TV: Stranger Things

[epilogue]

Episode 3 takes a giant leap forward. I enjoyed 1 & 2. They didn't totally blow me away. There were more than a few clunky moments. But #3 was really great. Tense. Gorgeous. Wonderfully shot. Dripping with atmosphere. I dig it.

It's too early for you to be drinking all this vodka, Joey.

You didn't like the series?

[tragabigzanda]

Episode 3 takes a giant leap forward. I enjoyed 1 & 2. They didn't totally blow me away. There were more than a few clunky moments. But #3 was really great. Tense. Gorgeous. Wonderfully shot. Dripping with atmosphere. I dig it.

It's too early for you to be drinking all this vodka, Joey.

You didn't like the series?

My feelings are very mixed. We're only five eps in...

I think the cinematography, music, and casting (with the exceptions of Ryder and Caleb McLaughlin/"Lucas") are excellent. I don't agree with LV's "faux retro" comment, though I get what he's saying. But I think it's a very effective soundtrack.
I enjoy the 80s throwback vibe of the whole production.
I think the kids have real chemistry...

I think the dialogue is atrocious. At one point, Lucas says "I second that." There are many moments like this, where the kids' natural chemistry is shattered by having them speak far more intelligently than any 12-year old I've ever known. I think everything with 11 is especially terrible. "Bad." "Good." "Promise." Vomit.

I agree with whoever posted that the story is held back by trying to appeal to kids. There are a lot of parts that are neither genuinely scary, nor terribly funny. It's like they're going for a Fratellis (from The Goonies) approach, but it's constantly missing the mark. War of the Worlds is another recent example of something that managed to ride that fine line between frightening and family-friendly. This is so far off from that.

I think Winona Ryder is AWFUL. Matthew Modine isn't much better, though I think that's more related to the writing for his character. Ryder's eldest son is also really over-the-top.

I hope season 2 focuses on Nancy's obvious eating disorder.

[epilogue]

Okay, yeah, we're fairly close on our opinions here. I disagree with a few points you've made but mostly we feel about the same.

[LoathedVermin72]

Episode 3 takes a giant leap forward. I enjoyed 1 & 2. They didn't totally blow me away. There were more than a few clunky moments. But #3 was really great. Tense. Gorgeous. Wonderfully shot. Dripping with atmosphere. I dig it.

It's too early for you to be drinking all this vodka, Joey.

lol

[tragabigzanda]

Okay, yeah, we're fairly close on our opinions here. I disagree with a few points you've made but mostly we feel about the same.

It's a slow day on RM. Can you itemize your disagreements for me?

[epilogue]

Okay, yeah, we're fairly close on our opinions here. I disagree with a few points you've made but mostly we feel about the same.

It's a slow day on RM. Can you itemize your disagreements for me?

Sure!

Gimme a sec...

[tragabigzanda]

I do want to give a nod to the cocky boyfriend. He's every 80s cocky boyfriend character rolled into one, perfectly executed.

[epilogue]

Agree

-I think the cinematography, music, and casting (with the exceptions of Ryder and Caleb McLaughlin/"Lucas") are excellent [I'd add Modine].
-I don't agree with LV's "faux retro" comment, though I get what he's saying. But I think it's a very effective soundtrack.
-I enjoy the 80s throwback vibe of the whole production.
-I think the kids have real chemistry...
-I think the dialogue is atrocious. [I agree in general, but there are some decent moments, I think]
-I think Winona Ryder is AWFUL. Matthew Modine isn't much better, though I think that's more related to the writing for his character. Ryder's eldest son is also really over-the-top.

Disagree

-There are many moments like this, where the kids' natural chemistry is shattered by having them speak far more intelligently than any 12-year old I've ever known.
-I think everything with 11 is especially terrible. "Bad." "Good." "Promise." Vomit. [She's outstanding and probably my single favorite part of the show so far.]
-I agree with whoever posted that the story is held back by trying to appeal to kids. There are a lot of parts that are neither genuinely scary, nor terribly funny. It's like they're going for a Fratellis (from The Goonies) approach, but it's constantly missing the mark. [I think this comes down to expectations, though. I think people want it to be scarier or whatever but I'm not sure that was ever the point.]
-War of the Worlds is another recent example of something that managed to ride that fine line between frightening and family-friendly. This is so far off from that. [War of the Worlds is terrible]

I hope season 2 focuses on Nancy's obvious eating disorder.

[epilogue]

I do want to give a nod to the cocky boyfriend. He's every 80s cocky boyfriend character rolled into one, perfectly executed.

[tragabigzanda]

It's a good point you make about expectations -- I probably do want it to be scarier than they intended. But if not scary, then is it more family-friendly they're going for? (Of course it doesn't have to be such a clear dichotomy). But anyway, a lot of bits fall flat, because there is neither something scary or funny for me to latch on to. Case in point, the scene with the monster at the pool: His design and delivery was neither scary enough to give me the creeps, nor funny enough for me to laugh at. Just sort of there, like they said, "...and then a MONSTER comes out!" "Ok, but what kind of monster?" "Eh, just your general scary sort of monster."

To clarify, I think the girl they cast as 11 is doing a great job with what she's given. Like all the other kids (save Lucas), she's got a great face for television, and she displays a lot of emotion with very little dialogue. I just wish her lines weren't so hammy.

[VinylGuy]

Yeah, she was good.

I loved the ride...it was nice...Its a flawed production for sure, but there are enough good elements to enjoy it.

[dimejinky99]

If you don't lim this show you're dead inside


*speaking as a child of the 80s

[Rangi Guy]

I lim it with all my heart - I thought it was great!

[BurtReynolds]

I lim it.

[epilogue]

If you don't lim this show you're dead inside


*speaking as a child of the 80s

The scene in episode 3 where the kids are hunting for the perfect rock for the slingshot. Christ! That scene was fantastic. Damn near made me cry. I love these kids working together.

[BurtReynolds]

Thank God we eighties children FINALLY have someone making nostalgic shows for US.

[epilogue]

[tragabigzanda]

If you don't lim this show you're dead inside


*speaking as a child of the 80s

The scene in episode 3 where the kids are hunting for the perfect rock for the slingshot. Christ! That scene was fantastic. Damn near made me cry. I love these kids working together.

One of my favorite parts, too. Great example of the show's strengths.

[spike]

Knew my boyfriend would love this but when I get excited about something he's usually really reluctant.

He watched episode one with me last night and was totally in by the end of it:) watched two more

haha, you're definitely the overselling type. my good friend is the same way.

[dimejinky99]

If its of any consequence I enjoyed it way way more the second go round. Picked up on a lot more of the hidden and not so hidden references to everything 80s