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Good films or shows that subverted your expectations?
- Thread starter pel1300
- Start date
EverydayBeast
thinks Halo Infinite is a new graphical benchmark
Meh, I feel like everyone expected those too be good and they were. No Country had so many STARS to carry it (woody, brolin, Lee, bardem) and yet it somehow flew under people’s radar, or is considered underrrated.
I’ll go with NBC’s Blindspot, what should be a cheesey TV cop show is basically Jason Bourne every week it’s on. 7, and 6’s out of 10 review scores, with only one notible star in Ashley Johnson (Last of Us) this show should been canceled after the pilot but here we are with season 4. Banshee is another one that subverted my expectations which GAF adores.
Dice
Pokémon Parentage Conspiracy Theorist
Arrival seemed like it would be a kind of interesting scifi movie but then by the end I was bawling because it was so beautiful.
You mean the remake, right? It was soooo much better than expected.
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Cunth
Fingerlickin' Good!
Agreed. Was very pleasantly surprised with that one.
bitbydeath
Member
Interstellar surprised me and I only watched it this year.
Graven
Member
Mad Max Fury Road.
One of the best movies of all time to me. Expected some bread and butter action movie, however, i was amazed by the characters and the tone besides the action itself. No silly one liners, no "look at me how badass i am" characters, not even cursing. The connection between the characters didn't feel forced, everyone played their part in the struggle, beautiful shots and soundtrack.
One of the best movies of all time to me. Expected some bread and butter action movie, however, i was amazed by the characters and the tone besides the action itself. No silly one liners, no "look at me how badass i am" characters, not even cursing. The connection between the characters didn't feel forced, everyone played their part in the struggle, beautiful shots and soundtrack.
Makariel
Member
Both versions, albeit I think the remake was sadly not living up to its potential, could have done even better.
#Phonepunk#
Banned
Twin Peaks: Season 3
just a non stop thrill ride that really had little to do with the original show but at the same time was rooted in it's heart and soul. i love how the entire series was ABOUT the past and trying to get back to this thing that has long since passed. i like how it gives people exactly what they want but in the entirely wrong way. Cooper, contently holding a coffee, but it's not quite the same. Cooper eating a slice of cherry pie, and saying "Damn good", but it's still not the way it's supposed to be! the world has moved on, as it always has, yet the spirit remains. it's so bizarre to take a commanding lead like Agent Cooper and split him into multiple fragmented shards and somehow they all work. the spirit is still there. even if he's just staring at a statue giving a thumbs up, it works. i don't know why on earth but it works.
the final episode, such a masterwork, so unnerving, something the entire series was building up to. i don't know about anyone else but i thought we would revisit the mysticism of episode 8. instead, it was the most plainly shot, effects-free thing Lynch has done in a long time, and all the more disturbing for it! the final shot, the victorious FBI agent bringing home the girl he saved from murder, yet it's all wrong, you cannot erase the trauma! that thing you want, you cannot have, and even if you got it, it wouldn't be so fulfilling. so brilliant, so honest, so true.
just a non stop thrill ride that really had little to do with the original show but at the same time was rooted in it's heart and soul. i love how the entire series was ABOUT the past and trying to get back to this thing that has long since passed. i like how it gives people exactly what they want but in the entirely wrong way. Cooper, contently holding a coffee, but it's not quite the same. Cooper eating a slice of cherry pie, and saying "Damn good", but it's still not the way it's supposed to be! the world has moved on, as it always has, yet the spirit remains. it's so bizarre to take a commanding lead like Agent Cooper and split him into multiple fragmented shards and somehow they all work. the spirit is still there. even if he's just staring at a statue giving a thumbs up, it works. i don't know why on earth but it works.
the final episode, such a masterwork, so unnerving, something the entire series was building up to. i don't know about anyone else but i thought we would revisit the mysticism of episode 8. instead, it was the most plainly shot, effects-free thing Lynch has done in a long time, and all the more disturbing for it! the final shot, the victorious FBI agent bringing home the girl he saved from murder, yet it's all wrong, you cannot erase the trauma! that thing you want, you cannot have, and even if you got it, it wouldn't be so fulfilling. so brilliant, so honest, so true.
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pel1300
Member
I wasn't saying people were not expecting them to be good.
I was just saying those stories surprised us in ways we didn't expect. For example, the main lead guy dying in the middle of the film. Or the villain who seems unstoppable being at his most vulnerable from a fluke car accident.
pel1300
Member
Starship Troopers was a victim of the time it came out. It it had come out a decade later people would have responded better to it and realized that it was allegory.
Red Crayon Aristocrat
Member
The ultimate expectation shattering movie for me is Galaxy Quest.
My mom rented it on video once and I reluctantly watched it thinking it was gonna be dumb, so imagine my surprise when it turned out to be FUCKING GREAT.
I'm still amazed at how much that movie exceeded my expectations.
My mom rented it on video once and I reluctantly watched it thinking it was gonna be dumb, so imagine my surprise when it turned out to be FUCKING GREAT.
I'm still amazed at how much that movie exceeded my expectations.
Kadayi
Banned
I guess the Leftovers. I honestly felt pretty burned by the clusterfuck that was LOST, so didn't have particularly high hopes for Lindelof's next TV gig. However, seeing as it was HBO and an adaptation in conjunction with the author I thought I'd give it a look-see and I was blown away by the emotionally raw nature of the performances, direction and storyline. Season 2 especially I feel stands as a high point in terms of TV storytelling with some real gut-punch moments, and season 3 brought matters to a fitting conclusion.
Also, agree with
#Phonepunk#
Twin Peaks Season 3 was amazing, and was nothing like what anyone expected going in but was in many ways all the better for it. The only thing I think I'd have loved to have seen was Tilda Swinton playing Philip Jefferies, as I think she'd have made a perfect Bowie substitute. Honestly, I don't necessarily want a further season as I actually like how they left matters. But I would love to see Lynch work on another TV show. Mayhap explore some of the themes he hit in Mulholland Drive.
Also, agree with
#Phonepunk#
Twin Peaks Season 3 was amazing, and was nothing like what anyone expected going in but was in many ways all the better for it. The only thing I think I'd have loved to have seen was Tilda Swinton playing Philip Jefferies, as I think she'd have made a perfect Bowie substitute. Honestly, I don't necessarily want a further season as I actually like how they left matters. But I would love to see Lynch work on another TV show. Mayhap explore some of the themes he hit in Mulholland Drive.
hargwood
Banned
The Last Jedi. It really subverted my expectations. It also has high ratings from critics so it must be a good film.
Luke Skywalker - Lets just make him an old hermite who nearly killed his nephew and then have him die of exhaustion.
Princess Leia - She can survive being blasted into the vacuum of space and can fly using the force.
Snoke - Kill him off and give him no backstory
Casino Planet - Animal cruelty and slavery is bad buys! Just reminding you in case you forgot.
Also tiny ships can destroy entire fleets by jumping to hyperspace...
Luke Skywalker - Lets just make him an old hermite who nearly killed his nephew and then have him die of exhaustion.
Princess Leia - She can survive being blasted into the vacuum of space and can fly using the force.
Snoke - Kill him off and give him no backstory
Casino Planet - Animal cruelty and slavery is bad buys! Just reminding you in case you forgot.
Also tiny ships can destroy entire fleets by jumping to hyperspace...
Fbh
Member
Bojack Horseman?
Had just seen a trailer and it looked like another generic animated comedy. But it ended up having surprising depth and drama and it ended up becoming one of the few comedies I kept watching too see where the story and characters go rather than just because of the humor
Had just seen a trailer and it looked like another generic animated comedy. But it ended up having surprising depth and drama and it ended up becoming one of the few comedies I kept watching too see where the story and characters go rather than just because of the humor
#Phonepunk#
Banned
Empire Strikes Back
Luke is full of the optimism from the first movie, and is a war hero, and the first thing to happen is he gets smacked and dragged off by a monster. when this happened in Star Wars, Obi Wan was there to save him from the sand people. instead, he only shows up later as a ghost after Luke has already freed himself. Luke is on his own now. instead of giving him help he gives him a task, to be trained by a wise master.
Yoda was set up to be a master jedi and "great warrior" and this was turned completely on it's head. he wasn't even a serious old hermit, he was bopping Luke on the nose and stealing his food. he was acting foolish rather than serious, and it was endearing. war does not make one great, something the war hungry youth from the first movie fails to realize. here Luke/Mark has to live with nature, to live alongside the snakes and lizards of the planet, just as he has to live with Yoda and eat his shitty soup. the force is now about a more holistic, universal thing, rather than powers weilded by individuals. whereas in the first film Obi Wan instructed him to stretch out with his feelings, here Yoda advises a more hermetic approach, tuning in to the feelings of his surroundings, subduing his own will temporarily for the proper application. controlling his feelings rather than letting his feelings control him. the first movie was all about excitedly wanting to rush off to adventure; now it's about patience, per Yoda's warning.
the force, Vader's importance & the reveal of his scarred skull, the grotesque video strangeness of the og Emperor's first appearance, everything from the first film is heightened and twisted. a shadow is slowly cast over a Star Destroyer in the way that a Star Destroyer cast one over another ship in the opening of first film, only to reveal the massive, comic book style multi-colored Super Star Destroyer, the deep blue lit from behind by bright red engine lights. Vader's first kill is when he chokes out someone at the end of a video conference call -- now the force can work across distances -- Obi Wan projecting himself on Hoth and Dagobah, Leia & Luke & Vader all force txting one another, etc. none of this was really in George's og depiction of the series, and the new approach left a lasting mark on the mythology that the series still struggles to escape from. the prequels Jedi feel so weird cos it's a reversion to the idea of Jedi from before Empire. Empire's depiction leaves such a lasting impression.
Yoda's spookily lit "there is another" speak was initially meant for the Sequel Trilogy that followed a far different version of ROTJ. it was to be Luke's twin sister training across the galaxy and coming to him as an old Jedi hermit for training, pretty much what TLJ ended up being. kind of makes the claims that they threw out all of Lucas's ideas seem a bit iffy imo.
so Luke ignores Yoda and rushes into war anyways and suffers for it. the two white male lead heroes from the first one end up dismembered and crying for mercy / imprisoned and sold as an object. Luke and Han won the day together at the end of Star Wars. here they fail, they pay for their hubris, as both Luke & Han think they can save everyone. they are in the clouds, in the heavens, but they have driven themselves to Hell. it is up to Leia and Lando to save the day, and ultimately, the galaxy.
Luke is full of the optimism from the first movie, and is a war hero, and the first thing to happen is he gets smacked and dragged off by a monster. when this happened in Star Wars, Obi Wan was there to save him from the sand people. instead, he only shows up later as a ghost after Luke has already freed himself. Luke is on his own now. instead of giving him help he gives him a task, to be trained by a wise master.
Yoda was set up to be a master jedi and "great warrior" and this was turned completely on it's head. he wasn't even a serious old hermit, he was bopping Luke on the nose and stealing his food. he was acting foolish rather than serious, and it was endearing. war does not make one great, something the war hungry youth from the first movie fails to realize. here Luke/Mark has to live with nature, to live alongside the snakes and lizards of the planet, just as he has to live with Yoda and eat his shitty soup. the force is now about a more holistic, universal thing, rather than powers weilded by individuals. whereas in the first film Obi Wan instructed him to stretch out with his feelings, here Yoda advises a more hermetic approach, tuning in to the feelings of his surroundings, subduing his own will temporarily for the proper application. controlling his feelings rather than letting his feelings control him. the first movie was all about excitedly wanting to rush off to adventure; now it's about patience, per Yoda's warning.
the force, Vader's importance & the reveal of his scarred skull, the grotesque video strangeness of the og Emperor's first appearance, everything from the first film is heightened and twisted. a shadow is slowly cast over a Star Destroyer in the way that a Star Destroyer cast one over another ship in the opening of first film, only to reveal the massive, comic book style multi-colored Super Star Destroyer, the deep blue lit from behind by bright red engine lights. Vader's first kill is when he chokes out someone at the end of a video conference call -- now the force can work across distances -- Obi Wan projecting himself on Hoth and Dagobah, Leia & Luke & Vader all force txting one another, etc. none of this was really in George's og depiction of the series, and the new approach left a lasting mark on the mythology that the series still struggles to escape from. the prequels Jedi feel so weird cos it's a reversion to the idea of Jedi from before Empire. Empire's depiction leaves such a lasting impression.
Yoda's spookily lit "there is another" speak was initially meant for the Sequel Trilogy that followed a far different version of ROTJ. it was to be Luke's twin sister training across the galaxy and coming to him as an old Jedi hermit for training, pretty much what TLJ ended up being. kind of makes the claims that they threw out all of Lucas's ideas seem a bit iffy imo.
so Luke ignores Yoda and rushes into war anyways and suffers for it. the two white male lead heroes from the first one end up dismembered and crying for mercy / imprisoned and sold as an object. Luke and Han won the day together at the end of Star Wars. here they fail, they pay for their hubris, as both Luke & Han think they can save everyone. they are in the clouds, in the heavens, but they have driven themselves to Hell. it is up to Leia and Lando to save the day, and ultimately, the galaxy.
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Nymphae
Banned
I love that last episode so much. The last scene at the house is great, I still don't fully understand what occurred but I love how he fucks with your mind. They completely subverted expectations by giving real Coop almost no screen time, but I love how it all played out anyway. Dougie was funny, even if that dragged on a bit too long.
I really enjoyed the song that plays over the final credits, Dark Space Low
GermanZepp
Member
Blue Velvet, Brazil, Naked Lunch, The Thing. Miller's Crossing.
GermanZepp
Member
Angelo Badalamenti made the music for Ps2 Quantic Dreams "Fahrenheit" aka Indigo Prophecy.
bigedole
Member
Can you expound on this a little bit? This show has been on my tertiary radar, especially since it's available on Netflix, but I've never been able to take the plunge.
Riverdale. I love this show. I read the comics all the time and this show takes all those characters that i loved and makes a twisted sexy, thriller drama pulpy series . I love the show, i think they are doing an excellent job.
Lethal weapon (season 1) I didnt think this could work but they did an amazing job with casting. They expand the ideas of the movies and add in some great action , fun dynamic between riggs and mutagh ? and add in some nice emotion as well with riggs dealing with the loss of his wife and trying to maintain his mental health.
Lethal weapon (season 1) I didnt think this could work but they did an amazing job with casting. They expand the ideas of the movies and add in some great action , fun dynamic between riggs and mutagh ? and add in some nice emotion as well with riggs dealing with the loss of his wife and trying to maintain his mental health.
Marsellio23
Member
The Game of Thrones, The Vikings.These are the two best shows I've ever seen.
Kadayi
Banned
LordRaptor
Member
Cabin In the woods which I basically went into blind and was expecting yet another shitty evil dead knock off was genuinely great literally from the opening credits.
Burn After Reading I went into expecting... I dunno, something darkly comic about the CIA and spooks doing tradecraft in the vein of a Bourne film or a Tom Clancy thriller but with a coen brothers sense of humour
Burn After Reading I went into expecting... I dunno, something darkly comic about the CIA and spooks doing tradecraft in the vein of a Bourne film or a Tom Clancy thriller but with a coen brothers sense of humour