Television programmes [2]
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Re: Television programmes [2]
{{ Rewatched the BBC's Hollow Crown- which covers Richard II, Richard III and Henry V. The first two are brillaint and go watch Brannaghs better version of Henry V is my advice.
Ben Wishaws take on and performance of Richard II is easily, far and away, hands down no argument accepted the best version of Richard II I have ever seen. And its got Patrick Stewart as John of Gaunt. Alongside folks like David Suchet, Rory Kinnear, Lindsay Duncan, David Bradley and other illumine of British stage, tv and film.
That great casting continues into Richard III, where we have a brilliant version of the character from Benedict Cumberbatch, and its filmed exactly as Ive always believed Macbeth should be, with thee main character, Richard in this case, talking directly to the audience down the lens (and in fact Ive almost finished writing up an adaptation of Macbeth designed to be shot this way). And it works great for Richard too, drawing the audiences into his schemes and plots, seeing is villainy yet like him being complicit in enjoying seeing it play out.
Its another stellar lead performance. There have been good Richards over the years, but his is one of the top ones, aided by that choice to have him break the fourth wall throughout.
Joining Cumberbum this time we get Phoebe Fox, Sophie Okanado (visually out of place as a black Queen Margaret but its a fantastic performance) Judi Dench and Keeley Hawes among many others.
These first two of the set I would recommend without question. Just not Henry V, which I felt whilst all three are quite heavily abridged in places, this one felt the most and the most heavy handed and tone deaf. Why this happened here when with thee first two they managed to preserve the rhythm and meaning without losing too much- I feel Shakespeare can and should be adapted for a modern audience in the sense many of the references, especially to classical myths and gods and people known and popular in their time but not in ours by the general public. And they these sort of references tend to turn up when characters deviate somewhat from the important bit into poetic language as a metaphor for the important bit.
So Macbeth might start off going on about the dark of the night and how it suits the mood then spend two minutes talking about someones wolf's howl and other mythical beasts chasing each other about the place. All which knowing all the references is fine, but to a vast majority of modern people is a lot of words put together they have no frame of reference for. It contains no meaning for them.
So I feel there is in Shakespeare's case, due to time passing, more reason to remove text from Shakespeare where it strays too much for modern knowledge into things well known in their own day. But as with all editing of this type it has to be done well and with a purpose in mind. I feel that is the case with parts one and two, but not with Henry V.
Henry V is also where the low budget shows up worse, having the biggest battles and the ones you can least get away with setting on a foggy English moor somewhere to disguise your lack of extras.
You've got to storm entire medieval walled towns in Henry V not to mention the scale of Agincourt. And it cant match the bigger budget efforts, or the performances in Brannagh's version.
The budget issue does show in a few places, when Richard II comes ashore back to England and gives his 'let us talk about the death of kings' speech, its just four actors standing on a beach. They couldn't even afford to stick a couple of cgi (or real and forced perspective, or even matt painted) model ships in the background or something as they come ashore. Nope its just the four of them on a bach pretending they just came ashore from somewhere offscreen. So it can and does occasionally feel cheap. But it's Shakespeare so at the end of the day its really all about the words and how well they are delivered to the audience and for Richard II and II that side of it is spot on. }}
Ben Wishaws take on and performance of Richard II is easily, far and away, hands down no argument accepted the best version of Richard II I have ever seen. And its got Patrick Stewart as John of Gaunt. Alongside folks like David Suchet, Rory Kinnear, Lindsay Duncan, David Bradley and other illumine of British stage, tv and film.
That great casting continues into Richard III, where we have a brilliant version of the character from Benedict Cumberbatch, and its filmed exactly as Ive always believed Macbeth should be, with thee main character, Richard in this case, talking directly to the audience down the lens (and in fact Ive almost finished writing up an adaptation of Macbeth designed to be shot this way). And it works great for Richard too, drawing the audiences into his schemes and plots, seeing is villainy yet like him being complicit in enjoying seeing it play out.
Its another stellar lead performance. There have been good Richards over the years, but his is one of the top ones, aided by that choice to have him break the fourth wall throughout.
Joining Cumberbum this time we get Phoebe Fox, Sophie Okanado (visually out of place as a black Queen Margaret but its a fantastic performance) Judi Dench and Keeley Hawes among many others.
These first two of the set I would recommend without question. Just not Henry V, which I felt whilst all three are quite heavily abridged in places, this one felt the most and the most heavy handed and tone deaf. Why this happened here when with thee first two they managed to preserve the rhythm and meaning without losing too much- I feel Shakespeare can and should be adapted for a modern audience in the sense many of the references, especially to classical myths and gods and people known and popular in their time but not in ours by the general public. And they these sort of references tend to turn up when characters deviate somewhat from the important bit into poetic language as a metaphor for the important bit.
So Macbeth might start off going on about the dark of the night and how it suits the mood then spend two minutes talking about someones wolf's howl and other mythical beasts chasing each other about the place. All which knowing all the references is fine, but to a vast majority of modern people is a lot of words put together they have no frame of reference for. It contains no meaning for them.
So I feel there is in Shakespeare's case, due to time passing, more reason to remove text from Shakespeare where it strays too much for modern knowledge into things well known in their own day. But as with all editing of this type it has to be done well and with a purpose in mind. I feel that is the case with parts one and two, but not with Henry V.
Henry V is also where the low budget shows up worse, having the biggest battles and the ones you can least get away with setting on a foggy English moor somewhere to disguise your lack of extras.
You've got to storm entire medieval walled towns in Henry V not to mention the scale of Agincourt. And it cant match the bigger budget efforts, or the performances in Brannagh's version.
The budget issue does show in a few places, when Richard II comes ashore back to England and gives his 'let us talk about the death of kings' speech, its just four actors standing on a beach. They couldn't even afford to stick a couple of cgi (or real and forced perspective, or even matt painted) model ships in the background or something as they come ashore. Nope its just the four of them on a bach pretending they just came ashore from somewhere offscreen. So it can and does occasionally feel cheap. But it's Shakespeare so at the end of the day its really all about the words and how well they are delivered to the audience and for Richard II and II that side of it is spot on. }}
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Re: Television programmes [2]
Even without the mythological references Shakespeare needs trimming. I remember looking up some speech, can't remember which one, but the character makes the usual Shakespearean metaphor, but after he's made his point he keeps prattling on, remaking it over and over. Ruined it. Audiences back then must have had far more patience. Or maybe they couldn't hear well due to lack of amplification so it was better to repeat key points in hopes they would eventually piece it together.
I feel Branagh definitely outdid Olivier in his Henry V. Haven't watched the Olivier version for well over a decade, but the only part that sticks out to me as possibly better is the king in disguise wandering from campfire to campfire. But it was still an excellent scene in the Branaugh version.
I feel Branagh definitely outdid Olivier in his Henry V. Haven't watched the Olivier version for well over a decade, but the only part that sticks out to me as possibly better is the king in disguise wandering from campfire to campfire. But it was still an excellent scene in the Branaugh version.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
{{ Hopefully you will enjoy a read of my Macbeth script then. Ive completed all the Macbeth parts of it (essentially deciding when he is talking down the lens and when not and what needed trimmed) and Ive done rest of the play up to Malcolm and MacDuff in England after MacDuff has fled- its proving tricky- it contains important information and reveals, but they take a lot to tell and trimming it is hard without losing an important lead-in to the actual bita viewer needs to know. Being hardest bit to do so far. }}
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Pure Publications, The Tower of Lore and the Former Admin's Office are Reasonably Proud to Present-
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*Pure Publications reserves the right to track your usage of this publication, snoop on your home address, go through your bins and sell personal information on to the highest bidder.
Warning may contain Wholesome Tales[/b]
A Green And Pleasant Land
Compiled and annotated by Eldy.
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*Pure Publications reserves the right to track your usage of this publication, snoop on your home address, go through your bins and sell personal information on to the highest bidder.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
A while ago I posted a scene from the HBO series WestWorld. Here's an incredibly in depth analysis of Anthony Hopkin's acting in that scene. It's a reminder of how much of a craft good acting is, and though I don't think Hopkins planned out every detail rather than just letting it flow naturally, he got to that point by rehearsing the lines so many times that they would flow without thought, being guided entirely by the emotions his character would feel in that situation.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
Just finished watching Expanse. Brilliant series would highly recommend it.
Started watching Shadow and Bone. Another great show.
Started watching Shadow and Bone. Another great show.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
this may or may not be good news. Skip to 1:20; there's a bunch of red flag BS at the beginning, but I think it's actually legit.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
Are you talking about the original or the not yet realized reboot?
The original is as good as it gets. In fact so good that the fans are 70% against attempting a reboot - as one stated, it was lightning in a bottle, can't be repeated, and it would be hubris to try. Firefly was a great series that died through network mishandling; if they had promoted it and put it in a good slot, it would have been a huge money maker for them, but all they saw were the costs associated with scifi effects and they killed it.
Definitely get a hold of it, you'll be hooked. The termination of Firefly was one of the great tragedies of television history. I myself occasionally saw it listed in daytime rerun slots, but as the name meant nothing to me I never watched it, only discovering it years later.
The original is as good as it gets. In fact so good that the fans are 70% against attempting a reboot - as one stated, it was lightning in a bottle, can't be repeated, and it would be hubris to try. Firefly was a great series that died through network mishandling; if they had promoted it and put it in a good slot, it would have been a huge money maker for them, but all they saw were the costs associated with scifi effects and they killed it.
Definitely get a hold of it, you'll be hooked. The termination of Firefly was one of the great tragedies of television history. I myself occasionally saw it listed in daytime rerun slots, but as the name meant nothing to me I never watched it, only discovering it years later.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
Watched the first 2 episodes of Halo, thought they were pretty good. No one else seems to like it though. I've never played the game so I'm not influenced.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
I missed Firefly, although I have heard its great and everyone loves it. I will see if I can get some dvds.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
I thought the movie made later (buoyed up by strong fan support) was pretty good, though some fans dismiss it. It's called "Serenity". One problem I think was that neither title was properly evocative - why would I even click on the titles "Firefly" or "Serenity" if I didn't already know what it was?
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Re: Television programmes [2]
I watched Halo yesterday. The TV series. Never played the game so no idea what the story is, but i am not sure whether I like it. It seems a bit bland at the moment. I like the lead actor, he reminds me of a clean non-sweaty Hound from GOT, but the blonde scientist is wooden and boring. I don't rate her as an actress at all. I will watch episode 2 and see what I think.
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halfwise wrote:Are you talking about the original or the not yet realized reboot?
The original is as good as it gets. In fact so good that the fans are 70% against attempting a reboot - as one stated, it was lightning in a bottle, can't be repeated, and it would be hubris to try. Firefly was a great series that died through network mishandling; if they had promoted it and put it in a good slot, it would have been a huge money maker for them, but all they saw were the costs associated with scifi effects and they killed it.
Definitely get a hold of it, you'll be hooked. The termination of Firefly was one of the great tragedies of television history. I myself occasionally saw it listed in daytime rerun slots, but as the name meant nothing to me I never watched it, only discovering it years later.
Very much the result of circumstance, and very unlikely they'll manage to recreate the magic.
The Wheel of Time series is a case in point. I think they generally did a good job with impossible expectations and the source material. Going off the finale of season one however, I feel they have a great love of grand spectacle, but not so much the poise or timing to really do it justice. A bit of a let down, from a middling to decent get go. That said the ending of the first book was perhaps one of Jordan's greatest mistakes with the series. Far too much too soon. Perhaps better not to confound it.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
I've seen actors say many times that it's impossible to predict what will work ahead of time. It's all about the ethereal chemistry; among the actors, in the script, in the circumstances. You know it when it happens, but putting the pieces together in your head before hand guarantees nothing.
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I think the example of Crosby, Stills, Nash, albeit not television related, is illustrative in this regard. The group was started because of the vocal blend of the three voices. Listening back to some of their great record they were scratching their head however, because there seemed at time to be a fourth voice in there filling out the other three, that neither of them contributed. In the end it was just ghost notes created by their particular vocal blend. In there lies a magic beyond the constitutive elements. You can do a lot of things right in the creation of something, but it still needs to click.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
I had said earlier somewhere that the HBO series ROME was not as full of T&A as Game of Thrones. I kept seeing clips reminding me how good it was, so I went ahead and got it to rewatch. Suffice to say, I was wrong. Lots of T&A. Oh well, I don't think it really damages it, still a great series.
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Watched a couple episodes of Cowboy Bebop. It was entertaining enough I can watch a few more. Despite what critics said I thought the sets and production values were great. The characters feel a bit cartoonish but what do you expect given that it came from a cartoon? I haven't seen the original anime so there's nothing to drive into screaming fits of rage over what they screwed up.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
Last edited by Forest Shepherd on Tue Apr 19, 2022 4:20 am; edited 2 times in total
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Re: Television programmes [2]
I suppose "comic" wouldn't be any better?
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Was about to start watching series 2 of Raised by Wolves, but just heard series 3 has been cancelled. So probs won't watch it. Shame because I liked it.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
After watching several of the live action Cowboy Bebop I found out that Netflix had also acquired the original anime. Watched the first episode. Excellent of course, true art. Though I can see why fans might not stomach the live action version as imitation rather than art I think they are doing it a disservice. You get different nuance from real actors, and they did a damn fine job. I can happily go back and forth between both, sort of like book and movie. I may have benefitted from not seeing the original first so I could appreciate what the actors did instead of being offended it was not an exact remake.
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Watched more anime vs live action, and sorry, Forest, I have to say the anime is not holding up as well.
For visual style it's hard to compete with anime (though the opening sequence of episode 5 of the live action is a masterclass on noire), but the writing for the live action is FAR superior, the characterizations well rounded....it's just a better, more engaging product. I don't find myself caring about the anime characters, who are not as interesting or fun.
Looks aren't everything.
For visual style it's hard to compete with anime (though the opening sequence of episode 5 of the live action is a masterclass on noire), but the writing for the live action is FAR superior, the characterizations well rounded....it's just a better, more engaging product. I don't find myself caring about the anime characters, who are not as interesting or fun.
Looks aren't everything.
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Re: Television programmes [2]
Are you referring to a specific work?
Ohh Cowboy Bebop.
Huh, well that's strange.
Ohh Cowboy Bebop.
Huh, well that's strange.
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Yep, cowboy bebop. Maybe it improves as it goes along, but the writing in the anime series is, well, cartoonish. And not in a sophisticated old Warmer Brothers way.
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