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Post by Syrette on Nov 2, 2021 23:20:00 GMT
Central Park Central Park Central Park Central Park Central Park
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 4, 2021 9:50:41 GMT
Foundation is decent, certainly the best new space sci-fi for a while.
The first 45mins are really quite bad, with loads of concepts quickly thrown at you with minimal explanation and emotional scenes that don't land because you have no real attachment to the characters yet. There are also a few too many silly hats and other sci-fi tropes that give a slightly false impression as to where it's heading. My girlfriend and I rolled our eyes a few times and at the point where Empire is first introduced she gave up, because it was 'too silly'. Had to agree at that point, but I'm glad I persevered. It really improves from the last quarter of episode 1 onwards. From episode two it slows down a bit, dwells on certain concepts for longer and is far better for it.
It's probably the most visually impressive sci-fi tv series I can recall. The futuristic worlds, tech and cultures are mostly convincing. There's obviously a reason that the books are considered classics and whilst I've not read them, it's obvious that the source material is strong, and there's certainly enough intrigue to keep watching.
It's far from perfect, there are some plot holes, the acting is a bit up and down, and the quality of the action scenes vary. Overall though, I'm enjoying it far more than either of the recent Star Treks. I'd especially recommend it to those that liked Altered Carbon and The Expanse. It won't be for everyone, but watch the whole first episode before abandoning.
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Post by [maven] on Nov 4, 2021 10:44:29 GMT
I found Mythic Quest to be OK at best, but there's one episode halfway though S1 that is slightly different and that one is superb and elevates the whole thing. So, if you're on the fence, drag yourself at least that far.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 11:25:18 GMT
Thanks Muddy. We're on episode 2 at the moment and paused at that due to the ending (my wife didn't like it) and the YA sex scenes which we thought were a bit out of tone with the rest of it. I liked Altered Carbon (the first one more so), but not so much the Expanse, (part way through season 1) and didn't like the recent Burnhams at all
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スコットランド
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Post by スコットランド on Nov 4, 2021 11:42:24 GMT
Thanks Muddy. We're on episode 2 at the moment and paused at that due to the ending (my wife didn't like it) and the YA sex scenes which we thought were a bit out of tone with the rest of it. I liked Altered Carbon (the first one more so), but not so much the Expanse, (part way through season 1) and didn't like the recent Burnhams at all The Expanse really gets going in S2, excellent from then onwards..
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 4, 2021 11:44:03 GMT
Thanks Muddy. We're on episode 2 at the moment and paused at that due to the ending (my wife didn't like it) and the YA sex scenes which we thought were a bit out of tone with the rest of it. I liked Altered Carbon (the first one more so), but not so much the Expanse, (part way through season 1) and didn't like the recent Burnhams at all Yeah the sex scenes are a bit pointless. It's like they felt obliged to put some shagging in coz Game of Thrones, but still wanted a PG certificate. I guess the constant swimming is a cultural thing but Gaal spends more time in a bikini than your typical space mathematician.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 12:38:24 GMT
Yeah I found tha tall a bit creepy as she started out as this young girl taken from her parents and next thing you know her boss' assistant is shagging her. I'm sure in the books it was explained better, but I said to my wife "but I thought she was a little kid in the last episode"
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lexw
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Post by lexw on Nov 5, 2021 10:17:55 GMT
Foundation has some great actors, especially the always-amazing Lee Pace, and is often shot beautifully, but man it sure relies pretty hard on idiot plots for a show allegedly about mathematically calculating the future. About 75% of the major plots so far could have been dealt with by someone doing the obvious or rational thing rather than holding the idiot ball and one of the big ones could have been stopped dead by any one character having a tiny bit of spine.
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 5, 2021 11:28:38 GMT
Yup, it is those silly plot holes and the uneven tone that make it no higher than a 7 or 8/10 at present.
However, I'm just pleased that a sci-fi series is aiming this high and almost delivering. It's a lot better than the sci-fi channel rubbish and many of Sky and Netflix's recent attempts. Lots of potential to absorb feedback and hit its stride in the second season, which has apparently already been green lit.
Having not read the books myself, anyone know how faithful it is and how much content they have left before deviating? I'm guessing the answer is loads as I think I read the novels span 1000 years.
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Post by DrStrangelove on Nov 5, 2021 11:37:58 GMT
I agree, Foundation started off very promisingly but then it seemed to dip in story quality, I'm still willing to see out the series but it has pushed my suspension of disbelief at times. Effects are top notch though.
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gray
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Post by gray on Nov 5, 2021 11:41:21 GMT
Has anyone stuck with Invasion? Really struggled with the first 3 or 4 episodes.
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Gruf
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Post by Gruf on Nov 5, 2021 11:49:46 GMT
Foundation is a hot mess really, though its SciFi and looks gorgeous so I watch it every week anyway.
It is a bit up its own arse TBH
Constantly amazed at the quality of special effects in TV content these days. Watching lost in Space on NF (don't judge me) and that has some amazing visuals, shame its all a bit YA.
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Bongo Heracles
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Post by Bongo Heracles on Nov 5, 2021 11:53:39 GMT
If the whole series was dumped on at once, I could see me hate watching the rest of it over a week or so but, yeah, not weekly. I watched three to see if it really was as bad as it first seemed and that was probably enough.
EDIT: Invasion that is. Im sticking with Foundation albeit through slightly gritted teeth.
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Gruf
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Post by Gruf on Nov 5, 2021 11:56:26 GMT
Yeah that pertains to Foundation as well, if they shit it all out I would have dumped it after 2 eps, convoluted stuff
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 5, 2021 14:39:29 GMT
RE:lost in space. Made it through the first season just because I'd bought a new TV and wanted something in shiny new Dolby Vision. The second season was terrible. Actually made me angry at points, the Robinson's are mawkish idiots and it seemed totally confused as to whether it wanted to be a dark brooding sci-fi or a children's TV show.
I know what you mean about the quality of TV effects though. Another Life on Netflix is in the same boat as looking great but the writing is hot garbage so the end result is boring.
I was looking forward to trying Invasion next but it sounds like I shouldn't get my hopes up.
Also on Apple, we thought For All Mankind was excellent in places. It's a very different sort of sci fi to the likes of Foundation but it's a great concept, well executed.
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Gruf
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Post by Gruf on Nov 5, 2021 15:47:57 GMT
Agree, always always about the writing, NF by and large just want content, they could care less, fill some space, HBO have the right idea.
I will check out For All Mankind, heard good things.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 19:13:39 GMT
Anyone watched Finch yet? I've heard he's a bloody good robot.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 23:09:51 GMT
I hear he's a bloody good robotics engineer.
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gray
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Post by gray on Nov 8, 2021 22:12:35 GMT
Just finished For All Mankind S1 after a couple of false starts. Turned out decent. I hear S2 is even better.
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 8, 2021 23:00:01 GMT
It is.
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Post by [maven] on Nov 30, 2021 21:55:26 GMT
- Finished S1 of Foundation. I want to like it more than I do.
- Watched Finch. It's very open about what it is from the start. Still sniffle-cryed.
- Also watched the first two eps of Infiltration, and while everyone complains about it being a total tease, I still find the mood largely engrossing and will keep watching for now.
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Post by muddyfunster on Dec 2, 2021 23:09:43 GMT
Foundation started poorly then got interesting, then lost its way a bit and just sort of stopped. I honestly had no idea I'd watched the season finale until a week later when there was no new episode.
Watching Invasion now and it's similarly inconsistent. Not exactly bad, just not as good as I'd like it to be.
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Post by neilch on Dec 2, 2021 23:13:06 GMT
Foundation started poorly then got interesting, then lost its way a bit and just sort of stopped. I honestly had no idea I'd watched the season finale until a week later when there was no new episode. Watching Invasion now and it's similarly inconsistent. Not exactly bad, just not as good as I'd like it to be. Second season of The Morning Show was like that, not so much a finale as a fade away
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Bongo Heracles
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Post by Bongo Heracles on Dec 3, 2021 9:02:22 GMT
I’ve been not quite hate watching invasion but it’s so slow and inconsequential that you can watch it in the background while you do anything.
There is about five or ten minutes of worthwhile plot per episode so you can just tune out the rest of it. Unless you really care about whether or not the stay at home mum will kiss the hunky doctor because her husband mistreats her and she is just finding her own sense of self outside the family unit in the MIDDLE OF A FUCKING ALIEN INVASION.
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Post by Tonka (🐑,🪤) on Dec 3, 2021 15:44:14 GMT
Got 6 free months of this and wanted to find something to watch with the kids. The interface is a bit of a mess. I keep finding things, only to realise they're not at all on Apple+ but on some other service I don't have.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2021 15:46:40 GMT
Yeah. It's not quite as bad as Amazon Prime in that regard. At least there's a tab on the top that focuses on A+ originals, but they should have that be the opening page.
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Post by Tonka (🐑,🪤) on Dec 3, 2021 15:50:30 GMT
IS Wolfwalkers any good?
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Post by evilashchris on Dec 3, 2021 15:57:14 GMT
It's superb.
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Post by muddyfunster on Dec 7, 2021 17:43:23 GMT
Invasion is very uneven. I don't mind the slow pace especially and gradual reveals can be good but the different story strands vary in quality hugely.
The US marine who basically points his gun at literally everyone he meets (including the elderly, women and children) whilst shouting I'm a US Marine is such a cliché. I won't be disappointed if he comes to harm.
Quite like the bullied English kid though, although his bully is another stereotype.
Then there's the family with the annoying children that add very little.
Japanese lesbian space genius is good though.
Sam Neill was good for a bit as well.
I'll stick with it but I'm almost tempted to skip through some scenes. I find myself playing with my phone a lot with this one.
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Bongo Heracles
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Post by Bongo Heracles on Dec 7, 2021 19:06:23 GMT
How many episodes are you up to? Because it barely gets any better and even when it does it finds some way to bring the show to a screeching halt to have someone cry about their feelings.
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