what are you watching?

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Fri Nov 13, 2020 1:56 am

I just remembered that I have never seen a single episode of the X-Files! Here we come!

alexshred420 · Post by **alexshred420** » Fri Nov 13, 2020 10:20 am

Ooo fun you're in for some great television! Watched the whole series a few years back.

infopetal · Post by **infopetal** » Sat Nov 14, 2020 9:00 pm

I'm think I'm gonna start tomorrow! (if my weekly virtual tv watching party's plan to give up on Lovecraft Country and jump ship to Queen's Gambit holds true)

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Sun Nov 15, 2020 8:25 pm

Queen’s Gambit is very fun, and made me want to get into chess (the online resale chessboard market seems to be booming right now BTW)—but what I really wanna talk about is We Are Who We Are, the Luca Guadagnino show on HBO! Anyone?! Nobody is talking about it!

It's about a group of teenagers who live on an American military base in Italy, which is a fascinating world because they're in this bubble between cultures, unmoored from the world. It’s an extremely slow burn, and not at all structured like prestige television—it's loose, deeply ambiguous, almost airy. You never really know what's going on with anybody, because they don't really know either. Because that's life! Especially when you're young.

Every time you think it's some standard coming-of-age thing, it goes sideways and disarms you. It really examines, in a nuanced way, the push-and-pull between identity and desire—who you are vs. what you want, or what you think you want, and how those things are always changing, and sometimes at odds with one another.

Obviously it's incredibly beautiful. And it does a magic trick at the end that absolutely cratered me. My man Guadagnino! A real living genius I think.

RCH · Post by **RCH** » Tue Dec 01, 2020 10:30 am

VERY fun superhero/special powers fantasy movie on netflicks: FREAKS with Emil Hirsch (Lords of Dogtown, Into the Wild, Wachowski sisters’ Speed Racer).

The plot is about a 7yo girl and her dad who live in seeming post apocalyptic times. The dad is raising her to fear life outside their decrepit house but something is off.

Everything unfolds through the kid’s understanding, like Room, but with scifi elements that pay off in an innovative, exciting way. It has a low budget feel with a focus on the psychological storytelling, less X Man, more Unbreakable.

Bruce Dern is great as a wily old man who charms the kid into the outside world. The little girl in the movie is so great, I guess her lines were very improvised.

Fun, not scary, and epic!!

Post by **joni** » Tue Dec 01, 2020 11:49 am

@RCH I can't stand Emil Hirsch. At first I thought it was just because he had some sort of aura I was picking up on, but then in 2015 he was arrested and convicted for assaulting a woman at Sundance.

I love Bruce Dern! He lives up the street from us and six months ago I saw him driving his Prius.

RCH · Post by **RCH** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 11:23 am

Well screw him and the cronies who cast him!!

01001010 01010101 01000100 01000001 01001000 · Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:30 am

Recently:

Small Axe (series)
Little Joe (film, sci-fi)
Coherence (film, sci-fi)
Nobody Knows (film, drama)
Hvitur, Hvitur, Dagur (film, drama)
Candyman (film, 1992)
Des (series, MURDER SHOW)

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:15 am

All Hail Isabella Rossellini!!
https://www.sundancetv.com/shows/green-porno--27539

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:04 am

Guys, I am not kidding about Isabella Rossellini. This series is important. I should have made it its own thread. She is just a deeply beautiful and delightful weirdo.

If the Sundance link gives you trouble: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... reen+porno

RCH · Post by **RCH** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:26 am

I love her nature project! I remember the one about ducks was really funny.

They’re very abstract, but it’s good to have programs about biology in all styles. I like the squid one where she screams in despair to show the squid fishing industry.

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:23 pm

I like watching how much she likes to say the word penis.

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:26 am

We watched The Godfathers 1 & 2. They're good!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 6:34 pm

I take pride in telling you I've only seen The Godfather on an airplane seatback monitor. As true cinema is meant to be enjoyed!

RCH · Post by **RCH** » Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:20 pm

Did we already talk about Lovecraft Country on here? It’s so beautiful.

I love how the uncanniness of the sci-fi content is juxtaposed with the chaos of the interpersonal relationships. There are painful misunderstandings, shaped in part by the punishing dynamics of society but also by the deepest mysteries of human nature.

I’m very interested to see what happens between Tic and Leti. Their relationship is passionate but so rough; will it connect to a deeper story about acceptance and forgiveness? Or will it lead to something even more grotesque and strange?

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:36 am

I think we talked about Lovecraft Country but it was a while ago! Have you finished the season yet? I really liked it, especially episode 5, "Strange Case," which I'm sure will launch many college papers. I enjoyed this syllabus (syllabi?) the Langston League put together for each episode—a great reference if you're curious about the provenance of the archival spoken-word stuff the show uses for dramatic effect, as well as bigger-picture context!

https://langstonleaguellc.squarespace.com/popculturepd

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Fri Dec 25, 2020 4:08 am

We cozied up and watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' last night after a long day of bike-delivering steaming cups of hot buttered rum to pals in their doorways. I had not watched it in a focused, not on-in-the-background way in many many years. If you are willing to ignore some casual dated racism it is really just a damn good movie. I think it might have jump started a Frank Capra marathon over here.
(It is weird how Capra was actually born in Sicily and immigrated to the US and the Italians in the movie are the most raging stereotypes. They have like 12 children and a literal long-horned goat.)

DUCKULA · Post by **DUCKULA** » Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 pm

I've never seen ZOOLANDER and considering watching that for some laughs

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:37 pm

Not sure bout home zoolander, but I am feeling deep feelings tonight about not being able to go to the theater.

A second viewing of Portrait of a Lady on Fire was my last theater movie. If I had known I’d have cried twice the tears.

Please put me in a big dark room with popcorn.

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 1:35 pm

I'm missing it so much too

RCH · Post by **RCH** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 4:30 pm

Friends, I don't want you to go through life not knowing about this amazing movie MARGARET.

It was filmed in 2005 but came out in 2011, lot of legal drama. The producer thought he should be in the editing room and he was litigious as hell about the release.

It's by writer/director Kenneth Lonergan and it stars Anna Paquin (who sweet Ritchey hates! Sorry Ritchey if you are reading this. You can skip it). The story is about a teen girl who lives in a cushion of privilege and a wealthy, liberal, artsy world. Against this culture--which does remind me of Donna Tartt's The Secret History in its telling--we see not only her coming-of-age story but a deep profile of ethics when she witnesses a fatal accident.

It's literary, the dialogue is what they call "whip-smart," and Kenneth Lonergan's style is to give you a good study on [s]why people do what they do[/s] people's weirdest and most difficult emotions. It meant a lot to me about forgiveness, the weight of regret, the preciousness and precariousness of young people's idealism, and more.

Basically it's something of an overlooked gem that I think should be a household name (at least among the Smartypants among us) had it been released with the proper promotion. It is just part of the great American cinematic tradition.

MARGARET (2011)*
Enjoy this trailer for the Italian market.
*Not even the name of a character, but a literary reference, how cool is that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ByftzRF3E

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 7:09 pm

I’ve always wanted to see it! I’ve only ever heard similar, that it’s all-time cinema. Will report back.

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:47 pm

Wanted a movie tonight and watched it.

Wow whoa. PHEW

I laughed and cried and cringed. I play that Offenbach piece in the final scene on piano often, I’ll always think of this scene now when I do.

Dang. I have lived something like that final scene a few times... breaking down sobbing at the symphony/dance performances because the intense emotions you brought with you are being reflected and amplified so spectacularly in that setting.

What a good recommend. <3

Post by **joni** » Mon Jan 04, 2021 7:51 pm

I just downloaded two beauties: The First Wives Club (1996) and Starman (1984), but not just any ol' versions...a private torrent site on which I have an account has a user that's uploading lots of files of movies originally broadcast on Australian television, commercials included. The First Wives Club file is from 1999, and Starman is from 1987. I CAN'T WAIT. These are both on our Plex server, if anyone wants access just DM. xoxo

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Jan 05, 2021 9:14 am

Next stop, @joni's Plex. It seems like it might be time/place to watch The Castle!

alexshred420 · Post by **alexshred420** » Tue Jan 05, 2021 9:38 am

Things I've watched since Christmas: Withnail and I, How To Get Ahead In Advertising, Spiceworld, Pee Wee's Big Holiday, random YouTube videos of this guy hitching freight trains across Europe and traveling across the Chernobyl exclusion zone, lots of skate videos.

Spiceworld is GREAT, highly recommend.

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:31 am

I'm in plex now, and can see Jona as a friend, but can't really figure out how to access the stuff!

Withnail and I is so good, so so good.

We finally watched the Disclosure documentary about trans representation in media and it was AMAZING, highly recommend. So powerful, so educational.

Post by **joni** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:53 am

@meadows hmmmmm... It should show you two "libraries" - Movies and TV Shows.

@m o l l y How did you do it? I don't know what it's like for other people using Plex.

Post by **joni** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:57 am

NEW RECOMMENDATION: Aspen (1991)

Have we talked about Frederick Wiseman docs on this board? They're my favorite, and Aspen is so good. Not only do you get some fun 90s looks, but you really get a full view of people. Fly-on-the-wall docs like this are close to my and @yourfriendclaire's dream of a "People TV" station.

It's on Kanopy:
https://www.kanopy.com/product/aspen

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 11:18 am

@joni I can see it, but can't click on anything!

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 11:43 am

Funny, I watched my first Wiseman doc couple nights ago. Ballet from 1996. I loved it.

Would definitely watch your People TV network.

Post by **joni** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 12:17 pm

@marijke Ooooooh! Ballet! I WANNA SEE

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 12:19 pm

I already have Ballet open in a tab, thank you Marijke!!!!!!

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 12:33 pm

Just some nice young people working hard and dancing around. It brings tears to the eyes. Man, ballet is one of those things I just didn't *get* for the longest time and now I find it so compelling! What a feat. What a crazy art.

As a skier Aspen is getting bumped to the top of my list!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 12:34 pm

There's also a REALLY good one called "The Store" about a Neiman-Marcus department store in Dallas in the early '80s. You can imagine.

Post by **joni** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 12:43 pm

SECONDED. "The Store" is incredible.

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Wed Jan 06, 2021 2:53 pm

ooooh, the store sounds great too!

As a child i took modern dance classes and never had any interest in ballet until we started doing it as training. The challenge is very compelling! Trying to master simple movements with grace, strengthening truly strange muscle groups, staying intensely focused. It's pretty grueling and weirdly rewarding. I quit at 13 or 14 to become a bad teenager but I still have a pair of pointe shoes in a box somewhere. Ballet is tough. I was never a team sports person but I love an intense personal challenge!

Post by **joni** » Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:15 am

@meadows BALLET WAS SO GOOD! Of course it was too long, but you can say that about all of Wiseman’s movies. I didn’t need any of the performance footage at the end, you know, the actual ballet. Claire looked up the choreographer of the amazing scene with the slides and knee bends and his name was Ulysses Dove (RIP). I also tried to identify the music in that scene, but I couldn’t get a match.

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:35 am

Some things I liked about Ballet...

The seemingly bored and under-appreciated pianist accompanists

The way you can't really tell when someone is hamming for the cam or is just dramatic bc theater (especially the director of the ballet yelling at people on the phone)

How in the performance scenes at the end all of the men look sunburnt from their Greek beach romping.

I watched part of Aspen last night. The hammy painting instructor is SO squirmy, it's delightful.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Thu Jan 07, 2021 5:56 pm

Ulysses Dove died of AIDS in 1996—he was in BOTH the Merce Cunningham company and Alvin Ailey company before he struck out on his own as a choreographer.

He went on Charlie Rose, it's on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/GQZ5i5Rwmj8

I still can't find what the dance he's rehearsing in Ballet is!

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:55 pm

Could it be this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_2T0a4zIbY

Ballet was 95 but wikipedia says the footage was the 92 season. NYT says he created Serious Pleasures for ABT in 1992. Check the section from 8-9 minutes. There are some slides in the final section starting around min 8.

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:09 pm

Just rewatched the scene from ballet and it sure is. Robert Ruggieri did the score... I have no clue who that is.

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:36 pm

Also this... WHOA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzM5DVXS6-c

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:06 am

I have had every Wiseman doc on Kanopy on my watch list! I'll move Aspen and Ballet up top.
Agreed, Spiceworld is a winner. I remember that when I watched it a lot as a teen, I did not know what Magnum ice cream was and was confused about Baby Spice always wanting a "magnum." Also, Meatloaf.

@joni @meadows, not really sure how plex worked. Your stuff is in my library I think. It is sort of a confusing site because you have to go to plex.tv and then click "launch" for the actual library to appear. Otherwise it is just a website about plex? Does that help?

Post by **joni** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:33 pm

Watching RIGHT NOW: Nardwuar on Twitch

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:38 pm

@marijke that's the one! Thank you for this investigative work!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:22 pm

We just pivoted from Wiseman-fest to the exact opposite, which is watching as many film and television adaptations of John Le Carré novels as possible—tales of spycraft and intrigue!

Started off with a 2016 AMC/BBC adaptation of The Night Manager, which is about the night manager of a luxury hotel in Cairo (played by Tom Hiddleston) who gets mixed up in the affairs of a malevolent and extremely wealthy British arms dealer named Richard Roper aka DICKY ROPER who is very effectively portrayed by everyone's fave, Hugh Laurie. Big budget production with lavish locations in Mallorca, Switzerland, Egypt, and London. Kind of Succession-lite meets your standard prestige streamer Boomer crime drama (my parents watch this kind of thing by the truckload). I found this show deeply absorbing and often ridiculous. Tom Hiddleston can't help but look like he's walking off an Esquire menswear shoot even when he's supposed to be in a warzone. Three stars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night ... TV_series)

We just finished a 2018 BBC adaptation of The Little Drummer Girl, directed by the great Park Chan-wook (of Oldboy fame) with an absolute banger of a cast: Michael Shannon! Florence Pugh! Alexander Skarsgård! This one's about an actress (Pugh) enlisted by Mossad into going deep-undercover in a Palestinian terror cell in Europe in the late 1970s. Florence Pugh is unbelievably good in this—very physical, powerful. There's a lot of existential "are we the baddies" stuff going on here re: Middle East conflict, and it really gets at the futility of it all. Beautifully shot, lyrical at times, quite horny. Five stars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Littl ... iniseries)

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:04 am

Oh damn, I didn't finish The Little Drummer Girl but Florence Pugh was SO good. I need to go back and watch the end. She's incredibly compelling.

Standard prestige drama really hits the spot these days, maybe we'll try Night Manager this week...

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 12:19 pm

Get ready for a lot of insouciantly unbuttoned Earth-toned henleys and well-cut suits!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Jan 11, 2021 12:27 pm

Another Le Carré: the 2014 feature film adaptation of "A Most Wanted Man" (John le Carré must legit be a millionaire) starring the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a German (!!) intelligence agent working counterterrorism in "the port city of Hamburg." Directed by Anton Corbjin, known for his long career as a music video director and for the films Control (2007) and The American (2010). This one's about a Chechen refugee who arrives in Hamburg to claim a substantial fortune set aside by his murderous warlord father in a private German bank; he enlists the help of a bleeding heart lawyer, played by Rachel McAdams doing a very unfortunate and unconvincing German accent. This is your standard surveillance cat-and-mouse, only played out in Germany's Muslim community post 9/11; aesthetically it's quite sterile and grim. The most interesting aspect of this movie is the testy relationship between Hoffman's operation, the German police, and a US presence played by Robin Wright with her hair dyed black (presumably due to Hoffman's blonde noncompete clause). Again, lots of "are we the baddies" questions—John le Carré seems intent on pointing out that at a certain level it's all utterly pointless and nobody's hands are clean. Three stars?