OT: "Raised By Wolves"

Gracchus

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Sep 14, 2020, 12:53:48 PM9/14/20

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I've been watching a new science fiction series called "Raised By Wolves." Ridley Scott is executive producer and directs the first couple of eps. Have any S-F aficionados here like JD or grif had a look at this yet?

PeteWasLucky

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Sep 14, 2020, 1:14:59 PM9/14/20

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Cool, I found it on my dish.

Still need to watch Raja's suggested movie on prime.

jdeluise

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Sep 14, 2020, 1:22:44 PM9/14/20

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No, but thanks!

Raja Nadar

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Sep 14, 2020, 1:27:34 PM9/14/20

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On Monday, September 14, 2020 at 12:14:59 PM UTC-5, PeteWasLucky wrote:
> Cool, I found it on my dish.
>
> Still need to watch Raja's suggested movie on prime.

Knives Out!

grif

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Sep 14, 2020, 1:38:40 PM9/14/20

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On 14/09/2020 17:53, Gracchus wrote:
> I've been watching a new science fiction series called "Raised By Wolves." Ridley Scott is executive producer and directs the first couple of eps. Have any S-F aficionados here like JD or grif had a look at this yet?
>

I'm no sci-fi aficionado, but I was thinking about watching this. Also, have heard good things about "Cobra Kai". What are your impressions on Wolves ?

Currently watching "Lovecraft Country" (as with the book it's based on, it's more a series of interconnected pulpy genre stories rather than a Lovecraftian style story) and enjoying season 2 of "The Boys". The latter is a pretty fucked up show.

bob

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Sep 14, 2020, 1:44:09 PM9/14/20

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On Mon, 14 Sep 2020 09:53:46 -0700 (PDT), Gracchus
<grac...@gmail.com> wrote:

>I've been watching a new science fiction series called "Raised By Wolves." Ridley Scott is executive producer and directs the first couple of eps. Have any S-F aficionados here like JD or grif had a look at this yet?

thx, i'll add to list.

bob

TT

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Sep 14, 2020, 1:53:35 PM9/14/20

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Nice but imo overrated. Gave it a 6.

--
'CornPop was a bad dude and he ran a bunch of bad boys'

Gracchus

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Sep 14, 2020, 1:56:56 PM9/14/20

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On Monday, September 14, 2020 at 10:38:40 AM UTC-7, grif wrote:
> On 14/09/2020 17:53, Gracchus wrote:

> > I've been watching a new science fiction series called "Raised By Wolves." Ridley Scott is executive producer and directs the first couple of eps. Have any S-F aficionados here like JD or grif had a look at this yet?

> I'm no sci-fi aficionado, but I was thinking about watching this. Also, have heard good things about "Cobra Kai". What are your impressions on Wolves ?

Well it has kept me watching, which usually is a good sign. I've watched 4 of the 5 episodes now. I'll say they are working with some interesting themes. Probably best that I finish the series before commenting at length.

"Cobra Kai" I'll have a look at too.

> Currently watching "Lovecraft Country" (as with the book it's based on, it's more a series of interconnected pulpy genre stories rather than a Lovecraftian style story) and enjoying season 2 of "The Boys". The latter is a pretty fucked up show.

I haven't watched any of "Lovecraft Country" yet. Probably because the concept reminded me of that disappointing Philip K. Dick anthology series. "The Boys" I just became aware of yesterday.

bob

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Sep 14, 2020, 2:00:12 PM9/14/20

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On Mon, 14 Sep 2020 20:53:35 +0300, TT <as...@dprk.kp> wrote:

>Raja Nadar kirjoitti 14.9.2020 klo 20:27:
>> On Monday, September 14, 2020 at 12:14:59 PM UTC-5, PeteWasLucky wrote:
>>> Cool, I found it on my dish.
>>>
>>> Still need to watch Raja's suggested movie on prime.
>>
>> Knives Out!
>>
>
>Nice but imo overrated. Gave it a 6.

i gave it a 5.5. but it was entertaining for the most part.

bob

grif

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Sep 14, 2020, 2:06:50 PM9/14/20

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Yeah, I know what you mean about "Electric Dreams". If there is one show you should watch, it's "The Boys". Stormfront. Fucking hell.

Gracchus

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Sep 14, 2020, 2:15:52 PM9/14/20

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On Monday, September 14, 2020 at 11:06:50 AM UTC-7, grif wrote:

> On 14/09/2020 18:56, Gracchus wrote:

> >> Currently watching "Lovecraft Country" (as with the book it's based on, it's more a series of interconnected pulpy genre stories rather than a Lovecraftian style story) and enjoying season 2 of "The Boys". The latter is a pretty fucked up show.

> > I haven't watched any of "Lovecraft Country" yet. Probably because the concept reminded me of that disappointing Philip K. Dick anthology series. "The Boys" I just became aware of yesterday.

> Yeah, I know what you mean about "Electric Dreams". If there is one show you should watch, it's "The Boys". Stormfront. Fucking hell.

Thanks, I'll have a look at it for sure.

jdeluise

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Sep 14, 2020, 2:27:10 PM9/14/20

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I really liked the first season, so gritty and not what I expected.
I've had a bit more trouble keeping focus on the second season but
that's probably more my issue than a reflection on the show.

Yeah, I like the actress who plays Stormfront, she was in that
romantic dramedy series "You're the Worst" (also pretty good for what it
is) so I was surprised to see her in this role, she does it pretty
well... no spoilers but quite a scene between her and "The Female"'s
brother to say the least.

grif

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Sep 14, 2020, 2:43:00 PM9/14/20

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Just had a quick look on IMDB and that episode is the highest rated one so far.

guypers

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Sep 14, 2020, 6:00:52 PM9/14/20

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Anyone see, 'We hunt together' bbc crime drama? Pretty good stuff?

PeteWasLucky

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Sep 15, 2020, 10:33:10 PM9/15/20

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> Knives Out!

Just watched it, nice movie, I enjoyed it.

grif

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Oct 19, 2020, 2:35:23 PM10/19/20

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On 14/09/2020 17:53, Gracchus wrote:

> I've been watching a new science fiction series called "Raised By Wolves." Ridley Scott is executive producer and directs the first couple of eps. Have any S-F aficionados here like JD or grif had a look at this yet?
>

You manage to finish this ? It's kinda biblical, huh. Think it's been influenced by "Prometheus" too in some respects.

Gracchus

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Oct 19, 2020, 4:27:55 PM10/19/20

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I stalled out after watching four episodes, but not because I disliked it. Just got distracted by other things. I expect to resume at some point.

The other day I watched a recent movie called "Archive" which was interesting too. Also a few episodes of a series called "NeXt." Both deal with artificial intelligence from different angles.

grif

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Oct 19, 2020, 4:56:41 PM10/19/20

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I'll probably check out "Archive" at some point. I noticed the "Next" show, but decided against it. At least for now, anyway.

I watched season 1 of "Warrior" last year and kinda enjoyed it. It's a martial arts Western based on ideas from Bruce Lee. Season 2 came out recently, so I've been continuing with it. From what I've heard, it may well be the last season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS7eJoiC3oY&list=PL_1_vgzQdhacqz3yKmmz3q8iboFQb22x8&index=5

TT

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Oct 19, 2020, 4:57:16 PM10/19/20

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Gracchus kirjoitti 19.10.2020 klo 23:27:
> The other day I watched a recent movie called "Archive" which was interesting too.

I watched it a couple days ago too! Ex Machina meets Vanilla Sky. Good
film... or at least to my taste. I think I have a weakness for female
robots.

--
'Keep yappin' man'

Gracchus

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Oct 19, 2020, 5:52:12 PM10/19/20

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On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:56:41 PM UTC-7, grif wrote:
> On 19/10/2020 21:27, Gracchus wrote:
> > On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:35:23 AM UTC-7, grif wrote:
> >> On 14/09/2020 17:53, Gracchus wrote:
> >
> >>> I've been watching a new science fiction series called "Raised By Wolves." Ridley Scott is executive producer and directs the first couple of eps. Have any S-F aficionados here like JD or grif had a look at this yet?
> >
> >> You manage to finish this ? It's kinda biblical, huh. Think it's been influenced by "Prometheus" too in some respects.
> >
> > I stalled out after watching four episodes, but not because I disliked it. Just got distracted by other things. I expect to resume at some point.
> >
> > The other day I watched a recent movie called "Archive" which was interesting too. Also a few episodes of a series called "NeXt." Both deal with artificial intelligence from different angles.

> I'll probably check out "Archive" at some point. I noticed the "Next" show, but decided against it. At least for now, anyway.

"NeXt" is better than I expected it to be--at least that's my impression the three eps I've watched so far.

> I watched season 1 of "Warrior" last year and kinda enjoyed it. It's a martial arts Western based on ideas from Bruce Lee. Season 2 came out recently, so I've been continuing with it. From what I've heard, it may well be the last season.
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS7eJoiC3oY&list=PL_1_vgzQdhacqz3yKmmz3q8iboFQb22x8&index=5

Yes, I have watched all of "Warrior" too. Like "Into the Badlands," it has good action, well-staged fight sequences and is fun because it doesn't take itself too seriously. OTOH, also lots of tropes and anachronistic dialogue/behavior for 1880s San Francisco. A mix of good actors and good fighters that try to act. I didn't realize this would be the last season.

grif

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Oct 19, 2020, 6:07:16 PM10/19/20

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Yep, agree with all of the above. I watched all of "Into the Badlands". In Badlands, there was a lot of Wire Fu fighting. In "Warrior", it's more grounded. Some of the anachronisms are mentioned here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFsIDIwzhro&list=PL_1_vgzQdhacqz3yKmmz3q8iboFQb22x8&index=8

Gracchus

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Oct 19, 2020, 6:08:19 PM10/19/20

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Yeah, I thought it was well-done too. On iMdB it's one of those films where there's a big split between those giving very high or very low ratings. Those panning it mostly probably millennials griping about the pace. Typical for imDB.

Incidentally, I still haven't seen "Vanilla Sky, "only "Abre Los Ojos."

Have you tried the Russian series "Better Than Us" yet? It has a fine female robot I think you'd appreciate.

TT

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Oct 19, 2020, 6:23:45 PM10/19/20

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I'm always a bit suspicious of Russian machinery.

--
'Keep yappin' man'

Gracchus

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Oct 19, 2020, 6:26:51 PM10/19/20

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An effort at pure fidelity is almost too much too expect. Maybe they just should have made their San Francisco one of the parallel ones from "Sliders" and justified the cultural departures that way.

For me, the more tedious aspects arise outside Chinatown in the political subplots, particularly around the mayor and his family.

grif

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Oct 19, 2020, 6:34:52 PM10/19/20

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I guess they are there for political context, but those parts do drag for sure.

grif

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Oct 20, 2020, 12:36:18 PM10/20/20

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I figured out the ending a mile away because of your post. Oy vey!

TT

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Oct 20, 2020, 12:45:03 PM10/20/20

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Oops..sorry man. :(

You're smarter than I thought! ;-P

--
'Keep yappin' man'

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 12:51:12 PM10/20/20

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The ending of "Vanilla Sky" must be different than the film it was based on then.

grif

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Oct 20, 2020, 12:56:14 PM10/20/20

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It wasn't so much the ending, more the fact that I was expecting some kind of twist at the end.

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:02:14 PM10/20/20

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So you watched "Archive" then?

grif

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:13:03 PM10/20/20

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Yeah. I thought it was well directed, liked the familial relationships between the guy and the two initial prototypes. It was a like a bigger budget, extended version of a "Black Mirror" episode. That isn't necessarily a bad thing as "Black Mirror" is praised by many. The film recalled some elements from the "San Junipero" episode.

TT

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:26:22 PM10/20/20

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Don't remember... but I do remember they were very similar imo often
word by word.

'ARCHIVE' SPOILER:

I think I half-guessed the ending in Archive midway through when they
showed his wife sort of alive looking after the crash. I had read that
the ending has a big twist which probably 'helped'. Some wrote that the
film is even better second time around, after you know the twist.
Indeed, the film did drop some hints along the way.

SPOILER END

Also reminded a bit the film 'Moon' (solitary part)... and the earlier
robots reminded me somehow about 'Silent Running'.

And the latest model, J3, looked a but like the alien robot woman in
pinball 'Pin Bot' or some other 80s alien pinball art.

--
'Keep yappin' man'

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:31:28 PM10/20/20

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IMO a considerable amount of original thought went into it, so criticisms on imDB about it being excessively derivative were off-base. Obviously there *were* derivative elements but in an original way. What I mean to say is for example, surface resemblances to "Ex-Machina" were used deliberately to mask the reality--or perhaps UNreality--of the central character and research station.

I agree about the relationships with the main guy, J1, and J2. Interesting idea to have them at different levels of mental/psychological development. I liked the flashback sequences too, including (not overly obvious) clues you understand after viewing.

As for the "twist," it is tougher to pull off these days--especially for an audience of geeks who have seen many films over the past 30 years or so with untrustworthy realities, grey areas between life & death, etc. Still doable, but takes more sleight-of-hand to execute.

TT

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:38:07 PM10/20/20

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The director worked in art department in 'Moon'.

> robots reminded me somehow about 'Silent Running'.
>

Also, didn't the outside world remind of Blade Runner some?

> And the latest model, J3, looked a but like the alien robot woman in
> pinball 'Pin Bot' or some other 80s alien pinball art.
>

https://entropia-records.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/maxresdefault.jpg

https://vpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/cmdm/195392/Image25-600x416.jpg

Etc

--
'Keep yappin' man'

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:42:19 PM10/20/20

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I too thought of Huey, Dewey, and Louie in "Silent Running." Like the "Ex-Machina" echoes, almost certainly not coincidental.

IMO the actress did a great job multitasking as the wife, J3, and voice of J2.

grif

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:43:24 PM10/20/20

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For a show, it's even worse trying to outfox a rabid fanbase. Depending on its popularity, you can have millions of people poring over every single frame of every episode coming up with theories and shit about what is going to happen. That's why I try to avoid reddit forums etc. for shows I don't want to be spoiled.

grif

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:48:53 PM10/20/20

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Interesting trivia about the director and "Moon". I have heard it's very good but haven't seen it. Also, pretty much every dystopian future looks like Blade Runner, lol.

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:52:41 PM10/20/20

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On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 10:43:24 AM UTC-7, grif wrote:

> On 20/10/2020 18:31, Gracchus wrote:

> > As for the "twist," it is tougher to pull off these days--especially for an audience of geeks who have seen many films over the past 30 years or so with untrustworthy realities, grey areas between life & death, etc. Still doable, but takes more sleight-of-hand to execute.

> For a show, it's even worse trying to outfox a rabid fanbase. Depending on its popularity, you can have millions of people poring over every single frame of every episode coming up with theories and shit about what is going to happen. That's why I try to avoid reddit forums etc. for shows I don't want to be spoiled.

Yes, great example is the "hive mind" figuring out crucial aspects of "Westworld" Season 1. Maybe that's why the writers made Seasons 2 & 3 such a cluster-fuck. I do the same as you in avoiding fan discussion forums until AFTER finishing a film or entire season of a TV show. Generally I do the same with published reviews because I like to go into it with as few biased expectations as possible. Mostly I'll glance at genre and averaged fan ratings (taking the latter with a huge grain of salt) beforehand.

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 1:54:45 PM10/20/20

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On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 10:48:53 AM UTC-7, grif wrote:

> Interesting trivia about the director and "Moon". I have heard it's very good but haven't seen it. Also, pretty much every dystopian future looks like Blade Runner, lol.

Me neither. Several people referenced it in their impressions of "Archive," so I probably will watch it soon.

grif

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Oct 20, 2020, 2:10:49 PM10/20/20

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Maybe the show just wanted to try something different and have some fun, but there was one episode of "Westworld" season 3 that I found especially cringe-worthy and it involved the "genre" drug. I was expecting others to feel the same, but I found that some really liked it and I was like huh ?! Oh well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag9eJ8g5Weg

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 2:22:10 PM10/20/20

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I agree, they were getting a little too cute with the genre drug. Season 3 was a disappointment overall IMO. Not sure how they can get back on track even if production ever resumes.

"Humans" overextended itself too by the third season. Just as well it got canceled.

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 2:47:47 PM10/20/20

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By the way, a few months back I mentioned the film "Upgrade" (2018). Has anyone else here seen that yet?

grif

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Oct 20, 2020, 2:51:48 PM10/20/20

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I noticed the film, but can't remember any mention of "Upgrade" in rst. Haven't seen it, though.

TT

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Oct 20, 2020, 3:04:59 PM10/20/20

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Didn't like it... a bad mix of six million dollar man & John Wick. If
you want a stylish good hard revenge film try 'Mandy' with Nick Cage...

As for Robot/A.I films... you guys probably haven't seen the lesser
known 'I Am Mother (2019)'... which is imo worth a peek for
'intelligent' scifi.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6292852/?ref_=tt_urv

--
'Keep yappin' man'

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 3:07:57 PM10/20/20

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It went unnoticed at the time. :) I had just watched that film and "Elizabeth Harvest."

Discussing these other A.I. themed films reminded me of it. A more entertaining film than I expected.

Gracchus

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Oct 20, 2020, 3:14:08 PM10/20/20

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On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 12:04:59 PM UTC-7, TT wrote:
> Gracchus kirjoitti 20.10.2020 klo 21:47:
> > On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 10:54:45 AM UTC-7, Gracchus wrote:
> >> On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 10:48:53 AM UTC-7, grif wrote:
> >
> >>> Interesting trivia about the director and "Moon". I have heard it's very good but haven't seen it. Also, pretty much every dystopian future looks like Blade Runner, lol.
> >
> >> Me neither. Several people referenced it in their impressions of "Archive," so I probably will watch it soon.
> >
> > By the way, a few months back I mentioned the film "Upgrade" (2018). Has anyone else here seen that yet?
> >
>
> Didn't like it... a bad mix of six million dollar man & John Wick. If
> you want a stylish good hard revenge film try 'Mandy' with Nick Cage...

Haha, "The Six Million Dollar Man"! I watched that back in the day every week and it actually seemed cool then. Well I thought "Upgrade" was more advanced than Steve Austin's bionics. Part of what I liked in fact was the cheesiness of the guy testing out his new A.I. superpowers and the film playing it borderline comically until everything turns radically dark.

"John Wick" I haven't seen, so I've no point of reference there.

> As for Robot/A.I films... you guys probably haven't seen the lesser
> known 'I Am Mother (2019)'... which is imo worth a peek for
> 'intelligent' scifi.

Interesting. I'll add it to the informal "list."

grif

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Oct 23, 2020, 3:06:11 PM10/23/20

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"Moon" is worth watching. It has an interesting premise and Sam Rockwell is good.
And, although voiced by Spacey, the robot in the film, GERTY, is very cool 🙂 🙁 😕 😐

Something else that may be of interest to some, Walter Tevis's "The Queen's Gambit".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Szk_OUAp0E

Gracchus

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Oct 23, 2020, 4:14:39 PM10/23/20

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Interesting! Thanks for posting this. I intend to check it out. Maybe this will renew interest in Tevis as well and he'll get some long-overdue appreciation.

jdeluise

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Oct 24, 2020, 2:00:42 AM10/24/20

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Yes, I liked that one a lot, not sure about the idea of table tennis on
the moon though!

>
> Something else that may be of interest to some, Walter Tevis's "The
> Queen's Gambit". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Szk_OUAp0E

I'm watching that now actually. So far so good.

Gracchus

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Oct 24, 2020, 12:02:03 PM10/24/20

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I watched the first episode last night and thought it was very well-done.

grif

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Oct 24, 2020, 12:41:39 PM10/24/20

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I like how it shows Beth constantly reading chess books, that it isn't just about natural-born talent. It's hard work and a ton of studying involved to be at a rarefied level, regardless how gifted one is.

Gracchus

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Oct 24, 2020, 1:05:45 PM10/24/20

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True. The typical cheeseball Hollywood treatment would have made her an intuitive genius with the inborn gift of dealing with any threat on the chessboard with no theory or knowledge of openings needed.