Slow Horses
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Meh.
Some interesting ideas, but the series can't decide whether it wants to be a light-hearted dramady about MI5 misfits, or a serious conspirator story about the "deep
statespy service."Oldman does his best to play a crotchety, burnt-out, spymaster with a more than checkered past. The supporting cast is good, and Kirstin Scott Thomas is just evil enough to make you want to hate her.
It seems unnecessarily drawn out, with the main plot (a kidnapping) taking too many twists and turns which add nothing to the story.
Just a touch below 3 out of four stars.
Worth watching just for Gary Oldman.
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@George-K said in Slow Horses:
Worth watching just for Gary Oldman.
Anything with Gary Oldman in it is worth watching.
@Catseye3 said in Slow Horses:
@George-K said in Slow Horses:
Worth watching just for Gary Oldman.
Anything with Gary Oldman in it is worth watching.
Yeah I almost agree. His "Dracula" was so over the top that it was wonderful and it made me, almost forget Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker. As I said, his Beethoven in "Immortal Beloved" was wonderful.
But, in this role, it's also really over the top, and not in an endearing or interesting way.
I should read the book.
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@Catseye3 said in Slow Horses:
@George-K said in Slow Horses:
Worth watching just for Gary Oldman.
Anything with Gary Oldman in it is worth watching.
Yeah I almost agree. His "Dracula" was so over the top that it was wonderful and it made me, almost forget Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker. As I said, his Beethoven in "Immortal Beloved" was wonderful.
But, in this role, it's also really over the top, and not in an endearing or interesting way.
I should read the book.
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@Catseye3 said in Slow Horses:
@George-K said in Slow Horses:
Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker
Ye Gods.
He wasn't horrible. He wasn't good, but he wasn't horrible.
I really like this movie because it's pretty faithful to the Stoker story.
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@Catseye3 said in Slow Horses:
@George-K said in Slow Horses:
Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker
Ye Gods.
He wasn't horrible. He wasn't good, but he wasn't horrible.
I really like this movie because it's pretty faithful to the Stoker story.
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Since we just finished the first season of Lincoln Lawyer last night (thought it pretty good), we might have to check it out.
Keanu Reeves is a bit of a mystery. He can be very good or very bad.
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Just watched E1. Liked it. A bit different than the race to see who can make the darkest show. Oldman is of course great fun to watch and the guy who plays Siegfried Farnum on All Creatures is involved. I’ll watch another.
@Mik said in Slow Horses:
Just watched E1. Liked it. A bit different than the race to see who can make the darkest show. Oldman is of course great fun to watch and the guy who plays Siegfried Farnum on All Creatures is involved. I’ll watch another.
I'd say stick it out for at least half the season. It takes that long to really get a feel for it, but it's still not for everybody.
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@Mik said in Slow Horses:
Just watched E1. Liked it. A bit different than the race to see who can make the darkest show. Oldman is of course great fun to watch and the guy who plays Siegfried Farnum on All Creatures is involved. I’ll watch another.
I'd say stick it out for at least half the season. It takes that long to really get a feel for it, but it's still not for everybody.
@Aqua-Letifer said in Slow Horses:
I'd say stick it out for at least half the season. It takes that long to really get a feel for it, but it's still not for everybody.
Yes. It's a slow burn, but I found much of the "hostage" story to be awkward, and just a bit too politically correct for me. I haven't gotten that far in the book, so I'll reserve judgment.
But, Oldman is good at erasing so many sins.
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OK, finished it today My verdict is thumbs up. I liked the plot and the characters and the tone.
@Mik said in Slow Horses:
OK, finished it today My verdict is thumbs up. I liked the plot and the characters and the tone.
Rad.
I agree with George's criticisms, but on the whole I still like it despite the shortcomings.
What I like about it: every character kind of belongs to a different genre.
• River & his uncle: Jason Bourne type shit.
• Min & Louisa: romcom with some drama thrown in
• Standish: drama
• Lamb: tragi-comedy
• Roddy: mostly comedyKind of a cool way to mess around with tone.
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season 4 just dropped on apple tv
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@Mik said in Slow Horses:
In E1. Amazing how you can come to love such a thoroughly unlovable cast of characters.
Yep. The definition of comedy is that the characters are worse than reality. In drama, they're better.
What I love about that show are the rare moments when a character drunk-walks into the realm of drama, however temporarily.
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In book 2.
Just picture Gary Oldman and cast having this exchange:
“We don’t like being out of the loop.”
“You’re always out of the loop. The loop’s miles away. Nearest you’ll get to being in the loop is when they make a documentary about it and show it on the History Channel. I thought you were aware of that. Oh god, here’s another one.”
Marcus Longridge had appeared behind them, carrying a manila folder. “I’m supposed to give this to—”
Lamb said, “I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Longridge,” said Marcus.
“I don’t want to know. I was making a point.” Lamb plucked a stained mug from the litter on his desk, and threw it at Catherine. River caught it before it reached her head. Lamb said, “Well, I’m glad we’ve had this chat. Now fuck off. Cartwright, give that to Standish. Standish, fill it with tea. And you, I’ve forgotten your name again, go next door and get my lunch. Tell Sam I want my usual Tuesday.”
“It’s Monday.”
“I know it’s Monday. If I wanted my usual Monday, I wouldn’t have to specify, would I?” He blinked. “Still here?”