Just finished Stranger Things. I thought is was excellent. Anyone else watch it? The soundtrack is especially rad.
The creators are obviously influenced by Stephen King, John Carpenter, and Lucas among others. I sense a George Romero influence too with the military conspiracy stuff.
I think if you liked movies like Goonies, Monster Squad, Super 8, The Mist and shows like X-Files, you'll dig ST.
Binged watched it a few months ago.Great show.Glad they're doing a second season.
Yep, watched it around Halloween; great first season.
Watched it. Loved it. Bought the soundtrack. My favorite thing about the show was it's authenticity. There are a lot of things, in the horror & sci-fi genres especially, that take place in the 80's. More often than not they seem to have the highly stylized "idea" of the 80's and not what the bulk of the decade was like. The world they built truly felt lived in and it helped get me sucked into the plot. I'm very much looking forward to season two.
Probably the best thing to ever happen to Internet TV. I loved, loved, loved the program. Can't say enough good things about it!
This was a fantastic series. Felt throwback without resorting to cliches, great cast of likeable characters and a good monster to boot
I loved like...90% of the show. Would have been a full 100% but man did they fall short with the design of the monster. I find that with mainstream film and television, monster design has gotten really unimaginative and repetitive, two qualities that should never fit together. The Demogorgon is another example of a vague, skinny grey humanoid sort of thing with a weird mouth. It may as well have been a smaller scale Cloverfield monster.
Such a clearly modern creature design just didn't belong in an 80s throwback show, and it didn't help that it was so bland and boring to begin with.
Other than that one disappointing element, I thought the show was fantastic, and I can't wait for the next season. I just hope the creature designers step it up a notch next time.
I haven't watched it yet, but I've been thinking about it... This just makes me think about it more... so much to watch on NetFlix, so little time!!!
EDIT: Trailer is back up again!
Season 2 Trailer:
https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsTV/videos/975110322628651/?hc_ref=ARTFMIjqkSKazFa45ca6Lsu_MHBQ8L5mkjffl5a4olBJkvaudr7KK7EjTpj-qsm2Nlshc_ref=ARSGFITe0rWcQgG3twLzzyx0uXCtsgUE3XnF57eLDiz0g3n8rNYoQ9Rx5cFDN1YCLU4&pnref=story (https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsTV/videos/975110322628651/?hc_ref=ARTFMIjqkSKazFa45ca6Lsu_MHBQ8L5mkjffl5a4olBJkvaudr7KK7EjTpj-qsm2Nlshc_ref=ARSGFITe0rWcQgG3twLzzyx0uXCtsgUE3XnF57eLDiz0g3n8rNYoQ9Rx5cFDN1YCLU4&pnref=story)[/url]
TONS of Halloween goodness!
Finally checked out the first episode and enjoyed it. Will be watching the rest as I can. Really loved the attention to detail with the '80s.
Quote from: Lunkenstein on October 07, 2017, 12:25:25 PM
Finally checked out the first episode and enjoyed it. Will be watching the rest as I can. Really loved the attention to detail with the '80s.
They do a pretty great job when it comes to most elements. I just wish they didn't drop the ball with the monster design.
only 8 more days till season 2 drops...
i can't freaking wait!!!
Quote from: Big Bad Wolf on October 08, 2017, 12:24:02 PM
They do a pretty great job when it comes to most elements. I just wish they didn't drop the ball with the monster design.
I agree. Weird looking CGI monster doesn't really fit the tone of the series.
i hear ya!
it would have been nice to see a demogorgon composed of latex & animatronic gizmos... heck! a guy in a suit would have been cool too!
anyway you slice it... ive never been a fan of this cgi stuff.
here's the 3rd & final trailer for season 2...only one more week to go.
https://youtu.be/R1ZXOOLMJ8s
i do like the 2nd trailer the most out of all 3 though....
https://youtu.be/vgS2L7WPIO4
I really enjoyed Stranger Things. Great cast and story, and I loved the setting and overall feel of the series. (One of my favourite parts was the opening/title sequence).
Regarding the monster, I didnt have a problem with the design per se, but it definitely wasn't threatening or dangerous enough with regards to the peril the kid(s) were facing. The opening scene of episode 1 showed the lab guy get hauled up through an elevator roof (if I remember correctly) and that scene had me imagining a monster of considerable strength and size, rather than a skinny humanoid with a toothy daffodil for a head. I won't mention the CGI as I've done enough moaning about it to last a lifetime. Hopefully season 2 will be as gripping as the first season and have some cooler monsters.
Picked up the Blue Ray/DVD of this show yesterday. In less than 10 minutes I was hooked! The kid with the missing teeth is hilarious, and Wynona Ryder acts up a storm!
i am definetly looking forward to the lovecraftian horror tentacle monster thing in the upcoming season.
well, finished season 2 AND boy o boy was it a doozy!
sean astin & paul reiser joined the cast.. that's right, mikey & burke.
ill leave it at that for now,
I've been hearing really good things about this show and the merchandise is everywhere. Spirit Halloween even had a whole wall dedicated to the show. I've been thinking of buying it on blu-ray and these comments are making it a much easier decision. If it can be met with such universal appeal to a community of monster lovers, there must be something good about it.
Has anyone seen the Target Exclusive Blu-ray/DVD combo yet? I picked it up on Friday. I love the vintage VHS design. Plus it comes with a limited edition poster to boot.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTPcnWXy9_J8ZFk4O4rVMC407atnHQBIC5GvJKtg8I6CfDBub-Z)
The disks are kept in the "VHS Tape."
Season 2 was just as good as Season 1. In fact, I think I may have liked it more. Didn't like the episode that took place outside of Hawkins, but I see why we kind of needed it. Can't wait for Season 3 and beyond!
https://youtu.be/npcqBt_e4k0
That is really good!
I am about half way through season 2 and so far I am enjoying more than season 1, which is a pleasant surprise as pretty much all of my friends had told me it was a bit of a let down. I'm finding the humour much funnier too. A great series.
Quote from: long live kong on December 20, 2017, 01:18:36 PM
I am about half way through season 2 and so far I am enjoying more than season 1, which is a pleasant surprise as pretty much all of my friends had told me it was a bit of a let down. I'm finding the humour much funnier too. A great series.
I agree. I have no idea why people are saying it's a letdown. It was better.
Gonna watch the last two episodes of S2 tonight. Totally dig this show. I'm actually a little depressed there are only two more episodes to watch.
When I watched the first two episodes of season 1 I didn't really care for the show. I then gave it a second chance and quickly became addicted as the season went on. Season 2 was good, however, I really thought the final episode was a let down. Hopefully season 3 will explain a little more.
Watched first 6 episodes of season 3. Pretty awesome as expected. Gonna finish up tonight.
I see some fun tributes so far: John Carpenter's The Thing, Jaws, Halloween II, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Terminator . . .
Quote from: geezer butler on July 14, 2019, 07:58:53 PM
Watched first 6 episodes of season 3. Pretty awesome as expected. Gonna finish up tonight.
I see some fun tributes so far: John Carpenter's The Thing, Jaws, Halloween II, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Terminator . . .
And is it just me or is Cara Buono a smoking hot milf? Are we allowed to say that word here btw? :-\
Season 3 was, far and away, the best season. My favorite characters: Steve and Nancy. The whole thing was absolutely incredible. Wish they'd make these seasons a lot faster. I don't know how old the kids are supposed to be in S3, but they are almost ready to graduate high school IRL.
I agree. I love the whole series. I watched season 3 on Netflix in 1 day just last week. I am hoping for a season 4.
Quote from: geezer butler on July 14, 2019, 08:00:14 PM
And is it just me or is Cara Buono a smoking hot milf? Are we allowed to say that word here btw? :-\
Well. Ya just did. So shall.it be written
I was fortunate enough to watch the final episode of Season 3 at the Arclight Hollywood with the Duffer Bros. in the house. What a blast it was! Season 3 took the series to a whole new level!
I just got into this series due to recommendations from friends at work. It's a quality, character driven series. Despite the warnings from the far right, I haven't noticed any demon portals opening up at my place. I will say my cat doesn't like the Demogorgon noises.
Each season is better than the previous. Wait until Season 4. It will blow your mind.
In my opinion, season 4 was the best.
I have enjoyed the entire series, but I felt Season 3 was the weakest. Season 4 was a true return to form, and perhaps my favorite as well. I just wish they had filmed Season 5 back-to-back with it so we didn't have to wait two years!!!
I just rewatched the entire series. I don't get the "Season 3 is the weakest" argument that a lot of people make. If you watch them again, Season One is boring as hell. Like, I just wanted it to be over. The characters are awkward, and it's just not fun for long stretches of time. Season Three has the best character dynamics, and there's not a part I find boring or want to skip through. In the Season 4 rewatch, I find myself skipping through ALL of the Russian stuff and most of the lab stuff. Like, the Russia stuff is awful. Don't get me wrong. I love Season 4 and I consider it the best, but it's tied with Season Three. Season Two is better than one. And Season One is just... ugh. It got better toward the end.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on August 18, 2022, 02:25:49 PM
I just rewatched the entire series. I don't get the "Season 3 is the weakest" argument that a lot of people make. If you watch them again, Season One is boring as hell. Like, I just wanted it to be over. The characters are awkward, and it's just not fun for long stretches of time. Season Three has the best character dynamics, and there's not a part I find boring or want to skip through. In the Season 4 rewatch, I find myself skipping through ALL of the Russian stuff and most of the lab stuff. Like, the Russia stuff is awful. Don't get me wrong. I love Season 4 and I consider it the best, but it's tied with Season Three. Season Two is better than one. And Season One is just... ugh. It got better toward the end.
I found that the Russian scenes were a little boring. In hindsight, those scenes were applicable to the narrative of the season.
Quote from: marsattacks666 on August 18, 2022, 03:00:39 PM
I found that the Russian scenes were a little boring. In hindsight, those scenes were applicable to the narrative of the season.
Definitely, but not enjoyable to watch. lol I love [omitted for spoilers] as a character. Sending him to Russia, while probably necessary for the Eleven plot to happen, was a tremendous disservice to the character.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on August 18, 2022, 07:15:20 PM
Definitely, but not enjoyable to watch. lol I love [omitted for spoilers] as a character. Sending him to Russia, while probably necessary for the Eleven plot to happen, was a tremendous disservice to the character.
I can agree with that.
One of the theories we've been kicking around at work is, this entire series is an elaborate role playing came the characters from the series are engaging in. The series contains a number of tropes from 80's popular entertainment and there are contrivances.
I think Season 3 does have some of the best character moments, but the Russian invasion angle is just too real-world hard to swallow. The fact that they could build a vast scientific complex under an American mall undetected by everyone but a bunch of teenagers pushes the reality of the show. Also the fact that said teenagers aren't instantly killed by the Russian army is a bit much. I can buy fantasy elements like demogorgons and Vecnas all day long, but Season 3 operates in a cartoony-version of the real world too much for me, and it stands out. I didn't mind the Russian prison angle in Season 4 for the most part because I could buy what was going on there because everything was so isolated.
I enjoy all of it though. Just some minor criticisims that didn't deter me from rewatching all of it this summer after enjoying Season 4.
Quote from: Earth 2 Chris on August 19, 2022, 09:03:15 AM
I think Season 3 does have some of the best character moments, but the Russian invasion angle is just too real-world hard to swallow. The fact that they could build a vast scientific complex under an American mall undetected by everyone but a bunch of teenagers pushes the reality of the show. Also the fact that said teenagers aren't instantly killed by the Russian army is a bit much. I can buy fantasy elements like demogorgons and Vecnas all day long, but Season 3 operates in a cartoony-version of the real world too much for me, and it stands out. I didn't mind the Russian prison angle in Season 4 for the most part because I could buy what was going on there because everything was so isolated.
I enjoy all of it though. Just some minor criticisims that didn't deter me from rewatching all of it this summer after enjoying Season 4.
I see your points now. I felt the same in the rewatch, not the fact about the Russians being able to secretly infiltrate the US without anyone knowing, 'cause I mean stranger things have happened, but their reaction to being found. I think the fact they were trying to get answers about who Scoop Troop was working for, however, saves that, and the clear fact they were willing to torture Scoop Troop to get the information. Because, honestly, they would want to know who discovered them and wouldn't believe it was just a bunch of kids. All in all, I could have done without any of the Russian stuff, though. I get it's the '80s, but there were a lot of other routes they could have chosen for real-world villains... and that does lend some credence to judd's role play theory, though I hope that is not the case.