| Author | Message | ||
     Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 101.119.27.14 |
Anyone watching/seen this? I waited for the series to finish before starting it - watched the first episode last night and it was superb. Police procedural meets occult horror, with really interesting characters and top notch performances. Knowing that it is only eight episodes appeals to me as well. I'm over the shows that just go on and on. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 85.255.235.30 |
I really like the sound of this, David, and I completely agree about the diluting effect of TV series that never know when to stop. A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end of equal length to be properly effective and satisfying. One of the reasons I'm so enjoying the final season of 'Fringe'. 5 seasons was about the right length for this epic high concept sci-fi/horror story to get tied up and make perfect sense. That's where it beats 'The X Files' (much as I love it) hands down. Abrams learned the lesson of the failure of 'Lost' well, imho. But, for me, the model of such shows is still Patrick McGoohan's 'The Prisoner' (1967-68). | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 101.173.255.246 |
David?  | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 85.255.235.30 |
Sorry, mixing you up with David Lees, man.  So you'd recommend this show then, Lincoln!? The theme and the lead actors and the fact it's a self contained story already have me as good as sold. It'll probably be a DVD job down the line for me. | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 101.119.27.14 |
No worries mate. Yes, recommended - only one episode in though. It has a really weird/menacing atmosphere, and the setting is great. | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 101.173.213.64 |
Finished 'True Detective'. Outstanding 8 part HBO series, which only took me a week or so to watch. McConaughey and Harrelson are excellent, but it's the quality performances of the actors playing the lesser roles that really stand out. Absolutely dripping with a weird/menacing atmosphere, in a setting that is perfect for this kind of show. Police procedural meets weird cults/human sacrifice - how could it miss?! Highly recommended, but I should point out - if you require all questions to be answered, and all threads tied up, this probably isn't for you. Like 'American Horror Story', each series will be a self contained story, with new characters. Unlike AHS, this show is actually good. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 85.255.234.0 |
Hmmm... now you have me in a quandary, Lincoln, and one that can only be resolved by plunging head first into both pools and making my own mind up which suits me best, if at all. That's the problem with modern genre TV - there's too much money and talent being chucked at it and too little investment in what we all crave... a gripping self-contained story well told and performed. I've heard people tell me what's right with 'American Horror Story' - of which, I haven't seen one single second - now you tell me what's wrong with it. And let's get a good intelligent RCMB debate going here. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.126.164.88 |
I've not seen "True Detective," Stevie, but for the first episode, still—extremely well done, and I do mean to go back and watch it all. But it's a whole different animal from "AHS"... "AHS" is not camp, but it dances on the borders of camp. "AHS" is frenetic, bold, and crazy. No, it's more like, cuh-razy. Or maybe cray-cray. It has to be seen to be understood what I mean. Personally, I thought season 2 the best so far, because the story was tightest from beginning to end, and the performances were off the charts. Jessica Lange has maybe never done better in her life, than she did in season 2 of "AHS." But again, they're very different feels, both. "TD" seems dark, ponderous, serious, mirthless. "AHS" is often laughing and ribbing the audience—it's just having a wonderful time every moment, wallowing in the many genres of horror. Again, view and see for yourself.... | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 101.119.27.39 |
They're definitely different. As Craig says, TD is deadly serious, AHS is just every cliche and horror trope thrown at the screen, with one liners etc. If you liked 'Cabin in the Woods', AHS would probably be for you. Not my cup of tea, but everyone's different. The performances are amazing, in TD. Everything is just so over the top, in AHS. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 85.255.234.0 |
I very much liked 'The Cabin In The Woods' but whether I could watch a whole long running TV series in that style is another matter. Still sounds like one to take a chance on. I do love horror comedy but it's a balance that's difficult to get just right and so very easy to get irritatingly wrong. | ||
| David Lees (David_lees) Username: David_lees Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 90.200.126.55 |
I'd say there were a few moments of humour in True Detective, but in-character and mainly based around Marty's reactions to Rust ("Remember what we said about keeping the car a place of quiet contemplation?"), but they very much stand out against the darkness of the rest of it. I don't like to overhype things, but it was a very well-written and acted piece of drama that should really be unmissable for anyone with an interest in weird fiction. Apparently The King in Yellow has been a bestseller on Amazon in recent months thanks to TD. | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 101.119.26.39 |
Yeah, definitely some humour - some of it laugh out loud funny. Nothing 'slapstick' or 'jokey' though. I know what you mean about over-hyping, I've only read positive things about the show, but I'm sure there are many who didn't like it. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.126.164.88 |
I wouldn't call "AHS" horror-comedy, Stevie. It's more like... maybe post-modern is a better term? Tongue-in-cheek, sometimes; and more so in Season 3, somewhat in S1, not much in S2. Again, must be seen to be understood. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 220.129.22.66 |
Marty, in response to Rust's comment about humanity being mere 'sentient meat': "what's scented meat?" | ||
| David Lees (David_lees) Username: David_lees Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 176.253.75.25 |
I just read quite an interesting analysis of the series, from a website about the mass media, occult symbolism and mind control: http://vigilantcitizen.com/moviesandtv/deeper-meaning-true-detective-season-one |