famous in the Soviet Union, who was actually present at many of the pivotal battles of WW2, including Stalingrad (the setting for this book and series). He wrote this book, submitted it for publication - and was effectively made an "unperson"; all his stuff was confiscated, down to the ribbon of the typewriter on which he wrote it. Fortunately he made a copy, which was smuggled out of the Soviet Union and published, though after Grossman's death.

Anyway, I've only seen the first couple of episodes, and it looks good to me. I wondered what this crowd would think of it.

And no, Churchill doesn't show up at Stalingrad to win the battle. 

Vassily Grossman's A Writer at War was one of the many sources for Max Hastings' All Hell Let Loose which covers WW2 from the ground level, focusing on how people (usually low ranking personnel) experienced it.

[Malthus]

Vassily Grossman's A Writer at War was one of the many sources for Max Hastings' All Hell Let Loose which covers WW2 from the ground level, focusing on how people (usually low ranking personnel) experienced it.

Interesting that you should mention this!

That was how I found out about the TV series.

I was reading All Hell Let Loose and noticed the many references to Grossman; I looked him up; and that led me to the series.

[Syt]

It doesn't seem to be on Prime over here, unfortunately.

[celedhring]

Ep 1 of the the third season of Westworld was actually watchable, inventive, and not self-absorded with nonsensical pseudo-philosophical mumbo-jumbo. Pleasantly surprised. 

[crazy canuck]

Yeah, has a lot of potential.

[Liep]

Ep 1 of the the third season of Westworld was actually watchable, inventive, and not self-absorded with nonsensical pseudo-philosophical mumbo-jumbo. Pleasantly surprised. 

Yeah, surprised me as well. [spoiler]I'm still expecting the Nazi world to not be as fun and wild as I hope, though. [/spoiler]

[Admiral Yi]

Netflix has put Outbreak in the rotation.  Not sure that's such a bright move.

[Sheilbh]

Netflix has put Outbreak in the rotation.  Not sure that's such a bright move.

Definitely smart. I'll be watching

[The Larch]

I watched "The Masque of Red Death" yesterday. 

[Sheilbh]

I've just got a copy of Daniel Defoe's A Journal of the Plague Year

[Maladict]

Vassily Grossman's A Writer at War was one of the many sources for Max Hastings' All Hell Let Loose which covers WW2 from the ground level, focusing on how people (usually low ranking personnel) experienced it.

That chapter on Treblinka is the most powerful thing I've read on the Holocaust.

[Josephus]

Vassily Grossman's A Writer at War was one of the many sources for Max Hastings' All Hell Let Loose which covers WW2 from the ground level, focusing on how people (usually low ranking personnel) experienced it.

That chapter on Treblinka is the most powerful thing I've read on the Holocaust.

Yeah. I think it was also one of the first first-hand witness accounts.

[The Brain]

Tokyo Trial. Learned men from different parts of the world come together to judge Japanese leaders after WW2. 4 episodes. Focus is on differences of opinion among the judges and the discussions and maneuvering these lead to, not on details regarding the crimes or accused. I think limiting the scope makes sense, or it would have to be a lot longer. Not a masterpiece, but can be helpful if you know nothing of the trial and want to have names and themes in place for reading on the subject.

[The Brain]

Jennifer's Body. Hot chick in small town America develops abnormal appetites. Totally OK. One small comment: what happened to "show, don't tell"? Specifically when Megan Fox talks about how she lost her buttginity. [spoiler]There is lesbian kissing.[/spoiler]