The Lockdown Recommendation Thread

[Langers]

Idea nicked from elsewhere. Let people know what you've been watching/reading/playing, give it a mark out of 10 and post it in here. A good way of recommending stuff for people to read/watch/listen to etc during lockdown. I've picked up a few things from a similar thread on another forum I frequent.

I'll go first:

Big Little Lies - TV show - Sky

The other half kept nagging me to watch this - it's chock a block full of A-listers such as Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep but don't let that put you off - this is actually very, very good. Only 2 seasons so we binge watched it in less than a week. Bonus marks for absolutely top notch soundtrack. Would recommend.

7.5/10

How Not to Be a Football Millionaire by Keith Gillespie - book

This was very entertaining. I didn't actually have any idea that Gillespie was a gambling addict - merely that he was no stranger to controversy during his career. This is a very honest account of that career in which although he admits stupidity on occasions, when describing some of the more controversial incidents, doesn't really appear to have any remorse whatsoever. I can't say I found him to be particularly likeable but I don't think that's the most important thing about an autobiography. For instance, Diego Maradona's book is amazing but the guy is a grade A fuckstick ("needless to say, I had the last laugh...")

Lots of former professionals get the brunt of Gillespie's ire in this - poor Kevin Blackwell REALLY doesn't come out of it very well at all! His description of infamous incidents such as La Manga during his Leicester days are certainly informative... It's certainly a page turner!

Definitely worth a look - it's up there with the better footballer autobiographies if only for the volume of scrapes he had during his career. Some completely self inflicted, others due to naivety, some out of his control. Even though he's suffered quite the fall from grace, don't expect to come out completely filled with sympathy for him by the end.

8/10

Will post a review of Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4 soon as I've recently completed that.

 

[Jinky]

Gangs of London - TV show - Sky

Gangs of London tells the story of London being torn apart by the turbulent power struggles of its international gangs and the sudden power vacuum that's created when the head of London's most powerful crime family is murdered. It's delightfully gory and brutal. There will be people that say the story gets lost behind unnecessary opportunities for a bit of fighting, but I disagree. The storyline holds up well (even if it's a bit unrealistic at times) - I've got about 3 x episodes left but am thoroughly enjoying it and would recommend.

8/10

Call of Duty - Warzone - Game - PS4

Making this free to download at the start of the lockdown (from it's initial release day) was a magic touch. I'd hate to guess how many people have spent their lockdowns sat in front of their TV's playing this until the early hours of every morning. If I didn't have two children, a Mrs and a job to hold down, I'd probably do the same! Anyway, it's great fun. Entertaining, frustrating, tense and rewarding in equal measure. Essentially a modern day war setting, battle royale. The circle gets smaller and smaller and you (or your team) have to be the last to survive. For something that is free and available cross-platform, if you're in to gaming, this is essential.

9/10

 

[Langers]

I was wondering what that CoD game was like! Don't think I'll bother with it as my son is OBSESSED with Fortnite and battle royale games don't really do it for me due to over-exposure to the bloody thing, but it sounds promising.

 

[Langers]

Star Wars - Jedi Fallen Order - Xbox One

Forgot about this one that I finished at the start of lockdown. One of the best Star Wars games of recent times, but sadly it's not a particularly high bar. It looks, sounds and feels absolutely amazing, the story is really cool and once you unlock some of the skills, combat is an absolute joy. They've nailed the feel of Star Wars which is a big plus for me.

But it's nowhere near as good as other action titles such as Assassins Creed Odyssey, Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted etc due to some really daft design flaws - the sliding sections are a pain in the arse, the map is awful and the lack of fast travel after completing a level is a frankly bizarre omission. Also, it takes too much time for the combat to feel fluid and satisfying so it might be off putting for some.

it's good, but not great. There are far better games of this ilk, and whilst Star Wars nerds like me will get plenty out of it, I can't recommend it above other games in the genre.

7/10

 

[Jinky]

I was wondering what that CoD game was like! Don't think I'll bother with it as my son is OBSESSED with Fortnite and battle royale games don't really do it for me due to over-exposure to the bloody thing, but it sounds promising.

I would say give it a go. Fortnite is insanely popular but after a few months of playing it I totally lost interest when they kept adding random upgrades and tweaks/changes to the game. Basically, if you weren't able to load daily for hours on end to keep on top of it all (which lets be fair, most adults aren't) then you quickly fell behind everyone else in terms of skill level and having a chance of winning. I wasn't a huge fan of the building part either.

WZ is essentially a grown up version of FN. It's far more realistic (ignore the big gas cloud that comes in to cover the map) and personally, a much better all round experience.

 

[Paul]

Idea nicked from elsewhere. Let people know what you've been watching/reading/playing, give it a mark out of 10 and post it in here. A good way of recommending stuff for people to read/watch/listen to etc during lockdown. I've picked up a few things from a similar thread on another forum I frequent.

I wonder what that could be ??

 

[Langers]

I wonder what that could be ??

??

 

[Paul]

Is it Doctor Who related ??

 

[Langers]

Is it Doctor Who related ??

No :icon_lol:

I'm not that much of a geek!!

 

[Paul]

Then I withdraw my insinuation

 

[Sniffer]

The Bathams Forum?

 

[Paul]

It's 'Uke I am your Father' the ukelele forum