Gliding Over All

In the (long and tedious) interval between parts 1 & 2 of season 5, we are given enough to stir about. Just as Hank was when the machinery was clicking in his DEA- fueled brain. Hank from the very beginning came off as someone who meant well and was relentless in his hunt for Heisenberg. Yet he seemed a bit oblivious to clues right in front of him. It was only until the season 5 mid-finale that the puzzle pieces came together for him. All thanks to a book handed to him. A clue dropped all the way back to the beginning of Season 3, when Walt receives Leaves of Grass.


Looking back, the first half of season 5 has proven to been much more than just fallout from season 4. It has introduced us to new characters such as Lydia, Todd and strengthened existing characters like Mike. It also proved to be the most visually stunning season yet. Courtesy of the always on point directing.

If there ever existed a more confident, ego driven Walt than before, then this would be the season where that ego would drive full speed ahead. Gilligan has stated on several occasions that the trajectory of Walt is akin to that of Tony Montana from Scarface. He can't just settle and let it go. He has to have it all. Thus making the 'getting out' part all the more harder to do.

The allegiance to Lydia & Todd and the disassociation with Jesse has tightened tensions on all sides. The trust, loyalty and "Magnets, bitch" mentality is now replaced with fear, betrayal and spiteful secrets. It won't be long until this rubber band snaps back with fierce whiplash.

The homefront is not getting any better either. I have never been a fan of Skylar. Her shift from agitated housewife to accomplice in crime only furthered this feeling. But Anna Gunn must get her due for her performance in the Rian Johnson helmed episode House Party. Nailing the vicious spat between her and Walt and becoming a part of one of the most striking shots of the series. (You know which one I'm talking about...).

Breaking Bad from the very beginning has been a show deeply rooted in morality. People reap what they sew. Mike's tragic downfall is that his daughter will grow up having thought her father left her without saying goodbye. Any doubters to the show's moral stance need look no further than a bombed out hospital room. All of these events exist as signposts leading to something more ominous.

Gliding Over All will most likely prove to be the precursor to the downfall of Walter White. He is now a man convinced things will get better. His boundless arrogance has him convinced hat tying up the loose ends will somehow save him. We've watched children get caught in the crossfire, a head crushed with an ATM, a girl choking on her own vomit. From the beginning it has been a show about crime. Now it's time for the punishment.

Ten Favorite TV Shows Pt. 6: Six Feet Under

Favorite character: Nate Fisher
Favorite episodes: A Private Life, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, I'm Sorry I'm Lost, Untitled, Everyone's Waiting

A series that deals with death in a profoundly moving way. Injecting a good number of Twin Peaks influenced dream scenes throughout. This only elevates the material and gives it a darker edge. Especially as the series progresses. Alan Ball's writing prose is certainly relevant in this case. As the series has countless moments of dark humor

The best one can hope for in a series finale is a conclusion that is wholly satisfying and original. One that caps off the series in the particular aesthetic or subject matter that series touches upon. In that regard, Six Feet Under has probably the most satisfying ending to any series I've seen.

Ten Favorite TV Shows Pt. 5: The Sopranos

A startling reflection of the modern American family. Its praises have been sung in countless circles. The one major problem I have with The Sopranos, & one I have with a myriad of TV shows is just how long it was given to run. Granted, the long list of secondary characters- Bobby Bacalieri, Phil Leotardo, Johnny Sack, etc. were given further development. The near existentialism of the first half of Season Six was very welcome. Though, it seemed to run out of steam when looked at in context of the entire show. That still caused Chase to leave room for unnecessary plotlines (ex: Vito Spatafore & the head scratching inclusion of what happened to his son in the last season.)

Now the big thing people have complained about since it aired is of course, the finale. I won't spoil it for those who have yet to wade through this series. Regardless, it works. & very well, I might add. The gangster genre, even traced back all the way to the 30's with Scarface & Public Enemy, has a clear cut message to it. Crime doesn't pay is the message that is always left on our doorsteps with a bowl of egg noodles and ketchup. The triumph of the Sopranos is showing just how damaged the way of American life actually is. This, made all the more chilling by the way David Chase chose how to end the series.

Favorite episodes: Long Term Parking, Whitecaps, Pine Barrens, College, Funhouse, Army of One, Whoever Did This, Join the Club

Favorite characters:
Christopher Moltisanti- Chris once ironically complained about his 'arc' when writing a script in Season One. Out of all the characters on the show, his character arc may be the most interesting. By the ending of Season 2's episode D-Girl, I felt this. By Season 5's episodes (Irregular Around the Margins & Long Term Parking) it was set in stone. In many ways, the 'Jesse Pinkman' of the series.

Paulie Walnuts- Always the comic relief. Probably the most self centered characters on the show (which is saying a hell of a lot).

Most effective villian: Ralph Cifaretto. Sure Richie Aprile & Phil Leotardo have made their impressions. Joe Pantoliano's Cifaretto on the other hand just makes you want to squirm in your seat. (think Cesar from Bound and go even further.) True sleaze that is exemplified in a horrific scene in the intensely dark season 3.

Ten Favorite TV Shows Pt. 4: Breaking Bad

Favorite character: Walter White
Favorite episodes: Fly, One Minute, ABQ, Grilled

OK. So it might be a little early to proclaim this a top 10. & in all likeliness, if it continues down its current path on a consistent basis, this could even rank higher. For now, it secures a 7 spot. It may not be as ambitious as some of the other shows on the list. Its strengths however lie in its characterizations and ability to create palpable tension and mix it with jet black humor.

Ten Favorite TV Shows Pt. 3: The Simpsons

A show whose first 10 seasons were absolute gold. With seasons 4 & 5 containing some of the best writing of any animated show.

Favorite characters: To pinpoint a favorite would be damn near impossible. So many greats that have such peculiar quirks. Lenny & Karl, Hans Moleman, Sideshow Bob are some favorites of mine.

Favorite episodes: Brother From the Same Planet, The Itchy and Scratchie and Poochie Show, Krusty Gets Kancelled, Lisa's First Word, Homer's Enemy, Rosebud, Cape Feare. As with Seinfeld, the list of favorites could go on for a while.

Ten Favorite TV Shows Pt. 2: Seinfeld

Come on. Do I really have to explain?

Favorite character: George Costanza

Favorite episodes: The Contest, The Marine Biologist, The Opposite, The Hamptons, The Pez Dispenser, & a dozen more.

Ten Favorite TV Shows Pt. 1: The Wonder Years

This show just completely floors me with its honesty about childhood. The only other show able to touch it is Freaks & Geeks. It doesn't hurt that it's set in my favorite period of history (late 60's to early 70's).

Favorite episode(s): The Accident, Goodbye, Don't You Know Anything About Women?, The Journey

Favorite character: Danica McKellar was my first TV crush, but her character in retrospect (& Fred Savage's for that matter) always had those head-slap moments. Kevin treating Margaret Farquar like garbage, Winnie cheating on Kevin, and so on. The genius of the show is showing how parallel your life is to it. I had my own Margaret Farquar in grammar school. & I could relate to countless episodes of this show. I'm sure everyone could relate to something on The Wonder Years. Which, in the end, is what gives the show its mass appeal. Regardless of the period setting.

ducks, cold cuts & psychiatry

This guy is good.

10 things I learned from Boardwalk Empire

1. Scorsese is still a badass. (that record player montage in the pilot made me jump out of my chair.)
2. Steve Buscemi has finally landed a lead in a TV show....yes!
3. Michael Shannon continues to be one of the best actors working today.
4. Michael Stuhlberg is no longer receiving bad news via telephone-- he's making it.
5. Stephen Graham loves portraying a gangster.
6. Paz De La Huerta loves being nude. (Limits of Control, anyone?)
7. Michael K. Williams still be packin' .45s from time to time.
8. They must have put in a ton of cash for those sets.
9. Is that Brian Jonestown Massacre I hear doing the theme? Hell yes.
10. This show & Breaking Bad are doing a better job at presenting the "form" of film than most films released this year are.

Quick and painless, I promise.

The Hilti DX 460 MX or the Simpson PTP-- these two are my Cadillacs. The DX 460 is fully automatic with a .27 caliber-charge. Wood, concrete, steel to steel-- she'll throw a fastener into anything. And for my money she handles recoil better than the Simpson or P3500.

81st Academy Awards

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Slumdog Millionaire
:(

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Sean Penn for Milk
Who should've won:
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Kate Winslet for The Reader

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Achievement in Directing
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire

Darren Aronofsky should have at least been nominated for The Wrestler.


Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Dustin Lance Black Milk

Who should've won:
Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter Wall E

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Simon Beaufoy Slumdog Millionaire

Best foreign language film of the year: France Departures, Japan

Best animated feature film: Bolt Kung Fu Panda WALL-E
Best art direction: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Best cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Best sound mixing: The Dark Knight
Best sound editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best original score: Slumdog Millionaire - A.R. Rahman (I'm noticing a trend here)
Best original song: O Saya from Slumdog Millionaire, music and lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam
Best costume: The Duchess
Best documentary feature: Man on Wire
Best documentary (short subject): Smile Pinki
Best film editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best makeup: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Best visual effects: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button




......meh.

Lost Season 5 Premiere

The best series on network television returned with a riveting season 5 opener yesterday. I really hope they do more origin story on the Dharma Initiative, the smoke monster and the island itself. The best news about this season is that the flash forwards and flashbacks are few and far between.

There were alot of things going on in this opener. Hopefully they also shed some light on what the hell happened to Claire last season. A good theory I read up on one of my forums is that The Others were waiting for Locke, because he shifted to the past and met them, and they had to wait years for him to come back after the crash.

Overall I really like the direction the season is heading: answering more questions as opposed to asking. They have enough questions to last them this season as well as the final sixth season in 2010. One thing's for certain, it will be interesting looking back on confusing episodes like this after the show is over and putting the pieces together.

Way down in the hole: The Wire

"All the pieces matter"
-Lester Freamon


Late last year, after hearing tons of critical praise heaped upon this show, I decided to check it out. It took about 4-5 episodes for me to really appreciate it. But after that, it became one of the most addicting shows. I don't know how people made it through waiting each week for the episodes. The Wire is very different from just about every other TV show I have seen. It is pretty much impossible for someone to start in the middle of this series and understand everything going on. It unfolds like a great novel. Critics have compared it to Charles Dickens' work in its detail. It touches on the things you are most likely never see in a network show: the humanity behind the victims caught in the drug war.

THEMES
The overarching theme of this show is America as a massive broken institution. Perpetuating the system instead of fixing it and helping the individuals within it. David Simon noted that it is much like a Greek tragedy but in place of the gods, there are institutions.

CHARACTERS
When it comes to character development, this show is unsurpassed. The arcs that these characters go through from Season One all the way through Season 5 are pretty spectacular. The show is very much cyclical in nature and many fates of the characters are cyclical. One of the other important themes of the show is how one single decision can completely change someone's life. For example: In season 4, a kid witnesses a murder. He goes to school and ends up getting used as a lookout for two boys end up assaulting a girl in the bathroom. The principal gets wind of this and sits down with him. Thinking that he'll be able to get off by telling the principal about the murder, he does so. That decision alone becomes his undoing and causes the character to make a complete 180 by the end of his story arc.

The Wire is first and foremost an unapolagetic and bleak show and has a very cynical view of America. The people who go against the system and fight the institutions usually end up getting screwed over in the end.

THE SEASONS
Season 1 focused on the drug trade. Centering on the Barksdale Organization led by Avon Barksdale and Russell "Stringer" Bell. It basically centers around the drug war and how it only results in tragedy.

Season 2 focuses on the death of the working class. Whereas most shows continue where they left off at Season 1, this show starts a whole new case based around illegal immigration through the ports and how dock workers are caught up with a criminal organization.

Season 3 is where the show really hits its stride. It is here where politics are introduced. The main theme for this season is reform and if is it possible. Marlo Stanfield is also introduced as a rival gang leader who seeks to own the corners that the Barksdale organization owned. Also in this season, Sgt. Howard 'Bunny' Colvin creates Hamsterdam. What Colvin proposes is to take all the mid level drug dealers in his sector and put them into one area. While this idea may sound good to some, it ends up creating a sort of hell for those in that particular area. As always, The Wire never provides easy answers to its problems and this is an example.


Season 4 is without a doubt, television's finest moment. 13 of the most riveting and emotionally gut wrenching hours of television. This season focuses on education or the miseducation of America. The main characters are 4 young boys: Dukie, Michael, Namond and Randy. Their stories are the catalyst to the entire season. What David Simon was asking with this season was: Where do the Avon Barksdales, Stinger Bells and Marlo Stanfields come from?

Politics take second stage in this season with a white Tommy Carcetti running against a black incumbent mayor, Clarence Royce.

Season 5 is about the media and how misinformation and technology, all have an impact on journalism. Everyone's storyline comes to a close in this season. What Simon was asking this season was if The Wire got all of this right, then how come no one else is paying attention to it?
It deals with the stories that the people want to hear and how real stories get buried.

In summary, this is the most satisfying and ambitious show I have ever seen. The characters are richly detailed. We most likely will not see a show like The Wire again.