The Sword and Laser discussion

^ When I saw that my first thought was: (view spoiler)["No one stays dead in comics." (hide spoiler)]

Just finished season 1 of Halo which just came up on Netflix. I thought it was pretty entertaining although I'll admit I've barely ever played the games due to motion sickness.
I understand that the show was cancelled after season 2 (not on Netflix yet) and it ends with them just getting to the Ring, so that will be disappointing, but so far, so good.

I watched all of Skeleton Crew on Disney+ last night. I thought it was great fun. It’s cool to see a high-quality kid’s show that doesn’t look like it was filmed in two rooms. If I were 10 I’d be all over this show, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this creates a bunch of new Star Wars fans.

I’ve been watching this guy’s videos for a while now; today he dropped a compilation of the work done to date. I don’t know where he’s going to store this gigantic model.

My INSANE 40 foot Starship Enterprise model!
https://youtu.be/qYlw-wIgccY

If anyone is interested Amazon Prime has the original Avengers series (John Steed and Emma Peel) available. They recently revamped the line up and you can now watch the HD remastered versions without commercials.

Just watched Electric State on Netflix. It takes place on an alternate Earth in the 1990's where there was a war between the (very cutesy) robots and humans. Good effects and acting and set pieces that reminded me of Ready Player One. Overall it was a decent Sunday afternoon waste of time for the family.

Also finally watched Barbie (on Netflix). I'm probably the last one here to see it so you already have your own opinion. I thought the writing was often clever and cute but by about half way through I was getting a little tired of the whole thing and I know it wasn't really made with me as the target audience. It was fine for what it was and I'm glad I finally saw it.

Also also finished the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman series on Disney+. I don't know that we needed another Saturday morning Spiderman cartoon but this one was fine with some decent voice acting. There was some twists and surprises with the usual characters so if you feel like watching some Spiderman this one isn't a bad choice.

I too liked Electric State, a very cool take on the Humans vs, Robot trope.

Another vote for Daredevil : Born Again. I have enjoyed every episode.

Also liked the new season of the Wheel of Time.

I too am enjoying the new series of The Wheel of Time.

They are nailing the overall feel of the world building and back story. :-)

Just watched Nezha 2. Bloody fantastic! Best animation I've watched ever.

Halo: The Complete Saga v2 Movie

https://youtu.be/xM-iAFVmlcI

The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power season 2 started on 08-29-24 on Amazon Prime Video. I watched the first three episodes and there was a lot to like especially Elrond. The second season finale was on 10-03-24, but I still hadn’t finished it then. I came back to it this past month and was glad that I did. Elrond got lost in the other story lines, but the season 2 ending was satisfying.
I am watching the Three-Body Problem on Netflix (Based on the novel The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin). I watched four of the eight episodes. It has a very interesting concept, and I love it so far.
I am most looking forward to watching Season Three of the Wheel of Time series. This season is based mostly on Book Four of the series, The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan. It started to release on 03-13-25 and will finish on 04-17-25. Early reviews are excellent. Book four was my favorite of the series and I can’t wait to see it visualized on screen.
I’m also looking forward to watching Andor Season 2 on Disney Plus. It starts to release 04-22-25 in four three-episode batches, once per week.
Meanwhile MAX will adapt the first novella of the Dunk and Egg series. The story, The Hedge Knight can be found in the collection A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin). The show named A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere sometime in 2025

Watched a new animated series on Netflix called Wolf King. Apparently it's based on a YA book series.
It wasn't bad; maybe a little light while thinking it was heavy. The animation took a little getting used to but in the end I liked it. The characters had a texture to them like they were carved from wood or clay.
It's set up for several seasons, I think.

finally watching Foundation. up to ep 3 and so far I am enjoying it.

Silvana wrote: "finally watching Foundation. up to ep 3 and so far I am enjoying it."

I have enjoyed it.

Watched season 3 of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory. Still enjoying this enough to keep watching. The animation is good and the plot is complex enough to be interesting. It is meant to be relatively family friendly so the deaths are kept off screen but barely. I think the series is better than the last couple movies but that's probably not saying much.

On Max, the Last of Us S2 just started up. Loved S1 and now look forward to Monday Morning, (Sunday Night for most of You.) white Lotus S3 did not live up to the greatness of Season 1. but it was alright.

finished The Wheel of Time season 3 and I am liking this season alot , I hope they renew this series.

Silvana wrote: "finished The Wheel of Time season 3 and I am liking this season alot , I hope they renew this series."

^ me too - there are some changes from the books but they are hitting all the right notes.

I am particularly enjoying the portrayal of the forsaken - they are all excellent; Moghedien, who was always my favourite "baddie", is the standout for me

I haven't read the series so I got no expectation when watching it except a coherent story and less annoying characters and they delivered beyond that. Season 3 is particularly good, visual effects on point! Lots of distinct female characters too. Nice to watch a cool magicky show again.

Disney+ dropped the first 3 episodes of Andor, so I just watched those. Quite good. It was smart to do those instead of the usual 2 because they form a complete arc.

I’ve been watching the first season of The Terror (based on the book by Dan Simmons). I can see why many people (such as Kaliane Bradley have got drawn into this story of the doomed Franklin expedition. However, one thing I would say is that I think the tv show would’ve actually been better without the supernatural elements- the monster looks a bit weird and I found the psychological tension was more compelling when it was ambiguous what they were facing.

^^ Random free association, after seeing Kolchak the Night Stalker as a kid (whatever was on broadcast), I finally got around to seeing the entire series including the original two-day TV movie that wasn't shown in reruns. It was a huge deal when it came out, something like 2/3 of TV sets were tuned in for it. Anyway, there is a big reveal of the monster and he looked like a cheesy 40s movie. Big anticlimax.

John (Taloni) wrote: "^^ Random free association, after seeing Kolchak the Night Stalker as a kid (whatever was on broadcast), I finally got around to seeing the entire series including the original two-day TV movie tha..."

Where is the original Kolchak tv movie streaming?

Kolchak had the same showrunner as The Sopranos, David Chase. He also wrote for The Rockford Files.

I watched the 4 part romantic but grim North and South 2004 (Gaskell not Jakes) on Amazon, but I think some of the free services have it.

Turn and look at me, Margaret!

^^^ Oh...this is so far back that we watched it on disc from Netflix.

Ruth wrote: "I’ve been watching the first season of The Terror (based on the book by Dan Simmons). I can see why many people (such as Kaliane Bradley have got drawn into this sto..."

Did you read the book ? I have not watched the series; the book does have the supernatural element to it. I also felt the book "got" the feeling of how cold it is. I live in Alaska.

Tamahome wrote: "I watched the 4 part romantic but grim North and South 2004 (Gaskell not Jakes) on Amazon, but I think some of the free services have it.

Turn and look at me, Margaret!"

the one with Richard Armitage? I love it.

I am finishing Foundation season 2, finished with Daredevil Reborn or whatever it was, and will start Andor this weekend.

Silvana wrote: "Tamahome wrote: "I watched the 4 part romantic but grim North and South 2004 (Gaskell not Jakes) on Amazon, but I think some of the free services have it.

Turn and look at me, Margaret!"

the one with Richard Armitage? I love it.."

Yes. Nice music too. I don't think he says "look back at me" in the book, but the sentiment is the same.


North and South: Margaret leaves Thornton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfplO...

Jennifer wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I’ve been watching the first season of The Terror (based on the book by Dan Simmons). I can see why many people (such as Kaliane Bradley have got drawn ..."

I have not read the book, I might check it out at some point. The monster is probably more effective on the page.

Just finished the latest season of Wheel of Time. I was never a big fan of the books (stopped after 3 about 25 years ago) so I don't know how closely the series is to them.
It's alright. I think it's better than the Rings of Power series but suffers from the same "too many characters and threads to follow" problem. I was lost half the time but maybe that's a me problem.

Just did a re-watch of the movie V For Vendetta which I probably haven't seen since it came out almost 20 years ago.
Now I know we usually avoid being political here but holy crap it was weird watching this now given the state of things like the recent arrest of the Newark mayor.
It's a very good movie and I highly recommend it.

Finished watching season one of Daredevil: Born Again. It's very good like the old Netflix series but not as constantly violent as that until the second half of the season. I'd also say it may be more about Wilson Fisk than Matt Murdock.
It does end on a cliff hanger and I would expect more action and possibly more hero guest stars next season based on what's happening.

Just watched the first 2 episodes of Murderbot. It’s very good. Different from the books but just as entertaining. I laughed out loud a few times. (view spoiler)[”Speech or acid bath? Speech or acid bath?” Gives the most terrible speech ever. “Should have chosen acid bath.” (hide spoiler)]

The opening titles are fun (non-spoilery): https://youtu.be/l6ix-COHfgg

The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon is absurdly over the top. Love it.

Finished with Andor season 2. Flawed but still excellent.

Now back to anime with Detective Conan movies.

I am watching The Last of Us Season 2 on HBO Max. I watched the first five episodes so far. The story is different than Season 1. It’s great in a different way. I’m hoping the ending won’t cut the story too short.
I am also watching Season 1 of WandaVision on Disney+. I’ve watched three of the nine episodes. It’s odd, and I hope it makes sense by the end of the series. I’m enjoying it so far.
I look forward to watching Season Three of the Wheel of Time series. This season is based mostly on Book Four of the series, The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan. It was released between 03-13-25 and 04-17-25. Early reviews are excellent. Book four was my favorite of the series, and I can’t wait to see it visualized on screen.
I’m also looking forward to watching Andor Season 2 on Disney+. It was released starting on 04-22-25 in four three-episode batches, once per week.
Meanwhile, MAX will adapt the first novella of the Dunk and Egg series. The story, The Hedge Knight, can be found in the collection A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin). The show named A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere sometime in 2025. Now updated to the first quarter of 2026. That means no Game of Thrones content in 2025, that’s very disappointing.

Watched the second half of Andor. Big finish!

To the tune of Gilligan’s Island:

Just sat right down to watch a show
A show set in outer space
I started around ten o’clock
And it sucked me right in

The mate was a mighty snarky droid
The captain dark but suave
The Empire was hunting them
On a six hour binge, a six hour binge

Watching Far From the Madding Crowd (2015) with Carey Mulligan based on the classic Thomas Hardy novel about a woman farmer caught in a love square. Talk about bad choices. Maybe it makes more sense in the book. It doesn't have Ryan Gosling, but an amazing simulation.

Madding not maddening, but it means the same thing.

Trike wrote: "Just watched the first 2 episodes of Murderbot. It’s very good. Different from the books but just as entertaining. I laughed out loud a few times. [spoilers removed]

The opening titles are fun (no..."

I finally got around to watching the Murderbot tv show (first three episodes and I’m hungry for more!) and I take back every doubt I had about Alexander Skarsgard. He’s perfect as the titular SecUnit! His snarky commentary and social awkwardness, combined with his quick physicality in the action sequences, is exactly right. The rest of the cast are great as well. And I love the melodramatic clips from Murderbot’s shows.

I’m on the fence about Murderbot. I like the general vibe of the show, but Skarsgard’s not hitting the dry tone I associate with Murderbot. He’s a good actor, so I’m guessing it’s more an issue of direction. I’ll keep watching, but not sure it’s for me. Always happy to have good sci fi on tv, though.

Please don't make eye contact.

Watched the second Aquaman movie (it just came on Netflix). I had heard it was bad and it really, really was. I found the dialogue particularly terrible. It reminded me of a second rate tv movie from the 70's. Unless you're really bored, don't bother with it.

Watched the first episode of The Librarians: The Next Chapter. If you watched The Librarians then you know what to expect but with different characters, although Cristian Kane does appear in this one episode. It's good, goofy fun. I'll continue watching.

In my quest to watch Victorian drama miniseries guided by youtuber Books and Things, I finished Middlemarch with my mom. I was fairly impressed with it, although the last episode seemed rushed. I hear the classic book is a challenge to read.

Just watched Role Play with Kalie Cuoco and David Oyelowo. It was basically True Lies but with the wife as the spy/assassin. It was nothing to write home about but wasn't bad.
Watched Wonka last week. I thought it was a good family movie with decent music. It turns out Timothee Chalamet is a good singer.

I have been watching a mixed bag of things.
Cheech and Chong .
Monty Python
I watched Sphere and other old movies. I am thinking of a Vincent Price Marathon. Have you seen his cooking videos? I think he was the nicest person.

The Invitation recently. A decent vampire movie and of course Sinners.

Just watched IF which just made it to Netflix. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, and John Krazinski, who also directed. About a girl who lost her mother to cancer and now her father is in the hospital for a heart problem. She starts seeing other people's forgotten Imaginary Friends (IF) and decides to help them find new kids to attach to. Very well done and touching with humour. Brought a sentimental tear to my eye.

This is great stuff. One of my favorite Fantasy films ever.

Dragonslayer 1981 - Making of & Behind the Scenes
https://youtu.be/lZo2Wa0kIrI