Well, since you're Pepper's Support Animal, you know what to do. I know that he loves you and if it's in him, he'll take care of his daddy for a while longer. He's the real star of The Bastard Machine.
I just got around to Franklin on Apple TV and, while there's a lot of license taken, it's astonishingly good historically. Thoroughly enjoying it. I'd planned in The Sympathizer next...
When I first read the suggestion for Furies, my brain changed the title to "Furries" and the thought of a bunch of people in stuffed animal costumes rampaging through Paris, shooting, punching and stabbing each other was, well sublime. While I'll always wonder what might have been, I'll watch Furies.
I might have been the one to muse about Time Bandits (and worrying that it might fail) and I'm glad to hear that you like it, I really want it to be good and casting Lisa Kudrow in the role she has is truly inspired. I sort of approached it with trepidation because Taika Waititi has done great things, What We Do in the Shadows, Jo Jo Rabbit, etc but he also did Our Flag Means Death which was a disappointment (at least to me). It sounds like this one is one I will thoroughly enjoy!
And I actually have seen the original film, actually own a copy and have watched is several times. It's a high bar but if Taika Waititi & Co are firing on all cylinders as people are saying, I'm rarin' to dive into the silliness!
Arg I'm so mad at HBO max about the Sympathizer. They somehow messed up the subtitles and closed captions in my country which made it unwatchable. I think by episode 3 I just had no subtitles at all for the non English parts. I have to check if they fixed it in the newest version of the app because I also liked the first 2 episodes.
Holy hell, it seems like lots of people are having issues with the subtitles on this. Did you recheck? I haven't had any issues on my end at all. Strange. Shout out an update if you get it sorted.
Just checked on my phone and it seems to be sorted when I select "English" (at least for episode 3). I guess it's time to restart my watch. I'll let you know if I manage to finish.
You read a great book, and most of the time you’re disappointed in the film or series adaptation. The Sympathiser is the rare exception. If you loved the first episode I’m pretty sure you will love the rest.
If you like gangland stories, I want to again recommend The Good Mothers, the Italian miniseries on Hulu.
I get your point on reading books and movies ending up being a let down. But every once in a while we get the gift of a film adaption that is complete and absolutely perfect...
Agree on books...I remember a lot of people really enjoying Station Eleven who ALSO loved the book, so I guess there are ways to make things different and still great. And, yeah, heavy sigh, I'm pretty sure everyone knows by now that it takes like 27 recommendations before I finally get it in my head or remember it; I'm very bad at that. So mark your calendar for December or something and I'll have a post about "The Good Mothers" and saying, "I'm not sure who said to watch this but...."
It's possibly age. Or not sleeping enough. Or laziness.
I don’t know if you’ve been watching My Brilliant Friend, another excellent adaptation, but the young woman who plays the adult Lila has one of the major roles in The Good Mothers. I found it because Nick Hornby recommended it, in case either of those things help peak your interest.
Yep, autocorrected, so I fixed it. Thanks for the heads up. I've written before that the Substack editor is crazy sensitive to autocorrecting TOO OFTEN and wildly inaccurate and, worse, sometimes you make the change and it changes back, so this has been a longtime struggle, especially if I'm in a rush to post something, since my own editing skills are average.
I’ve learned ANYTHING Jermaine Clement is involved with is a safe bet. I truly loved “What We Do in the Shadows,” movie and series. I will re-up with Apple+ to see Time Bandits. And no, I don’t believe I saw the movie either although I thought I had until you mentioned it.
So now my dilemma is, do I go back to Fringe (still on season 1) or try something new and exciting like Furies or Sympathizer? And do I get one kitten or two? Love to Pepper.
Well it will be hard to top Mark's post as I'm returning here late, but I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only person who THOUGHT he's seen "Time Bandits" original film but hadn't. So strange. I'm a fan of Fringe, no question. I'm not sure it's a series that would pull me back for a rewatch, however. Lots of other great stuff out there. And as KB, who adopted a feral cat, will tell you, yes on the two kittens. I once had two and they did keep themselves busy.
I will admit to laughing here and I will also admit to my new "problem" with my own viewing: I've got three shows I'm watching now with my partner and because we're watching together and because she has a real job, our time at night is limited, SO, if we only watch those three, on what amounts to a slow binge, then I'm not watching anything else and if I'm not watching anything else...no content for the Substack. I know. LOTS of major issues I'm dealing with...
I have the show I'm watching the my partner, when she's in the mood. Then the show I like to focus on, the show I'll watch when I workout, the show I watch with my friends group, etc. I mean nothing crazy, but it is different than when the networks controlled what we could watch and when for the most part.
Finish S1 of Fringe, watch something else and then come back to S2. Two kittens keep each other company — if they're from the same litter, the likelihood of them being pair bonded is higher.
Yes, that was my thought, I’ll finish season 1 and watch something else, and go back to Fringe. And if I get two kittens they’ll be from the same litter. I like to let them pick me so we’ll see how it goes. Thanks for your advice Mark, reinforcing my inclinations.
I'll give Furies a shot for sure. Maybe I've just been lucky, but been impressed/entertained by many French shows (Lupin, The Returned, Call My Agent, Astrid, Munch, Paris Murders, The Bureau...) Probably forgetting at least one.
The French makes some good shows and some...interesting....shows. My feeling is, even the ones that are just "good" are perfect because they are generally shot on location (hard to replicate Paris) and I will watch for the travelogue any day.
Great Irma Vep reference! Probably not as many actual rooftops *stepped* on as IV, but boy does "Furies" love its drone shots, which are fine by me!
American Music? Did you mean American Music Club, the band? If so, god yes. If not, yeah, I love tons of American bands and different styles. Just not country music. I can do alt country -- as Wilco used to be called, etc., but not full blown country. Hard no.
But yeah, love all kinds of American bands though I have a soft spot for bands from England and Scotland and, apparently, a rising number from Australia.
I thought getting on the Antiques Roadshow and being inducted into the White Castle Cravers Hall of Fame was special, but to now be recognized as a Tim Goodman Substack Glorious Reader, I am truly honored! :)
It's an exalted position to be sure. Although, White Castle Cravers Hall of Fame is a great flex. I would be using that all the time. And thanks for the tip!
Did you watch the original "Time Bandits"? I suspect the middling reviews from other sources are because everyone else has seen the original, one of my favorites....
I don't have Apple but there's almost a critical mass of stuff I'm interested in to consider adding it, at least for a while. Has Apple ever dropped a series it showed, like Max? Am I in danger of missing out if I don't add Apple in the near future?
My sympathies with your dog. Ours had her third cancer surgery in the past 5 years recently so we can relate.
I haven't seen the movie, which was my reference to being embarrassed about it, since I was about to LORD THAT OVER my partner and stabbed myself instead. I like AppleTV+ but I think there's a way to watch it for, like, one month, and burn through a bunch of their best stuff. If you're busy, two months max.
And sending sympathies back to you -- that's a lot of surgeries. I hope they got it all and there's no more need for any surgeries.... Always sad, and expensive!
Thanks, once work slows I'll take a look at Apple.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on the movie, assuming you wait to finish the TV show. I love Terry Gilliam movies so I might not be an unbiased recommendation. If you like Time Bandits by Gilliam, definitely check out The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Widely panned but I love it. Brazil, Fisher King and 12 Monkeys are totally different
Vet bills seem to pile high, don't they? But well worth more time with our dog....
There's a pretty decent amount of good stuff on Apple, but I don't think you are ever in danger of "missing out" since they produce their own content so it is likely not going to disappear. But also there is enough that I don't think you are going to be disappointed paying for it for a month. There's definitely enough to keep you busy for at least a few months.
1. Excellent choice of “The Sympathizer”. I loved it, and I love this for you. 2. I, too, have never seen “The Time Bandits” movie. So many mixed reviews, so I was wary. Your comments have persuaded me to try it. 3. I am on a break from Netflix, and keeping a list of new shows for when I resubscribe. “Furies” has been added, thank you! 4. I hope your dog is okay.
Thanks for the kind words, Beth. I have a series of appointments for him starting tomorrow, so we'll see, but I think he'll be fine. Yeah, "The Sympathizer" has been very good and we're enjoying it. When you get to "Furies" drop a note about the running. I hope it gives you joy.
Well, since you're Pepper's Support Animal, you know what to do. I know that he loves you and if it's in him, he'll take care of his daddy for a while longer. He's the real star of The Bastard Machine.
I just got around to Franklin on Apple TV and, while there's a lot of license taken, it's astonishingly good historically. Thoroughly enjoying it. I'd planned in The Sympathizer next...
When I first read the suggestion for Furies, my brain changed the title to "Furries" and the thought of a bunch of people in stuffed animal costumes rampaging through Paris, shooting, punching and stabbing each other was, well sublime. While I'll always wonder what might have been, I'll watch Furies.
I might have been the one to muse about Time Bandits (and worrying that it might fail) and I'm glad to hear that you like it, I really want it to be good and casting Lisa Kudrow in the role she has is truly inspired. I sort of approached it with trepidation because Taika Waititi has done great things, What We Do in the Shadows, Jo Jo Rabbit, etc but he also did Our Flag Means Death which was a disappointment (at least to me). It sounds like this one is one I will thoroughly enjoy!
And I actually have seen the original film, actually own a copy and have watched is several times. It's a high bar but if Taika Waititi & Co are firing on all cylinders as people are saying, I'm rarin' to dive into the silliness!
Thanks for the kind thoughts about Pepper. He's a trooper so I feel like he's ultimately going to be fine.
And, you're not going to believe this, but there IS a Furries scene in Furies. Yep.
And yes, still love on "Time Bandits."
Well, give Pepper a kiss on the nose for me and tell him that he's required to be all better (then give him cookie).
Glad that you're still loving Time Bandits, you made me excited about it where before I was vaguely afraid...
...and thank you for the important info on Furies. You've restored my faith in humanity.
Arg I'm so mad at HBO max about the Sympathizer. They somehow messed up the subtitles and closed captions in my country which made it unwatchable. I think by episode 3 I just had no subtitles at all for the non English parts. I have to check if they fixed it in the newest version of the app because I also liked the first 2 episodes.
Holy hell, it seems like lots of people are having issues with the subtitles on this. Did you recheck? I haven't had any issues on my end at all. Strange. Shout out an update if you get it sorted.
Just checked on my phone and it seems to be sorted when I select "English" (at least for episode 3). I guess it's time to restart my watch. I'll let you know if I manage to finish.
Definitely do!
Nice Violent Femmes reference.
You read a great book, and most of the time you’re disappointed in the film or series adaptation. The Sympathiser is the rare exception. If you loved the first episode I’m pretty sure you will love the rest.
If you like gangland stories, I want to again recommend The Good Mothers, the Italian miniseries on Hulu.
I get your point on reading books and movies ending up being a let down. But every once in a while we get the gift of a film adaption that is complete and absolutely perfect...
...(cough cough) Fight Club.
Agree on books...I remember a lot of people really enjoying Station Eleven who ALSO loved the book, so I guess there are ways to make things different and still great. And, yeah, heavy sigh, I'm pretty sure everyone knows by now that it takes like 27 recommendations before I finally get it in my head or remember it; I'm very bad at that. So mark your calendar for December or something and I'll have a post about "The Good Mothers" and saying, "I'm not sure who said to watch this but...."
It's possibly age. Or not sleeping enough. Or laziness.
I don’t know if you’ve been watching My Brilliant Friend, another excellent adaptation, but the young woman who plays the adult Lila has one of the major roles in The Good Mothers. I found it because Nick Hornby recommended it, in case either of those things help peak your interest.
The Time Bandits kid's name is Kal-El (like Superman), not Kai-El.
Yep, autocorrected, so I fixed it. Thanks for the heads up. I've written before that the Substack editor is crazy sensitive to autocorrecting TOO OFTEN and wildly inaccurate and, worse, sometimes you make the change and it changes back, so this has been a longtime struggle, especially if I'm in a rush to post something, since my own editing skills are average.
Autocorrect is my enema.
I’ve learned ANYTHING Jermaine Clement is involved with is a safe bet. I truly loved “What We Do in the Shadows,” movie and series. I will re-up with Apple+ to see Time Bandits. And no, I don’t believe I saw the movie either although I thought I had until you mentioned it.
So now my dilemma is, do I go back to Fringe (still on season 1) or try something new and exciting like Furies or Sympathizer? And do I get one kitten or two? Love to Pepper.
Suzanne, thumbs up on 2 kittens. Tim doesn’t know this yet but I have plans for a second kitty in the post-Pepper days in the future shhhhhh!
Well it will be hard to top Mark's post as I'm returning here late, but I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only person who THOUGHT he's seen "Time Bandits" original film but hadn't. So strange. I'm a fan of Fringe, no question. I'm not sure it's a series that would pull me back for a rewatch, however. Lots of other great stuff out there. And as KB, who adopted a feral cat, will tell you, yes on the two kittens. I once had two and they did keep themselves busy.
Thanks about Pepper, too!
You can only watch one show at a time?
I will admit to laughing here and I will also admit to my new "problem" with my own viewing: I've got three shows I'm watching now with my partner and because we're watching together and because she has a real job, our time at night is limited, SO, if we only watch those three, on what amounts to a slow binge, then I'm not watching anything else and if I'm not watching anything else...no content for the Substack. I know. LOTS of major issues I'm dealing with...
I will say Tim -- one problem with the Substack app -- YOU CAN'T EDIT YOUR DAMN POSTS THERE!!!! 🤪
I have the show I'm watching the my partner, when she's in the mood. Then the show I like to focus on, the show I'll watch when I workout, the show I watch with my friends group, etc. I mean nothing crazy, but it is different than when the networks controlled what we could watch and when for the most part.
I’m happy not to have a “schedule” and just watch when I want. I think, speaking for everyone, that we all wanted this our whole lives.
Well, sure. We used to do this with VCRs and DVRs to an extent. Some of us who worked evenings had no choice!
Finish S1 of Fringe, watch something else and then come back to S2. Two kittens keep each other company — if they're from the same litter, the likelihood of them being pair bonded is higher.
There, I fixed it.
Yes, that was my thought, I’ll finish season 1 and watch something else, and go back to Fringe. And if I get two kittens they’ll be from the same litter. I like to let them pick me so we’ll see how it goes. Thanks for your advice Mark, reinforcing my inclinations.
Confirmation bias is always a good and comforting thing!
I'll give Furies a shot for sure. Maybe I've just been lucky, but been impressed/entertained by many French shows (Lupin, The Returned, Call My Agent, Astrid, Munch, Paris Murders, The Bureau...) Probably forgetting at least one.
More Paris rooftops than Irma Vep?
And oh yeah, do you like American Music?
The French makes some good shows and some...interesting....shows. My feeling is, even the ones that are just "good" are perfect because they are generally shot on location (hard to replicate Paris) and I will watch for the travelogue any day.
Great Irma Vep reference! Probably not as many actual rooftops *stepped* on as IV, but boy does "Furies" love its drone shots, which are fine by me!
American Music? Did you mean American Music Club, the band? If so, god yes. If not, yeah, I love tons of American bands and different styles. Just not country music. I can do alt country -- as Wilco used to be called, etc., but not full blown country. Hard no.
But yeah, love all kinds of American bands though I have a soft spot for bands from England and Scotland and, apparently, a rising number from Australia.
Actually no - meant this (in case you remember what 8 is for):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag0XRlEvap8
But I do like all types of American (and other!) stuff.
As for French TV - it's...enjoyable. Some of it is flat out good/great, but you can count on them to at least entertain and likely be fun.
Thank you for the Femmes video, I was thinking about that song just the other day!
Did you do too many drugs?
Is that even possible?
I thought getting on the Antiques Roadshow and being inducted into the White Castle Cravers Hall of Fame was special, but to now be recognized as a Tim Goodman Substack Glorious Reader, I am truly honored! :)
Hang in there, Tim. We've got you!
It's an exalted position to be sure. Although, White Castle Cravers Hall of Fame is a great flex. I would be using that all the time. And thanks for the tip!
Did you watch the original "Time Bandits"? I suspect the middling reviews from other sources are because everyone else has seen the original, one of my favorites....
I don't have Apple but there's almost a critical mass of stuff I'm interested in to consider adding it, at least for a while. Has Apple ever dropped a series it showed, like Max? Am I in danger of missing out if I don't add Apple in the near future?
My sympathies with your dog. Ours had her third cancer surgery in the past 5 years recently so we can relate.
I haven't seen the movie, which was my reference to being embarrassed about it, since I was about to LORD THAT OVER my partner and stabbed myself instead. I like AppleTV+ but I think there's a way to watch it for, like, one month, and burn through a bunch of their best stuff. If you're busy, two months max.
And sending sympathies back to you -- that's a lot of surgeries. I hope they got it all and there's no more need for any surgeries.... Always sad, and expensive!
Thanks, once work slows I'll take a look at Apple.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on the movie, assuming you wait to finish the TV show. I love Terry Gilliam movies so I might not be an unbiased recommendation. If you like Time Bandits by Gilliam, definitely check out The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Widely panned but I love it. Brazil, Fisher King and 12 Monkeys are totally different
Vet bills seem to pile high, don't they? But well worth more time with our dog....
There's a pretty decent amount of good stuff on Apple, but I don't think you are ever in danger of "missing out" since they produce their own content so it is likely not going to disappear. But also there is enough that I don't think you are going to be disappointed paying for it for a month. There's definitely enough to keep you busy for at least a few months.
Agree!
1. Excellent choice of “The Sympathizer”. I loved it, and I love this for you. 2. I, too, have never seen “The Time Bandits” movie. So many mixed reviews, so I was wary. Your comments have persuaded me to try it. 3. I am on a break from Netflix, and keeping a list of new shows for when I resubscribe. “Furies” has been added, thank you! 4. I hope your dog is okay.
Thanks for the kind words, Beth. I have a series of appointments for him starting tomorrow, so we'll see, but I think he'll be fine. Yeah, "The Sympathizer" has been very good and we're enjoying it. When you get to "Furies" drop a note about the running. I hope it gives you joy.