Okay, have caught up with the Last Kingdom - binge watching via the digital recorder thingy - and have enjoyed the Game of Thrones adaption, what to watch next?
Bearing in mind I'm almost certainly going to get Amazon vouchers for crimbo, what's the verdict on Vikings? Any good? Worth investing in?
Cheers, Martyn
it's beautifully done.
I'm afraid I don't have the stamina for that kind and length of series - "Rome", "Borgias", "Spartacus", "Game of Thrones", "In the Night Garden", but it is certainly spectacular.
I struggled with the first season of Vikings, there wasn't much about it that made me want to keep watching. I got through it, but I've never bothered with the following seasons. I've heard it gets better though.
I prefered the Vikings to The Last Kingdom.
I liked Vikings, it has got better over ther series, although some bits seem a bit disjointed at times.
Lots of very nice Totty though. (sorry did I type that out loud? ) :d :d
Vikings is an interesting take on Viking myth and history. Most of the characters appear in history, but the timeline has been compressed to get them all in. In some instances lineages are also jammed together to make a good story. I liked the first series, which concerned the first raids on England, but spent much of its time in Scandinavia. A couple of historical quibbles - unlike TLK there is barely a Viking helmet in sight. Conversely, in series three, the Saxons of Kent begin sporting C16th burgonets. Helmets tend to be used to help the Yanks tell the difference between different Saxon kingdoms (like the weird shields in TLK). Overall though a great romp.
Leman's nailed it. I watched all 3 series on Amazon Prime (about 39 episodes) - in one week! Now read that there will be a fourth series. Preferred it to Last Kingdom.
Also liked Outlander - OK, different era(s) - 18th Century - anyone seen that series?
I watched about 14 episodes of Outlander, but became more and more irritated by the female lead who, after months and months of life in C18th Scotland, among the clans and including getting married, still got a rant on because people didn't behave as they did in 1945. She continued to do this despite knowing that everyone would regard as a complete weirdo for doing so. Blending in and making the most of it was not her forte.
The Man in the High Castle I had to stop watching because it was just too depressing.
Gravity I had to stop watching after 20 minutes because my hands wouldn't stop sweating.
Having read the books I was not sure what I'd make of TLK but I rather liked it. Some oddities - strange Saxon shields, bizarre "shieldwalls" to name a couple - but overall pretty good.
Was bored by half way through first episode of Vikings and stopped watching but I'm told by aficionados that I should have stuck with it as it got much better.
Outlander ... saw brief moments of set-up and filming at Hopetoun House, near Edinburgh but that's it ... not grabbed at all by the trailers and concept.
Love me a good day slumped in front of the idiot box watching an entire series back to back while eating crisps/ biscuits and downing waaaay too much coffee.
Man In A High Castle needs to get down to a reasonable price on DVD before I'll be interested in seeing it. Looking forward to it nonetheless.
Gravity was brilliant, saw it in 3D at the cinema - possibly the only film I've thought was worth seeing in 3D! - so much better than the overhyped Interstellar. The latter, like 2001 to which it was often compared, seemed to me to take the Monty Python approach of "if you can't work out how to end something do something absurd and pretend you're being clever!"
Quote from: Westmarcher on 17 December 2015, 09:58:35 AM
Leman's nailed it. I watched all 3 series on Amazon Prime (about 39 episodes) - in one week! Now read that there will be a fourth series. Preferred it to Last Kingdom.
Also liked Outlander - OK, different era(s) - 18th Century - anyone seen that series?
Mate of mine is from Fort Bill, says Outlander is great for playing 'spot the location' like those of us who know Oxford used to do with Morse!
Quote from: Leman on 17 December 2015, 11:32:10 AM
Gravity I had to stop watching after 20 minutes because my hands wouldn't stop sweating.
She has that effect on me as well ;D
I liked Vikings primarily because of the lead actor. He has a look that is very captivating. Story is okish.
Watched the whole Man in the High Castle. It was good. Not great TV, but I enjoyed it. I do like Rufus Sewell though.
I have not had a chance to look at the Last Kingdom. A bit too much Nordics at the same time.
Outlander looks like something I would enjoy, maybe I should give a try. Also thinking of Elementary, or looking up a scandy crime drama. Fargo beckons as well. .. so much good stuff on TV.
I have been following Ripper Street and waiting for next season to start. Season 1 was good, Season 2 so-so (too american), Season 3 great.
I am also waiting for the new season of TURN. Enjoyed it a lot over the last two seasons.
I also watch quite a bit of Anime. If you want any recommendations tell me. 90% is drek or children's stuff, but the 10% that is not can be brilliant.
I may have to investigate this Last Kingdom of which you speak :)
Quote from: KTravlos on 17 December 2015, 06:06:31 PMI have been following Ripper Street and waiting for next season to start. Season 1 was good, Season 2 so-so (too american), Season 3 great.
Loved both series of Ripper St. Have yet to watch S3, although I'm certain I read that they've confirmed 4 & 5 m/
I too struggled with Vikings series one. Tried again later on but still couldn't get in to it. Last Kingdom not as good as the book but enjoyed it none the less.
I've read a lot of the sagas and for me Vikings captures that feel, especially the casual violence.
Cheers
Ian
Quote from: Tawa on 17 December 2015, 06:10:01 PM
I may have to investigate this Last Kingdom of which you speak :)
The Vikings did that and look where it got them.
Loved both series of Ripper St. Have yet to watch S3, although I'm certain I read that they've confirmed 4 & 5 m/
I loved the slower pace of the Vikings, showing that the raids were a small part of their year. Also after one raid, they lost so many they wouldn't be able to raid again for a few years, until the losses were replaced. Little details like this I, and the family, loved.
So, it looks like a general thumbs-up for Vikings.
Excellent. Will wait until the crimbo rush is over, and then order the 1st series of this, and also Penny Dreadful, which I have heard good things about.
Cheers, Martyn
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Oooh! Penny Dreadful, forgot about that! :D
Although no more DVDs for me until I've finished watching the Clone Wars...... :-[
Hmm ... I'm thinking maybe this isn't the right crowd to admit that I plan to spend a day over the Xmas period binge watching a series of Grey's Anatomy to. :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 18 December 2015, 09:54:31 PM
Hmm ... I'm thinking maybe this isn't the right crowd to admit that I plan to spend a day over the Xmas period binge watching a series of Grey's Anatomy to. :)
:o X_X :-&
If you have Amazon Prime, and a IP masker (like ZenMate) the first three seasons of Vikings come with it. IP masker is that so you can watch what your paying for outside the US.
Quote from: Steve J on 16 December 2015, 08:41:54 PM
I prefered the Vikings to The Last Kingdom.
I thought the saxons in Vikings were more like cardboard cut outs, prefered the last kingdom - watched over two nights!!!
Dave
Picked up Mad Men series 1-6 for fifteen quid from a local charity shop ... 78 episodes ... see you in February :)