TV series worth watching/downloading

Discussion, recommendations and reviews for music, movies, books and games. Creative arts, crafts and photography welcome.
Post Reply
User avatar
buksida
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 22476
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 12:25 pm
Location: south of sanity

TV series worth watching/downloading

Post by buksida »

Since we now have dedicated threads for movies, music and books I though I'd start one for those mini-series productions that are now becoming very popular. Since I've cancelled my satellite subscription I've been turning to these for some light entertainment and to drag me away from work - here are some I've seen in recent years (with ratings out of ten):

Lost http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 115
Buk Rating: 7.5
Probably the mother of all mini-series that spanned six years and had more twists and turns than an Alpine road. It covers pretty much everything and really sucks you in so that with enough beer and munchies you can easily plough through half a season in one sitting!

Prison Break http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455275/
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 81
Buk Rating: 7.5
The first season which included the breakout was very good and one that actually gets you thinking a little, the second two are watchable as you've got to know the characters by then so curiosity takes over and you'll sit up to play another episode.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851851/
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 31
Buk Rating: 6.5
If you are a big Terminator fan you'll like this, however it does get a little repetitive and the only thing that really keeps you coming back for another episode is Summer Glau!

Generation Kill http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995832/
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 7
Buk Rating: 8
A reporter rides along with first recon marines in the invasion of Iraq. No Hollywood bang-boom here, just a well made gritty portrayal of what it may have been like riding into enemy territory in a battered Humvee.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442449/
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 13
Buk Rating: 9.5
This has it all, sex, violence, flowery dialogue, and some historical enlightenment. Probably the best thing since Gladiator. Part two, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is more of the same, and is a must for anyone that likes a bit of blood and nudity!

Deadwood http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348914/
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 36
Buk Rating: 8.5
A truly excellent mini-series based in a frontier gold town in America's mid-west. The script-writers must have had a field day with this one and Ian McShane plays the perfect drunken whorehouse proprietor. Definitely not for kids unless you want them calling everyone they meet a cocksucker!

V http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1307824/
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 22
Buk Rating: 6
A remake of the classic 1983 TV series about the alien integration into human society and their intention of invasion. Unfortunately this one doesn't pull it off so well despite the potential with today's CGI and was probably cancelled due to low ratings.

Stargate Universe http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1286039/
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 40
Buk Rating: 8
This one is for sci-fi fans, if you liked Star Trek then SGU is up your alley (or in your wormhole). Based on the original concept of Stargate, a crew get stranded on a ship barreling through space encountering strange new worlds. Each episode can be watched individually but it helps to see them in sequence. Fantastic sound track also.

Mad Men http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804503/
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 52
Buk Rating: unrated
Set in the 50s, it revolves around New York's advertising agencies and in particular one rather estranged but very talented executive. Only 5 episodes in so far but I like what I see, no chance of it getting aired in Thailand as the entire thing would be pixelated due to the constant chain smoking!

Game Of Thrones http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/
Seasons: n/a
Episodes: n/a
Buk Rating: unrated
Set in an mythical land of kings, swordsmen, beauties and bandits this one is currently only into its fourth episode however it has enough twists, turns and evil bastards to keep you coming back for more.

If anyone has any to add that they have seen please do so, its all about the entertainment here.

Most of the above can be downloaded from veehd.com
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
User avatar
pharvey
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 13699
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by pharvey »

Why keep it to HBO - although there's some class programming there!

There's a few on your list that I've not seen buks, but will be downloading a couple incliding Spartacus based on your recommendations! :cheers:

One that jumps out from your list is Deadwood - superb series..... why the hell it was cancelled baffles me - not to mention annoying the cr@p out of me as it just left you hanging :cuss: :banghead:

I'll put a few words together as part of a review later, but a few HBO serials that spring to mind: -

Band of Brothers
The Pacific (from the makers of Band of Brothers - not quite as good, but still worth the watch)
Hung
Boardwalk Empire (2 seasons thus far - absolutely superb).
The Wire..... great, great viewing, although only halfway through Season 2.

:cheers: :cheers:
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
User avatar
buksida
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 22476
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 12:25 pm
Location: south of sanity

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by buksida »

Doesn't need to be only HBO, any watchable mini-series will do.

Forgot about Band Of Brothers, that was good.

Yes, the ending to Deadwood was disappointing to say the least!

I'm still getting through Mad Men and it is getting better!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
User avatar
sandman67
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 4398
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:11 pm
Location: I thought you had the map?

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by sandman67 »

SPARTACUS:GODS OF THE ARENA is a good series and well worth looking out for. Much more naughty stuff in there and lots and lots of CGI splattery stabbin. Fills in the story before the first series - the rise of Crixus and why Marcus Lentillus hates his dad so much. It works really well, but really you need to download it as it will get cut to shreds on Thai TV.

JOHN ADAMS was a great HBO history series about the president of the same name and early Revolution era US history. Again you can find it easy enough online in download formats. Utter top quality stuff.

THE BORGIAS rocks.... Jeremy Irons as the baddest pope ever and every episode leaves you wanting more. Like a Rennaisance era Sopranos in papal red with the odd bit of hows your father and a stilletto in the shoulder blades thrown in for good fun. Should be on Thai HBO sometime this year....maybe. Downloadable is best tho.

CAMELOT is a sort of rework of the classic Arthurian myth cycle done in a SPARTACUS stylee. Its good stuff, even with Joseph Fiennes gurning his way through Merlin. A naughty goth Eva Green as Morgana more than makes up for that. On AXN Beyond on Monday nights, but in cut form. Download it to get all the harooga harooga.

I download these every Monday with Game of Thrones from http://www.oneddl.com/ or http://www.1clickmovies.net/ - both sites are pretty good for TV series, including stuff like AMERICAN CHOPPER etc.

Ray Winstone and a cast of others did a good modernised version of BEN HUR for the BBC last year in a two part mini-series which was excellent. Downloadable at http://www.veehd.com.

Then there is the perennial classic ROME series 1 & 2, both of which shone like a bright star. Shame they didnt have any money left to make series 3 tho. Again all episodes available in DVD quality at http://www.veehd.com.

Still hold a candle for THE TRAILER PARK BOYS as possibly the funniest series since FAWLTY TOWERS....rude stoner humor mind.

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
"Science flew men to the moon. Religion flew men into buildings."

"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
User avatar
hhfarang
Hero
Hero
Posts: 11060
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:27 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by hhfarang »

I watched the entire Lost series and still felt lost at the end... a waste of many hours of my life!

I watched the entire series of Prison Break and thoroughly enjoyed it, the two seasons of The Sara Connor Chronicles and wish there were more, as well as Generation Kill and Spartacus Blood and Sand... loved them all!

I saw the first season of Deadwood and V and hope to see the rest of both of them.

I'm not sure this would appeal to anyone outside North America but "Jersey Shore" is a good mini series of which the 1st season has already aired on HBO. It's set where the name implies in the roaring 20's during prohibition and is about the mob booze trade and bent politicians. Very well done!
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
User avatar
hhfarang
Hero
Hero
Posts: 11060
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:27 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by hhfarang »

Currently watching Camelot and Killing Time (an Australian mini series of 10? episodes). Both seem pretty good.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Homer
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 3336
Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:11 pm

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by Homer »

The Wire http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/
Best TV drama series ever. I needed subtitltes at first to understand the speech of the drug dealers.

Breaking Bad. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/
My rating: 9
I'm half way through season 3, it's excellent. 4th season starts in july.

Informed he has terminal cancer, an underachieving chemistry genius turned high school chemistry teacher turns to using his expertise in chemistry to provide a legacy for his family... by cooking crystal meth of higher quality than any of the druggies or DEA has ever seen.


Justified http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/
My rating: 8
First season was good. Downloaded but not watched the 2nd. Renewed for a 3rd. Lead actor was the top billed actor in Deadwood, played Seth Bullock.

From the FX network: U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is a modern day 19th century-style lawman, enforcing his brand of justice in a way that puts a target on his back with criminals and places him at odds with his bosses in the Marshal service. He is an anachronism - a tough, soft spoken gentleman who finds his quarry fascinating, but never gives an inch. Dig under his placid skin and you'll find an angry man who grew up hard in rural Kentucky, with an outlaw father, who knows a lot more about who he doesn't want to be than who he really is.


Brotherhood. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457229/
My rating: 7
Ran for 3 seasons. Saw the 1st, liked it enough to download the rest.

Set in an Irish neighbourhood in Providence, the series reflects around two brothers on opposite sides of the law: one a gangster (Jason Isaacs) and the other a politician (Jason Clarke). It's not good vs bad, more like what happens when both of them try to do the right thing.


>Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
>...and the only thing that really keeps you coming back for another episode is Summer Glau!

At the tender age of 21 Summer was part of the ensemble case in 'Serenity'. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/ Series was created, directed and written by Josh Weadon. He's best known for writing the first Toy Story movie and Buffy the Vampire TV series.
My rating: 8

>Generation Kill
+1
BaaBaa.
Addict
Addict
Posts: 8620
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:41 pm
Location: leuk lap

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by BaaBaa. »

Homer wrote:The Wire http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/
Best TV drama series ever.
Correct.

I actually envy somebody that could sit down and watch the lot for the first time.

Not in the same league as The Wire but I really enjoyed both Spartacus series.
User avatar
migrant
Addict
Addict
Posts: 5856
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:15 am
Location: California is now in the past hello Thailand!!

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by migrant »

Enjoyed Sons of Anarchy

HHF I think you mean Boardwalk Empire, I think Jersey Shore is some mindless MTV drivel
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
BaaBaa.
Addict
Addict
Posts: 8620
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:41 pm
Location: leuk lap

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by BaaBaa. »

migrant wrote:HHF I think you mean Boardwalk Empire, I think Jersey Shore is some mindless MTV drivel
:lach:

You're not wrong. But it does look like HHF has also been watching Jersey Shore, there's an English version called The Only Way is Essex. Jesus wept.
User avatar
Randy Cornhole
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 3701
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:01 pm
Location: London
Contact:

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by Randy Cornhole »

AS homer mentioned - The wire was cool beans.
www.35mmview.com
User avatar
buksida
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 22476
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 12:25 pm
Location: south of sanity

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by buksida »

Homer wrote:
At the tender age of 21 Summer was part of the ensemble case in 'Serenity'. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/ Series was created, directed and written by Josh Weadon.
Downloading that now!

Will have a glance at The Wire also.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
User avatar
hhfarang
Hero
Hero
Posts: 11060
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:27 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by hhfarang »

HHF I think you mean Boardwalk Empire, I think Jersey Shore is some mindless MTV drivel
Yes, thanks, Boardwalk Empire is what I was thinking about. I guess I have heard of a show called Jersey Shore and since B.E. is set there, I got the names confused. :rasta:
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
User avatar
hhfarang
Hero
Hero
Posts: 11060
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:27 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by hhfarang »

Baa Baa, which is the best place to download episodes of "The Wire"? I missed the beginning and hate to start anything in the middle so haven't watched it at all and everyone recommends it.

Edit: Never mind, I found a place where I can download an episode at a time as torrents don't seem to work well on my old equipment. Getting season 1 episode 1 now!
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
BaaBaa.
Addict
Addict
Posts: 8620
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:41 pm
Location: leuk lap

Re: TV mini-series/HBO

Post by BaaBaa. »

Sandmans your best bet HHF.

I use torrents but SM obviously does lots of none torrent downloading in Thailand.
Post Reply