[GTO]

The deadly show "Landman" finally comes to India and is on JioHotStar (thanks to JustWatch app for the update). I was really waiting for this one. Great story, 8.2 rating on IMDB.

Starting tonight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zxh49-bsIk

[dailydriver]

LOVE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A tale of two cities, two hearts and two viewpoints. Told through the eyes of an NRI from Kerala in the midst of house construction, the mini series reflects upon the fissiparous effects of job loss in a middle class family. With many scenes giving a sense of de ja vu to the average Indian viewer, this is a good, leisurely watch on Jio Hotstar.

[Garth]

@vnair, thank you sir. What a hidden gem that you suggested. Absolutely loved Sapney vs Everyone. TVF rocks !!!

[ashis89]

I have not watched most of the famous TV series. But I keep picking up one from the list and give it a try. Some of them were indeed good and I watched till the last episode. Few others were not as engaging and I quit them somewhere along the way.

Recently I picked up Money Heist and wasn't impressed. I have been through 7-8 episodes already with the hope that it will engage but still can't connect with it. Is it worth pursuing further?

[dragonfire]

Another binge day - this time a tad shorter - for a British thriller called The Stolen Girl. Just 5 episodes of 40 mins each (50 min finale). The story is about the kidnapping of a 9 year old and the investigation around it. There is no big bang revelation of any kind - everything unravels slowly and steadily. Bonus: It takes us through some picturesque locations of Britain and France. Overall a nice watch.

PS: I think these limited series have much better stories and treatment compared to those with multiple seasons where the latter seasons are made with the sole intention of minting more money.

[14000rpm]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Recently I picked up Money Heist and wasn't impressed. I have been through 7-8 episodes already with the hope that it will engage but still can't connect with it. Is it worth pursuing further?

Yes. It takes a while but it lands and lands well. You should continue watching.

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by GTO

The deadly show "Landman" finally comes to India and is on JioHotStar (thanks to JustWatch app for the update). I was really waiting for this one. Great story, 8.2 rating on IMDB.

Starting tonight

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=7zxh49-bsIk

One of the best shows I watched this year and can't wait for the next season. Everything has come together so well in this one.

Its witty, the character development is excellent for every major character (Ali Larter and the actress playing their daughter are really something and need special mention), story is fantastic, world building is terrific. I cannot find a fault with this show.

===

Started Mobland and wasn't impressed. Watched 3.5 episodes back to back before taking a break. Tom Hardy acts well per usual. But I can't believe I am saying this - Pierce Brosnan's acting was just okay and his accent felt very unnatural to me.

In general I think the quirky, deadpan, violent British mob stories have been juiced to the point that there is no more juice left to be squeezed... unless someone really does something fresh and iconic in the way 'Snatch' was two decades ago. Which reminds me, I also left "The Gentlemen" halfway through .

[DasAuto1985]

Dept. Q: Netflix

Yet another amazing police procedural. The story is little bit cliché, a washed out cop is given a namesake department in basement to keep him out of sight(a la Mindhunter), but the mystery was pretty good. The characters too were well fleshed out and that made it engaging. Cannot wait for Season 2, whenever that is.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by amol4184

In general I think the quirky, deadpan, violent British mob stories have been juiced to the point that there is no more juice left to be squeezed...

+100 to this, I would rate Mobland a 1.5/5. What a waste of acting talent.
I would recommend you rewatch Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels OR RocknRolla if you are in the mood for British gangsta films instead of this load of tripe.

[RJK]

Originally Posted by GTO

The deadly show "Landman" finally comes to India and is on JioHotStar (thanks to JustWatch app for the update). I was really waiting for this one. Great story, 8.2 rating on IMDB.

Starting tonight

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=7zxh49-bsIk

Did NOT know about this show. Definitely going to watch it as I have a ring side view of this industry

[subraiyr]

Originally Posted by pnredkar

Absolutely brilliant mini-series. Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon is a joy to watch; her intimidating look for most opponent and the flustered look when cornered are very believable. All other actors do a commendable job, but I was particularly impressed by Marcin Dorocinski who played Vasily Borgov. A must watch for any one with even a slight interest in chess, a good watch for others too.

Now for some trivia that might be interesting for other:

• Former world champion Garry Kasparov and chess coach Bruce Pandolfini acted as consultants; the latter was a consultant for the original book also on which this series is based

• All games showed in the series are real game positions and all the actors learned the moves even for the rapid chess

• Garry Kasparov reviewed some 700+ games with Queen's gambit opening to find a game suitable for the final match (source: https://slate.com/culture/2020/11/qu...s-adviser.html)

• The final match until adjournment was an exact copy of Ivanchuk vs Wolff from 1993 Biel Interzonal; the actual match ended in a draw.

• Improvements to the original game were suggested by Kasparov and other consultants; and are solid game plays analyzed by experts on Youtube also. https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=oIMaTKOZG-8

I am quoting the full post here since it was published way back in 2020 and it might be difficult to sift through. I do echo OP and pnredkar's perspective on this. I watched this recently and I am amazed by how the serial got one hooked on right from the word go. I am not going to talk about the acting or the actors, but more importantly how in this day and age of crime sells, this series holds its head high and leaves the viewer begging for more. Watch it on Netflix before it vanishes.

The Queen’s Gambit: Rating - 4/5

And now for some interesting trivia on this series

She beat 59 men at chess, made history, and sued Netflix for $5 million—and won.

Before The Queen’s Gambit turned “Beth Harmon” into a global icon, there was a real-life queen of chess—Nona Gaprindashvili. And her story is not just incredible... it’s revolutionary.

Born in Soviet Georgia, Nona shattered every glass ceiling on the chessboard. In 1962, she became the first woman in history to earn the title of International Grandmaster—at a time when women were barely acknowledged in the sport.

She didn’t just compete with men—she crushed them.
In simultaneous exhibitions, she defeated 59 male opponents, 28 of them Grandmasters. She went on to win five straight Women’s World Chess Championships—a record that still stands. And yet, her story was mostly overlooked.

Until Netflix made the mistake of erasing her legacy.

In The Queen’s Gambit, a line claimed that fictional star Beth Harmon “never faced men”—and neither had Nona. That was a lie, and Nona wasn’t having it.

At 80 years old, Gaprindashvili sued Netflix for $5 million, citing defamation and historical erasure. In 2022, she won. Netflix apologized and quietly settled, but the damage was done—and the truth finally lit up headlines around the world.

Why did it matter so much?

Because for decades, Nona’s real achievements were downplayed, minimized, or ignored. She had been banned from competing for the overall World Championship because Soviet officials wouldn’t let her bring her young son. She fought battles on and off the board, and still came out on top.

Even at 79, she took gold at the Senior Team World Championships, proving that greatness doesn’t expire.

Her legacy?
It’s louder than any fiction.
It’s the story of a woman who didn’t wait for permission to be legendary.

So the next time you watch The Queen’s Gambit, remember:
Beth Harmon was brilliant. But Nona Gaprindashvili did it for real. And she checkmated the whole system.

[SlowRider]

Originally Posted by AZT

Watching Andor Season 2 and episode 08 was a work of art. Hard hitting episode and my first thought was the real life Jallianwala Baug massacre when I saw that scene. It’s brilliant how they’ve weaved media propaganda into the Star Wars Universe. ...

This could have been a real world news report and almost made me forget I’m watching Sci-Fi.

Agree with you 100%. Andor S2 should not be missed. It's not preachy at all, but it's an intense commentary on the world that we live in right now. The speech that Mon Mothma delivers about truth and facts being twisted or downright manufactured at such scale and with such skill, that it's impossible for people to tell the difference between what's true and what's not, hit home with me. The way the show waves the plot around genocide, despair, resistance and hope is sublime. It makes one feel things that are way beyond the bar set by merely 'good' TV shows.

Originally Posted by DasAuto1985

Dept. Q: Netflix

Yet another amazing police procedural. The story is little bit cliché, a washed out cop is given a namesake department in basement to keep him out of sight(a la Mindhunter), but the mystery was pretty good. The characters too were well fleshed out and that made it engaging. Cannot wait for Season 2, whenever that is.

I wholeheartedly recommend Dept. Q (4/5 Netflix). I went into it without a lot of expectations as I generally like scandi noir and this seemed to fit the theme. But it's not as bleak as typical scandi noir and turned out to be a very good police procedural with some strong performances all around. The plot moves with good pace, the show never gets too serious or tedious, and turned out to be a surprise hit with everyone in the house. I'd love to see a season 2. I also would have liked to see more of Kelly MacDonald, but I can see how difficult it would be to squeeze that in, considering she's not really essential to the main plot.

[benbsb29]

The Better Sister - Amazon Prime

It was refreshing to see a show worth watching on Prime in recent times, other than the established ones like Clarkson's Farm, Grand Tour etc. This series focusses on 2 sisters and a murder mystery which takes on some interesting turns.

Good performances by the lead actors, including the cops and that makes for a show worth your time.

As the show ambled along, it just felt like it all had to be wrapped up quickly and soon enough some twists in the tale and it ended. Felt rushed to me, for what is otherwise a show well put together.

Rating: 4/5

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by GTO

The deadly show "Landman" finally comes to India and is on JioHotStar (thanks to JustWatch app for the update). I was really waiting for this one. Great story, 8.2 rating on IMDB.

Starting tonight

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=7zxh49-bsIk

Binge watched in 2 days! What a story! But more importantly what acting. Billy Bob and Jon Hamm

I have become a big fan of Taylor Sheridian. The common them across most of his series is land and people surrounding it.

Enjoy watching!

[ach1lles]

Originally Posted by VNair

Sapney vs Everyone (Prime) - 4.5/5

Originally Posted by mobike008

Sapne vs. Everyone

Originally Posted by ABHI_1512

...

Originally Posted by adrift@life

Sapne vs everyone

Originally Posted by Axe77

Sapne vs. Everyone

Originally Posted by Garth

Sapney vs Everyone.

Thank you for sharing here guys. One of the finest little things to come out of India. It grabs you right from the first scene, and is an absolute joy to watch throughout. It's thoughtful, poignant, funny, serious, grave, fun, inspiring, has a banger soundtrack and leaves you with true go-getter energy.

Top-notch cinematography, performances, editing, writing, and direction. What a thing.

All of five episodes, and it's a fully sliced journey.

Watch it on the biggest screen you have with the best speakers you have. It hasn't been ruined by Prime ads. Yet.

To @VNair, the OG Chedha. Props and a super thank you.