I think I now know why Matthew Broderick used a very obnoxious, distracting and nasally voice when playing Leo Bloom in the original Broadway run of The Producers. It was to keep you from hating all the obnoxious facial ticks, mugging and overacting...which has all been blown up on the big screen, minus the voice, in the movie based on the musical based on the movie The Producers.
If I had to list my favorite film comedies of all time, The Producers would be on it. Mel Brooks' 1968 film is a classic that always makes me laugh...no matter how many times I've seen it. Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder are perfect in every way and they're supported by a wonderful cast of character actors. The Broadway musical version is a good adaptation of the movie to a different medium, but I think most of its charm is based on two things...it's sweet feel of sendup towards classic musicals and the charm and talents of the original Broadway cast...or at least the hype of the charm and talents of the original Broadway cast.
The new movie version of the musical is essentially a record of what that original cast was like (with a few changes). There are two actors who have been replaced, three musical numbers that have been removed, one that's been truncated and the obligatory shot at an Oscar for Best Original Song has been added to the end credits (there's also the addition of a excerpt from song cut from the Broadway show that Mel Brooks is on record as calling stupid).
Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick spend the 2 plus hours on screen continuing to act like they need to be seen in the balcony of the St. James Theater. They also seem to spend most of their time sleepwalking through roles they've played many times before. Will Ferrell does a decent job at bringing Nazi playwright Franz Liebkin to life, but Brad Oscar (who makes a very brief cameo as a cab driver) was a thousand times better (especially singing "Have You Ever Heard The Grman Band?"). Uma Thurman is very good as Ulla, but you'll still ask why they didn't use Tony winning actress Cady Huffman. Gary Beach and Roger Bart are still amazingly hysterical as Roger De Bris and Carmen Ghia.
As directed by Susan Strohman what the film is missing most is pacing and flow. A lot of things that work on stage come off as hackneyed and cliched on film (like the couch gags during "That Face"). There also seems to be very little artistry to the film itself. Sure the sets and costumes look great, but it's really just in service of having a record of the show. Take for example Leo's big number "I Want To Be A Producer". It looks amazing on film (one of the few successful moments of the film version) with many more chorus girls to bolster it, but at the same time a few things have been taken away from it (the "racist" dialog of the African-American accountant and the recurring joke of the ugly chorus girl is cut way back). The number that comes off the best is obviously "Springtime For Hitler" which is hysterical no matter which version of this story you're watching...here we get a nice mix of the Broadway version (the "extended cut") and the original movie (we get to see audience reactions again in close up which you don't get on Broadway).
Of the missing numbers, I missed all three of them. While it was decided to cut "The King of Broadway" just to get to the "story" faster, it is too funny a song and too great a setup of Max's character to just toss away. The same goes with "Where Did We Go Right" towards the end (and that one's a short song). And "In Old Bavaria" is a great setup for Franz and his birds that also doesn't run very long. If they needed to cut songs, they should have started with "That Face" which I've always found kind of blah at best. At least on Broadway it opened Act Two...here it's just a slow spot in the middle of the film. Also, the nature of the medium has necessitated the dropping of two very funny jokes on stage (both stemming from there being an intermission).
There are a few interesting cameos worth noting...just for fun...Andrea Martin and Debra Monk are two of the little old ladies, John Barrowman plays the lead tenor in the film's biggest number, Michael McKean puts in an appearance as a prisoner at the end and Jon Lovitz does a great bit as Leo's boss.
The Producers isn't a bad movie simply because its original source material is so classic. It just could have been a lot better. Its a bittersweet disappointment at best.
Two quick shot reviews:
Monster-in-Law is a formulaic comedy that underuses the talented Jane Fonda and overuses the underwhelming J-Lo (who was really good in Out of Sight and little else). Don't bother yourself.
Bewitched is a remake of the old TV series that complicates itself too much by adding an extra layer (it's not just about a man who marries a witch, it's about a man cast as Darrin in a remake of the TV series who casts an unknown actress as Samantha who is actually a witch). Why not just remake the TV series and be done with it? And if you're going to go that extra mile why not just have Shirley MacLaine play Endora instead of her playing an actress playing Endora (said actress playing Endora could have been Shirley MacLaine). Again...don't bother.
That's it for 2005. Have a Happy New Year. We'll be back with more reviews and other crap in 2006. My list of the year's best will appear closer to February as I'm still trying to watch 25 films from the year to make up a list like I always do. Having a kid seems to have changed our movie viewing habits somewhat.
Be seeing you.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
A Christmas Change
It amazes me how through the use of the internet one can get almost anything instantly...
And so it was that I was able to watch the newest episode of Doctor Who just hours after it aired on the BBC in Britain.
I've always been a fan of this show and was excited to hear there'd be new episodes. Of course, we here in the United States are unable to watch the new episodes as no cable network has picked it up. Luckily, we'll be getting aboxed set of all 13 episodes (plus extras) of the 2005 series on Valentine's Day 2006.
Of course, this means that all the 2006 episodes won't show up on our shores until 2007. But I have every intention of purchasing the series on DVD as it arrives...but I don't have the patience to wait a year...so I'm supplementing...
Anyway...
The special Christmas episode, entitled The Christmas Invasion, is the first story to fully feature David Tennant as the Doctor (if you've seen the recent Harry Potter movie he played Barty Crouch Jr.). If Christopher Eccleston's portrayal of the Doctor was a 9 from the first episode he appeared in, Tennant's is an 11 (and he spends a good chunk of the episode unconscious).
The concept of a Christmas episode of Doctor Who is weird at best, but not unprecedented (William Hartnell, the first Doctor, had one, but it is sadly part of the missing and lost episodes). Luckily, it's not a Christmas episode in the sense of what we here get in the United States (on a special Joey blah blah blah). There are a few Christmas related decorations, but the story is mostly about change for the Doctor, Rose and the entire planet Earth as an alien race attempts an invasion.
Tennant, like Eccleston before him, is a great combination of all the previous incarnations of the character while still carving his own place. The episode is as engaging as everything from last season, sets up both the new Doctor's character and touches on a spin-off series (Torchwood), brings back other beloved supporting characters and gives them a new twist and even manages to connect the entire Doctor Who mythos to that of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in one mindboggling throwaway line that will have people trying to figure out how those two mythos fit together in any possible way.
The new season starts in March on the BBC and I am very excited.
Be seeing you.
And so it was that I was able to watch the newest episode of Doctor Who just hours after it aired on the BBC in Britain.
I've always been a fan of this show and was excited to hear there'd be new episodes. Of course, we here in the United States are unable to watch the new episodes as no cable network has picked it up. Luckily, we'll be getting aboxed set of all 13 episodes (plus extras) of the 2005 series on Valentine's Day 2006.
Of course, this means that all the 2006 episodes won't show up on our shores until 2007. But I have every intention of purchasing the series on DVD as it arrives...but I don't have the patience to wait a year...so I'm supplementing...
Anyway...
The special Christmas episode, entitled The Christmas Invasion, is the first story to fully feature David Tennant as the Doctor (if you've seen the recent Harry Potter movie he played Barty Crouch Jr.). If Christopher Eccleston's portrayal of the Doctor was a 9 from the first episode he appeared in, Tennant's is an 11 (and he spends a good chunk of the episode unconscious).
The concept of a Christmas episode of Doctor Who is weird at best, but not unprecedented (William Hartnell, the first Doctor, had one, but it is sadly part of the missing and lost episodes). Luckily, it's not a Christmas episode in the sense of what we here get in the United States (on a special Joey blah blah blah). There are a few Christmas related decorations, but the story is mostly about change for the Doctor, Rose and the entire planet Earth as an alien race attempts an invasion.
Tennant, like Eccleston before him, is a great combination of all the previous incarnations of the character while still carving his own place. The episode is as engaging as everything from last season, sets up both the new Doctor's character and touches on a spin-off series (Torchwood), brings back other beloved supporting characters and gives them a new twist and even manages to connect the entire Doctor Who mythos to that of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in one mindboggling throwaway line that will have people trying to figure out how those two mythos fit together in any possible way.
The new season starts in March on the BBC and I am very excited.
Be seeing you.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
What We're Watching...
So...now that November Sweeps are over, let's take a look at the viewing habits going on in this house...
Desperate Housewives -- Still enjoying this show, but it seems to have lost some steam. Perhaps it's because all the stories with Susan (Teri Hatcher) have become rather silly? Maybe it's because there's too much of Bree (whom I dislike immensely as a character)? Maybe it's that the Alfre Woodard story is unfolding slower than Lost? Just wish it was as fresh as it was last season.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent -- The show has been somewhat reenergized by the addition of Chris Noth...not that it needed it. Anabella Sciorra's presence is relatively negligible. Maybe they should team Noth and D'Onfrio more often?
King of the Hill -- The show's in its final season. It's been pre-empted by more sports than it deserves so far this season, but the few episodes that have aired have been just as good as always. Let's hope the Hill family and their friends get the send off they deserve.
The Simpsons -- It's funny...I can still quote old episodes and I love them dearly, but the newer episodes confuse me as I can barely remember what each one's about on second viewings. Maybe a billion years on TV is too long? Yes...I just blasphemed.
Family Guy -- Let's face it, the show's really just an endless stream of pop culture jokes and bathroom shtick...but I'm glad it's back and still find it hysterically funny.
American Dad -- This show has gotten much better since it started and seems to have found a nice stride in balancing the ridiculous and the sublime. We just need more stories involving Roger and Klaus.
Arrested Development -- As funny as it's ever been...and if you haven't heard it's pretty much coming to an end soon as FOX cut the full season order down to 13 episodes. It will be missed.
Kitchen Confidential -- While we've enjoyed this show (all 4 episodes that aired), it really wasn't given a chance. Bad FOX!
Prison Break -- We have to wait until March to get new episodes?? Can't FOX cancel some other crap that's still on (like the piece of shit wedged between The Simpsons and Family Guy) to find the right spot so we can find out what happens next? Great show that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Medium -- We regularly Tivo this show and do enjoy it when we watch it, but we tend to let episodes pile up for a week (or three) before catching up. It's good, but it's not "I have to watch it now"...and the episode that wound up essentially being a commercial for Memoirs of a Geisha was just annoying.
Bones -- While it's not original (I think we need to take off shoes and grab a friend or two to actually count the number of procedural shows on TV right now), it's a lot of fun due to the cast of characters. If it wasn't for the chemistry between David Boreanaz and Emily Deschannel (as well as the rest of the cast that includes Eric Millegan, TJ Thyne, Michaela Conlin and Jonathan Adams), it wouldn't be worth watching. I hope it survives being separated from it's perfect partner in January. That perfect partner is...
House -- It's nice to have something of a break from all the "arc" shows that seem to fill our days. Hugh Laurie still drives this vehicle as the wonderfully crochety Dr. House and the two hour block of this show and Bones works so well.
My Name is Earl -- Easily the best new sitcom in quite some time. Smart move in taking it to Thursdays to re-energize "Must See TV". Now if they'd only pair it with Scrubs instead of the dreck called The Office.
Commander in Chief -- I'm still not 100% sure what it is I like about this show beyond such an engaging cast. Maybe it's the possibility that the "political" aspects of this show are about as removed from reality as a "President" can get (insert your own jokes about the current administration here). If I want real politics, I'll turn on the ever depressing and comedic news...here's where I go for the fantasy.
Boston Legal -- What started off as a great concept on The Practice and then became its own fun series has quickly become tiresome, repetative and silly...and yet I still watch...it's just not a "gotta watch it now" show...
That 70s Show -- With Eric & Kelso gone, it's just feeling old and tired...although the bit with killing off the guy everyone assumed would become Eric's replacement was pure genius...unfortunately, his replacement is blah...thankfully the show's ending in May.
Stacked -- Not sure why I'm still watching this as FOX has cancelled so many other better sitcoms...
Lost -- I'm just glad that a show takes risks with the status quo...anyone can be "offed" at any moment...sure it's mind-numbing in it's advancement of "what's going on" (one step forward, four back), but I'm hooked for the duration.
Invasion -- Imagine a show going any slower than Lost and you're pretty much up to speed on this. It's Invasion of the Body Snatchers if it needed 24 hours to tell the entire story...and yet they manage to keep this slow boil show intriguing every step of the way (and when they give you info, they give you info).
Veronica Mars -- Hands down the BEST mystery show on TV. If you're not watching this, insert your own insult here...
Criminal Minds -- Look...CBS is airing a procedural drama...what is this number 27? Luckily, my boycott of the network kept me away from all of them...and it took Mandy Patinkin to break that...hopefully someday they'll move away from the procedure and get into the characters a bit more (is Elle really Jason's daughter??).
Law & Order -- It's not "Must See TV" anymore by any means, but I like Dennis Farina and Jesse L. Martin enough to keep watching...Sam Waterston's become too boring and predictable...we need some new "Order" here.
Joey -- It's mildly amusing at best...but being taken off the air for January and February can't be a good sign. If it goes at the end of the season, it won't be missed...
Will & Grace -- And neither will this...thankfully, it's all over in May...until the guest star studded reunion.
The Apprentice -- The latest version actually has a few contestants you could see winning...unlike the last two...I'm never sure if I'll watch the next version until it airs and then I get hooked anyway.
Night Stalker -- would probably be a better show if it had no connection whatsoever to the series it is based on; Kolchak: The Night Stalker (Just released on DVD). The one season cult hit from the 1970s was an inspiriation for The X-Files and this remake is being helmed by one of the forces behind that show (Frank Spotznitz). But quite honestly, the concept is so far removed from the original (Middle Aged, frumpy, cynical and sardonic reporter Carl Kolchak investigates things that go bump in the night) it may as well be something else. Here we have young, hot, mysterious reporter Carl Kolchak invetsigating things that go bump in the night in an effort to find who (or what) really killed his wife (a crime he was accused of). It's warmed over mush from several other and far more successful shows (none of which were Kolchak). Is anyone surprised it lasted as long as it did? (Although ABC gets a big finger for cancelling it after airing the first part of a two parter -- the one episode I didn't see -- because the three people still watching deserved better, Sci-Fi gets kudos for picking up all ten episodes for airing next summer).
Reunion -- OK...so it's gonna end at 13 episodes and we're never gonna know who killed...you know...I've seen every episode to date and I can't remember the name of the character killed...so is it really any good? It is an interesting concept (a big flashback story where each episode is one year closer to the present), but the acting's cheesy and the actual storylines are cliched and hackneyed (and we won't get into the fact that the young actors look silly playing their older selves in the present day scenes).
Smallville -- Best Season Ever.
Everwood -- Best Season Ever. Now give us more seasons on DVD Warner!!!
The Bernie Mac Show -- I still watch, but the charm and orginality has gone...as have the ratings since it's now on Firdya nights.
Malcolm in the Middle -- FOX has done wrong by this show. As funny as it has ever been (though I do miss Francis at the dude ranch stories), it probably won't last longer than this season because of the Friday time slot...very unfortunate. I hope they go out on the same high note they came in on.
Threshold -- This is the faster paced and more stand alone episode alien invasion series than Invasion. It's is also the one that's been cancelled.
Justice League Unlimited -- Waiting for Cartoon Network to air the last 8 episodes of Season 3 (or season 5 if you count the two seasons of the "limited" version of the show) is like waiting for turtles to mate. There had better be another season after this one, because they've passed on a 6th season of
Teen Titans -- which is going to end next month. The show started as an odd show and grew into a GREAT adaptation of a comic book. It will be missed.
The Batman -- Living in the shadow of the amazing animated series of the 1990s, this show is a pale imitation...but it's still Batman...so it's not completely worthless.
Battlestar Galactica -- Left us hanging in the middle of season 2 with a potential Civil War within the fleet...can't wait to see where it's going. A thousand times better than the original...if you're not watching, catch up before the rest of the season starts as everything up to that point is on DVD.
The Sopranos -- Can you believe we've got another season and a half of this show. How long has it been?? Did Family Guy have this long a wait between seasons? I'm gonna have to rewatch the whole series to date just to remember who is who.
Entourage -- A fun HBO show that makes great use of Jeremy Piven.
The Dead Zone -- While USA seems to have taken on the BBCs concept of making Christmas episodes, this show wasn't ruined by theirs. Can't wait to see how the overall story arc both mimics and diverges from Stephen King's novel...
Monk -- While I still enjoy watching it's gotten a bit monotonous and while the chance from Sharona to what's-her-face was rather seamless, the show has lost something.
24 -- Can't wait for Season 5 and all the fun logic loops we'll have to take.
Scrubs -- The best comedy on TV gets no respect, but does get new episodes (and another DVD release). Hooray.
Jake in Progress -- It'll be interesting to see how this show changes as I was surprised by it last year...I'm sure things will get mucked up entirely.
Deadwood -- I loved the first season and fell out of touch with season 2. Kind of like another HBO show. Maybe I'll try and catch up before season 3 starts...and maybe I won't.
Well...that's all for now...I'll be back, hopefully, on Christmas Day with a surprise about one more show I didn't mention.
Be seeing you.
Desperate Housewives -- Still enjoying this show, but it seems to have lost some steam. Perhaps it's because all the stories with Susan (Teri Hatcher) have become rather silly? Maybe it's because there's too much of Bree (whom I dislike immensely as a character)? Maybe it's that the Alfre Woodard story is unfolding slower than Lost? Just wish it was as fresh as it was last season.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent -- The show has been somewhat reenergized by the addition of Chris Noth...not that it needed it. Anabella Sciorra's presence is relatively negligible. Maybe they should team Noth and D'Onfrio more often?
King of the Hill -- The show's in its final season. It's been pre-empted by more sports than it deserves so far this season, but the few episodes that have aired have been just as good as always. Let's hope the Hill family and their friends get the send off they deserve.
The Simpsons -- It's funny...I can still quote old episodes and I love them dearly, but the newer episodes confuse me as I can barely remember what each one's about on second viewings. Maybe a billion years on TV is too long? Yes...I just blasphemed.
Family Guy -- Let's face it, the show's really just an endless stream of pop culture jokes and bathroom shtick...but I'm glad it's back and still find it hysterically funny.
American Dad -- This show has gotten much better since it started and seems to have found a nice stride in balancing the ridiculous and the sublime. We just need more stories involving Roger and Klaus.
Arrested Development -- As funny as it's ever been...and if you haven't heard it's pretty much coming to an end soon as FOX cut the full season order down to 13 episodes. It will be missed.
Kitchen Confidential -- While we've enjoyed this show (all 4 episodes that aired), it really wasn't given a chance. Bad FOX!
Prison Break -- We have to wait until March to get new episodes?? Can't FOX cancel some other crap that's still on (like the piece of shit wedged between The Simpsons and Family Guy) to find the right spot so we can find out what happens next? Great show that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Medium -- We regularly Tivo this show and do enjoy it when we watch it, but we tend to let episodes pile up for a week (or three) before catching up. It's good, but it's not "I have to watch it now"...and the episode that wound up essentially being a commercial for Memoirs of a Geisha was just annoying.
Bones -- While it's not original (I think we need to take off shoes and grab a friend or two to actually count the number of procedural shows on TV right now), it's a lot of fun due to the cast of characters. If it wasn't for the chemistry between David Boreanaz and Emily Deschannel (as well as the rest of the cast that includes Eric Millegan, TJ Thyne, Michaela Conlin and Jonathan Adams), it wouldn't be worth watching. I hope it survives being separated from it's perfect partner in January. That perfect partner is...
House -- It's nice to have something of a break from all the "arc" shows that seem to fill our days. Hugh Laurie still drives this vehicle as the wonderfully crochety Dr. House and the two hour block of this show and Bones works so well.
My Name is Earl -- Easily the best new sitcom in quite some time. Smart move in taking it to Thursdays to re-energize "Must See TV". Now if they'd only pair it with Scrubs instead of the dreck called The Office.
Commander in Chief -- I'm still not 100% sure what it is I like about this show beyond such an engaging cast. Maybe it's the possibility that the "political" aspects of this show are about as removed from reality as a "President" can get (insert your own jokes about the current administration here). If I want real politics, I'll turn on the ever depressing and comedic news...here's where I go for the fantasy.
Boston Legal -- What started off as a great concept on The Practice and then became its own fun series has quickly become tiresome, repetative and silly...and yet I still watch...it's just not a "gotta watch it now" show...
That 70s Show -- With Eric & Kelso gone, it's just feeling old and tired...although the bit with killing off the guy everyone assumed would become Eric's replacement was pure genius...unfortunately, his replacement is blah...thankfully the show's ending in May.
Stacked -- Not sure why I'm still watching this as FOX has cancelled so many other better sitcoms...
Lost -- I'm just glad that a show takes risks with the status quo...anyone can be "offed" at any moment...sure it's mind-numbing in it's advancement of "what's going on" (one step forward, four back), but I'm hooked for the duration.
Invasion -- Imagine a show going any slower than Lost and you're pretty much up to speed on this. It's Invasion of the Body Snatchers if it needed 24 hours to tell the entire story...and yet they manage to keep this slow boil show intriguing every step of the way (and when they give you info, they give you info).
Veronica Mars -- Hands down the BEST mystery show on TV. If you're not watching this, insert your own insult here...
Criminal Minds -- Look...CBS is airing a procedural drama...what is this number 27? Luckily, my boycott of the network kept me away from all of them...and it took Mandy Patinkin to break that...hopefully someday they'll move away from the procedure and get into the characters a bit more (is Elle really Jason's daughter??).
Law & Order -- It's not "Must See TV" anymore by any means, but I like Dennis Farina and Jesse L. Martin enough to keep watching...Sam Waterston's become too boring and predictable...we need some new "Order" here.
Joey -- It's mildly amusing at best...but being taken off the air for January and February can't be a good sign. If it goes at the end of the season, it won't be missed...
Will & Grace -- And neither will this...thankfully, it's all over in May...until the guest star studded reunion.
The Apprentice -- The latest version actually has a few contestants you could see winning...unlike the last two...I'm never sure if I'll watch the next version until it airs and then I get hooked anyway.
Night Stalker -- would probably be a better show if it had no connection whatsoever to the series it is based on; Kolchak: The Night Stalker (Just released on DVD). The one season cult hit from the 1970s was an inspiriation for The X-Files and this remake is being helmed by one of the forces behind that show (Frank Spotznitz). But quite honestly, the concept is so far removed from the original (Middle Aged, frumpy, cynical and sardonic reporter Carl Kolchak investigates things that go bump in the night) it may as well be something else. Here we have young, hot, mysterious reporter Carl Kolchak invetsigating things that go bump in the night in an effort to find who (or what) really killed his wife (a crime he was accused of). It's warmed over mush from several other and far more successful shows (none of which were Kolchak). Is anyone surprised it lasted as long as it did? (Although ABC gets a big finger for cancelling it after airing the first part of a two parter -- the one episode I didn't see -- because the three people still watching deserved better, Sci-Fi gets kudos for picking up all ten episodes for airing next summer).
Reunion -- OK...so it's gonna end at 13 episodes and we're never gonna know who killed...you know...I've seen every episode to date and I can't remember the name of the character killed...so is it really any good? It is an interesting concept (a big flashback story where each episode is one year closer to the present), but the acting's cheesy and the actual storylines are cliched and hackneyed (and we won't get into the fact that the young actors look silly playing their older selves in the present day scenes).
Smallville -- Best Season Ever.
Everwood -- Best Season Ever. Now give us more seasons on DVD Warner!!!
The Bernie Mac Show -- I still watch, but the charm and orginality has gone...as have the ratings since it's now on Firdya nights.
Malcolm in the Middle -- FOX has done wrong by this show. As funny as it has ever been (though I do miss Francis at the dude ranch stories), it probably won't last longer than this season because of the Friday time slot...very unfortunate. I hope they go out on the same high note they came in on.
Threshold -- This is the faster paced and more stand alone episode alien invasion series than Invasion. It's is also the one that's been cancelled.
Justice League Unlimited -- Waiting for Cartoon Network to air the last 8 episodes of Season 3 (or season 5 if you count the two seasons of the "limited" version of the show) is like waiting for turtles to mate. There had better be another season after this one, because they've passed on a 6th season of
Teen Titans -- which is going to end next month. The show started as an odd show and grew into a GREAT adaptation of a comic book. It will be missed.
The Batman -- Living in the shadow of the amazing animated series of the 1990s, this show is a pale imitation...but it's still Batman...so it's not completely worthless.
Battlestar Galactica -- Left us hanging in the middle of season 2 with a potential Civil War within the fleet...can't wait to see where it's going. A thousand times better than the original...if you're not watching, catch up before the rest of the season starts as everything up to that point is on DVD.
The Sopranos -- Can you believe we've got another season and a half of this show. How long has it been?? Did Family Guy have this long a wait between seasons? I'm gonna have to rewatch the whole series to date just to remember who is who.
Entourage -- A fun HBO show that makes great use of Jeremy Piven.
The Dead Zone -- While USA seems to have taken on the BBCs concept of making Christmas episodes, this show wasn't ruined by theirs. Can't wait to see how the overall story arc both mimics and diverges from Stephen King's novel...
Monk -- While I still enjoy watching it's gotten a bit monotonous and while the chance from Sharona to what's-her-face was rather seamless, the show has lost something.
24 -- Can't wait for Season 5 and all the fun logic loops we'll have to take.
Scrubs -- The best comedy on TV gets no respect, but does get new episodes (and another DVD release). Hooray.
Jake in Progress -- It'll be interesting to see how this show changes as I was surprised by it last year...I'm sure things will get mucked up entirely.
Deadwood -- I loved the first season and fell out of touch with season 2. Kind of like another HBO show. Maybe I'll try and catch up before season 3 starts...and maybe I won't.
Well...that's all for now...I'll be back, hopefully, on Christmas Day with a surprise about one more show I didn't mention.
Be seeing you.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Playing Catch Up Before Vacation
Hey folks,
I was hoping to review Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in tandem with a review of the latest book. Unfortunately, I need to go back and read book 5 before reading book 6 and our copy is still in
In the meantime, the 4th film, Goblet of Fire, raises the stakes in the series to a nice level. While I still think the third film is the best in the series so far (as I still think the third book is the best in the series so far), this film does a good job at adapting all the necessary bits of this very weighty tome.
Streamlined, the story focuses on the Tri-Wizard Tornament in which Harry unwittingly becomes a contestant. He must brave three potentially deadly tasks alongside four other students (two of which come from other Wizarding schools). Meanwhile, brewing in the background is the potential return of Lord Voldemort.
The story zips along at a good pace now that all the fluff that movie goers won't care about has been excised (like Hermione and the freeing of the house elves) and the tension of the tornament helps move it all along with a sense of ugency. The acting remains top notch on all levels and the emotional depth of the outcome of the tournament hits home like a dagger because of it. The look of the film remains as amazing as the last one (which was better than the first two as it seems they were still working out the kinks in the CGI).
While I've forgotten a lot of what happens in book 5, movie 4 has gotten me in the mood to read it all again...
Over in potential Oscar country...David Cronenberg's A History of Violence may be the director's best effort yet...Well...not really...but it's definitely his best shot at winning accolades he's been looked over for before.
Based on a graphic novel, Viggo Mortensen stars as a small town family man who winds up on the evening news after he defends himself and some patrons at his diner from a couple of murderous thugs. The news coverage brings some shady mob goons to town as they are convinced that Tom (Mortensen) is actually a long lost "friend" they need to bring back into the fold. As the mystery of who these goons are unfolds, so does the mystery of Tom's past. To tell you whether Tom is hiding a secret or these men are mistaken would ruin a great film.
Cronenberg knows how to keep an audience on the edge of its seat and this film, while more of a slow boil than some of his other films, doesn't disappoint. Perfectly cast in every way (look for potential Oscar nominations for Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt) and expertly directed A History of Violence does not disappoint.
I never had to read any Jane Austin in any classes I ever took...but aparently it's a prerequisit if you have a vagina (am I gonna get a lot of flack for that comment or what??)...my wife is a BIG fan of hers...specifically Pride & Prejudice. She's also a BIG fan of Colin Firth (she'd pick him over me if given the chance), so naturally she's a HUGE fan of the BBC version of Pride. It was on her enthusiasm for the story that I somewhat reluctantly went to see the new big screen version not starring Colin Firth.
I was pleasantly surprised by the film. This humorous and tender love story about a woman with a crazy family who slowly (and almost reluctantly) falls in love with a handsome but cold man actually kept me interested for it's full length...at least until it was over and my wife pointed out all the film's faults when compared to both the original novel and the BBC miniseries...which we had to promptly start watching as soon as we got home...
So, while I've now become enamoured of the BBC version (well made, well acted), I've discovered that the film I thought I liked I actually hated immensely.
So...that's all for today in movie reviews...I'll be back once more before we leave with a TV roundup...my massive comic book catch up issue will wait until we're back and my annual Top 25/Worst 5 list will probably not see publication until February at the earliest (as I don't know I've seen enough films to fill out either list just yet)...
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