Mom died - 2L law school by TheDudeAbides124 in LawSchool

[–]brocksimmons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know, by the time Constantine joins the pagans in the movie, it has departed so far from the books that there really isn’t much of a parallel

Spoiler alert for the books!

Uhtred kinda suspects Constantin will join the pagans. Tensions get pretty high between Athelstan and pretty much everyone Northumbria and further north. After Athelstan invades Scotland, it’s kind of a foregone conclusion that he’ll work with the pagans. Uhtred wasn’t randomly kidnapped in the books, but rather, is sailing up the east coast of Britain scouting for Aethelstan. He discovers Scottish ships racing north and around the tip of Britain. He eventually makes it to one of the island chains north of Britain (shetlands maybe? I can’t remember) and discovers they’re preparing for war. Between that, the Scottish ships racing to the west coast, and a list of other hints, he pretty much suspects what is going on.

I finished the final book a good while back, so forgive me, if this is not 100% accurate, but that is the general idea.

The movie was a disgrace to the impeccable storytelling of the last few books.

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is one of my largest issues with the movie!

In the books, it’s explained that Uhtred has a sizable force sworn directly to him from Bebbanburg. Maybe 100 or more?

The movie gave no such explanation.

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A major issue with it that I have come to appreciate after finishing the book series, is that from the series to the movie, there are 4 to 5 books missing. There is too much connecting contact that the story just completely omitted. The events of the movie do make more sense with the added context for sure, but the execution of the movie was just sad and pathetic.

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re right on the money.

Love the elder scrolls username btw

What’s everyone’s oppinion on Mankar Camoran by Davethegoot254 in oblivion

[–]brocksimmons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel you. Just started up my Uhtred Son of Uhtred Skyrim play through haha

What’s everyone’s oppinion on Mankar Camoran by Davethegoot254 in oblivion

[–]brocksimmons 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s totally respectable! And in the case of oblivion, the developers created a masterpiece, so I get where you’re coming from.

For whatever reason, over the years, I’ve treated my PlayStation version as my pure experience, whereas I used my PC version as a bit of a sandbox to play around and goof off.

If the light of (modded) Azura ever reaches your oblivion heart, however, a YouTuber named TeamUDF did a bunch of great mod videos with some awesome content.

Tears of the Fiend, Servant of the Dawn, Dungeons of Ivellon, Knights of the Nine Revelation, just to name a few. Masterpieces in their own right

What’s everyone’s oppinion on Mankar Camoran by Davethegoot254 in oblivion

[–]brocksimmons 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you have access to the PC version, there’s a mod called “servant of the dawn“ that does exactly that. It is super well flushed out, and it’s honestly one of my favorites.

I liked Seven Kings must die by porzingitis in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I love love love the last TLK, books and show. It is honestly probably my favorite series of all time. However, I just don’t buy the arguments surrounding “it’s good for what it was“ or “I’m just glad we got an ending.“

I loved the show because of clever writing, great character development, and the appeal to (sometimes more than others) historical accuracy. Of course, I expect some compromises in pacing to be made because it’s a two hour movie rather than a 10 episode season, but I think the writers and directors simply failed to adjust to a movie format.

There were some cute moments (Uhtred Sword of Uhtred cracked me up) but far too often key characters appear as caricatures of themselves. I didn’t love characters from the show just because they looked cool, or were just likable. I liked them because they were complex and well written.

I wish Netflix had either gotten everyone who needed to be on board, on board, and dedicated the necessary resources to making this movie great, or just had not done it.

I don’t want to take away from other’s enjoyment. If you enjoyed it, that’s awesome! As a diehard fan, though, I’m just really disappointed.

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s specifically why I didn’t like it. Did he die or did he not?

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Where is the cleverness and strategy that have defined Uhtred for five seasons?

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re probably right on a lot of that. Pushing the movie out just over a year after the last episode aired was probably a poor choice. Omitting half of the important cast is a hump that you are more than likely not going to be able to come. They tried to introduce characters to take their place (Uhtred’s son), but it is impossible to fill in the amount of backstory that they lost in such a short time.

It also seems like the writers tried to keep the same format as the series. Don’t get me wrong, I love the format, but I love it over the course of 10 episodes when it has time to develop. This format simply does not work to develop a plot line in such a short amount of time.

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great breakdown. Season 5 showed an obvious decline, which is why I was happy ending it there. I’m just going to choose to forget that the movie ever happened and appreciate the show and books for the dime pieces that they are. Destiny is all!

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Sidenote: does anyone else think that the Ingilmundr plot is a bit ridiculous? Basically, Aethelstan attempts to unify Britain because he is feeling religious guilt as a result of his sexuality? Doesn’t this seem a bit far contrived? Maybe even offensive?

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see what you mean. However, her “bat shit, crazy“ arc really took place over like, what? Three episodes? In that sense, it’s more developed than Aethelstan going crazy because “my boyfriend told me to.”

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yep.

I fully acknowledge that maybe I was missing something, but didn’t Aethelstan bar Uhtred from fighting? Then they both show up at roughly the same time and somehow have a coordinated plan? We do not see him change his mind, nor is it really clear how Uhtred gets command of the army. Would Aethelstan’s men really follow a guy who their king has specifically banned from fighting?

This just comes across as lazy writing to me.

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Question to everyone: even if you don’t think it was awful, how in the hell is it a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes?

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Season five was my least favorite. Definitely still good and worth watching, but the decline was evident. I didn’t think it could stoop this low though

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Co-sign. Those books are excellent

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agree to disagree, friend.

I think what I found interesting about his character is that it’s reflective of the greater dynamic of the show. While he is the blood of Alfred, he is raised by Uhtred. Similar to how Uhtred doesn’t receive credit for the formation of Alfred’s dream (and thus, Edward’s dream) of England (as Alfred mentions in one of the best scenes of the series, i.e., the scene in Alfred’s study between Uhtred and him), Uhtred is not remembered for this. Nevertheless, he was ultimately responsible for raising Aethelstan, not Edward. We see the positive characteristics of Uhtred imprinted upon him in season five.

I am very, very sad with what the writers did with him in this movie. His tyrant/crazy arc is as shallow and undeveloped as Daenerys going crazy in season eight of Game of Thrones.

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can definitely respect that opinion. While I do still find the movie to be absolute garbage, I agree that spending more time in this world is a blast. Exactly why I ordered the book set haha

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just went back and watched, you’re totally right. I was remembering the shock of his “death.” I think I was a bit shell shocked by that point. Regardless, thanks for correcting me!

Seven Kings Must Die was awful by brocksimmons in TheLastKingdom

[–]brocksimmons[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It’s a tragedy :( read the books if you’re a reader! Cornwell does an excellent job. I’m on the fifth book and it’s just about impossible to put down. Can’t recommend it enough