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

[gkelly]

I've decided I really don't like sitcoms, as a general rule.

I mostly like intricate mysteries that unfold over a season of multiple episodes, I'm happy if they're dark in tone, and I'm happy to read subtitles.

But sometimes I'm tired and I just want to watch something light that doesn't require 100% of my attention.

 

[misskarne]

Disney’s Mulan is now available for rent here for $35. They must be out of their minds! There is no way I am paying that much to watch a movie at home.

It's $35 here too. On top of the $9/month subscription. They're absolutely bonkers. I wonder how many they're actually selling. You could wait for the DVD - heck, even the Blu-ray! - and get it cheaper.

I finally watched Star Trek: Picard. I was waiting until I had the time to binge all the episodes at once so I could fit them into Amazon Prime's 30 day free trial* (yes, I am that person). I enjoyed it, but it wasn't Star Trek. It had nicked bits from Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Blake's 7 and a little Babylon 5. Also, did it need that many sub-plots, some of which went nowhere? And whatever happened to Star Trek being a positive representation of the future that we could aspire to? It was like they wanted to make a science fiction show about the potential issues with artificial life, came up with a set of quirky characters, but then couldn't get it commisioned without hooking it onto the Star Trek franchise, so they slammed it into that universe even though it didn't really fit.

I'm four episodes in and not really all that convinced. It's more thriller-mystery than actual Star Trek, and I almost feel like Picard himself is a little OOC. I'll finish the season, but I'm not loving it.

 

[MacMadame]

It's $35 here too. On top of the $9/month subscription. They're absolutely bonkers. I wonder how many they're actually selling. You could wait for the DVD - heck, even the Blu-ray! - and get it cheaper.

Or just wait until Dec 4th when it's on Disney+ without having to pay extra.

 

[Bunny Hop]

I'm four episodes in and not really all that convinced. It's more thriller-mystery than actual Star Trek, and I almost feel like Picard himself is a little OOC. I'll finish the season, but I'm not loving it.

I agree about Picard being OOC (but there's a worse example in a later episode). There's a hand-wavy explanation in one episode (can't remember how far in, so won't spoil). Once I decided to enjoy it as science fiction rather than as Star Trek I was better with the whole thing.

 

[Cachoo]

I watched “My Octopus Teacher” on Netflix today and loved it. I cannot recommend it enough; so beautiful and moving.

 

[Spun Silver]

I'm a few years late but I'm watching Signal, a Korean crime series with a sci-fi twist. It's the most overtly emotional police show I've ever seen. The actors, esp the two male leads, are incredible (and one is about the most beautiful young man I've ever seen). It was made in 2016 and was a big hit, but only ran for one season. Netflix.

Staying with the hybrid sci-fi genre, Eureka from around 10 years ago is just the most fun series ever. Also Netflix. Everyman in a town of supergeeks.

I haven't watched sci-fi since I was a kid. Wot larx!

 

[mjb52]

Oooh Signal sounds good, I'll check it out.

 

[Spun Silver]

Oooh Signal sounds good, I'll check it out.

Let me know how you like it!

 

[VGThuy]

I’ve had The Criterion Channel for a while now and it took me this long to realize not everything they’ve released on DVD/Blu-Ray is available on the streaming service. I was looking for Monsoon Wedding and alas...

 

[alexikeguchi]

I was channel surfing cable TV and just came across S2E1 of Professor T on PBS. At first glance, it seems kind of like a Belgian version of Monk with a psychologically unbalanced criminology professor and police consultant. I loved the quirky humor which came across even though it is in Flemish with English subtitles. All three seasons are on Prime, so I think I'll check it out.

 

[Bunny Hop]

Staying with the hybrid sci-fi genre, Eureka from around 10 years ago is just the most fun series ever. Also Netflix. Everyman in a town of supergeeks.

I really enjoy Eureka (aka 'A Town Called Eureka' in the UK), but my husband isn't allowed to watch it because he would end up with steam coming out of his ears at all the faux science.

 

[Cachoo]

Not a big Sandler fan but I do hope we have Halloween this year:

HUBIE HALLOWEEN Trailer (2020) China Anne McClain, Noah Schnapp, Adam Sandler Comedy Movie

HUBIE HALLOWEEN Trailer (2020) China Anne McClain, Noah Schnapp, Adam Sandler Comedy Movie© 2020 - Netflix

youtu.be

 

[Buzz]

The Mandalorian Season 2 Trailer

‘The Mandalorian’ season 2 trailer dropped Tuesday morning, bringing back the main trio Din Djarin aka the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), Cara Dune (Gina Carano...

www.youtube.com

 

[Buzz]

Disney has hired Kat Coiro to direct She Hulk but no news on casting. They hope to start filming in February next year. Also WandaVision is set to be released in December this year. No word on The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

 

[alexikeguchi]

I watched “My Octopus Teacher” on Netflix today and loved it. I cannot recommend it enough; so beautiful and moving.

I'm a sucker for stories about the relationships between different species, and I absolutely loved this film. I second your recommendation.

 

[clairecloutier]

We’re belatedly watching season 3 of The Crown. Wow, Olivia Colman! After seeing her in Broadchurch, I couldn't picture her in this role at all. But she is awesome and kicks ass (imo, anyhow). Also really like Tobias Menzies as Philip. And the actor playing Charles is great too--and Princess Anne, and Mountbatten, and Harold Wilson ... Some really good episodes this season; I think it's the best yet.

 

[AJ Skatefan]

We’re belatedly watching season 3 of The Crown. Wow, Olivia Colman! After seeing her in Broadchurch, I couldn't picture her in this role at all. But she is awesome and kicks ass (imo, anyhow). Also really like Tobias Menzies as Philip. And the actor playing Charles is great too--and Princess Anne, and Mountbatten, and Harold Wilson ... Some really good episodes this season; I think it's the best yet.

Love The Crown!

 

[Buzz]

‘She-Hulk’ Disney Plus Series Casts Tatiana Maslany in Lead Role

Tatiana Maslany is near a deal to play the lead role of the upcoming "She-Hulk" series at Disney Plus

variety.com

 

[ЭPiKUilyam]

Has anyone seen the controversial Netflix "Cuties"? What are your thoughts?

 

[Spun Silver]

We’re belatedly watching season 3 of The Crown. Wow, Olivia Colman! After seeing her in Broadchurch, I couldn't picture her in this role at all. But she is awesome and kicks ass (imo, anyhow). Also really like Tobias Menzies as Philip. And the actor playing Charles is great too--and Princess Anne, and Mountbatten, and Harold Wilson ... Some really good episodes this season; I think it's the best yet.

Not me. I love Olivia Colman but she is not queenly. I vastly preferred all the actors in seasons 1-2. I'm kind of dreading 4 and the next switch, but I'm too invested not to watch.

 

[marbri]

Has anyone seen the controversial Netflix "Cuties"? What are your thoughts?

I watched it after seeing all the drama online. It´s definitely uncomfortable viewing at times, it's not easy to watch. It's raw, in your face and ugly. But it's also reality. Kids today that are influenced by social media, uploading poses on social media with their head tilted to the side, finger on mouths. They do learn dancing from current music videos. I have seen real life examples of both. But it's also clear in the movie that the girls don't understand what their actions mean at all. They don't understand what the dance moves they picked up from youtube videos are simulating.

There are plenty of moments that are really uncomfortable to watch so if you think it might be triggering for you maybe avoid it. But the movie isn't just about a dance competition. It's about an immigrant muslim family from Senegal where the girl is coming of age and being influenced by three cultures: muslim, western and the hypersexualization of young girls (through social media - sexy poses on instagram, dancing to music videos with very sexual moves and lyrics, and marketing such as clothes that really shouldn't be sold in kids sections).

I watched it and got the intention behind the film. I can understand 100% others who can't. It isn't easy. But I think anyone with kids who are very active on social media might want to struggle their way through it and use it as an aide in navigating their way through that. But yeah, she is a young French/Senegalese director so the film is going to be told in a way that is hard for North American audiences.

 

[VGThuy]

Not me. I love Olivia Colman but she is not queenly. I vastly preferred all the actors in seasons 1-2. I'm kind of dreading 4 and the next switch, but I'm too invested not to watch.

I agree. I think the problem wasn't so much Colman but the material they gave her and how she was directed. The Queen was just blah that season. I will say I much preferred Tobias Menzies over Matt Smith as Prince Phillip. I just found Smith to be goofy looking, overly whiny, and annoying all-around. I thought Josh O'Connor gave the best performance of season 3 of The Crown. I was feeling this in Season 2, but with Season 3, I thought they were really stretching this material much more than they need to and I started wondering if we really need 6 seasons of this, especially if they're going to skip over some of the fun Princess Anne stuff. I did enjoy the Harold Wilson stuff, and it reminded me of the movie The Queen where Cherie Blair starts blasting Tony Blair and then resigns herself saying "I shouldn't be surprised, all Labour Prime Ministers go 'ga-ga' over the Queen."

 

[Cachoo]

I watched it after seeing all the drama online. It´s definitely uncomfortable viewing at times, it's not easy to watch. It's raw, in your face and ugly. But it's also reality. Kids today that are influenced by social media, uploading poses on social media with their head tilted to the side, finger on mouths. They do learn dancing from current music videos. I have seen real life examples of both. But it's also clear in the movie that the girls don't understand what their actions mean at all. They don't understand what the dance moves they picked up from youtube videos are simulating.

There are plenty of moments that are really uncomfortable to watch so if you think it might be triggering for you maybe avoid it. But the movie isn't just about a dance competition. It's about an immigrant muslim family from Senegal where the girl is coming of age and being influenced by three cultures: muslim, western and the hypersexualization of young girls (through social media - sexy poses on instagram, dancing to music videos with very sexual moves and lyrics, and marketing such as clothes that really shouldn't be sold in kids sections).

I watched it and got the intention behind the film. I can understand 100% others who can't. It isn't easy. But I think anyone with kids who are very active on social media might want to struggle their way through it and use it as an aide in navigating their way through that. But yeah, she is a young French/Senegalese director so the film is going to be told in a way that is hard for North American audiences.

This debate has ERUPTED on a male dominated board that I post on sometimes and it has become ugly. There are some suggesting to at least watch the film and see the director's intent with the storyline. But others see no reason to watch it and are suggesting that those who do watch it need to "Register" because who else would watch but someone who is turned on by what might be provocative in some of the film. Good gawd. I, being my own annoying self, continue to lobby for "My Octopus Teacher" as I have fallen in love with that octopus. There are side discussions about QAnon and a separate thread started for everyone to say something nice about one another. I wish the moderator would lock the "cuties" thread.

 

[marbri]

This debate has ERUPTED on a male dominated board that I post on sometimes and it has become ugly. There are some suggesting to at least watch the film and see the director's intent with the storyline. But others see no reason to watch it and are suggesting that those who do watch it need to "Register" because who else would watch but someone who is turned on by what might be provocative in some of the film. Good gawd. I, being my own annoying self, continue to lobby for "My Octopus Teacher" as I have fallen in love with that octopus. There are side discussions about QAnon and a separate thread started for everyone to say something nice about one another. I wish the moderator would lock the "cuties" thread.

I can see how this film can be particularly volatile in the US when you factor in the whole QAnon thing and then a lot of GOP politicians ranting on twitter about it (which is where I heard about it) and to my eye making it a political issue to attach the labels of pedophilia to Susan Rice, the Obama's and other democrats who have Netflix connections thereby staining Biden because you know what QAnon and even the Trump kids are trying to insinuate with him. BUT I will leave that as my final thoughts on that aspect of the debate.

 

[VGThuy]

This debate has ERUPTED on a male dominated board that I post on sometimes and it has become ugly. There are some suggesting to at least watch the film and see the director's intent with the storyline. But others see no reason to watch it and are suggesting that those who do watch it need to "Register" because who else would watch but someone who is turned on by what might be provocative in some of the film. Good gawd. I, being my own annoying self, continue to lobby for "My Octopus Teacher" as I have fallen in love with that octopus. There are side discussions about QAnon and a separate thread started for everyone to say something nice about one another. I wish the moderator would lock the "cuties" thread.

This post makes me want to see the film more.

 

[emason]

I will say I much preferred Tobias Menzies over Matt Smith as Prince Phillip. I just found Smith to be goofy looking, overly whiny, and annoying all-around.

I agree about Smith's performance as to why I didn't like it, but the real problem for me was that it was so in your face OTT that it was impossible to accept Menzies in the role. If I hadn't seem Smith I would have liked Menzies, but the difference between the two was just so jarring that I wound up disliking both. Also, based on things I've things I've read about Philip in the past, I suspect Smith was nearer the mark.

 

[VGThuy]

I think I bought Menzies voice and attitude more. I do think Smith did a great job in the Pater-Familias episode.

 

[clairecloutier]

Interesting to hear what other people think about the actors in The Crown. I actually like the slow pace of season 3-- to me, it increases the emotional impact of the issues addressed. But my husband has complained about "not much happening" in one or two of the episodes. The one we watched last night, about Philip's mid-life crisis, was the slowest yet, but I enjoyed it, LOL. Not that often that mid-life crises are really addressed onscreen.

As to Cuties .... I saw the full video clip of the tween dance scene, and ugh. It's one thing for grown women to do those sexualized dance moves, it's different to film children doing it. Showing 11-year-olds slapping each other's asses, touching their crotches, and simulating thrusting onscreen?? Yeah I get that the director wants us to think about the pressures tween girls face when it comes to social media etc. Totally agree with the point, but I don't think she should have included that scene. A group of 11- or 12-year-olds had to learn those moves and practice them repeatedly. Now that clip will be out there forever and for those girls to watch 20 years from now and for pervs to download.

The movie Eighth Grade covered similar issues about the pressures that tweens face and did so mostly through inference and without exploiting their tweenage stars. That's a much better approach IMO.

 

[VGThuy]

Yeah I get the exploitative argument. It’s like you want to shock to see what we’re doing to these girls with these messages but at the same time, aren’t you perpetuating it? But then would the message come across as strongly without the shock value?

 

[clairecloutier]

But then would the message come across as strongly without the shock value?

This is a legit question. To me, if you're an adult and see what goes on in our culture and our media, and then think about how that impacts kids, then it's pretty easy to draw your own conclusions. But ... some people may be inclined to just not notice or not think about it. Until they see it spelled out for them. So it's a valid question. Although I do personally think it's better to err on the side of not spreading or tacitly encouraging this kind of stuff.