Slurpy2k20
Member
I just came.
House of Cards - S1 on Netflix - Spacey & Fincher - *UNMARKED SPOILERS FOR ALL OF S1*
- Thread starter Cornballer
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I just came.
Holy shit balls the quality options for this show are very limited and most of them suck big time.
Such a high production value and this beautiful cinematography, all destroyed by the picture quality.
I was really hoping for Sky Atlantic HD, but 2,4 Mbps average bitrate which results in 1,28GB for a 53 minute episode is just atrocious.
The Netflix stuff is really awful too. Lots of banding which is even multiplied because there are lots of dark scenes.
Now all my hopes are on 1HD Russia which are airing this tonight. If they don't have a quality broadcast I will wait for the Blu-ray. No way they get me to watch this with the garbage options available right now.
Such a high production value and this beautiful cinematography, all destroyed by the picture quality.
I was really hoping for Sky Atlantic HD, but 2,4 Mbps average bitrate which results in 1,28GB for a 53 minute episode is just atrocious.
The Netflix stuff is really awful too. Lots of banding which is even multiplied because there are lots of dark scenes.
Now all my hopes are on 1HD Russia which are airing this tonight. If they don't have a quality broadcast I will wait for the Blu-ray. No way they get me to watch this with the garbage options available right now.
EightBitNate
Member
Frank is such a despicable character. Fuck is wrong with this guy?
Also (entire season spoilers):
Still love the show though.
Does anyone else think Frank's decision to murder came to easily? I mean yes, he has been shown to be extremely power hungry, and has done a lot of shitty things to get where he is, but it seemed too sudden. He hasn't really gotten his hands dirty himself, and he seemed way too calm when killing Russo. It was hinted that his conscience may be getting to him just a little bit in the last episode but not much. I figured he was eventually going to murder just based on the fact that the promo shots have his hands covered in blood, but I just don't know if the build up was executed well enough to justify his thinking.
Still love the show though.
I didn't think this would be an issue for me (and you're being a tad overdramatic), but it definitely detracts from the experience. The production values are so strong overall (a step below cinema, but a step above HBO) that the streaming quality issue stands out that much more.
It was foreshadowed in the opening 30 seconds of the pilot. In his sociopath mind, he was putting Russo out of his misery, just like the dog.
TimHortons
Member
The super hd one is around 6mbps bitrate. I have to use a dns service to get it but its worth it.
Yeah, I figured the show was presenting him as a sociopath. Maybe I'm just over thinking it. I also completely forgot about him putting down the dog.
I just like quality. Especially when it comes to shows like these. I really wish this would air on HBO. Their HDTV broadcast quality is usually top notch and only bested by their Blu-ray offerings.
I've seen the first episode in Super HD (what a stupid name) and no this was nowhere near super hd. I had a hard time calling it HD. I would never subscribe(used a free trial) to Netflix if this is the best they can do.
I know this is not an issue for most people because they use small ass TV's where they can't even tell the difference between SD and HD but for me this is a real issue.
It is still watchable of course, but I don't really enjoy it.
So I finished all 13 eps, I really love it. I might write up a longer post later, but I just wanted to touch on this.
Does anyone else think that Frank talking to the camera lowers the overall IQ of the show? I have a couple of issues with it in this setting.
1. It blows a lot of potential set up by letting you in on what he's thinking. To compare it to another show, Frank is essentially the Don Draper of HoC. Part of what's so great about Don's character is that he can be completely down-and-out, and then come back with an absolutely amazing presentation of his power. Frank never gets that opportunity, because anything he's going to do is ruined by him walking you through it beforehand.
2. It's kind of awkwardly implemented. None of the other characters can talk to you, which makes Frank the narrator in a way. However, he's real-time and in the story, so he can be narrating to you about what a badass he is even while some other character is completely fucking him over (which you know but he doesn't), which ultimately defeats his "super genius" persona when the viewer is essentially always more clued in than he is.
It's honestly the most bothersome thing about the show (other than his wife's scary neck-hole)
Does anyone else think that Frank talking to the camera lowers the overall IQ of the show? I have a couple of issues with it in this setting.
1. It blows a lot of potential set up by letting you in on what he's thinking. To compare it to another show, Frank is essentially the Don Draper of HoC. Part of what's so great about Don's character is that he can be completely down-and-out, and then come back with an absolutely amazing presentation of his power. Frank never gets that opportunity, because anything he's going to do is ruined by him walking you through it beforehand.
2. It's kind of awkwardly implemented. None of the other characters can talk to you, which makes Frank the narrator in a way. However, he's real-time and in the story, so he can be narrating to you about what a badass he is even while some other character is completely fucking him over (which you know but he doesn't), which ultimately defeats his "super genius" persona when the viewer is essentially always more clued in than he is.
It's honestly the most bothersome thing about the show (other than his wife's scary neck-hole)
bigtroyjon
Member
Can ISP's really tell what exactly you are watching on Netflix?
BlackGhost
Banned
Just finished, can't wait for more. Hope next season will be as interesting
Series spoiler
Series spoiler
Poor Russo, also the whole thing with Zoe and Claire made dislike Zoe for for a bit. She was coming of as so cocky/bitochy
Finished the season
Love this show and what a great way to start the year. Looking forward to future seasons. Netflix made a good pickup.
Wow Frank actually did it and got the VP. Too bad Zoe is betraying him but at least his camp knows about it now. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out next season.
As for Claire's storyline I support her against the pregnant woman. The pregnant woman gets no sympathy from me after lying about her dismissal and pretty much has a high-horse, sanctimonious attitude.
As for Claire's storyline I support her against the pregnant woman. The pregnant woman gets no sympathy from me after lying about her dismissal and pretty much has a high-horse, sanctimonious attitude.
Love this show and what a great way to start the year. Looking forward to future seasons. Netflix made a good pickup.
QueenOfThorns
Member
Actually, this has got me wondering, is there a chance we'll ever see Blurays for House Of Cards? (Or Arrested Development when it comes out.) I understand why they wouldn't do it for a couple of years or so, but after that it'd be nice to have a physical copy.
Netflix doesn't own House of Cards. They just have the exclusive streaming/"broadcast" rights in US and Canada. Sony Pictures Television has the distribution rights or the show worldwide, and are selling broadcast rights in regions with no Netflix. They will be releasing the DVD/BDs as well.
yesyesyes.gif
ClassyPenguin
Banned
Awesome, will buy the blu rays. The cinematography is too good for streaming.
5 episodes in and I really like the Russo actor and character. He reminds me of Peter Sarsgard. Also just realized his girlfriend was the girl in Cabin in the Woods.
Really good so far and I have no idea where It is going. While avoiding spoilers, I have not yet worked out Spacey's end game. Is it to try and get the position stolen from him, or simple vengeance.
I love this show. The best part about it is that it is not political. It simply focuses on the process and at least thus far has not gone into newsroom or the west wing levels of, "We are all here to do the right thing," It is simply a power struggle on several levels.
Assuming the quality does not jump off a cliff, this could end up as one of my top tv shows currently running.
Really good so far and I have no idea where It is going. While avoiding spoilers, I have not yet worked out Spacey's end game. Is it to try and get the position stolen from him, or simple vengeance.
I love this show. The best part about it is that it is not political. It simply focuses on the process and at least thus far has not gone into newsroom or the west wing levels of, "We are all here to do the right thing," It is simply a power struggle on several levels.
Assuming the quality does not jump off a cliff, this could end up as one of my top tv shows currently running.
Taking a few tips from Sherlock.
Yes, he's great.
late season spoiler, so not for you:
I think it's a mark of a truly great show when they're willing to kill off a character that the audience is rooting for.
polyh3dron
Banned
Frank Underwood wants a PS Vita.
Vita is no longer doomed, confirmed.
Long live PS Vita.
Also, there's no way government IT people would allow congressmen and senators to use Macs like they do in this show. IT people hate Macs.
Vita is no longer doomed, confirmed.
Long live PS Vita.
Also, there's no way government IT people would allow congressmen and senators to use Macs like they do in this show. IT people hate Macs.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Well, that's not exactly a new concept. And I still find it interesting that people
are still rooting for him at the end of the season.
Finished the series today. Frank Underwood is truly a disgusting and repulsive individual. Kevin Spacey plays the role so well. It's nice to see how well planned the series is on a whole, and how the gears all start turning individually and start affecting stuff across the entire narrative. Unfortunately, all that means jack shit right now when the season finale isn't even a finale of any sort. This was clearly planned as a 26 episode series, and this is nothing more than a halfway point. So I'm just sitting here being depressed that there aren't another 13 episodes to watch right now. Lol.
Bring on season 2.
Bring on season 2.
ClassyPenguin
Banned
Wasn't Obama on Reddit with a MacBook?
Too bad the show stops doing it on a whim midway through.
Ludicrous Speed
Banned
Well looks like I'm subscribing to netflix. At least for a few months for this show and arrested development.
Any promotions for new users? Like a free month?
Any promotions for new users? Like a free month?
Different directors. But yeah, I agree. Some things should be kept consistent, this is one of them.
heliosRAzi
Banned
Fincher just gave a set of rules. He would give notes to directors on how to edit or change something, but they didn't have to listen to him.
But yeah, they should have kept the texts the same way throughout the show.
House of Cards is a unique production where each individual director has final cut rights on their episodes, and they get to cast the new characters who appear in their episodes. Fincher said he wanted to allow the team of guest directors to have the sort of control which he would want for himself if he were a guest director on a show. That was one of the conditions he wanted for this production, and Netflix was the partner which agreed.
Triple Oceans
Member
That's actually pretty cool and respect to Fincher for that. Though I will say, I wish they didn't do away with the pop up texting. I'd much rather have that than the over the shoulder camera view they've used.
The President using a White House Macbook:
And Eric Cantor with his iMac and iPad:
Macs and iOS devices are allowed in Congress and the Senate. iPads are especially popular.
The pop-up texting thing is extra weird because it's not like they completely dropped it after the first two episodes either. I recall at least 2 episodes, one earlier on and one later on, where there were short scenes featuring the pop-up text. It actually felt extra inconsistent because of the sudden reappearances.
I think there were a few moments where showing the phone added tension. Such as (episode 13)
Zoe and Lucas waiting for Rachel to text back.
Does it need to be consistent?
It's inconsistent when the first two episodes established the technique by using it on pretty much every single text conversation, and the rest of the series does not, yes. It doesn't mean every single scene of texting has to use that technique, but rather, the notable absence of it after the second episode draws attention to a change in production. And after that absence is noticed, a sudden reappearance of that technique in minor scenes makes those scenes stand out more in a distracting way.
episode 8 -
i like these episodes where frank leaves washington for a bit, this was better than the peach one as it had more interesting character stuff but they were both nice changes of pace. i thought russo winning over the constituents and the leader happened a bit too fast though, i think it needed more than just that fight reminding him that they're on the same side. in the town hall i did however like how it captured the rough side of being in a profession where your decisions have such a profound impact on real people lives, the rest of the show has been really disconnected from that (in an effective way, mind, except for when it made the union workers look dumb in the food donation scene).
i hope claire hooks up with the photographer.
i hope claire hooks up with the photographer.
I think there is reason why it came to him easily. I think this was not the first time he had done something like that. Maybe we will see some climpses of how Fank got where he is now in the next season.
APZonerunner
Member
It's funny - Underwood reminds me of a slightly less-abusive Malcolm Tucker - but I suppose that makes sense with this being slightly based off the 90s BBC tv series, which likely in part inspired Tucker. If people love Underwood's antics in this, definitely look up Tucker and The Thick of It - it's essentially a British take on this kind of political snake pit business, but built into a mockumentary-style comedy show.
Absolutely love this show; fantastic stuff. Props to Netflix for picking this up. I hope to see more similarly smart decisions from them!
Absolutely love this show; fantastic stuff. Props to Netflix for picking this up. I hope to see more similarly smart decisions from them!
ClassyPenguin
Banned
The thick of it is mostly a comedy, though.
Available on hulu for free streaming.
Available on hulu for free streaming.
brucewaynegretzky
Member
Episode three spoilers, question about the girl who works in Russo's office (forget her name):
In ep. 3 she says she got an offer from the Speaker's office to be a Deputy Legislative Director. But Underwood is minority whip, right? That would make the Speaker of the opposite party. (I'm almost positive they're all Dems, but I can't remember exactly so I won't say it.) This also got me confused with the "leadership lunch" Underwood saw Remy at earlier. Was he with the Speaker and Majority leader as he is now the Majority Whip? It would be odd for the Speaker and Majority Leader to sit down with the Minority Whip, but not the Minority Leader. Thoughts anyone? Are they just being lazy in these areas?
Frank is majority whip. Dems control the house in this universe.
fallengorn
Bitches love smiley faces
brucewaynegretzky
Member
Cornballer
Member
- Daily Beast: Should You Binge-Watch Netflixs Political Drama?
- NY Mag: If Youve Seen All of House of Cards, Lets Discuss *spoilers for all of S1, obviously*
- NY Mag: If Youve Seen All of House of Cards, Lets Discuss *spoilers for all of S1, obviously*
Keep watching. There is an absolutely cringe-worthy incident not too far away.
Can I add that The Thick of It is amazing and if you haven't seen it before you should.
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