A Series of Unfortunate Events

Plot synopsis:
Fourteen-year-old inventor Violet Baudelaire, her twelve-year-old brother Klaus, and their baby sister Sunny are orphaned when a fire burns down their house and kills their parents. Mr. Poe, the family's banker, manages their fortune and leaves them in the care of their closest relative Count Olaf, who is only interested in obtaining their fortune despite Violet not being the legal age of eighteen. He also forces them to work through grueling house chores and belittles them.
The day Olaf obtains full custody, he pretends to go into a store claiming to buy soda, but Violet notices the car is parked directly on train tracks with a train heading towards them. They manage to build a device to turn the switch controlling the tracks so that they are not hit. Mr. Poe arrives and takes them away when he sees Sunny in the front seat, believing her to have been "driving." Olaf initially says farewell, but threatens them that they will always be found.
The orphans are then taken to their uncle Dr. Montgomery, a kind, caring herpetologist who is planning to take the children with him to Peru. However, Olaf arrives in disguise as a man named Stephano. The orphans attempt to warn Montgomery, and he believes to an extent. Montgomery believes Stephano is after a large viper in his museum, which despite its looks, is actually very gentle. He is discovered dead shortly after, and the orphans cannot prove that Stephano is responsible for Montgomery's death. They are almost taken back to him when Sunny proves the viper's innocence when it fondles and licks her, disproving its hostile nature. Stephano flees the scene, ridding all proof of his disguise as the police pursue him.
Mr. Poe leaves them with their Aunt Josephine, a kindly woman who is nonetheless obsessed with grammar and has irrational fears. Olaf appears disguised as Captain Sham to interfere with their plans again. One day, Josephine is not at the house, claiming to have run away with Sham; Klaus takes advantage of her grammar skills to decode her location; Curdled Cave. A hurricane sweeps through the town, ultimately destroying the house but allowing the children to flee before the structure falls apart. They sail to the cave and rescue her, but attract leeches due to Josephine having eaten a banana. Olaf appears and takes the kids with him, throwing Josephine off the boat and to the Lachrymose Leeches after she corrects his speech.
A play is soon planned that is called "The Marvelous Marriage" that involves Olaf and Violet as the leads; a groom and a bride. Klaus's suspicions reveal that Olaf is planning to take advantage of the play to marry Violet in reality in a desperate attempt to get the fortune. Unless Violet follows her lines or finds a loophole, Sunny, who is being held hostage in a cage, will be dropped to her death.
Klaus manages to escape and finds a hidden tower in Olaf's house that, if positioned correctly, can shine light. He discovers this way that it was Olaf who set the fire to their old house. He uses this window to burn the marriage certificate before the marriage is officially complete, leading to Olaf's arrest. However, a jury of his peers overturn his sentence and Olaf vanishes.
Violet, Klaus and Sunny are allowed to visit their old home one last time. A letter lost in the mail finally arrives, and inside is a spyglass announcing their family's secret society. Though their future is unclear, despite the children's misfortune, they still had each other thus making them "Very Fortunate Indeed".

Tags: psychedelic

Review:
Oh my god, I'm so happy they decided to make a series out of those books!When I was a kid I loved the books, they where very easy to read, funny, dark and different then anything else out there.
Sure some of the effects seemed fake, but overall the scenarios and general cgi were pretty good, way better than most shows on television.Ending of the season 1 was left kind of opened and unsolved, hope they pick it up for a season 2 otherwise it will suck.At times the show felt a little dragged out and longer than it should have.
The TV series A Series of Unfortunate Events had perfect casting, great direction, amazing scenes, decent cgi, great plot line, humour, woe, and is all around a very well executed piece of work worth watching and awarding.
Should you choose to watch all eight episodes of this series, you will find yourself exposed to stilted dialogue, Wes Anderson influences, slow pacing, fourth-wall gags, and Neil Patrick Harris in drag.While the 2004 film did not have enough time to give an unabridged account of the lives of Baudelaire orphans, it managed to tell enough of the story to satisfy without feeling excessive or repetitive.
Some scenes add a great deal (anything with Olaf's theater troupe, for example), but some scenes' only purpose is to serve as padding, a word which here means "whatever the authors could think of to fill a few minutes on screen before advancing the plot."Patrick Warburton portrays author Lemony Snicket, reimagined as a Rod Serling-esque narrator.
I can proudly recommend this Netflix original to anyone who wants a bit a of a different story or just wants to watch a great show with laughter and excitement through out!
This show started off promising and then each episode got consistently better introducing new and kwerky characters, I personally enjoyed the 2004 adaptation and this has some sprinkles of that in this series with also whole heap of new things to be explored and as a first season it has delivered i would have liked a darker tone to be cast similar to the movie but its still enjoyable for the most part and the child performances really surprised me and I appricated there presence, Its definitely not for everyone but give a try and you might find yourself having a lot of fun with this series.
And I know you want to have this show close to the books, but my god if I have to see another episode where no one can tell who the bloody hell Count Olaf is I am seriously going to have a stroke.
Warburton as Snicket is also charming, well spoken and carries clearly a deep weight of sadness; the way he is molded into scenes and delivers the self aware warnings of horror and inconvenience feels melodramatic but works in the absurd retro-futuristic world he finds himself in.The use of CGI is also great, as while it's hardly Hollywood level, its almost cartoon surrealism always gives you this sense you're watching a sick fairy tale, especially with the lighting.
However watching it as a book reader, who understands that the books are almost a satire of themselves - a work of meta fiction that I imagine can be as divisive marmite - I found myself loving every moment of it; going all in on this world is a must if you want it to sweep you so wonderfully away.I also found the pacing to be far better suited to the two hour long format per book.
It shows a level of devotion to the source material that essentially four movies would be created for four books, and it pays off by providing ample time for characters to develop, mysteries to unfold and the adaptation to be more faithful.All in all, for all of its flaws, Netflix's adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events is a loyal adaptation with quirks of its own, that understands its absurdity and embraces it wholeheartedly, and creates the wondrous level of genuine charm the films could never truly emulate.
As a Neil Patrick Harris fan, I wasn't sure what to expect -- especially since Jim Carrey did a good job in the movie several years back.
Quality over quantity, when it comes to TV shows.Also ever since I saw the movie I've been digging the "don't watch / read this" vibe the series has going on.
Harris is hailed for playing Olaf as "quirky" but he only feels like a shadow of they way Carrey chose to portray him in 2004 - his take doesn't feel unique and it shows that the role isn't quite right for him as it currently is.
Today is Friday the 13th, and afraid to venture out, I determined to set upon the full first season of Netflix' new Series of Unfortunate Events adaptation.
To call it an adaptation is, well, unfortunate though, as this version has taken on a life of its own, with fresh jokes and misery, plus a lavish (a word which here means subversive and foreboding) production, sure to please the fans of the books in a way the silly film adaptation years ago could never have hoped.With all the delicious wordplay and whimsy of the source material intact, and then some, Daniel Handler and Barry Sonnenfeld, have tapped into the vivid Violet, Klaus, and Sunny who have suffered long, in the decrepit tower room (in one rickety bed) of our darkest imaginations, since first encountering them in the pages of the melancholy books more than a decade ago.Though I'd planned to hide beneath the covers, planning to accompany our young hero and heroines through the darkest days of their lives, in one single sitting, I found their tribulations so disturbing that I was forced to look away for a period of time to contemplate the horrors of their existence.
Thus the whole thing feels like a badly written, miscast (Neil Patrick Harris) and quickly boring production with a lot of money spent..
As a faithful Lemony Snicket fan reading all 13 of his amazing books on this Series of Unfortunate Events AND watching the movie, I must say- the dialogue and work is vague, dry, and an dishonest misinterpretation of Lemony Snicket's work.
As excited as I was to watch these series, I could not get past 3 episodes before feeling sad for everyone who thought this Netflix original was "AMAZING" as they are missing out the wonderful work within the book series itself.
It is the first series that I have not watched from start to end as I gave up after episode 2 (the final bit of the bad beginning)....
Exceptional, I have been waiting for this for such a long time well over 9 years from now, if your a fan of the books from 1999 onwards then you will love this, they have kept it so close to the books and for me one of the best parts about it is they have not rushed it like the film they have split it into parts , so we will be getting at least 3 more series as.the first series covers the first 3 books and there is 12, Patrick Warburton is brilliant as lemony, if your worried thinking it will be like the film don't worry it is not, it's been done properly not rushed, cinematography is amazing and the Baudelaire children are amazing and draw me back to the books.I'm so excited for what's to come as these where the first and only books I ever read when I was a young teen well over ten years ago now and still have the collection.
Watched the whole 1st season, and i loved it, she only liked it - but then again, i have read the books, she hasn't.
The tale of the books are captured in a truly amazing style - the sets are beautiful, the music is beautiful, the acting is very, very good - especially the young actors are doing a splendid job!
I think the casting directors thought too much about this being a "kids" show as this was a children's book, however the books already were depressing and not a fairy tale so i think they could have played with the series more to make it look more realistic.
Great actor.Seems to me that they did not narrow down which viewers they want to target and they did not classify a specific genre for the series..its all over the place.Only koodos i can give is that count Olaf's house looks amazing and filthy.
I have read there is a movie but, even that, no longer interests me.There are some decent actors such as Joan Cusak and Patrick Warburton and, of course, the children, especially Sunny, but even they are not worth continuing with this series.And the theme song is really annoying..
I was unsure of this TV series living up to the books at first, but after watching Season 2 I am extremely pleased with the progression of the show's story telling.
From the first book's cover description Lemony Snicket warns you and says, "From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels." The books and Netflix series both start with a melancholy atmosphere which slowly builds up with each page, or episode, becoming more unfortunate than the last.
The show will make you not want to stop until you see every single episode; and, just like the books had its readers turning page after page as the story gave more and more information and clues, but even more questions making you starve for answers!.
Having read all the books, and painfully sat through the movie, I was greatly looking forward to seeing Neil Patrick Harris play Count Olaf, and compared to Jim Carrey, he absolutely nailed it.
Along with Neil Patrick Harris is his bunch of circus troupe who are exactly how I visualized them in the books , Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket is perfectly cast, and the Baulderie kids each play their role perfectly.
I am now looking forward to season 2 starting this month, this is one series you must watch, especially if you know the stories and have read all the books..
If you never read the books or watched the movie, maybe you won't understand the humor or the role of Lemony Snicket in the show.
Let's just say it's the greatest cup of tea I've ever had.The best mistake I've ever made is picking up the first book of A Series of Unfortunate Events three years ago and reading it.
Because while not quite perfect and suffering a few shaky episodes, Netflix's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" is a wonderful, dark and delightfully-dreary adaptation that should please all who chose to watch.The series follows the Baudelaire Orphans of Violet, Klaus and Sunny, whose wealthy parents are killed in a mysterious house-fire while the children play at the beach.
Patrick Warburton is a ton of fun and gives great dry delivery and good witty humor in his small role as narrator "Lemony Snicket." And guest stars including everyone from Will Arnett and Cobie Smulders to Don Johnson, Aasif Mandvi and Joan Cusack are all exquisitely cast and give great, memorable turns in their respective roles.While I must confess that I've only read the odd snippet and page of the original books here and there, even as someone who isn't necessarily a fan, I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this show in virtually every capacity.
While I do have to dock a point for some questionable craftsmanship in a few key scenes (some of the effects are pretty bad given the budget constraints and some scenes are sloppily assembled) and an episode or two that feel wonky and out-of-place, I still whole- heartedly recommend Netflix's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and absolutely cannot wait for the recently-announced second season.
Lemony snickets a series of unfortunate events is a great adaption of the source material.
I really like Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf because he plays the character really well and makes it work, and the Baudelaire children are perfectly played and you really feel for the characters.
Jim Carrey's performance as the infamous Count Olaf in 2004's film adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events is fondly remembered.
I'm sure the cast and crew had a good time making this show, as there's lots of creativity in the sets and costume, but watching it is like reading a run-on sentence where the lack of punctuation is the joke..
If i need to read a book to enjoy or understand this series then forgot it, Netflix did a terrible job on this.To the conclusion the story may had many unfortunate events(???) but in reality it is an somewhat over rated drama?
Despite all warnings to look away and to please watch something else, I tuned into the final season of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events this past week.
The last seven episodes delivered what I thought was a pretty satisfying conclusion to an adaptation of a book series that I enjoyed reading as a kid.
Although the actors playing Violet and Klaus (Malina Weissman and Louis Hynes) have improved since season 1, they are still pretty annoying to watch (think the first and second Harry Potter movies).
Not only is the series worthy of belonging to the exclusive club of Non-Disappointing Book Adaptations, it is so faithful, rich, and artfully constructed that it transcends and even improves upon its beloved source material.Neil Patrick Harris may appear too comical as Olaf to new viewers, but through the character's transformations by the end of the series, it will become evident that he is the perfect casting for the show's more dimensional interpretation of the villain.
A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017): Mostly any literary or dramatic works wants to end with a happy ending such that it enlightens audience feel but few writers believes in unhappy ending which enlightens audience perspective.A Series of Unfortunate Events is such unfortunate book in all perspectives but its not at all a tragedy.I loved the film adaptation of the book and Jim Carrey is the best Count Olaf.When I heard that Neil Patrick Harris is doing the role of Count Olaf in this TV Series adaptation I doubted him.I know that he is a good actor but Count Olaf is not at all his league.But surprisingly Neil Patrick Harris didn't disappoint and instead gave another memorable Count Olaf.Beside that there are lot of surprises in this TV adaptation.Plot: After a fire destroys their home and parents, the Baudelaires siblings Violet (Malina Weissman),Klaus (Louis Hynes) and an infant Sunny (Presley Smith) are sent to live with a distant relative, Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris), who turns out to be a dastardly criminal after the youngsters' fortune.
The deeper they get in their investigation, the more they discover bout their parents dark family secrets.What I felt: A Series of Unfortunate Events series consists of 13 novels (which I hadn't read).This version gets through the books at a rate of half per episode, so the initial batch of eight covers only the first four volumes of 13.The specialty of A Series of Unfortunate Events is that whenever you start to feel that a good thing is going to happen for Baudelaires there comes another unfortunate event which surprises you.Especially the unknown couple's escape from unknown captors gives us a hope that Baudelaire's parents are alive but at the end of Season 1 there comes a twist which gives clue that there are still a lot more unfortunate events for Baudelaires.Casting is the major pro of this series.Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf is very good and is hugely successful in not reminding us Jim Carrey.
When describing a word the reader may not be aware of, he typically says "a word which here means ...," sometimes with a humorous definition, or one that is relevant only to the events at hand (for example, he describes "adversity" as meaning "Count Olaf").Background score and visuals are very good.Few scenes of CGI looked fake very clearly but it is negligible as they brought much better output with limited budget.So,A Series of Unfortunate Events is an engaging Gothic adaptation of popular book with stellar cast and direction.Eagerly waiting for Season 2!!
Patrick Warburton plays the narrator Lemony Snicket though his role is more comedic than in the books and movie but still good.
If you want a dark humor Gothic story read the book if you don't want to read watch the original movie but if you want to watch the entire story the show is all we got Quick list: Pros - good acting - good humor - great story and development Cons - very tonally different from the book - a bit too goofy for something called A Series of Unfortunate Events - I'm personally feel the VFD plot is way too shoehorned - Some references take me out of the time setting Maybe my expectations were too high but I do wish they went into that darker territory especially since it's Netflix and wouldn't have as many restrictions as Nickelodeon Movies had with the movie.
I've never read the books, but if the unfortunate events NEVER end, even during the series final ending, well, I may just wish I would have followed Lemony Snicket's advice early on.
A Series of Unfortunate Events will go down in history as one of the best (if not the best) book to screen adaptations of all time, and I feel very fortunate indeed for having seen it..
Watching the series I kind of get a "Harry Potteresque"-feeling, which I personally like.
I am not complaining over their performance's, just explaining why I think this story works better as a series than a movie.I love the bittersweet tone of the world, like I said, I wouldn't have enjoyed it if it was pure darkness.