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1. ndsipa+(OP)[view] [source] 2024-12-28 12:18:47
I think the best modern productions are now the series rather than the films as there's so much more time to tell the story and have room for characters to breathe etc.

Just look at the artistry and story-telling skill displayed in both seasons of Arcane - there's so many brilliant examples of "showing, not telling" on display there.

As a counter-example, I enjoyed watching the "Flow" film the other day - an animated film about a cat (and other animals) trying to survive a flood and there's not even a single word in the entire film.

replies(3): >>isleya+K >>zemvpf+p1 >>source+J4
2. isleya+K[view] [source] 2024-12-28 12:25:13
>>ndsipa+(OP)
I don't doubt that, but from what I've been reading Arcane is notorious for having songs in the background exactly describing the action onscreen.
replies(1): >>ndsipa+G2
3. zemvpf+p1[view] [source] 2024-12-28 12:32:10
>>ndsipa+(OP)
Maybe 5 years ago but can't say I agree any more. Netflix in particular stretches 2-hour scripts into 10-hour limited series. I'm trying to watch Black Doves right now and continually get bored at how much exposition and background there is. There was clearly a tight, fun script in there somewhere before the committee performed surgery on it. I don't need everything explored and explained to death, give me something with rhythm instead.
replies(3): >>ndsipa+73 >>ghaff+4g >>ndsipa+iq
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4. ndsipa+G2[view] [source] [discussion] 2024-12-28 12:46:25
>>isleya+K
I haven't heard that at all. As I understand it, the music is written to go with certain scenes, but it complements the action and adds a lot of emotional beats. I can't think of an example where it's simply describing what's going on on-screen.

The music is a huge part of Arcane though, and complements the emotional content.

e.g. The Line (Twenty-One Pilots) was written after Tyler Joseph witnessed the passing of his grandmother and is written from her viewpoint - incredibly powerful and poignant, but also fits in wonderfully with what is happening with Victor (Arcane character).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Rj2gQAyPA

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5. ndsipa+73[view] [source] [discussion] 2024-12-28 12:51:28
>>zemvpf+p1
Maybe it's a problem with Netflix series.

Some of my favourite recent series haven't been from Netflix - Slow Horses, Day of the Jackal etc.

6. source+J4[view] [source] 2024-12-28 13:10:54
>>ndsipa+(OP)
Couldn't disagree more about Arcane, I thought it was the usual pedestrian writing and mish-mash of tired tropes we've come to expect from mainstream productions.

A friend was pushing me to give it a try, a friend who likes Marvel, and the Miles Morales spiderman film, who plays League, who was excited by Baldur's Gate, etc etc. I tried to say "no, there is no chance of me enjoying that, it'll be the usual drivel", but they insisted it was really good.

And I watched, against my better judgment, saying to myself: "come on now, give it a serious try, be open-minded". To no avail!

I recall the scene where they'd the punk or alternative or "underground" live music in the bar in the underworld place, in the 3rd or 4th episode, and that being the final straw for me. A viler and more disharmonious appropriation of dissident culture I've never had the displeasure of sitting through.

replies(1): >>ndsipa+C6
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7. ndsipa+C6[view] [source] [discussion] 2024-12-28 13:31:53
>>source+J4
Sorry you didn't enjoy it. If I recall correctly, that scene was an animated cameo by Imagine Dragons who do the theme tune (Enemy) for Arcane.

Personally, I hadn't had any contact with League of Legends and knew none of the lore before watching Arcane, but was thoroughly taken with the incredible art and story-telling. What I find surprising is the amount of character development they manage to incorporate - the first season had meaningful character arcs for almost all the characters (maybe two side characters were left out). The second season feels a bit more rushed though.

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8. ghaff+4g[view] [source] [discussion] 2024-12-28 15:06:15
>>zemvpf+p1
I like Black Doves but don't really disagree with your broader point in some cases.
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9. ndsipa+iq[view] [source] [discussion] 2024-12-28 16:33:49
>>zemvpf+p1
That's just reminded me of an article I read recently about "What We Do In The Shadows", where Clement/Waititi originally thought that the idea was a ten minute sketch ("vampires, but they're stupid") that they managed to stretch out into a whole film. Of course, then they stretched it out even further into 6 seasons of a series (not counting Wellington Paranormal).
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