TV/Movies Megathread

[viper37]

So, Seinfeld is on Netflix. And they converted the series to 16:9 format.

By cropping the picture.

it's a bit dumb.  They should have left it in 4:3 like ST: TNG.

They can't extend to true 16:9 because it wasn't shot this way and there's crew on the sides of the picture.

[Josephus]

In Seinfeld's case though, reruns have been using the 16:9 format for years. I've noticed that when flipping channels.

[Syt]

Netflix has the movie Zum Goldenen Handschuh, a movie about a 1970s serial killer in Hamburg, based on a book based on a real case. The reviews aren't great, so I might not check this one out.

However, the preview thumbnail which is this shot:



It's beautiful. The bar does exist IRL, but what really caught me were the windows, with the shitty curtains (should be more nicotine colored, actually), and the Astra and Holsten signs. This could be any old dive bar in the greater Hamburg area where the prefessional drinkers would congregate to spend the day clutched to their beers.

This shot illustrates the kind quite nicely (though I would expect the lights to be much lower - generally people don't want to be reminded of how fucked up they and the place look). The Oldesloer bottle is a nice touch.

[Darth Wagtaros]

I feel like they're going to have to take significant liberties with Foundation to make it an exciting action sci-fi show.

Salvor Hardin's 'last refuge of the incompetent' is generally what those shows are about.

So far it seems they took the idea and turned it into a space drama.  They aren't books that would really make good movies, so I suppose this is as close as it could be to the source material.  The first books were serials after all.

[Threviel]

I used to drink Astra and Oldesloer in my youth, my Hamburg born grandfather supplied me. Great times. Oldesloer is not something I recommend.

[Syt]

I used to drink Astra and Oldesloer in my youth, my Hamburg born grandfather supplied me. Great times. Oldesloer is not something I recommend.

It flows freely at any countryside party or fest in Holstein, at least up till the early 2000s.

(mostly because it's the local brand, and cheap; also Cola with Oldi was a cheap long drink in clubs )

[Savonarola]

Galaxy Quest (1999)

By Grabthar's Hammer, by the suns of Warven, this is still a lot of fun.  Tim Allen's impression of William Shatner is spot on (though it could have used a Captain Kirk two fisted punch at some point) and Hans Gruber's deadpan humor is perfect.  The movie is helped immensely by the action story being well thought out and well done - even if it wasn't a comedy this one still would have worked as an episode of Star Trek.

On the subject of aspect ratios; the film changes to a wider screen format when Tim Allen realizes he's on a starship rather than a set.  It's not a great effect; I only noticed that because I had read about it before hand and was looking for it.

[The Brain]

Galaxy Quest is great.

[grumbler]

Yeah, Galaxy Quest was a screenwriter's win.  It had star power, but the script was what made it stand out.

[Barrister]

I've never seen Galaxy Quest.

When it came out it just seemed lame?  I mean - making fun of Star Trek?  Not exactly that difficult to do.

But I've heard numerous takes like this so perhaps I should give it a try.

[Sheilbh]

Oh it's great - I don't even think it's fair to say it's taking fun of Star Trek.

One for the Brits but the new BBC series Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution is excellent. Right up there with The Wilderness Years which it's the sort of sequel too.

[The Brain]

Oh it's great - I don't even think it's fair to say it's taking fun of Star Trek.

I was gonna say this. At least my memory of it doesn't include making fun of Star Trek.

[Barrister]

Speaking of making fun of Star Trek, has anybody been watching Star Trek: Lower Decks?

Last weeks episode was a fanservice doozy.  A Star Fleet effeciency consultant comes on board and has all the crewmembers doing simulated missions in some kind of portable holosuites - and of course they're all from old Star Trek episodes.  There was even "Steal the ship and rescue Spock from the Genesis planet" - which the crew failed by not managing to get out of Spacedock.

Highly recommended if you're a Star Trek fan.

[Grey Fox]

I watched the first two seasons. I'll watch this one too

[viper37]

When it came out it just seemed lame?  I mean - making fun of Star Trek?  Not exactly that difficult to do.

It didn't seem that hard to make fun of Star Wars either