Just finished watching Life On Mars (U.K.)

[Kirkman1987]

I believe this is one of the best shows I've ever seen.

I picked up the series largely because I had nothing else going on at the moment, and it was a wise decision. I just love the setting, the amusing but often dark stories, and Gene Hunt.

I just want to encourage other Americans on the board to check this excellent series out. It really hasn't had much exposure over here outside of the remake. it's been around for years and is just recently getting released in region 1.

I'm now starting to watch Ashes to Ashes (online sadly), the sequel series. I've only seen the first episode. It seems lighter in tone. is this carried through the series? I did love the machine guns at the end. that was classy

 

[Deckerd]

Ashes gets better as it goes on and the second season is better than the first. I think they can only keep it going for one more before it runs out of steam.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

Ashes to Ashes is really good, but I didn't think it was ever as good as good as Life on Mars. I think it's mainly down to my wishing someone would give Alex a good slap though damn she's annoying. The second series is superior to the first, and I'm pretty sure there's going to be a third series that will be the end of the whole thing. And given how series 2 ended, I'd expect nothing less.

As for being lighter in tone... oh my noooooo. It gets incredibly grim later on.

 

[Australis]

I read somewhere that A2A s3 will be the last.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I just bought Life on Mars on Blu-Ray. So I intend to watch again soon. I think Ashes to Ashes doesn't quite live up to Life on Mars but it does get a lot better in the second series, which has a VERY interesting ending.

 

[Starkers]

Ashes to Ashes started out quite lightweight, but frankly by the last few episodes of season 2 was better than LOM IMO

 

[McCoy]

I love it too and want to buy it, but I can't justify $60 for 8 episodes. Maybe in a year or so it will come down. Though not likely for a brit import.

 

[Kirkman1987]

I love it too and want to buy it, but I can't justify $60 for 8 episodes. Maybe in a year or so it will come down. Though not likely for a brit import.

I know what you mean. I got 40% off on the thing, so I felt happy . Doctor Who is around the same price as well, it's silly. Surely American television isn't priced so highly in the U.K.?

I suggest waiting, or investing in a region free dvd player.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I just checked on amazon. Why have both seasons - the Blu-Ray versions - been discontinued?

oh well, you Brits are lucky, at least you *had* BR versions at one point. Fans of the remake (yes, such people do exist ) aren't so lucky. Although our version does come out on standard DVD at the end of September...can't wait

Edit: The Blu-Ray versions have only been discontinued in the US. They are still available on amazon.co.uk. So what would this mean for American viewers? Are the UK Blu-Rays region protected? That would leave me out, since my player isn't region-free.

Although I'm not sure I would enjoy the UK version as much as I did the US remake (which was one of my favorite shows). I love the early-70's New York setting, and Harvey Keitel will always be Gene to me. Oh well, if the BRs come out in the US, I may give the UK version a chance.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I just checked on amazon. Why have both seasons - the Blu-Ray versions - been discontinued?

oh well, you Brits are lucky, at least you *had* BR versions at one point. Fans of the remake (yes, such people do exist ) aren't so lucky. Although our version does come out on standard DVD at the end of September...can't wait

Edit: The Blu-Ray versions have only been discontinued in the US. They are still available on amazon.co.uk. So what would this mean for American viewers? Are the UK Blu-Rays region protected? That would leave me out, since my player isn't region-free.

Although I'm not sure I would enjoy the UK version as much as I did the US remake (which was one of my favorite shows). I love the early-70's New York setting, and Harvey Keitel will always be Gene to me. Oh well, if the BRs come out in the US, I may give the UK version a chance.

It's probably because although it was filmed on super 16mm they were never mastered for HD, so the processes they used to get it at 1080i/24fps caused some anomalies with the video/audio, similar to what we get with NTSC>PAL conversions, which I guess we're used to, but you're not and it probably attracted a lot more complaints/less sales in the US.

As for DVD prices, well yes US shows used to be priced just as high as BBC sets here in the UK, although admittedly you did get more episodes for the price. It's not until the last few years the prices came down to similar prices you could import at.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

It's probably because although it was filmed on super 16mm they were never mastered for HD, so the processes they used to get it at 1080i/24fps caused some anomalies with the video/audio, similar to what we get with NTSC>PAL conversions, which I guess we're used to, but you're not and it probably attracted a lot more complaints/less sales in the US.

Ah. I see. That does make sense.

It would help if I got BBC America and thus had the opportunity to even see the UK version. Who knows, I may have even enjoyed it. But I'm afraid I can't afford to do a blind buy on the DVDs.

The US version, OTOH...I *will* be buying that one when it comes out.

 

[auntiehill]

I just bougt LOM UK, season 1 from DeepDiscount.com for a friend. It was only $36.84, opposed to Amazon's $50.00.

I LOVE the series. It is definitely one of the best series I have ever seen---and has one of the all-time best endings.

 

[Capn Flukie]

I love both LOM and A2A, they have supreme rewatchability thanks to Gene Hunt. Luv the Guv.

 

[Canadave]

I should get back to Ashes to Ashes one of these days. I enjoyed the first episode, but never ended up following through on the rest for some reason.

LOM is one of my favourite shows, though.

 

[Gecko of Gorn]

"Right. Let's fire up the quattro."

Love both series, including the shaky start of S1 of A2A.

Gene Genie owns all.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Love the original Life On Mars, but keep forgetting about Ashes to Ashes. Maybe I'll get to watch it when it's released here on dvd.