7 years ago

Netflix Stranger Things

Netflix’s original series Stranger Things truly is the best show this year.

For those who haven’t seen, or missed the summer buzz like me (The show was released on Netflix on July 15, 2016) of the extraordinary well made American science fiction-horror nostalgia netflix webseries ‘Stranger Things,’ I highly recommend it!

A true Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, and Richard Donner time machine homage into the 80′s. Writers Matt and Troy Duffer simply nailed it, and really skyrocketed themselves this summer into Nic Pizzolatto and Cary Joji Fukunaga stardom. It truly is one of the best young ensemble cast performances I have been in years.

Just have a look at the stunning scene from Cinematographer Tim Ives, and Nora Felder lustrous music supervision, choosing English musician Peter Gabriel’s heroes: SPOILER ALERT 

Interestingly is that the majority apparently of the cast has musical talent. See below.

Netflix curated a Spotify playlist of the show’s soundtrack. Keep in mind that a number of the tracks featured in the series are in fact anachronistic – i.e. released after 1983, the year in which Stranger Things is set. Follow below:

The plot has similarities to anime series Lynn Okamoto’s “Elfen Lied” and NBC’s (cancelled) series “Believe.”

Elfen Lied (original title) TV-MA | 24min | Animation, Drama, Horror | TV Series (2004– )

Storyline

University students Kohta and Yuka (Kohta’s cousin) save a Diclonius girl called “Lucy” when they see her naked in a beach. In fact “Lucy” is a serial killer who is being searched by the government but they are not aware of who “Lucy” really is because her personality is split.

Matt Duffer mentioned in the THR article of august 1st, 2016 the following:

“There’s a kind of obscure anime called Elfen Lied, and it was like the first trailer, someone was like, in the comments, someone pointed out, Oh, this reminds me of Elfen Lied. 

Main Titles sequence 

The main titles sequence was made by Los Angeles based Imaginary Forces, and the sheer spellbinding soundtrack was made by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein from austin-based synth band Survive. On September 30th Relapse Records released their debut album RR7349; An experimental synth quartet sophomore full-length dark, and sweeping exercise in analog synth mastery. A pulsating, 9-song instrumental release. 

A disjointed version of The Stranger Things title starts the sequence which typographically sets the tone for the show. Imbuing the opening with a sense of unease, the music informs the movement of the type as the letterforms slide together to form the title. The Stranger Things main title mimics an optical look which reflects the time period of the show, it also seems as if light is passing through film, creating a lush haptic quality.

It reminded me of main title sequence Ernest D. Farino The Terminator (1984). So again an homage to Mr. Cameron. 

Season 2 will begin streaming in 2017. Thank you Netflix, really.

Photo credit: 21 Laps Entertainment/Monkey Massacre/Netflix.