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Netflix: Flicks? On the Internet? That's just crazy talk!
- Thread starter SpoonyBard
- Start date
Slightly tenable! Regarding specifically the ending: Dracula's final fate in this series is a flip of exactly where he and Lisa started: Lisa initially comes to Dracula wishing to learn of his magical/techno world, and, after everything, now Dracula seems content to learn from Lisa how to be a "mundane" human living in the countryside. This strikes me as vaguely anti-Ellis, as I would expect the exclusively Ellis version of the ending to be... I don't know... Dracula and Lisa stuck in some kind of cynical eternally bickering limbo, not unlike what Death had planned. There is some genuine affection for these two and their fate that I have not seen in other Ellis works. Maybe it was what Ellis had planned from the beginning! But, in my own experience with his works, it seems unprecedented.
Also, Alucard's Season 3 ending seemed more like what Ellis would make the final ending for a side character. "Father Alucard" felt more earnestly considered and a legitimate way forward for the dhampir. Though I would have to rewatch it to see if it was legitimately earned, because I feel like the Alucard Shield got more screen time than any of these kids that are apparently changing Alucard's whole life outlook...
That said, the ultimate fate of Trevor is wholly what I would expect of Ellis (and generally pretty similar to the finale of Transmetroplitan), and super-duper same for what happened with Hector over in kiss the dawn land. "Man ultimately 'triumphs' over authoritarian woman who friggen commits suicide in response" is Ellis through and through (and also, ya know, hideous).
The Ellis tone is definitely there throughout, but there are deviations that lead me to believe there were other voices involved. But it is still very much Ellis.
Also, Alucard's Season 3 ending seemed more like what Ellis would make the final ending for a side character. "Father Alucard" felt more earnestly considered and a legitimate way forward for the dhampir. Though I would have to rewatch it to see if it was legitimately earned, because I feel like the Alucard Shield got more screen time than any of these kids that are apparently changing Alucard's whole life outlook...
That said, the ultimate fate of Trevor is wholly what I would expect of Ellis (and generally pretty similar to the finale of Transmetroplitan), and super-duper same for what happened with Hector over in kiss the dawn land. "Man ultimately 'triumphs' over authoritarian woman who friggen commits suicide in response" is Ellis through and through (and also, ya know, hideous).
The Ellis tone is definitely there throughout, but there are deviations that lead me to believe there were other voices involved. But it is still very much Ellis.
Oh hey Netflix's upcoming He-Man show got one of them trailers!
It's weird that this show is being billed as a 'continuation' of the 80s series, right? I'm not the only one who thinks that's weird? Because that is absolutely nothing like the 80s show, outside of a fairly faithful take on the character designs (I appreciate buff Teela). It feels like like how people like to remember the cartoon being like, when we were all little babbies and He-Man was the mostest amazing thing we ever saw.
This isn't really a criticism, mind. I'd just be totally fine with them billing this as a new property inspired by the original. I guess they don't feel confident it could succeed without that hook? Because that fear is misplaced if you ask me, it looks pretty swell as-is.
Great voice cast thus far too. Still undecided on Skeletor though. On the one hand, it's nothing like Alan Oppenheimer's iconic performance and sounds a lot like Hamill is leaning on his Joker delivery for the role.
On the other hand, what's not to love about 'The Joker But A Skeleton Wizard'?
It's weird that this show is being billed as a 'continuation' of the 80s series, right? I'm not the only one who thinks that's weird? Because that is absolutely nothing like the 80s show, outside of a fairly faithful take on the character designs (I appreciate buff Teela). It feels like like how people like to remember the cartoon being like, when we were all little babbies and He-Man was the mostest amazing thing we ever saw.
This isn't really a criticism, mind. I'd just be totally fine with them billing this as a new property inspired by the original. I guess they don't feel confident it could succeed without that hook? Because that fear is misplaced if you ask me, it looks pretty swell as-is.
Great voice cast thus far too. Still undecided on Skeletor though. On the one hand, it's nothing like Alan Oppenheimer's iconic performance and sounds a lot like Hamill is leaning on his Joker delivery for the role.
On the other hand, what's not to love about 'The Joker But A Skeleton Wizard'?
Hmm, yeah, it's more reminiscent of the 2002 reboot to me.
I started watching This is Pop the other day, and while I had fairly low expectations, it's proven to be a surprisingly thoughtful series so far. The two episodes I've watched so far were fairly light on narration and heavy on primary source interviews, and they're willing to go beyond surface level facts into some rabbit holes (the Auto-Tune episode spends a decent amount of time on the topic of how technology enables new modes of expression, for example).
Would recommend for anyone with an interest in the genre.
Would recommend for anyone with an interest in the genre.
I am getting annoyed with Netflix's PS5 app. I'm pretty sure there's a bug at the end of a video where normally you would be able to move the cursor and keep watching the credits, but right now there's just no way to do that. I keep pressing different directions on the dpad but the cursor doesn't ever go to the tiny fucking box showing the credits like it used to. And now there's a new tweak where the "suggestions" it gives you at the end will fucking autoplay as soon as you highlight their little box too, and if you cancel out of that stupid fucking trailer, it sends you all the way out to the episode selection screen. What the fuck. I am way more upset about this than I should be, apparently. Love these galaxy brained tech companies constantly tweaking their UX and making it worse every time.
I don't understand this. Am I supposed to empathize with the vampire? Do they want me to root against Heatwave??? What a baffling series of decisions.
Oh yeah, he does play well known Flash villain Heatwave on Legends. I kind of forgot he had another identity than Mick.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
I mean, I feel like that's most vampire fiction since... Anne Rice, at the very least.
Oh dang, season 2 of Beastars is finally up on the youtubes!
Mr. Sensible
Pitch and Putt Duffer
Hey, I just started watching this! While I'm enjoying it, so far the pacing of season two feels a lot more meandering than the first (also I miss the wonderful stop-motion intro from S1).
Yeah. I like both OPs but the first season's, on top of having a neat visual style, had a song that was way more of a catchy bop.
Season's 2 song is good, but it looks and sounds much more like another anime.
Season's 2 song is good, but it looks and sounds much more like another anime.
Mr. Sensible
Pitch and Putt Duffer
Okay, so I already blew through the new Beastars season and have some thoughts about it (massive S2 spoilers, obviously):
Somehow, the notion of Louis becoming a yakuza boss was entirely believable despite also being completely ridiculous. Also I'm pretty sure Louis realizes that he's attracted to Legoshi (and/or carnivores in general) in the next-to-last episode, which honestly would probably make for a much more interesting relationship than the one between Legoshi and Hal (which barely comes up at all in this season).
Ibuki was a surprise standout as Louis' right-hand lion, although in retrospect the show kind of telegraphs his importance by featuring him so prominently in the outro. What is it about tragic figures in crime fiction that's just so gosh-darned compelling? Fuck, now I want to play a Yakuza-style game set in the Beastars universe...
I feel the big climactic fight between Legoshi and Riz might have had a bit more impact if they had saved that shit for the finale instead of also having them face off several episodes prior. I get the writers wanting to try and build up tension before the end of the season, but here it just felt drawn-out. Although I did very much enjoy Legoshi going all SSJ after finally eating meat (kindly donated by Louis, no less).
Was hoping snake security guard lady would make one last appearance before the finale, but nope. Definitely the best new character design of this season, fingers crossed we get to meet more non-mammal/avian characters in S3!
Ibuki was a surprise standout as Louis' right-hand lion, although in retrospect the show kind of telegraphs his importance by featuring him so prominently in the outro. What is it about tragic figures in crime fiction that's just so gosh-darned compelling? Fuck, now I want to play a Yakuza-style game set in the Beastars universe...
I feel the big climactic fight between Legoshi and Riz might have had a bit more impact if they had saved that shit for the finale instead of also having them face off several episodes prior. I get the writers wanting to try and build up tension before the end of the season, but here it just felt drawn-out. Although I did very much enjoy Legoshi going all SSJ after finally eating meat (kindly donated by Louis, no less).
Was hoping snake security guard lady would make one last appearance before the finale, but nope. Definitely the best new character design of this season, fingers crossed we get to meet more non-mammal/avian characters in S3!
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
I have very mixed feelings on the second season. That last episode... makes a decision I feel is nuts and maybe undercutting what it was building towards. At least they were swinging for the fences. But the giant thirsty snake lady disappearing and basically benching Haru for most of the season hurt it. I'm actually surprised there is a season three coming. Season two feel liked it resolved a LOT from the first episode. Despite my issues with season two, I am interested in season three.
Becksworth
Aging Hipster Dragon Dad
This looks as good as I could realistically expect from a Netflix live action anime adaptation, so cautious optimism from me.
They also got Yoko Kanno on board for it. I'm pretty optimistic but I haven't looked into the writing/directing credits yet.
Everyone looks mostly right, but off just enough that it's unsettling. Like, everyone's body proportions are off just enough that there's an uncanny valley-ish feeling going on. But these are the compromises for live action/star power I suppose/not a big deal. The sets look like they've paid good attention to detail. But uh, why is Ein on a leash!? That's just wrong.
Re: Kanno's music - I need to hear more details before I get amped for that. What little was released on that front previously could IIRC be interpreted in many different ways. I'm assuming they're just reusing her music/arrangements from the show; wake me up when we've got proof she's making new music and more than just a track or two.
My grand hope for this show was for it to make new stories and not try to step on the feet of the original, but the set pictures released so far makes me assume they're just doing a Bebop greatest hits, which is uh, whatever. I'm very cautious about this. I assume it'll be shitty, but I'll try to keep an open mind about it.
Re: Kanno's music - I need to hear more details before I get amped for that. What little was released on that front previously could IIRC be interpreted in many different ways. I'm assuming they're just reusing her music/arrangements from the show; wake me up when we've got proof she's making new music and more than just a track or two.
My grand hope for this show was for it to make new stories and not try to step on the feet of the original, but the set pictures released so far makes me assume they're just doing a Bebop greatest hits, which is uh, whatever. I'm very cautious about this. I assume it'll be shitty, but I'll try to keep an open mind about it.
This older story says Yoko Kanno is doing new music for the show
https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/8/22463620/netflix-live-action-cowboy-bebop-release-date-john-cho
https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/8/22463620/netflix-live-action-cowboy-bebop-release-date-john-cho
I think all of the live action adaptations have just been Netflix funded JP productions, and live action Japanese TV has always been firmly on the hokey/so-bad-it's-good? side of things. This is the second Western run adaptation I've heard of outside of stuff like the Speed Racer and GitS movies (that other one being G-Saviour, which uh, yeah).
I'm cautiously optimistic? There's enough talented people and money attached that it could be potentially good, and the source material is 90% John Woo and 10% spaceships by volume anyway.
I'm cautiously optimistic? There's enough talented people and money attached that it could be potentially good, and the source material is 90% John Woo and 10% spaceships by volume anyway.
There's no shortage of talent and money attached to most Hollywood things that end up being bland and forgettable. And if the people making this are as reductive as to what made Cowboy Bebop special to begin with as you just were, then this project is doomed from the start.
Like, there are very few projects out there - animated or otherwise - that marry and use their soundtrack in the ways Bebop or the best of Shinichiro Watanabe.
My expectations for this show are going to be very very low, so hopefully it ends up a happy surprise. But the standards it's measuring itself against are going to be astronomically high, so I just kinda can't shake the feeling this is not gonna be very good. Would love to be wrong though. I always thought Bebop was something that could break into mainstream easily if given the right opportunity. (If I was a network exec, I would have just run the cartoon in prime time on one of the big three; what do you have to lose? Worst case scenario, people don't watch, just like all the other garbage shows they try out and fail, only this would be way cheaper to put on air.)
Tomm Guycot
(he/him)
Original Bebop is kind of a nonstarter in Japan nowadays. I'm curious if we're going to end up in a place where the anime is a hit in the West, and the Netflix original is a hit in Japan.
Maybe he's undercover.
So we can finally have Cowboy Bebop firmly supplant Firefly in the nerdy pop culture zeitgeist.
Bout time.