Netflix's "Stranger Things" (Season 5)

[RodChester]

Saw the trailer earlier today and I am so excited for this show. It looks like it will be pretty special. Can't wait to see this.

[doctor_who]

looks like it has big time potential

[Blu-Curry]

Can't believe it's only 8 episodes. Hopefully it packs a lot of quality since they definitely have my attention.

[spanky87]

Spoiler-free excerpts from early reviews:

Deadline – Steven Spielberg didn’t exactly have the best box office outcome this past weekend with The BFG, but in a way he’ll be back next week with what looks like a bigger and more classic hit on the small screen. Launching on July 15 on Netflix, the Winona Ryder-led eight-episode Stranger Things is nothing if not a surprising, sometimes scary, moving and successful homage to the era of Spielberg’s ET and the 1980s themselves — as well as the films of the great John Carpenter.

(…) Yes, there are a lot of clichés in Stranger Things, but like outdoor string lights, they all hold together. They also cast a warm glow on the sheer enthusiasm and respect the series has for those who have come before and a very particular time in America’s recent history that now feels so far and so close at the same time.

io9 – The biggest reason is that Stranger Things is so entertaining that it’s totally worth the time commitment, because believe me you will be mainlining the whole thing once it hooks you in. The characters are especially well-drawn, no small feat when most of them are around 12 years old.

JoBlo – After a surprisingly popular trailer popped Stranger Things onto my radar, I may have thought twice before checking it out. After seeing the first three episodes, I can say this is going to be the best show of the summer and may rival some of the blockbusters hitting theaters.

(…) While the show is very much centered on the child characters, it is the performances from David Harbour as Chief Hopper and Winona Ryder as grieving mother Joyce that really make this show work. Ryder has always been a great actress but it is amazing to see her show so much depth as a mother torn apart by the abduction of her son under odd circumstances.

The List – Stranger Things is beautifully made. The fashion, the synth soundtrack, even the typeface in the opening credits are spot on. It could be a lost 80s relic. Capturing the look and feel of the era, referencing Poltergeist, Close Encounters of the Third Kind or a darker remix of ET.

Thankfully Stranger Things isn’t just an exercise in retro nostalgia; it’s also a gripping mystery with heavy sci-fi overtones. Winona Ryder’s distress, as Will’s distraught mother, is palpable; there’s also a wonderful naturalistic air to the free and easy camaraderie between Will and his geeky friends, who set out to find him after he disappears.

http://winona-ryder.org/2016/07/stra...first-reviews/

This show is going to rock!

[Veronica Mars]

Can't wait for this...it feels like the days are passing very slowly now.

[Rodney-2187]

Netflix keeps getting more and more essential.

[Drewbee87]

I came across the trailer last night while trying to find something new to watch, can't wait!

[reaperx187]

It will be available this coming Friday haven't checked the trailer just yet though but sounds like something good in the making to check out.

[spanky87]

Couldn't wait to check this out so I stayed up til 3am (est) when they uploaded the episodes, watched two eps so far. This is my kinda show I would've watched it all in one sitting if I didn't have to get some sleep. Will finish the rest later tonight.

I dreaded the day Winona Ryder would get saddled with "the mother" roles but this is so much more than that. There's a lot of different subplots that will eventually converge, but her character's search for her son is the heart and soul of it all. She's tapping into another part of herself as an actress, and I've never seen her play a role this frantic before. The end of episode 2 gives a taste of how good she could be as a scream queen.

While this is obviously evocative of 70s-80s Spielberg/Amblin films, it still manages to feel fresh and stand out as it's own thing. The synth score is awesome, it doesn't feel overdone and isn't overbearing like some of the 80s throwback films today. You wont want to skip the opening credits during a binge watch because the theme is so sonically pleasing.

The only real issue I have so far is this very typcial love triangle that's brewing. Hope it doesn't get in the way of the more intriguing stuff going on.

[tommyboy81]

on episode 3 of awesomeness. There's really only 8 episodes???

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

I'm on episode 5, this show is crazy good.

[y2jman]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

on episode 3 of awesomeness. There's really only 8 episodes???

yeah i'm halfway done with episode 3 it does kindof like an 70's 80's sci fi kindof feel i'm enjoying it btw

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by y2jman

yeah i'm halfway done with episode 3 it does kindof like an 70's 80's sci fi kindof feel i'm enjoying it btw

the last 10 mins of episode 3.

Its got the ET, Goonies, Stand by Me, Close Encounters vibe like Super 8 had. But better imo. Don't get me wrong, i love Super 8, it just doesn't shove too much nostalgia in your face.

[Veronica Mars]

[celticmoon]

Really looking forward to this one! Glad to hear all of the good responses!

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

I can see the Ele costume being a big hit with cosplayers already

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by JeffTheMovieGuy

I can see the Ele costume being a big hit with cosplayers already

lol, when i saw it i was like "wtf?" lol

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Episode 6 very much a tribute to Under the Skin.

[tommyboy81]

I want the score/soundtrack.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

I want the score/soundtrack.

Me too on Vinyl!