Box Sets, Mini series, films, etc.

[Monstyr]

The Last Duel
It had a disappointing cinema release but is now showing on Disney+, it’s a pretty good film overall. I think Matt Damon and Ben affleck were spectacularly miscast in this though, that only made sense to me as the end credits rolled and both of them were also credited as producers.
I already know the true story this is based on as I’ve had the book here for a few years and the film remains fairly accurate to that tale, the story is told in three parts from the viewpoint of each of the three main characters, the same scenes are repeated with subtle differences in the dialogue and who says what, this was quite interesting but could have been a bit more succinct.
Even though I knew the story well I found the initial bit quite hard to follow as it was all a bit monty python with everything covered in muck, this is a bit of a film trope that I find tedious but filmmakers seem unable to resist. It is an interesting reflection of medieval law and society attitudes which few films pull off well. (an honourable mention for ‘hour of the pig’ and ‘black robe’ while I’m typing)

One point that always irritates me in films like this is some of the costuming. The two main character knights wear cheap ill fitting bits of off the shelf props bought cheaply from somewhere, especially their stupid helmets. The thing I never understood (and Scott’s film gladiator was even more guilty of this) is that more accurate armour is way more visually spectacular than anything a prop department can seem to produce, it would have been bright, clean and highly polished too. This could have been easily made for the two adversaries at a price a big studio like this wouldn’t even notice.

The final duel itself and the battle scenes that preceded it were very brutal and were some of the better ones I’ve seen. The duel plays out as it was described by contemporary accounts without too many liberties, I’ll watch it again sometime soon and maybe I’ll notice other things good or bad but I’d cheerfully recommend it for now.

[Mussels]

The Last Duel
It had a disappointing cinema release but is now showing on Disney+, it’s a pretty good film overall. I think Matt Damon and Ben affleck were spectacularly miscast in this though, that only made sense to me as the end credits rolled and both of them were also credited as producers.
I already know the true story this is based on as I’ve had the book here for a few years and the film remains fairly accurate to that tale, the story is told in three parts from the viewpoint of each of the three main characters, the same scenes are repeated with subtle differences in the dialogue and who says what, this was quite interesting but could have been a bit more succinct.
Even though I knew the story well I found the initial bit quite hard to follow as it was all a bit monty python with everything covered in muck, this is a bit of a film trope that I find tedious but filmmakers seem unable to resist. It is an interesting reflection of medieval law and society attitudes which few films pull off well. (an honourable mention for ‘hour of the pig’ and ‘black robe’ while I’m typing)

One point that always irritates me in films like this is some of the costuming. The two main character knights wear cheap ill fitting bits of off the shelf props bought cheaply from somewhere, especially their stupid helmets. The thing I never understood (and Scott’s film gladiator was even more guilty of this) is that more accurate armour is way more visually spectacular than anything a prop department can seem to produce, it would have been bright, clean and highly polished too. This could have been easily made for the two adversaries at a price a big studio like this wouldn’t even notice.

The final duel itself and the battle scenes that preceded it were very brutal and were some of the better ones I’ve seen. The duel plays out as it was described by contemporary accounts without too many liberties, I’ll watch it again sometime soon and maybe I’ll notice other things good or bad but I’d cheerfully recommend it for now.

The book it was based on was embellished with a note from the author saying he had made bits up where he didn't have the info as he wasn't there. Accounts from a couple of officials at the duel have a very different and less dramatic version that doesn't involve horses.

[Yorick]

The Unforgiven.
Ignore the slow start. Best film I've seen in ages.
You wouldn't believe who the ugly hag is.

Loads of twists and turns.

5*

[Asian Boss]

Me and the PAWG du jour are enjoying Last Kingdom, I'm aware it's about five years old but it's quite good.

[wheelnut]

Just watching The Last Bus with Tim Spall. It’s worth a watch with typically great acting by Spall.

[MingtheMerciless]

The Last Mountain on BBC iPlayer. Very good and more than a bit grim.

[Count Steer]

Just seen Wrath of Man. If I say it has Jason Statham in it, you can work out the plot.

It was OK. More holes in the plot than a carpet-bombed allotment but hey ho.

[Taipan]

Beirut. Enjoyed it. Rosamund pike is fast becoming one of my favourite actresses.

[petrolpete]

Rush the mini movie thing about James hunt and nikki lauda was a good watch.

[Yorick]

Rush the mini movie thing about James hunt and nikki lauda was a good watch.

Most of it was filmed at Cadwell.

In reverse.

[Taipan]

Get out! Loved it! Great film!

[Count Steer]

Started watching wheels of time on Prime. Got monsters an everyfink. Not normally my thing but I seem to be getting into it?

I’ve watched a couple of these episodes now, I liked the monsters ( those were beastmen characters I’ve been depicting for over 35 years) but find the world building that supports the story completely crap and very unconvincing, loathe the new age hippy types meant to be a ‘culture’ , find the religious types to be cardboard cutouts. The sets look like sets and the wizardy stuff is a bit lame.
I like rosamund pike as an actor but she’s been given a weak supporting cast and crew.
That said, my wife seems to like it so I guess I’m stuck with watching for a bit yet, hopefully it’ll get better but ant more new age crap will just switch me off even more.

It has the 'look and feel' of a BBC production. Diversity boxes? Ticked. CGI budget blown on just getting one part of it right? Tick. Casting budget spent on a single name draw? Tick. Other actors playing simple village folk shipped in from Hampstead, the rest from Central casting? Tick. Better baddies than goodies? Tick.

Still, it's 'okay' and I'll see it through. Whether I'll bother with the second season will depend what else is on.

Watched this through to the 'end' and it did get better I think. Still groaned at the 'end' knowing that it's probably 12 months or more before series 2 gets aired. (So I suppose, if I'm interested in series 2, I've bought into it ).

[demographic]

Arcane and the 12th series of Archer.
Arcane cos despite meing animated it's got some of the best developed characters I've seen for a while.
Archer, just cos I find it funny.
Brand New Cherry Flavour, pretty fucked up and gets a bit David Cronenberg in places.
The Witcher, keep yer eyes open with thie one cos the timelines can throw you a little (or did me anyway) but its worth it.

Oh and Wheel of Time? S'alright but I'm not finding it to be as good as The Witcher.

I'm finding it a bit greenscreen, acting to nothing, hand wavy magic shit. The best episodes have been the ones with less magic stuff going on cos the acting is better.

[KungFooBob]

Sonic the Hedgehog (on 4 Catchup).

It's shit.

The only thing stopping it being utterly shit is Jim Carrey chewing the scenery as Dr Robotnik.

[Taipan]

Yes!!

[weeksy]

Yes!!

Coolio.

[weeksy]

Yes!!

Coolio.

[demographic]

Just watching The Witcher and theres a few scenes shot in a lake district quarry I used to go absailing and climbing at.
Called Hodge Close and looks like this...




The absail took the full 50 metres (about 165 foot, give or take a bit) but about 15 foot was taken up by tying on at the top so 150 or so foot down to the metal staging (thats now broke off and fallen into the water) where you could land about 3 feet above 110 foot deep water.

Pretty cool place and I can see why they used it.

[Yorick]

Just watching The Witcher and theres a few scenes shot in a lake district quarry I used to go absailing and climbing at.
Called Hodge Close and looks like this...




The absail took the full 50 metres (about 165 foot, give or take a bit) but about 15 foot was taken up by tying on at the top so 150 or so foot down to the metal staging (thats now broke off and fallen into the water) where you could land about 3 feet above 110 foot deep water.

Pretty cool place and I can see why they used it.

Awesome. You were lucky growing up there.

[Scotsrich]

Just seen the new Matrix film.

Really really disappointing. The later ones in the series were going downhill but this one is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

They had to really twist and turn to get the return of Neo and Trinity (btw she’s showing her age a bit)

If you were intending seeing it I’d recommend saving your money.