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Four more votes, another tie! You guys had one job!

In all seriousness, I did have to break the tie. I removed my vote from Pale Flower, leaving us with the winner, Dragon Inn.

As our current member of the year, Never Cursed has curated a round of votes.

With his choice of Euphoria (Season 1), I figure we can do the same as we did with The Young Pope: a longer discussion round, with a spoilers-free period where members who haven't seen it yet can post about individual episodes as they watch them followed by a period of open discussion.

If it might sway anyone's vote, I'm going for Euphoria and will absolutely commit to an episode-by-episode reaction if anyone wants to join me on that. I had a lot of fun doing it the last time around for The Young Pope.

All incredible choices (as if there was any doubt), but count me in for the Euphoria party. I coincidentally just restarted the series for round three last night, and it only gets better and better: easily the most exciting show on TV, with some of the strongest acting and directorial strategies committed to film or television, and the best depiction of addiction, mental health struggles, and raw social influence I've seen in ages- maybe ever. Also, selfishly, I think that acclimating to Levinson's wavelength through this series drastically helps one appreciate what he's doing so boldly in my favorite, Assassination Nation, a masterpiece seemingly destined to be overlooked in all corners of the internet

I can’t commit to a whole TV series right now, but I’ll use this as a prompt to finally see Hellzapoppin soon regardless of whether it wins

If you're interested in a shorter-form but still worthwhile work of Levinson's, the first special episode of Euphoria, Trouble Don't Last Always, is only an hour and can be watched essentially independently of the main series (despite taking place following the end of Season 1)

Never Cursed wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:02 pm If you're interested in a shorter-form but still worthwhile work of Levinson's, the first special episode of Euphoria, Trouble Don't Last Always, is only an hour and can be watched essentially independently of the main series (despite taking place following the end of Season 1)

It also resembles a fiery twofer theatre adaptation despite being an original work, which may be of interest to you. It's also the very best, and most realistic depiction of a sponsor-sponsee (or just peer-based) conversation in 12-step fellowships I've ever seen, somehow balancing attention to the experiences of long-term recovery and the hesitant hopeless active addict at once in their respective layers of truth with equitable compassion and validation (Rue is not, for example, given the slightest condescension for her refutal of 12-step ideas, as these are near-universal barriers to engage with for those who call themselves members of these fellowships). I usually keep a steady hand and am not easily triggered or stimulated by films on addiction but this one destroyed me in ways I cannot fully express in a composed state. Levinson is the real deal, and he knows this stuff because he's lived it on both sides of that diner table- and.. same

That raises a good point: if Euphoria wins, are we including the two one-hour specials, or just the eight-episode first season?

The two specials are so singular that I don’t think it would matter. Most likely, if you enjoy the first season, you’ll want to transition right into them and consume as much of what’s available as you can bite into, but it wouldn’t be as spoiler-y or affect continuity of other discussions to do so. As much as I love S1, for me the specials are where Levinson elevates himself to a new level, which has thankfully transitioned into S2- only two episodes in, it feels drastically more mature and ambitious- and that’s saying a lot considering how excellent S1 is!

So that’s all to say: if you feel mixed on S1, I would still encourage viewing of the specials, which may revitalize motivation to keep going

What are all the ways Euphoria is available to watch? People should probably know this before voting for it

HBO Max only, as far as I know

That’s correct, and there is currently a 7-day free trial combo with Hulu, as well as a reduced price for an HBO Max subscription until Jan 25 (Tues)

Also for what it's worth, you have access to HBO Max if you have an HBO cable subscription in the US or Canada (I believe)

Additionally, if you desperately want to watch the show *and will contribute to the discussion*, do not have HBO Max, the means to get it, or feel comfortable pursuing alternative avenues that walk the razor’s edge of legality, PM me. I would be honored to help any voice willing to be a contributing asset to a fruitful discussion on this series

Update on Euphoria availability: In the UK and Ireland, all episodes of the show can be seen and streamed on Sky Atlantic

Here are five random films from the collection.

Five random Criterions.

I still haven’t watched my Godzilla set, which I blind-bought when it first came out, what, years ago? My life is pretty full over the next week or two, with some timed film viewings already scheduled out, but if there’s a way I can watch this Godzilla film out of context (well, I’ve seen the original) and still give it a fair shake, I’d use this as an opportunity to crack open that set and force myself to analyze it in a vacuum. I’ll leave it to the Godzilla experts to inform my decision. If the experiment will be fruitless, I’ll just watch it in order some time down the line

It’s a direct sequel to King ghidirah, but stands on its own as a sort of proto-Star Trek thing. I’d say it’s worth it and you can look at my post in that thread for fuller thoughts.

Five random Criterions today.

I voted for Le trou because I’m trying to fit it in before the deadline on the 1960 mini-list anyway

That's where my own vote went. Probably time I watched it.

Le trou is fantastic and you both should call in sick to your jobs and go watch it right now

Le Trou is both a 1960 film for the current mini list project, and the one from the list I remember the least but that is pretty-much universally loved here. I remember being impressed but not bowled over like the rest of the forum, so that gets my vote in the hopes of seeing (more of) the light

Vote.