The Final Cut
Jul. 3rd, 2009 08:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elabySo today we bought a whole lot more DVDs than we intended to XD
We were going to get the House of Cards trilogy and the fourth season of Starsky & Hutch (that is, I was going to get them and let![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
caitirin pick out a third DVD/set for free). We couldn't decide what we wanted for our third one, though, and then caitirin saw the Stargate: SG-1 seasons and decided to buy her own three-for-two deal. That left me with a free DVD to choose... I briefly thought of getting the filmed version of Edward II starring Ian McKellen (which I didn't know existed! OMFG Marlowe + McKellen = win, am I right?) or the "best of" original Star Trek episodes, but then I saw the first four DVDs of Horatio Hornblower in a set and they had to be mine ¬_¬ I want to at least see Edward II, on general principle alone even if I didn't think it'd be awesome. So, end result, we have lots of things to watch!
And this afternoon I finished watching The Final Cut, the last part of the House of Cards trilogy :D
This was definitely my least favorite of all of them, but considering that I thought the other two were freaking awesome, that doesn't really mean I hated this one. Not having Stamper took away a lot of the appeal, and Urquhart was up to his evil mischief again, but he just didn't seem like he enjoyed it as much as he used to. Holding onto the crown once you've got it is a lot less fun, as I'm sure Richard III would tell you.
When I saw the first episode, I was like "What's with this Cyprus thing?" It seemed pretty extraneous, and I was glad to see that it was very important later. I still think he could've been brought down with the Mattie Storin tape alone, and that would have been more of a strong thread throughout the whole series, but whatever. Mostly what I think of this part was that there was a whole lot of naked Claire boobies and sex between people I didn't find at all attractive, and it kind of weirded me out. I spoiled myself on the end, so I knew Elizabeth and Corder had Urquhart shot, but I didn't know the circumstances. It seems like it would've been the only way out, though public shame would have of course been satisfying. I really loved Urquhart early on, and in spite of his horribleness I was rooting for him, like I do when I love a bad guy. That kind of slipped in To Play the King, and it was done interestingly and skillfully, but in this last one, it was almost entirely gone. That said, it was still really fascinating to watch.
Things I liked: The few times Urquhart did lock eyes with the camera were awesome, especially one point when he was talking to Claire and obviously he didn't believe whatever she was telling him and he gave us this brief hilarious look. Also, when he put his hand in Geoffrey's shirt and was all "Where is your heart?" I almost died XD Elizabeth was playing solitaire at one point, too... awesome symbolism there. And I think I would have thought the Margaret Thatcher memorial stuff was a whole lot funnier if I were actually British, but it was still pretty great nonetheless.
It was a good watch, altogether, and I'm glad I own it, but I still prefer the other too :3
I don't have any House of Cards icons yet! I guess this will have to do n_n
We were going to get the House of Cards trilogy and the fourth season of Starsky & Hutch (that is, I was going to get them and let
caitirin pick out a third DVD/set for free). We couldn't decide what we wanted for our third one, though, and then caitirin saw the Stargate: SG-1 seasons and decided to buy her own three-for-two deal. That left me with a free DVD to choose... I briefly thought of getting the filmed version of Edward II starring Ian McKellen (which I didn't know existed! OMFG Marlowe + McKellen = win, am I right?) or the "best of" original Star Trek episodes, but then I saw the first four DVDs of Horatio Hornblower in a set and they had to be mine ¬_¬ I want to at least see Edward II, on general principle alone even if I didn't think it'd be awesome. So, end result, we have lots of things to watch!And this afternoon I finished watching The Final Cut, the last part of the House of Cards trilogy :D
This was definitely my least favorite of all of them, but considering that I thought the other two were freaking awesome, that doesn't really mean I hated this one. Not having Stamper took away a lot of the appeal, and Urquhart was up to his evil mischief again, but he just didn't seem like he enjoyed it as much as he used to. Holding onto the crown once you've got it is a lot less fun, as I'm sure Richard III would tell you.
When I saw the first episode, I was like "What's with this Cyprus thing?" It seemed pretty extraneous, and I was glad to see that it was very important later. I still think he could've been brought down with the Mattie Storin tape alone, and that would have been more of a strong thread throughout the whole series, but whatever. Mostly what I think of this part was that there was a whole lot of naked Claire boobies and sex between people I didn't find at all attractive, and it kind of weirded me out. I spoiled myself on the end, so I knew Elizabeth and Corder had Urquhart shot, but I didn't know the circumstances. It seems like it would've been the only way out, though public shame would have of course been satisfying. I really loved Urquhart early on, and in spite of his horribleness I was rooting for him, like I do when I love a bad guy. That kind of slipped in To Play the King, and it was done interestingly and skillfully, but in this last one, it was almost entirely gone. That said, it was still really fascinating to watch.
Things I liked: The few times Urquhart did lock eyes with the camera were awesome, especially one point when he was talking to Claire and obviously he didn't believe whatever she was telling him and he gave us this brief hilarious look. Also, when he put his hand in Geoffrey's shirt and was all "Where is your heart?" I almost died XD Elizabeth was playing solitaire at one point, too... awesome symbolism there. And I think I would have thought the Margaret Thatcher memorial stuff was a whole lot funnier if I were actually British, but it was still pretty great nonetheless.
It was a good watch, altogether, and I'm glad I own it, but I still prefer the other too :3
I don't have any House of Cards icons yet! I guess this will have to do n_n
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no subject
Date: 2009-07-04 02:57 am (UTC)I still need to watch "House of Cards", and you need to watch Robert Lindsay in "Fierce Creatures".
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Date: 2009-07-04 01:38 pm (UTC)House of Cards was really cool. The first two were my favorite :)
I love Horatio Hornblower too! It's SO well done!
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Date: 2009-07-04 07:28 am (UTC)One, no Stamper = no squee for Emma, which I resent. Still though, I don't think I can hold CJ's retirement against him.
Two, the Cyprus thing did my head in a bit. I have to say that the implication that Urquhart was always a fairly dodgy character before House of Cards doesn't square with me. I though the whole point of HoC was that Urquhart was a good man who was eventually corrupted by the promise of power...you know, like Macbeth.
Three, Andrew Davies isn't as good a writer as everyone makes him out to be IMO. His weaknesses show in this last programme. Plus he and Michael Dobbs had completely fallen out and Dobbs wanted nothing more to do with it after that.
Four, different director. Paul Seed was a very talented director and must take some of the credit for the previous shows' success.
Still, it wasn't all bad. Even at it's worst moments it's better than a lot of stuff out there.
And I think I would have thought the Margaret Thatcher memorial stuff was a whole lot funnier if I were actually British
Yes, you would have. Especially the "this will be my Falkland Islands" bit. Be glad you were spared the Thatcher horror, even if it means you don't completely get the references here XD
I may have to suck it up and make some HoC icons
no subject
Date: 2009-07-04 01:47 pm (UTC)Ah, I didn't know if that was a reason for not having Stamper in the last one! I can never really blame actors for that. I'm sure I'd want to retire too XD
I though the whole point of HoC was that Urquhart was a good man who was eventually corrupted by the promise of power...you know, like Macbeth.
That's SO much more interesting, in my opinion. The idea that the events at the beginning of HoC pushed him over the edge makes a better story, I think.
I didn't know about the change in directors, either, but I really think it was obvious now that I know. Especially all the sex o_o I'm not usually shy about stuff like that, but this was a little embarrassing, and it was always so subtly done (if slightly creepy) in the other ones.
Aah, I knew the Faukland Islands thing was supposed to be funny! I just didn't get why XD
You should totally make some icons! I would love that ^_^
no subject
Date: 2009-07-04 02:29 pm (UTC)I don't think it was the reason his character was killed, but he was definitely not available after that. A great loss to television.
Especially all the sex o_o I'm not usually shy about stuff like that, but this was a little embarrassing
Yeah, it was totally out of place, wasn't it? I'm not totally against graphic scenes, but only if the tone is appropriate. It really isn't in this case.
Falklands references are usually code for a totally unjustifiable war that is fought to make the leader seem tough and righteous.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-04 03:11 pm (UTC)Ahh, thank you for the explanation! That worked quite well then, didn't it?
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Date: 2009-07-04 01:41 pm (UTC)WORD!
no subject
Date: 2009-07-04 01:48 pm (UTC)