Thursday Movie Picks - TV Edition: The Weird
1) Castle Rock
The town in this show is almost a character itself. Calling it weird is an understatement. I liked the little Easter eggs they threw in. Like Shawshank prison playing a huge part, and Jackie being the niece of good ol' Jack Torrence from The Shining. When I initially wrote this post, I was only half way through Castle Rock and I said it was "fun." While the acting is great, I don't think I could ever fully recommend this to anyone because they answered NONE of the questions they asked, then had the balls to tease a second season.
2) Stranger Things
Of course a show called Stranger Things would be in this category. I'm quite over 80's films/TV shows but I love it in this. These kids are incredible actors. It's a shame only Millie Bobby Brown ever gets recognition.
3) The Alienist
A psychologist in the early 1900's helps a police secretary and an illustrator solve a murder. I loved this mini series. It had great atmosphere and of course, was pretty weird.
Alienist is on Netflix so there is a chance I will see it. Not going to Bother with CR since you hated it :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, CR is like getting blue balls. I think you'll dig The Alienist though!
DeleteI've heard of all three but haven't seen any of your picks this week. I'm most likely to check out the last one though.
ReplyDeleteI tried to stick to more horror-centric picks but my second was such a perfect fit-an a horror in its own way-I had to include it.
Dark Shadows (1966-1971)-The first and probably only daytime horror soap opera. Young governess Victoria Winters arrives at the Collins' estate-Collinwood, in Collinsport, Maine. Greeted by shut-in matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (40’s film noir queen Joan Bennett) and other various members of the family including cousin Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) and the seemingly sweet but truly evil Angelique (Lara Parker). She is soon plunged into a world of strange occurrences and terrifying happenings that includes vampires, ghosts, werewolves, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, and a parallel universe. Enormously popular in its day this spawned a couple of theatrical features during its run, an unsuccessful relaunch in prime time in the 80’s and the Tim Burton misfire.
Cop Rock (1990)-A police drama in musical form! Truly peculiar show that tried to blend those two disparate elements. For example in the premiere as the judge addresses the jury they rise as one and sing the verdict-“He’s Guilty”-Gospel style! There’s also dancing shootouts and harmonizing lineups! In the late 80’s no one was a hotter ticket in TV than producer Steven Bochco following the successes of Hill Street Blues & L.A. Law and he had achieved a level of carte blanche rarely achieved. This is what he did with it? It has been cited as both one of the 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time and the single most bizarre TV musical ever.
American Gothic (1995-1996)-Taking place in the town of Trinity, South Carolina the story revolves around the seemingly good natured but corrupt Sheriff Lucas Buck (Gary Cole), a murderous rapist manipulating people to "fulfil their potential" usually towards evil pursuits by way of supernatural powers. His main goal is to control and mold Caleb Temple (Lucas Black) into his image. Dark secrets abound including the fact that Caleb is Buck’s son via a rape committed in front of Caleb's older sister Merlyn (Sarah Paulson), who is murdered in cold blood by Buck in the first episode but whose ghost guides Caleb aided by the town’s newly arrived Dr. Crower (Jake Weber) and Caleb’s out-of-town cousin Gail Emory (Paige Turco). Pitch black, truly eerie and brilliantly acted especially by Cole and Black this was conceived by Shaun Cassidy of all people and ex-produced by Sam Raimi. Sadly it only lasted one season.
Cop Rock is the only one I'm not familiar with, the other two I didn't watch but I know them from pop culture and what not.
DeleteI've only seen bits and pieces several episodes of Stranger Things from wandering into the living room when my daughter is watching it. I like what I've seen, just haven't bothered getting too involved with it.
ReplyDeleteStranger Things is a great show. I hate that they're releasing it in the summer next year though.
DeleteStill haven't seen Stranger Things but everyone is telling me to see it. I'm just not interested. I'm sorry. Plus, I haven't seen your picks.
ReplyDeleteStranger Things is really good. Of these, I think you'd probably like The Alienist best.
DeleteI would love to see Stranger Things but I haven’t yet because it’s on Netflix or HBO or something else I don’t get. I know of Castle Rock but am unsure about it plus...I don’t get it. I wouldn’t mind seeing The Alienist but wonder when or if...
ReplyDeleteCastle Rock was a great idea, just very poorly executed story wise. Netflix and HBO are both wonderful services that I think everyone should have. lol
DeleteI've been meaning to watch The Alienist but I always end up starting something else instead.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a quick binge. I watched it in real time and that was so hard.
DeleteNice picks! I love Daniel Bruhl and Luke Evans, but I just couldn't get into the Alienist. My sister and I were watching the second season of Stranger Things yesterday, and the kid who plays Will was incredible. If he didn't get recognition this year at the Emmys, he should've.
ReplyDeleteYES HE SHOULD HAVE! Ugh, I'm always so annoyed with that. Millie got a nomination for crying the entire season, Noah Schnapp should've gotten one too.
DeleteCastle Rock sounds interesting, but since I have not read or seen a lot of Stephen King adaptations, I think I might miss a lot of the references.
ReplyDeleteI like Stranger Things but don't love it. I think Millie was only great in the first season, the other kids surpass her in the second season performance wise.
I like the Alienist too. There's going to be a second season I think, so am looking forward to it.
Castle Rock would've been fine without all the reference had they actually ended their story properly.
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