What you're watching

[MisterSpock]

Literally one episode later after I wrote the last post, this has gotten so much better.

I was straddling several lines as to what this was all about, I'm leaning hard into the societal construct, classism, power dynamics. The restriction of knowledge between those groups and the mechanisms of control.

I'll tell you what, this is a great show, I'm surprised it's so highly rated by the usual vapid viewership. This has so much more depth and is right up the conspiracy alley when it comes to TV.

[ancientlight]

I love Sci-Fi. My new favorite show is Resident Alien. It reminds me of Northern Exposure and Twin Peaks. It is funny, sometimes weird. My favorites are British Murder Mysteries. Ancient Aliens is another favorite because of the archeology. I have most of my favorites on DVD so I can watch anytime I'm in the mood. I enjoy 80s action movies like Lethel Weapon, Die Hard, Star Trek Movies, the old black and white movies of Abbot & Costello, all the old werewolf and vampire movies. There is very little on TV I enjoy anymore. Just bought a reg outdoor antenna to get local channels and a firestick for anything else I can't get on DVD. I'm about to cut Dish out and save some money. Haven't been on here much the last couple of months because the garden was coming in and had to get it canned. My one Asian Pear tree produced 30 quarts of beautiful pears in ginger syrup. Also, most of my family who lives right around me, have had another round of covid. We all good.

Old sci-fi tv series I'm enjoying atm:

[BIAD]

Here's a one of a few that fall under the heading 'West Country Tales', there are a little strange and
smack of a different time before the internet.

[Sol]

So I finished watching "Sons of Anarchy" and was a bit disappointed by seasons 6 and 7 and especially the finale. Keeping my stubborn mind set up to the fact that they should have stopped at 5 seasons. Really worth watching those!!

Now I started watching "House of the Dragon" based on "Fire and Blood" that I read a while ago. So far, nowhere close to the quality of "Game of Thrones". The acting is so so, the CGIs are way off at times. It's ok but not great.

[EndtheMadnessNow]

Severance

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11280740/?r..._sr_srsg_1

About 5(of 9) episodes into the first series.

This is, interesting, it does a fairly good job of building suspense and setting up a lot of questions, so many theories about the actual meaning, I for one think it's of a spiritual nature.

That said, it's amazing, so far, but I fear it's setting up this slow boil and the will fail to deliver and let it simmer to draw it out. At this pace, it's a 2 season, maybe 3 at most. But given the high ratings and "hit" nature, I don't trust them to not try to dilute and draw this out over 5 + seasons.

I was hooked after episode 1 because it was so freakin wild, strange, unique + Christopher Walken had me all the more intrigued as a curator of sorts with those esoteric paintings giving off dark vibes. No doubt this is a (dystopia) wet dream for many big corporations. Note the "black goo" scenes that go back to some X-files episodes. The show definitely has some occult spirit vibes mixed with dark emotions, but is at the very top of my must watch list. At least for season 1.

The last episode ending pissed me off (and you'll feel the same suspense) as we now gotta wait till season 2.

It's still unclear why Lumon's Macrodata Refinement employees classify numbers in the assumed "corporate archives division." My hunch is that it's not about archiving, but all about machine learning theory suggesting that the real data Lumon is interested in aren't the numbers themselves, but how the employees profile/classify them based on their feelings. The split minds prevent the employees input from being corrupted/influenced by non-work related memories.

Macrodata Refinement's "mysterious and important" work is reminiscent of Google's approach to its algorithm: no one employee has the whole picture, and the show is about conditioning people to unquestioningly and zealously complete tasks they know nothing about. Very similar to the bleeding edge tech world of compartmentalized layers I worked in. I was the lead tasked with creating the overall test plan on how a software project needs to be validated as it moves through the software lifecycle & time required to meet task quotas. My immediate team only ever seen the sanitized versions of my plan once approved by the stakeholders.

Them waffle parties brought back (weird now but not back then) personal memories as the big corp I worked for would have kudo awards which sometimes was waffle parties. HR dept was always coming up with silly, weird shit like that, but no masks.

Episode 8 has a scene where Dylan is "treated" to a sexualized dance by performers wearing masks.


The Four Tempers

The show was filmed at the old Bell Labs building in Holmdel, New Jersey. The water tower out front was supposedly shaped like a transistor.

The address on google maps, 101 Crawfords Corner Rd Holmdel NJ, and from the aerial view you'll also see the roadways look like a transistor (as does the water tower). The transistor was invented there and the design pays tribute to it.

Severance's creator, Dan Erickson is originally from Olympia WA, which has had a string of drive thru fast food restaurants owned by the Eagan family since 1948. The owners of Lumon are the Eagan family.

Let's hope S2 doesn't go woke or bring in some new age nonsense ideology.

[EndtheMadnessNow]

I love Sci-Fi. My new favorite show is Resident Alien. It reminds me of Northern Exposure and Twin Peaks. It is funny, sometimes weird. My favorites are British Murder Mysteries. Ancient Aliens is another favorite because of the archeology. I have most of my favorites on DVD so I can watch anytime I'm in the mood. I enjoy 80s action movies like Lethel Weapon, Die Hard, Star Trek Movies, the old black and white movies of Abbot & Costello, all the old werewolf and vampire movies. There is very little on TV I enjoy anymore. Just bought a reg outdoor antenna to get local channels and a firestick for anything else I can't get on DVD. I'm about to cut Dish out and save some money. Haven't been on here much the last couple of months because the garden was coming in and had to get it canned. My one Asian Pear tree produced 30 quarts of beautiful pears in ginger syrup. Also, most of my family who lives right around me, have had another round of covid. We all good.

Old sci-fi tv series I'm enjoying atm:

Re: The Visitor  Library episode link

Damn shame it ran only one season.

I was looking forward to this with same team + Woods + a new series was being discussed. But, apparently it all died back in 2016 and has never been resurrected.


Stargate

[MisterSpock]

Just finished Severance, Season 1, great show, sad to hear it might be over a year wait for the next season.

Doing my 2nd(or is it 3rd) rewatch of Halt and Catch Fire, amazing character drama set during the 80's computer boom.

[EndtheMadnessNow]

A movie I've always recommended was from my teenage years, The Parallax View.

I just realized that the Parallax Corp in THE PARALLAX VIEW (1974) is meant to be a stand-in for Permindex, right? I mean sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.




Here's a Louis "Jolly" Jolyon West (Dr. MKULTRA) reference.




1974 was the year of paranoia films.

[Ninurta]

I'm not watching anything at the moment.

Dish tried to mug me, so I got rid of their asses. It started out with around a 60 dollar a month account which, 6 months in, they mysteriously raised to 110 dollars, with no explanation and no increased service level. That damn near doubled the previous bill, for nothing more in value. Then, this month, the contract was up so they tried to mug me again, raising the fee to 190 bucks a month for, again, no increase in service.

Tried to damn near double it AGAIN, for no good reason, so, uh, no, Not just no, but HELL no.

Now this TV I have here in the Man Cave must be pretty ancient, as it has no ability to stream anything but Netflix, which we killed off a month or two ago for not providing value commensurate with charges.

Contacted the ISP to add TV to the internet bill, and even they can't stream directly to the TV - gotta have some kind of box in the middle.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Grace has TV in the bedroom, as that TV is new enough that the ISP could work directly with it, no box necessary, so she's got the shows. The equipment for the Man Cave was supposed to arrive today, but didn't, so I've got a black screen.

On the up side, I got TV through the ISP for 30 a month, as opposed to the 190 a month Dish was gonna try to charge, and to add to value, the IP bumped my internet speeds up, gratis. so I ended up money ahead, actually, and with faster internet.

Now if they'd just get that damned equipment delivered...

Until them, I have a few terabytes of movies and TV shows to keep me occupied.

.

[NightskyeB4Dawn]

I'm not watching anything at the moment.

Dish tried to mug me, so I got rid of their asses. It started out with around a 60 dollar a month account which, 6 months in, they mysteriously raised to 110 dollars, with no explanation and no increased service level. That damn near doubled the previous bill, for nothing more in value. Then, this month, the contract was up so they tried to mug me again, raising the fee to 190 bucks a month for, again, no increase in service.

Tried to damn near double it AGAIN, for no good reason, so, uh, no, Not just no, but HELL no.

Now this TV I have here in the Man Cave must be pretty ancient, as it has no ability to stream anything but Netflix, which we killed off a month or two ago for not providing value commensurate with charges.

Contacted the ISP to add TV to the internet bill, and even they can't stream directly to the TV - gotta have some kind of box in the middle.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Grace has TV in the bedroom, as that TV is new enough that the ISP could work directly with it, no box necessary, so she's got the shows. The equipment for the Man Cave was supposed to arrive today, but didn't, so I've got a black screen.

On the up side, I got TV through the ISP for 30 a month, as opposed to the 190 a month Dish was gonna try to charge, and to add to value, the IP bumped my internet speeds up, gratis. so I ended up money ahead, actually, and with faster internet.

Now if they'd just get that damned equipment delivered...

Until them, I have a few terabytes of movies and TV shows to keep me occupied.

.

I feel you and I would have done the same. Dish tried that crap with me, I dumped then, and they are still, after years sending me letters claiming I owe them money for breaking the contract.

Since they broke the contract first, I send their letters to recycle.

The satellite I have now, went from $60 to $80 a month, if it goes up one more dollar, I am dumping it all. I need to unplug anyway.

Truth is, I am getting old. It takes me longer to get the everyday stuff done. Partly due to lost of stamina, lost of caring, and lost of time.

I would fill in the TV time, which I only use as a streaming display and classes anyway, with more productive activities. I can get the other stuff from my cell, or at my Brother's, if I really wanted it or needed it.

[NightskyeB4Dawn]

This isn't due until October 22, 2022, but it looks like it is has th feel of "The Thirteenth Floor". One of my favorites.

THE PERIPHERAL Official Trailer (2022)

[EndtheMadnessNow]

This isn't due until October 22, 2022, but it looks like it is has th feel of "The Thirteenth Floor". One of my favorites.

THE PERIPHERAL Official Trailer (2022)

Westworld for your mind. Hmm, yea does have some parallels to "The Thirteenth Floor" and I wonder how closely it will follow the novel.

[Snarl]

Saw Predestination as a free movie on wife's YouTube subscription yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWql3hEl9BY

I was impressed.

[NightskyeB4Dawn]

This isn't due until October 22, 2022, but it looks like it is has th feel of "The Thirteenth Floor". One of my favorites.

THE PERIPHERAL Official Trailer (2022)

Westworld for your mind. Hmm, yea does have some parallels to "The Thirteenth Floor" and I wonder how closely it will follow the novel.

Yes. I did too. It gives one a bit to think about. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. I am not sure what it is worth.

I just finished reading the second book of the Ishmael trilogy. So far it has given me a lot to think about. So much so that I am thinking about saving the last book of the trilogy for my near four day train trip, coming up very soon.

(That is two days going and two days returning.)

I don't know what is more of an issue, thinking, doing, or not doing.

Maybe, thinking is most important. It is something that should come before doing, and before not doing.

[Finspiracy]

I watch nothing. Because i almost never do. BUT!

I am a huge, massive Lord of the Rings fan. I have seen LOTR movies, as extended director's cut versions. And The Hobbit movies, as extended directors cut versions. Multiple times. They are about 4 hours each. I get totally immersed in that world and reality and story and i forget my troubles then.

At some point, i am gonna purchase a Prime Video subscription only for the new LOTR series. Expectations are higher than sky high.

Pretty sure some people here have seen it. So, is it good? Why? Is it bad? Why?

[Snarl]

the new LOTR series

is it good? Why? Is it bad? Why?

I heard people fell asleep while watching it for the first time.

I turned it on and it turned me right off. Quite disappointed.

[Finspiracy]

I heard people fell asleep while watching it for the first time.



I turned it on and it turned me right off. Quite disappointed.

Really? Well, crap...

However, i am definitely NOT gonna watch it without a fat bag of high quality cannabis, that should save it if it is lousy.

[Finspiracy]

By the way, i know i said that i almost never watch anything, and that is the truth. However, i happen to have a recommendation for literally everyone.

What happened was, that early this year, like spring or so, i heard that the LOTR thing is gonna be on Prime Video. And then i noticed that Prime Video offers a 2 week free trial for new users. So i wanted to see if it actually works. Prime Video, and my hardware in relation to the site. So i took the free trial and got slightly hooked into an animated series. I extremely rarely get hooked to watching anything. And even more rarely i recommend anything. I even developed a tiny crush towards the main character, which has never happened before, regarding an animated Lady.

Undone.

It is about a young Lady, who almost dies in a car crash. Then strange stuff starts to happen. This is really great stuff. I mean it. Earlier i wrote that i am gonna get Prime Video only for LOTR, but i am definitely gonna smoke my butt off and watch this too. I watched like 5 first episodes of the first season and the addiction had sprouted. Trailer:

[EndtheMadnessNow]

Irwin Allen's "The Time Tunnel" series (1966-67)



Scientists Tony Newman and Doug Phillips are the young heads of Project Tic-Toc, a multi-billion dollar government installation buried beneath the desert. They have invented a Time Tunnel, which will allow people to visit anywhere in time and space. While testing the tunnel for an impatient senator, Newman and Phillips became trapped in time, and each week coincidentally found themselves at the site of an important historical event, be it the Siege of Troy, the sinking of the Titanic or an assassination attempt on President Lincoln. Sometimes they traveled into the future, and battled alien invaders. Ann MacGregor, Gen. Kirk and Dr. Swain are the scientists trying to fix the malfunctioning Time Tunnel and bring Doug and Tony back to the present. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060036/



Inside THE TIME TUNNEL TV Series

Project Tic-Toc is a top-secret U.S. government effort to build an experimental time machine, known as "The Time Tunnel" due to its appearance as a cylindrical hallway. The base for Project Tic-Toc is a huge, hidden underground complex in Arizona, 800 floors deep and employing more than 12,000 specialized personnel.[2] The directors of the project are Dr. Douglas Phillips (Robert Colbert), Dr. Anthony Newman (James Darren), and Lt. General Heywood Kirk (Whit Bissell). The specialists assisting them are Dr. Raymond Swain (John Zaremba), a foremost expert in electronics, and Dr. Ann MacGregor (Lee Meriwether), an electrobiologist supervising the unit that determines how much force and heat a time traveler is able to withstand. The series is set in 1968, two years into the future from the actual broadcast season, 1966-67.




The prop computer, however, had an unusual degree of verisimilitude because it was an array of memory modules from the Air Force's recently decommissioned SAGE computer.



The Time Tunnel (Wiki)

The ID badges in the series say 'Tik-Tok' on them with a number.




TIME TUNNEL COMPUTERS aka ANSF-Q7 of the Air Force Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Networked Radar Systems.








The Time Tunnel - Complete Series on Archive.org.

[EndtheMadnessNow]

Anyone remember this 1980 movie, "The Final Countdown" - that was a top recruitment film for the US Navy according to several admirals back in the day.