what are you watching? (tv shows)

[Ceewan]

gone to some jdrama mode again any recommendations?

Help a brother out here....I have no idea what you have seen already. Liars Game is pretty popular. Have you seen it already?

 

[ane-san]

Help a brother out here....I have no idea what you have seen already. Liars Game is pretty popular. Have you seen it already?

I haven`t yet,thnx for recommendation ^-^

 

[Ceewan]

There are a few posters, mostly from S. Korea, that post J-Dramas at TPB and kickasstorrents so if you are looking for anything in particular let me know and I will post it here. There is a mass effort to censor the internet nowadays and many people have a hardtime accessing these sites and may enjoy the same things you do. I had posted Liars Game I think before but those posts are gone like most everything else since the new forum was setup. I will try to get in a posting mood for Jdramas but I don't often watch subtitled Jdrama so it is hard to help seed and verify quality on my end.

 

[isityours]

...but I don't often watch subtitled Jdrama...

you watch dubbed versions? or raws?

 

[Ceewan]

you watch dubbed versions? or raws?

My original comment was misleading, mostly from embarrassment. My eyes are not what they once were so subbed is just too hard to read and my Japanese is practically non-existent so if I were to watch Japanese cinema I would watch it dubbed. I have watched subtiled cinema before but it is a bit of a chore. I watch more Japanese anime and American Cinema with some British shows thrown in.....and I like to watch football ( thats' American football not soccer) when I have the time.

The acceptance of Japanese anime and Manga in American culture is actual beyond my belief and will eventually lead to some very positve changes in America I think, (not that I expect to live to see it...but small ripples make big waves). American cartoons, no matter how well done, are made for children and often reek of overbearing, politically correct, unrealistic violence without injury or death and the "moral lesson of the day". That is not to say all American cartoons are awful, I enjoy your average Batman series and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles....they are fun to watch and the state of the age artwork is outstanding....but twenty-five minutes a week is about all I care to watch of it. Some Japanese anime however, in case you don't watch it, is full of controversial issues, life and death, bad language, original and gripping writing and an outlook on the world that is far from the American norm. I am no expert on Japanese anime but Death Note, in particular, would never have been made for American television. As a matter of fact it is not unusual for Japanese anime to be edited for American tv but to be fair they would edit anything in America as a chance to squeeze in another commercial....(which I never have to watch anymore....it is unbelievably fantastic). I always download uncut and uncensored versions when they are available though.


Sry...got off track....sometimes I wander off.........talking endlessly to an empty theatre

 

[isityours]

gotcha.
its interesting that 90% of the jdrama i see on tv these days is complete shite, but the anime is as you say often quite deep, thoughtful and does deal with issues, both contemporary and ongoing (i have felt a lump in my throat more than once watching one piece).
@ane-san
a couple that i have seen and would recommend are 白い巨塔(shiroi kyotou), CHANGE, 華麗なる一族(kareinaru ichizoku)、HERO、(i didnt choose these because they star takuya kimura but just because they are good) お金がない！ (okane ga nai!),ガリレオ(gallileo), 木更津キャッツアイ(kisarazu cat's eye), GTO, 明日があるさ (ashita ga aru sa) and...
apparently good are:
家政婦のミタ (kaseifu no mita), ３年Ｂ組の金八先生 (sannen B-gumi no kinpachi sensei), GOOD LUCK!, 101回目のプロポーズ (hyakuikkaime no puropoozu), おしん (oshin) etc
thats probably enough for the meantime.

My original comment was misleading, mostly from embarrassment. My eyes are not what they once were so subbed is just too hard to read and my Japanese is practically non-existent so if I were to watch Japanese cinema I would watch it dubbed. I have watched subtiled cinema before but it is a bit of a chore. I watch more Japanese anime and American Cinema with some British shows thrown in.....and I like to watch football ( thats' American football not soccer) when I have the time.

The acceptance of Japanese anime and Manga in American culture is actual beyond my belief and will eventually lead to some very positve changes in America I think, (not that I expect to live to see it...but small ripples make big waves). American cartoons, no matter how well done, are made for children and often reek of overbearing, politically correct, unrealistic violence without injury or death and the "moral lesson of the day". That is not to say all American cartoons are awful, I enjoy your average Batman series and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles....they are fun to watch and the state of the age artwork is outstanding....but twenty-five minutes a week is about all I care to watch of it. Some Japanese anime however, in case you don't watch it, is full of controversial issues, life and death, bad language, original and gripping writing and an outlook on the world that is far from the American norm. I am no expert on Japanese anime but Death Note, in particular, would never have been made for American television. As a matter of fact it is not unusual for Japanese anime to be edited for American tv but to be fair they would edit anything in America as a chance to squeeze in another commercial....(which I never have to watch anymore....it is unbelievably fantastic). I always download uncut and uncensored versions when they are available though.


Sry...got off track....sometimes I wander off.........talking endlessly to an empty theatre

 

[Ceewan]

gotcha.
its interesting that 90% of the jdrama i see on tv these days is complete shite, but the anime is as you say often quite deep, thoughtful and does deal with issues, both contemporary and ongoing (i have felt a lump in my throat more than once watching one piece).

The Visual Novels can be almost as good. Family Project broke my heart so bad I couldn't play it again even to get another ending. Tears to Tiara actually started off as a VN before it became an anime or manga. Japanese theatre is hard pressed to live up to some of the storytelling I have seen. Maybe you should try reading some manga, if your Japanese is that good. Japanese horror movies are fairly reknowned though. If you like horror (and I do) maybe you should try some of that as well. I think it might be more the fault of the producers than the writers, we have that problem in America as well. Production companies tend to stifle creative writing with agendas and rules, narrowing what is available to the general public.

Thank you for your wonderful suggestions on Japanese TV.

 

[fedaric]

Legal High 1 => Hanzawa => Legal High 2 (epi 1 preview: http://en.niconico.sarashi.com/?sm22016043)

 

[Ceewan]

"Banshee" is back on Skinemax, don't miss it if possible. More sex and violence is what this show specializes in (and tastefully done I might add).

"True Detectives" starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson is HBblows new claim to fame. As of now only eight episodes have been ordered but I am going to watch every one of them.

I have dropped a few shows from my watch list. Modern Family and Grimm top that list, tastless subject matter and boring me to death respectively. I dropped Lost Girl, Hawaii Five-O, Melissa & Joey, Suburgatory, Mike & Molly and Cougar Town for the same reasons. I have less and less time for watching tv shows, (it cuts into my anime time lol), but a few are still interesting and worthy of mention:

The Good Wife is just well written and interesting. Most shows that try to keep a series interesting are suffering from lack of inspiration from its' writing staff, not the case here.

Revolution may actually be getting better as the series develops, which is a rare treat indeed. If former Lost star Elizabeth Mitchell does not get prettier with age than I just think she does, which is good enough for me.

Chicago Fire actually spawned a spinoff ( Chicago PD, which I am not going to watch, interesting as it sounds. I am just sick of cop shows and they need to be pretty effing spctacular to get my interest). I just like this drama.

The Following continues again tonight and I will watch it just to see if Kevin Bacon has gained more interest in the show than he showed last season.

Community is still going on but you might have to be a long time fan of this comedy to enjoy it....which I am.

Pretty Little Liars is close to being on my drop list. The girls are indeed pretty but the show is starting to bore me.

Teen Wolf is still kind of interesting but the writing does not seem to have the same passion the show began with, close to being on my drop list but cute teen girls are hard to say no to (and it has that).


Of interest: "The Musketeers" premiers latter this month on BBC One but a series written and shown in England about France just seems doomed to failure to me, Look what they did to "Copper", a few great shows to start and then they made it a political critique on American history and ruined the show (the cancelling was due directly to the writing, not the acting). I can't imagine what they will do to poor France as it is set during a time England and France were at the brink of war(again). Still, one can only hope for the best, might be worth watching just to see how they screw it up.

 

[Ceewan]

Saw the first episode of "The Folowing", just outstanding and Kevin Bacon was in rare form. Looks like he has his mojo back.

Forgot to include Being Human(US) which is also worth watching. Hard to compare it to the British version as they are running with their own unique storyline.

 

[isityours]

True Detectives definitely promising, Justified is back (but i havent gotten to it yet), Intelligence US is too funky for words, Scandal (which i havent been able to really get into) and Orange Is The New Black which is ... pleasantly entertaining?? gave Bob's Burgers a try too but its just a bit too funny for me. oh, i almost forgot Ray Donovan which is pretty great.

older stuff, The Sarah Silverman Program and The Green Room with Paul Provenza.

 

[Ceewan]

I haven't watched Justified, Orange Is The New Black or Scandal, none of them are really "my thing". I didn't want to try Intelligence US but maybe I will change my mind now. I gave up on Bobs Burgers awhile back. I love Sarah Silverman, she is super talented, but her personal take on humor is just too lowbrow for me. She is much better in a part not written and directed by her. I feel the same way about her stand up routines. I don't do talk shows anymore, I tried but after Johnny Carson I never found one worth watching (yes, I am that old).

Glad to see someone comment in this thread, you would think nobody else here watches anything but porn. How depressing that would be, lol.

 

[isityours]

she is super talented, but her personal take on humor is just too lowbrow for me. She is much better in a part not written and directed by her. I feel the same way about her stand up routines.

im confused...

and, i didnt mean funky in a good way, but in a SHIELD way.

 

[Ceewan]

We all have our tastes in humour. Lowbrow humour are jokes that are not intellectual challenging, that is they do not classify as wit. It is just my opinion of course but Sarah Silverman seems to appreciate humour directed at sex, religion, stereotypes and any other easy and common target. Also her humour tends to be rather crude for my tastes, what one might call toilet humor. However I have seen her act in movies and tv shows: when playing a written and directed part her natural talent shines. A natural talent I feel is obscured by outlets such as The Sarah Silverman Show which I watched until I could no longer take it, which was in the middle of the second season. This is just my opinion on the subject. I do realize that if people didn't like her show it is very unlikely she would have one. I also realize that some people do not appreciate every program that I myself do, and while there is no accounting for taste (that is a joke son), this is just the natural order of things.

 

[isityours]

and of course we all have different takes on what "lowbrow" entails. i think lowbrow humor (attacking easy or common targets) is "jokes" that make fun of women, mentally or physically disabled people, minorities, r*** jokes etc etc. i think you may misinterpret a lot of what sarah silverman's jokes are about which is making fun of the common "comedic" (ie hackey) approaches to comedy. she tries to challenge jokes about sex (which are overwhelmingly misogynistic) stereotypes (which are overwhelmingly racist/homophobic) and religion (especially christianity) which would obviously not sit well with any republican christian...all in a self-deprecating way. it is also easier to understand her with the preface that she says and does everything ironically, even her stand-up.

your comment in #92 (and partly in #94) sounded like "I really think that he is super talented, Michael Jackson, the pedophile". while he did (or didnt) like children a little too much, he was known for his music. sarah silverman is a primarily a comedian (although she can act) but i think it is her skill as a comedic writer that should be commended. "We Are Miracles" is one of the funniest comedy routines around.

We all have our tastes in humour. Lowbrow humour are jokes that are not intellectual challenging, that is they do not classify as wit. It is just my opinion of course but Sarah Silverman seems to appreciate humour directed at sex, religion, stereotypes and any other easy and common target. Also her humour tends to be rather crude for my tastes, what one might call toilet humor. However I have seen her act in movies and tv shows: when playing a written and directed part her natural talent shines. A natural talent I feel is obscured by outlets such as The Sarah Silverman Show which I watched until I could no longer take it, which was in the middle of the second season. This is just my opinion on the subject. I do realize that if people didn't like her show it is very unlikely she would have one. I also realize that some people do not appreciate every program that I myself do, and while there is no accounting for taste (that is a joke son), this is just the natural order of things.

 

[Ceewan]

Each to their own bro. I think she is shit as a comedian and her sense of timing and imagination is best used as an actress. You are as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. We can always say "someting is funny". Yet what one actually is saying is it is funny to them. Acting, stand-up, theater....these are called the "arts" for a good reason. Art is interpetable and it is appreciated by others differently. If I find Sarah Silverman attempts at comedy offensive and in bad taste, than at least to me, they are. I could care less if you agree with me and I will voice my opinion as I see fit and you are most welcome to yours.

But why make it personal? Just because I hate something or somebody on the idiot box that you like? You "know" I am a republican and a christian, so why take cheap shots at me? What purpose does it solve? You are not better than me because of our different beliefs and please don't think you are. I am personally fine with your views on Sarah Silverman, it doesn't matter if I agree with them, they are your opinions and they belong to you. But attacking me personally? Bad form chap. Let us move past this minor obastacle and perhaps we can find something else to agree or disagree on. Discourse is the food of companionship, let us enjoy it with relish!

 

[Ceewan]

It is actually with real regret that in criticising a television program, movie or what-have-you that you also inadverdently (at least in my instance) criticise those that enjoy the very same things that you giving a negative review on. I suppose that is one reason movie critics are so poular (saracasm alert! people hate critics in general). Nonetheless, whether it is with positive or negative commentary, I enjoy passing on my thoughts about what television I watch. Any collateral damage is purely incidental and unintential.


Tv shows I feel worthy of mention:

Nashville is back on and I love every bit of it. Country music, great cast, decent writing, good guest starts and music that is actually performed by the stars themselves. The drama can be a little thick at times but musical dramas are pretty fucking rare so these are uncharted waters they are sailing. Of course if you don't like country music, be sure to give this show a pass.


Saving Hope has also returned, much to my delight. Another example of an original twist to an unoriginal theme, this is mainly a medical drama....only it is more too. For those unfamilar with the show I will have to risk a spoiler, it includes ghosts and the doctor who sees them.

 

[isityours]

im pretty sure i put "i think..." or "i feel.." in front of my statements. i dont believe i challenged your right to your opinion? and hope i didnt say anything bigoted in regard to yours. it seems we in total agreement about our individual rights to our personal opinions. sarah silverman openly challenges christianity and is critical of republican beliefs. that is likely not to sit well with a christian and/or republican. while i was taking a dig at you, i wasnt my intention to take a cheap shot. i hope you know that isnt me. it cannot be denied that what i said is probably universally true tho.

dld Moms...(gag) and Black Sails, which i really cant comment on yet as ive only seen the first episode.

MOVIE DISCLAIMER (ie not tv) watched Paprika recently and it is fuckin awesome.

Each to their own bro. I think she is shit as a comedian and her sense of timing and imagination is best used as an actress. You are as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. We can always say "someting is funny". Yet what one actually is saying is it is funny to them. Acting, stand-up, theater....these are called the "arts" for a good reason. Art is interpetable and it is appreciated by others differently. If I find Sarah Silverman attempts at comedy offensive and in bad taste, than at least to me, they are. I could care less if you agree with me and I will voice my opinion as I see fit and you are most welcome to yours.

But why make it personal? Just because I hate something or somebody on the idiot box that you like? You "know" I am a republican and a christian, so why take cheap shots at me? What purpose does it solve? You are not better than me because of our different beliefs and please don't think you are. I am personally fine with your views on Sarah Silverman, it doesn't matter if I agree with them, they are your opinions and they belong to you. But attacking me personally? Bad form chap. Let us move past this minor obastacle and perhaps we can find something else to agree or disagree on. Discourse is the food of companionship, let us enjoy it with relish!

 

[Ceewan]

Paprika was great. You might try anyything Satoshi Kon made before his death, "Perfect Blue" was my favorite. He was a bit out there sometimes but a trailblazer in his field. There are a lot of great Japanese anime tv shows and some not so great, it really is all according to ones' personal taste. Many Japanese anime come in mini-series format and I would highly suggest "Gunslinger Girls", "Death Note" and if you want tons of action "Black Lagoon" (all of which are posted in the anime torrents section, dual-audio). I haven't re-uped anything from Satoshi Kon but if you found a good well seeded copy feel free to share it.

 

[isityours]

i remember watching tokyo godfathers ages ago and then seeing perfect blue after that. i tried paprika after seeing it mentioned on some "best-of" on tv. he also has a 2002 movie called 千年女優 (sen nen joyuu) (thousand year actress?) which i havent been able to find on the nets, ditto his first (and only) 2004 tv series 妄想代理人 (mousou dairinin) (fantasy proxy?). may have to get off my butt and get down to the local video store...
unfortunately we have pretty much exhausted his filmography in these two posts. he said "...my engine runs on (a combination of) alcohol, caffeine and nicotine..." probably a good way to get pancreatic cancer.

Paprika was great. You might try anyything Satoshi Kon made before his death, "Perfect Blue" was my favorite. He was a bit out there sometimes but a trailblazer in his field. There are a lot of great Japanese anime tv shows and some not so great, it really is all according to ones' personal taste. Many Japanese anime come in mini-series format and I would highly suggest "Gunslinger Girls", "Death Note" and if you want tons of action "Black Lagoon" (all of which are posted in the anime torrents section, dual-audio). I haven't re-uped anything from Satoshi Kon but if you found a good well seeded copy feel free to share it.