Netflix/Prime/Hulu Discoveries

[smurfy]

I saw a few posters posted about Victoria and I was wondering what people's thoughts were. The two reviews were pretty opposite in comparing it with The Crown. I remember really enjoying the Victoria and Albert miniseries from the 1990s and I have a real soft spot for The Young Victoria with Emily Blunt as it probably historically inaccurately ramped up the romance in the early years and their courtship and I'm a sucker for a good romance. How does the series compare with those two works?

I never saw the 90s miniseries. I loved The Young Victoria - love Blunt and Friend.
I really enjoyed Victoria - the new one with Jenna Coleman. Rufus Sewell is a dream.
I am not one to nitpick to much over accuracy - as why watch any historical drama tv/movie - stuff is changed.
I enjoyed in Victoria much of the little details. It is definitely 'slow' but it shows Victoria growing.
It covers from the her uncle dies and she is on the throne until the birth of her first child.
I think I appreciate Blunt and Friend, but in the tv show - the performances are good.
But I love period dramas and don't mind seeing the same story done by differently.
Now I want to revisit The Young Victoria.

I am watching Silk on Hulu - Tom Hughes who plays Albert in the most recent tv show - at first I did not recognize him, physically he acts really differently in subtle ways - I appreciate that I did not immediately see him and say - oh Prince Albert!

 

[clairecloutier]

I saw a few posters posted about Victoria and I was wondering what people's thoughts were. The two reviews were pretty opposite in comparing it with The Crown. I remember really enjoying the Victoria and Albert miniseries from the 1990s and I have a real soft spot for The Young Victoria with Emily Blunt as it probably historically inaccurately ramped up the romance in the early years and their courtship and I'm a sucker
for a good romance. How does the series compare with those two works?

I don't think I saw the 1990s Victoria and Albert miniseries. I did see The Young Victoria. I enjoyed it, but my memories of it are a bit vague. I think that Michael Fassbinder played Albert, right? He was hotter than the actor who played Albert in the Victoria series, but the actual character was more interesting in the miniseries. Overall, I think I prefer the miniseries.

I've been watching mostly TV series the last few years, not movies; and in general prefer the longer format of TV series, as you just get to know the characters so much better. The few movies I watch these days tend to leave a somewhat sketchy impression in my mind--it's like I'm just getting to know the characters when the movie comes to an end.

We're up through Episode 9 of The Crown now. I'm enjoying the later episodes much more than the earlier ones, and I feel like Claire Foy's performance is improving as it goes along. Matt Smith remains insufferable as Philip, though. (I certainly hope Philip wasn't this bad in real life!)

 

[gkelly]

I've been watching mostly TV series the last few years, not movies; and in general prefer the longer format of TV series, as you just get to know the characters so much better. The few movies I watch these days tend to leave a somewhat sketchy impression in my mind--it's like I'm just getting to know the characters when the movie comes to an end.

I feel the same way, this last decade or so. I like serialized stories that know where they're going and reach some closure with each season. I hardly ever watch primetime network shows any more. (In the 90s/early 2000s, I mostly only watched skating.)

We're up through Episode 9 of The Crown now. I'm enjoying the later episodes much more than the earlier ones, and I feel like Claire Foy's performance is improving as it goes along. Matt Smith remains insufferable as Philip, though. (I certainly hope Philip wasn't this bad in real life!)

I'm sure every real person portrayed on TV is more complex than a TV show can incorporated.

If it's the bad qualities that stand out or make for better storytelling, that's what gets focused on, fairly or unfairly.

 

[VGThuy]

I'm about three episodes and a half into Victoria, and I'm finding it to be my least favorite of the four Victoria-themed movies/miniseries I've seen or at least my least favorite written Victoria herself. I'm finding her insufferable. I'll keep going though. It is interesting to see the difference between the way this series decided to ramp up the attraction and sexual tension between Victoria and Melbourne (hello Rufus Sewell) and the much more obviously manipulative version Paul Bettany played in The Young Victoria where they didn't really bother giving him any redeeming qualities and made sure we didn't have any attachment to him other than the fact that he looks like Paul Bettany. I'm not feeling Albert right now as he's just sulking and mansplaining things to Victoria which I'm finding to be incredibly grating (which probably means it has the effect the writers were going for) and to be fair to him, the way she's written and portrayed here she certainly needs things explained to her...probably very slowly. I'm sure that means the creator is banking on the "I really hate you/I really have the hots for you/I grew to truly love you" thing to pay off, and it probably will. Rupert Friend won me over the most, but I think Jonathan Firth (Colin Firth's brother) in the Victoria & Albert miniseries probably played him the best so far. I'm also finding the whole look of this series not to be to my liking.

After writing this, I have no idea why I watched so many versions of Queen Victoria's life.

 

[smurfy]

I finished watching Silk - BBC show.
Barristers in London in chambers (a firm in the US). Good female lead-a barrister, with 2 main guys (another barrister and the Head Clerk). Good acting. First season of 3 was best. Parts of the stories were excellent, and then others not as good.
One thing that really bugged me:

Spoiler

In season 3 - the Head Clerk Billy - who is quite the salesman type character - so obviously sexually harasses a young female pupil (intern) - in a pub, puts his arm around her, puts his hand on her leg and while talking about her future in chambers. She files a formal complaint. But he is sick/dying with prostate cancer and that is his excuse, how he gets cleared. It may explain his behavior, but to me not excuse it, but since his testorone is low and can't act on it, no harm is how it is shown.

 

[kittyjake5]

Dr. Strange is now on Netflix!

How was it?

 

[Buzz]

FANTASTIC!

 

[shan]

Just watched 4 episodes of The Keepers.

I think I'm going to have a hard time sleeping tonight. One of the most unnerving things I have watched in a long time.

I watched it over two days this past weekend. It makes me

 

[Simone411]

Y'all, I discovered Crackle earlier this year and it's free. I've found that I've been watching some of the older TV series and movies that Crackle has more than Netflix. It sort of reminds me of the Encore channel because they offer a lot of older movies. That's just it with me. I love a lot of the older movies and TV. Crackle even has its own original series shows like The Art of More and Snatch.

There are commercials, but that's not a problem considering it's free and I totally love Freebies. I signed up for a free account where I can choose my favorites to watch later. I also receive their newsletter that lets me know what's new on there. If anyone here has never heard of Crackle, check it out. Y'all might like it, too.

 

[TheGirlCanSkate]

Y'all, I discovered Crackle earlier this year and it's free. I've found that I've been watching some of the older TV series and movies that Crackle has more than Netflix. It sort of reminds me of the Encore channel because they offer a lot of older movies. That's just it with me. I love a lot of the older movies and TV. Crackle even has its own original series shows like The Art of More and Snatch.

There are commercials, but that's not a problem considering it's free and I totally love Freebies. I signed up for a free account where I can choose my favorites to watch later. I also receive their newsletter that lets me know what's new on there. If anyone here has never heard of Crackle, check it out. Y'all might like it, too.

Thank you for that! I thought maybe I could find Alias there, unfortunately it was not there but they do have Seinfeld! Glad to have another choice.

 

[Spun Silver]

I loved the first two seasons but hated the third. They killed off my favorite character!

Ugh, ugh, ugh.

But what a beautiful characterization by writers, actor and director(s).

 

[Tesla]

Ugh, ugh, ugh.

But what a beautiful characterization by writers, actor and director(s).

I know, right? How could they do that?

 

[Spun Silver]

I know, right? How could they do that?

Right there with you. (I just can't do emojis.) Blech.

 

[Buzz]

LOVE Crackle!!!

 

[Simone411]

LOVE Crackle!!!

Isn't it cool! I've watched Snakes On A Plane three times now, and I'm scared to death of snakes. I guess it's because I love thriller type movies.

 

[Buzz]

Isn't it cool! I've watched Snakes On A Plane three times now, and I'm scared to death of snakes. I guess it's because I love thriller type movies.

Some of the stuff I've watched are; Halloween H20 (currently unavailable unfortunately), Moneyball, Harold and Kumar 2, Sniper, and Ghost Rider.

 

[Tesla]

So I did it. I just got Acorn TV. I'm now watching the first episode of Pie in the Sky. I wish the free trial were still a month and not just a week but for $4.99 a month, I thought I would take the chance!

 

[Spun Silver]

So I did it. I just got Acorn TV. I'm now watching the first episode of Pie in the Sky. I wish the free trial were still a month and not just a week but for $4.99 a month, I thought I would take the chance!

So you can watch Vera too! I am pretty sure you will like her. I really like the dour wife in Pie in the Sky. It is a refreshing series in that no one ever dies. Small-*potatoes* crime only!

I finished Dicte. The last season was all over the place. All the story lines were interesting and I appreciate all the happy endings (so many of them, good grief!), the show lost its heart with the death of that one character. Sigh. It is funny - I am sure the main aural memory I will retain of the whole series is Dicte calling that name, over and over. It was the main leitmotif of the show's first two seasons.

 

[Tesla]

So you can watch Vera too! I am pretty sure you will like her. I really like the dour wife in Pie in the Sky. It is a refreshing series in that no one ever dies. Small-*potatoes* crime only!

I finished Dicte. The last season was all over the place. All the story lines were interesting and I appreciate all the happy endings (so many of them, good grief!), the show lost its heart with the death of that one character. Sigh. It is funny - I am sure the main aural memory I will retain of the whole series is Dicte calling that name, over and over. It was the main leitmotif of the show's first two seasons.

I've already seen the first three seasons of Vera on Hulu. Now I can watch the rest. I do love her! I also loved how the wife in Pie in the Sky dour and could care less about food but she loved her husband and wanted him to be happy, and thus gave her blessing to the restaurant. I'll admit. When I read descriptions of the show, I was afraid that she would be a condescending harpy. It's lovely to see her as a no-nonsense woman who dearly loves her husband.

I really did not like the third season of Dicte. I hated what they did to the ex-wife, and I didn't like Bo. I found that season to be very cliched in an American way. I watch international series' because I'm not crazy about American series'.

 

[smurfy]

Not new to me, but as a viewer of Survivor - all seasons, I just rewatched Season 1 from back in 2000 on HULU.
Really highlights how the show has evolved. The original is the best. No wannabe actor types. Just 2 tribes, with real people from all walks of life (and not labelled). The challenges were all very different. Felt more real, documentary like.
I usually do not see something I have already seen, rather see something new, but really glad I did this.

 

[Buzz]

Finally found Travellers on Netflix Canada! YAY!!!

 

[Spun Silver]

I really did not like the third season of Dicte. I hated what they did to the ex-wife, and I didn't like Bo. I found that season to be very cliched in an American way. I watch international series' because I'm not crazy about American series'.

That's interesting. I started out feeling the same way as you about what they did to Wagner's ex-wife, but it wasnt an unrealistic depiction of an addict IMO, as horrible as it was, and I liked how she solved her problem herself and didnt need Dicte or anyone else to save her. Similarly with Bo. He was never my favorite character or actor but I felt his behavior was believable for someone who had been traumatized. Dicte's erratic behavior, including the guilt-free murder in the end, was harder for me to make sense of and go along with. And all the happy endings, after the one big tragedy, were almost ridiculous.

Oh well. I wonder what to watch next. It is getting harder and harder to find anything that interests me. I may have to switch to movies, maybe TCM.

 

[Coco]

Just watched The Keepers...so completely devastating. I want to scream and hit someone. And I want to give all those victims and their families hugs forever.

So horrifying.

 

[Andrushka]

I've started watching Waking The Dead on Amazon Prime.It costs but I'd run out of things to watch till Hulu and Netflix update the seasons on the shows I watch,like Father Brown,DCI Banks and Midsommer Murders.

 

[Tesla]

@Spun Silver Thank you for the Pie in the Sky recommendation. I'm on the third episode, and I am loving it. I am so happy with AcornTv. I like The Brokenwood Mysteries, and I'm hoping to enjoy Agatha Raisin. I liked the pilot, but it was a bit long. I'm hoping the shorter episodes will be better.

 

[Spun Silver]

I am so glad you like it. Such a sweet and savory show. Since it turns out you have a taste for lighter shows, did you ever try Detectorists, which someone here recommended? It is on Netflix and is truly wonderful, an epic engraved on the point of a needle.

I tried to watch Fortitude but gave up. The stupidity of the dialogue, like a bad stage play, was driving me nuts, and the acting sucked too. i cant believe Jessica Raine left Call the Midwife for that! I decided to try Shetland but I got sleepy in the middle of the first episode and havent felt inspired to go back to it yet. I may go back to books until my favorite shows come back. Although I may give Brokenwood Mysteries a try. TBH it is ridiculous for me to hold onto Acorn. I am just waiting for the next season of Vera!

BTW, if you come across the Pie in the Sky episode with Nicola Walker, will you please post which one it is? I am a fan since Last Tango and River, and it is hard to find her.

 

[Tesla]

I haven't tried the Detectorists yet. I think I have it on my list though. Have you seen Midsomer Murders? I love love love that show. The Brokenwood Mysteries is similar, only set in New Zealand. I liked Shetland but it is a slower moving show. The setting is gorgeous, though. I'll have to keep an eye out for Nicola Walker. I like her, too. My first introduction to her was via MI-5.

 

[gkelly]

I was watching Netflix DVDs of an old show (Wish Me Luck). The production values and some of the writing and directing seemed very dated, but I was interested enough in the content to keep watching. However, the disk I had wouldn't play the last two episodes of the first season.

I went online to see if it was possible to watch online and was steered to Acorn. So I signed up for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime that included a 7-day free trial of Acorn. However, it turned out that the first and second seasons of Wish Me Luck are not currently available on Acorn either, and although there are other things there I would be willing to watch there was nothing I felt urgent about or willing to pay for another service for the privilege. I will be canceling the Acorn subscription posthaste.

Meanwhile, I still have 27 more days of Amazon Prime. I've been watching Good Girls Revolt, which is lots of fun, even if I do have to watch it on my computer. (My TV seems to have lost its internet connection and I haven't been able to restore it yet.)

So, especially if I am able to connect on my TV, what's most worth binging on Prime before I cancel that/let the free trial expire too?

 

[topaz]

I binged watch The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu this past weekend. Holy lord, I was speechless during several episode. Excellent production, I never read the book but I think the series allowed for more depth that the book would have allowed.

I highly recommend but it is not for the faint of heart.

Speaking of PBS Victoria , I adore the soundtrack and as some know(i.e @clairecloutier ) I posted a few months ago I want Papadakis/Cizeron to skate to the soundtrack.

 

[clairecloutier]

I had to take a break from Handmaids Tale after episode 4. Just too disturbing (plus I was having a stressful week anyhow and it wasn't helping ).