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Maia and I went to see The Watchmen last night. Yes, I know it's not a TV show, but it's similar enough.

Neither Maia nor I have ever read the graphic novel, so we didn't have anything to compare it against. Even so, the movie seemed somehow lacking. I think it was the characterization or lack thereof.

None of the characters have any real personality. There were brief glimpses into who they are and why they do what they do, but most of that was carried by flashbacks. In fact, there were so many flashbacks (including the long scene in the beginning which tells a little history about the Watchmen from the 1940s to 1985) that it seemed like the movie was trying to cram too much into three hours.

That's right! It's a three hour movie. By the time it was done, Maia and I were a bit uncomfortable in our seats. Especially Maia, but then again, she has a cold. For some reason or another, I had pain shooting down my left leg. I'm still not sure why.

Anyway... the characters seemed somewhat derivative of other comic book heroes, especially those from DC Comics. The Night Owl, for instance, was extremely similar to Batman -- except for the fact he was far more mild-mannered. Other characters seemed like a combination of sorts, such as Silk Spectre resembling both Black Canary and Wonder Woman to some degree.

The character's ages didn't make sense sometimes, either. The first Watchman group formed in 1940, so the original heroes should be fairly old by 1985. The first Silk Spectre (mother of the 1980s Silk Spectre) was 67 years-old in 1985, which places her at 22 back in 1940. The Comedian, however, seemed to age little during the last 45 years. So little, in fact, that he appeared to be roughly the same age all through the film. He was not immortal and had no super powers. So how is that explained? It isn't, but there should be some reason for it.

None of the heroes had any super powers, except for Doctor Manhattan, whom was so overpowered, he lost virtually any ties to his own humanity (which apparently leads him to walk around entirely naked). That's an interesting twist, but the character had very little personality. In my opinion, the Borg have better personalities and they're from a hive mind.

The one truly interesting part of the movie was the ending and how the villain carried out his plans. What's neat about this is he actually wins. What's even neater is that he's not really a villain (at least not in the classic sense of the word) and his actions are, in his mind, to save mankind. He had no interest in becoming "Emperor of the World" or simply destroying it.

This isn't a film for kids at all, despite getting labeled as a "comic book superhero movie." There is both male and female nudity, attempted rape, animal cruelty, extreme violence and tons of gore. There was so much gore that even I felt it went over the top. There was no need to show a man's arms getting chopped off in graphic detail or chunks of flesh dangling -- and dropping -- from the ceiling. More often than not, the violence and gore seem gratuitous, as if the director was simply thinking: "Let's show the audience how many different ways we can mutilate a human body! Oh and we need to make it very bloody!"

So was The Watchmen a bad movie? I don't think it was bad really, but it wasn't good either. It's one of those movies that seemed adequate and wouldn't interest you in watching it again.

I think you need to read the Graphic Novel to appreciate it. Because, it's basically a movie'ized version of the Graphic Novel. (So then why go see it, many ask? Well how many more ask, why do they always change EVERYTHING?)

This time, they did it right - from what I have heard.

I have neither seen nor read it - but those who have done both - and that I know personally - have said it's excellent.

I hear the same thing from fans of the book, so at least the fans have a good movie.

It's not really fair to the rest of us, though. Knowing I have to read some book I never heard of just to enjoy a so-so three-hour movie doesn't exactly make me want to rush out and see it. But as an FX fan, I'll still check it out. Otherwise, I'd still prefer an entertaining movie over one that follows the source material.

I just watched Sunday's season premiere of Kings.

Pompous, pretentious, unintentionally laughable, contrived and cliched. Plus, long, boring and dangerously conservative in its development (what a surprise that the gay character is the bad guy! Weren't David and Jonathan platonic lovers in the Old Testament? Guess it couldn't be this way on NBC).

There are only two things that saved the day: Ian McShane as King Silas and Dylan Baker in a yet unnamed role. I planning on giving the show another chance, but - if I can share a piece of advice - avoid this show like plague. Unless of course, you don't want to laugh hard at its pretension.

The fourth season of Heroes ended last night. While this season wasn't bad (better than the previous two, but not as good as the first), the ending didn't make a whole lot of sense.

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, I'll use the spoiler tag...

It made no sense to turn Sylar into Nathan. Yes, Nathan was murdered by Sylar and that's a little upsetting, but he's dead. Having Sylar think he's Nathan and shape changing into him does not make him Nathan. At some point, the real Sylar will break through. That was even alluded to at the end when "Nathan" fixed a clock in his office, noticing it was a few seconds off, just like Sylar would.

I can see why both Angela and Noah felt turning Sylar into Nathan was a good idea. If word got out that a U.S. senator was killed by someone with super powers, a witch hunt on a much larger scale than before would occur. It's in the best interest of all metahumans (as they're referred to in DC Comics) that Nathan remains "alive."

However, going beyond the political ramifications of Nathan's death, Angela's acceptance of Sylar-as-Nathan is a little creepy. She knows he isn't her son, but she's content to have a facsimile of him. Maybe I'm not quite as understanding as I could be here, but to me, it seems disrespectful to turn Sylar into Nathan. For all intents and purposes, Nathan was a good guy and actively tried to do what he felt was best for everyone. Whether or not he was "right" isn't the point. A good man was murdered and replaced by his murderer under a mind-control and now believes he is the man he killed.

Other than that, I was a little upset about Hiro. He's always been one of my favorite characters and now he could die by simply using his abilities. Considering his power's usefulness and Hiro's self-sacrificing attitude, I can't see him refusing to use his power (regardless of whatever damage it may do to him).

I watched the Torchwood season 3/mini series as it aired over the last week. I'm still shocked by the fact that Torchwood of all things produced something this good. If they ever do a season 4, I hope they stick to the five episodes format again because it so very clearly works for them.

I'm not all that much of a TV person anymore, but my house is crammed with VCRs and DVDs. I'm a huge fan of Duckman, Count Duckula, Blackadder, The Simpsons, Are You Being Served?, Not The Nine O'Clock News, and Jonathan Creek. But I didn't like the last Creek special from last Christmas, that had too many plotholes.

I like Dexter and Fringe....

Maia and I have been watching Lost a lot lately. We rented the first season to "try it out" and we've been hooked ever since. We're now at the end of Season 2 and starting Season 3.

I'm glad we stuck with it since the beginning of Season 1 was less-than-interesting. It wasn't until the "conspiracy theory" angle appeared that the story really took off.

Maia's also interested in True Blood. We rented the first few episodes (I didn't really care for it) and one of the premium movie channels (probably HBO) is showing the entire first season around Halloween. So we're recording that.

Oh yeah... we recorded the season premiere of Heroes on Monday, but we haven't watched it yet. Hopefully we'll get to it tonight.

True Blood is wonderful: witty, sassy, sensual, deeply metaphorical. I adore it!

Ah, Lost. I really can't say anything to you, since I don't think you and Maia would like a huge spoiler, but let me say that, during the fifth season, I felt cheated.

So... eleven years later and I'm reviving this thread!

What've we been watching?

Well, we were really impressed by Castlevania, and we're looking forward to the second season of The Boys.

In the meantime, we're watching Castle, which has been surprisingly good for a crime procedural comedy/drama.

We also just finished the final season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and like most series finales, it was a little disappointing.

Even so, it still wasn't as bad as the final season of Game of Thrones. That was a giant WTF scenario.

DeadPoolX wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:44 pm So... eleven years later and I'm reviving this thread!

Your Skill In Necromancy increases by 1!

So if we're including Netflix/Amazon Prime type shows (11 years later... was Netflix even a thing 11 years ago?)...

I've only watched the first episode of The Boys. I didn't stop because I hated it. I stopped because I want my wife to see the scene with the speedster and the couple talking on the street.

I literally had to pick my jaw up from the floor. I felt like the girl.

I loved Castle - I don't think I ever finished it however. (I loved it enough to buy Season 1 on DVD).

I dropped out of Agents of SHIELD shortly after... ugh... the one guy came back from the dead. He was one of the main characters. Had a budding love interest in the main girl. Forgot his name. But the last one I watched is where he comes back and like a car runs him over and he's OK or something. I was done. But by then, I was tappering off on all the super hero shows... Arrow followed shortly after... eventually I got sick of Flash only fighting speedsters... the other shows Legends of Tomorrow and such, quickly fell off my radar... and I gave up entirely on super hero shows (but not the Marvel movies...)

I watched "Transformers: War on Cybertron" - and was very impressed. It takes some time to get used to the CGI, especially on Bumblebee - for some reason his face always looked plastic. But I like what they did there.

I am currently binging through like NCIS and such from the start.

And to update from 11 years ago - I fell outta BONES hard and fast after the baby came along.
I still love Supernatural, and looking to see how they play out the final season of the show. That's gonna be a little sad for me.

I am absolutely in love with VIKINGS - my favorite show hands down.

And since I probably didn't mention it - I loved HELL ON WHEELS which is now on Netflix and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Tawmis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 am Your Skill In Necromancy increases by 1!

Damn straight!

Tawmis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 am So if we're including Netflix/Amazon Prime type shows (11 years later... was Netflix even a thing 11 years ago?)...

Apparently, Netflix was founded in 1997. Although I remember the commercials that had them mailing DVDs to customers, I didn't realize they'd been around for 23 years.

Tawmis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 am I've only watched the first episode of The Boys. I didn't stop because I hated it. I stopped because I want my wife to see the scene with the speedster and the couple talking on the street.

I literally had to pick my jaw up from the floor. I felt like the girl.

The Boys is crazy. It follows the comics pretty closely, although the comics were definitely more depraved (sometimes to the point of doing things simply for shock value). I prefer the TV show since it captures the idea without heading into "complete sick f*ck" territory.

Tawmis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 am I loved Castle - I don't think I ever finished it however. (I loved it enough to buy Season 1 on DVD).

Maia and I are almost done with Season 3. Fortunately, Amazon Prime has Seasons 1-7, but for some reason doesn't have Season 8. From what I understand, Season 8 made no sense whatsoever and was terrible, so maybe it's a good thing it's not included.

Tawmis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 am I dropped out of Agents of SHIELD shortly [...]

We took a huge break from AoS, but went back when we didn't have anything else remotely worth watching. Overall, AoS wasn't that good of a show, but to be fair, it was originally designed as "filler" for fans between MCU films. It's amazing that AoS lasted as long as it did and was even decent.

Tawmis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 am And to update from 11 years ago - I fell outta BONES hard and fast after the baby came along.

Bones, like a lot of shows, probably lasted a little too long.

Tawmis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:00 am I still love Supernatural, and looking to see how they play out the final season of the show. That's gonna be a little sad for me.

Speaking of a show that's outstayed its welcome... I can't believe Supernatural is still on the air. I liked Supernatural early on, but at this point it's practically become a self-parody of sorts.

That said... I did like the episode where Sam and Dean were inside a Scooby Doo episode. That was pretty cool.

While we wait for the next season of The Orville to finally show its face, my wife and I have been finishing up older shows we've started and never finished and looking for something new and interesting to follow.

We went through Treadstone on Prime, show set years after the Jason Bourne story but without Bourne (because that worked so well with that movie with Jeremy Renner). We gave it a chance. We wanted to like it. I was waiting for it to click with me then I saw who was running it in the credits (Tim Kring). Not a good track record of shows. I loved Heroes season 1, but as far as I'm concerned the guy's a one hit wonder. Didn't expect much. My wife was interested though so we watched through to the end. Very little that's interesting happens and not enough of a nailbuting cliffhanger or interesting twist at the end. I wasn't surprised when I learned after that it had been cancelled after only 1 season. Ah Tim Kring.

Started watching Jack Ryan but we weren't impressed with that either and stopped after a few episodes. Just wasn't grabbing us and it wasn't anything like the older movies. The newer film with Chris Pine was alright though.

I was always curious about Quantum Leap. I had only seen one episode since I was a kid and it has been gnawing on me for years. So the wife and I watched a couple seasons and then I picked up the whole series on Bluray. We loved it all the way through (really picked up after season 1 though). A shame it was cancelled after 5 seasons as the ending had plans to continue into a 6th season. What great TV, though. Happy to have finally experienced it.

So right now I'm taking my wife through The Office. She's actually enjoying it now where she thought she wouldn't. Just about to finish season 3. Somehow the cringe factor of the one and only Michael Scott seems easier to watch after going through it (myself) once. Well, almost through it. I've watched up to the beginning of season 9 so haven't quite finished it yet. We needed a new funny show to follow after finishing According to Jim which we both love (though most people seem to hate). AtJ did drop off in the last season though.

Still taking the kids through Star Trek chronologically. Watching the films in between seasons of shows as they were released. We finished TNG and we're in season 5 of DS9 and season 3 of Voyager. Just watched the First Contact film a couple weeks ago. My family have always been Trekkies and I'm happy to see that's not stopping now, even though they saw Star Wars first. I was worried for a bit there lol.

Also taking the kids through Gilligan's Island which I myself hadn't seen all of yet. My wife never saw it at all. So it's been fun introducing them to that. Our daughter calls it "Giggly Island" lol. Somewhere in all of that I'm taking the kids through the original Lost in Space as well which they love.

My wife and daughter just finished Agents of Shield. They really enjoyed it all the way through. You can after a while they really tried to change up pretty well everything as it went on to keep it interesting and fresh for people. Each season started to become something completely different than just your run of the mill series of characters finding themselves in new predicaments. Flying all over the timeline, alternate dimensions, apocalyptic future, a digital Matrix world where they're the bad guys. Quite a show. I watched a few episodes but didn't follow it. I think it did get better after the first coulple seasons. Lackluster finale though. I wouldn't call it a favourite show like my wife and daughter would. Now they're watching Agent Carter as one of the characters in the finsl season that was added is from that show.

Not a whole heck of a lot that's grabbed us though lately as far as series is concerned. Mostly old stuff.

Been a huge fan of Fort Boyard since the earliest Dutch emissions in 1991. Now that it's summer the new French episodes are being aired - the Corona-proof ones. Loses some of its excitement with the distance keeping.

For those of you who don't know it at all, Fort Boyard is a fort off the coast of France in the Charente-Maritime. Built in the 1850s on a sand bank in the Atlantic ocean, after it became disused as military post, it stood idle and got delapidated until in the late 1980s it was used for a game show, with the idea to turn it into a museum after the first run. The concept became golden and was sold to 70 different countries and is a long runner, currently at its 31st season.

The idea: a small team of about 6 people set out to Fort Boyard to gain money for charity. The game is a race against the clock to find keys in the various cells of the fort, for which the team member needs to complete a challenge - requiring force, dexterity, agility and/or intelligence. With the keys they can open the treasure gate. At a later stage they need to complete challenges to get hints for the password - these challenges are of the bungee-jumping and spider fondling type.


There've been many golden moments over the years - I can talk about those forever.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=fort+boyard+m ... erNN77LO4E
It's always great when a candidate finds a different route to accomplish the challenge, and it's fantastic to see a sportive performance to tip your hat to. This challenge, the Manolier, is a hand bicicle: the contestant hangs on the pedals and must pedal towards the end. It is considered one of the hardest because it is extremely heavy, and if you let it slip you have to restart - if you have any energy left by that point, which is not likely. This contestant gives examples of both an incredible performance, and thinking outside the box!

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=fort+boyard+s ... yUWh1mRTRw
A cult moment from 2014 when model/singer Baptiste Giabiconi is in the Safari challenge - having to ride around in a steel jeep in the tiger cage (!!). He is supposed to park underneath the tube so his team mates can fill the jeep's reservoir, then spray the water into a container elsewhere in the cage, but the tiger has other plans... not to the amusement of the contestant.
"Stop laughing, I'm terrified..."
"If the tigers eat you a lot more people will buy your album!"

In later visits of this challenge, the jeep is redesigned at the wheels to prevent an encore performance. No matter how hilarious it was.


https://duckduckgo.com/?q=fort+boyard+b ... yvRzDgAslg
In this classic moment of 2014, the team has battled all the mice, spiders and other horrors the Fort throws at you, but they find the code word "Beurre" (butter). One of the team mate jokes: "Attention, beurre is spelled with 2 Rs!" at which the host laughs, there is some confusement when the spelling appears off, but they enter the code after a hustle...
and then it's still misspelled, with 3 E's.