The TV and Streaming thread Series 3

[majestic]

15 minutes ago, Bartimaeus said:

@majestic I did a whole big research thing on the BDs vs. the DVDs. The consensus seemed to be that the movies looked better on BD, but all of the show looked better on DVD. Well, besides maybe Sailor Stars, there wasn't a lot of information on that one (yet?) from what I could tell. Strangely, it seemed to also be the consensus that the Italian DVDs had the best quality out of the various DVD sources. I'm not really sure why that would be.

I'll be sure to remember when that moment comes and see what they have to say in the English dub, .

The German Blu-Ray version that comes out tomorrow (well, today now, it's past midnight) is based off a complete remaster from Japan, so that might take the lead in terms of picture quality. It's still 16:9 pillarboxed obviously, there's no real way around that, but from what I've read from reviews so far it should blow the quality of any prior blu-rays and DVDs out of the water.

The earlier ones seem to have two seperate video tracks on them per episode (one for the original language, one for the dub) and are therefore of lower quality due to higher compression/lower bitrate and some DVD versions are apparently simple VHS scans, if the Italian DVD version is based on a good quality source and they went with laying the Italian dub over the Japanese original video that might explain it.

That the movies are best on blu ray seems logical enough. They came out as movies after all, not as a 4:3 NTSC (ugh) showing on Japanese TV. I'm guessing they had good masters already, and were much easier to transfer.

Edited January 13, 2021 by majestic

[Bartimaeus]

I'll have to keep up with what people think about the German BD, I guess. Even the newer Japanese BDs didn't seem to be held in high esteem, so I'm a little skeptical, but we'll see! And hey, 16:9 pillarboxed is significantly better than cropped 16:9 a la many other shows, so I'll gladly take that, .

[majestic]

15 minutes ago, Bartimaeus said:

I'll have to keep up with what people think about the German BD, I guess. Even the newer Japanese BDs didn't seem to be held in high esteem, so I'm a little skeptical, but we'll see! And hey, 16:9 pillarboxed is significantly better than cropped 16:9 a la many other shows, so I'll gladly take that, .

Yeah. I wouldn't know, my information is based on people who have gotten their pre-orders a day or two early for some reason, not on professional reviewers.

The very best transfers in terms of entertainment value are proper 16:9 remasters of shows made for 4:3 TV (i.e. the ones where the source video is of good enough quality). With everyone crowding in the middle of the frame and the sides curiously empty. Assuming it's even possible to do a proper 16:9 version. Star Trek TNG's blu ray version would have had good enough masters for it, but all sorts of clutter in the frame. Heh.

Edited January 13, 2021 by majestic
Added stuff about shows with changed display ratios

[Bartimaeus]

The only time I'm in favor of changing a 4:3 show to widescreen is if the show was originally filmed for it (or something approaching it, depending on the cameras used) but was forced to 4:3 as a result of when it came out. Very little animation (unless it had an actual theatrical release) was made for anything but 4:3 prior to widescreen becoming the standard, so it's usually impossible for that to happen. To be honest though, I don't really care whether something is 4:3 or 16:9 or anything else so long as it contains the complete picture (...unless the complete picture causes it to be ridiculously shrunk within the constraints of the resolution, I guess, but I've never heard of that happening).

Edited January 14, 2021 by Bartimaeus

[InsaneCommander]

On 12/30/2020 at 12:49 AM, Zoraptor said:

Expanse S5E5

  Hide contents

As someone who hasn't read the books I would have presumed it was a manipulative cult survival type situation, since they've clearly gone with Inaros being (or trying to appear to be) a messianic figure. And yes, that does explain Naomi's reaction fine.

I suspect I'd be a lot more generously inclined towards the Naomi subplot if the season was a bulk rather than weekly release, much as I'd likely be less critical of the initial pacing. It certainly feels a lot less contrived now there's an explanation for Filip bringing Naomi along in the first place. In the end that's why I won't stump up the princely $10 to watch the end of the series as it releases- I'm pretty convinced at this point that I will like it way, way more when I can watch at my own pace in a couple of months. Many of the criticisms I have this season I had in the previous ones too to some extent, but had less time to dwell on them. And in the end I liked all the previous seasons with most of the criticisms working themselves out fine.

I remember you saying there was a huge hidden spoiler, because I thought it was asteroid related. I'd presume the 'rebel' Martians get protomolecule in payment, otherwise it's like Al Qaeda buying a couple of US destroyers off an admiral for a billion dollars in cash or something.

I didn't continue this discussion to avoid the risk of giving any spoilers. But some of what you said has been addressed in episode 5.07.

[Lexx]

That reminds me - I wanted to do a google search if the engine of episode 7 was in any kind of way realistic.

/Edit: Apparently it somewhat is.

Edited January 14, 2021 by Lexx

[BruceVC]

Season 3 of American Gods is out, yaaaay 

[Raithe]

Weird things you never picked up on....

STNG, Picard had an odd paperweight on his desk in the Ready Room. A beautiful crystal that served no apparent purpose except to look like it belonged there and for Picard to fiddle with during dialogue scenes.

Then you have that vague recognition.. and the memory jogs that its the same crystal used in The Dark Crystal. So, a classic case of an old prop being recycled from somewhere....

But, then add in this:

Cheryl Gates McFadden was the Choreographer on the set of Jim Henson's Labyrinth.

So, Labyrinth might have been Crusher's Holodeck adventure...

Edited January 17, 2021 by Raithe

[ShadySands]

WandaVision. I have no idea what's going on but I enjoyed the first couple of episodes. I heard it was originally supposed to be released all at once but then they decided to do the weekly drip. Dunno if that's true or not but I'm really not a fan of the old style weekly release schedule

Finished A Discovery of Witches. Dunno why it's being released weekly here and all at once seemingly everywhere else. I didn't pirate it or anything but I did have to subscribe to another service in another country and use a VPN. Probably still frowned upon but as I said before I really hate the weekly releases and it's even worse when it's only released like that here. Maybe there's something else on SundanceNow that I'll like.

 

 

[Bartimaeus]

I straight up will not watch weekly shows until the season is fully released. I'm not usually in the mood to watch a show over several months' worth of time these days, especially because I'm the type of person that likes to watch only like 1-2 shows at a time to begin with - also sometimes my free time is limited so not being able to watch something when I do have the free time because of artificial time barriers is greatly annoying. Sometimes I *really* want to watch several episodes consecutively, particularly because shows have ups and downs and letting a show sit sourly on one of the downs for an entire week can get me disinterested in continuing it entirely, especially with the plethora of other shows out there. Some shows just straight up work better being able to see multiple episodes in a row or otherwise at your own pace. I'm also not the type to get into the whole social media aspect of watching a show "together" as its released - with only a very few exceptions, I really don't care if I'm watching a show years after everyone else did.

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

With a handful of exceptions, I haven't watched weekly in years. Seems like it's contrary to the advantages of streaming when compared to network TV.

Finally got around to Madalorian s2. Maybe I'm just easy to please, but it's much better than the recent movies and manages to deliver good scifi/scifantasy that doesn't make tons of people hatewatch and complain like the new trek shows.

[LadyCrimson]

Finally got around to finishing up The Guest (via Netflix), a k-drama series from a couple years ago. Exorcism/possession/horror type show.  Excellent series, with some great supernatural, thriller and occasional humor bits.  The very ending was a little too tidy and a tad unsatisfying to me but nothing that ruins anything. All three leads were good and worked well together.

The actor playing Priest Choi - Kim Jae-wook (I just call him Mr Cheekbones...) - I remember him playing the serial killer baddie in Voice.  He's very good at intense roles.  Altho he was also in a more recent fluff rom-com and good in that too.  I think I prefer him in non-romance roles tho.

Edited January 17, 2021 by LadyCrimson

[Zoraptor]

2 hours ago, ShadySands said:

Finished A Discovery of Witches. Dunno why it's being released weekly here and all at once seemingly everywhere else.

It's weekly here too- and delayed, which is kind of weird considering how comparatively little TV they have to show with covid delaying so much stuff. Schedule is determined by whoever bought the show locally.

Edited January 17, 2021 by Zoraptor

[Lexx]

2 hours ago, KaineParker said:

Finally got around to Madalorian s2. Maybe I'm just easy to please, but it's much better than the recent movies and manages to deliver good scifi/scifantasy that doesn't make tons of people hatewatch and complain like the new trek shows.

"Maybe I'm just easy to please"

No, it's actually a decent show. It's probably the only Star Wars I've seen in years where I didn't want to scream while watching it.

[BruceVC]

I must be lucky somehow in SA because there are several series  on DSTV or Netflix that I am enjoying that include American Gods, Blue Bloods, The Stand ( the book by Stephen King is highly recommended as books always are if you enjoy reading ), A Confession, Manhunt : Deadly Games, Bordertown ( a Finnish produced crime series and very entertaining ) and then Lilyhammer 

[BruceVC]

12 hours ago, Bartimaeus said:

I straight up will not watch weekly shows until the season is fully released. 

Geez Barti, I have never known you to be so belligerent  and steadfast before .....I understand the frustration but we dont want to overreact and suggest such a draconian response ?

[Raithe]

Hm, saw CBS have released a trailer for a tv series of "The Equaliser".

Looks like they're trying to find something that's halfway between the Denzel films and the original Edward Woodward series.  This time with Queen Latifah playing the role of McCall.

[majestic]

16 hours ago, BruceVC said:

I must be lucky somehow in SA because there are several series  on DSTV or Netflix that I am enjoying that include American Gods, Blue Bloods, The Stand ( the book by Stephen King is highly recommended as books always are if you enjoy reading ), A Confession, Manhunt : Deadly Games, Bordertown ( a Finnish produced crime series and very entertaining ) and then Lilyhammer 

You should just join us in watching Sailor Moon. You know you want to.

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

14 minutes ago, majestic said:

You should just join us in watching Sailor Moon. You know you want to.

My fiance is going through older anime right now and wants to watch it with her. I don't actually remember much about Sailor Moon, so I guess I'll jump in soon.

[Lexx]

I just bingewatched One Punch Man season 2 (episodes 1 to 12). Pretty good again, but too little Saitama this time. Though, middle part was a bit boring, because nothing really happened.

[majestic]

Ah, well, going through Sailor Moon S at a decent pace. I'll keep this as spoiler free as possible, anyway. The last somewhat rambly post spoiled a bit too much for Bartimaeus. I mean, even without not minding spoilers.

It'll most likely still be my favorite season even after the rewatch. There are some less than stellar episodes strewn in every now and then but overall S is a decent improvement of existing strengths, there's some fun meta commentary that I may or may not imagine, i.e. Haruka / Sailor Uranus is sometimes used to lampshade just how ridiculous the Clark Kenting in this anime is.
 

Spoiler

 

Specifically there's an episode where Usagi and Makoto stalk Haruka because they think she's a really pretty boy instead of the androgynous woman that she actually is. Minako keeps complaining the entire episode that Usagi should stay out of her way because she has her Mamo-Chan, but since when did that ever stop Usagi from leering over other men? Heh. Anyway, they tell the other girls about this really attractive guy they stalked. The others complain because they went stalking boys instead of studying for their high school exams.

At the end of the episode Michiru shows up with Haruka in tow, only that she's not wearing a tie this time and her shirt has two buttons open. Minako, Makoto and Rei immediately talk to Michiru asking where the guy she was with is. I mean, yeah, Haruka is standing right in front of them, they just can't see her because she's not wearing a tie and jacket that hide her breasts (well more or less, it makes more sense with the artwork).

 

Plus she's got the best attack animation of all the Sailor Senshi, hands down:

Speaking of attack animations, Sailor Moon's grow more and more ridiculous with every season. Heh. MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK has a thirty seconds attack animation.

Okay, I get it. Transformation and attack scenes can easily be reused and can pad out an episode when you come up a minute or two short. It looks like every now and then an episode or two were the animation equivalent of live television bottle episodes. These episodes usually show all transformation scenes in full (bonus points if all five Inner Senshi show up to transform but only one or two of them actually do something) and the animation outside of the transformation scenes looks like they were handed over to a different team.

Might just have always been the same animation team, just under time constraints. Hard to tell with anime that is based on a manga still in writing. Doubly so when the mangaka involved was asked to come up with more after the first run became an unexpected smash hit. If I recall correctly Naoko Takeuchi never planned to do more than the first Sailor Moon arc.

Still, even the lesser Sailor Moon episodes are generally ahead of other shows. Look at all that Naruto or Dragonball filler. Psh.

[LadyCrimson]

I was entertained and it works great fullscreen on your phone while lying on the couch.

FAQ: Where was this first shown? A: Quibi, in 9 parts. That's why its filmed in this format.
Summary: Serialized remake of 'The Princess Bride' told in short chapters featuring celebrities at home during quarantine. (description from IMDB)
Cast:

Rob Reiner, Thomas Lennon, Zazie Beetz, Stephen Merchant, Nicholas Braun, Oliver Lennon, Alice Oswalt, Javier Bardem, John Cho, Kaitlyn Dever, Roman Mars, Oscar Nunez, Retta, Brandon Routh, Leslie Bibb, Bryan Cranston, Courtney Ford, Angela Kinsey, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Shaquille O’Neal, Seth Rogan, Fred Savage, Finn Wolfhard, Andrew Bachelor, Brian Baumgartner, Sarah Cooper, Zoey Deutch, Ari Graynor, Sam Rockwell, Leo James Routh, Sarah Silverman, Annabelle Wallis, Rainn Wilson, Jose Andres, Dave Bautista, Neil Patrick Harris, Diego Luna, Chris Pine, Catherine Reitman, Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, Richard Speight Jr., Sophie Turner, Jack Black, David Burtka, Cary Elwes, Josh Gad, Dennis Haysbert, Joe Jonas, Logan Kim, Pedro Pascal, David Spade, Taika Waititi, Penelope Cruz, Giancarlo Esposito, Beanie Feldstein, Jennifer Garner, Nick Kroll, Natalie Morales, Percy, Mackenzie Davis, Tiffany Haddish, Lucas Hedges, Ernie Hudson, John Malkovich, Carl Reiner, Zoe Saldana, Keith L. Williams, Common, Don Johnson, Patton Oswalt, David Oyelowo, J.K. Simmons, Kimberly Van Der Beek, Tommy Dewey, Mckenna Grace, Jon Hamm, Hugh Jackman, Jenna Ortega, Andy Serkis, Charlize Theron, Keegan-Michael Key, B.J. Novak, Meredith Salenger, Elijah Wood, Craig Robinson, James Van Der Beek, Joey King, Robert Wuhl, and Adam Sandler

 

[Bartimaeus]

1 hour ago, majestic said:

Ah, well, going through Sailor Moon S at a decent pace. I'll keep this as spoiler free as possible, anyway. The last somewhat rambly post spoiled a bit too much for Bartimaeus. I mean, even without not minding spoilers.

It'll most likely still be my favorite season even after the rewatch. There are some less than stellar episodes strewn in every now and then but overall S is a decent improvement of existing strengths, there's some fun meta commentary that I may or may not imagine, i.e. Haruka / Sailor Uranus is sometimes used to lampshade just how ridiculous the Clark Kenting in this anime is.
 

  Hide contents

 

Specifically there's an episode where Usagi and Makoto stalk Haruka because they think she's a really pretty boy instead of the androgynous woman that she actually is. Minako keeps complaining the entire episode that Usagi should stay out of her way because she has her Mamo-Chan, but since when did that ever stop Usagi from leering over other men? Heh. Anyway, they tell the other girls about this really attractive guy they stalked. The others complain because they went stalking boys instead of studying for their high school exams.

At the end of the episode Michiru shows up with Haruka in tow, only that she's not wearing a tie this time and her shirt has two buttons open. Minako, Makoto and Rei immediately talk to Michiru asking where the guy she was with is. I mean, yeah, Haruka is standing right in front of them, they just can't see her because she's not wearing a tie and jacket that hide her breasts (well more or less, it makes more sense with the artwork).

 

Plus she's got the best attack animation of all the Sailor Senshi, hands down:

Speaking of attack animations, Sailor Moon's grow more and more ridiculous with every season. Heh. MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK has a thirty seconds attack animation.

Okay, I get it. Transformation and attack scenes can easily be reused and can pad out an episode when you come up a minute or two short. It looks like every now and then an episode or two were the animation equivalent of live television bottle episodes. These episodes usually show all transformation scenes in full (bonus points if all five Inner Senshi show up to transform but only one or two of them actually do something) and the animation outside of the transformation scenes looks like they were handed over to a different team.

Might just have always been the same animation team, just under time constraints. Hard to tell with anime that is based on a manga still in writing. Doubly so when the mangaka involved was asked to come up with more after the first run became an unexpected smash hit. If I recall correctly Naoko Takeuchi never planned to do more than the first Sailor Moon arc.

Still, even the lesser Sailor Moon episodes are generally ahead of other shows. Look at all that Naruto or Dragonball filler. Psh.

The spoiler sounds hilarious, that's the Sailor Moon stuff I want. My favorite episode from season 1 is probably episode 29, the ridiculous episode where Usagi and Makoto are fighting over the arcade boy, and that nonsense sounds right in line with that. I'm curious to see what I think of the other yet-to-be-introduced Sailor Guardians...

The attack/transformation sequences do get to be hella long at times, but I love the music used in them so I don't particularly mind. Actually, I love the music of this show overall and have been collecting the individual season and movie soundtracks. Sadly, none of the credits songs have been nearly as good as the one used for the first half of season 1, though, which I listened to all the way through every time, .

Edited January 19, 2021 by Bartimaeus

[Lexx]

So a few days ago I've watched some of them animal / nature documentaries (Our Planet) on Netflix, and I have to say ....

... man, I ducking hate american-style documentaries. If I am watching a documentary, I don't want to just hastily consume. I want to take in fancy landscapes and learn new interesting facts and stuff like that, but american-style documentaries are always super fast, they cut all the time and jump around in different places and make up weird animal stories that (let's be honest) we all know are just made up based on available footage. It's like whatever they are showing can never be longer than 15 seconds and then they assume the watcher became bored of it.

One episode was about desert / steppe and holy crap, they jumped the planet from left to right and it took most of my concentration to keep track of where exactly we currently are on earth. Felt like there was no red line, it just went from here to there and back again.

The visuals are epic and super fancy, but the dramatic cuts and fast pacing just completely kill it for me.

/rant over.

Edited January 19, 2021 by Lexx

[majestic]

6 hours ago, Bartimaeus said:

Sadly, none of the credits songs have been nearly as good as the one used for the first half of season 1, though, which I listened to all the way through every time, .

Heart Moving shows up a lot as instrumental score during episodes though:

I'm rather fond of the Star Locket version of the theme song:

Not sure how well they stand on their own, but they work perfectly to underscore the scenes they're used in.