Posts by Kenneth Johnson12

Bradley Wood43 said:You and about 55 other people 😁 I’ve actually debated these points with...
The reality is, most people dropped off after the first season or halfway through the second...

What kind of crowd are you running with? 😁 Everyone around me watches them without issue and looks at me like I'm the odd one out. Generally speaking, I have an issue with movies and shows that feature slow pacing and lack major plot twists. That is precisely why I enjoy GoT, Dexter, Homeland, Shameless, etc. The plots don't drag; things are constantly happening. Everything else is tedious.

Furthermore, regarding comedy series, the modern ones are frankly terrible.
The only exception is The Big Bang Theory, which I still watch and find excellent. I also watched How I Met Your Mother through to the end, even though they completely botched the final season by focusing solely on that wedding between Barney and robin spoiler SPOILER, only for them not to end up together in the end. Regardless, the rest of the original series finale (not the one filmed later) was actually decent. Even though most people trashed it, I don't understand the backlash. Ted and Robin 🎉 SPOILER

I have attempted to find something new and interesting, but everything seems mediocre. There is a certain type of humor that clearly escapes me, 🤣 such as Seinfeld, Two and a Half Men, or Friends; those were excellent series. Today's offerings 👎

Bradley Wood43 said:If we’re following that logic, we might as well lump shows like CSI, Law & Order, and everything else into the soap opera category... you miss ten episodes and nothing significant changes regarding the main cast...
By that same reasoning, we could just label Breaking Bad a glorified soap opera too...
Don't get me wrong, I love the show, but let's be real... we have five seasons where Walter White just becomes an increasingly more despicable person, his wife remains as irritating as she was on day one 😁, Hank and his wife are just as bad 😁, and Jesse Pinkman is essentially a lost cause...
Sure, characters (well, some of them) evolve and grow, but all of that could have been packed into four seasons—maybe even three. They didn't need five.

That is exactly why I stopped after the first season. The pacing was so incredibly sluggish that I forced myself through the first season only to find I couldn't bring myself to start the second. Everyone claims the show becomes brilliant later on, but after the trauma of season one, I am still waiting for some sort of inspiration to actually experience the charm of the remaining seasons.😁

Since we have been discussing comedies on this forum, here is a recent recommendation: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2004420/
At certain points, it reminded me of Hangover. The plot feels somewhat tedious and slow at the start for my taste, but it eventually gives way to several hilarious scenes. All things considered, it is one of the few decent comedies I have watched lately. 👍

It is important to note that we shouldn't claim TV series are always superior; occasionally, an actual good movie surfaces (though that is a rare occurrence 😁 ).

I am checking in to offer my critiques after reviewing some of the recommended titles.

First, the movie, The One I Love. It is quite a departure from the usual fare we typically watch. It is highly intriguing, particularly the ending, which prompts significant reflection on love and relationships. I recommend it. 👍

As for series, I have finished the first season of Rectify. It is decent, though nothing extraordinary. In my opinion, the pacing is far too sluggish. Furthermore, I find the central premise difficult to swallow, as I cannot fathom how anyone would actually behave after spending 19 years in a maximum-security prison. Nevertheless, I will continue watching because the show shows promise. I simply hope they manage to fully utilize its potential 😁
.

Here is a promising movie: http://www.nytimes.com/article/dark-waters

Actually, there is a specific reason I am posting this here. Near the end of the article, there is an interesting passage: It features provocative and original material (something we have seen exclusively in certain TV series over the last few years), a perfect cast, and a director who has returned after a long hiatus to be creatively wicked. You couldn't ask for more.

Since we can never seem to agree on anything, let a third party make the decision 🤣

Zachary Nguyen2 said:How many actually good shows are out there?
Right now, you've got maybe ten top-tier series at most.
And please, don't even get me started on that boring The Walking Dead.

I haven't seen The Walking Dead. Zombies aren't my thing.😁
From what I'm currently watching, it's Game of Thrones, Homeland, Shameless, Sherlock Holmes, Elementary, Criminal Minds, and The Mentalist. I plan on watching True Detective and Hannibal next. Those are the first ones that come to mind.

Zachary Nguyen2 said:I could give you over 50 movies from the last decade, but most of them would be from Asia or Europe.

Mr. Nobody
The Other Guys
21 Jump Street
Exam
The Revenant
Kick-Ass
Machete
The Company Men
The Ides of March
Sherlock Holmes
District 9
Limitless
How to Train Your Dragon, Horrible
Horrible Bosses
Up in the Air
Tucker & Dale vs the Wild
Megamind
The King's Speech
I Love You Phillip Morris
Due Date
Law Abiding Citizen
Four Lions is a British film, but I had to include it because it's just that good.
Invictus
The Hangover
Zombieland
Up
Pandorum
Law Abiding Citizen

Not all of them are masterpieces, but I gave them all at least a 7/10.

Unfortunately, I have seen most of them. Some are excellent, such as The Hangover and Zombieland, which are fantastic comedies. However, others are terrible. For instance, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is a disaster and not funny at all. Perhaps that is just my personal taste.🤷

My conclusion remains unchanged: very few high-quality American films have been released recently, whereas there is an abundance of quality series being produced constantly. It follows logically that people follow series more frequently for that reason.

James Garcia50 said:Hmm, if Identity is your idea of perfection, you’ll probably dig Stoker (2013) too.

I will watch the first one as soon as I am able. 👍

The issue with this thread is that the title is poorly defined. In my opinion, it should have been: Why have most people started watching American series more frequently than films over the last few years?
That is how I interpreted this topic, which is why I am responding in this context. It seems others have interpreted the premise differently, leading to this misunderstanding.

Quote : shadow

James Garcia50 said:Masterpieces are subjective, smoky. It's all in the eye of the beholder, right?

Besides, like I told shadow earlier, this isn't a debate about American movies vs. American series, it's about movies vs. series, regardless of where they were produced.

Fine, you want recent American films that I consider top-tier.

Blue Ridge, Her, Enemy, Under the Skin, Coherence, The One I Love, Inside Llewyn Davis, Nebraska, The Cabin in the Woods...

I just finished watching The Cabin in the Woods. It was poor, truly poor. Coherence and The One I Love were already on my watchlist, and I intend to watch them along with the others. I appreciate the suggestions and hope they prove to be excellent. However, judging by The Cabin in the Woods, I have my doubts. We shall see. 🍿

Quote : shadow

Zachary Nguyen2 said:How much newer? Like within 10 years?

Within the last five years, at most.
To add to my previous point: I am looking for top-tier comedies and thrillers. While there have been some solid dramas and sci-fi films lately, those genres simply don't interest me personally. If you could suggest something within the requested genres—specifically psychological thrillers—that would be appreciated. 😍 For instance, I consider the following to be top-tier films within their respective genres: Identity (2003), Shutter Island, Seven, Exam, Bridesmaids, and Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Patrick Martin said:edge of Tomorrow (2014)
So, I finally sat down and watched Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), and man, where do I even start? It’s one of those movies that just hits you differently, you know? Like, if you’re expecting some heavy, soul-crushing drama, you’re gonna be looking at the wrong screen. This thing is a total blast. It’s got this vibe—this cosmic, colorful, slightly chaotic energy—that reminds me of those old-school adventure flicks, but with a modern, punchy twist. It doesn't take itself too seriously, which honestly is such a relief. Everything feels fast, loud, and unapologetically fun. It’s like when you’re driving down a highway in a beat-up truck, blasting music way too loud, just letting the wind hit your face and not giving a damn about anything else. That’s the mood. The characters? They aren't your typical "perfect" heroes. They’re basically a bunch of misfits and losers who somehow ended up in the middle of all this galactic madness. And honestly? I love that. It feels more real than those shiny, perfect superheroes who always do the right thing just because they can. These guys are messy. They make mistakes. They’ve got baggage. It makes you actually care about them, even when they're being complete idiots. And don't even get me started on the soundtrack. It's practically its own character in the movie. It ties everything together perfectly, giving it this retro, groovy feel that keeps the momentum going. Anyway, I'm rambling. Long story short: if you haven't seen it yet, stop stalling and go watch it. It’s a riot. Just a pure, high-octane ride from start to finish.
Man, I was just sitting here thinking about Snowpiercer (2013) again. Honestly? It’s one of those movies that stays stuck in your brain like a splinter. You know the vibe—everything is falling apart, society is basically a pressure cooker, and everyone is just fighting over the scraps left by people at the top. It’s heavy stuff. It makes you wonder how much longer we can actually keep this whole system running before the engine finally blows. Just a thought.
Man, I was just sitting here thinking about *The Cabin in the Woods (2012)* and honestly? It’s still one of those movies that messes with your head long after the credits roll. Most horror flicks are just mindless jump scares designed to make you spill your popcorn, but this one actually had some guts. It takes all those tired, predictable tropes we see in every cheesy slasher and basically pulls the rug out from under you. It's like if someone took a standard Hollywood horror setup and decided to deconstruct the whole damn thing just to show us how ridiculous it all is. It makes you wonder about the "rules" of movies, you know? Like, why does the creepy guy always hang out in the basement? Why does the group of friends always split up at the worst possible moment? This film basically says, "Hey, we see what you're doing," and then turns the volume up to eleven. It’s clever, it’s dark, and it’s way smarter than the typical trash you find on a Friday night streaming binge. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out on a total trip.
Prometheus (2012)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Look, I’ve been sitting here thinking about *The RAID 2 : Berandal* and man, my brain is just buzzing. It’s one of those movies that stays under your skin long after the credits roll. You know what I mean? Like when you watch something and you realize the pacing isn't just fast—it's relentless. It doesn't give you room to breathe, which is exactly what makes it so damn good. It reminds me of those high-octane thrillers where everything feels like it's spiraling out of control, almost like watching *Breaking bad* if they had replaced the drug deals with non-stop, bone-crunching martial arts. There's this gritty, suffocating atmosphere that just hits you right in the gut. It’s not some polished Hollywood blockbuster with shiny CGI; it’s raw, it’s sweaty, and it feels incredibly real. I was talking to casualtrucker3 about this the other day, and we were both saying how most modern action flicks feel hollow. They rely too much on quick cuts and loud noises to hide the fact that there's zero substance. But this? This has soul. It’s got that visceral energy that makes you want to jump up and start shadowboxing in your living room. It’s intense, it’s messy, and honestly, it’s probably one of the best things I've seen in a long time. Just pure, unadulterated adrenaline.
Død Snø 2 (2014)
Man, I was just sitting here thinking about *American Hustle*. You know, that whole vibe where everything feels like it's spinning out of control but everyone's still trying to look cool in a suit? It’s such a trip. It’s one of those movies that sticks in your brain because it’s less about the actual crime and more about how much of a chaotic mess humans are when they're trying to play pretend. It’s like... you think you have a plan, right? You think you’ve got the perfect setup, maybe some high-stakes scheme involving the FBI—I mean, we all know how those guys love to stir the pot—but then someone throws a wrench in the gears and suddenly everyone is just improvising. It reminds me of that feeling when you're driving down a highway in the middle of nowhere, thinking you're totally in control, and then boom, a massive storm hits and you're just white-knuckling the steering wheel. The characters are all beautifully broken. They aren't heroes, and they aren't even really villains; they're just people caught in this weird, desperate loop of trying to be someone they aren't. It’s heavy stuff, wrapped up in this flashy, fast-paced package. Honestly, it's a masterpiece of showing how much of a beautiful disaster life can actually be.
Under The skin (2013)
Man, I just finished watching Prisoners (2013) and honestly? My head is still spinning. It’s one of those movies that just sits in your gut like a heavy stone. You know that feeling when a film doesn't just tell a story, but actually makes you feel like you need to take a long walk just to clear your mind? That was this. It’s such a brutal, claustrophobic look at what happens when good people—people you actually root for—get pushed past their breaking point. It makes you wonder where you'd draw the line. Like, if someone you loved was taken, how much of your own humanity would you trade just to get them back? It’s dark, it’s messy, and it’s absolutely relentless. I kept thinking about how easily things can spiral out of control. One minute everything is normal, and the next, you're staring into an abyss. It reminds me of some of those gritty crime dramas you see on HBO, where there aren't really any "heroes," just people trying to survive their own worst impulses. If you've got the stomach for it, you have to see it, but seriously, don't expect to feel happy when the credits roll. It’s a heavy hitter.
Man, I just finished watching Enemy (2013) and my brain is basically a puddle on the floor right now. You ever watch something and feel like you need to sit in a dark room for three hours just to process what actually happened? That was this. It’s one of those movies that doesn't just tell a story; it kind of grabs you by the collar and shakes you until you're dizzy. It's heavy, man. Really heavy. It's got that weird, unsettling vibe where everything feels slightly off, like when you walk into a room and realize you forgot why you went in there, but instead of forgetting a grocery item, it's like your entire sense of reality is glitching out. It’s definitely not your typical popcorn flick. If you're looking for something light to watch while eating pizza, stay far away from this one unless you want to spend the rest of the night questioning every choice you've ever made. Total mind trip.
Look, I’ve been sitting here thinking about Pacific Rim (2013), and honestly? My brain is just kind of fried from trying to make sense of it all. It's one of those movies that hits you like a freight train—just pure, massive, heavy-metal chaos. You know that feeling when you see something so big on screen that you can practically feel the vibration in your teeth? That was this movie for me. It’s got that scale, right? Like, we aren't talking about some little street brawl in Chicago or a petty heist gone wrong. We're talking about giant monsters tearing through cities while these massive robots try to hold the line. It’s loud, it’s messy, and yeah, maybe it’s a bit over-the-top, but sometimes you just want to turn your brain off and watch things explode. It reminds me of those old monster flicks my dad used to obsess over, just dialed up to eleven with a Hollywood budget. But man, the whole concept... it’s wild. It makes you wonder how much we actually rely on tech to save us when everything goes sideways. It's like if the government suddenly realized we were totally unprepared for a literal alien invasion and had to scramble to build something insane just to survive. It’s a lot to wrap your head around while you're just trying to enjoy the spectacle. Anyway, I could go on, but I'm mostly just rambling now. Just one of those films that sticks in your ribs.
Man, I was just sitting there thinking about *Rush* (2013), and honestly? It hits different when you really sit with it. It’s not just some flashy movie about fast cars and engines screaming at redline; it’s about that absolute, obsessive madness that drives people to push themselves way past the breaking point. It reminds me of those guys who can't just play a game—they have to own it, consume it, and basically burn their entire lives down just to be the best for five minutes. You see it in all those high-stakes industries here in the States, too. Whether it's Wall Street sharks or tech geniuses in Silicon Valley acting like they're gods, that specific brand of "win or die" energy is everywhere. It’s beautiful, sure, but it’s also kind of terrifying how much someone is willing to sacrifice just to stand on top of a podium. It makes you wonder if the glory is actually worth the wreckage left behind.
Honestly, I was sitting there thinking about how much of a trip *Gravity (2013)* really is. It’s one of those movies that just sticks in your throat, you know? Like, you're watching this intense, claustrophobic struggle for survival up there in the void, and it hits you how fragile everything actually feels. It’s like being stuck in a broken elevator in downtown Chicago, but instead of just waiting for the repairman, you're staring into the infinite nothingness of space. Total nightmare fuel. Just pure, unadultered tension from start to finish.
So I finally sat down and watched Oblivion (2013), and man, where do I even start? It’s one of those movies that looks absolutely stunning—like, every single frame is basically a high-end wallpaper you'd find at Best Buy—but then you actually have to deal with the plot. It’s got that sleek, polished sci-fi vibe, almost like if someone took a high-budget Apple commercial and dropped it into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The visuals are top-tier, no doubt about it. But once you get past the shiny tech and the gorgeous scenery, things get... complicated. It’s one of those stories that tries to be deep and twisty, similar to how you feel when you're trying to follow a complex legal thriller on USA Network, only to realize halfway through that you missed a huge clue. I found myself getting a bit lost in the philosophical weeds. Is it a masterpiece of existential dread? Or just a really pretty way to waste two hours? Honestly, it's somewhere in the middle. It’s got those big, sweeping ideas about humanity and survival, but sometimes it feels like it's leaning a bit too hard on its own aesthetic. It's like eating a gourmet meal that's plated perfectly, but the seasoning is just slightly off. You're left wondering if you actually enjoyed it or if you were just distracted by how good it looked. Still, worth a watch if you want to zone out to some killer cinematography.
Captain Phillips (2013)
So, I finally sat down to watch Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and man... where do I even start? It’s one of those movies that just leaves you scratching your head, wondering if the director was actually awake during filming or just vibing on something else entirely. It's got that whole colorful, whimsical aesthetic going on—you know, the kind of thing that looks great in a trailer but feels like a sugar crash once you're twenty minutes into the runtime. It tries so hard to be this grand, sweeping epic, but it feels more like a high-budget fever dream. It’s like when you try to cook a five-course meal at a fancy steakhouse but you accidentally swap the sea salt for powdered sugar. Everything looks pretty, sure, but the core just tastes... off. Don't get me wrong, the visuals aren't terrible, but they can't carry the weight of a story that feels like it's constantly tripping over its own feet. It’s just one of those cinematic experiences that makes you want to stare at a blank wall for a few minutes afterward just to recalibrate your brain. Definitely not my cup of tea.
mama ( 2013 )
Philomena (2013)
Blood Ties (2013)
Stoker (2013)
Fruitvale station (2013)
You ever watch *The Best Offer* (2013)? Man, talk about a gut punch. It’s one of those movies that just sits in your stomach like a heavy meal you shouldn't have eaten. You think you're watching this sophisticated, high-stakes game of cat and mouse involving art auctions and old money, but then everything just... unravels. It’s like when you think you’ve finally figured out the rhythm of a new job or a relationship, thinking you've got all the pieces of the puzzle laid out on the table, only to realize someone swapped half the pieces while you weren't looking. It’s messy. It’s frustrating. It makes you want to yell at the screen because you see the cracks forming before the main guy does, but he's too blinded by his own obsession to notice. Honestly, it's a total trip. If you haven't seen it, grab some popcorn and prepare to feel a little bit hollow afterward. Just my two cents.
Man, I just sat through Afflicted (2013), and honestly? My head is spinning. It’s one of those movies that really gets under your skin—not in a good way, but in that "I need to go sit in a dark room and rethink my life" kind of way. It’s a total trip. You start off thinking you’re watching some standard indie flick, maybe a little bit of a psychological thriller, and then suddenly the floor drops out from under you. It’s gritty, it’s raw, and it feels uncomfortably real. There’s this sense of dread that just builds and builds until you feel like you can't breathe. It reminds me a bit of how certain scenes in Stoker (2013) make you feel—that creeping realization that something is deeply, fundamentally wrong with the person standing right in front of you. The pacing is weird, too. It’s not like a big Hollywood blockbuster where everything explodes every ten minutes. No, this thing takes its time to twist the knife. It’s more like a slow burn that eventually turns into a forest fire. If you're looking for something light to watch while eating pizza on a Friday night, stay far away from this one. This isn't "popcorn movie" territory. This is "stare at the ceiling at 3 AM wondering if the world is actually this terrifying" territory. Still, I can't stop thinking about it. It’s messed up, yeah, but it’s effective. It sticks to you like glue. Just... be prepared to feel pretty uneasy when the credits roll.
...

I am familiar with all these films; I have seen some, and I fail to see how any of them qualify as masterpieces.

Jessica Morris6 said:For starters, you've got Kings of Summer 2013., World's end 2013. and Grand Budapest hotel 2014.

@Patrick Martin, half of those movies aren't even that great. Some are just okay, and some are straight-up bad.

Are these supposed to be children's movies? I am asking seriously.

James Garcia50 said:Kenneth, I’d give you a list, but Patrick Martin already posted one. Just pick something from there, throw in Blue Ruin and a few flicks from Asia, and you're set for now.

BTW, GoT isn't even that great.

Patrick's list is desperate. Of everything listed, Blue Ruin is the only one that seems to have any potential. Fine, at least you provided one title. Perhaps I will get lucky with another one, who knows. Though I doubt it.

James Garcia50 said:Kenneth, I’d give you a list, but Patrick Martin already posted one. Just pick something from there, throw in Blue Ruin and a few flicks from Asia, and you're set for now.

BTW, GoT isn't even that great.

It is.

Zachary Nguyen2 said:What kind of vibe are you looking for?
New stuff, classics, Asian, European, or American?

Newer American films.

Still waiting for someone to put together a list of about ten films so I actually have something worth watching. People keep mentioning great series in this thread, but nobody ever suggests specific movies unless they’re talking trash about them. I realize there are other threads for this, but I am specifically looking for top-tier recent films that match the quality of elite shows like GoT or Homeland. 🍿

James Garcia50 said:Everyone’s out here bragging about hype instead of actual quality.
Everyone keeps bringing up Game of Thrones, yet not a single soul mentions Rectify, which is hands down the best series from the last decade.

Someone else already mentioned it on the first page of this thread, I think, because I actually went to Google it just now to see if it was worth my time. Now that you've brought it up, I think I will give it a watch. 👍

For the record, I am female, and when I wrote "ME," I was referring to a fellow forum member. As for YOUR movies, I meant recent films released within the last few years that you personally enjoyed.

Here is a solid list from IMDb for anyone looking for a great new series: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls050327477/

Post a link to some good or great recent movies, or at least list them. 😉

James Garcia50 said:Dexter is trash; only four shows on your list actually hit.

Everyone thinks their own posts are gold, but that isn't always the case.
If you think someone's being a know-it-all, just keep it to yourself or send them a DM instead of cluttering the thread.

Why don't you provide a list of ten excellent films released recently? Or even just four would suffice. Since you insist on disparaging these classics, let us see if your own taste measures up. Every time I attempt to find a modern film worth watching, I am met with nothing, so I inevitably resort to starting a series instead.

shadowangler50 said:I'm not obsessed with American shows; I'm saying television is better than movies right now. And they aren't necessarily masterpieces—they're just better because modern movies are garbage.
In that sense, maybe I am obsessed with movies, simply because they’ve become such a disaster.
When was the last time I actually watched a movie and felt the urge to see it again?
I watch everything, and yet, nothing sticks.

I haven't been following this debate closely, but I glanced at it. Honestly, I agree. Movies lately have been terrible, especially when it comes to thrillers or comedies. You can still find decent dramas or Sci-Fi, but those other genres are lacking.

On the other hand, excellent series are released constantly. I won't list them since you've already mentioned them here. As for what is happening to the film industry, I truly have no idea. 🤷