What We're Watching.

[No One]

Okay, so I lied – one more thread, born from having to gate-crash other threads with unrelated subject matters (I feel guilty for the good moderators). That subject matter most recently being films, how about a kind of ‘Fans of ASOIAF Film Choice’ thread? Or in imitation of GRRM’s site, ‘What We’re Watching’? I for one would be interested in what you guys have seen recently that was particularly good or bad, or which might not be in the mainstream.

As for me, my opinions on any film by Korean director Park Chan Wook are well stated (although Kim Jee Woon is also very good – The Good, the Bad, the Weird anyone?).

Then there’s the inimitable Kick-ass, which I’m still watching, still loving. It’s genius.

The Wolfman re-make, however, not so much (though I thought Del Toro and Hopkins were good).

Let's see... Spanish horror flick Rec 2 – the first being a true balls-to-the-wall horror and one of my faves. I also liked the sequel (the first 40 minutes were intense) but by the end of the film it felt much more like a film (as opposed to the first, which feels nothing like most films). Still curious about a third film though...


On a tv front, I wonder if there are any Supernatural fans on here who recently saw the finale? I know, I know, Supernatural was hardly great tv, but there were individual episodes that I'd put up there with some of the most enjoyable 45 minutes of tv out there.


And while South Park continues to be one of the most culturally and politically relevant shows around I absolutely cannot wait for the 5th season of Dexter. The fourth season was incredibly good.

 

[TK-421]

Oh dear, I fear a Mod may kill this thread...

 

[No One]

Oh dear, I fear a Mod may kill this thread...

So be it if that's the case. Just thought it might help focus the threads a bit.

 

[Eulalia]

A challenge.

Perhaps there are ways to make "what we're watching" relevent to the books. It has been a long wait for ADWD.

Hmmm, Dexter. There are a lot of serial killers in ASOIAF, in one way or another. Some of them are likeable, like Arya. She does in a lot of baddies, although most have personal meaning to her.

Illyn Payne has the law of a monarchy behind him.

I can imagine Dexter being a highly successful character in this series, but there isn't really a match. The faceless men kill for hire, right? Dexter has more "honourable" reasons for dispatching his victims.

Tyrion reminds me of "House" a little. Clever, funny, mouthy but chaotic good (or are they neutral)?

 

[viZion]

I'm watching the NBA Playoffs and the World Cup currently. After that I'll start watching NFL and college football. On topic: I think Arya would be into sports.

 

[Eulalia]

Sports--you mean tourneys? Sansa was quite a fan, too!

 

[The Imp]

Maybe we could have an ongoing "off topic" thread. A place where people who read GRRM can also discuss other things without breaking any forum rules. It's really nice to get the opinions and ideas from people I have come to respect (and like) about non GRRM topics.

 

[No One]

Yay - the thread's still here (it was very late last night when I posted)

Imp, that was kind of my thinking: the mods here are kind enough to let us chat about off-topic subjects occasionally, so I thought maybe a small corner to help channel idle chatter might help. Whether or not that's pushing the boat out too far I'll happily trust to the mods.

Vizion - I'm also watching the World Cup and participating in the Chrons World Cup tipping contest. In short, I've been doing poorly

Eulalia - I appreciate the effort. I haven't thought about who in ASOIAF could qualify as something like a serial killer. Comparing Arya and Dexter is really intriguing. I think, in a traditional sense of the meaning, Biter would probably come closest from whatw e know of him. He was nasty piece of work.

 

[The Imp]

As for what I'm watching.

The NBA finals, of course. The series is tgied 3-3 atm, and IMO, Boston winning will be the ultimate proff that there is no God. I say that as a very long time fan of the NY Knicks.

I'm in the process of re-watching The Sopranos, one of the best shows in the history of TV. I only hope that the HBO adaptation of ASOIAF is as well done and long running.

True Blood has become my guilty pleasure, replacing 24, which has ended it's 8 year run. You know things are bad when your wife is making fun of you for watching a vampire show. I think the premise is really interesting though, and seeing sexy females running around scantily clothed hasn't made me want to change channels

I'm a big fan of Fringe, now in it's summer hiatus, and I still watch House. Lie To Me can be interesting. How sad that most of my favorite TV shows are on Fox. Shakes a mailed gloved fist at Rupert Murdoch.

As for recent movies. You name it, if it's a crappy summertime release that is geared to men and/or teenage boys, I've seen it. Robin Hood was a disappointment, but only because I had no idea that it was really a prequel. The movie itself was fairly well done. Ironman 2 was fun and entertaining, amd worth seeing on the big screen. Kick Ass was outstanding, a must see IMO. The A Team was kind of fun, but you REALLY need to willingly supend disbelief at points. Shutter Island was terrific, Alice in Wonderland was ok but predictable even though it's only loosely based on the original. I loved Avatar. There are more, I'm just not remembering them. .

A note on me personally. I'll be leaving for a 9 day trip to Colorado tomorrow, and I typically don't write while I'm on the road . I'll try to check the site from time to time, but I don't think I'll post much unless something wonderful happens. I'll be back on Sunday, thge 27th

 

[No One]

I really have to watch Sopranos - i hear nothing but great things and must be the only person on the planet who hasn't seen it.

Have a good one, Imp.

 

[TK-421]

Am I the only Lost fanatic on this forum? I bet I am the only Lost fanatic on this forum that actually has not seen the final episode. Please don't ruin it for me.

I unfortunately got too far behind episodes with about 5 episodes left in the final season when life, kids, work and travel got in the way of watching Lost. So, I am patiently waiting for the DVD's of the final season to come out at Blockbuster in August so I can watch them in peace.

 

[Eulalia]

Bon voyage, Imp!

TK, I was able to see some Lost episodes that I missed, on my computer.

If you don't mind courseness, The Hot Tub Time Machine was good. It even qualifies as Sci Fi, or does it?

Honestly, not many will like the last two movies that I really saw. Benny and Joon had strong acting, but a weak story. Tom Brown's Schooldays was good and seemed to capture aspects of male psychology sort of like Jon's POV about the Night Watch. (I've also had real life males describe private school and it all seems about the same). Tom Brown seemed cut too much, like they had run out of time or money, but what was there was affecting. Not as much humour in it as GRRM's version.

I confess to watching Survivor. I would say in spite of how contrived the series is, one can learn lessons from it about how to negotiate work and relationships! It doesn't hurt that I like the venue. I've always been a sucker for Robinson Crusoe or Castaway stories, no matter how thoroughly produced it is. Love the camera work, too.

 

[Clansman]

Hmmm. Sopranos was good stuff. The epitome of the sympathetic villain.

Give me a hard-hitting British police drama anyday, like Trial and Retribution or Prime Suspect. My favourite mini-series ever is Band of Brothers. Haven't seen Pacific yet, but I look forward to it.

Regular faves are the Law and Order shows (the original with Ben Stone as the prosecutor was the best), Criminal Minds, Mystery! and Masterpiece Theatre (depending on what's showing) on PBS.

 

[The Imp]

I really have to watch Sopranos - i hear nothing but great things and must be the only person on the planet who hasn't seen it.

Have a good one, Imp.

If you do watch it, make sure you watch it on DVD or on HBO (on demand has 6 or so episodes available at a time and eventually runs the entire series over a period of maybe 6 months) If you watch re-runs on, say A&E television, all he colorful language, gratuitous violence and sexy strippers will be deleted or sanitized.

It's just a great show. You won't be sorry you start it.

I forgot to mention that I'm in the middle of yet another ASOIAF re-read. The war of the 5 kings should fill gaps in Colorado when my wife is conferencing and I'm off by myself.

 

[No One]

Tk - Lost is another series I've never followed. I hear mostly good things though. I may have to look into that at some point.

Imp - I may try and watch a few online but, fortunately, a friend of mine has the dvd boxsets, and he's encouraged me in the past to watch it. That shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, I still haven't seen the last (7th) season of The Shield, which I also thought was a great show (no spoilers please).

 

[No One]

Well the thread is still here and I doubt the moderators are in a process of heated deliberation, so I'll go out on a limb and say a big THANK YOU to them.

Should I maybe re-name or add the words 'off-topic' to the title, as Imp suggests?

 

[Lofwyr]

I haven't seen a summer movie yet this year I really want to see Inception when it comes out though. Just the kind of mental-circus thriller/mystery I'm fond of.

Started watching 'The Good Guys' on FOX, very amusing show. Light hearted and fun with a strong cast. I recommend pretty much all the original programming they have on USA network (Burn Notice, Psych, Royal Pains, etc.). Burn Notice is especially awesome.

I enjoyed Sopranos, but it starts to really fall off in season 4. Season 5 and beyond just didn't have the same feel and didn't drive me to watch. Of HBO series, I can't recommend Carnivale highly enough. The most well done fantasy show I've ever seen...very subtle. The pacing isn't for everyone and there isn't much gratuitous violence. But it's chock-full of symbolism, foreshadowing, mythology and all the other little tricks we're so fond of in GRRM's work.

 

[soulsinging]

What I'm watching these days is chiefly baseball, specifically my beloved Detroit Tigers. Non-sports wise though, I keep re-watching my Firefly dvd's, and am working my way through Battlestar Galactica, which is incredible.

But in an effort to tie it to the forum... I highly recommend the Wire. It's an HBO original series and gives a taste of the kind of quality tv they can do (which bodes well for our beloved series). In addition, it does for modern urban America what GRRM does for a medieval fantasy setting. The characters are all complex, complete with conflicting goals and desires and tons of political maneuvering. It's easily the best show I've ever seen on tv (though Firefly and Arrested Development are my favorites).

 

[No One]

Lofwyr - Carnivale is yet another HBO series I keep telling myself to watch. Pity it only had a short run. Speaking of which...

Soulsinging - Firefly was/is great. Shocking treatment by its network.

 

[Wiggum]

Am I the only Lost fanatic on this forum? I bet I am the only Lost fanatic on this forum that actually has not seen the final episode. Please don't ruin it for me.

Buckbeak kills Dobby