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Why is everyone into series more than movies these days?

Started by William Hall93 · · 👁 23 views · 415 replies

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Participants William Hall93wiredraven82wanderingpanther68jademarlin29Nicholas Nguyenbluenomad2cosmiclynx57Carl Hill53jadecyclist36goldenhound32shadowangler50hiddenbear4analogpanther55Karen Jackson4Angela Alvarez10James Garcia50Betty Ross6Brian Ross7wearycobra18Kenneth Johnson12silvergardener6Carol Garcia2Noah Harris50Patrick Martin …
Frank Thomas92 Frank Thomas92 Member
17 messages
joined Sep 2013
#141 ·
When you stumble upon something truly special, you just don't want it to end. It’s that exact feeling you get when you're buried in a massive, gripping novel—the kind that pulls you so deep into its world that by the time you hit those final ten pages, you're actually tearing up.
Too often, movies feel rushed, like they aren't giving the story enough room to breathe, yet somehow they still manage to drag on far too long.
I find myself sitting there for two and a half hours (sometimes even longer) watching a film, only to realize that certain plot points could have been much more fleshed out. Instead, the screen is cluttered with mindless scenes that stretch the runtime to a point of genuine physical discomfort. On one hand, having that extra time feels like a luxury, but when you consider how great modern TV series can be, it feels unnecessary.
A good series usually runs anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour and a half, allowing the story to develop naturally. You get regular doses of that incredible fictional world, but it doesn't consume your entire existence; you can actually live your life and still catch up on everything.
However... there is one thing about series that absolutely drives me crazy and makes me want to turn them off: that same obnoxious padding. In a desperate attempt to bait viewers into impatiently waiting for the next season, writers will stretch out the last few episodes with such garbage filler that you honestly start questioning your own intelligence for watching. And some shows (I won't name names, but we all know who they are) should have been retired years ago to preserve their legacy as classics. Instead, they just keep dragging on—or they were painfully overlong to begin with—even though they're basically being kept alive solely by a handful of die-hard fans. At this stage, it isn't even sad anymore; it's just awkward to watch them linger on.
casualtrucker3 casualtrucker3 Newcomer
4 messages
joined Oct 2014
#142 ·
The thread title is actually being a bit generous—it’s not quite true that series suit me better than movies. Honestly, if you're looking for a truly great TV series, you practically have to hunt for one with a flashlight; I feel like I only stumble upon one decent show every decade or so. Movies, on the other hand, seem to turn out "okay" much more frequently.
wiredraven82 wiredraven82 Active Member
146 messages
joined Mar 2014
#143 ·
Frank Thomas92 said:When you stumble upon something truly special, you just don't want it to end. It’s that exact feeling you get when you're buried in a massive, gripping novel—the kind that pulls you so deep into its world that by the time you hit those final ten pages, you're actually tearing up.
Too often, movies feel rushed, like they aren't giving the story enough room to breathe, yet somehow they still manage to drag on far too long.
I find myself sitting there for two and a half hours (sometimes even longer) watching a film, only to realize that certain plot points could have been much more fleshed out. Instead, the screen is cluttered with mindless scenes that stretch the runtime to a point of genuine physical discomfort. On one hand, having that extra time feels like a luxury, but when you consider how great modern TV series can be, it feels unnecessary.
A good series usually runs anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour and a half, allowing the story to develop naturally. You get regular doses of that incredible fictional world, but it doesn't consume your entire existence; you can actually live your life and still catch up on everything.
However... there is one thing about series that absolutely drives me crazy and makes me want to turn them off: that same obnoxious padding. In a desperate attempt to bait viewers into impatiently waiting for the next season, writers will stretch out the last few episodes with such garbage filler that you honestly start questioning your own intelligence for watching. And some shows (I won't name names, but we all know who they are) should have been retired years ago to preserve their legacy as classics. Instead, they just keep dragging on—or they were painfully overlong to begin with—even though they're basically being kept alive solely by a handful of die-hard fans. At this stage, it isn't even sad anymore; it's just awkward to watch them linger on.

People claim those FBI shows are actually good—personally, I’m just praying they finally pull the plug. 🤦
Nicholas Watson Nicholas Watson Active Member
106 messages
joined Feb 2014
#144 ·
wiredraven82 said:People claim those FBI shows are actually good—personally, I’m just praying they finally pull the plug. 🤦

and everyone could just perish in total agony 😈

Lately, TV shows have actually become more appealing to me than movies, mostly because a single episode doesn't drag on as long as a full feature film. When you've got a little kid running around the house, that's a massive deal since you barely have any downtime to actually sit down and enjoy something 😁
wiredraven82 wiredraven82 Active Member
146 messages
joined Mar 2014
#145 ·
Nicholas Watson said:and everyone could just perish in total agony 😈

Lately, TV shows have actually become more appealing to me than movies, mostly because a single episode doesn't drag on as long as a full feature film. When you've got a little kid running around the house, that's a massive deal since you barely have any downtime to actually sit down and enjoy something 😁

Good grief, I absolutely loathe those FBI-style "procedural" shows. Honestly, I can't even wrap my head around them—whenever one pops up, I practically break out in hives. I find myself slamming the channel button with the speed of a gunslinger in an old Western just to escape, purely out of disbelief that I accidentally stumbled upon such garbage while browsing.
Jessica Morris6 Jessica Morris6 Active Member
195 messages
joined Nov 2022
#146 ·
It was actually pretty solid CSI: Las Vegas, especially back when it first started. Now, they’ve got Ted Danson playing in the new episodes. I guess he's trying to crack cases using nothing but that silver hair of his...

As for the rest of them, they just don't really measure up much...
image
Zachary Nguyen2 Zachary Nguyen2 Active Member
117 messages
joined Oct 2014
#147 ·
Fixing a series is easy, but fixing a movie is tough. You've only got an hour or two with a film, while a series gives you over 20 hours to work with.
Zachary Nguyen2 Zachary Nguyen2 Active Member
117 messages
joined Oct 2014
#148 ·
wiredraven82 said:Good grief, I absolutely loathe those FBI-style "procedural" shows. Honestly, I can't even wrap my head around them—whenever one pops up, I practically break out in hives. I find myself slamming the channel button with the speed of a gunslinger in an old Western just to escape, purely out of disbelief that I accidentally stumbled upon such garbage while browsing.

NCIS is great.
Karen Smith9 Karen Smith9 Active Member
183 messages
joined Apr 2013
#149 ·
Zachary Nguyen2 said:Fixing a series is easy, but fixing a movie is tough. You've only got an hour or two with a film, while a series gives you over 20 hours to work with.

Honestly, waiting around for a show to "get better" is pure masochism.🤣
Zachary Nguyen2 Zachary Nguyen2 Active Member
117 messages
joined Oct 2014
#150 ·
Karen Smith9 said:Honestly, waiting around for a show to "get better" is pure masochism.🤣

Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. Just like in The Walking Dead.🤣
Kenneth Johnson12 Kenneth Johnson12 Member
14 messages
joined Oct 2014
#151 ·
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. 🍿
Patrick Martin Patrick Martin Regular
702 messages
joined Aug 2015
#152 ·
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.
...
Jessica Morris6 Jessica Morris6 Active Member
195 messages
joined Nov 2022
#153 ·
Kenneth Johnson12 said: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. 🍿

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.
Samuel Robinson2 Samuel Robinson2 Newcomer
6 messages
joined Oct 2014
#154 ·
Why does everyone seem to prefer series over movies these days?
1. Because they’re shorter and you don't actually have to use your brain much.
2. Because the good guys beat the bad guys in the US and bring eternal bliss, freedom, peace, and democracy to the whole damn world (and beyond).
3. They clearly haven't seen Futurama or Breaking bad...
4. Because that's just not true—everyone still loves movies more.
5. The Bishop said so, so that's how it is.
Samuel Robinson2 Samuel Robinson2 Newcomer
6 messages
joined Oct 2014
#155 ·
Kenneth Johnson12 said: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. 🍿

There’s this place called Asia. If that feels too far away, try somewhere closer, like Europe.
There's this thing called Google. You type stuff in, it spits stuff out, and then you find what you're looking for. If you're under 16, sure, that works. But if you're older... 😵
Nicholas Watson Nicholas Watson Active Member
106 messages
joined Feb 2014
#156 ·
Jessica Morris6 said:It was actually pretty solid CSI: Las Vegas, especially back when it first started. Now, they’ve got Ted Danson playing in the new episodes. I guess he's trying to crack cases using nothing but that silver hair of his...

As for the rest of them, they just don't really measure up much...
image

Now that's actually a pretty solid point you made there. 🙂

Zachary Nguyen2 said:NCIS is great.

🙂

@auto
Man, you really won't let go of Prometheus, will you? Honestly, movies like that are exactly why people have stopped showing up to theaters just to binge series at home or hunt down torrents. You drop a bunch of cash on some hyped-up 3D experience only to realize you've basically paid for a total miss. 👎
James Garcia50 James Garcia50 Active Member
137 messages
joined Oct 2014
#157 ·
Kenneth Johnson12 said: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. 🍿

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.
Zachary Nguyen2 Zachary Nguyen2 Active Member
117 messages
joined Oct 2014
#158 ·
Kenneth Johnson12 said: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. 🍿

What kind of vibe are you looking for?
New stuff, classics, Asian, European, or American?
Zachary Nguyen2 Zachary Nguyen2 Active Member
117 messages
joined Oct 2014
#159 ·
Nicholas Watson said:Now that's actually a pretty solid point you made there. 🙂

🙂

@auto
Man, you really won't let go of Prometheus, will you? Honestly, movies like that are exactly why people have stopped showing up to theaters just to binge series at home or hunt down torrents. You drop a bunch of cash on some hyped-up 3D experience only to realize you've basically paid for a total miss. 👎

So, you love the acting in Las Vegas, but you can't stand NCIS?🤣🤣
Rachel Richardson Rachel Richardson Regular
662 messages
joined Jul 2017
#160 ·
Two entirely different worlds.
TV series have more breathing room—they allow for deeper conversations and extended discussions over time.
A movie is much more concise 🙂

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