RobVarak wrote: I think I'm most impressed by the writers' ability to consistently evoke the Elmore Leonard vibe so successfully.
I'm embarrassed to say I've never read Leonard, but I'm correcting that this week. Would you peg the Givens books as the place to start, or are others the way to go?
Leonard is the John Lee Hooker of pulp novelists: He's incredibly prolific and surprisingly consistent and very idiosyncratic. The only Givens book that I read was Pronto, and it's a good place to start. The book I laughed at the most was Tishomingo Blues. I also loved Out of Sight and Rum Punch. There was a time when I always knocked off 1-2 Leonard novels over summer vacation. He's made for beach reading.
It's usually an insult to say someone's works run together in my memory, but they're all so solid and incredibly quick reads. There's a formula (witty dialogue, convoluted plots, noir-style hero, sexy women and dumb crooks with often incongruous and hilarious hopes and dreams), but it's like the formula for a great cocktail. It never disappoints.
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RobVarak wrote:This winter saw me getting caught up on Breaking Bad, Justified and Game of Thrones. Such a ridiculous bounty of good TV. The only thing that came heavily recommended that really didn't do it for me was Archer.
I find Archer to be decent. Definitely improves from season 1 to 2, if you made it that far. A little tiresome sometimes, but has a few good lines per episode.
I still like Archer, but I think some of the cool factor has worn off. Still a fun show.
I did just get done watching the first episode of "Lilihammer", which is the Netflix produced show starring Steven Van Zandt. It's actually pretty good I thought.
RobVarak wrote:Best description of BB that I heard was on the Onion AV Club recaps. Most dramas set up a chessboard and then move the pieces. BB sets up the board and knocks it over...2-3 times every season.
Perfect description.
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I'm thinking of subscribing to Netflix for 1 month, however my sole purpose is to have instant streaming access to it this coming weekend. I'm going to be in isolation for three consecutive days (constricted to the confines of my house) and besides gaming, I would like to have an opportunity to experience a tv series that I have not seen before. Is there any series that you can recommend that streams on Netflix? Sopranos?
sportdan30 wrote:I'm thinking of subscribing to Netflix for 1 month, however my sole purpose is to have instant streaming access to it this coming weekend. I'm going to be in isolation for three consecutive days (constricted to the confines of my house) and besides gaming, I would like to have an opportunity to experience a tv series that I have not seen before. Is there any series that you can recommend that streams on Netflix? Sopranos?
Thank you.
No Sopranos. Netflix and HBO do not play nice.
But there are a ton of good series depending on what you are looking for.
Lilyhammer - Netflix exclusive that is basically Silvio from Sopranos (not really) as a mob boos relocated to Norway.
Being Human (BBC version) - Great monster drama. Think True blood but smarter.
SGU - Stargate the way it was ment to be done. It's basically a ripoff of Battlestar Galactica, but in every good way.
Terriers - Fantastic buddy cop/PI show, hilarious
Breaking Bad
The Killing
The Walking Dead
Sons of Anarchy
Breakout Kings
Life - If you did not see this when it aired on NBC, put at the top of your list. Its Damian Lewis at his best. Yes, better than Band of Brothers.
Last edited by Aristo on Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
Aristo wrote:
Life - If you did not see this when it aired on ABC, put at the top of your list. Its Damian Lewis at his best. Yes, better than Band of Brothers.
Life was on NBC which is part of the reason it was canceled. But i agree one of the better TV shows around but in no way better then Band of Brothers.
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Aristo wrote:
Life - If you did not see this when it aired on ABC, put at the top of your list. Its Damian Lewis at his best. Yes, better than Band of Brothers.
Life was on NBC which is part of the reason it was canceled. But i agree one of the better TV shows around but in no way better then Band of Brothers.
I don't think the show was better than Band of Brothers. But I think it was Damian Lewis' best performance. And he was awesome in Band of Brothers.
Aristo wrote:
Life - If you did not see this when it aired on ABC, put at the top of your list. Its Damian Lewis at his best. Yes, better than Band of Brothers.
Life was on NBC which is part of the reason it was canceled. But i agree one of the better TV shows around but in no way better then Band of Brothers.
I don't think the show was better than Band of Brothers. But I think it was Damian Lewis' best performance. And he was awesome in Band of Brothers.
Ah gotcha. I still think he is best in that Showtime series. The name is escaping me right now.
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I think you said want solely streaming access so unfortunately shows like Homeland and Justified are out. But I agree with Breaking Bad, The Killing, and Sons of Anarchy. In fact BB and SOA have been my lifeblood for the last two months since I re-registered with Netflix myself.
Thanks for the suggestions guys! I think I'll probably give Breaking Bad a try first as I've heard good things about that show, but I might mix in a couple other series as well.
If you're on an airline frequent flier program, see if your FF program gives you miles for joining Netflix. May have to join for a couple of months though.
Otherwise, some shows may be worth checking out on Blu-Ray, like the HBO and Showtime shows all look great in high-def. I don't know if the Netflix with Blu-Ray service has shows like Game of Thrones first season in Blu-Ray for instance, or Dexter. Homeland box sets won't be out until just before they start the second season on Showtime.
Mad Men is suppose to be great on Blu Ray and I know Breaking Bad and Killing are available on Blu Ray but they're lower-budget shows so Blu-Ray may not be as necessary but definitely worth watching.
Im a huge South Park fan but this season, if not the last one, they have jumped the shark...Last week we had this gem. .. Enjoy it before youtube pulls it... which could be and should be any second.
I was able to find someone on Craigslist selling seasons 2 and 3 on blu-ray of Mad Men for $30. Seems reasonable and will most definitely keep me busy through the long weekend.
Edit: Actually, Target has season 2 for $15 and Best Buy has season 3 for $19.99. Might as well get it from there instead of driving all the way downtown when I feel like crap.
sportdan30 wrote:I was able to find someone on Craigslist selling seasons 2 and 3 on blu-ray of Mad Men for $30. Seems reasonable and will most definitely keep me busy through the long weekend.
Edit: Actually, Target has season 2 for $15 and Best Buy has season 3 for $19.99. Might as well get it from there instead of driving all the way downtown when I feel like crap.
Why not sign up for Netflix streaming for $8/month and watch all 4 seasons?
sportdan30 wrote:I was able to find someone on Craigslist selling seasons 2 and 3 on blu-ray of Mad Men for $30. Seems reasonable and will most definitely keep me busy through the long weekend.
Edit: Actually, Target has season 2 for $15 and Best Buy has season 3 for $19.99. Might as well get it from there instead of driving all the way downtown when I feel like crap.
Why not sign up for Netflix streaming for $8/month and watch all 4 seasons?
I must be losing it. I didn't know it was available for streaming. Thank you! Just saved me quite a bit of money.
sportdan30 wrote:I was able to find someone on Craigslist selling seasons 2 and 3 on blu-ray of Mad Men for $30. Seems reasonable and will most definitely keep me busy through the long weekend.
Edit: Actually, Target has season 2 for $15 and Best Buy has season 3 for $19.99. Might as well get it from there instead of driving all the way downtown when I feel like crap.
Why not sign up for Netflix streaming for $8/month and watch all 4 seasons?
Yeah, I get that Blu-Ray looks better, but convenience trumps that everyday. It's still and HD feed, and watching Mad Men for the visual difference between HD versions is doing it wrong.
And I watch most of my TV through OTA, which is the best HD picture you are going to get. I just never thought, while watching Mad Men over Netflix, "if only this was crisper!"
Now, the I also watch ESPN over XBL and that is substantially worse than watching cable. But I guess streaming live TV is a lot harder than recorded programming.
sportdan30 wrote:I was able to find someone on Craigslist selling seasons 2 and 3 on blu-ray of Mad Men for $30. Seems reasonable and will most definitely keep me busy through the long weekend.
Edit: Actually, Target has season 2 for $15 and Best Buy has season 3 for $19.99. Might as well get it from there instead of driving all the way downtown when I feel like crap.
Why not sign up for Netflix streaming for $8/month and watch all 4 seasons?
I must be losing it. I didn't know it was available for streaming. Thank you! Just saved me quite a bit of money.
Yeah, Netflix has a deal with AMC. They have The Killing and The Walking Dead, too. But no Rubicon, which I thought was great, but to slow moving for the mass audience.
.. Enjoy it before youtube pulls it... which could be and should be any second.
