Hulu originals

[Punisher]

I’ve watched the first nine episodes of Shogun. Finale drops next week. The show has been amazing, every single episode is riveting.

The end of ep 9… man.

I'm waiting until the finale drops to start watching it.
I'm too used to netflix although they screwed my over with Delicious in Dungeon and made that a weekly thing.
I stopped watching it several episodes back and waiting for that to end.

[Grifman]

It doesn't stand out to me in any way. But this is Noah freakin' Hawley. Maker of the great Legion and Fargo. If anyone has earned the benefit of the doubt, it's him.

the trailer feels AI generated, and what's with heavy glamour makeup

That was a weird trailer. These people should be freaking out, but the commentary is so deadpan. That made no sense.

[$iljanus]

It doesn't stand out to me in any way. But this is Noah freakin' Hawley. Maker of the great Legion and Fargo. If anyone has earned the benefit of the doubt, it's him.

the trailer feels AI generated, and what's with heavy glamour makeup

That was a weird trailer. These people should be freaking out, but the commentary is so deadpan. That made no sense.

On mute it’s a great trailer but I agree that the spoken delivery sucks. Maybe they’re all synths? But because of Hawley I won’t prejudge the series and if it sucks it’s not like there’s nothing else to watch out there.

[hepcat]

Yeah, if it wasn't Hawley behind it, I probably would have been turned off somewhat by that trailer.

But Fargo and Legion are so damn great, I'm betting there's a reason for the weirdness of that trailer.

[hepcat]

I’ve watched the first nine episodes of Shogun. Finale drops next week. The show has been amazing, every single episode is riveting.

The end of ep 9… man.

[Zaxxon]

Ha, I saw that tweet. Perfect.

[Grifman]

I just finished, and while I Iiked it, and the production values were great, I much preferred the story arc of the original series, which hewed much more closely to the book. While I understand the desire to give more time to the Japanese side, I think something was lost in doing this. The original showed much more about Blackthorn’s attempt to understand Japanese culture and his attempts to fit in.

In addition, I much prefer the actress in the original version’s potential of Mariko. She is not a cold and desiring to die woman as in the new version - she is warm and charming, and often times finds humor in Anjin-San. In addition the romance between her and Blackthorne is much more developed and deeper than in this version of Shogun.

Anyway, that is my take from seeing the original and reading the book.

[hepcat]

Having never read the book and having only seen the original mini series once, decades ago, does

Spoiler:

the book or the original mini series make Mariko so pivotal to Toranaga's plan? I felt she became the real main character of the show, and I can't recall if that was the case in the earlier version.

In any case, I enjoyed the heck out of the show, so I'd happily watch a second season.

[Grifman]

Having never read the book and having only seen the original mini series once, decades ago, does

Spoiler:

the book or the original mini series make Mariko so pivotal to Toranaga's plan? I felt she became the real main character of the show, and I can't recall if that was the case in the earlier version.

Yes, she still plays the same role. The overall tone lot is the same, just some of the details differ.

[Moliere]

Having never read the book and having only seen the original mini series once, decades ago, does

Spoiler:

the book or the original mini series make Mariko so pivotal to Toranaga's plan? I felt she became the real main character of the show, and I can't recall if that was the case in the earlier version.

Yes, she still plays the same role. The overall tone lot is the same, just some of the details differ.

Like

Spoiler:

John trying to perform seppuku to save the village after his ship was burned. I seem to recall that the book and first TV series had him doing that when the village was threatened if he didn't learn Japanese fast enough.

[hepcat]

Ah, got it. Thanks. Now, let's discuss a spin off series entirely focused on Nestor Carbonell as Rodrigues.

[Zaxxon]

Ah, got it. Thanks. Now, let's discuss a spin off series entirely focused on Nestor Carbonell as Rodrigues.

Co-sign.

[hepcat]

Why Nestor Carbonell isn't a constant on TV and in movies is beyond me. The man is comedy gold who can also do serious stuff. His few moments in Shogun had me chuckling at times simply because of the way he would just read a line.

...oh...and of course

[Isgrimnur]

Buried in AppleTV on The Morning Show.

[Punisher]

Finished Shogun and loved it even with all the reading. It helps that it wasn't during any rwal action scenes too often.
I remember living the book in high school but the only thing I remember is that there were ninjas in it.
I know I also saw the original and liked ot.
I guess it helps that I've always been interested in samurai and
If I ever hit the lottery I definitely want to go to Japan and I think Edo has a ninja village to visit.
Does anyone know how the current one compares to the book? Is episode 10 the actual end of the book or is there still a lot to go if they do another season?

[hepcat]

Thank god there were no ninjas in this adaptation. At least not the cliched portrayal I’ve come to loathe.

[Punisher]

Thank god there were no ninjas in this adaptation. At least not the cliched portrayal I’ve come to loathe.

Explain please because unless my brain is getting worse i remember seeing them.

[hepcat]

They weren’t the black clad, hood wearing acrobats with throwing stars and an incessant need to cross rooms via somersaults and rolls. They were just assassins.

[Punisher]

They weren’t the black clad, hood wearing acrobats with throwing stars and an incessant need to cross rooms via somersaults and rolls. They were just assassins.

Ahh..
Ok. I enjoy a good movie ninja though. Was totally obsessed with those 80s ones like revenge of the ninja and anything with Sho Kusugi.
They were navyish blue here, but did have hoods and looked like they did use shuriken in one scene but yeah not over the top.
Although to be fair if I COULD cross a room with somersaults and acrobatics I think I would do so all the time.
Need milk? Backflip, spin, combat roll to the fridge. Then do one of tjose trick flips where you hold an object in one hand bavk to the couch..

[hepcat]

I’ve always believed that the portrayal of ninjas we see on tv and in movies is almost entirely an invention of those mediums. I suspect the truth is far less fantastical.

[Punisher]

I’ve always believed that the portrayal of ninjas we see on tv and in movies is almost entirely an invention of those mediums. I suspect the truth is far less fantastical.

IIRC they were a mix of assassins and spys with more of an emphasis on spying.
They did have a lot of the same tools.
Shuriken were primarily used for distraction not killing for example.
The movie version got me interested the real version, then samuri, then ancient japan. I aced that section in high school history.

[hepcat]

I just remember my high school buddy’s little brother buying nunchucks, and the resulting bruises he gave himself in his attempt to convince everyone he was a badass.

[Punisher]

You're supposed to start with the rubber practice chucks!
I'll admit I have the following
Ninja sword. Straight not curved
Knock off samuri swords.
Both look nice but because I'm in NJ they cant hsve sn edge so I could bludgeon someone but not cut them

I also have practice chucks, LOTs of shuriken, a ninja type grappling hook, 2 butterfly knives, a couple of kunai, and other misc ninja stuff including various books.

[hepcat]

It’s always wise to be prepared for a sudden invasion by a Jersey based Shogunate.

[Punisher]

It’s always wise to be prepared for a sudden invasion by a Jersey based Shogunate.

Remember, movie or real, ninjas could be anywhere..

[hepcat]

True. Hell, I’m writing this while wearing a black body suit.

…it’s a gimp outfit, but tomato tomahto.

[Punisher]

I'm assuming you have a black mask to so your heading in the right direction..
Hmmm.. new movie title.

Gimp ninjas from Toledo

[Isgrimnur]

Self Reliance

[Isgrimnur]

Suncoast

[Isgrimnur]

The Greatest Hits

[Isgrimnur]

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

[Zaxxon]

I’ve watched the first nine episodes of Shogun. Finale drops next week. The show has been amazing, every single episode is riveting.

The end of ep 9… man.

Nice to see Shogun cleaning up All The Awards. Bodes well for future support...

[hepcat]

[raydude]

You're supposed to start with the rubber practice chucks!
I'll admit I have the following
Ninja sword. Straight not curved
Knock off samuri swords.
Both look nice but because I'm in NJ they cant hsve sn edge so I could bludgeon someone but not cut them

I also have practice chucks, LOTs of shuriken, a ninja type grappling hook, 2 butterfly knives, a couple of kunai, and other misc ninja stuff including various books.

Not sure if these guys are still active, nor do I know if they are any good, but Battodo in NJ appears to be a thing. And you can't cut without an edge, so apparently you can own shinken in NJ?

[raydude]

I’ve watched the first nine episodes of Shogun. Finale drops next week. The show has been amazing, every single episode is riveting.

The end of ep 9… man.

Hiroyuki Sanada was also great in The Twilight Samurai, where he played the lead role as a low-ranking samurai for a clan. Set just before the Meiji restoration it deals with the samurai having to adjust to peace and becoming bureaucrats instead of warriors. He gets the nickname "Twilight" because after work he rushes home to look after his elderly mother and two daughters rather than staying out drinking and having fun with the other samurai. It's got a great duel scene where he uses a stick against a samurai with a sword. One of my favorite duels.

[hepcat]

I love Twilight Samurai. I came across it via Netflix when they were doing dvds still. I believed I watched that and The Emperor and the Assassin one night. Enjoyed them both immensely.

[Isgrimnur]

Hold Your Breath

[Isgrimnur]

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland

(Book cover)

[Isgrimnur]

Nutcrackers

[Kraken]

Been enjoying the last season of The Orville, which I missed when it jumped to Hulu from wherever it started out. It's a couple of years old so I gather there'll never be a 4th season. Pity that; S3 is quite good.