It’s a tough haul. I wouldn’t have gotten through it if I hadn’t committed to Patrick that we’d review together! Plus as a prestige Netflix show for 2024, I felt I needed to give it a chance…speaking of chances, season 2 of “Big Door Prize” on Apple TV+ has started. It might be more amusing late night fare that keeps you and the hubby awake.
I thought The Queen’s Gambit was the most beautifully shot TV series I had seen and then I watched ‘Ripley.’ Every single frame is a beautifully composed B&W photograph. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and thought it came across as a homage to Hitchcock.
Thanks Michael for your comment. I too loved “The Queen’s Gambit” - it was a vibrant series - full of rich color and the narrative was interesting. I can appreciate artistically the black and white shots of Italy in “Ripley” but found the story plodded along so slowly, even with the tense filled moments that were reminiscent of Hitchcock. Like could it have accomplished more with half the number of episodes?
I enjoyed 'The Queen's Gambit' and I enjoyed reading this interesting discussion on 'Ripley', thanks. I haven't seen it and think I can tell it's not for me.
I think there are worthier shows out there. One of those I’m going to post about on Saturday. Also, on a completely different topic and genre, Conan O’Brien’s new comedy travel show on Max is hilarious. I just burned through two and half episodes. The premise is that he travels to countries where he has fans that have called into his podcasts and plays them a visit. Anyways, maybe I’m an easy audience on a Wednesday evening but I couldn’t stop cracking up
ok, my "good at music criticism" credentials do not at ALL translate to TV/film, so grain of salt with all of this, but... i do not get the boredom with this show. i get bored very, very easily -- my once impressive and highbrow attention span has totally deteriorated to tiktok levels of nonsense at this point and i need flashing lights and pretty colors and loud noises like a tiny baby. it's embarrassing. but this show was absolutely GRIPPING. i could not stop watching it. the story was paced perfectly; my heart was in my chest at every moment (and again, this is coming from somebody who reaches for her phone for distraction at the slightest pause in dialogue, so i'm really not putting on airs here.) i was totally blown away.
i thought it was breathtaking visually, as well. every frame was like a perfectly composed photograph. really stunning cinematography. i was initially really disappointed by the choice to do b&w, but eventually it won me over. it made me pay more attention to details, and also pay closer attention to the actual story.
i don't know, conceptually i see how this *should* be a slog and tough to get through, but in practice i just can't agree with that take!
Your analysis is always welcome here! Lots of people enjoyed this adaptation and I found some things worked but the engagement factor wasn’t there for me. That said, I really can appreciate your take on the shooting scenes in black and white and how that lends itself to paying more attention to detail. Also how often can we get so excited about a show? I’m so happy it had that effect for you.
I too think the black and white filming is totally pretentious, I'd much rather see the beauty of Italy in full colour, this is a failed attempt at film noir.
I gave up mid-way through episode 3, which then prompted me to rewatch the 1999 film, which reminded me what a tedious story it was. 😔
Ripley essentially just bumping another person off each time he gets slightly caught out.
Without the eye candy of the three leads in the film and the beautiful backdrop of Italy, I don't think it would have been such a success... in my humble opnion. 😉 😘
Yes a recommendation. It’s more of a subtle show whose appeal builds over time. The premise is solid- a machine shows up in a town in the convenient store and whoever plays the game, gets their destiny card. Obviously conflict arises when its fate is different from the one being led by the people or its less ideal. Each episode focuses on the effect of the fortune on a particular person and is named as such
Hubby and I couldn’t get through the first episode. We thought maybe it was because we were tired. 🥱
It’s a tough haul. I wouldn’t have gotten through it if I hadn’t committed to Patrick that we’d review together! Plus as a prestige Netflix show for 2024, I felt I needed to give it a chance…speaking of chances, season 2 of “Big Door Prize” on Apple TV+ has started. It might be more amusing late night fare that keeps you and the hubby awake.
Big Door Prize. Don’t know this one. A recommend?
I thought The Queen’s Gambit was the most beautifully shot TV series I had seen and then I watched ‘Ripley.’ Every single frame is a beautifully composed B&W photograph. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and thought it came across as a homage to Hitchcock.
ha, i just commented pretty much this exact same thing and just saw your note! fully agree.
Thanks Michael for your comment. I too loved “The Queen’s Gambit” - it was a vibrant series - full of rich color and the narrative was interesting. I can appreciate artistically the black and white shots of Italy in “Ripley” but found the story plodded along so slowly, even with the tense filled moments that were reminiscent of Hitchcock. Like could it have accomplished more with half the number of episodes?
I enjoyed 'The Queen's Gambit' and I enjoyed reading this interesting discussion on 'Ripley', thanks. I haven't seen it and think I can tell it's not for me.
I think there are worthier shows out there. One of those I’m going to post about on Saturday. Also, on a completely different topic and genre, Conan O’Brien’s new comedy travel show on Max is hilarious. I just burned through two and half episodes. The premise is that he travels to countries where he has fans that have called into his podcasts and plays them a visit. Anyways, maybe I’m an easy audience on a Wednesday evening but I couldn’t stop cracking up
ok, my "good at music criticism" credentials do not at ALL translate to TV/film, so grain of salt with all of this, but... i do not get the boredom with this show. i get bored very, very easily -- my once impressive and highbrow attention span has totally deteriorated to tiktok levels of nonsense at this point and i need flashing lights and pretty colors and loud noises like a tiny baby. it's embarrassing. but this show was absolutely GRIPPING. i could not stop watching it. the story was paced perfectly; my heart was in my chest at every moment (and again, this is coming from somebody who reaches for her phone for distraction at the slightest pause in dialogue, so i'm really not putting on airs here.) i was totally blown away.
i thought it was breathtaking visually, as well. every frame was like a perfectly composed photograph. really stunning cinematography. i was initially really disappointed by the choice to do b&w, but eventually it won me over. it made me pay more attention to details, and also pay closer attention to the actual story.
i don't know, conceptually i see how this *should* be a slog and tough to get through, but in practice i just can't agree with that take!
Your analysis is always welcome here! Lots of people enjoyed this adaptation and I found some things worked but the engagement factor wasn’t there for me. That said, I really can appreciate your take on the shooting scenes in black and white and how that lends itself to paying more attention to detail. Also how often can we get so excited about a show? I’m so happy it had that effect for you.
Great review! 👏
I too think the black and white filming is totally pretentious, I'd much rather see the beauty of Italy in full colour, this is a failed attempt at film noir.
I gave up mid-way through episode 3, which then prompted me to rewatch the 1999 film, which reminded me what a tedious story it was. 😔
Ripley essentially just bumping another person off each time he gets slightly caught out.
Without the eye candy of the three leads in the film and the beautiful backdrop of Italy, I don't think it would have been such a success... in my humble opnion. 😉 😘
I love that you needed to redeem the story by watching the 1999 film only to find that the story wasn’t all that compelling in the first place. 😆🤭
Yes a recommendation. It’s more of a subtle show whose appeal builds over time. The premise is solid- a machine shows up in a town in the convenient store and whoever plays the game, gets their destiny card. Obviously conflict arises when its fate is different from the one being led by the people or its less ideal. Each episode focuses on the effect of the fortune on a particular person and is named as such