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[Veltigar]

I actually saw The Northman a second time for a work event. Didn't change my opinion at all. I only noticed more stuff that bothered me. Almost everyone hated it, so our HR department was a little bit embarrassed. I told them they couldn't have known really. Promising director, great cast and amazing critics score what more would you need to base a decision on.

12 hours ago, IFR said:

It was hard to take any of the drama seriously because the Vikings as a people were utterly silly with their customs and rituals. 

Most of what we see in the film was rooted in either historical record, archeological evidence or other saga's though. I read that the only pure invention was the initiation ritual from the beginning of the film, but everything else you see is based on something elsewhere.

For example

Spoiler

The Walkure who seemingly has braces, that's actually based on archeological evidence where some remains were found with horizontal lines etched in their teeth as a form of decoration.

Amleth catching a scene in mid-air and throwing it back is based on an incident from another saga

Decapitating the wraith and placing his head on his butt was also apparently part of the accepted lore amongst Vikings on how to handle these incidents.

 

12 hours ago, IFR said:

But the movie was pretty enjoyable, albeit weirdly structured. The most fun was the revenge Edmond Dantes portion, but I don't know how I feel about the final confrontation. I liked it, but probably not for the reasons the director was aiming for. It was hilarious, like watching an Ed Wood/Tommy Wiseau movie.

Oh, I hated that part the most. It didn't make any sense whatsoever in that part, they just threw things like logic and consistency out of the window to make that work.

I understand the Tommy Wiseau feel of the final fight unfortunately.

12 hours ago, dbunting said:

I also watched The Northman this weekend, thought it was a big screen movie, where that format would aid in the experience. Yeah, no. I didn't like basically any of this movie except for some visuals. There are plenty of stand alone episodes of VIkings that I think were better than this and for way way less money.

Definitely agree on the comparison to Vikings bit, but I do think it was a great theatrical experience. The best thing about it is its evocation of the Viking era and the great cinematography (until the very final fight that is) is a big contributor to that. The big screen helps to overpower you. Add to that the booming sound system pumping out VALLHÖLL and it was much more impactful I think than what it would have been at home.

[IFR]

5 hours ago, Veltigar said:

Most of what we see in the film was rooted in either historical record, archeological evidence or other saga's though. I read that the only pure invention was the initiation ritual from the beginning of the film, but everything else you see is based on something elsewhere.

I'm not surprised to read that based on my familiarity of the director's other work. He has previously shown an interest in portraying various folklore with a fidelity to the customs of the people portrayed.

Much of my reaction to the movie was thinking that what was depicted was dumb but probably accurate.

5 hours ago, Veltigar said:

Oh, I hated that part the most. It didn't make any sense whatsoever in that part, they just threw things like logic and consistency out of the window to make that work.

Sure, but I found that logic and consistency didn't apply to most of the movie. 

Spoiler

I liked the building terror in everyone as this random psychopath rampaged in their midst. And it was hilarious that no suspected the huge new guy who was one of the few to demonstrate an incredible proficiency at fighting, and spent his time creepily staring at people.

 

To be clear, I viewed that movie as an unintentional comedy, with the occasional cinematically interesting scenes thrown in. 

5 hours ago, Veltigar said:

I understand the Tommy Wiseau feel of the final fight unfortunately.

[Ran]

Watched Blade Runner: Black Lotus, a CGI animated show taking place between the original film and the new one. Directed by Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama, it has a lot going for it: a really interesting voice cast (Jessica Henwick as the lead, Will Yun Lee, Stephen Root, Josh Duhamel, Wes Bentley... oh, and Brian Cox sounds very Logan Roy-ish as Niander Wallace Sr.), some really good environmental CG capturing the look and feel of Ridley Scott's world, mostly well-done action sequences, and a score that is clearly trying to capture the atmosphere of Vangelis's score. But it's let down by the character design and animation, and the story itself is very by-the-numbers and perfectly average. Also, Niander Wallace, Jr. is a complete snooze, whether played by Jared Leto (as in 2049) or voiced by Wes Bentley (as in Black Lotus).

It's fairly brisk at 13 episodes running 20 minutes each... and the 8th episode is basically a clip show recapping the previous seven episodes, presumably for budgetary reasons.

[Veltigar]

56 minutes ago, IFR said:

 

  Hide contents

I liked the building terror in everyone as this random psychopath rampaged in their midst. And it was hilarious that no suspected the huge new guy who was one of the few to demonstrate an incredible proficiency at fighting, and spent his time creepily staring at people.

 

The bolded part in your spoilertags was something I hated so much. How could he get away with it? Was he never tired being out on the prowl all the time? Why did no one set a trap? If these are our ancestors, you wonder how our species ever grew so numerous 

[Corvinus85]

@Veltigar

sigh on your review of The Northman. Though I agree about a few points.

Spoiler

I don't think the uncle and his household behaved particularly brainless. Once the old woman declared the first killings to be the work of an otherworldly spirit, superstition kicked in. We see how religious the uncle is, being both head priest and lord. He bought in and his less educated people followed suit. But I would say that Amleth should have been beaten a few times by his new masters because he kept looking where he shouldn't.

But yes, once Amleth was found out, the story started to fray and the end fight was the weakest part of the movie. And yes, the movie kept tittering between interpreting this based on superstitious beliefs or full blown fantasy. And by the final fight where realistically both would have been dead from the heat and the fumes, I decided it was full blown fantasy. The director chose to tell the tale of Amleth based on the sagas, which are full of fantasy. Amleth has real visions, not induced by drugs. The Night Blade seemed to be actual magic.

Yet despite this the movie is pretty faithful to various parts of Viking culture and tells you to leave your modern sensibilities at the door. I liked this part. The berserker ritual and subsequent action scene were one of the highlights. They don't say it, but Amleth was an ulfhednar, like a berserker, but embracing the aspects of the wolf, rather than the bear.

 

[Deadlines? What Deadlines?]

4 hours ago, Veltigar said:

The bolded part in your spoilertags was something I hated so much. How could he get away with it? Was he never tired being out on the prowl all the time? Why did no one set a trap? If these are our ancestors, you wonder how our species ever grew so numerous 

 

[IFR]

Quote

Spoiler

I don't think the uncle and his household behaved particularly brainless. Once the old woman declared the first killings to be the work of an otherworldly spirit, superstition kicked in. We see how religious the uncle is, being both head priest and lord. He bought in and his less educated people followed suit. But I would say that Amleth should have been beaten a few times by his new masters because he kept looking where he shouldn't.

 

Spoiler

Regardless, it stretches credulity. Amleth is constantly sneaking out at night, even before killings are declared the deed of a spirit. No one notices or reports his behavior? He eventually becomes overseer, but the kind of behavior he exhibited was highly conspicuous. No one sought favor by pointing out that this guy was raising all sorts of red flags?

As for fidelity to historicity, my perspective is that I appreciate the effort, but when it comes to watching a dramatic presentation, the tone of events really affects how that drama is parsed. If it was Viking custom during battle to wear diapers, defecate oneself and baby talk while fighting, I think most people would not find that depiction particularly compelling. For me, howling like a wolf and eating out of a bowl like a dog while sniffing belches and flatulence, etc., essentially was so ridiculous that the sequences of drama were rendered into a Whovian kind of absurdity.

This movie did not work even as a dime store Hamlet, but it went so far into left field it became a comedy.

But I'm glad it worked for you. It is a subjective thing. There was a lot of silliness in The Witch, too, and I quite enjoyed that movie.

 

[briantw]

On 4/25/2022 at 5:43 AM, Veltigar said:

I'm currently rewatching the Starz show Spartacus. Between Black Sails and this, I think we can safely say that lightning can strike the same place twice. I began with the prequel Gods of the Arena, which is just an excellent piece of fiction.

I'm now in the first actual season of Spartacus and the gulf in quality between (particularly the first half of) that first season and the prequel could give you whiplash. Still, I'm looking forward to continuing until at least the end of season one. I miss how bold this show was.

Probably never going to get another soft core porno with such good writing and acting. 

[Veltigar]

I actually finished my rewatch of Spartacus the other day. Interestingly enough, my opinion of season two improved a lot, while my praise about season 1 and 3 dimmed somewhat. Not to say that season one and three aren't excellent, they are, but in season three they took a few shortcuts too many to make their story work.

I'm willing to forgive them for it though, as the quality is still amazing and the writers had initially planned for more seasons to happen before they were told to wrap it up. The rewatch also further radicalized my niche position in the debate about who was the better Spartacus. I liked the first guy, but for me the second actor had more gravitas. There is something about his voice which just made all his speeches more awesome. 

5 hours ago, briantw said:

Probably never going to get another soft core porno with such good writing and acting. 

Amen to that, although I hold out hope for more series to reach that level of quality!  

17 hours ago, Corvinus85 said:

@Veltigar

sigh on your review of The Northman. Though I agree about a few points.

  Hide contents

I don't think the uncle and his household behaved particularly brainless. Once the old woman declared the first killings to be the work of an otherworldly spirit, superstition kicked in. We see how religious the uncle is, being both head priest and lord. He bought in and his less educated people followed suit. But I would say that Amleth should have been beaten a few times by his new masters because he kept looking where he shouldn't.

But yes, once Amleth was found out, the story started to fray and the end fight was the weakest part of the movie. And yes, the movie kept tittering between interpreting this based on superstitious beliefs or full blown fantasy. And by the final fight where realistically both would have been dead from the heat and the fumes, I decided it was full blown fantasy. The director chose to tell the tale of Amleth based on the sagas, which are full of fantasy. Amleth has real visions, not induced by drugs. The Night Blade seemed to be actual magic.

Yet despite this the movie is pretty faithful to various parts of Viking culture and tells you to leave your modern sensibilities at the door. I liked this part. The berserker ritual and subsequent action scene were one of the highlights. They don't say it, but Amleth was an ulfhednar, like a berserker, but embracing the aspects of the wolf, rather than the bear.

 

Like @IFR already replied, it just stretches credulity too much. The man makes a 

Spoiler

fucking collage out of body parts and attaches these to a wall. Does no one hear a sound? Did no one else go to the shitter that night?  The film is full of those type of moments and after a while it becomes difficult to ignore.

The best thing was indeed its portrayal of viking culture, too bad it wasted all the excellent work it did earlier in the film as soon as the murders started.

 

[briantw]

Finished the final season of Ozark last night.  The finale was terrible.  It feels like they stopped the show with the penultimate episode. 

[RhaenysBee]

1 hour ago, Veltigar said:

actually finished my rewatch of Spartacus the other day. Interestingly enough, my opinion of season two improved a lot, while my praise about season 1 and 3 dimmed somewhat. Not to say that season one and three aren't excellent, they are, but in season three they took a few shortcuts too many to make their story work.

I'm willing to forgive them for it though, as the quality is still amazing and the writers had initially planned for more seasons to happen before they were told to wrap it up. The rewatch also further radicalized my niche position in the debate about who was the better Spartacus. I liked the first guy, but for me the second actor had more gravitas. There is something about his voice which just made all his speeches more awesome. 

Is this Spartacus:Blood and Sand 2010-2013 by Starz? I had watched that twice back in the day. One of the most under-appreciated gems out there.  Maybe another rewatch is timely. 
 

in the meanwhile I completely abandoned Killing Eve season 4 because it bored the life out of me. I’m watching the Depp Heard trial. Far superior stuff. 

[Veltigar]

44 minutes ago, RhaenysBee said:

Is this Spartacus:Blood and Sand 2010-2013 by Starz? I had watched that twice back in the day. One of the most under-appreciated gems out there.  Maybe another rewatch is timely. 
 

Indeed it was, definitely recommend it for rewatching  

[BigFatCoward]

The good old days where game of thrones at 2100 (when good) was immediately followed by Spartans at 2200. 

Best back to back tv line up ever. 

[DMC]

On 5/4/2022 at 3:05 AM, Veltigar said:

I actually saw The Northman a second time for a work event. Didn't change my opinion at all. I only noticed more stuff that bothered me. Almost everyone hated it, so our HR department was a little bit embarrassed.

Sounds like the party planning committee needs new leadership.

[WarGalley]

Been binging Cowboy Bebop the anime.

But I just now saw that Bosch: Legacy is up on IMDBTV with ads (although I'm streaming off Amazon). Think I'll take a break and check it out.

[WarGalley]

1 hour ago, WarGalley said:

But I just now saw that Bosch: Legacy is up on IMDBTV with ads (although I'm streaming off Amazon). Think I'll take a break and check it out.

First episode was.... fine. It didn't blow me away but it also didn't appear to detract in quality from the original series. True to the trailer, it basically picks up where the last season left off substituting the LAPD Detective office plotlines with more focus on Maddie. There was only 1 short commercial break midway through and it was for some kind of IMDBTV game that I guess you can play with people to determine the next show to watch. First 4 episodes have dropped.

Edit: The end of the first episode has one of those "This season on Bosch" montages. I don't recall those in the original. It's a little too spoiler-ish about the bad guys and upcoming conspiracies than I would have liked. I would recommend skipping that part.

[BigFatCoward]

Started Barry based on someone's recommendation in this thread. It's fucking excellent. Though I can't tell if the female lead is meant to be annoying or not. 

[Veltigar]

13 hours ago, DMC said:

Sounds like the party planning committee needs new leadership.

It's sad really. I was honestly surprised by their choice for The Northman, because it falls more on the artsy side of the spectrum. At that time, I was still thinking that I was going to be blown away but I thought more casual moviegoers would probably be better served with something like the Channing Tatum/Sandra Bullock flick out there.

 

[Isis]

Stuck in bed feeling rubbish so I watched One of Us is Lying which is a wishy washy attempt a making an updated reboot of The Breakfast Club with a murder thrown in - but as a short series rather than a film. On paper it's a good idea, but it did feel like it pulled a few punches and could have been a bit bolder in some of its choices. I actually watched it on 1.25x speed, but that says more about how much pain I was in and how short my patience was, I think. If you enjoy trashy teen shit, then I'm sure you'll find it passes the time, as it did for me.

Now to catch up on the final episodes of Masterchef.

[Mexal]

6 hours ago, BigFatCoward said:

Started Barry based on someone's recommendation in this thread. It's fucking excellent. Though I can't tell if the female lead is meant to be annoying or not. 

Oh she is for sure. She evolves a bit but definitely her personality is on purpose. Great show.