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Some media that I'm actually pretty enthusiastic about
8 years ago
So I figure if you guys are watching me it's probably because you like the stuff I tend to post, which would in theory mean we have similar taste as well. Assuming that's the case, here are some tv shows and movies I've seen lately that I feel pretty happy about having watched. (And for me that's actually saying a lot, because it's pretty hard to get me excited about a movie or tv show)
Over the Garden Wall:
Really great series about two brothers lost in "the unknown", which is a kind of surrealistic dark woodsey kind of place. The art style and world design are great, the storytelling is great, and the characters are great. It's got an almost perfect mix of dark/lighthearted/dramatic irony/humor, and remains pretty consistent throughout. I have no idea how I hadn't heard of it until recently, but it was definitely a great watch. First episode is on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wc1-q1CX_E
Kubo and the Two Strings:
Stop motion animation done so smoothly you'd swear it was computer generated. Amazing visuals (go watch all the behind the scenes stuff after you watch the movie, they really went all out), really good story, great characters, etc. I don't want to spoil it by saying more about it, but it left me with the same feeling as after I watched Howls Moving Castle (my first Hayao Miyazaki movie) for the first time. I feel like the trailer was too spoilery (imo the movie is best if you walk into it without knowing anything), but watch this about how they did the opening scene if you're not convinced to watch it for the technical aspects alone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu0d4gvDBs8
A Series of Unfortunate Events (netflix series):
I mean, it's a netflix series so you've probably been living under a rock if you haven't heard of it, but imo it's really good (if only netflix had decided to do the expanse series instead of syfy). It's quite dark (obviously), but they throw in so much dramatic irony, well done 4th wall breaking via the narrator walking into scenes, clever dialog, and great film work that it stays very entertaining (and dare I say, humorous) without feeling dark and oppressive like the movie version did.
So how about you guys, any good movies or shows you've seen lately?
Over the Garden Wall:
Really great series about two brothers lost in "the unknown", which is a kind of surrealistic dark woodsey kind of place. The art style and world design are great, the storytelling is great, and the characters are great. It's got an almost perfect mix of dark/lighthearted/dramatic irony/humor, and remains pretty consistent throughout. I have no idea how I hadn't heard of it until recently, but it was definitely a great watch. First episode is on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wc1-q1CX_E
Kubo and the Two Strings:
Stop motion animation done so smoothly you'd swear it was computer generated. Amazing visuals (go watch all the behind the scenes stuff after you watch the movie, they really went all out), really good story, great characters, etc. I don't want to spoil it by saying more about it, but it left me with the same feeling as after I watched Howls Moving Castle (my first Hayao Miyazaki movie) for the first time. I feel like the trailer was too spoilery (imo the movie is best if you walk into it without knowing anything), but watch this about how they did the opening scene if you're not convinced to watch it for the technical aspects alone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu0d4gvDBs8
A Series of Unfortunate Events (netflix series):
I mean, it's a netflix series so you've probably been living under a rock if you haven't heard of it, but imo it's really good (if only netflix had decided to do the expanse series instead of syfy). It's quite dark (obviously), but they throw in so much dramatic irony, well done 4th wall breaking via the narrator walking into scenes, clever dialog, and great film work that it stays very entertaining (and dare I say, humorous) without feeling dark and oppressive like the movie version did.
So how about you guys, any good movies or shows you've seen lately?
I have some suggestions if you like. Some of them are anime and some are live.
A few other studio ghibli films are definitely on my to-watch list (Spirited Away is next I think), as is Coraline. And then while I love the way anime stories tend to go for no holds barred dark and/or unhappy endings, I've had real trouble getting into most of them. So far the only one I've liked was One Punch Man, and I think that was mostly because it was making light of a lot of the more annoying anime tropes.
-Stranger Things
Another Netflix original. If you haven't watched this yet, I suggest at least giving it a try. It's a very well done mix of mystery, sci-fi, comedy, and 80's style thriller. And if I can say this without sounding creepy, the kids are so cute! The only real downside is that season 1 does end on a bit of a cliffhanger of sorts, and we have to wait until October to see season 2.
-Death at a Funeral
Probably my favorite comedy. I don't think I've ever laughed at a movie as hard as I did watching this. It has a great cast. Just make sure that you watch the 2007 British version, not the 2010 remake. They're practically the same movie, but the 2007 one just does it better...
-Dollhouse
This was a pretty good show. It only lasted for 2 seasons, so the ending is a bit abrupt, but still brings closure. Just warning you. It's a good mix of suspense and action with elements of sci-fi. The actors are very unique in their roles, as the series revolves around the concept of popping personalities in and out of people. Meaning that people portray a different character almost every episode besides their "normal" selves.
-Person of Interest
A fun show that just ended last year. It lasted 5 seasons. It's a crime drama, but with very fun characters and a few unique twists that raise questions about where the world is going in both technology and politics. The first season is mostly like any other series of this genre, but by season 2, it has found its own story and goes from there.
-iZombie
Currently on its third season. I wasn't sure about this show at first, but it won me over. It's a darker comedy about zombies who live in Seattle. One of them works in a morgue, and begins helping the police when she realizes that eating brains of the deceased gives her visions (and also aspects of personality). Season 2 fell into a bit of a rut in my opinion, but it pulled itself out and set up for season 3 to be much different (I hope).
-Orphan Black
I've only seen bits and pieces of this, but my mom swears by it. It's something that I would like to watch all the way through when I get the chance. It revolves around the concept of cloning, following several different lives and stories that eventually converge.
-Humans
I have yet to finish this one, but it's very good so far! Another sci-fi show. Kind of. It's actually scary to think that, in a couple years, this probably won't be science fiction anymore. It will be reality. Season 2 is on the way, and I have high hopes for it.
-Dark Was the Night
I don't know if you like horror, but if you do, I liked this one. It's only a two hour film, but it manages to pack a lot of relationships between characters along with some pretty decent horror. Also if you're familiar with the myth of the wendigo, that helps a little.
-The Fate Series
I know you said you have trouble with anime, but I can't help recommending it just because it is very dear to me. I've been into this series for probably longer than I've been into anything else. Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay Night are both on Netflix. Make sure you watch those and not the old Studio Deen version. The story (spread across the 2 anime) is a darker one, sprinkled with plenty of tear jerking moments and also a lot of the opposite. Theres a lot of mythological and historical twists. There's also one or two comic relief characters that are just pure gold! And the action sequences in Stay Night are honestly the best I've ever seen in an anime. I could probably go on for another six paragraphs XD
As you can probably tell, I've been disappointed by sequels and/or shows that stuck around long past their welcome a few too many times :P I really really do hope season 2 is as good as the first one though.
Tell me if you start any of the shows/movies I recommended. Even if you don't end up liking them, I'll be curious to hear your thoughts. A lot of them are on Netflix or easily streamable from xfinity or Amazon Prime...
I also got started on FateZero, but only watched about 3 minutes in before I got interrupted. I was going to give it a shot again tonight but got caught up in drawing along with some other people in a multistream. I'm really curious to see if I like it or not, because so far out of all the common recommended animes (FMA, evangelion, cowboy beebop, ghost in the shell, one punch man), I've only kind of liked ghost in the shell and then actual liked one punch man.
Ah. Well it is fair to warn you that the first episode is kind of slow, as it's mostly character introduction. But things really pick up at the end of the second. But it's really ok if you don't like it. I won't be offended.
I have not seen One Punch Man. But I liked Ghost in the Shell. Well... I liked the 1995 movie and the OVAs that came out a few years ago. I'm not a huge fan of the Stand Alone series though. I'm curious to see the live adaptation that comes out next month. Even if the story will be different.