The Independent Order

Welcome to The Independent Order => OOC Socialisation => Topic started by: Achkaerin on March 23, 2020, 09:27:54 PM

Title: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Achkaerin on March 23, 2020, 09:27:54 PM: The Independent Order Book/Film/TV Club

I think it's safe to say that I'm not used to having a ton of free time, despite being unemployed I have spent years doing various volunteering jobs. However now due to RL circumstances (Covid-19) the country is in lockdown and joins a list of other countries who've already adopted similar measures. So as I've now got a lot of free time I thought I'd try to revive something I believe we tried here a few years ago, this may go down in flames but thought I'd try.

In very simple terms we pick (either by one person choosing or by vote depending on numbers) a book, film or television series - watch or read it and then spend a few days talking about it. Following the end of that discussion we then pick the next thing to be read or watched and off we go again.

I suggest the following as guidance:

1) All discussion to be respectful and constructive

2) Consideration of material - Think about how easy it is for others to access the material, also don't suggest something that is seven series long would be my suggestion here, the only way this works is if everyone can get at what people want to use as the subject matter. Also if TV/film be mindful of the film ratings and content.

Other suggestions welcomed, anyone interested in giving this a whirl indicate below and feel free to suggest something (if you can provide a link to the content or can show where it is please do)
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: DaveIronside on March 23, 2020, 09:47:02 PM: Id go film or tv show. Chances of everyone finding a book while in lockdown is slim.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on March 24, 2020, 06:49:26 AM: Finding a book online is as easy as finding a movie. Problem is that books take much longer to read than it takes to watch a movie.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on March 24, 2020, 09:41:57 PM: I will give it a go with some suggestions

Picard (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8806524/) - for ST nostalgics. I don't think we need to watch all episodes in order to start commenting on it.

Chernobyl (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7366338/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: DaveIronside on March 24, 2020, 10:29:05 PM: Film wise let me throw Dune into the mix......just because Fear is the Mind Killer ;)
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Geo on March 25, 2020, 11:48:13 AM: I nominate "The Wee Free Men", by Terry Pratchett
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on March 25, 2020, 06:41:10 PM: Quote from: DaveIronside on March 24, 2020, 10:29:05 PM
Film wise let me throw Dune into the mix......just because Fear is the Mind Killer ;)

I like this suggestion, even though I am not a fan of the universe, because it is somewhat related to the Mundus lore.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: DaveIronside on March 25, 2020, 07:42:52 PM: Quote from: Tamora on March 25, 2020, 06:41:10 PM
I like this suggestion, even though I am not a fan of the universe, because it is somewhat related to the Mundus lore.

I shall find the extended directors cut version of six hours for us ;)
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on March 26, 2020, 07:55:56 PM: Quote from: DaveIronside on March 25, 2020, 07:42:52 PM
I shall find the extended directors cut version of six hours for us ;)

Six hours? Not sure if you're joking or serious.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Achkaerin on March 26, 2020, 09:18:33 PM: I believe (recalling discord comments now) that the extended directors cut of Dune is indeed six hours or thereabouts.

So just to narrow this down I'm minded to take Dave's suggestion and initially at least go for a tv series or a film. Does anyone have any suggestions other than what's already been proposed? As if we're doing this then I'd like to figure out the first one within the next couple of days.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on March 26, 2020, 09:35:57 PM: It would be great if we can agree on something before the weekend ends. For me the lockdown and the whole crisis has not meant a decrease in the workload so I don't have a lot of free time during the week.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Izhitsa on March 27, 2020, 05:10:02 AM: I'd love an excuse to watch The Prisoner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prisoner) again. Only the original, of course. I think the whole series is over in about 17 hours, or 14 hours if you cut out the bad episodes.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Major Jaws on March 27, 2020, 07:54:50 AM: Why don't we start with a movie instead of a show first? I mean, shows are aight but movies are generally shorter and it is easier to discuss movies, I think. Therefore, I propose either The Death of Stalin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Stalin) or Uncut Gems (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncut_Gems)
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Geo on March 27, 2020, 10:27:11 AM: Movie huh, how about the Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin?
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Tytor on March 29, 2020, 12:33:37 AM: WarGames is a possibility as well, with the added benefit that, at least in the United States, it's available (legally) for free on YouTube. Now, it will have ads interspersed within it, but it doesn't require a subscription to anything.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Major Jaws on March 29, 2020, 04:29:13 AM: I thought we were gonna pirate them, or someone's gonna pirate it and put it up in a google drive.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Tytor on March 29, 2020, 04:37:04 AM: Well, I suppose that idea has the potential to be more exciting.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Achkaerin on March 29, 2020, 07:52:07 PM: I would prefer we viewed them legally (no surprise that the law grad says that right?), and if pay walls can be avoided as well with this - as per my earlier accessibility point so thank you Tytor for highlighting that.

We did say that we'd try and make a decision on our first film before the end of the weekend, and as we still have a few hours of the weekend left I'm going to say that (while accounting for time zones) that if people can suggest with a link to it (or info if it's on Netflix for example) a film - preferably with a little description of the backdrop (no spoilers please just something that establishes the backdrop all films have them sort of thing found on the back of a DVD case for example) that they would like us to watch for this, I'll take a look at those suggestions and make a decision late Monday evening or early hours of Tuesday morning UK time. It's quite likely that this will actually develop a film list so it's more likely to be about which one we watch first.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Tytor on March 30, 2020, 03:57:02 AM: WarGames can be found here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNLQ-O-Qx3Y)

The blurb given by YouTube is as follows: "A 80's teenager, bored by traditional high school subjects like biology but fascinated by computers, accidentally taps into the Pentagon's top-secret computer...the USA's NORAD system. He starts what he innocently believes is a computer game called 'Global Thermonuclear War,' but the 'game' is real. The Pentagon's best minds cannot shut down or reprogram the supercomputer that is readying a missile attack against the USSR, and thereby unleash Armageddon. The teen and his girlfriend attempt to aid the helpless Pentagon and, in a frantic race against a ticking 'doomsday clock,' try to persuade the computer to end the 'game.'"

It's definitely an '80s film, and some might find it a bit cheesy because of that, but it's recently become one of my favorite movies (I don't know; maybe I like cheesy). It's also a very American film, so there might be a cultural disconnect for some.

There are other options as well, of course, like The Breadwinner on Netflix, Inside Out and Zootopia on Disney+, and Clue on Amazon Prime, but those are all locked behind paywalls and so not easily accessible to everyone.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Major Jaws on March 30, 2020, 07:11:04 AM: Yeah,WarGames behind a paywall and also not on Netflix in my country, though I could just pirate it if we pick one that's not available in the Philippines.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on March 30, 2020, 07:36:32 PM: Since the recommendations list is still open.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Geo on March 30, 2020, 09:14:56 PM: If its still open, 'I am slaughter' By Dan Abnett. Its a sci-fi, (40k to be specific) and features Space Marines and Orkz and other assorted arms of the Imperium. Erm. Just putting it out here.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on April 09, 2020, 08:15:33 PM: Quote from: Tamora on March 30, 2020, 07:36:32 PM
Since the recommendations list is still open.

I finished watching the first two episodes and I can say it has surpassed my expectations. It not easy to make an alternative history movie about the space race that feels both realistic and is also interesting. They even managed to add some moral dilemmas in the mix. So far it was worth watching.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on April 09, 2020, 08:20:49 PM: I've also watched the whole first season of Picard. I have mixed feelings about it. While it does try to cater to ST of the 90s it also has so many changes that it is clearly no longer ST. The story, which is far from interesting, has the benefit of not going from bad to worse.

It's a mediocre show in my view but for the fans of the 90s ST it is worth watching even just for the sake of criticizing it.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on April 24, 2020, 05:43:03 PM: I finished watching the first season of For All Mankind. I have to admit i didn't believe they could keep it interesting until the end but they managed it. A special mention must be given for the way they constructed the characters, not only are they believable but they are flawed in a way that doesn't turn them into caricatures them but makes them more relatable.

And seeing that USSR flag on the moon is cool.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on April 27, 2020, 08:01:04 PM: I started watching the Crown, the third season. So far so good.

I am also hopeful that will be able to get my hands on this interesting series:

^The description from wiki: "The series is set in 2003; a terrorist attack took place in Poland in 1983 which altered the course of history. The Iron Curtain is still in place and the Cold War did not end. Law student Kajetan (Maciej Musiał) and Milicja Obywatelska investigator Anatol (Robert Więckiewicz) uncover a conspiracy that could potentially start a revolution."
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Xaeth on April 27, 2020, 08:27:04 PM: Huh, looks neat. I've always been a fan of alt history.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on April 27, 2020, 08:34:08 PM: Quote from: Xaeth on April 27, 2020, 08:27:04 PM
Huh, looks neat. I've always been a fan of alt history.

I am a fan of alt history too. However, aside from "For all Mankind" and "the Man in the High Castle" I don't remember watching anything else that is alt history. So if you know other shows please do share here.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Achkaerin on April 27, 2020, 08:36:48 PM: Alt history wise BBC did do one a couple of years back it was called SS:GB. Didn't watch it myself but it's supposed to be good.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on May 01, 2020, 08:11:42 PM: And finished the third season of the Crown, The last episode was a bit annoying but otherwise a good show. I loved the episode about the Moon landing and the one about Lyndon B. Johnson. The latter showing just how small the UK became in regards to the USA.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on May 09, 2020, 06:19:50 PM: I just finished watching the last two seasons of the Man in the High Castle. The show has a great setting and beautifully builds the alternative world as well as atmosphere of the cold war between the Japanese Empire and the Third Reich. It’s full of little details of how life would be different in that alternative world and makes you think. The characters are all over the place, from terrible to great. A big turn off for me was for the Sci-Fi elements which imo were just fantasy, they might as well added elves to the story as it would have made just as much sense. Also, the ending was a bit underwhelming but otherwise a great show.
Title: Re: The TIO Book/Film/TV club
Post by: Markus on May 17, 2020, 07:15:36 PM: Quote from: Achkaerin on April 27, 2020, 08:36:48 PM
Alt history wise BBC did do one a couple of years back it was called SS:GB. Didn't watch it myself but it's supposed to be good.

I tried watching it this week but I quit after about 40 minutes. There is not way to put it than to say I found it boring. I also realized it was my second attempt since I recognized a good part of the first episode.