Don't care much for Mike Huckabee's politics, but what an actor!
Don't care much for Mike Huckabee's politics, but what an actor!
Watched the first two episodes and really love it so far. Spacey is predictably slimy, but in a good way. Wright is fantastic, cold and calculating.
I'll hold out on committing to this until reactions to the full season come around. I'm really curious though!
"I shall immediately after I'm done watching Homeland." - DirkDiggler on his voting priorities
Spacey is basically playing Richard III in this. He's fucking great, especially when you get deeper into the series and things start going wrong. Really digging Corey Stoll as it goes on, as well.
The first episode piqued my interest. Spacey's kind of delicious here.
"Keep yoah paint outta my pahhking spot aaaahhhht depaaahhhhhtment!!!"
Whoever this series goes, I admire that Netflix went bold and released the whole season at once. I don't know how that business model works, but I dig it.
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The New RRA: Less Spam, still 100% ruining AD.
Is this elegible for Emmy? Cause I would love Mara The Talented One winning before the faux one.
Yes. She totally had me from her very first scene.Originally Posted by erikdean
It's a superbly subtle coldness though, which I loved. It's not like she's some crazed harpy but her storyline with her charity and her office manager was pretty fantastic and I'm hoping it's something more than just what was in the first two episodes. I like that she has her own thing and isn't just Spacey's bitch wife or something.
I loved when Spacey and whatshisface are going through the list of potential Sec of State nominees and they get to the one guy and Spacey's all, "too queer" and the guy is like, "really?" and Spacey shoots him suuuch a 'girl, please.'
Totally. Was I the only ADer who cracked a smile at the scene in the 2nd episode where she orders coffee and patiently waits for the cashier to get her shit together?
Also, I love that Fincher's so into rowing (my favorite exercise!).
"Keep yoah paint outta my pahhking spot aaaahhhht depaaahhhhhtment!!!"
Well, I took the plunge and have gone through all 13, for lack of anything better to do last night/this morning. Stoll is actually probably my favorite performance overall, though Spacey gets better as it goes (though he's probably best in the 8th episode, which is a nicely reflective one for his character). Wright's character develops in some interesting directions, but by the end both she and Spacey were pretty loathsome. I also enjoyed Kristin Connolly (Dana from Cabin in the Woods!) as Stoll's girlfriend, and hope to see more of her character next season, along with Michael Kelly's aide - who swings between being sympathetic and sleazy very effectively. Kate Mara was good, but somewhat underdeveloped - and she kept looking like Anna Kendrick, which was distracting, lol. I think it was pretty good overall, though the writing never measures up to the direction and acting.
Last edited by Dent; 02-02-2013 at 04:53 PM.
Joel Schumacher directed episode 5 and 6.
"I'm a firm believer in karma, and I think this situation is a huge learning lesson for me.
To grow and expand as a spiritual human being. I want to lead a country one day for all I know".
That part wasn't that subtle (since her office manager foreshadows it) but there was something about Wright's demeanor in that moment that, to me, is why her coldness is so very, very cold and why her performance so far is so good.
I just got done marathoning the show and I really enjoyed it. Obviously I found it addictive as I pretty much spent my whole day watching the show. I am very intrigued for those that have seen this and the original British series as how they compare, since I have been interested in the British series but not had enough will to watch it. While the writing at times is very on the nose, I thought it was incredible well paced as each episode built on the previous one. Once Chapter 9 (or episode 9) ends, things really start to get suspenseful and couldn't stop watching. The fact Netflix dropping all 13 episodes at once in hindsight was a very smart move for a series like this. The plot is very serialized and many small details are constantly brought up many episodes later. I think it also allows the viewer to greater appreciate the arc of many of the characters.
As for the performance, like Dent thought that Corey Stoll was by far my favorite performance. I think he has the biggest and most interesting character arc and his performance itself is very compelling. There is this vulnerability in his performance that I thought was needed in a series as he is probably the most sympathetic character especially when surrounded by cold calculating players. That brings me to Kevin Spacey's performance, which is great but it is almost constant scene chewery. It's obvious Spacey is having a lot of fun with his character and it translates to well on screen. The thick Southern accent Spacey uses and breaking the 4th wall may bother some, but I thought it worked within this Shakespearean/Machiavellian world. Robin Wright is also very good, but the material is quite there to really let her shine. She plays it cold and detached very well, but I wish there was more for her to do. Kate Mara is just alright. Her relationship with Spacey is weird, but in a predictable way. The direction her character takes towards the end of the season is more interesting and it translates in her performance.
I thought the directing was great throughout. I am glad they kept David Fincher's aesthetic touches throughout the all the episodes, but you could tell subsequent episodes are missing the unique flare that Fincher brings. I think Fincher dark color scheme works well for the DC setting. Writing as I mentioned I thought was good . While some plot points stretch imagination, I thought writing should a lot of finesse and confidence that I never felt too incredulous. I am curious to see how others felt. If critical and audience reactions remain positive. I could see it doing well at the Emmys. I think Spacey would be very hard to ignore even if reception is muted. I would really like to see Fincher nominated, maybe even win. Anyways the series is definitely worth the time.
Last edited by boondoggle; 02-03-2013 at 12:39 AM.
I watched the first episode tonight and absolutely loved it. Spacey has a gift of playing evil so well and he uses every ounce of it here. Subtle and deliciously creepy. I hope he gets nominated. The supporting cast is also really great. Wright plays the vicious cold bitch so well and I love that she isn't just Spacey's wife but rather a ruthless politician herself. Mara and Stoll are also really good.
Overall it's just fantastic and I can't wait to watch the rest.
"I can smell the cock on your breath from here."
New AD motto...?
"Keep yoah paint outta my pahhking spot aaaahhhht depaaahhhhhtment!!!"
I definitely agree with this. The last few episodes, in particular, just flew by. They were extremely well-paced, packed with drama and intrigue to spare, and I didn't want them to end.
And I mostly loved the series overall. It's gripping, suspenseful, and very well-acted. I'll definitely check out season 2. And here's to hoping for some Emmy nominations!
Last edited by Submerge; 02-03-2013 at 10:19 AM.
One of the better one TV series, the actors are realistic and very well thought of (for their characters).
Without wonder and insight, acting is just a business. With it, it becomes creation.
~ Bette Davis
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I'm only through 2 episodes but this is great so far. Nice to see Spacey back in a juicy role, nice to see Wright in an actual role (I looooved Moneyball, but it was sad when she ended up being in it for 5 seconds). Fincher's better with this snappy dialogue and character driven stuff than his gothic thrillers. I love Fincher, but he's proven to be much better when he turns this potentially dry material into neo-noirs. It's a better showcase for his talent.
God-damn it!!! Why I can't I get fucking Netflix!!!
Romney's less subtle campaign message: "Don't ask questions and just vote for me!!"
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