TUNES!
I didn't hear a lot of music in 2013 that excited me much, so this entry should be short and sweet.
Just to make any kind of list at all, I'll put down the best CDs I got this year, regardless of when they were made. Or else there won't be anything.
Best Live Act I Saw In 2013: The Vincent Hayes Project (featuring Doc Yankee). Saw them in Lowell and was blown away. A terrific blues ensemble. I bugged them to let me join the band, to no avail.
3. Wrecking Ball - Bruce Springsteen
Songs about togetherness and unity, and caring about each other. Oh my gosh, you don't suppose there of thread of that dirty word "liberal" in his blood do you? With songs like "We Take Care of Our Own", it gets mighty suspicious.....great record, and I haven't gotten a Springsteen record since "Lonesome Town". Okay, maybe I have "Radio Nowhere."
2. From The Ground Up - John Fullbright
I heard a track by chance on a summer night, and liked it alot. I bought the song on iTunes and got the whole CD for Christmas. This guy reminds me that there are still guys out there that want to write and play good songs, and even though main-stream radio is owned by women (Miley, Kelly, Taylor, Katie, and even Britney) guys like John Fullbright still are willing to shine like a beacon in the night and say "there is hope." This young man probably wouldn't let me in his band either, but since they already sound like The Band, they don't need a lug like me. This is like the sweet voice of Don McLean singing Bob Dylan songs. "Jericho" is a treasure. If you don't want to commit to the whole record, at least buy "Jericho" on iTunes.
1. Allen Stone - Allen Stone
This wonderful, fun, blue-eyed soulful, record is the best thing I've stumbled on in years. My pal Jerry told me to check it out, knowing full well I'd love it. It turns out that Mr. Stone was raised in a strict Christian home and was not allowed to listen to secular music. While in high school, a friend gave him a Stevie Wonder album that he sneaked into the house, and Stevie Wonder is how Allen gauges all secular music. So when he decided to do his own songs, naturally they have a soulful flavor. Very good stuff from a very fun guy. Go to YouTube and witness him on "Live From Daryl's House." You won't believe this it the guy singing all of these delicious soul tunes.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
The Best Movies I Saw in 2013
FLIX!
I know that at this time of year there are a flurry of movies that screen in "selected cities"; translation: New York and LA, just so they can make it under the deadline and qualify for this year's Oscars. And sure, I'm dying to see "Her", and "American Hustle". But for now, I will just have to go with what I saw on the big screen this past year and tell you that these were the best I saw. In reverse order they are:
5. THE LONE RANGER
Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp make this happen. It was a fine movie that delivered exactly what it promised. It was accurate to the original story line, was fun, and even included the obligatory "Hi-O Silver, and Away!!" To which Tonto begs: "Don't ever do that again."
4. Lee Phillips' THE BUTLER
Forrest Whitaker delivers another of his astounding performances playing a man who was a Butler in the White House from Dwight Eisenhower through Ronald Reagan. This includes all the strife of the 60's and his son who breaks away and sees the future, much to his father's chagrin and disapproval.
3. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
Tom Hanks as the Captain on a shipping vessel that is ultimately over-run by pirates, is superb. This guy still has his chops. In my opinion this was his greatest performance since "The Green Mile". The supporting cast not so much, but Tom and the Pirates were uncanny. And hats off to the Navy nurse who stepped up to help Tom in one of his final scenes. This was good stuff.
2. DJANGO UNCHAINED
Quentin Tarantino is at it again. Using his new-found friend Gustav Waltz and the pretty darned great Jamie Foxx, created a new western with the Tarantino twist. Quentin has begged time and time again, to remember that Slavery was a thousand times worse than this, but his critics, continue to assail him for not being sensitive enough. Especially the very jealous Spike Lee, who wishes he could make a movie like this. The script uses the "N", which is crazy I guess because everybody knows no-one in the pre-Civil War South ever called black people the "N" word. Please critics, screw you heads on right. If you want to criticize a few of the costumes or Tarantino's laughable attempt at an accent, okay. This was a look at a black man who really wanted his wife back. Mark Twain would have been proud, because he alludes in "Huckleberry Finn" Huck was amazed when he heard Jim crying, missing his wife and children. Huck had never realized that blacks loved their families too. Anyway, Django is a partner of a bounty hunter who gives Django his freedom and is determined to help him achieve his goal. It isn't an easy goal, folks. But it is wonderful.
1. 42
Not only was this one of the greatest films I saw this year, it is one of the greatest films I ever saw. Certainly circumventing "Field of Dreams" as the best baseball movie ever. I knew that Jackie Robinson "broke the color barrier" and that he was the first black player in the Major Leagues, but I really had no idea what this man went through. And what his wife in the stands went through. And the fans weren't the only ones. There were the newspapers and team-mates. Jackie Robinson was a man of outstanding character, perseverance, determination, and talent. It takes a special person to break a color barrior, and Jackie Robinson was the right man at the right time. And let's not forget this would never happened if it weren't for the vision of Branch Rickey, (played by Harrison Ford) owner and manager of The Brooklyn Dodgers. This was a tremendous movie, and I urge you all to not only see it, but to own it.
I know that at this time of year there are a flurry of movies that screen in "selected cities"; translation: New York and LA, just so they can make it under the deadline and qualify for this year's Oscars. And sure, I'm dying to see "Her", and "American Hustle". But for now, I will just have to go with what I saw on the big screen this past year and tell you that these were the best I saw. In reverse order they are:
5. THE LONE RANGER
Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp make this happen. It was a fine movie that delivered exactly what it promised. It was accurate to the original story line, was fun, and even included the obligatory "Hi-O Silver, and Away!!" To which Tonto begs: "Don't ever do that again."
4. Lee Phillips' THE BUTLER
Forrest Whitaker delivers another of his astounding performances playing a man who was a Butler in the White House from Dwight Eisenhower through Ronald Reagan. This includes all the strife of the 60's and his son who breaks away and sees the future, much to his father's chagrin and disapproval.
3. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
Tom Hanks as the Captain on a shipping vessel that is ultimately over-run by pirates, is superb. This guy still has his chops. In my opinion this was his greatest performance since "The Green Mile". The supporting cast not so much, but Tom and the Pirates were uncanny. And hats off to the Navy nurse who stepped up to help Tom in one of his final scenes. This was good stuff.
2. DJANGO UNCHAINED
Quentin Tarantino is at it again. Using his new-found friend Gustav Waltz and the pretty darned great Jamie Foxx, created a new western with the Tarantino twist. Quentin has begged time and time again, to remember that Slavery was a thousand times worse than this, but his critics, continue to assail him for not being sensitive enough. Especially the very jealous Spike Lee, who wishes he could make a movie like this. The script uses the "N", which is crazy I guess because everybody knows no-one in the pre-Civil War South ever called black people the "N" word. Please critics, screw you heads on right. If you want to criticize a few of the costumes or Tarantino's laughable attempt at an accent, okay. This was a look at a black man who really wanted his wife back. Mark Twain would have been proud, because he alludes in "Huckleberry Finn" Huck was amazed when he heard Jim crying, missing his wife and children. Huck had never realized that blacks loved their families too. Anyway, Django is a partner of a bounty hunter who gives Django his freedom and is determined to help him achieve his goal. It isn't an easy goal, folks. But it is wonderful.
1. 42
Not only was this one of the greatest films I saw this year, it is one of the greatest films I ever saw. Certainly circumventing "Field of Dreams" as the best baseball movie ever. I knew that Jackie Robinson "broke the color barrier" and that he was the first black player in the Major Leagues, but I really had no idea what this man went through. And what his wife in the stands went through. And the fans weren't the only ones. There were the newspapers and team-mates. Jackie Robinson was a man of outstanding character, perseverance, determination, and talent. It takes a special person to break a color barrior, and Jackie Robinson was the right man at the right time. And let's not forget this would never happened if it weren't for the vision of Branch Rickey, (played by Harrison Ford) owner and manager of The Brooklyn Dodgers. This was a tremendous movie, and I urge you all to not only see it, but to own it.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Year End TV This and That. The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly.
TUBE!
I just posted (see the post after this) my favorite TV for the last year. But my favorite stuff doesn't cover everything I want to say about TV. So here are a few random categories I want to toss out there.
The TV Thing I Most Wanted to See But Missed: The 2013 Inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Coolest Non-Fiction Thing I Saw: The Led Zeppelin tribute folks honoring LZ as the band received Kennedy Center Honors. The "Stairway to Heaven" bit was remarkable. If you haven't seen it, please watch this on YouTube. Now.
Best Reality Show: "Pawn Stars." But keep in mind, that saying "best reality show" is like saying, "The Freshest and Shiniest Turd." Runner Up? "Naked Vegas". Just because it's so different.
Worst Reality Show: In the land of Honey Boo-Boo, all the rest. Including the God-awful Cake-Boss, Project Runway, Hells Kitchen and any other show that takes a respectable profession and makes a crummy game show out of it.
Worst TV in 2013: The Oscars hosted by Seth McFarland. What a putz. Terrible. Just God-Awful.
Best Just Out There Fun Current Events Thing: Bill Maher on "Real Time."
Where else are you going to get to see Ann Colter and Ben Affleck yelling at each other while Michael Moore chuckles at them both?
Best Old Time Sit-Com I Watched that Still Holds Up: "The Andy Griffith Show", "Cheers", and "I Love Lucy."
I just posted (see the post after this) my favorite TV for the last year. But my favorite stuff doesn't cover everything I want to say about TV. So here are a few random categories I want to toss out there.
The TV Thing I Most Wanted to See But Missed: The 2013 Inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Coolest Non-Fiction Thing I Saw: The Led Zeppelin tribute folks honoring LZ as the band received Kennedy Center Honors. The "Stairway to Heaven" bit was remarkable. If you haven't seen it, please watch this on YouTube. Now.
Best Reality Show: "Pawn Stars." But keep in mind, that saying "best reality show" is like saying, "The Freshest and Shiniest Turd." Runner Up? "Naked Vegas". Just because it's so different.
Worst Reality Show: In the land of Honey Boo-Boo, all the rest. Including the God-awful Cake-Boss, Project Runway, Hells Kitchen and any other show that takes a respectable profession and makes a crummy game show out of it.
Worst TV in 2013: The Oscars hosted by Seth McFarland. What a putz. Terrible. Just God-Awful.
Best Just Out There Fun Current Events Thing: Bill Maher on "Real Time."
Where else are you going to get to see Ann Colter and Ben Affleck yelling at each other while Michael Moore chuckles at them both?
Best Old Time Sit-Com I Watched that Still Holds Up: "The Andy Griffith Show", "Cheers", and "I Love Lucy."
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Year End List- Television- the 12 Best I Saw
TUBE!
Some people hate end-of-the-year lists, but I love them. So, you are about to get mine about TV. But I have a couple of disclaimers. First, this is a list of the best things I watched this year, although they may haven't technically occurred this year. Secondly, don't worry, the fact that I am currently reviewing the entire STAR TREK franchise and am going through "CHEERS" all over again will not count. The things here will be a little bit more relevant to the current times. In other words, should something have been aired at the end of 2012, it might be on my list here. I guess I will start with number 12 and work may way to number 1. Because if I start with Number 1, it kind of becomes anti-climatic...one pick after another.
So here we go:
HONORABLE MENTION: LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE - Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates fame invites different performers to his home to just jam with him. He normally does one of their songs and they do one of his. My favorite episode? The one featuring Allen Stone. (Can be seen on Youtube, as many episodes can be)
12. THE MARK TWAIN PRIZE FOR HUMOR: 2013, Carol Burnett
This broadcast from the Kennedy Center is always a delight, but the 16th winner being Carol Burnett was something special. She is a mega-talented American Institution - to comedy what John Wayne was to westerns. (might be seen, in part anyway, on YouTube)
11: LILLYHAMMER - season 1 & 2.
Steven Van Zant plays a New York "goodfella" who needs to be in the witness relocation program. Instead of the usual tropical choice, he opts for Lillehammer, Norway. He sets up his own "Flamingo" nightclub, and there the fun ensues. Season 2 introduces a wider cast of misfits and overall is better than the 1st, but I miss the use of his love interest in Season 1. (Stream on Netflix)
10. LONGMIRE - season 1 & 2
A wonderful show about Walt Longmire, [Robert Taylor] a Sheriff in Wyoming, who has taken his job back after his wife's death, and has a task each episode. In other words, you can tune into any episode and be satisfied - although there are ongoing plot-lines. (Stream on Netflix)
9. ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
An original NETFLIX production, (btw, I love how Netflix is redefining how we watch TV), and this is one of those shows you can binge-watch in a weekend. A woman makes some bad choices in her girlfriend relationship, and ends up in prison, entirely out of her element. Has a boyfriend, but has tendencies......(of course stream on Netflix...it's their show after all)
8. HOMELAND - Season 1
An HBO series focused around a returned POW held in the middle east, Nicholas Brody [Damien Lewis] for years and the CIA agent Carrie Matheson [Claire Danes] who's obsessed that he has been "turned" and that he is a danger. Nevertheless, she sleeps with him. So there's that. Also features the most over-rated guy in the world, Mandy Patikin, as Saul Berenson.
7. SONS OF ANARCHY - seasons 4 & 5
Once again America's favorite despicable band of outlaw bikers and their "old ladies" continue to stay fascinating in a sick, looking-at-the-train-wreck kind of way. The plots remain interesting and besides Jimmy Smits being introduced into the mix, more of "The Shield" cast filter through. (Now must be steamed through Netflix or maybe Hulu)
6. BOARDWALK EMPIRE - Season 2
Steve Buschemi as a mobster in prohibition 1920's in Atlantic City is as interesting as the decision to cast Steve Buschemi. But he is magnificent as is everyone in the cast. And that includes the band in the speakeasy nightclub, Dafney Coleman, and Stephan Graham- playing a young green Al Capone. There is way too much to say about this, [ala Michael Kenneth White] so I'd better let you find out for yourself. (I got it through CDs on Netflix)
5. THE WALKING DEAD - Season 3
Many fans weren't fond of Season 2. I was. No problem. Season 3 took turns I wouldn't have taken as a writer, but sometimes different isn't worse, it's just different. The gang that continues to try to survive hold up in a prison, after fighting their way in and leaving the obligatory leaks for dramatic effect in the fence. They hold up in cell-blocks and have to deal with the "Governor" a egocentric maniac who oversees another survival group nearby. A couple characters we've grown to love end up dying but that is the nature of this show. Worthwhile nevertheless. (Stream on Demand, Netflix, Hulu maybe)
4. THE HATFIELDS AND MCCOYS
Kevin Costner as Hatfield and Bill Paxton as McCoy, as well as an astounding cast of principles, are mind blowing. Kostner was born to play westerns. This a wonderful, and as it turns out, a historically accurate account of America's longest and most painful family feud. Intriguing does not do it justice. (can be streamed on Netflix)
3. THE BLACK LIST
Who would ever imagine Network TV could remotely churn out anything to make this list? But NBC did. And at Number 3. That's how good this is. James Spader is a jewel and here he plays a great character who turns himself into the FBI, and in turn works with only one agent and helps them eliminate people that are on his "Black List." Turns out they are on their lists too, so it's win/win. And it is implied that the agent is his daughter. There were only about 10 initial episodes, but it was enough of a hit that they -NBC- have renewed (translation: ordered another 10 episodes - anybody remember when a season meant 23 episodes?) (This can be streamed ON DEMAND or HULU, but episodes 2 through 5 are not available)
2. HOUSE OF CARDS
This just might be Kevin Spacey's best work ever. He plays the minority whip in the House of Representatives and as I said in my review, takes us through the dark underbelly of what really happens inside the beltway. If it weren't for the next entry, I might say this was the best TV I ever saw, but can't say that. But please don't miss this experience. Robin Wright, you are wonderful. It's a Netflix original, so subscribe, watch this, and cancel. But really I think even better things are coming. So you might want to just bite the bullet and enjoy quality TV.
1. BREAKING BAD - season 5
This final season came in two 8 episode installments. That was almost a blessing. I needed a breather in between. This was the finale season in the greatest TV experience I've ever had the pleasure to watch. Bryan Cranston as Walter White, and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman were one on the greatest TV one-two punches since Andy and Barney. And a supporting cast that would make any producer envious. There was Anna Gunn as Walt's wife, Dean Norris as his DEA agent brother-in-law, and many more that all deserve mention. This was fantastic, and solidly deserves my number 1 slot. Please, if you haven't seen it, start from the beginning and witness this work of TV art. And for my money, TV is where the real art is being made these days.
So here you go. This was the best TV I witnessed this year. I hope you too have had the pleasure of witnessing some or all of the things I talked about here. I do believe that in this world of Super-hero, blow-up stuff, movies, that TV has stepped up and become where it's at for true artists. And in the last couple years it appears that way....
And although I'm not paid to say it, you might want to think about streaming Netflix....there is a lot of cool stuff happening there, and they don't play the feed-you-one-episode at a time thing. I love how they have redefined TV and you can binge watch a series in a weekend, or however it fits you. To me, Netflix is making that defiant, snot-nosed, shout in the face of Network TV. Please reference the beginning of "Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" by The Young Rascals. Seriously, do it. It's the same wonderful thing.
2013 was all in all, a good TV year.
Some people hate end-of-the-year lists, but I love them. So, you are about to get mine about TV. But I have a couple of disclaimers. First, this is a list of the best things I watched this year, although they may haven't technically occurred this year. Secondly, don't worry, the fact that I am currently reviewing the entire STAR TREK franchise and am going through "CHEERS" all over again will not count. The things here will be a little bit more relevant to the current times. In other words, should something have been aired at the end of 2012, it might be on my list here. I guess I will start with number 12 and work may way to number 1. Because if I start with Number 1, it kind of becomes anti-climatic...one pick after another.
So here we go:
HONORABLE MENTION: LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE - Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates fame invites different performers to his home to just jam with him. He normally does one of their songs and they do one of his. My favorite episode? The one featuring Allen Stone. (Can be seen on Youtube, as many episodes can be)
12. THE MARK TWAIN PRIZE FOR HUMOR: 2013, Carol Burnett
This broadcast from the Kennedy Center is always a delight, but the 16th winner being Carol Burnett was something special. She is a mega-talented American Institution - to comedy what John Wayne was to westerns. (might be seen, in part anyway, on YouTube)
11: LILLYHAMMER - season 1 & 2.
Steven Van Zant plays a New York "goodfella" who needs to be in the witness relocation program. Instead of the usual tropical choice, he opts for Lillehammer, Norway. He sets up his own "Flamingo" nightclub, and there the fun ensues. Season 2 introduces a wider cast of misfits and overall is better than the 1st, but I miss the use of his love interest in Season 1. (Stream on Netflix)
10. LONGMIRE - season 1 & 2
A wonderful show about Walt Longmire, [Robert Taylor] a Sheriff in Wyoming, who has taken his job back after his wife's death, and has a task each episode. In other words, you can tune into any episode and be satisfied - although there are ongoing plot-lines. (Stream on Netflix)
9. ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
An original NETFLIX production, (btw, I love how Netflix is redefining how we watch TV), and this is one of those shows you can binge-watch in a weekend. A woman makes some bad choices in her girlfriend relationship, and ends up in prison, entirely out of her element. Has a boyfriend, but has tendencies......(of course stream on Netflix...it's their show after all)
8. HOMELAND - Season 1
An HBO series focused around a returned POW held in the middle east, Nicholas Brody [Damien Lewis] for years and the CIA agent Carrie Matheson [Claire Danes] who's obsessed that he has been "turned" and that he is a danger. Nevertheless, she sleeps with him. So there's that. Also features the most over-rated guy in the world, Mandy Patikin, as Saul Berenson.
7. SONS OF ANARCHY - seasons 4 & 5
Once again America's favorite despicable band of outlaw bikers and their "old ladies" continue to stay fascinating in a sick, looking-at-the-train-wreck kind of way. The plots remain interesting and besides Jimmy Smits being introduced into the mix, more of "The Shield" cast filter through. (Now must be steamed through Netflix or maybe Hulu)
6. BOARDWALK EMPIRE - Season 2
Steve Buschemi as a mobster in prohibition 1920's in Atlantic City is as interesting as the decision to cast Steve Buschemi. But he is magnificent as is everyone in the cast. And that includes the band in the speakeasy nightclub, Dafney Coleman, and Stephan Graham- playing a young green Al Capone. There is way too much to say about this, [ala Michael Kenneth White] so I'd better let you find out for yourself. (I got it through CDs on Netflix)
5. THE WALKING DEAD - Season 3
Many fans weren't fond of Season 2. I was. No problem. Season 3 took turns I wouldn't have taken as a writer, but sometimes different isn't worse, it's just different. The gang that continues to try to survive hold up in a prison, after fighting their way in and leaving the obligatory leaks for dramatic effect in the fence. They hold up in cell-blocks and have to deal with the "Governor" a egocentric maniac who oversees another survival group nearby. A couple characters we've grown to love end up dying but that is the nature of this show. Worthwhile nevertheless. (Stream on Demand, Netflix, Hulu maybe)
4. THE HATFIELDS AND MCCOYS
Kevin Costner as Hatfield and Bill Paxton as McCoy, as well as an astounding cast of principles, are mind blowing. Kostner was born to play westerns. This a wonderful, and as it turns out, a historically accurate account of America's longest and most painful family feud. Intriguing does not do it justice. (can be streamed on Netflix)
3. THE BLACK LIST
Who would ever imagine Network TV could remotely churn out anything to make this list? But NBC did. And at Number 3. That's how good this is. James Spader is a jewel and here he plays a great character who turns himself into the FBI, and in turn works with only one agent and helps them eliminate people that are on his "Black List." Turns out they are on their lists too, so it's win/win. And it is implied that the agent is his daughter. There were only about 10 initial episodes, but it was enough of a hit that they -NBC- have renewed (translation: ordered another 10 episodes - anybody remember when a season meant 23 episodes?) (This can be streamed ON DEMAND or HULU, but episodes 2 through 5 are not available)
2. HOUSE OF CARDS
This just might be Kevin Spacey's best work ever. He plays the minority whip in the House of Representatives and as I said in my review, takes us through the dark underbelly of what really happens inside the beltway. If it weren't for the next entry, I might say this was the best TV I ever saw, but can't say that. But please don't miss this experience. Robin Wright, you are wonderful. It's a Netflix original, so subscribe, watch this, and cancel. But really I think even better things are coming. So you might want to just bite the bullet and enjoy quality TV.
1. BREAKING BAD - season 5
This final season came in two 8 episode installments. That was almost a blessing. I needed a breather in between. This was the finale season in the greatest TV experience I've ever had the pleasure to watch. Bryan Cranston as Walter White, and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman were one on the greatest TV one-two punches since Andy and Barney. And a supporting cast that would make any producer envious. There was Anna Gunn as Walt's wife, Dean Norris as his DEA agent brother-in-law, and many more that all deserve mention. This was fantastic, and solidly deserves my number 1 slot. Please, if you haven't seen it, start from the beginning and witness this work of TV art. And for my money, TV is where the real art is being made these days.
So here you go. This was the best TV I witnessed this year. I hope you too have had the pleasure of witnessing some or all of the things I talked about here. I do believe that in this world of Super-hero, blow-up stuff, movies, that TV has stepped up and become where it's at for true artists. And in the last couple years it appears that way....
And although I'm not paid to say it, you might want to think about streaming Netflix....there is a lot of cool stuff happening there, and they don't play the feed-you-one-episode at a time thing. I love how they have redefined TV and you can binge watch a series in a weekend, or however it fits you. To me, Netflix is making that defiant, snot-nosed, shout in the face of Network TV. Please reference the beginning of "Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" by The Young Rascals. Seriously, do it. It's the same wonderful thing.
2013 was all in all, a good TV year.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
A (Probable) Final Post on BREAKING BAD.
TUBE!
A couple of years back I wrote a series called "The Best TV in The Past 10 Years" that was posted on my blog "King of the Whole Darned World" and last year I reposted it on this site. You have to back quite a ways to get to it, but I think it's a worthwhile read. At any rate back then, before I'd witnessed the entire Season 4 and certainly not the 5th and final season, I had ranked Breaking Bad as the number 1 greatest TV show in the last 10 years. Although the order of some of the other shows might move around a bit in my mind, Breaking Bad will stay solidly in the number one spot. And it might be a good long time before anything comes along to knock it out. First, let me start this look-back by reposting what I had to say about the show a few years ago:
Well, here we are. At number 1. And if you have bothered to watch any TV at all in the last 10 years, you must have known this was coming. "Breaking Bad" is one of the greatest things I have been privileged to witness......ever.
Albuquerque High School Chemistry teacher Walter White has a problem. He has stage 3 lung cancer. He hasn't told his family. But he is most troubled by the fact that he has not been able to adequately put aside enough money to take care of his family or send his son Walter Jr. to college after he's gone.
Walter has a brother-in-law who is a DEA agent and occasionally he lets Walter ride along on routine busts - provided Walter stays in the car. On one of these excursions, Walter witnesses one of his flunkie burn-out students narrowly escaping from the bust. Walter has an epiphany and devises a scheme to supply the needed money for his family.
Walter decides to seek out the drug-dealing flunk-out student - Jesse Pinkman - and make him a proposition. Jesse will use his street level connections to move the product, and Mr. White will cook the best and purest meth-antphetimine on the planet.
Thus begins a saga of epic proportions. And it is a tale that I believe is the best TV in the past 10 years. Maybe ever.
Creator Vince Gilligan has taken a good premise - not the greatest premise ever - but a good one, and made it a masterpiece. There are lots of reasons.
Beyond Gilligan's vision and writing the casting was fantastic. Brian Cranston as Mr. White is truly a mystical thing of beauty. Known to millions only as the Dad on "Malcolm In The Middle", Cranston definitely gets to sit at the big people's table this Thanksgiving. Could Tom Hanks have played Mr. White? Nope. DeNiro? Maybe, but not as well. And who the heck decided to give totally unknown Aaron Paul a shot at playing Jesse Pinkman? I don't know whose decision that was but give them a raise! This kid is brilliant and for my money makes the show. Jesse was originally going to be a temporary character, but sometime in the first season it was realized that Mr. White and Jesse Pinkman were one of the best TV partnerships since Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton.
Oh but it doesn't stop there. Playing Mr. White's wife Skyler is the lovely and "Murder One" alum Anna Gunn. After a couple seasons and Walter deciding to finally confess what he's been up to, Skyler leaves him in a righteous huff, only a season later to also reach a line that she reluctantly decides to cross. Therefore she too is 'breaking bad." Next there is Walter's brother-in-law Drug Enforcement Agent Hank Schrader played by brilliant (and also a "Murder One" alum) Dean Morris. This guy knows his stuff. He brings a reality to this character in a way that is not usual. He falls totally in the moment and becomes this guy. What an actor.
Somehow Walter and Jesse hook up with the slimiest of slimey lawyers in form of Saul Goodman. Another of the cast members delivering brilliance. Bob Odenkirk plays Saul. Saul sets Walter and Jesse up with a big-time-run-the-whole-west-coast Drug Kingpin played as a mild mannered businessman by Giancarlo Esposito. RJ Mitte as Walter White Jr. deserves mention too. All excellent.
Morality questions pop up more in this show than the little gophers at Chuckie Cheese. "Breaking Bad" offers a look at these questions, and as I have wondered many times in my 26 years working with criminals... where is that line? And what exactly made the point in time when it was crossed, the right time? When, why, and under what circumstances, would any of us decide to "break bad?"
I'll admit I haven't seen the entire series, but I very much look forward to seeing it all. I will always be intrigued and wonder how it will inevitably arrive at the only logical conclusion this madness can bring.
So here, we are. The fourth season came and brought with it more interest and intrigue, with Gus deciding to turn on Walt and Jesse, and Walt turning on Jesse. The storyline was woven finer than a Persian rug, and the performances only seemed to get better. Skyler cuts a deal with her boss and he ends up being an idiot about it, only to force her to break even badder. The final episode of Season 4 was a masterpiece. Walt outsmarts and ultimately overcomes Gus, and continues on his journey from a mild mannered High School Chemistry teacher to a treacherous criminal kingpin. Amazing.
Season 5 came to us in two 8 episode installments. And it was known from the outset that this would be the final season. In this season we were introduced to an element that had criminal ties globally and is masterminded by a status seeking woman in a corporation. Jesse ascertains Walt has betrayed him and is disenfranchised himself from Walt. Walt has to flee and hide out, and has become one of the most sought after criminals in America. But as Jesse has been taken hostage and is forced to be a slave, cooking meth for a bunch of thugs, Walt's cancer has come back and has changed his outlook on everything. So Walt devises a plan, and decides to make it all right.
Walt does love Jesse like a son, but in doing so, he has done terrible things like trying to poison Jesse's girlfriend's son Brock. He also let his darling junkie girlfriend die in season 2 (or was it 3), and so Walt Break's more and more Bad.
In the end, Saul takes a new identity, Walt dies in a shoot-out, and Jesse escapes to who knows what, or where. But it was perfect. This was the best series endings since "Newhart" and that's saying something.
Thanks Vince, and Bryan, and Aaron, Anna, Dean et al for this wonderful journey and fantastic TV experience. What a great use of what has become the premier artistic medium.
Rock on, y'all.
A couple of years back I wrote a series called "The Best TV in The Past 10 Years" that was posted on my blog "King of the Whole Darned World" and last year I reposted it on this site. You have to back quite a ways to get to it, but I think it's a worthwhile read. At any rate back then, before I'd witnessed the entire Season 4 and certainly not the 5th and final season, I had ranked Breaking Bad as the number 1 greatest TV show in the last 10 years. Although the order of some of the other shows might move around a bit in my mind, Breaking Bad will stay solidly in the number one spot. And it might be a good long time before anything comes along to knock it out. First, let me start this look-back by reposting what I had to say about the show a few years ago:
Well, here we are. At number 1. And if you have bothered to watch any TV at all in the last 10 years, you must have known this was coming. "Breaking Bad" is one of the greatest things I have been privileged to witness......ever.
Albuquerque High School Chemistry teacher Walter White has a problem. He has stage 3 lung cancer. He hasn't told his family. But he is most troubled by the fact that he has not been able to adequately put aside enough money to take care of his family or send his son Walter Jr. to college after he's gone.
Walter has a brother-in-law who is a DEA agent and occasionally he lets Walter ride along on routine busts - provided Walter stays in the car. On one of these excursions, Walter witnesses one of his flunkie burn-out students narrowly escaping from the bust. Walter has an epiphany and devises a scheme to supply the needed money for his family.
Walter decides to seek out the drug-dealing flunk-out student - Jesse Pinkman - and make him a proposition. Jesse will use his street level connections to move the product, and Mr. White will cook the best and purest meth-antphetimine on the planet.
Thus begins a saga of epic proportions. And it is a tale that I believe is the best TV in the past 10 years. Maybe ever.
Creator Vince Gilligan has taken a good premise - not the greatest premise ever - but a good one, and made it a masterpiece. There are lots of reasons.
Beyond Gilligan's vision and writing the casting was fantastic. Brian Cranston as Mr. White is truly a mystical thing of beauty. Known to millions only as the Dad on "Malcolm In The Middle", Cranston definitely gets to sit at the big people's table this Thanksgiving. Could Tom Hanks have played Mr. White? Nope. DeNiro? Maybe, but not as well. And who the heck decided to give totally unknown Aaron Paul a shot at playing Jesse Pinkman? I don't know whose decision that was but give them a raise! This kid is brilliant and for my money makes the show. Jesse was originally going to be a temporary character, but sometime in the first season it was realized that Mr. White and Jesse Pinkman were one of the best TV partnerships since Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton.
Oh but it doesn't stop there. Playing Mr. White's wife Skyler is the lovely and "Murder One" alum Anna Gunn. After a couple seasons and Walter deciding to finally confess what he's been up to, Skyler leaves him in a righteous huff, only a season later to also reach a line that she reluctantly decides to cross. Therefore she too is 'breaking bad." Next there is Walter's brother-in-law Drug Enforcement Agent Hank Schrader played by brilliant (and also a "Murder One" alum) Dean Morris. This guy knows his stuff. He brings a reality to this character in a way that is not usual. He falls totally in the moment and becomes this guy. What an actor.
Somehow Walter and Jesse hook up with the slimiest of slimey lawyers in form of Saul Goodman. Another of the cast members delivering brilliance. Bob Odenkirk plays Saul. Saul sets Walter and Jesse up with a big-time-run-the-whole-west-coast Drug Kingpin played as a mild mannered businessman by Giancarlo Esposito. RJ Mitte as Walter White Jr. deserves mention too. All excellent.
Morality questions pop up more in this show than the little gophers at Chuckie Cheese. "Breaking Bad" offers a look at these questions, and as I have wondered many times in my 26 years working with criminals... where is that line? And what exactly made the point in time when it was crossed, the right time? When, why, and under what circumstances, would any of us decide to "break bad?"
I'll admit I haven't seen the entire series, but I very much look forward to seeing it all. I will always be intrigued and wonder how it will inevitably arrive at the only logical conclusion this madness can bring.
So here, we are. The fourth season came and brought with it more interest and intrigue, with Gus deciding to turn on Walt and Jesse, and Walt turning on Jesse. The storyline was woven finer than a Persian rug, and the performances only seemed to get better. Skyler cuts a deal with her boss and he ends up being an idiot about it, only to force her to break even badder. The final episode of Season 4 was a masterpiece. Walt outsmarts and ultimately overcomes Gus, and continues on his journey from a mild mannered High School Chemistry teacher to a treacherous criminal kingpin. Amazing.
Season 5 came to us in two 8 episode installments. And it was known from the outset that this would be the final season. In this season we were introduced to an element that had criminal ties globally and is masterminded by a status seeking woman in a corporation. Jesse ascertains Walt has betrayed him and is disenfranchised himself from Walt. Walt has to flee and hide out, and has become one of the most sought after criminals in America. But as Jesse has been taken hostage and is forced to be a slave, cooking meth for a bunch of thugs, Walt's cancer has come back and has changed his outlook on everything. So Walt devises a plan, and decides to make it all right.
Walt does love Jesse like a son, but in doing so, he has done terrible things like trying to poison Jesse's girlfriend's son Brock. He also let his darling junkie girlfriend die in season 2 (or was it 3), and so Walt Break's more and more Bad.
In the end, Saul takes a new identity, Walt dies in a shoot-out, and Jesse escapes to who knows what, or where. But it was perfect. This was the best series endings since "Newhart" and that's saying something.
Thanks Vince, and Bryan, and Aaron, Anna, Dean et al for this wonderful journey and fantastic TV experience. What a great use of what has become the premier artistic medium.
Rock on, y'all.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Captain Phillips
FLIX!
Tom Hanks plays the Captain of a cargo tanker on a routine run down the coast of Africa. But this isn't made up mumbo-jumbo hollywood fodder for the masses. This stuff really happened. And if you were paying any attention to the news in the last few years, you probably remember this story. Sudanese pirates overtook a cargo tanker on a routine run down the coast of Africa. When the Captain of the tanker, Captain Richard Phillips was taken captive by pirates and Navy Seals were called in?
The film starts routinely enough, and that is good. It shows a nice thorough Captain taking control and tightening down a new-to-him cargo ship. He even decides to run some training "pirate" drills, because of where they are geographically. But then, the drama takes on an new dynamic.....they spot approaching vessels and they quickly ascertain that they are indeed marauding pirate boats coming to do their dirty work.
The film takes on a tension that is not easily described. It is intense, and immediate. I kind of knew the story-line, but that did not give me a free pass on this one. It kept my attention and intrigued me the entire time. Tension....tension.
The rest of the cast as the crew? Not so much. The pirates? What an exciting and interesting bunch of guys. They lent a dimension of truth and reality to this that totally sold me. They were very skinny men, but very formidable. And very smart. And very, very dangerous.
It ends the way you know it will, but not entirely. Hanks has a scene with a Navy nurse (she actually got physically ill the first take just from being in a room with Tom Hanks...but Tom talked her through it, and she became wonderful.) She became a terrific platform for Hanks to work from..to show that even though he's been on a coffee break with stuff like "The Terminal", "Cast Away", "Catch Me if You Can" etc....he still has his chops. Hanks does some great and gifted work in this scene, and to me, it's worth the price of admission.
So, note to all adults. Go see this really good movie. Because see, if we don't, then Hollywood will truly believe that, all we as an audience really want, are super-heroes blowing up. We need to stop this trend. We are the biggest demographic with the most money. Let's make the pimply-faced Hollywood execs dance to our piper for a change.
Go see this gang. It is a great movie experience.
GRADE: B+
Tom Hanks plays the Captain of a cargo tanker on a routine run down the coast of Africa. But this isn't made up mumbo-jumbo hollywood fodder for the masses. This stuff really happened. And if you were paying any attention to the news in the last few years, you probably remember this story. Sudanese pirates overtook a cargo tanker on a routine run down the coast of Africa. When the Captain of the tanker, Captain Richard Phillips was taken captive by pirates and Navy Seals were called in?
The film starts routinely enough, and that is good. It shows a nice thorough Captain taking control and tightening down a new-to-him cargo ship. He even decides to run some training "pirate" drills, because of where they are geographically. But then, the drama takes on an new dynamic.....they spot approaching vessels and they quickly ascertain that they are indeed marauding pirate boats coming to do their dirty work.
The film takes on a tension that is not easily described. It is intense, and immediate. I kind of knew the story-line, but that did not give me a free pass on this one. It kept my attention and intrigued me the entire time. Tension....tension.
The rest of the cast as the crew? Not so much. The pirates? What an exciting and interesting bunch of guys. They lent a dimension of truth and reality to this that totally sold me. They were very skinny men, but very formidable. And very smart. And very, very dangerous.
It ends the way you know it will, but not entirely. Hanks has a scene with a Navy nurse (she actually got physically ill the first take just from being in a room with Tom Hanks...but Tom talked her through it, and she became wonderful.) She became a terrific platform for Hanks to work from..to show that even though he's been on a coffee break with stuff like "The Terminal", "Cast Away", "Catch Me if You Can" etc....he still has his chops. Hanks does some great and gifted work in this scene, and to me, it's worth the price of admission.
So, note to all adults. Go see this really good movie. Because see, if we don't, then Hollywood will truly believe that, all we as an audience really want, are super-heroes blowing up. We need to stop this trend. We are the biggest demographic with the most money. Let's make the pimply-faced Hollywood execs dance to our piper for a change.
Go see this gang. It is a great movie experience.
GRADE: B+
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Gravity
FLIX!
Gravity began as surreal mellow moments with an underwash of scariness - they were working on a satellite in a spot where they were looking at the earth like it was on an IMAX movie screen. The three astronauts all seem to be enjoying themselves; one is goofing around tethered down by the shuttle, astronaut Matt Kowalski is clowning around in his little get-up which features mini retro rockets allowing him to buzz around little a nuisance house-fly (this is, after all his last mission before retirement), while astronaut Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is diligently trying to accomplish their assigned task. So that covers getting us through the opening credits, and then all hell breaks loose. There is a panicked message from Houston...."Abort, abort! A bunch of other satellites have broken up and the debris is heading your way!" Okay I put on quotation marks, and that is probably not a direct quote, but it was mighty close to that. And then, this thing goes crazy.
George Clooney plays the veteran leader of this expedition (Matt Kowalski) and seems to have all the experience and no-how. The above mentioned Ryan Stone is a novice with no other space experience. She does mention she's trained 6 months.
Without being too much of a spoiler, the other astronaut is sort of, well, killed when the debris comes crashing in. I mean that is if having your face shield broken out, half your face gone, and your brains sucked out will kill you. Now there are two of them that have to figure out how to get back to Earth. Without being even more of a spoiler, this ain't a buddy picture. And here's another clue for you all: this was one of George Clooney's shortest film appearances. And the walrus was Paul. (Refer to the Beatles' White Album if your less than 40 years old and don't get that last reference about Paul).
This movie was 3 minutes of semi-calm highlighted by 90 minutes of sheer, intense, butt-cheek tightening, throat tightening suspense and terror. Okay, we got about two minutes of false relief at the end of the second act to catch our breath.
I liked this movie a lot. I thought Sandra Bullock was extraordinary - she is one of the stars that doesn't get the credit she deserves. She can do it all. Comedy, drama, and intense stuff. I hope she gets an Oscar nod for this one. Her intensity and delivery were interesting, thoughtful, and believable.
Great cinema? Nope. Great movie-making? Yep. The special effects were wonderful, convincing, and not contrived. Although brighter minds than mine will have to explain bits of fire floating around. And what retro rockets exhaust pushes against. Did this movie keep me interested and engaged? You bet. Did it seem like the hour and a half flew by? Yes indeed. This movie was interesting that way. My bride commented, "boy, that was a short movie", but then when we checked the running time, it was the same length as other movies.
I recommend this movie. And it works for the whole family. That is if you want your under 12 year olds to have bad dreams and need therapy well into their 20s....
See it. It does what movies are supposed to do. What you pay to see them for.....you'll be entertained, intrigued, and thinking about it for days.
Grade: B+
Gravity began as surreal mellow moments with an underwash of scariness - they were working on a satellite in a spot where they were looking at the earth like it was on an IMAX movie screen. The three astronauts all seem to be enjoying themselves; one is goofing around tethered down by the shuttle, astronaut Matt Kowalski is clowning around in his little get-up which features mini retro rockets allowing him to buzz around little a nuisance house-fly (this is, after all his last mission before retirement), while astronaut Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is diligently trying to accomplish their assigned task. So that covers getting us through the opening credits, and then all hell breaks loose. There is a panicked message from Houston...."Abort, abort! A bunch of other satellites have broken up and the debris is heading your way!" Okay I put on quotation marks, and that is probably not a direct quote, but it was mighty close to that. And then, this thing goes crazy.
George Clooney plays the veteran leader of this expedition (Matt Kowalski) and seems to have all the experience and no-how. The above mentioned Ryan Stone is a novice with no other space experience. She does mention she's trained 6 months.
Without being too much of a spoiler, the other astronaut is sort of, well, killed when the debris comes crashing in. I mean that is if having your face shield broken out, half your face gone, and your brains sucked out will kill you. Now there are two of them that have to figure out how to get back to Earth. Without being even more of a spoiler, this ain't a buddy picture. And here's another clue for you all: this was one of George Clooney's shortest film appearances. And the walrus was Paul. (Refer to the Beatles' White Album if your less than 40 years old and don't get that last reference about Paul).
This movie was 3 minutes of semi-calm highlighted by 90 minutes of sheer, intense, butt-cheek tightening, throat tightening suspense and terror. Okay, we got about two minutes of false relief at the end of the second act to catch our breath.
I liked this movie a lot. I thought Sandra Bullock was extraordinary - she is one of the stars that doesn't get the credit she deserves. She can do it all. Comedy, drama, and intense stuff. I hope she gets an Oscar nod for this one. Her intensity and delivery were interesting, thoughtful, and believable.
Great cinema? Nope. Great movie-making? Yep. The special effects were wonderful, convincing, and not contrived. Although brighter minds than mine will have to explain bits of fire floating around. And what retro rockets exhaust pushes against. Did this movie keep me interested and engaged? You bet. Did it seem like the hour and a half flew by? Yes indeed. This movie was interesting that way. My bride commented, "boy, that was a short movie", but then when we checked the running time, it was the same length as other movies.
I recommend this movie. And it works for the whole family. That is if you want your under 12 year olds to have bad dreams and need therapy well into their 20s....
See it. It does what movies are supposed to do. What you pay to see them for.....you'll be entertained, intrigued, and thinking about it for days.
Grade: B+
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