Movies and TV, Anyone?

Off-Topic
551

100% agree with this. I think it would help if more people stated why they are giving the scores they do. For example if everything about a game is perfection - gameplay, graphics, music, competently programmed etc - then it’s an 100% game. Aspects that aren’t perfect would slowly chip away at that 100%.

My favourite example to use for this is Uru:Ages Beyond Myst. Personally I find it to be an incredible game that I’d recommend everyone play if they like puzzle exploration, but I also aknowledge that not every aspect of it is perfect. So, using that “100% then chipping away” method it’d go like this;

  • Core puzzle/ exploration gameplay: Perfect - 100%
  • Music : Beautiful, fits the atmosphere wonderfully - 100%
  • Controls: Functional, but a bit awkward. Still character movement can make some of the puzzles harder then they should be - 90%
  • Graphics: Environments are beautiful but the character sprites are pretty ugly - 80%
  • Story: Pretty decent, but doesn’t really lead to anything amazing - 70%
    Final Score - 70%

Obviously this is just an example and you’d probably weigh thing less/more than 10% depending on how important you felt they were etc. This would only work if you’re looking at a “technical” review as well. If you were looking at a game from any other angle it probs wouldn’t.

Personally if I see a game rated 70% then I think it’s probably still worth checking out if your a fan or interested, it’s just there may be a few shortcomings.

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552

I don’t think discrepancies between critic reviews and audience scores is anything to really be concerned about. It’s pretty understandable IMO that there would be disagreements, particularly when it comes to what I call “popcorn-munchers” (aka films where you’re primarily just there to enjoy the ride, just turn your brain off, just laugh at with your friends, etc). Sometimes even a legit bad movie can be entertaining in one way or another, so average movie-goers who only see a movie every now and then are naturally going to be more lenient in their letter/number grades. Lots of people will think “I had fun” and give the movie a pass, while critics are more obligated to analyze the cinematography and whatnot. I wouldn’t say this is either a good or a bad thing – it’s just how it goes.

Would of course note Rotten Tomatoes scoring is its own special beast, in that a movie with a 97% or something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s amazing – just that 97% of people thought, at the very least, that it “didn’t suck” lol.

Regarding the Ghostbusters reboot, I’ve long felt in the odd position of the random movie-goer who went into it without knowing about any of its controversy, and simply found it a fairly standard comedy with some (IMO) amusing performances. (The plot definitely relied too much on callbacks, for sure – but that’s a sin of pretty much any reboot these days.) Perhaps my attention would’ve been elsewhere for most of the film had I been reading all the online discourse? IDK, been a while, so might need to give it a rewatch along with the other Ghosbuster films some time.

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553

Honestly, you’re better off not knowing. It was vile and offensive for all involved, except for the incels who deserves it but unfortunately even those with legitimate concerns were painted with that brush.

If you enjoyed the movie just keep enjoying it. There is no need to go onto what went on and why people got upset.

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554

Reviews (from critics or not) are just self expression. Probably best to not get too upset by them. I want to be allowed my opinion so I allow others’ opinions.

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555

not movies or tv, but this is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day

Banned Commercial - Condoms - YouTube

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556

I enjoyed the first two episodes of Fionna and Cake.

Some thoughts on it being TV-14: My kids watched the show and the specials recently and are fairly excited about F+C. I saw about a month ago that it was going to be rated TV-14 and was surprised. Adventure Time has always existed in this nice family friendly space where it appeals to a lot of audiences young and old. Would F+C be only for the olds? I kinda don’t think so. There are two uses of “dammit” in the first episode which is in Fionna’s alternate timeline (did Betty make this timeline?) and it makes sense. Ooo has always had its own vernacular with certain phrases equating to the phrases we use. “Mathematical” is basically “Hell yea”. I try not to swear in front of my kids as I don’t want them to start casually swearing in front of their teachers at school or anything. Will I let them watch this? IDK that’s for me and my wife to decide. But so far the two swears, the two sexless scenes of Fionna in her undies, and a bloody Finn kill are pretty tame. There is more of basically all of this in The Incredibles 2, a PG rated film. I think it is fine.

Some general thoughts: The art style in Fionna’s dream is so lovely. A part of me hoped that we were going to get the whole show looking like that. Regardless, the animation does feel like a step up from classic AT and Distant Lands. Writing is as sharp as ever and I enjoyed all the winks referencing Ooo. Fionna is a compelling lead, and I’m excited to see how she grows throughout her journey. I’m hoping that Simon’s dalliances with non-Betty Golb is minimal as that basically is Betty’s story and we already had 10 seasons of Ice King. I did like him telling Finn that his problem is now solved so Finn will leave him alone. Lastly, I like seeing Finn, but I really think Ooo and AT as a whole has legs beyond him. I would be fine if he pops up once or twice more in F+C, but I don’t need him in every episode.

Anyway, it is great and you should check it out!

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557

This.

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559

Today I learned a new word about the world of media: Phlebotinum

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560

We’ve watched the first three episodes of the Ahsoka series and it’s been good but there are a few bits that I feel might derail a lot of stuff both past and future (saga timeline)

561

I started watching the first ep, and I got a bit lost as I didn’t watch Rebels. Does it become more or less lore reliant in the following episodes?

562

I think it might need some previous background. All in all, every one of the good characters (so far) appears there. I’ve seen a few recap videos of 15 mins or so that do a good deal in explaining what you need to know to understand all of it. Probably mostly related to the space whales, all of the good guys, and the main bad guy.

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563

Anyone else watched the Twisted Metal series? I’m about halfway through and really enjoying it!

564

I haven’t watched any of it yet, but it does feature actor/comedian/host of Doughboys Mike Mitchell whom I adore.

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Has he stuck around or does he end up under a tire?

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565

He’s not in the first few episodes, but his character is really cool. Don’t wanna spoil anything though.

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566

I just finished How To With John Wilson. What a triumph of a show. I don’t know how much of an audience the show has outside of the US, but it really deserves your attention. A blend of nature documentary, daily vlog, and explainer video- John Wilson uproariously examines people and self. It balances such extreme humor (some of the wildest things I’ve seen in my life are in this show) with such extreme humanity. Do not expect to see everyone receive the same amount of humor or humanity. The show keeps you on your toes reminding you that everyone is human and that everyone is funny. That isn’t to say that the show is toothless. Quite the opposite. The show has an awkward but punk rock energy that rages against the host, the network, and even the viewer.

I love How To With John Wilson, and it gets my highest recommendation.

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567

It’s a great show. We have it here on HBO and I have been a big fan since the first season. I presume most people with access to HBO can watch it. I also recommend they do.

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568

Watched the trailer and honestly it didn’t do much for me. Also find his voice quite annoying, not sure I could watch a whole series of that.

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I hadn’t seen the finale when I posted my last response, and just watched it tonight. What a phenomenal end to the show. Truly one of the more thoughtful, brilliant and funny shows on television. I look forward to whatever he does next.

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570

Received my copy of Across the Spider-Verse in the post today!

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571

I am planning to watch the three newer Star Wars films with friends later this month (it’ll be my first time seeing any of those), so in preparation I decided to rewatch the original trilogy and the prequels. It had probably been about 15 years since I last saw any of them, and I’ve never been into the franchise enough to remember that many details. My quick thoughts:

Star Wars – Easily my favorite of the bunch. A solid, fun, exciting space adventure romp that works great as its own self-contained story. Love all the space ships. And I can’t help but wonder how the series could have been if it had truly stuck to the things this one established. (Darth and Luke’s dad being old chums in the wars, the whole love triangle thing, the empire being defeated, etc.)

The Empire Strikes Back – A great opening and a great ending. But I felt the middle really dragged. I missed the banter of the full trio from the first one. I also didn’t buy the main dilemma presented to Luke. (“Don’t try saving your friends. Train in the swamp some more.”)

Return of the Jedi – This movie felt soooooo slow in comparison to the first two. There are some fun moments, but it felt like a two and a half hour movie with only like five scenes. I also found it a bit odd/sad/funny that Luke defeats Darth through anger-fueled violence, after making such a big deal of that being the wrong thing to do…

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace – Oof. This was not good for a long list of reasons that I’m sure everyone has covered plenty. We did get a pretty cool racing game out of it though, and the Duel of the Fates song goes HARD. But yeah, a complete swing and a miss for like, the plot.

Episode 2: Attack of the Clones – Some cool bits of action here and there, but this one just went on and on. And unfortunately, another complete swing and a miss for the plot.

If there’s one thing I like about these first two prequel films story-wise though, it’d have to be the politics stuff that I distinctly recall everyone complaining about back in the day. Noticing all the ways Palpatine gradually sneaks his way to galactic dominance is fun.

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith – And here Palpatine gets to ham it up to 11 and be as evil and victorious as can be. What an absolute champ. I’ll admit to feeling sad for poor 'ol Obi-Wan too. Still some rough bumps along the way, but overall this was easily the best-directed of the prequels (with some scenes even feeling, like, they had an artistic vision to them).

I’d rank 'em 4 > 5 > 3 > 6 = 2 > 1.

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