Netflix/Prime/Hulu/BritBox Binge Watching: Coronavirus Edition

[TanithandBenFan]

Okay, no judgements or shaming but I have been reorganising my kitchen cabinets which means I put random shows on Netflix that don't require thinking.
Which landed me on some show called Selling Sunset. Ignoring the fact I find it hard to believe these women are real estate agents and that their desks don't seem to have drawers or any paper and writing utensils. I know it's a paperless world but still...

Anyway, what I really want to know is if any Brits have watched this show and can identify Chelsea's accent? She claims to be from the UK. I can hear a British accent on the random word but I hear more Anna Sorokin accent than anything else. A mystery and the most interesting thing about this show

This show is one of my guiltiest pleasures!

 

[Cachoo]

I just began “Under The Banner of Heaven” on HULU and I am all in on this one. Fantastic cast, a true story and a mystery to unravel. And Andrew Garfield…at the moment I’m in the wtf? stage on what on earth happened.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I just began “Under The Banner of Heaven” on HULU and I am all in on this one. Fantastic cast, a true story and a mystery to unravel. And Andrew Garfield…at the moment I’m in the wtf? stage on what on earth happened.

I watched the first episode last night and it was so dark that I have to save the second episode for another day. Andrew Garfield in the shower at the end helped though That family is sooooo creepy.

 

[Jimena]

I read the book. It's a disturbing story. I'll watch the show for sure, though.

 

[AJ Skatefan]

I’m loving Anatomy of a Scandal!

 

[clairecloutier]

Good news for Pachinko fans! The show has been renewed for a second season. Apparently, the show runner is hoping for 4 seasons in all.

This was all news for me, as I was assuming it was a limited series (one season only).

‘Pachinko’ Renewed for Second Season at Apple

Creator Soo Hugh has a four-season plan for the sweeping drama based on Min Jin Lee’s best-selling novel.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

ETA: Interesting interview here with the Pachinko show runner. Among other things, she talks about that memorable title sequence and what it means.

Translations, Meticulous Set Design and Those Opening Titles: ‘Pachinko’s’ Soo Hugh Talks Season One

The showrunner reflects on the four-year journey to the finale of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Cachoo]

I watched the first episode last night and it was so dark that I have to save the second episode for another day. Andrew Garfield in the shower at the end helped though That family is sooooo creepy.

I love this cast. Wyatt Russell is from such a talented family but he may be the best in a family of greats. I am so impressed with his work. I did not read Jon Krakauer’s book but it received rave reviews.

 

[cygnus]

I read the book. It's a disturbing story. I'll watch the show for sure, though.

I read the book. It's a VERY disturbing story. I don't think I could watch this on screen.

 

[allezfred]

I am that “Hajimete no Otsukai”has become a hit outside Japan thanks to Netflix.

It’s called “Old Enough” in English which isn’t at all a direct translation of the Japanese title. It has been a staple on Japanese TV for ages.

 

[Buzz]

One of my fav tv shows from the past Terra Nova is on Disney+! I rewatched a couple episodes and this show has aged well especially with the whole MCU multiverse thingy. Maybe just maybe….

 

[Allskate]

I am that “Hajimete no Otsukai”has become a hit outside Japan thanks to Netflix.

It’s called “Old Enough” in English which isn’t at all a direct translation of the Japanese title. It has been a staple on Japanese TV for ages.

I stumbled across this on Netflix. I didn't think it was my type of show, but I watched the first episode just out of curiosity and because I was looking for something short. I found myself actually enjoying the show. It's adorable and great to watch when I just want something to lighten my mood. I've just finished the last episode. I hope Netflix brings us more.

But, I'm really hoping that Netflix brings us Season 3 of The Derry Girls -- and that they do it before the actresses are all in their forties.

I've read "Under the Banner of Heaven" and am very interested in seeing how they turned it into a series. Ditto for "Pachinko."

 

[marbri]

Good news for Pachinko fans! The show has been renewed for a second season. Apparently, the show runner is hoping for 4 seasons in all.

This was all news for me, as I was assuming it was a limited series (one season only).

‘Pachinko’ Renewed for Second Season at Apple

Creator Soo Hugh has a four-season plan for the sweeping drama based on Min Jin Lee’s best-selling novel.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

ETA: Interesting interview here with the Pachinko show runner. Among other things, she talks about that memorable title sequence and what it means.

Translations, Meticulous Set Design and Those Opening Titles: ‘Pachinko’s’ Soo Hugh Talks Season One

The showrunner reflects on the four-year journey to the finale of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Same. But good news as I was very perplexed that this limited series would end this way

 

[Cachoo]

I am that “Hajimete no Otsukai”has become a hit outside Japan thanks to Netflix.

It’s called “Old Enough” in English which isn’t at all a direct translation of the Japanese title. It has been a staple on Japanese TV for ages.

I watched the first episode and it was cute. When we see a child that young by himself here we call 911. How would you translate the show’s title?

 

[allezfred]

I watched the first episode and it was cute. When we see a child that young by himself here we call 911. How would you translate the show’s title?

The literal translation is “First Errand” and it has been running for years on Japanese television (they were showing it when I lived there 25 years ago!). They definitely have a deep back catalogue if they want to show more.

The show also served as a reminder to me that some Japanese four year olds have better manners and are more thoughtful than a lot of adults I see on a daily basis.

 

[Allskate]

The show also served as a reminder to me that some Japanese four year olds have better manners and are more thoughtful than a lot of adults I see on a daily basis.

I had the same thought. Those toddlers and little kids are so polite to other people. It's also really fun to hear what they say to themselves.

 

[VGThuy]

I started Julia on HBO Max and it’s pleasant enough, but it’s missing something. It has Julia Child, the food, the nice costumes, the great production values…and yet the writing is only ok and doesn’t really quite reach great or even very good. Somethings are played too…cartoonish for me as the characters outside the main ones come off as one-dimensional.

This is less biographical and more turning Julia Child’s life into a workplace drama and also an explanation of how PBS (most notably WGBH in Boston) evolved to what it became in the 20th century to have the impact it did. Because of that however, I think some of things they’re doing to make it artificially more dramatic to make it a work place drama, like having her producer Russell Morash seem too snobby and angry about having to do “cooking show”, is off and seems kind of disrespectful. For example, I searched and searched and couldn’t find anything to show the real Morash thought he was above doing a cooking show or didn’t value what Julia was doing. From the research I gathered, the real life person was a huge part of the show’s success and went on to do more shows with Julia throughout the rest of her life and did his own lifestyle PBS shows. Further, his wife wasn’t just a nobody who cooked the way “Americans” cooked on the show with the tuna casseroles and frozen dinners as she was portrayed on the show, but was a James Beard-winning chef herself who guest starred on Julia’s show. So the real Morash, despite his education and background, wouldn’t seem to be one to thumb his nose at Julia Child’s type of show. It seems like they rewrote him that way to make him the mean white straight man from the 1960s who is Boston educated snobby and devalues women because that’s easy-to-digest these days and people eat those dynamics up even if real life is much more nuanced and complicated than that.

Also, I get erasing a real life female producer and champion of the show, Ruth Lockwood, because just her being a woman producer fighting for position and respect isn’t enough these days, so they replaced her with a black female character. I understand that from a dramaturgical point-of-view in the 2020s that doing so would add new dimensions to the workplace drama they’re creating with this series, but it isn’t done elegantly or sophisticatedly. It seems sort of tacked on and totally inorganic to the point where the character they created is a muddled confused creation by the writers.

And Sarah Lancashire’s Julia Child accent is terrible. Sure she didn’t want to do an impersonation, I get that. But between her and Kidman (in Being the Ricardos) not even trying to be close to the real like famous counterparts they’re portraying, I’m wondering if this is a new and unsuccessful acting style that’s being pushed on us. I hope it never gets normalized. Also, for all the times I heard British folks complain about American actors not knowing all the different types of British accents and being bad at them anyway, I hope they know the converse is true too. If we nitpicked the same way, I’ve heard so many put-upon unnatural and/or unconvincing American accents by non-Americans and Lancashire in this show is one of them. I know Julia Child has a particular way of speaking but Lancashire isn’t really doing her voice and she’s trying to do an American one but a weird almost-Irish one comes out throughout her speaking. Someone who does do a pretty good but clearly trained American accent is Fiona Glascott, who plays Knopf editor and working partner/friend Judith Jones.

But it’s not just Lancashire’s accent that is missing that makes me think gives this show a void. Lancashire’s Julia is missing that charm, warmth, and star power that made Julia so compelling to watch. It makes me appreciate Meryl Streep’s effort much more.

David Hyde Pierce and Bebe Neuwirth are excellent as Paul Child’s and Avis Devoto.

As far as guest stars, James Cromwell is a stand-out as Julia’s father and his scenes with Lancashire give Lancashire her best scenes. Isabella Rossellini has only appeared in two short scenes in this 7-episode out of 8 stretch so far but she’s a scene stealer as a grumpier Simone Beck. Christian Clemenson was delightful and eye-opening as

Spoiler

James Beard!

 

[sk9tingfan]

Netflix will be bringing us 8 episodes of a reboot of "Iron Chef" with Alton Brown. starts June 15th.

Netflix is rebooting 'Iron Chef' with Alton Brown, 'The Chairman' in 8 bingeable episodes

This summer, TV’s most intense cooking competition is returning. “Iron Chef” is getting a Netflix reboot on June 15.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Cachoo]

"The Staircase" starts today and I'm not sure why we are seeing this yet again but the cast this in this one: Holey Moley. I might have a look-see. HBOMAX

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

I watched Season 4 Part 2 of Ozark.

Spoiler

I am not happy about Ruth. It was kind of inevitable considering what they did to the rest of her family. But not happy at all.

 

[smurfy]

This show is one of my guiltiest pleasures!

Okay, no judgements or shaming but I have been reorganising my kitchen cabinets which means I put random shows on Netflix that don't require thinking.
Which landed me on some show called Selling Sunset. Ignoring the fact I find it hard to believe these women are real estate agents and that their desks don't seem to have drawers or any paper and writing utensils. I know it's a paperless world but still...

Anyway, what I really want to know is if any Brits have watched this show and can identify Chelsea's accent? She claims to be from the UK. I can hear a British accent on the random word but I hear more Anna Sorokin accent than anything else. A mystery and the most interesting thing about this show

mine too. such a trainwreck, but can't take my eyes off it. Also shows like this make me feel grounded and healthy
I would never hire any of them to sell my home.

 

[smurfy]

As for Gaslit on STARZ, it did not disappoint. As an admirer of All the President's Men which provides insight into Watergate from a reporter's perspective, Gaslit magnifies the involved parties of the Nixon Administration et al from the other side. For example, I did not pay much attention to Martha Mitchell during that time period and thought of her like a caricature. Perhaps I should have understood her and her motivations. I was too busy with Public Administration Graduate work then.

Good to hear. After seeing the ads, I have held off subscribing Starz.
I was going to sign up to watch Outlander, but will now sign up later on so I can watch all of Outlander and Gaslit in one month.
I try to batch my subscriptions and do one thing at a time.

 

[alexikeguchi]

Does Apple TV count for this thread? I just came across Tehran, and I've gone on a major binge. I'm not familiar with any of the actors since they've mainly appeared in Israeli productions or supporting roles on American shows, but they're all fantastic. Glenn Close joined for S2 although I haven't gotten there yet. At least for S1, the production is very gritty, and the female Mossad agent protagonist is a serious badass.

 

[Cachoo]

Well “Outer Range” is certainly out there. I am searching for an adult character that I like…maybe Lili Taylor. Josh Brolin is excellent in this. I keep watching because it is so damned weird and unpredictable. I mean WTF? On Prime.

 

[clairecloutier]

Does Apple TV count for this thread? I just came across Tehran, and I've gone on a major binge. I'm not familiar with any of the actors since they've mainly appeared in Israeli productions or supporting roles on American shows, but they're all fantastic. Glenn Close joined for S2 although I haven't gotten there yet. At least for S1, the production is very gritty, and the female Mossad agent protagonist is a serious badass.

I loved Tehran (although it had some implausible moments). Excited for Season 2, but I think I'm going to wait until all the episodes are released so that I can watch all at once.

 

[Allskate]

I've been watching "Bull$hit: The Game Show" on Netflix. It's fun. The only problem is that, every time I watch an episode and then immediately watch someone else or talk to someone else, I am on alert to spy B.S.. Anybody else doing this?

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

I watched The Big Year on Hulu. I was expecting this to be more slapstick comedy given the presence of Jack Black but it was surprisingly oriented to family and friend relationships.

A big year in birding is seeing or hearing as many different species of birds as possible in a calendar year. Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson) is the current record holder and a very competitive bird watcher. He is on his 3rd(?) marriage with a pregnant wife. Brad Harris (Jack Black) is divorced and living with his parents. Stu Pressler (Steve Martin) is a very successful CEO trying to retire while still handing over the company. All 3 are trying to have the big year.

I would recommend this movie. Very fun to watch. I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. You get to pick up a few fun bird trivia facts along the way too.

 

[made_in_canada]

I watched The Big Year on Hulu. I was expecting this to be more slapstick comedy given the presence of Jack Black but it was surprisingly oriented to family and friend relationships.

A big year in birding is seeing or hearing as many different species of birds as possible in a calendar year. Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson) is the current record holder and a very competitive bird watcher. He is on his 3rd(?) marriage with a pregnant wife. Brad Harris (Jack Black) is divorced and living with his parents. Stu Pressler (Steve Martin) is a very successful CEO trying to retire while still handing over the company. All 3 are trying to have the big year.

I would recommend this movie. Very fun to watch. I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. You get to pick up a few fun bird trivia facts along the way too.

I love that movie. It’s one I’ve watched multiple times.

 

[Jot the Dot Dot]

Oh crap! Star Trek: Picard committed heresy by bringing back......Wesley Crusher! To be fair, his character seems to have evolved, and is not the ew annoying twerp he was on Star Trek TNG. Oh, and there is a small scene featuring a lip-to-lip kiss between Seven and Raffi! So there is Sapphic Chemistry in the 23rd Century!

 

[Bunny Hop]

Oh crap! Star Trek: Picard committed heresy by bringing back......Wesley Crusher!

I hated Wesley in Next Gen, but Wil Wheaton seems like he's a decent person at least based on his online presence so I am actually looking forward to this when I eventually get around to S2 of Picard.

Oh, and there is a small scene featuring a lip-to-lip kiss between Seven and Raffi! So there is Sapphic Chemistry in the 23rd Century!

I was unconvinced by the way Seven's character was portrayed in S1, so I'll be interested to see if I like her any better this time.

Speaking of Star Trek, I'm trying to finish off both Star Trek Enterprise on Netflix and Discovery on Paramount+ before I start on Picard and Strange New Worlds (i am really looking forward to the latter, so hope I won't be disappointed).

I am up to the last handful of episodes of Enterprise, first time watching them for me. I feel like the two mirror universe episodes are way more interesting than the entire series combined. I don't dislike it at all but I feel like it's a long time between good scripts.

I am struggling to slog through the latest season of Discovery. It's not drawing me in.

 

[clairecloutier]

My husband really liked Strange New World. He thought Discovery was “fine.”

ETA: I watched Picard with him, I thought it had some good moments, but overall a bit of a slow setup and not as good as previous series with Picard. I’m not a Trekker though.