Flix!
Gavin O'Connor takes an interesting screenplay from Bill Dubuque and tells it with some great actors, and voila! We have The Accountant.
I wanted to see this because the trailer showed promise. My wife went only because she just wanted to go to the movies. But it turns out we both really liked this film.
Ben Affleck plays a math savant that becomes an accountant. He is incredibly skilled at what he does, and will stay with a project until it is solved. That's part of being a savant. And he also agrees to "uncook" the books for many extremely dangerous clients. Drug cartels, mafia bosses, criminals of every ilk. He is cool and efficient and always gets the job done. But he has to move around a lot and stay off the radar.
The Treasury Department is looking for him, because he has a deep sense of justice and once when a mafia boss betrayed him, he went on a rampage killing 9 of them in 10 minutes. And oh yeah, he is incredibly capable.
As a autistic savant child, his mother couldn't take it and left. His father, a military man, took a strong approach and had his two boys train intensely with several different masters of different subjects. Karate, weapons, endurance, and math. He was highly skilled in electronics and computers as well.
Not a guy to mess with.
Along the storyline, he encounters a young naive accountant (Anna Kendrick) for a big firm who accidentally saw some books she shouldn't have and raises red flags. The President of the company (John Lithgow) calls in The Accountant, to figure out what's going on.
Our antihero finds the problem right away as only a savant could, and immediately he and the naive accountant's lives are in danger. This sense of justice of his kicks in and he is determined to save her.
There are many other elements of the story that were structured to surprise, but I figured them out very early on, and shared them with my wife for proof. And I was correct.
The bottom line is that this was an interesting, nicely paced, storyline, told very well by Director Gavin O'Connor. I will think about this film tomorrow and maybe the next day. And whenever that happens, we usually end up owning it.
I recommend it. An interesting way to spend a couple hours. What's not to love about a good movie?
GRADE: A-
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Eight Days a Week
Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years.
FLIX/TUBE!
Yes this has been simultaneously been released to selected theaters (the crazy art house types) and on HULU. I saw it on HULU.
Director Ron Howard, as most of you would imagine, would get a free pass from me because he was Opie in the Andy Griffith Show which most of you know is one of my passions. But it just isn’t so. Half of Ron’s film gratify, and the other half leave me flat.
But here he weaves together the no brainer, footage from the early touring years of the The Beatles. He just has to weave it's can’t miss footage into a compelling story. Not a tough assignment because these lads are compelling. In fact so compelling that he has a tough time putting on the brakes. Howard takes us into Sgt. Peppers and the roof top concert, which have nothing to do with the touring years.
During A Hard Day's Night, one associate producer mentioned they may need a title song for the film. The next day they presented the song "A Hard Day's Night" (even though the producer thought it would take 6 months, but they looked up and said, "don't ever do that again."
This is a great film because Ron gets to ride on the coattails of those who are greater. But he should have realized his original premise and been true to it.
The Beatles will forever be the ultimate band, no matter how some solos might have been weak, or whatever. These guys were inspired. They never again achieved as individuals what they achieved as a collective. They spit out masterpiece after masterpiece as if it were child's play.
So I have to now grade the film, not the band.
Grade: A.
FLIX/TUBE!
Yes this has been simultaneously been released to selected theaters (the crazy art house types) and on HULU. I saw it on HULU.
Director Ron Howard, as most of you would imagine, would get a free pass from me because he was Opie in the Andy Griffith Show which most of you know is one of my passions. But it just isn’t so. Half of Ron’s film gratify, and the other half leave me flat.
But here he weaves together the no brainer, footage from the early touring years of the The Beatles. He just has to weave it's can’t miss footage into a compelling story. Not a tough assignment because these lads are compelling. In fact so compelling that he has a tough time putting on the brakes. Howard takes us into Sgt. Peppers and the roof top concert, which have nothing to do with the touring years.
During A Hard Day's Night, one associate producer mentioned they may need a title song for the film. The next day they presented the song "A Hard Day's Night" (even though the producer thought it would take 6 months, but they looked up and said, "don't ever do that again."
This is a great film because Ron gets to ride on the coattails of those who are greater. But he should have realized his original premise and been true to it.
The Beatles will forever be the ultimate band, no matter how some solos might have been weak, or whatever. These guys were inspired. They never again achieved as individuals what they achieved as a collective. They spit out masterpiece after masterpiece as if it were child's play.
So I have to now grade the film, not the band.
Grade: A.
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Florence Foster Jenkins
FLIX!
Florence Foster Jenkins was a real person. I'd heard about her years ago. And I'd heard her recording then. This movie is the real story of a real person. And it has the heart of a real person.
Meryl Streep plays Madam Florence, and Hugh Grant plays her husband, St. Clair, and who since she supports him, he gets everything from her, including rent on his own apartment that he lives in with his mistress, supports her in every way except intimately and financially.
The problem is that even though Madam Florence fancies herself a singer she couldn't carry a tune in a dump truck. She sings her heart out, and we come to admire that, but she is sharp and flat more than she ever accidentally hits the note.
Enter the pianist to accompany her. Cosme McMoon is played by Simon Helberg. He is outstanding. He portrays this character in the most interesting way, determined not to resemble his character Howard on The Big Bang Theory ever. He did wonderfully. And he was an anchor to a most interesting story line.
Cosme is a serious pianist and composer and when he hears Madam Florence sing is appalled. But after encouragement, (and the money's good) he goes along. One thing leads to another and eventually Madam Florence Foster Jenkins ends up deciding to make a record. Of course it's laughable. But she has influence and she gets it played on the radio. And as a gag, service men (it's WWII) are calling in claiming to love the record. So Florence decided to rent Carnegie Hall and invite a thousand service men. High Society pretended to go along, but these guys.....
One of the things I truly admired was the story line that involved the relationship of St. Clair with Madam Florence. On some deep level he did truly love her. In her death bed scene, he expresses from his heart how much he loves her.
What a story. What a cast telling this story. If this film isn't on the roster for Best Picture, something is seriously wrong in Tinseltown.
Ironically, the label she made the record on, has to sheepishly admit, that her recording is their biggest seller ever.
This film is about heart and love way before it's about that lady that didn't know she couldn't sing.
Grade: A
Florence Foster Jenkins was a real person. I'd heard about her years ago. And I'd heard her recording then. This movie is the real story of a real person. And it has the heart of a real person.
Meryl Streep plays Madam Florence, and Hugh Grant plays her husband, St. Clair, and who since she supports him, he gets everything from her, including rent on his own apartment that he lives in with his mistress, supports her in every way except intimately and financially.
The problem is that even though Madam Florence fancies herself a singer she couldn't carry a tune in a dump truck. She sings her heart out, and we come to admire that, but she is sharp and flat more than she ever accidentally hits the note.
Enter the pianist to accompany her. Cosme McMoon is played by Simon Helberg. He is outstanding. He portrays this character in the most interesting way, determined not to resemble his character Howard on The Big Bang Theory ever. He did wonderfully. And he was an anchor to a most interesting story line.
Cosme is a serious pianist and composer and when he hears Madam Florence sing is appalled. But after encouragement, (and the money's good) he goes along. One thing leads to another and eventually Madam Florence Foster Jenkins ends up deciding to make a record. Of course it's laughable. But she has influence and she gets it played on the radio. And as a gag, service men (it's WWII) are calling in claiming to love the record. So Florence decided to rent Carnegie Hall and invite a thousand service men. High Society pretended to go along, but these guys.....
One of the things I truly admired was the story line that involved the relationship of St. Clair with Madam Florence. On some deep level he did truly love her. In her death bed scene, he expresses from his heart how much he loves her.
What a story. What a cast telling this story. If this film isn't on the roster for Best Picture, something is seriously wrong in Tinseltown.
Ironically, the label she made the record on, has to sheepishly admit, that her recording is their biggest seller ever.
This film is about heart and love way before it's about that lady that didn't know she couldn't sing.
Grade: A
Sunday, July 17, 2016
The Legend of Tarzan
The Legend of Tarzan
Flix!
The movies have goofed with this character a lot in the early days of cinema. Never very successfully. Somewhere in the early 30's, somebody hired the recent Olympics swimming star to be the new Tarzan and this led to a multi-picture franchise that wasn't horrible. But they were B pictures. And as time went on Disney did a horrible, disgraceful, dreadlocks terrible version cartoon style, and Bo Derek tried some ridiculous thing, and it all flopped. Some tell me there was a version in the 80's called Greystoke that wasn't bad, but I haven't seen it.
And now this. Director David Yates, thinks he can tackle this with success. And oh buddy, for my money, as a kid that grew up reading all the Edgar Rice Burroughs stuff, he nailed it. This hit a great note for me. A Home Run.
Going in, I thought this was going to be another schlocky attempt at this incredible story, that would be done poorly. But it starts after Tarzan, that is John, Lord of Greystoke, has been rescued and is home. I love the way it kept switching back and forth to tell us the whole story.
The writers did a great job of plugging in much of this incredible story into one movie. For example, having read all the books, there is a book called Tarzan and the Leopard People.
And the Leopard people show up in this film. And there is a lot of great, not over the top action, and the Tarzan call done twice very tastefully, and great performances. Also there is a reference to the Jewels of Opar. That was yet another Tarzan novel being referenced, so these writers did their homework.
Christoph Waltz (Leon Rom) is the bad guy, an agent of the King of Belgium, who lures Tarzan back to Africa to face the chief of the Leopard People to settle a grudge. And then the aid to Tarzan is George Washington Williams, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Seeing both Waltz and Jackson, I asked the wife, is this a Tarrentino film? She didn't know.
It's not.
I felt it early on in this film. The costumes were eye catching. The performances by Margaret Robbie as Jane and the wonderful performance of Tarzan, John, Earl of Greystoke, was amazing. Alexander Skarsgård, was the the star of this picture. And a star he was indeed. This whole film dripped with great casting.
So we came away from this really liking this movie. And we recommend it highly. This is not another fumbling attempt to cover this great material. This is a pretty great movie. See it.
Grade: A-
Flix!
The movies have goofed with this character a lot in the early days of cinema. Never very successfully. Somewhere in the early 30's, somebody hired the recent Olympics swimming star to be the new Tarzan and this led to a multi-picture franchise that wasn't horrible. But they were B pictures. And as time went on Disney did a horrible, disgraceful, dreadlocks terrible version cartoon style, and Bo Derek tried some ridiculous thing, and it all flopped. Some tell me there was a version in the 80's called Greystoke that wasn't bad, but I haven't seen it.
And now this. Director David Yates, thinks he can tackle this with success. And oh buddy, for my money, as a kid that grew up reading all the Edgar Rice Burroughs stuff, he nailed it. This hit a great note for me. A Home Run.
Going in, I thought this was going to be another schlocky attempt at this incredible story, that would be done poorly. But it starts after Tarzan, that is John, Lord of Greystoke, has been rescued and is home. I love the way it kept switching back and forth to tell us the whole story.
The writers did a great job of plugging in much of this incredible story into one movie. For example, having read all the books, there is a book called Tarzan and the Leopard People.
And the Leopard people show up in this film. And there is a lot of great, not over the top action, and the Tarzan call done twice very tastefully, and great performances. Also there is a reference to the Jewels of Opar. That was yet another Tarzan novel being referenced, so these writers did their homework.
Christoph Waltz (Leon Rom) is the bad guy, an agent of the King of Belgium, who lures Tarzan back to Africa to face the chief of the Leopard People to settle a grudge. And then the aid to Tarzan is George Washington Williams, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Seeing both Waltz and Jackson, I asked the wife, is this a Tarrentino film? She didn't know.
It's not.
I felt it early on in this film. The costumes were eye catching. The performances by Margaret Robbie as Jane and the wonderful performance of Tarzan, John, Earl of Greystoke, was amazing. Alexander Skarsgård, was the the star of this picture. And a star he was indeed. This whole film dripped with great casting.
So we came away from this really liking this movie. And we recommend it highly. This is not another fumbling attempt to cover this great material. This is a pretty great movie. See it.
Grade: A-
Friday, April 8, 2016
11.22.63
11.22.63
TUBE!
Stephen King and JJ Abrams have teamed up together to produce this TV show/mini-series based on King's novel of the same name. Perhaps King felt he wanted to oversee this production to keep the integrity of his novel, remembering the shameful disaster Stanley Kubrick committed by decimating King's novel The Shining. At any rate if one is going to team up with someone, JJ Abrams [director of the latest Star Wars film, as well as the new Star Trek franchise] would be a pretty good choice.
It truly is a mini-series, as there won't be anymore, but since it was so long it was fed to us weekly for eight weeks like a TV show. But since it has now all been downloaded, one can binge it all if they so desire.
It is the story of a diner owner named Al [Chris Cooper] who shares a secret with a young man named Jake [James Franco]. The secret is that Al has found a time portal in the back of a closet in the diner. When one steps in, they are transported back to October 21, 1960. Every time. And Al, since he has become cancer-ridden, has enlisted Jake to complete a mission that Al himself is now too ill to complete. And that task is to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Al supposes that if Kennedy lives, Bobby will undoubtedly live, and Vietnam would never have escalated, all of those boys didn't have to die, and the world would be so much better off. And besides, even if you spend the three years back there, only 3 minutes have passed back in 2015. Jake is reluctant at first, but finally agrees.
Al has put together a kit for Jake to take. Clippings of the past, properly aged currency, and most importantly a notebook of all the sports scores and boxing matches from 1960 through 1963. So that if extra cash is needed, a bet or two can be placed along the way. But Al warns: get an unassuming car, keep the bets modest, and don't get involved with other people. But of course Jake doesn't listen. Jake makes mistakes all along the way. He inadvertently gets involved with a hillbilly boy Bill who ends up being an assistant, and of course meets a beautiful young lady. And a mysterious eerie man who keeps showing up saying "You don't belong here."
And just when you think, "Well obviously I know the outcome, because President Kennedy did get assassinated," not so fast. This one throws you a curve. And that's the beauty of this story. And the final episode is a masterpiece in story-telling.
I was so high on this and was telling my wife how good the ending was, that the next day, since it was her day off and it was a miserable horrible day outside, we binged it all. And she loved it. And we both got choked up at the ending. And for me, that meant all over again. I can't wait to own this on disc. I have to make sure as many people as possible see this.
A.
TUBE!
Stephen King and JJ Abrams have teamed up together to produce this TV show/mini-series based on King's novel of the same name. Perhaps King felt he wanted to oversee this production to keep the integrity of his novel, remembering the shameful disaster Stanley Kubrick committed by decimating King's novel The Shining. At any rate if one is going to team up with someone, JJ Abrams [director of the latest Star Wars film, as well as the new Star Trek franchise] would be a pretty good choice.
It truly is a mini-series, as there won't be anymore, but since it was so long it was fed to us weekly for eight weeks like a TV show. But since it has now all been downloaded, one can binge it all if they so desire.
It is the story of a diner owner named Al [Chris Cooper] who shares a secret with a young man named Jake [James Franco]. The secret is that Al has found a time portal in the back of a closet in the diner. When one steps in, they are transported back to October 21, 1960. Every time. And Al, since he has become cancer-ridden, has enlisted Jake to complete a mission that Al himself is now too ill to complete. And that task is to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Al supposes that if Kennedy lives, Bobby will undoubtedly live, and Vietnam would never have escalated, all of those boys didn't have to die, and the world would be so much better off. And besides, even if you spend the three years back there, only 3 minutes have passed back in 2015. Jake is reluctant at first, but finally agrees.
Al has put together a kit for Jake to take. Clippings of the past, properly aged currency, and most importantly a notebook of all the sports scores and boxing matches from 1960 through 1963. So that if extra cash is needed, a bet or two can be placed along the way. But Al warns: get an unassuming car, keep the bets modest, and don't get involved with other people. But of course Jake doesn't listen. Jake makes mistakes all along the way. He inadvertently gets involved with a hillbilly boy Bill who ends up being an assistant, and of course meets a beautiful young lady. And a mysterious eerie man who keeps showing up saying "You don't belong here."
And just when you think, "Well obviously I know the outcome, because President Kennedy did get assassinated," not so fast. This one throws you a curve. And that's the beauty of this story. And the final episode is a masterpiece in story-telling.
I was so high on this and was telling my wife how good the ending was, that the next day, since it was her day off and it was a miserable horrible day outside, we binged it all. And she loved it. And we both got choked up at the ending. And for me, that meant all over again. I can't wait to own this on disc. I have to make sure as many people as possible see this.
A.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
10 Cloverfield Lane
FLIX!
I reluctantly went to see this with my wife, who was the one enthused. Or more that it had been a while since we had shared a movie theater experience and she was just getting the itch.
So of all the movies showing in our local "hits only and animated" theater, she decided we needed to see 10 Cloverfield Lane.
A young lady gets into a car accident, and when she wakes up, she finds she is being held in an underground bunker by an survivalist. He assures her that there has been a horrific event on the planet and that they will have to remain in his bunker for 2 or 3 years. Naturally she is skeptical. But gradually events happen that lead her to conclude that maybe he is not lying. There is also another young man that explains to her that he actually had to fight his way into the bunker, and that yeah, something bad was going on up on the top side.
As events transpire the girl remains confused and skeptical and is determined to go see for herself. Since she was a clothing designer in the world, she puts together a crude hazmat suit.
A series of unexpected events occur and she learns that the man Howard (John Goodman) was not necessarily lying to her.
I did not hate this movie, but the people leaving it seemed to. It was incredibly slow moving and was more of a psychological film than horror or suspense. There was a very intense last 10 minutes, but waiting an hour and a half for the pay off was somewhat difficult for most.
So I can't recommend it, but I didn't hate it and wouldn't say "Avoid at all costs."
Grade: C
I reluctantly went to see this with my wife, who was the one enthused. Or more that it had been a while since we had shared a movie theater experience and she was just getting the itch.
So of all the movies showing in our local "hits only and animated" theater, she decided we needed to see 10 Cloverfield Lane.
A young lady gets into a car accident, and when she wakes up, she finds she is being held in an underground bunker by an survivalist. He assures her that there has been a horrific event on the planet and that they will have to remain in his bunker for 2 or 3 years. Naturally she is skeptical. But gradually events happen that lead her to conclude that maybe he is not lying. There is also another young man that explains to her that he actually had to fight his way into the bunker, and that yeah, something bad was going on up on the top side.
As events transpire the girl remains confused and skeptical and is determined to go see for herself. Since she was a clothing designer in the world, she puts together a crude hazmat suit.
A series of unexpected events occur and she learns that the man Howard (John Goodman) was not necessarily lying to her.
I did not hate this movie, but the people leaving it seemed to. It was incredibly slow moving and was more of a psychological film than horror or suspense. There was a very intense last 10 minutes, but waiting an hour and a half for the pay off was somewhat difficult for most.
So I can't recommend it, but I didn't hate it and wouldn't say "Avoid at all costs."
Grade: C
Saturday, February 13, 2016
My Top 12 Favorite TV Shows in the Last 10 Years
I have challenged a friend to make a list of this, but he is too busy right now. He wants me to go first, but I will not share until he's done his. TV has evolved a lot in the last decade or two. The traditional introducing a show in the fall for 30 episodes is done and gone forever. The seasons no longer revolve around the auto industry's model change over month, and instead are introduced whenever they decide. And now too many of these shows only spurt 10 or 12 shows in a row. Cable, Streaming, and other stuff have changed the face of television and forced the networks to step up their game. Many times we can binge watch an entire season in a weekend.
Regardless, I have seen some marvelous stuff in the last few years and I have no problem listing them. And to keep it simple I'll go from top to bottom. And for the record I am going to put traditional network shows into their own category so they are not listed here. But these are better than any of them regardless. And I mean any of them.
1. Breaking Bad. (AMC)
Unassuming high school teacher Walter White has cancer and needs to provide for his family in his looming absence. Meeting up with a one time loser student, they end up cooking the best meth in the world. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will be remembered forever for this remarkable rise of a high school chem teacher to a drug kingpin.
2. The Newsroom. (HBO)
Jeff Daniels is News Anchor Will MacEvoy, in the Aaron Sorkin drama created for HBO. A large, wonderful, and superb cast give this show the punch this subject deserves. Throw the West Wing, Broadcast News, and Walter Cronkite into a blender and then add a fifth of intellect, and this is what comes out.
3. House of Cards. (Netflix)
Kevin Spacey gives arguably the best work of his life and heads up a superb cast in a dark look at a wonderful trip through the ugly underbelly of Washington politics.
4. The Roosevelts. (PBS)
Two of the most fascinating Presidents in our history along with the greatest First Lady ever and they were all related. This follows the amazing life and Presidency of T.R., my favorite President ever, and his distant cousin Franklin, who pulled the nation out of the jaws of desperation, and TRs beloved niece Eleanor. A wonderful story told impeccably by Ken Burns.
5. The Hatfields and McCoys. (History Channel)
The amazing story of a true American Feud between two families, one in Kentucky and one across the river in West Virginia. There is even an unlikely "Romeo and Juliet"esque romance that seems Hollywood contrived but I 'fact checked' and it historically accurate. This is brilliant, with Kevin Costner in the one genre he totally owns, westerns.
6. Dexter. (Showtime)
A moral dilemna happens when one watches this show. One finds themselves rooting for a murderer. Because Dexter is a serial killer. But he only kills other serial killers. And he works forensics in the Miami homocide division so he knows exactly how to keep a crime scene pristine. Michael C. Hall and the incredible Jennifer Carpenter make this a true jewel in television for generations to come.
7. Weeds (Showtime)
8. Californication. (Showtime)
9. Hell On Wheels. (AMC)
Cullin Bohannon is the single greatest western badass I have ever seen, and I have entire shelves dedicated to cowboy movies. This guy makes John Wayne and Clint Eastwood look like waiters in a gay bar. It's the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad and all that that entails. There are Indians, newly freed slaves, Irish immigrants, south vs. north after the war, and whores and Church and the Mormons moving through. There are corrupt railroad owners and senators. Lots of stuff to enjoy here.
10. Rescue Me. (FX)
Okay, I'll admit I'm not a huge Denis Leary fan. But he transcends all that here. And what a cast.
11. Nurse Jackie. (Showtime)
Edie Falco gets to step out of the mundane Sopranos and show us her chops! Here she is Jackie Peyton, and wonderful ER nurse who is high most of the time. Seven wonderful seasons. Assisted by an amazing cast. Unbelievably great cast.
12. The Shield.
Michaels Chiklis plays the head of a 'gang strike team' in a place called Farmington California. They work out a a place they call The Barn. These guys are the biggest bunch of murdering thieving racketeers on the streets. And they do it all with a Shield. This is great saga TV.
Honorable Mentions.
1. The Walking Dead. This is a psychological suspense thriller with a splash of horror tossed in. It explores why in this unique situation, the ones to fear are the other living people, not the zombies. The Walking Dead title does not mean the zombies. However in the 2016 season when Morgan gets enlightenment, this series "jumped the shark." After this, don't bother.
2. Fargo
In just two seasons it has been very interesting. And promises to keep being so.
3. Justified
Raylan Givins was being punished for a shooting he did in Miami even though he keeps claiming it was "Justified." He is sent to Western Kentucky where he's from, to fight the hillbilly mafia. Walton Goggins from The Shield as Boyd Crowder is a great character.
4. Silicon Valley
A superb cast centered around a nerd in a group of nerds who creates an incredible app but muddles through being stupid about marketing it, with lots of help.
5. True Detective
A weird creepy crime drama. Into a second season. The first was impressive.
Most Interesting Concepts
1. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
Jerry Seinfeld. Nuff said.
2. Portlandia
Can't get too much of Fred.
The Worst.
1. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Don't get me started on pretentious.
2.Wifred. One guy is a dog. A real annoying not funny dog.
3. Girls. 30 seconds of great does not merit watching 29 minutes 30 seconds of crap.
Regardless, I have seen some marvelous stuff in the last few years and I have no problem listing them. And to keep it simple I'll go from top to bottom. And for the record I am going to put traditional network shows into their own category so they are not listed here. But these are better than any of them regardless. And I mean any of them.
1. Breaking Bad. (AMC)
Unassuming high school teacher Walter White has cancer and needs to provide for his family in his looming absence. Meeting up with a one time loser student, they end up cooking the best meth in the world. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will be remembered forever for this remarkable rise of a high school chem teacher to a drug kingpin.
2. The Newsroom. (HBO)
Jeff Daniels is News Anchor Will MacEvoy, in the Aaron Sorkin drama created for HBO. A large, wonderful, and superb cast give this show the punch this subject deserves. Throw the West Wing, Broadcast News, and Walter Cronkite into a blender and then add a fifth of intellect, and this is what comes out.
3. House of Cards. (Netflix)
Kevin Spacey gives arguably the best work of his life and heads up a superb cast in a dark look at a wonderful trip through the ugly underbelly of Washington politics.
4. The Roosevelts. (PBS)
Two of the most fascinating Presidents in our history along with the greatest First Lady ever and they were all related. This follows the amazing life and Presidency of T.R., my favorite President ever, and his distant cousin Franklin, who pulled the nation out of the jaws of desperation, and TRs beloved niece Eleanor. A wonderful story told impeccably by Ken Burns.
5. The Hatfields and McCoys. (History Channel)
The amazing story of a true American Feud between two families, one in Kentucky and one across the river in West Virginia. There is even an unlikely "Romeo and Juliet"esque romance that seems Hollywood contrived but I 'fact checked' and it historically accurate. This is brilliant, with Kevin Costner in the one genre he totally owns, westerns.
6. Dexter. (Showtime)
A moral dilemna happens when one watches this show. One finds themselves rooting for a murderer. Because Dexter is a serial killer. But he only kills other serial killers. And he works forensics in the Miami homocide division so he knows exactly how to keep a crime scene pristine. Michael C. Hall and the incredible Jennifer Carpenter make this a true jewel in television for generations to come.
7. Weeds (Showtime)
My very favorite actress of all time, no doubt, Mary Louise Parker, stars in this incredible show about a mom who is suddenly left a widow and has to sell weed in her upscale neighborhood to make ends meet. Surrounded by a supporting cast that would make anyone drool, she takes us on a journey of epic proportions. This was a fabulous ride. And a very nice curtain call is provided for this show.
David Decovney was born to play the role of Hank Moody. He's a serious New York writer who suddenly finds himself on the white bread west coast. He can't cope. But the hilarity ensues between him, his daughter, his agent, his wife, his agent's wife, and a host of other hilarious elements that are priceless. So far I have been denied the final season by Netflix, but soon I hope, soon.
Cullin Bohannon is the single greatest western badass I have ever seen, and I have entire shelves dedicated to cowboy movies. This guy makes John Wayne and Clint Eastwood look like waiters in a gay bar. It's the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad and all that that entails. There are Indians, newly freed slaves, Irish immigrants, south vs. north after the war, and whores and Church and the Mormons moving through. There are corrupt railroad owners and senators. Lots of stuff to enjoy here.
10. Rescue Me. (FX)
Okay, I'll admit I'm not a huge Denis Leary fan. But he transcends all that here. And what a cast.
11. Nurse Jackie. (Showtime)
Edie Falco gets to step out of the mundane Sopranos and show us her chops! Here she is Jackie Peyton, and wonderful ER nurse who is high most of the time. Seven wonderful seasons. Assisted by an amazing cast. Unbelievably great cast.
12. The Shield.
Michaels Chiklis plays the head of a 'gang strike team' in a place called Farmington California. They work out a a place they call The Barn. These guys are the biggest bunch of murdering thieving racketeers on the streets. And they do it all with a Shield. This is great saga TV.
Honorable Mentions.
1. The Walking Dead. This is a psychological suspense thriller with a splash of horror tossed in. It explores why in this unique situation, the ones to fear are the other living people, not the zombies. The Walking Dead title does not mean the zombies. However in the 2016 season when Morgan gets enlightenment, this series "jumped the shark." After this, don't bother.
2. Fargo
In just two seasons it has been very interesting. And promises to keep being so.
3. Justified
Raylan Givins was being punished for a shooting he did in Miami even though he keeps claiming it was "Justified." He is sent to Western Kentucky where he's from, to fight the hillbilly mafia. Walton Goggins from The Shield as Boyd Crowder is a great character.
4. Silicon Valley
A superb cast centered around a nerd in a group of nerds who creates an incredible app but muddles through being stupid about marketing it, with lots of help.
5. True Detective
A weird creepy crime drama. Into a second season. The first was impressive.
Most Interesting Concepts
1. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
Jerry Seinfeld. Nuff said.
2. Portlandia
Can't get too much of Fred.
The Worst.
1. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Don't get me started on pretentious.
2.Wifred. One guy is a dog. A real annoying not funny dog.
3. Girls. 30 seconds of great does not merit watching 29 minutes 30 seconds of crap.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Nurse Jackie
TUBE!
Showtime.
Nurse Jackie was a Showtime program starring Edie Falco, fresh out of The Sopranos. Maybe she yearned to get out of a crappy show, and finally get to do something really great, and demonstrated her ability to carry a show on her own. But The Sopranos gave her the exposure she needed, to get a shot at better stuff like this.
Jackie Peyton is an ER nurse at All Saints Hospital in New York City. And Jackie is a great nurse. She really handles herself well with patients, and knows her business and is looked up to by many of her fellow employees. She's also not afraid to tell Doctors to pull their head out of their ass, or "when I tell you to order the scan, order the goddam scan!"
Jackie has a couple of secrets though. Most importantly, she hurt her back at one time and got addicted to pain killers. So she is high most of the time. She tricks, schemes, connives and does whatever she has to do to keep herself in pills. The other secret is she has taken to sleeping with the hospital pharmacist. So her day consists of doing her nursing duties, training new nurses, sleeping with the Pharmacist, staying high all day, and then going home to her loving husband and two lovely daughters.
This show is filled with one of the best ensemble casts put together since The Wire. There was Eddie, The Pharmacist played by Paul Shulze (who has no idea Jackie is married.) There is the irrepressible Dr. Fitch Cooper "Coop" who Jackie also has to train occasionally. Her husband Kevin is played by Dominic Jerins, and her best friend Dr. Eleanor O'Hara is played by Eve Best. The Emergency Room Administrator Gloria Akalitis is played wonderfully by Anna Deverse Smith, and a simply fabulous male gay nurse Thor, is played wonderfully by Stephen Wallem. And on top of all this there is a extraordinary array of Doctors and nurses and others who turn in wonderful and unforgettable performances. Dr. Cruz, and Dr. Prentiss, and Lenny the EMT, and Sam, and Mo, and mental patient God all come to mind.
I was impressed a lot by Ruby Jerins who played Jackie's older daughter Grace. She was basically a little kid when she started this role, and we watched her turn into a full bloomed teenager. Now with child actors, that can be a crap shoot. Some can be wonderful as children and then not so much as they mature. But not this kid. I hope that after she finishes college, she comes roaring back into acting.
But I think if this show had a second star is was the amazing Merrit Wever as unassuming Zoey Bartok. This lady is scary good. She makes you feel like she doesn't know what she's doing, but don't be fooled. She's nailing it. I could not get over her natural sensibilities. And an awkward comic sense that is totally charming. A brilliant actress I can't wait to see more of.
But as much as I and everyone love Jackie, her life is one big spiral. And it is a series of we as an audience praying she doesn't make bad choices. But she wouldn't be a junkie if she didn't.
This is one of those things, I knew out there somewhere I'd heard about, but when it all suddenly appeared on Netflix, and I was out of other stuff, I gave it a whirl. And what a great decision that was.
Grade: A
Showtime.
Nurse Jackie was a Showtime program starring Edie Falco, fresh out of The Sopranos. Maybe she yearned to get out of a crappy show, and finally get to do something really great, and demonstrated her ability to carry a show on her own. But The Sopranos gave her the exposure she needed, to get a shot at better stuff like this.
Jackie Peyton is an ER nurse at All Saints Hospital in New York City. And Jackie is a great nurse. She really handles herself well with patients, and knows her business and is looked up to by many of her fellow employees. She's also not afraid to tell Doctors to pull their head out of their ass, or "when I tell you to order the scan, order the goddam scan!"
Jackie has a couple of secrets though. Most importantly, she hurt her back at one time and got addicted to pain killers. So she is high most of the time. She tricks, schemes, connives and does whatever she has to do to keep herself in pills. The other secret is she has taken to sleeping with the hospital pharmacist. So her day consists of doing her nursing duties, training new nurses, sleeping with the Pharmacist, staying high all day, and then going home to her loving husband and two lovely daughters.
This show is filled with one of the best ensemble casts put together since The Wire. There was Eddie, The Pharmacist played by Paul Shulze (who has no idea Jackie is married.) There is the irrepressible Dr. Fitch Cooper "Coop" who Jackie also has to train occasionally. Her husband Kevin is played by Dominic Jerins, and her best friend Dr. Eleanor O'Hara is played by Eve Best. The Emergency Room Administrator Gloria Akalitis is played wonderfully by Anna Deverse Smith, and a simply fabulous male gay nurse Thor, is played wonderfully by Stephen Wallem. And on top of all this there is a extraordinary array of Doctors and nurses and others who turn in wonderful and unforgettable performances. Dr. Cruz, and Dr. Prentiss, and Lenny the EMT, and Sam, and Mo, and mental patient God all come to mind.
I was impressed a lot by Ruby Jerins who played Jackie's older daughter Grace. She was basically a little kid when she started this role, and we watched her turn into a full bloomed teenager. Now with child actors, that can be a crap shoot. Some can be wonderful as children and then not so much as they mature. But not this kid. I hope that after she finishes college, she comes roaring back into acting.
But I think if this show had a second star is was the amazing Merrit Wever as unassuming Zoey Bartok. This lady is scary good. She makes you feel like she doesn't know what she's doing, but don't be fooled. She's nailing it. I could not get over her natural sensibilities. And an awkward comic sense that is totally charming. A brilliant actress I can't wait to see more of.
But as much as I and everyone love Jackie, her life is one big spiral. And it is a series of we as an audience praying she doesn't make bad choices. But she wouldn't be a junkie if she didn't.
This is one of those things, I knew out there somewhere I'd heard about, but when it all suddenly appeared on Netflix, and I was out of other stuff, I gave it a whirl. And what a great decision that was.
Grade: A
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