TV/Movies Megathread

[Tamas]

Oh, yes. Have to throw history out the window on that one.

There are two major anachronisms that made me laugh, at least:

1: They show Francisco Goya's painting, Saturn Devouring his Son some ~60 years in advance of the art even being made.
2: The children's choir in episode 7 singing White Army, Black Baron (in Russian). A Red Army song from the Russian Civil War. 

I'll pass.

[Sheilbh]

Really wish it was out here. It's by the writer of The Favourite, right?

So, yeah, I'd expect a more impressionist approach to the past.

[Malthus]

Really wish it was out here. It's by the writer of The Favourite, right?

So, yeah, I'd expect a more impressionist approach to the past.

Yup.

The creators tell you upfront that it is an "occasionally true story", or some words to that effect. 😄

[Habbaku]

Oh, yes. Have to throw history out the window on that one.

There are two major anachronisms that made me laugh, at least:

1: They show Francisco Goya's painting, Saturn Devouring his Son some ~60 years in advance of the art even being made.
2: The children's choir in episode 7 singing White Army, Black Baron (in Russian). A Red Army song from the Russian Civil War. 

I'll pass.

Cool. Go enjoy something dumb then.

[Malthus]

I've only seen the first couple of episodes, so I haven't yet seen the chorus doing a Russian Red army song yet - when I do, I'll be sure to point it out to my family, and claim I recognized it, in this way appearing a history genius. 😄

Seriously though, I'll credit Languish. 😉

[Josephus]

I've only seen the first couple of episodes, so I haven't yet seen the chorus doing a Russian Red army song yet - when I do, I'll be sure to point it out to my family, and claim I recognized it, in this way appearing a history genius. 😄

Seriously though, I'll credit Languish. 😉

Your family may look impressed. But when you're not looking they're rolling their eyes back.

[Malthus]

I've only seen the first couple of episodes, so I haven't yet seen the chorus doing a Russian Red army song yet - when I do, I'll be sure to point it out to my family, and claim I recognized it, in this way appearing a history genius. 😄

Seriously though, I'll credit Languish. 😉

Your family may look impressed. But when you're not looking they're rolling their eyes back.

Probably true of all my many completely meaningless accomplishments. 😄

[Tamas]

Oh, yes. Have to throw history out the window on that one.

There are two major anachronisms that made me laugh, at least:

1: They show Francisco Goya's painting, Saturn Devouring his Son some ~60 years in advance of the art even being made.
2: The children's choir in episode 7 singing White Army, Black Baron (in Russian). A Red Army song from the Russian Civil War. 

I'll pass.

Cool. Go enjoy something dumb then.

I am not going to restart the Churchill in Verdun debate, I just personally see no point in watching something using a seemingly historical context while being non-historical. What's the point?

[Malthus]

Oh, yes. Have to throw history out the window on that one.

There are two major anachronisms that made me laugh, at least:

1: They show Francisco Goya's painting, Saturn Devouring his Son some ~60 years in advance of the art even being made.
2: The children's choir in episode 7 singing White Army, Black Baron (in Russian). A Red Army song from the Russian Civil War. 

I'll pass.

Cool. Go enjoy something dumb then.

I am not going to restart the Churchill in Verdun debate, I just personally see no point in watching something using a seemingly historical context while being non-historical. What's the point?

Entertainment.

[Tamas]

Oh, yes. Have to throw history out the window on that one.

There are two major anachronisms that made me laugh, at least:

1: They show Francisco Goya's painting, Saturn Devouring his Son some ~60 years in advance of the art even being made.
2: The children's choir in episode 7 singing White Army, Black Baron (in Russian). A Red Army song from the Russian Civil War. 

I'll pass.

Cool. Go enjoy something dumb then.

I am not going to restart the Churchill in Verdun debate, I just personally see no point in watching something using a seemingly historical context while being non-historical. What's the point?

Entertainment.

Oh, entertainment? Shut up!

[Malthus]

Put it this way: the makers of The Great would have no problems filming Churchill at Verdun - only, Churchill would be accompanied into combat by his cigar-smoking pet bear. 😄

[Habbaku]

Yes. The creators of The Great aren't making a true history, nor even any pretense of it. There's a scene where the Tsar lambasts Catherine as not even being Russian, while himself not being Russian!

The point is to have an intriguing story with really fancy dresses and a veneer of historical-fiction/fantasy setting. It works because the writers aren't trying to lie to you.

[Habbaku]

I've only seen the first couple of episodes, so I haven't yet seen the chorus doing a Russian Red army song yet - when I do, I'll be sure to point it out to my family, and claim I recognized it, in this way appearing a history genius. 😄

Seriously though, I'll credit Languish. 😉

Malthus is a Wrangel supporter. 

[Sheilbh]

I think entertainment but I would also add if they are making a greater point/some way of evoking/creating the feeling of the past. So basically style - music, script, set design, way of shooting. If those stylistic choices evoke a sense of living in that moment I think it's fine.

I think The Favourite is a really good example. But the best is probably Deadwood - where the characters' "voice" is incredible. It has half got the structure and rhythm of those long Victorian sentences, but because we would not be suitable shocked by "poppycock" etc the explosive, modern swearing. It's incredibly anachronistic, but it works.

Another is Barry Lyndon which goes to the other extreme but again is incredibly successful at "evoking" the past by a lot of obsessive study, details of the past.

I think both of these are better than the typical sort of prestige period drama approach of a typical Hollywood version.

I also do not give a single fuck about accuracy in a comedy - e.g. Shakespeare in Love which is one of the wittiest, cleverest romcoms around. It's a masterpiece however creative some of its decisions are.

[Tamas]

Fair enough.