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Those ones where if you find out a friend hasn't watched it you feel a moral duty to convince them to go watch it! Right now!
For me, it's BBC/HBO's Rome as far as series go. About as close to feeling what it was like living in ancient Rome as you are ever likely to get. You need a shower at the end of each episode to wash the muc and intrigue off you. Fantastic stuff.
For movies it's probably Interstellar. SF on a huge scale with some mind bending takes on what the galaxy has in store for us should our species last long enough to explore it.
What are you a little evangelical about?
The Bear
Closest would be Love / Hate.
It’s the Irish “version” of The Wire maybe Mystery Road as a second.
Films is obviously Dodgeball & The Hangover , all aspects of the human condition in those two.
TV: West Wing
Movie: True Romance
The Wire
Spiral
First series of the original version of The Killing
Back to the Future
Firefly
Bluey
Still haven't seen Interstellar. Is it on any streamers at the mo?
I have been raving about 30 Rock recently, can't believe I didn't discover it until last year. Best sitcom ever, for me.
Still haven’t seen Interstellar. Is it on any streamers at the mo
Not obviously. I paid real money for it on Apple TV and it's absolutely worth it, it's utterly fantastic.
TV: In My Skin - recommended on here, I'd never heard of it, it is incredible. How it stayed under the radar I have no idea.
Closest would be Love / Hate.
It’s the Irish version of The Wire
Just looked, it's on ITVX, might give that a go
12 Monkeys. Not the film, although it is excellent, the series that ran on Syfy for five seasons. Starts off slow, but the last few series are so good, with a brilliant ensemble cast.
Never gets repeated, and I just can't understand it.
chakaping
Free Member
Still haven’t seen Interstellar. Is it on any streamers at the mo?
I *think* its included with Now TV?
Other than that it's £3.49 from all the usual services.
Absolutely worth every penny. The violin has an odd start, feels totally at odds to what you might be expecting but stick with it, it's setting the scene for later. The movie doesn't rush, it's more like a book in some ways and I mean that in the best possible way.
DREDD - They got it as close to the comic as the budget would allow.
UFO
Space 1999 (season 1)
Harry_the_Spider
Full Member
DREDD – They got it as close to the comic as the budget would allow.
Fantastic movie, I'm still gutted it bombed, killing any chance of a sequel.
Barry - just brilliant.
Also Bojack Horseman... but mainly Barry.
Buffy the vampire slayer.
Farscape.
Lots of animé, kill la kill, gurren laggan, Hunter X Hunter.
Barry – just brilliant.
Watched two episodes, really enjoyed it, then it seemed to disappear from Apple TV?
The Wire
Spiral
First series of the original version of The Killing
What he said.
Would maybe now add Top Boy
A tricky one. I've never really insisted that life was incomplete without a TV show, but I think both Spaced and Black Books _should_ be watched (if you like that sort of thing). I also really recommend the Adam Curtis documentaries. They are superb.
As for films, again, I have no hard and fast rules other than Apocalypse Now being possibly one of the best films ever made, with Alien being a strong contender. People _should_ watch Blazing Saddles for many reasons; for the satire, for the commentary on racism, for the epic story, for the superb cast, but mainly for the campfire beans scene.
Son of Zorn, superb live-action/animated sitcom that apparently no-one but me has ever heard of. Binged most of it on a Quantas flight to Melbourne, spent the entire weekend itching to get back on the plane to watch the last few episodes.
Film-wise, The Big Lebowski.
Succession
The writing is utter and complete genius. All the characters are so well developed and all completely vile in their own special way. A definitive comment on modern late-stage capitalism
Worth watching purely for the insults, particularly from Brian Cox (not that one). Heres a run down of the sublime insulty, very sweary dialogue...
Apparently series 4 is all done and will be out in March. Can't bloody wait!!! I might rewatch the pervious 3 series in preparation 😀
Then - Buffy
Now - Top Boy.
It actually annoys me how so many people have not yet watched Top Boy.
Spaced
Six Feet Under - always gets overshadowed by Sopranos/The Wire as one of the original 'boxset' series.
The sitcom 'Mum'. It's just perfect.
TV - Ideal. I quite like how, like the wire the world its in grows - the wire starts on a street corner and grows to include the the whole city and its government. Ideal starts in Mos's flat and slowly the world grows to include his loft, the inside of his immersion heater, the landing, the flat next door and eventually the flat upstairs. Same number of episodes as the Wire and over 100 characters
Film- The Fall. Theres quite a lot of films called 'The Fall' - The one I like is the one by Tarsem Singh. Anyone who likes the Princess Bride... the Fall is better. Its the same premise - a tale being told to a child and seen in their imagination. Except the Fall really looks like a child's imagination. The kid doesnt wholly understand the story being told - so you hear a story but you see it transformed by a child's ideas and different frames of reference.
Apparently series 4 is all done and will be out in March.
First trailer dropped yesterday in case you missed it...
I'm just about 4 or 5 episodes into S1 of Succession, yes it is top-tier TV.
For those with kids aged 8(ish) and up, definitely check out Gravity Falls on Disney+
Very funny, clever animated series - like a junior Twin Peaks. Give it a try even if you don't have kids.
Always sunny in Philadelphia / Band of Brothers
Smokey and the Bandit /In Bruges
*to suit the mood
TV : Wayne . I got a lot of people begging for a 2nd series of that!
Film : was the original RoboCop. Made everyone I knew watch it -it was so original and different at the time.
More lately : Deadpool
First trailer dropped yesterday in case you missed it…
Thanks for that @timmys. That looks bloody brilliant! 😀
Always sunny in Philadelphia / Band of Brothers
Smokey and the Bandit /In Bruges
Wasn't expecting SATB to pop up on this thread, alongside BoB. 🙂
I love a good caper movie though.
Film-wise, The Big Lebowski.
Good call.👍
Ghosts.
I hardly dare whisper it, but.... The US version might actually be even better!
one of my favourites, but despite being up to an incredible 15 seasons now (with at least 3 more ordered IIRC) only one guy I know has heard of it let alone seen it 😂 Too nihilistic for mass appeal I guess, it is incredibly funny though but also very sharp with the commentary on social issues etc. I think because it's basically right at the back of the schedules they just let Rob McElhenney get on and do whatever he likes, some of the stuff they've done has elevated it beyond mere sitcom and into the realms of conceptual art 😃Always sunny in Philadelphia
Utopia, the C4 series.
The US version might actually be even better!
If "better" = "completely unwatchable", then yep, you're spot on!
If “better” = “completely unwatchable”, then yep, you’re spot on!
How much did you watch?
You didn't finish the first episode, did you... 😉
Utopia, the C4 series.
is that the same as the Australian version of the same name?
The Bureau is a French spy series. It’s what Le Carre would have written were he French.
Wellington Paranormal - hilarious Kiwi police spoof documentary
Educators - another Kiwi comedy.
Films:
The Hunt for the Wilderpeople - great with kids
Samson & Delilah - definitely not for kids
Yep I love IASIP, took a while to get into so thats the difficulty with sharing it.
Not sure there's one thing I recommend. Used to be Breaking BAd, like everyone did and it became a Family guy joke. Would probably say Better Call Saul now. think
I'd agee with In Bruges, also Superbad if you're looking for something a bit childish and not too intense.
Some already mentioned but...
The Wire - I love the expansion of the series to the system, the character development and the end of the last episode...
The Expanse - Sci fi done really well, amazing characters and in many ways as good as or better than the books (which is saying something as they are excellent too)
The West Wing - what politics should be. Feels dated in parts, but also prophetic
Dark - I know it is in German and is really tough to follow if you dont pay attention, but boy is it worth it. Ties up all the loose ends well, which TV can often fail to do).
Band of Brothers - just amazing and terrifying TV. Again the book is well worth a read
Black Books. So many perfect moment.
Recently, Back To Life. Dark, funny, moving, beautifully shot, perfectly judged soundtrack, great cast. Daisy Haggard is such a talent.
Also, Parks and Rec. Obvs.
Severance
Generation Kill. The David Simon HBO series no-one seems to have seen.
You didn’t finish the first episode, did you…
I couldn't! 😆
t3ap0t
Generation Kill. The David Simon HBO series no-one seems to have seen.
Oh they have. Strange, but I thought it was amazing first time around. Was repeated last year sometime and I wondered what I'd seen in it.
The Last Dance on netflix, but do not google if they did it, I couldn't remember and is it absolutely brilliant, nostalgic and a peek into the way Michael Jordan motivated himself is fascinating.
Firefly. Farscape. Basically, any sci-fi beginning with 'F'.
Orphan Black. Worth the price of entry just for the acting chops of its lead. I really should get around to watching the last series.
Generation Kill. The David Simon HBO series no-one seems to have seen.
Yes, I watched it last year. Excellent series.
We Own This City is another one that nobody seems to have seen.
The Wire. The definitive HBO series really, from the writing, the setting, the characters, the story arcs, the no happy endings. I've gone back to rewatch the Sopranos, and checked out The West Wing, and they really haven't aged well; whereas the Wire seems kinda timeless.
Also noticeable is that a few of the writers and actors are in Bosch, and I think it shows tbh.
The Shield. I haven't gone back to rewatch it; and S2 has a weird ending halfway through the series, but it just went from strength to strength for me, building this underlying tension and dread before the most amazing finale. I'm kinda fearful of going back to rewatch it because I worry it may not be as good now.
I reckon I will evangelise about Bosch in the future, but most people already know about it.
Film: the Mist. Classic B movie feel, from a Stephen King short story; the ending ensures you'll never forget it
Dark – I know it is in German and is really tough to follow if you dont pay attention, but boy is it worth it. Ties up all the loose ends well, which TV can often fail to do).
Good to know! I haven't watch the final series yet, but bloody love it - subtitles or voice over? I go subtitles, and pretend I understand the German. utterly fantastic show.
Has no one mentioned Stranger Things yet (well, maybe first 2 series were the best)? The Good Place? And, yes, Farscape was one of my absolute favourites.
Also BSG from the 2000s. What a story arc, utterly fantastic.
Top prize goes to Babylon 5 however. amaze balls.
Generation Kill. The David Simon HBO series no-one seems to have seen.
I just rewatched it for about the 5th time. Its absolutely brilliant! The final scene is one of the most powerful scenes ever filmed. Stands as a comment on the whole Iraq shambles
And Ray is one of the best characters in any series ever
I'm sure I read once that SK said he'd wished he'd thought of that ending for his book! Won't say any more 😃Film: the Mist. Classic B movie feel, from a Stephen King short story; the ending ensures you’ll never forget it
For those that have seen the Wire - then the same writers (?) did The Corner and a series called Treme, i thought they were great also..
A series on US troops in Iraq called Over There, and another called Generation Kill.
Deadwood
Second, Band of Brothers and The Pacific and worth seeing now as third one Master of the Air, supposed to be coming this summer..
Tour of Duty as i used to love it as a lad, mostly due to Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones as title music..
subtitles or voice over?
Subtitles every time. Tried an episode with an American-sounding voice track on it, was beyond irritating.
Also BSG from the 2000s. What a story arc, utterly fantastic.
Final series, and one particular weird character arc took the shine off it for me TBH.
Deadwood, edging out The Wire which outstayed its welcome with S5.
The Station Agent. Nowhere near the "best" film nor even my favourite, but nobody ever seems to have seen it and it's a little gem of a movie.
The Wire
Green Wing
Spaced
Six Foot Under (I only knew one other person that was watching it at the time)
ER (when it was doing it right)
Back then ^^^^
More recently -->>>>
Better Call Saul
The Handmaid's Tale (although the last series feels like it is running out of steam).
Wayne
The Expanse
Films
I honestly wouldn't know where to start,too many to choose from and I like quite quirky movies.
If you're a man of a certain age, then Mortimer and Whitehouse Go Fishing. Just wonderful slow TV
Elsewhere and can't believe it hasn't been mentioned - It's a Sin.
Film would be "Leon"
TV series, going away from the obvious I love things like "Monk" "Psych" and "eureka"
I am tired of "overarching" plot lines and now just prefer something where you don't have to be invested in some massive plot about conspiracy and/or secret government departments, that keeps ramping up season after season, where the end of level baddy is exactly the same as the last one but somehow also bigger and badder.
Altered Carbon
Yup, Altered Carbon was very good.
Just looked at the front page,how could I have forgotten about Utopia and The Bear.
Oh,and the first series of Bloodlines.
Band of Brothers – just amazing and terrifying TV. Again the book is well worth a read
I agree with this one there are moments in it that hit you, the laundry scene where she reads all the names out not realising. But the baseball scene at the end, people surviving all that then getting killed by a taxi at home etc.
A total cliche but I can watch withnail and I over and over. And hotfuzz... with the various narations on the dvd.
yeah, I mean they have their place obviously but even sitcoms now have to have "story arcs" 🙄 Sometimes I just want to watch something you can just dip in and out of! I blame the X-Files. The "MOTW" episodes were great, all the story-arc conspiracy stuff just tiresome pants 😂 This is why "anthology" style shows like Black Mirror (which used to be more common) are so refreshing (and shows like Fargo, American Horror Story, White Lotus etc where at least each season is self-contained)I am tired of “overarching” plot lines
Has nobody mentioned "Detectorists" yet??
Green Wing
Ooh, niche choice! S1 and S3 for me; S2 was a bit... odd. I've got the DVDs somewhere, will have to watych it again when I dig them out
Schitt’s Creek. Some absolutely genius writing and acting, always funny, incredibly touching and the most positive same sex relationship I’ve ever seen in any medium. On Netflix.
Current favourite is Get Shorty on All4. Smart, snappy dialogue, great characters.
Movies that everyone should see: 2001 and Strictly Ballroom.
More recently, The Expanse
Older, Babylon 5
where to start, few old tv series Boys from the blackstuff and When the boat comes in, more recent would be the first series of True detective and Detectorists ,
french tv series braquo.....gritty nasty police thing where its proper edge of the seat tense in places, and everyone is a bit a b@#$!#d even the sort of goodies. Also ace that none of the actors are american drama pretty, but look like everyday folk that are having a hard time of it.
think you can get it these days on netlix or amazon
Generation Kill was brilliant. I can't listen to Tainted Love anymore without thinking of this series.
The Pacific was really good as well.
Also love it when I find out someone else is a fan of Toast of London.
Best British comedy of the last decade IMO.
These 2 TV Series...
The Wire
Justified
reeksy
Utopia, the C4 series.
is that the same as the Australian version of the same name?
Sorry I don't know, the one I've seen is British but there is a US remake.
It's about a conspiracy theory involving a graphic novel. But that really doesn't do it justice, at the risk of spoilers, this is a good summary of what i loved about it
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/oct/07/utopia-one-of-the-decades-most-electrifying-and-criminally-under-seen-thrillers
Toast of London is superb, but the last series was a colossal let down.
Green wing is peerless, it's beyond criticism for me but I'm not sure I'd recommend it to everyone...
Ah Justified is excellent, like a big warm comfy jumper. But I don't know many folks that I reckon'd be interested in it, so I tend not to evangelise.
Current favourite is Get Shorty on All4. Smart, snappy dialogue, great characters.
Saw this was on there. Is it good? Obviously it's not the film (which was great, from when Travolta was watchable), but is it worth watching?
Toast of London is superb, but the last series was a colossal let down.
A massive disappointment.
It was "Toast of Tinseltown" though, so the legacy of ToL is intact. Kind-of.
Saw this was on there. Is it good?
Get Shorty is fab. Get watchin!
Maximum Bob (also Elmore Leonard) was a great, but shortlived series too.
Babylon 5. Remember the gradual realisation in the first series that something was going on in the background... in a world of episodic TV, the slow introduction of a story arc was genius.
Also BSG from the 2000s. What a story arc, utterly fantastic.
Top prize goes to Babylon 5 however. amaze balls.
I came back to add Babylon 5 to my list and I also enjoyed the new BSG.
Taskmaster....watched from first series on Dave and as far as we're concerned there's never been a bad series