I hadn't even heard of the Leftovers before this thread, maybe because streaming HBO wasn't a thing when it came out. I'm a few episodes in, and while I can kinda tell it takes a bit to get going there's definitely something there.

penningtron wrote: I hadn't even heard of the Leftovers before this thread, maybe because streaming HBO wasn't a thing when it came out. I'm a few episodes in, and while I can kinda tell it takes a bit to get going there's definitely something there.

I don't think that the original thread on the Leftovers that happened in real time w/ the series is available in the archive, but I think all of us at the time were in agreement that the first season had a killer opening episode followed by some fine, but not special television, then there is an episode that focuses on Matt which was insane and incredible, a sign of hope, then some more decent episodes and then finally the Nora which may be the best episode of television I've ever seen? from there on it does not let up. you are in for a fucking ride.

The Leftovers is my favorite TV show of all time.

You think you have a handle on it after the first few eps, for sure after the 1st season.

You do not.

It's the only full realization of magic realism on television, at least that I've seen.

Carrie Coon belongs on TV Drama Mt Rushmore. And she doesn't even get going until late in Season 1.

We're watching Boardwalk Empire, finally. It's good. All acting great.

It's maybe even vital when it's about the great tragedy/struggle of being a woman at that time, and more particularly in that milieu. The gangster stuff is fine, not totally boilerplate, but the female characters provide the most interesting material.

I don't think it's just us, but HBO Max buffers a lot and is kind of a drag to use.

eephus wrote: Thu Feb 23, 2023 12:02 pm The Leftovers is my favorite TV show of all time.

You think you have a handle on it after the first few eps, for sure after the 1st season.

You do not.

It's the only full realization of magic realism on television, at least that I've seen.

Carrie Coon belongs on TV Drama Mt Rushmore. And she doesn't even get going until late in Season 1.

Her teeth. I have a serious thing for women with mildly fucked up teeth. Damn. Sexy voice, too.

And yes, it's magical realism at it's best on TV.

enframed wrote: Thu Feb 23, 2023 11:02 amI remembered being somewhat disappointed that it ended as a love story, but of course it would.

Shh...I'm still watching

Just saw that Criterion will be adding a boatload of shorts by Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle and Buster Keaton, including (but not limited to) several they made together prior to the famous scandal. A handful of features will be added too.

If you haven’t seen “One Week,” “Cops,” “The Goat,” “The Back Stage,” or “The Cook,” you’re missing out on some of the greatest comedy ever.

Wood Goblin wrote: Fri Feb 24, 2023 11:18 am Just saw that Criterion will be adding a boatload of shorts by Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle and Buster Keaton, including (but not limited to) several they made together prior to the famous scandal. A handful of features will be added too.

If you haven’t seen “One Week,” “Cops,” “The Goat,” “The Back Stage,” or “The Cook,” you’re missing out on some of the greatest comedy ever.

When I was in elementary school one of the teachers was then the president of the Laurel and Hardy Fan Club of America. Every Friday he would show a film, usually L&H, but sometimes Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields, Harold Lloyd.

Buster Keaton was always my favorite of the silent film stars.

He’s mine, too, though I love Chaplin and Harold Lloyd as well. And Arbuckle too.

You’ll occasionally see some contrarian insist that Chaplin was a hack, but he really was every bit the genius critics claim. The Circus is criminally underrated. It’s not as thematically rich as his more acclaimed features, but I think it’s his funniest.

The L&H silents aren’t all that special, and the one WC Fields silent short I saw was just awful.

Also awful: Harry Langdon, though maybe I haven’t seen the right films.

But yeah, Keaton was the man. He had an incredible visual imagination—one area where he definitely beats Chaplin. You can see how much the Roadrunner cartoons owe to Keaton.

Show on Netflix called Bordertown, the original Finnish name was Sorjonen, the main dude’s name. Watching with subtitles, it’s available dubbed but ew.