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Can’t shake the deep sense of sadness after watching LoTR Trilogy for the 7th time.

Hello, all.

I’ve long been a fan of the fantasy genre, and yesterday I finished watching the LoTR extended trilogy for the 7th time in my life (I’m old enough to have watched the original ones in cinemas 20 years ago).

The thing I simply cannot do is shake away the deep sense of sadness in knowing that stories like that will probably never be told again, let alone have such passion behind it to have movies so well done and with such a fantastic and beautiful soundtrack and, more importantly, respect (as much a possible when making a movie) for the original story without “currentdayism”.

I am here to ask for the help of fellow individuals, who, like me, are tired of all the crap being shoved down our throats with modern Western content in general.

I have never been a fan of animes or animations in general, but found myself loving “Sousou no Frieren” as of late after a friend nudged (pushed) me in that direction.

I’m here to ask you all: I would like to ask you for recommendations on beautiful stories (none of that “subverting expectations and kill all characters” and everyone’s bad in their own way like Game of Thrones). The kind of stories that only someone who’s not on the left could create.

Are there any movies, (or series) or even anime that you could recommend that follow that pattern?

Life is already full of betrayal and duplicitous characters in the workplace and I don’t want my escapism to be a hellhole as well. LoTR is beautiful, has difficulties and brings about the best in friendship, loyalty and just beauty all-around. Is there anything that would get even close to it?

Thank you all in advance, and I hope you all have a great day!

There is more done in the first 15 minutes of this episode than 6 hours of Rings of Power. The tension between the Blacks and Greens is clear without 1 word being said and done so with only a few looks. We as the audience were shown and not told. It could be a persons first episode of this series and they would clearly see there is tension and clear dislike between characters and even the use of colors of clothing tell who is being poised against whom.

I really felt for The King, he just wants his family to be one happy or at least content family and Daemon was an absolute dick to him in the best possible way. You can tell he wants to truly be left alone and out of it, but at the same time has not forgiven him for past actions, even though justified. Daemon truly is tired of it all and wants nothing to do with Court. But even in his dick moment you can tell deep down he loves his brother but he just cannot have Viserys compassion, it is not who he is.

The next two scenes are more set-up, though for some reason I found satisfaction in both. Lord Corlys talking with his wife about the Linage a how it was Names and not Blood people remember was so medieval in truth and tone I truly enjoyed it and the grand scale of the room they were in, it conveyed power in the scene.

Rhaenyra and Daemon on the beach and them finally getting together was decent, it was a set-up scene but still well done and again the ability of the show to pull off large outdoor scenes giving us a true grand scale is impressive.

But then we get on to the Dragon Stealing, and the aftermath, I just cannot spoil this for people it was to well done and actually believable. Paddy knocked it out of the park, if there was an Oscar a true Oscar from back when they were given for true Magnificent acting Paddy would get it for this scene. And as an Emmy is all they give now for this type of acting he better get one. Truly the best of his career and one of the best scenes I have seen in at least Ten years.

The next two scenes are the aftermath and Otto and Alicent I just cannot get behind their characters, not in the writing or the lines, but the people playing them. They are trying to make Otto a Littlefinger with a touch of Tywin and which doesn’t work for me and Alicent I am finally convinced it is the two actress’s they found to play her that I just cannot find anything in her acting ability to make me believe her.

Rhaenyra and Laenor were excellent together, believable and the lines were done well, to bad for what happens next but the entire ending scene was incredible, true Game of Thrones tv. Daemon and Rhaenyra being Targaryen’s FINALLY.

This is a short review but so much happened and so little was needed in dialogue, ever last scene meant something and without the dialogue a deaf person could know what was happening and that it had Importance and weight. Gravity and Consequence was in every action.

I will give this episode a 10. How can I not when there is an Oscar worthy performance in it. Nor will I detract for a few nit-picks as that as well would be unfair, when doing a review honesty is important. The episode drew me in from the start and never lost me. It entertained me and isn’t that what it should do beyond all else?

I had to rewatch it this morning to write this, I watched it last night and went to bed satisfied and thinking about what I had just seen. Then now watch again to actually write the review. It was a 10 last night and on second watch I still give it that highest of praises. Even my criticisms of the “actors of Otto and Alicent” I will not detract from the lines spoken for. Paddy gave a performance of a lifetime, Daemon, Rhaenyra, Corlys and the Kids were all excellent.

I have still not forgotten Seasons 5 – 8 of GOT and know this can go off the rail at any time, but to judge this show on it would be just as bad as those who defend bad shows. I will not do that. But I will tell people if even you are not a fan of GOT or HotD, this is a episode worth watching, as it could be a stand alone by itself.

This is the first time I really felt like I was watching Game of Thrones when it was still great TV. We had Dragons, Intrigue, plots within plots the cinematography was second to none.

The actress swap was done well and you can tell the show runners knew they had to up their game and make it believable not only believable but elevate this episode as well. They pulled it off Both Rhaenyra and Alicent were aged properly and looked the role.

I still cannot stand the two actress’s they got to play Alicent, neither have the emotion or facial expressions to pull off the lines, and this actress change showed me it is not the writing it is fine. So it has to be the directors for her or the actress’s themselves.

But as Rhaenyra’s actress pulled off the lines and emotions, I am at a loss. Did they just get to women who have no emotions in their words or expressions to play Alicent?

Patty was so good in this episode and his role, shame he will be dying soon, he has really begun to shine, I believe him as a Father and a Patriarch of not a Kingdom but a family only wanting his family to be just that, A FAMILY.

Daemon, well Matt I have said it before was born for this role, He brings Daemon to life and even seeing his wife commit suicide he looked like he did care for her. He just wants to live in peace, not broken but just done with politics and back stabbing.

Rhaenyra, now her role I was most concerned with, the actress has made statements that were off-putting. Yes, I wish they would keep their fucking mouths shut, studios should really look at contracts that forbid employees from Politics or Social Agenda. It is how to lose half your customers and that is stupid.

But that aside she pulled off the role, I believed her and saw the start of the Civil war forming despite her trying to avoid it with a political means. When she saw what was coming, she did what was smart and left for Dragonstone.

I have to point out one glaring thing, the kids being instructed in fighting, Unlike Rings of Amazon, this scene was done very well, it was clearly of all scenes the setting up of the Blacks v Greens. Combat training done correctly and the clear foreshadowing in it was done perfectly for me.

This Episode rating is a 9.

It was the first time as I said, I had memories of the original GOT and almost everything was done on point. My biggest complaint of the cgi dragons this time was gone. I had to dock points for Alicent, I just cannot get over how bad  she is IMO.

I am going to start out with my score 7.5

This episode actually moved the plot along, had political intrigue that was believable and consequences.

Lets get the Cringe out of the way. People they are Targaryen’s and it was no shock to anyone who knows the story of them from books or the original Game of Thrones, they Marry and Have incestuous sex. So, stop being fake shocked.

Also Spoiled, she Marries her uncle aka Matt Smith better known as Daemon. It is the Targaryen thing to do after-all. Now the Brothel scene was not that great. The Orgy in Conan was better and really the one in Rome is even better than that.

Ok now that the “GASP” omg moment out of the way, Lets dive in to Daemon giving up the crown, yes its in the books. But how he did it is different. But nonetheless is what they did and wasn’t done bad.

Next is the aftermath of The Princess’s night out. The lines were good between the Queen and Princess, but there is absolutely NO onscreen chemistry between them. The actress who plays the queen just has no presence on screen at all. She is as dead a presence than she was a lay in that scene.

It hurt that scene tremendously, they could not play off each other. Rhaenyra Plays well off other characters, but not off the Queen. Again, the dialogue was good, but Alicent’s actress is just there filling a dead space.

When the King confronts Daemon, it was and OK scene Paddy really has me enjoying him in interactions with Daemon and even with Rhaenyra. I had to chuckle a hung-over Daemon still more believable than Otto or Alicent. The problem with this is I do know the story and both of them should be much more cunning and believable. I just do not buy their performances. Could it be the directors?

The King talking to Rhaenyra… Bunch of BULLSHIT, again the first mention of the prince that was promised was Rhaegar in Danys dream in the House of the Undying. Now we do know the Prophecy is much older possibly 5,000 years old, and originated in Asshai. Many cultures have a story such as that in our own world. But not sure why they would put it in this series because it bears no relevance on it. It is a “member-berry” and does nothing for this series.

Lastly the King and Otto scene, again Paddy does a great job delivering his lines. Otto is like his daughter “a dead lay” no emotions none at all.

All-in-all, I enjoyed this episode, it moved the plot along and did not have any wasted scenes, I wish we had better directors as that might help with the actor’s chemistry, maybe not, maybe we needed both. Luckily or Unluckily, we will be getting 2 new actress’s soon to play Alicent and Rhaenyra, maybe they can have chemistry, or better yet, Let the Civil War start and not need to see them interact.

House of the Dragon Episode 3 Review

The first scenes with Daemon on his Dragon, were what we should have seen in the original Game of Thrones, Beautiful and awe inspiring. It looked like a Dragon and his Rider, even to the point of showing the true Bonding when Daemon was hit Caraxes felt it and reacted as well. This scene felt and looked perfect.

Next we have a Two year time jump to the Kings new son, the Party was ongoing like anyone would have for their child, and we learn the Crab Feeder has been at it 3 years now. We get the typical yada yada do nothing from the lords… Seriously 3 years now and the King does nothing, and the excuse is because Daemond acted. BORING!

Then we get Rhaenyra, sitting under the Weirwood that Sansa clearly didn’t know about in the Godswood at Kings Landing. Then right in to a bumpy carriage ride and dialog that was forgettable. Princess Rhaenyra, definitely is starting to win me over as she is becoming more like her Uncle than her Father. But had I not written this down I would have forgot the scene as it was forgettable.

On to the hunt and the feasting tint, we get more people trying to Provoke Rhaenyra, doesn’t work but she gets her shot in to which I enjoyed. When she leaves, she does meet a Lannister, Jason, who pretty much says she will be his wife. She then goes to her father and they have a nice public fight. Again boring, we have seen this is other shows.

She rides off pissed off and The King-maker, I mean Ser Criston Cole heads off to save/stop her. We have an interesting conversation and then more boring eating.

Jason Lannister goes to the king wanting the Princess hand in marriage, I do believe we can see the King more than a little annoyed by this. Especially when he brings the king naming his son his heir.

I must admit when we finally see the King actually acting like a father and getting pissed about all the politics going on about marriages, I could actually feel for him and like him. His drinking you can see that it is all taking a Toll on him, but the final advises for her to Marry “Laenor Velaryon” you can see he takes it seriously.

Next we get a nice member-berry to Robert and the Bore, make no mistake this was what it was about.

Then back the King and this time with the Queen, she is almost as insufferable as Galadriel IMO. But we get the king drunker than Cooter Brown, questioning if he was wrong to name Rhaenyra his successor. Not a bad performance.

We finally get to the Kill part of the hunt. As a Sportsman, I found this sickening and distasteful. This is personal to me as I hate High Fence Hunts and that is what this scene was only worse. Where was the sportsmanship? The respect for the game and any dignity? I would guess this was Hollywood trying to play a PETA Moment… Well done you show how little you know of Hunts of the Past or even today. No true sportsman would ever condone this or be part of it. Congrats on making me hate the showrunners even More. I am glad Miguel the Activist is leaving.

The Next scene we see Princess Rhaenyra and the Kingmaker confront the real Stag of the hunt, she lets it go. Now this reminded me of several movies. The one that stands out most is from” The Queen” specifically “The Stag Scene. “Helen Mirren, as Elizabeth II, sits on a hill at Balmoral countryside. For those who have not seen this movie its worth it for just that scene.

On to the next act, Otto and the Queen conspiring already to make the Baby the next king, yup who cannot see this coming. The king comes in and we get them talking about Rhaenyra and her marriage. The conversation is obvious and clear about helping Daemon, and the king is sending aid.

The King and the Princess, This scene was great, truly great and believable acting, as such I will not spoil it, but of all the scenes with the King so far, This made me feel like he was both King and Father.

The Letter from the King scene, to say Daemon took it well is an Understatement, he took it like a Taragryen. And then we get more proof no one in this World can shoot arrows worth a damn. And finally when a couple miracle shots find him we are suppose to be shocked that his army is all the sudden there and that Laenor Velaryon has come in on Seasmoke, which looks a lot like Caraxes in many shots. Come on they were just talking about wanting to use Daemon for bait and he obliged them on his own.

And its over. Again the best I can say is “MEH” the writing is picking up at little, but still found myself board. In fact midway through I got up to do some things around the house and cook some food. This is just not a gripping your seat show. Better than Rings of Power yes. But nothing like Seasons 1-4 of Game of thrones.

I think Hollywood has forgot how to write good stories, and if it were not for Matt and his on screen power, I would have already checked out. But as there is really nothing else on TV and no one streaming on Youtube this early in the morning, it was something to watch.

Rating it a little higher because the writing for the King has picked up and Rhaenyra as well is getting better and of course Matt I mean Daemon. This one gets a (6).

Please no Meme’s, no linking to outside Content Creators etc. Put your Opinion and your words to this topic.

This is NOT Tolkien in any way shape or form.

The Lady Galadriel was NEVER “Xena Warrior Princess” Never Happened. Unrecognizable from anything from the works of Tolkien. The have written her and portraying her as “Angry, Young, Naive, Rough and Ready but more earthly and less godly” Oh yes, I saw that article. By this time she was thousands of years old and had already stood-up to her Uncle, one of the most powerful beings to ever live and tell him no, NOT ONCE but 3 times. Because she could look in the hears of people and see what kind of person they were.

The portrayal of all the Elves was so wrong, they looked like they could been plucked strait out of the Salons of Hollywood with the fresh hair cuts and make-up. Not once did any of them look like elves as described by Professor Tolkien.

The Dwarves were the bright point, well unless you want to stop and understand DWARF WOMEN HAVE BEARDS! And these did not. They sure did not look like Dwarfs as described, and Disa’s fake accent was just cringe worthy. The men did and the set looked OK and for a Billion-dollar show, set pieces should not just look ok.

Sauron, I mean Halbrand and Galadriel on the raft, I literally asked people with me where the child with the map on her back was! It looked so much like Water World; I asked that question.

The Meteor man, I mean Gandalf, was horrible. Did y’all notice the ground was red hot and yet we have Discount hobbits that are standing and sitting on it and no burns, no cloths catching fire from the extreme heat. And OMG the sign language from Discount Hobbit to Gandalf what! By the way, that is NOT how the wizards came to Middle Earth. That was a deliberate call back to the Comet from Game of Thrones.

I will not even get in to the Diversity and Inclusion, policy of Amazon’s that put character in this show that were and could not have ever been in Tolkien’s world. But I will point out in his own words why they cannon or should not be in this show.

From Letter 131 to Milton Waldmen
“I had a mind to make a body of more or less connected legend, ranging from the large and cosmogonic, to the level of romantic fairy-story-the larger founded on the lesser in contact with the earth, the lesser drawing splendour from the vast backcloths – which I could dedicate simply to: to England; to my country. It should possess the tone and quality that I desired, somewhat cool and clear, be redolent of our ‘air’ (the clime and soil of the North West, meaning Britain and the hither parts of Europe: not Italy or the Aegean, still less the East), and, while possessing (if I could achieve it) the fair elusive beauty that some call Celtic (though it is rarely found in genuine ancient Celtic things), it should be ‘high’, purged of the gross, and fit for the more adult mind of a land long now steeped in poetry.” J. R. R. TOLKIEN.

Ladies and Gentlemen, what you watched from Amazon was NOT the works of Professor Tolkien, it was them using a name of a well known Movie, Author and Books to get you to tune and view a product that was inferior in every way. It was a Bait and Switch, as this had nothing to do with Tolkien except for the names of some of the characters. In fact id added many characters never in his books and certainly never described by him.

House of the Dragon Review.

Well, when you wake up and go to your favorite Island after a long night at sea and the local tavern has acquired a early copy of the New Show and you have a fresh cup of coffee, you might as well watch and see.

So First off we have a Narrative to tell you what we are going to see. The narrative is also very clear in the fact it is trying to separate itself from the original Game of Thrones.

Now I will say I liked Harrenhal, looked very much the description from the books. The narration was ok, nothing special, like I said making a point to separate this show from GOT. You know 172 years before.

Next we get to see a Dragon, If this show does anything right it is actually the look of the Historical Dragons of the Books. Syrax was Beautifully done and Princess Rhaenyra looked like a Targaryen. Beyond than she did not impress me as the Princess from the books.

Her Father, Viserys I Targaryen was very forgettable to me. They took the book Viserys and made him more a buffoon than anything else. Though he was not a Powerful man in description and in fact did not like conflicts and like to make people happy, the portrayal in the show has him really a lesser man.
The rest of the High Council was again very forgettable. Even Otto was just Meh.

As to Alicent Hightower, again a Meh performance and reminded me more of Missandei, than who Alicent should be. BTW Littlefinger jetpack has come in to play already as she is already making Bedroom advances to Viserys. Yes, it happens but damn talk about speeding things up. Could we have taken at least 2 maybe 3 episodes for it to happen.

Ok, the Bright Point Prince Daemon Targaryen, Now this was as close to the Books as you can get so far, and seeing Dark Sister was a treat. I find no fault in this adaptation of Daemon (so far).

The tournament, was ok I did like it and the way they actually made it seem like a true jousting and weapons fight. But again Daemon makes the scene.

Keeping this spoiler free, the scene with Viserys and Rhaenyra in front of the Skull of Balerion was not bad at all, but reminded me of “The Presidents book of Secrets.” Hate to say it but again very Meh.

There were also a few scenes that reminded me of the Pot Changing scene from G.O.T. at the Citadel. And I had the same reaction; WHY?

All in all. I have to rate this Episode a 5.5, there is just no way I can give it a higher rating. Had it not been for the Tournament and the Cinematography being excellent, I would have given this an even lower rating of a 3. Out of 10.

I must also address what will surely be on everyone’s lips (the race swap) Yes it happened. Why I can only imagine HBO like Amazon has some stupid racial and diversity policy in place. Because this was in NO way the best actor for the job. At least IMO, but there you have it, this is what happens when there is no reason for it other than probably some stupid policy. Worse there are plenty of races in This world and they can be used instead of doing it to a legacy character.