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Don Qui Hotep wrote: My review in brief: Lovecraft Country? More like Derleth Country!
Thank you. The modern Lovecraft/Cthulhu Mythos is really the Derleth Mythos. He's the one who felt the need to codify everything and name the unnameable.
The only way we can ever solve anything is to look in the mirror and find no enemy
Bit of an aside, but this is a good example of one of my strongly-held beliefs: the best Lovecraftian fiction does not reference the source material in any way, but instead uses a curated selection of themes as a scaffold to build a character-driven story.
I did like the part where it seemed as if Lovecraft was a person who was inspired by true happenings, like when they talk about Dr. Herbert West.
Would be interesting to spin that further, some area in the country where the horror stuff people write as fiction was based on actual happenings.
Pacific wrote: How is this show compared to Peele's other offering The Twilight Zone?
I really enjoyed Get Out, but ran out of steam with TTZ. Thought the episode on the airliner wasn't bad but didn't find any of the following episodes grabbed me in the same way.
I only saw the first few episodes of the new Twilight Zone, as I found them largely boring and predictable. I’m quite enjoying this show though. I’ve not read the books so I can’t compare them to that.
Bit of an aside, but this is a good example of one of my strongly-held beliefs: the best Lovecraftian fiction does not reference the source material in any way, but instead uses a curated selection of themes as a scaffold to build a character-driven story.
I did like the part where it seemed as if Lovecraft was a person who was inspired by true happenings, like when they talk about Dr. Herbert West.
Would be interesting to spin that further, some area in the country where the horror stuff people write as fiction was based on actual happenings.
Mmm, that's a fair point. For me personally that's not as much of a hook, but I understand that appeal. I tend not to enjoy the Lovecraft-as-horror-journalist trope because it often is just used to give the investigators a hook to enter a world of horror. It feels like a kind of convenient way to not have to slowly introduce some concepts that both the writer and reader/viewer are likely already familiar with. A good example would be the early Wendigo/Ithaqua stories by Clark Ashton Smith; the main character happens to be a big Lovecraft fan so when his friend shows up talking about this "Book of Dead Names," he can say "oh yeah, I read those pulp magazines too!" The same thing happens in the The Return of the Lloigor by Colin Wilson. I think the reason I get turned off is because it takes me out of the story a bit because it's such an explicit reference to the source material.
In contrast, the only time in Hellboy that they mention H. P. Lovecraft is in (a probably non-canon) team-up with Batman (Masks and Monsters). "Old Ones? You mean like HP Lovecraft wrote about?" And Hellboy goes "Yeah, Lovecraft knew some stuff." That made me laugh at the time, because it kind of turns it on its head.
Maybe what it boils down to is how much tolerance you have for genre-savvy characters? It's not my cup of tea, but I enjoy it when it's played for laughs (to a point); Shaun of the Dead is a classic example. It's less appealing to me when it's played straight.
Re: good Lovecraftian fiction that doesn't mention Lovecraft, The Thing is a great example, as is most of Hellboy/BPRD, House of Leaves for sure, Annihilation (only read the first book but the movie is amazing), most of the Eisenhorn trilogy feels very Lovecraftian, books four, seven, and eight of The Expanse, and I'd also throw in The Lighthouse. I'd also throw in From Beyond; yes it's a Lovecraft adaptation, but it quickly grows beyond the short story upon which it was based to become something unique to itself. Great effects for the time, I love that movie.
My painting log is full of snakes Have any retro, vintage, or out of print models? Show them off here! Games I play: 40k (CSM, Necrons); AoS/Fantasy (Seraphon/Lizardmen); Warcry; Marvel Crisis Protocol; Wargods of Olympus/Aegyptus; Mythos
Ouze wrote: Episode 3 was excellent. Rather a lot packed into that hour.
I wonder if this show is going to do "monster of the week", because, if so... I am down with that.
Still have to watch it, but I'm always down for something like that.
The only time I liked Supernatural was when it was just the 2 brothers driving around and hunting ghosts and monsters and not being tied up in an epic world ending plot.
I was hoping to enjoy the third episode, once again I liked everything but the horror. I thought the way Hippolyta was processing grief was very realistic, I liked the continued tension between Tic and his dad, it wasn't overly dramatic or played up, it was just awkward and frustrated and difficult. The scene where the three cars are honking their horns was really upsetting, I liked the party and the way it built to Leti breaking the car windows was great. I just lost interest when the ghost story started. It all felt very familiar. Probably just not the show for me; I'm being overly prescriptive on how to depict horror and magic; no reason for TV execs to cater to my unreasonable demands.
My painting log is full of snakes Have any retro, vintage, or out of print models? Show them off here! Games I play: 40k (CSM, Necrons); AoS/Fantasy (Seraphon/Lizardmen); Warcry; Marvel Crisis Protocol; Wargods of Olympus/Aegyptus; Mythos
it was at best ok as a retread of so so many haunted house stories ....some nice period stuff but otherwise for me very meh.
Luckily this was on straight after
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2020/08/31 21:19:14
I AM A MARINE PLAYER
"Unimaginably ancient xenos artefact somewhere on the planet, hive fleet poised above our heads, hidden 'stealer broods making an early start....and now a bloody Chaos cult crawling out of the woodwork just in case we were bored. Welcome to my world, Ciaphas."
Inquisitor Amberley Vail, Ordo Xenos
"I will admit that some Primachs like Russ or Horus could have a chance against an unarmed 12 year old novice but, a full Battle Sister??!! One to one? In close combat? Perhaps three Primarchs fighting together... but just one Primarch?" da001
gorgon wrote: I like this show, but it's definitely campier than I wanted it to be.
I felt the same about the book. It's a very pulpy story, and rather long for it.
I liked episode 3 more than episode 2, I'll tell you that. It hasn't really eased my doubts about how well material is translating though, especially as some latter arcs will be weirder and this series oddly seems to handle weird awkwardly.
Some good horror but with a bit of twisted comedy running through it (without giving anything away, that one ghost..) that you can tell its Jordan Peele.
Does William even exist, or is he always the white woman whos name I can't remember? They had scenes together so... I am confused.
Spoiler:
No, I don't think they actually have been seen together, thinking back now. She even had a cryptic remark at one point about them being together, stating something like "He is a boy and a friend sometimes." in the second episode. Ruby's "white form" is also the same woman that was the racist one in the town, at the granary with the dog. So, it seems Christina "repurposed" people's likeness, so there probably was, or is still, a "real" William, which maybe we learn more about later.
Ouze wrote: What exactly happened in the end? I don't understand who he was talking to and about what.
Spoiler:
I don't know exactly what the message was supposed to mean, exactly, or if it is possibly that diamond shaped rune that was on the papers, but also was on the stone Christina had Ruby put in the police captains office. But he called Korea again. If you watch the previews for the next episode, I think you can likely make some inferences, but we have to wait and see.
"Wir sehen hiermit wieder die Sprache als das Dasein des Geistes." - The Phenomenology of Spirit
Thanks. I thought it over, and I think you are right on the former.
So far as the latter - yup, perhaps maybe we're not meant to understand it yet. I usually don't watch the "next week on..." for shows I am really into.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2020/09/15 22:47:46
lord_blackfang wrote: Respect to the guy who subscribed just to post a massive ASCII dong in the chat and immediately get banned.
Flinty wrote: The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock
As to the character"s identity confusion. Remember there was an event at the end of 01 which may have allowed for both simultaneous appearances early on, and a reason for there not to be now.
We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark
The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox
"Unimaginably ancient xenos artefact somewhere on the planet, hive fleet poised above our heads, hidden 'stealer broods making an early start....and now a bloody Chaos cult crawling out of the woodwork just in case we were bored. Welcome to my world, Ciaphas."
Inquisitor Amberley Vail, Ordo Xenos
"I will admit that some Primachs like Russ or Horus could have a chance against an unarmed 12 year old novice but, a full Battle Sister??!! One to one? In close combat? Perhaps three Primarchs fighting together... but just one Primarch?" da001
Think that was my favorite episode so far. Jamie Chung surprised me a little. It was a good performance...I didn't think she was that great of an actress.
I'm really enjoying this show. Also kinda bummed, we're at like episode 6 now I think.. that means probably just like 3 or 4 to go then a long wait till next season :(
Caught up with episodes 6 and 7 and enjoyed them as much as the first after not liking the middle.
Not sure what is happening but thats no bad thing in a Lovecraft based show,
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2020/10/03 10:56:36
I AM A MARINE PLAYER
"Unimaginably ancient xenos artefact somewhere on the planet, hive fleet poised above our heads, hidden 'stealer broods making an early start....and now a bloody Chaos cult crawling out of the woodwork just in case we were bored. Welcome to my world, Ciaphas."
Inquisitor Amberley Vail, Ordo Xenos
"I will admit that some Primachs like Russ or Horus could have a chance against an unarmed 12 year old novice but, a full Battle Sister??!! One to one? In close combat? Perhaps three Primarchs fighting together... but just one Primarch?" da001
