TV/Movies Megathread

[Sheilbh]

I liked Borgen a lot. But it was always slightly ruined by the fact she was effectively Nick Clegg/leader of the Lib Dems

Edit: Also there is also one dreadful episode each season where they decide to do foreign policy

[The Larch]

And of course seeing just how far the two McLarens is going to get ahead of everyone else. Snoozefest.

The two Mercedes, you mean. 

I gave the show a try last night and ended up watching the first 3 episodes in a row. It is really well crafted, no wonder it can present F1 in a new, exciting light and bring new fans to it. I read that it has been criticized for making up some of the stuff they show (mostly made up team communications during the races), as well as over-dramatising some of the scenes for the purpose of making the show more interesting (not so much a pure documentary but rather a semi-scripted reality show), but it is indubitably a very slick show that puts F1 under a very appealing light. I wonder how difficult is it to pick up for newbies, though, as they don't really give a ton of background info on some of its parts.

Ok, so I ended up binging the 1st season over the weekend. Most of my comments from the previous post apply, and the guys certainly have a talent for looking at narratives for their episodes. Keeping each episode focused in a couple of teams and a few drivers certainly gives the people involved much more of a time to show their personality, which is what ends up driving the show. It's a pity that they couldn't really feature the top pilots (I read that neither Mercedes nor Ferrari allowed themselves to be covered, although they did accept it for the following seasons), but giving a spotlight to F1's middle and lower-middle teams is also an interesting thing and allows you to get to know less famous personalities.

Just to see if my impressions about the drivers were correct, this is what I ended up thinking about the ones featured the most:

- Ricciardo seemd the most "Italian", in a way, and certainly fit the charming rogue stereotype the most.
- Verstappen was the one who seemed more of a jerk and even though he was the one that was hyped the most he just didn't really seem like an interesting person to get to know, he was a rather assholish automaton in the pieces shown.
- Grosjean was the one I felt for the most, seeing the psychological toll that so many crashes took on him was rather heartbreaking and you end up kinda thinking that maybe he should retire for his own good, but it was nice seeing him pick himself up by the end of the season.
- Hulkenberg, Magnussen and Ericsson all kinda blurred together as the "steady veterans" that didn't really show much personality.
- By contrast, Leclerc, Ocon and Gasly, who all kinda blurred together as well as the "promising Frenchies" did get more of their personalities and backgrounds shown, which made them more interesting.
- About the two Spanish drivers, Sainz and Alonso, as I already knew them quite well as they feature quite a lot in our media, I basically reinforced the opinion I already had, that Sainz is kind of a "determined up and coming pilot" that still needs to prove himself, and Alonso a really respected legend of the sport, despite his rather limited success.

It was also cool to see the behind the scenes look at the movers and shakers of the teams, owners, technical directors and so on, it really helped the "drama" feel of the show.

I guess I'll keep watching this, and the next one should be more interesting if Ferrari and Mercedes opened their doors to the show, as it should be really cool to see the "aristocracy" of the circuit behind closed doors.

[Grey Fox]

This is also who Grosjean is : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-agfTgUVKw&ab_channel=george2576
(he's the flying car)

The format of season 2 really changes has they stopped going thru the races chronogically. They start to jump around a lot between episodes. Don't expect much out of Ferrari or Mercedes. The Netflix teams gets access to Ferrari and Mercedes for only 1 weekend each.

[celedhring]

I visited my mother today and found out she's become addicted to Midsomer Murders. 

It's like the ultimate mom show.

[Sheilbh]

It's insane how popular that show is overseas. I had a friend who lived in the Balkans for a while and apparently it's huge over there. I just add it to my view that a large part of what makes for "Britishness" in many people's minds is what sells overseas: period dramas and cosy murder mysteries.

[The Brain]

Midsomer kind of defines the mouthbreather tier of British murder mysteries.

[The Larch]

This is also who Grosjean is : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-agfTgUVKw&ab_channel=george2576
(he's the flying car)

Yeah, they show that accident right at the start of the episode focused on him, as the beginning of his self-confidence issues.

The format of season 2 really changes has they stopped going thru the races chronogically. They start to jump around a lot between episodes. Don't expect much out of Ferrari or Mercedes. The Netflix teams gets access to Ferrari and Mercedes for only 1 weekend each.

Well, they already jump a bit back and forth in the first season, but I guess I'll see what you mean when I start with the 2nd season. It's a pity if Ferrari and Mercedes don't feature much, but I guess that a little is better than nothing at all.

[Grey Fox]

It's been a while, I had forgot that.

[Syt]

Saw on Twitter that a recent Simpsons episode had a reference that probably a small percentage of viewers get, but people around here might appreciate it:

Mr Burns: Hmm. Smithers, I'm a hero. Like that guy who landed the plane safely.
Smithers: Sully Sullenberger?
Mr Burns: No, no, no, no. Rudolf Hess.

[Eddie Teach]

Thunder Force. Pretty funny at times.

[garbon]

I was underwhelmed. I thought it was okay but really failed to be as funny as it could have been.

[Josquius]

It's funniest moments came when it was mocking how crap it was. Overall very poor

[Josephus]

Saw on Twitter that a recent Simpsons episode had a reference that probably a small percentage of viewers get, but people around here might appreciate it:

Mr Burns: Hmm. Smithers, I'm a hero. Like that guy who landed the plane safely.
Smithers: Sully Sullenberger?
Mr Burns: No, no, no, no. Rudolf Hess.

[Gups]

Well, they already jump a bit back and forth in the first season, but I guess I'll see what you mean when I start with the 2nd season. It's a pity if Ferrari and Mercedes don't feature much, but I guess that a little is better than nothing at all.

It becomes really obvious between season 3, where the editing is a bit sloppy and they actually repeat bits of dialogue from earlier episodes. Really good series though even for someone with minimal interest in F1.

[crazy canuck]

Saw on Twitter that a recent Simpsons episode had a reference that probably a small percentage of viewers get, but people around here might appreciate it:

Mr Burns: Hmm. Smithers, I'm a hero. Like that guy who landed the plane safely.
Smithers: Sully Sullenberger?
Mr Burns: No, no, no, no. Rudolf Hess.

That is comedy gold.