So it's been a while since I sat down and blogged about anything. I have, if I'm honest, thought about it many times but the lazy gene in me prevented me from actually doing it. Another couple of reasons were that this blog would be the last of the TV challenge blogs and again being totally honest, I have no idea what to blog about next.
The other reason? That's simple - I'm going to be a DAD! This changes the perspective on everything. There are of course a whirlwind, some may say a total hurricane large enough to have Storm Chasers outside our house, of emotions which hit you. Excitement and terror in equal proportions are the two which spring to mind as the overpowering ones.
Being totally frank, we are so excited it's amazing. We have no idea what our little 'bun' will be and we don't have any preference, all that matters is health.
The planning now of the nursery room, the buying of the endless supply of baby gear, some of which is so cool [gadget geek smile :-)], the paiting, the buying, the name choosing, the midwife appointments, the advice from every corner of our circle of friends and family.
It is a truly amazing time.
In addition to the exciting news, on another slightly less exciting front I got a new job too - culture shock after spending time self-employed with most appointments in the evening meaning the days free - not so anymore - 9-5 is back, even some Saturdays too.
On to the last of the TV Blogs then.
SAMCRO a.k.a. Sons of Anarchy - Best show on television - period.
What's not to like, guns, bikes, drama, action, sex, violence, gripping storylines and perfect performances from the cast. Now in its fourth season and getting better and better.
I won't delve too much into storylines or spoiler territory however if you are looking for a quality action drama series to pass the time then this has to be one of the greats.
The story revolves around the small town of Charming where the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO) defend the town from other motorcycle gangs with their main priority to stop the drug trade from affecting their small community. Naturally they don't particularly do things legally, running guns being their main source of income - better the devil you know - would be the message on the Welcome To Charming sign.
In addition to the defence of their realm, SAMCRO has some very difficult and tangled lives, the club members are often conflicted, family members have lots to discuss on a regular basis and the twists and turns of the plots keep the show fresh.
Cast performances are stunning with award winning performances from Katy Sagal http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005408/, Ron Perlman http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000579/, that's right film buffs, Hellboy himself.
But the main surprise - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402271/ - Queer as Folk anyone?
If in doubt as the the changes to support his brilliant portrayal of Jax Teller check these out;
then
http://lordoftheflies.org/img/T305.JPG
and now
http://images.hitfix.com/photos/477660/sons-of-anarchy-jax-teller-charlie-hunnam_gallery_primary.jpg
Word of advice - WATCH THIS SHOW - It'll make everything better :-)
http://youtu.be/x3-R7XnfL8U
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Friday, 2 September 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Wow, life is busy. Who would have thought that life would get in the way of blogging! So after some time away I thought I had better get on with finishing this latest 30 day challenge. In some ways, depending on how you take the title, I have already lost the challenge since it has taken so many more days to reach this point in a 30 day challenge!
Two categories to cover off today, once again the first relates to Sport (oh joy!).
Favourite Sport to watch on TV.
Well as with my previous post, I guess I have kind covered this off. I tend to turn on the TV for a sporting event very, very, very occasionally. I have been known to watch a boxing match, one that is free to watch of course, seriously don't Sky get enough from us already without charging money to watch an event!? It is one of those spectator sports that always conjures up the magic of watching Rocky, never actually delivers that magic and yet you continue to watch in case, just in case there is a wonderful knockout. We haven't really changed that much from ancient times, only there are less lions and decapitations in the arena nowadays.
I am a definite armchair sports person, I should be way more active than just Kinect Sports but hey there is always a balance in the universe and if you like to go running [you know who you are ;-)] then that's the Yin to my Yang - Balance!
So enough sport, lets talk about a challenge subject that really gets my goat.
Favourite TV show which has been cancelled.
It has come to my attention this year that some TV bosses are blinkered, blind perhaps. This year two shows have left our screens which makes me very sad indeed.
Before I name check and 'big up' the shows (again) I'll check my understanding. It seems that in America which has given us many great shows, each Network has to choose its shows carefully. Budget constraints perhaps? I would hazard (ooh Richard Mark's just popped into my head!) a guess that this is definitely a costings issue. My limited understanding is that they have a set amount to spend, they allocate to the shows and when its run out, so does the show!
TAKE NOTE UK BASED NETWORKS - instead of Law & Order UK, which quite frankly is an embarrassment to the Law & Order franchise, in fact I wonder is there such a season as Law & Order France - non. Perhaps Law & Order Germany - nein. So why did we bother!? Rant over.
Sorry, where was I. Oh yeah. Perhaps we could purchase some of the great television shows and keep them going, viewing figures must be very different in the UK to the USA, surely we are a big enough viewing figures family to warrant these ideas. Of course who am I to suggest this, merely an armchair viewer. If I lose a show, do I have a voice after the ranting stops - nope!
So which shows cancelled have annoyed me.
Lie To Me - gone! This is a travesty. It which and remains a brilliant show. In past posts I have compared Tim Roth's (British Actor, top of his game, go , go Mr. Orange) with Hugh Laurie (another British Actor at the top). They are without doubt spectacular at their characters and draw in the audience so well that we go with them even when our senses and conscience say, "No".
Lie to Me has in defence of the Network managed three series and yet I feel we are left wanting. Maybe it's just me.
English Actor - hear that English networks - ENGLISH!!!!!!! You can do it - Torchwood people - English with huge American budgets. - Anyone listening?
So what else?
The Chicago Code.
Brilliant!
Witty, fast paced, solid characters, action, comedy, intrigue, corruption, conspiracy, thrilling, gone!
One series - gone!
I don't get it. It once more left the viewers wanting - perhaps the door is ajar, the light only fading and not extinguished. We will wait and see - without holding breath.
What I have learned from these two sad losses in 2011 is to tailor my viewing. I find it valuable now to reach for the power of Google or IMDB and check if a new series has been commissioned.
Take, Southland, Boomtown, K-Ville to name a few. Shows that seem to have disappeared. Recently the fantastic Falling Skies finished but save me from agony we had already checked for a second series.
After all, a great deal of time is invested in a season. You go through the emotions with the characters, it engages you in the plots, it feeds your conversations and blogs with your friends. To have this taken away feels like the end of The Empire Strikes Back all over again - wowed, invested and begging for more and yet downtrodden, shocked and saddened - roller-coaster analogy anyone!
Two categories to cover off today, once again the first relates to Sport (oh joy!).
Favourite Sport to watch on TV.
Well as with my previous post, I guess I have kind covered this off. I tend to turn on the TV for a sporting event very, very, very occasionally. I have been known to watch a boxing match, one that is free to watch of course, seriously don't Sky get enough from us already without charging money to watch an event!? It is one of those spectator sports that always conjures up the magic of watching Rocky, never actually delivers that magic and yet you continue to watch in case, just in case there is a wonderful knockout. We haven't really changed that much from ancient times, only there are less lions and decapitations in the arena nowadays.
I am a definite armchair sports person, I should be way more active than just Kinect Sports but hey there is always a balance in the universe and if you like to go running [you know who you are ;-)] then that's the Yin to my Yang - Balance!
So enough sport, lets talk about a challenge subject that really gets my goat.
Favourite TV show which has been cancelled.
It has come to my attention this year that some TV bosses are blinkered, blind perhaps. This year two shows have left our screens which makes me very sad indeed.
Before I name check and 'big up' the shows (again) I'll check my understanding. It seems that in America which has given us many great shows, each Network has to choose its shows carefully. Budget constraints perhaps? I would hazard (ooh Richard Mark's just popped into my head!) a guess that this is definitely a costings issue. My limited understanding is that they have a set amount to spend, they allocate to the shows and when its run out, so does the show!
TAKE NOTE UK BASED NETWORKS - instead of Law & Order UK, which quite frankly is an embarrassment to the Law & Order franchise, in fact I wonder is there such a season as Law & Order France - non. Perhaps Law & Order Germany - nein. So why did we bother!? Rant over.
Sorry, where was I. Oh yeah. Perhaps we could purchase some of the great television shows and keep them going, viewing figures must be very different in the UK to the USA, surely we are a big enough viewing figures family to warrant these ideas. Of course who am I to suggest this, merely an armchair viewer. If I lose a show, do I have a voice after the ranting stops - nope!
So which shows cancelled have annoyed me.
Lie To Me - gone! This is a travesty. It which and remains a brilliant show. In past posts I have compared Tim Roth's (British Actor, top of his game, go , go Mr. Orange) with Hugh Laurie (another British Actor at the top). They are without doubt spectacular at their characters and draw in the audience so well that we go with them even when our senses and conscience say, "No".
Lie to Me has in defence of the Network managed three series and yet I feel we are left wanting. Maybe it's just me.
English Actor - hear that English networks - ENGLISH!!!!!!! You can do it - Torchwood people - English with huge American budgets. - Anyone listening?
So what else?
The Chicago Code.
Brilliant!
Witty, fast paced, solid characters, action, comedy, intrigue, corruption, conspiracy, thrilling, gone!
One series - gone!
I don't get it. It once more left the viewers wanting - perhaps the door is ajar, the light only fading and not extinguished. We will wait and see - without holding breath.
What I have learned from these two sad losses in 2011 is to tailor my viewing. I find it valuable now to reach for the power of Google or IMDB and check if a new series has been commissioned.
Take, Southland, Boomtown, K-Ville to name a few. Shows that seem to have disappeared. Recently the fantastic Falling Skies finished but save me from agony we had already checked for a second series.
After all, a great deal of time is invested in a season. You go through the emotions with the characters, it engages you in the plots, it feeds your conversations and blogs with your friends. To have this taken away feels like the end of The Empire Strikes Back all over again - wowed, invested and begging for more and yet downtrodden, shocked and saddened - roller-coaster analogy anyone!
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Documentary.
All I can say for this one is please read this previous post which mentions Ross 'I used to be in a Soap Opera :-(' Kemp's Extreme World http://nikpriestley.blogspot.com/2011/06/30-day-challenge-tv-shows_24.html
The next category I have almost nothing to say as it is entitled Favourite Sports TV Programme.
Now most of my friends will know that I am not a great fan of sport. That's not to say I don't appreciate sport and can enjoy the spectacle of a good game. I have been known to watch football and enjoy the game but I am not a football fan, in fact I am the complete opposite to a fan really.
I do enjoy Rugby, it's more aggressive on the pitch and much more refined in the terraces - no seriously, you can have a beer whilst watching the game and be surrounded by fans of both teams whilst experiencing no tension of aggravation. Imagine if you can - drinking a beer whilst watching a Millwall match wearing a Chelsea shirt; oh and the fans are all mixed. Bliss!
In occasionally watch Formula One but only ever really last a few laps either at the beginning or the end of the race, I have never managed a full race.
I never used to enjoy Snooker until a friend (who designs bespoke furniture - blatant plug https://twitter.com/#!/TwinDesignuk & http://www.twin-design.co.uk/) introduced me to Judd Trump. He was a breath of fresh air to a relatively slow and measured sport. He played Snooker like a Pool player - The Colour of Money anyone!
When I was younger I did watch some sport (well one sport - the other is entertainment) on a Saturday morning. If I was experiencing a hangover, on very few occasions; I enjoyed watching Football Italia and revelling at their goal of the week/month which usually included a player flipping over mid-air, followed by a double twist and then heading or kicking the ball into the net from the half ay line - typical flamboyant Italians.
The second "sport" was wrestling! Spandex, rock music, long hair, bad dialogue and choreographed moves - highly entertaining. Triple H, The Undertaker, The Rock - good times!
So as for favourite Sports programme, I really don't have one. I guess the show that came close to being a favourite was The Contender with Sly Stallone. This show brought together two teams of opposing boxers who each week would work as a team to beat the other in numerous challenges. At the end of the show, two boxers would fight and the loser would be eliminated. It was mostly a reality TV show but had the element of sport in to sneak in under this category. The other bonus was that it was often on late at night after you had got home from the pub - perhaps that is why i enjoyed it so much. In addition it was hosted by Rocky - how cool was that.
The show brought all the elements needed to grab you, sad stories, drama, tears and laughter - even the hardest boxer at times would shed some tears, it also had boxing every week.
I'm sure if you look online there are episodes to watch and perhaps when you get in from the pub you could enjoy one too.
http://youtu.be/egDhTAMfpW0
All I can say for this one is please read this previous post which mentions Ross 'I used to be in a Soap Opera :-(' Kemp's Extreme World http://nikpriestley.blogspot.com/2011/06/30-day-challenge-tv-shows_24.html
The next category I have almost nothing to say as it is entitled Favourite Sports TV Programme.
Now most of my friends will know that I am not a great fan of sport. That's not to say I don't appreciate sport and can enjoy the spectacle of a good game. I have been known to watch football and enjoy the game but I am not a football fan, in fact I am the complete opposite to a fan really.
I do enjoy Rugby, it's more aggressive on the pitch and much more refined in the terraces - no seriously, you can have a beer whilst watching the game and be surrounded by fans of both teams whilst experiencing no tension of aggravation. Imagine if you can - drinking a beer whilst watching a Millwall match wearing a Chelsea shirt; oh and the fans are all mixed. Bliss!
In occasionally watch Formula One but only ever really last a few laps either at the beginning or the end of the race, I have never managed a full race.
I never used to enjoy Snooker until a friend (who designs bespoke furniture - blatant plug https://twitter.com/#!/TwinDesignuk & http://www.twin-design.co.uk/) introduced me to Judd Trump. He was a breath of fresh air to a relatively slow and measured sport. He played Snooker like a Pool player - The Colour of Money anyone!
When I was younger I did watch some sport (well one sport - the other is entertainment) on a Saturday morning. If I was experiencing a hangover, on very few occasions; I enjoyed watching Football Italia and revelling at their goal of the week/month which usually included a player flipping over mid-air, followed by a double twist and then heading or kicking the ball into the net from the half ay line - typical flamboyant Italians.
The second "sport" was wrestling! Spandex, rock music, long hair, bad dialogue and choreographed moves - highly entertaining. Triple H, The Undertaker, The Rock - good times!
So as for favourite Sports programme, I really don't have one. I guess the show that came close to being a favourite was The Contender with Sly Stallone. This show brought together two teams of opposing boxers who each week would work as a team to beat the other in numerous challenges. At the end of the show, two boxers would fight and the loser would be eliminated. It was mostly a reality TV show but had the element of sport in to sneak in under this category. The other bonus was that it was often on late at night after you had got home from the pub - perhaps that is why i enjoyed it so much. In addition it was hosted by Rocky - how cool was that.
The show brought all the elements needed to grab you, sad stories, drama, tears and laughter - even the hardest boxer at times would shed some tears, it also had boxing every week.
I'm sure if you look online there are episodes to watch and perhaps when you get in from the pub you could enjoy one too.
http://youtu.be/egDhTAMfpW0
Friday, 12 August 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite non-animated Children's show.
Non-animated, jeez! That rules out all the obvious choices, He-Man, Thundercats, X-Men, Batman, Spider-man, Jamie and The Magic Torch (youngsters Google it), Willow the Wisp.
I could have talked for ages about some of these, I could have written about the marvellous Touche Turtle or perhaps reminisce about Danger Mouse - that wasn't animated was it - that's it I'll choose Danger, damn it - it was a cartoon!
Non animated? Was Buck Rogers for kids? Perhaps Battlestar Galactica - you know the original with Face from The A-Team.
But you know what I'm gonna do what I have the prerogative to do; that's right; cheat!
You see there is one children's TV programme that was not animated. It wasn't actually actors either, well sort of. It spans generations, defines generations. Started what the Simpsons has continued in having famous people join in and star in. It has developed into films, some really good films. It promises to deliver another great film too;
It sent Pigs into Space for goodness sake -it's a masterpiece!
http://youtu.be/UX07sTSHiTs
The URL is particularly funny too - look closer :-)
Non-animated, jeez! That rules out all the obvious choices, He-Man, Thundercats, X-Men, Batman, Spider-man, Jamie and The Magic Torch (youngsters Google it), Willow the Wisp.
I could have talked for ages about some of these, I could have written about the marvellous Touche Turtle or perhaps reminisce about Danger Mouse - that wasn't animated was it - that's it I'll choose Danger, damn it - it was a cartoon!
Non animated? Was Buck Rogers for kids? Perhaps Battlestar Galactica - you know the original with Face from The A-Team.
But you know what I'm gonna do what I have the prerogative to do; that's right; cheat!
You see there is one children's TV programme that was not animated. It wasn't actually actors either, well sort of. It spans generations, defines generations. Started what the Simpsons has continued in having famous people join in and star in. It has developed into films, some really good films. It promises to deliver another great film too;
It sent Pigs into Space for goodness sake -it's a masterpiece!
http://youtu.be/UX07sTSHiTs
The URL is particularly funny too - look closer :-)
Thursday, 11 August 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Who Done It?
Once again with the madness surrounding us in the world today the question of 'Who Done It?' could not be more prevelant. It is a question that is on everyones lips and dominates everyones thoughts.
There is one terrible example in Birmingham of the needless death of three men simply helping their community mown down by an utter monster; leaving everyone devastated, speechless and with one buring question 'Who Done it?'
Writing these blogs seems at the moment to me a trivial act and yet it is also a way of maintaining normality whilst the events surrounding us swirl into the abyss.
I have talked in many blogs of my love of the C.S.I. series, the quintessential 'Who Done it?' shows. The way they create more and more unique and outrageous events never ceases to amaze me. In a show which has run for this long and has two off shoot shows it would seem an impossible task to keep things fresh and yet it seems to achieve this regularly.
The brilliant Luther recently shown on BBC reminded us that Britain can compete in the 'Who Done It?' world and that the BBC doesn't just bombard us with the tripe of the soap opera (sorry - I'm not getting on that soapbox again).
I think that today I will simply say that I thoroughly enjoy 'Who Done It?' shows; from C.S.I. to Midsommer Murders through Whitechapel and The Mentalist they have all been able to deliver consistent entertaining programmes.
My blog today is dedicated to those who lost their lives and livelihoods in the recent violence and destruction. Tariq Jahan is a man who has shown the world that Britain is not completely broken and we should be very proud of his bravery and dignity.
Once again with the madness surrounding us in the world today the question of 'Who Done It?' could not be more prevelant. It is a question that is on everyones lips and dominates everyones thoughts.
There is one terrible example in Birmingham of the needless death of three men simply helping their community mown down by an utter monster; leaving everyone devastated, speechless and with one buring question 'Who Done it?'
Writing these blogs seems at the moment to me a trivial act and yet it is also a way of maintaining normality whilst the events surrounding us swirl into the abyss.
I have talked in many blogs of my love of the C.S.I. series, the quintessential 'Who Done it?' shows. The way they create more and more unique and outrageous events never ceases to amaze me. In a show which has run for this long and has two off shoot shows it would seem an impossible task to keep things fresh and yet it seems to achieve this regularly.
The brilliant Luther recently shown on BBC reminded us that Britain can compete in the 'Who Done It?' world and that the BBC doesn't just bombard us with the tripe of the soap opera (sorry - I'm not getting on that soapbox again).
I think that today I will simply say that I thoroughly enjoy 'Who Done It?' shows; from C.S.I. to Midsommer Murders through Whitechapel and The Mentalist they have all been able to deliver consistent entertaining programmes.
My blog today is dedicated to those who lost their lives and livelihoods in the recent violence and destruction. Tariq Jahan is a man who has shown the world that Britain is not completely broken and we should be very proud of his bravery and dignity.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Horror TV show.
As I write this blog the world outside has gone totally mad. It appears that unlike other countries who face real difficulties and have no alternatives left but to turn to protest and in many cases riots, the mentality of the few is to simply arrange criminal acts with no cause whatsoever.
Having just spent 10 days seeing and studying the memorials, cemeteries and places involved in both World War 1 and 2, I am sickened by these criminal acts. The sacrifice made by the brave men and women would and should have never led us to this. To fight so hard and sacrifice your life for peace and against tyranny is a worthy cause above and beyond many other causes.
Today's youth appear to have no sense of what it means to live in a free world, they certainly have no understanding of what 'fighting for a cause is'. To attack your own towns and communities is just insane. To burn down shops and homes is despicable. To simply steal and loot peoples hard earned businesses defies belief.
Mindless, insane, pointless beings wandering streets, destroying buildings, causing chaos, kind of reminds me of my favourite TV show.
http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead
THIS IS JUST NOT AS ENTERTAINING AND I CONDEMN THIS MINDLESS IDIOCY.
As I write this blog the world outside has gone totally mad. It appears that unlike other countries who face real difficulties and have no alternatives left but to turn to protest and in many cases riots, the mentality of the few is to simply arrange criminal acts with no cause whatsoever.
Having just spent 10 days seeing and studying the memorials, cemeteries and places involved in both World War 1 and 2, I am sickened by these criminal acts. The sacrifice made by the brave men and women would and should have never led us to this. To fight so hard and sacrifice your life for peace and against tyranny is a worthy cause above and beyond many other causes.
Today's youth appear to have no sense of what it means to live in a free world, they certainly have no understanding of what 'fighting for a cause is'. To attack your own towns and communities is just insane. To burn down shops and homes is despicable. To simply steal and loot peoples hard earned businesses defies belief.
Mindless, insane, pointless beings wandering streets, destroying buildings, causing chaos, kind of reminds me of my favourite TV show.
http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead
THIS IS JUST NOT AS ENTERTAINING AND I CONDEMN THIS MINDLESS IDIOCY.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Today we're talking Sci-Fi and Fantasy favourites.
Now being as I am a Sky+ HD (showing off now!) subscriber I appreciate that for 'Fantasy TV' we've come along way since The Red Shoe Diaries; oh wait, it's not that kind of fantasy.
I'll get the negatives out of the way first so that we can finish on a positive. I had high expectations for Game of Thrones. I like Sean Bean, he plays good gritty characters. I liked the crisp clean and stunning settings, particularly as the HD showed them off very well. I enjoyed the first episode, the scene setting, the introduction of characters and the adult nature of the series. Too often, fantasy series get cleaned up for a mass market but Game of Thrones was going to be firmly in the adult camp.
Here was my problem - I can understand an epic, sweeping series needing to establish characters. I understand that we need to know about the politics, honestly I get that. I like The Godfather so political character driven pieces are not an issue. But and it is a big BUT, Game of Thrones seemed to move along at one pace, continuing to seemingly just build characters and politics and just never get going. For me it just didn't hold my attention.
As for my next choice I was guilty of writing this off in it's first series.
Spartacus : Blood & Sand was in my opinion when I first watched the opening episode a complete mess. The acting came across as terrible. The sex was turned up to 11, the violence was up to 11 - actually these two elements are way above 11 now I look back. It was somewhat like watching a poor mans '300'.
So after the first episode I stopped watching it.
Fast forward to a few months later and Spartacus : Gods of the Arena arrives. I Sky+'d, I watched and I admitted I was wrong. Although this was a prequel, it for me showed the series in a better light. For one thing, the acting was much better, it's not going to win an Emmy but its was better. The sex and violence was still way up the scale and the language would make sailors blush. I think I might have liked living as a Roman!
I watched the series and got caught up in the characters, rooting for my favourites and wishing the demise of those I disliked and there are plenty of those. Thankfully Sky decided to play the prequel immediately followed by that original Blood & Sand series so I was able to re-watch and persevere with the whole second, which is actually the first, series (if that makes any sense!)
Masses of sex, a swear word every 5 minutes, naked men, naked women, battles galore, backstabbing (literally), blood, guts and more blood - what's not to enjoy.
http://youtu.be/yHxn8mTpAJU
What has come along since, well I'm loving Torchwood and Falling Skies has definitely got the makings of one of my favourite series, we will see as it progresses - it is after all enjoyable watching Dr. Carter kick some alien ass!
Now being as I am a Sky+ HD (showing off now!) subscriber I appreciate that for 'Fantasy TV' we've come along way since The Red Shoe Diaries; oh wait, it's not that kind of fantasy.
I'll get the negatives out of the way first so that we can finish on a positive. I had high expectations for Game of Thrones. I like Sean Bean, he plays good gritty characters. I liked the crisp clean and stunning settings, particularly as the HD showed them off very well. I enjoyed the first episode, the scene setting, the introduction of characters and the adult nature of the series. Too often, fantasy series get cleaned up for a mass market but Game of Thrones was going to be firmly in the adult camp.
Here was my problem - I can understand an epic, sweeping series needing to establish characters. I understand that we need to know about the politics, honestly I get that. I like The Godfather so political character driven pieces are not an issue. But and it is a big BUT, Game of Thrones seemed to move along at one pace, continuing to seemingly just build characters and politics and just never get going. For me it just didn't hold my attention.
As for my next choice I was guilty of writing this off in it's first series.
Spartacus : Blood & Sand was in my opinion when I first watched the opening episode a complete mess. The acting came across as terrible. The sex was turned up to 11, the violence was up to 11 - actually these two elements are way above 11 now I look back. It was somewhat like watching a poor mans '300'.
So after the first episode I stopped watching it.
Fast forward to a few months later and Spartacus : Gods of the Arena arrives. I Sky+'d, I watched and I admitted I was wrong. Although this was a prequel, it for me showed the series in a better light. For one thing, the acting was much better, it's not going to win an Emmy but its was better. The sex and violence was still way up the scale and the language would make sailors blush. I think I might have liked living as a Roman!
I watched the series and got caught up in the characters, rooting for my favourites and wishing the demise of those I disliked and there are plenty of those. Thankfully Sky decided to play the prequel immediately followed by that original Blood & Sand series so I was able to re-watch and persevere with the whole second, which is actually the first, series (if that makes any sense!)
Masses of sex, a swear word every 5 minutes, naked men, naked women, battles galore, backstabbing (literally), blood, guts and more blood - what's not to enjoy.
http://youtu.be/yHxn8mTpAJU
What has come along since, well I'm loving Torchwood and Falling Skies has definitely got the makings of one of my favourite series, we will see as it progresses - it is after all enjoyable watching Dr. Carter kick some alien ass!
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
♥♥♥ Favourite Romantic Show ♥♥♥
I've watched a number of shows which involve romance. None of these I would particularly call a Romantic show.
Starting with Buffy The Vampire Slayer, oh way back when. She was born a 'Slayer' which meant that she had the power to destroy evil. The evil we speak of here consists of demons and vampires amongst other-worldly entities. So whilst fighting the ever present evil, after all the town of Sunnydale was built on the 'Hell Mouth' from where all evil comes; naturally. Buffy falls in love. Who does she fall in love with? Her classmate, her best mate (ooh that would've been a very different show), a teacher - of course not, a Vampire - the ever dashing Angel.
You know there's nothing like forbidden love to carry a series through. After Angel, who of course remains her one 'True' love she also had a fling with Spike - you guessed it, another Vampire. If it worked once hey!
So forbidden love rules the day, a recipe for success it seems and one that is found in another of my favourite TV series. This one is very much more adult in nature, Blood, sex (lots!), bad language and once again forbidden love. True Blood has taken the story and created a magical world which twists and turns like a rollercoaster. I have spoken before of this so will not bore you again.
There have been other romances which move in and out of the programmes I enjoy. Everyone remember The X-Files?, Mulder & Scully? Will they, won't they? We had to wait for the movie to actually see the relationship reach a conclusion. I guess that for some series once the main characters have 'gotten together' where does the story lead? If you take House as an example - wow! (No spoilers as always but I encourage to watch and learn about main characters in relationships).
There was once series that took the characters relationship and developed the whole programme around it.
Lois & Clark; The New Adventures of Superman took the relationship beyond the movies. It followed the comics. You see in the movies (R.I.P. Christopher Reeve) Lois and Clark. a.k.a. Superman (oh I hope I didn't just create a spoiler for someone!) got together which we as the audience had always wanted but by the power of mind control and emotional kisses all was forgotton - sorry what was I typing about!?
In Lois & Clark, they are together- Brilliant! As it should be. So the series relies not only on The Man of Steel and his saving of the world but how this impacts on the relationship and the influence it has.
One of my favourite Superman books - get it here --->The Death and Life of Superman by Roger Stern http://t.co/OMT1rMJ tells the story, well the title is obvious. In the book, Lois & Clark are married which again adds a new dimension to the story many of us have only experienced through the movies.
Whilst I mention books, there is a very exciting movie due out next year http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/. In the movie we will see Bane who in another of my favourite books plays a major role Batman: Knightfall by Denny O'Neil http://t.co/C5mZOBO
So TV shows have kept up the romance for a number of my favourite shows, even Gil in CSI got married.
Do I have a favourite Romance Tv program? I'm not sure I do. I just have lots of series in which romance plays to a larger or lesser extent a part of the drama, action or comedy.
http://youtu.be/7G_x-ZPeslw
http://youtu.be/HMPJT0NzJIs - I guess ultimately this will always be my favourite love story.
I've watched a number of shows which involve romance. None of these I would particularly call a Romantic show.
Starting with Buffy The Vampire Slayer, oh way back when. She was born a 'Slayer' which meant that she had the power to destroy evil. The evil we speak of here consists of demons and vampires amongst other-worldly entities. So whilst fighting the ever present evil, after all the town of Sunnydale was built on the 'Hell Mouth' from where all evil comes; naturally. Buffy falls in love. Who does she fall in love with? Her classmate, her best mate (ooh that would've been a very different show), a teacher - of course not, a Vampire - the ever dashing Angel.
You know there's nothing like forbidden love to carry a series through. After Angel, who of course remains her one 'True' love she also had a fling with Spike - you guessed it, another Vampire. If it worked once hey!
So forbidden love rules the day, a recipe for success it seems and one that is found in another of my favourite TV series. This one is very much more adult in nature, Blood, sex (lots!), bad language and once again forbidden love. True Blood has taken the story and created a magical world which twists and turns like a rollercoaster. I have spoken before of this so will not bore you again.
There have been other romances which move in and out of the programmes I enjoy. Everyone remember The X-Files?, Mulder & Scully? Will they, won't they? We had to wait for the movie to actually see the relationship reach a conclusion. I guess that for some series once the main characters have 'gotten together' where does the story lead? If you take House as an example - wow! (No spoilers as always but I encourage to watch and learn about main characters in relationships).
There was once series that took the characters relationship and developed the whole programme around it.
Lois & Clark; The New Adventures of Superman took the relationship beyond the movies. It followed the comics. You see in the movies (R.I.P. Christopher Reeve) Lois and Clark. a.k.a. Superman (oh I hope I didn't just create a spoiler for someone!) got together which we as the audience had always wanted but by the power of mind control and emotional kisses all was forgotton - sorry what was I typing about!?
In Lois & Clark, they are together- Brilliant! As it should be. So the series relies not only on The Man of Steel and his saving of the world but how this impacts on the relationship and the influence it has.
One of my favourite Superman books - get it here --->The Death and Life of Superman by Roger Stern http://t.co/OMT1rMJ tells the story, well the title is obvious. In the book, Lois & Clark are married which again adds a new dimension to the story many of us have only experienced through the movies.
Whilst I mention books, there is a very exciting movie due out next year http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/. In the movie we will see Bane who in another of my favourite books plays a major role Batman: Knightfall by Denny O'Neil http://t.co/C5mZOBO
So TV shows have kept up the romance for a number of my favourite shows, even Gil in CSI got married.
Do I have a favourite Romance Tv program? I'm not sure I do. I just have lots of series in which romance plays to a larger or lesser extent a part of the drama, action or comedy.
http://youtu.be/7G_x-ZPeslw
http://youtu.be/HMPJT0NzJIs - I guess ultimately this will always be my favourite love story.
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Special offer today - Two for One.
The categories covered today will be best comedy TV and best Action TV.
I'll start with best comedy and you will understand why I'm offering a 'two for one' special with this blog.
The simple fact is that since Scrubs stopped there has been a void in our lives, I feel I can include you all collectively in these blogs now. So it was with great delight that the makers of Scrubs created a new masterpiece.
I will sum up my favourite comedy TV show with two words;
'Penny Can'
For more information please review the following http://nikpriestley.blogspot.com/2011/06/30-day-challenge-tv-shows_23.html
So now to favourite Action TV.
Being a bloke, I like action stuff. (and yes I am aware that this is not an exclusive male liking). Whether it be Action Man (more of in a moment), He-Man or X-Men, action has always been on my TV screen. Childhood favourites were of course The A-Team, lots of action, explosions, making things from stuff and of course the 'no death' policy. There was Knightrider a.k.a. The Hoff & His Car, naturally the car, K.I.T.T. was the star but The Hoff always seemed to be cool even with the swagger and curly hair. They even made a reboot/remake of the series which I have to admit I enjoyed for all it's cheesy moments and nice cars.
Airwolf delivered some nice helicopter action at a weekend and Street Hawk attempted to deliver motorbike action - I was less than convinced about this series.
Action TV has not gone away but has evolved in many ways into more action/drama type programmes. There is way more drama for example in the CSI programmes although Miami attempts to create more Action than the others with its glitz, high speed Hummer moments and lots of explosions. In the same way NCIS: Los Angeles delivers way more action than the original NCIS.
So perhaps it is the cheesy action that I crave, after all I am a big fan of The Expendables, Tango & Cash, Universal Soldier etc and these have their moments of Mozzarella.
I referred earlier to Action Man, the eagle eyed doll which many of us owned as a child. I'm guessing that once we had chosen our outfit for our Action Man, perhaps even lucky enough to have the vehicles too; our Action Men were thrown around the garden or the urban environment (house) just like their real counterparts. Often the 'eagle eyes' would cease to function after being blinded by a flashbang, no sorry that's being covered in mud, the limbs would become loser, more adaptive as they fought to defend what was right; oh wait hold on, I mean loose because they didn't really like being thrown against the wall. Occasionally they would suffer a terminal injury from defusing the bomb to save the world, no wait, wrong again that was just because if you pulled and twisted too far, their leg falls off.
Anyhow, onto our screens came the real Action Man character and 'No' I don't mean G.I. Channing!
I have been lucky enough to watch this series in High Definition and it has been very, very pretty and that includes our Action Man hero! The scenery in the series showed perfectly why this is a destination of choice for many. The characters in the series are nothing new, quirky funny back up characters, terrible despicable criminals, partners who initially do not like each other, a team of misfits hand picked oh and of course each has a back story which needs to raise it's head often. The weapons, vehicles and set pieces in the series have of course not disappointed the Action Junky either. Finally it has what all great Action series need, a conspiracy!
Someone once commented on Facebook about the series and I think it sums it up perfectly The 'O' in the title, definitely stood for 'Obvious'.
But that's the beauty of this type of series, its an escape, a moment we can take our brains out and just vegetate on the sofa. It's not big and its not clever, although by God, it tries to take itself serious. Our very own Action Man can drive like Senna, fly a helicopter like TC in Magnum P.I. He can track the bad guys using the woods, mountain climb, deep sea dive, a master in martial arts, weapons & tactics. He is an all round Dude - struggles sometimes spotting the 'Obvious' but hey we all have flaws right.
It has been a nice change to many of the dramas I watch and yes, I look forward to the next season and some more time to 'take out the brain'.
As reboots/remakes go this one hit the spot well - http://youtu.be/T7Ba_jz22sI
The categories covered today will be best comedy TV and best Action TV.
I'll start with best comedy and you will understand why I'm offering a 'two for one' special with this blog.
The simple fact is that since Scrubs stopped there has been a void in our lives, I feel I can include you all collectively in these blogs now. So it was with great delight that the makers of Scrubs created a new masterpiece.
I will sum up my favourite comedy TV show with two words;
'Penny Can'
For more information please review the following http://nikpriestley.blogspot.com/2011/06/30-day-challenge-tv-shows_23.html
So now to favourite Action TV.
Being a bloke, I like action stuff. (and yes I am aware that this is not an exclusive male liking). Whether it be Action Man (more of in a moment), He-Man or X-Men, action has always been on my TV screen. Childhood favourites were of course The A-Team, lots of action, explosions, making things from stuff and of course the 'no death' policy. There was Knightrider a.k.a. The Hoff & His Car, naturally the car, K.I.T.T. was the star but The Hoff always seemed to be cool even with the swagger and curly hair. They even made a reboot/remake of the series which I have to admit I enjoyed for all it's cheesy moments and nice cars.
Airwolf delivered some nice helicopter action at a weekend and Street Hawk attempted to deliver motorbike action - I was less than convinced about this series.
Action TV has not gone away but has evolved in many ways into more action/drama type programmes. There is way more drama for example in the CSI programmes although Miami attempts to create more Action than the others with its glitz, high speed Hummer moments and lots of explosions. In the same way NCIS: Los Angeles delivers way more action than the original NCIS.
So perhaps it is the cheesy action that I crave, after all I am a big fan of The Expendables, Tango & Cash, Universal Soldier etc and these have their moments of Mozzarella.
I referred earlier to Action Man, the eagle eyed doll which many of us owned as a child. I'm guessing that once we had chosen our outfit for our Action Man, perhaps even lucky enough to have the vehicles too; our Action Men were thrown around the garden or the urban environment (house) just like their real counterparts. Often the 'eagle eyes' would cease to function after being blinded by a flashbang, no sorry that's being covered in mud, the limbs would become loser, more adaptive as they fought to defend what was right; oh wait hold on, I mean loose because they didn't really like being thrown against the wall. Occasionally they would suffer a terminal injury from defusing the bomb to save the world, no wait, wrong again that was just because if you pulled and twisted too far, their leg falls off.
Anyhow, onto our screens came the real Action Man character and 'No' I don't mean G.I. Channing!
I have been lucky enough to watch this series in High Definition and it has been very, very pretty and that includes our Action Man hero! The scenery in the series showed perfectly why this is a destination of choice for many. The characters in the series are nothing new, quirky funny back up characters, terrible despicable criminals, partners who initially do not like each other, a team of misfits hand picked oh and of course each has a back story which needs to raise it's head often. The weapons, vehicles and set pieces in the series have of course not disappointed the Action Junky either. Finally it has what all great Action series need, a conspiracy!
Someone once commented on Facebook about the series and I think it sums it up perfectly The 'O' in the title, definitely stood for 'Obvious'.
But that's the beauty of this type of series, its an escape, a moment we can take our brains out and just vegetate on the sofa. It's not big and its not clever, although by God, it tries to take itself serious. Our very own Action Man can drive like Senna, fly a helicopter like TC in Magnum P.I. He can track the bad guys using the woods, mountain climb, deep sea dive, a master in martial arts, weapons & tactics. He is an all round Dude - struggles sometimes spotting the 'Obvious' but hey we all have flaws right.
It has been a nice change to many of the dramas I watch and yes, I look forward to the next season and some more time to 'take out the brain'.
As reboots/remakes go this one hit the spot well - http://youtu.be/T7Ba_jz22sI
Friday, 15 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Animation.
Obvious choice here would be The Simpsons. This show has no doubt become integrated into virtually everyones lives. The humour, the reality and the simple genius of the show sets the standard not only for animated shows but for many shows on television.
If you simply look at the famous cameo roles that have taken place it amazes to see so many people clamber to become a yellow citizen of Springfield. The shows openings are genius, the couch moment, the saxophone tune, the till register and of course the blackboard (oooh how non-pc of me - showing my age too) all make up the magic of the show. If you look at Cougar Town, it has clearly copied elements from this show with its ever changing titles.
Since I was young cartoons as they were known became a staple part of my TV diet. Shows like Transformers and He-Man are still great to watch now. You only have to look at the success (that's right Kermode - SUCCESS!!!!) of the Transformers movies to see that the appeal has not gone, just evolved with the technology. He-Man - erm, let's leave it there.
Technology has played a major part in the evolution of animated favourites. You'll have to forgive my chronological timeline here but this will emphasise the point.
Spider-man - back in the 70s (I think) there was this http://youtu.be/qyYrxQx7RBc - apparently 'He Comes Alive' and 'You'll see it all'. How exciting - cue the disappointment. Then we have this http://youtu.be/4o29VoxtsFk - you'll be humming that tune for days now - sorry. Eventually the animated series reaches the levels we expect in modern day times http://youtu.be/uvrNHlo3dEs. Of course you have the movie trilogy which was as a huge Spider-man fan a spine-tingling event. Despite some of the obvious flaws, like for example Spider-Man 3 having way too many bad guys at once they have been a triumph.
Batman too, my favourite super-hero has also been through some significant changes due to technology.
Ka-pow! through to Heath Ledger (R.I.P.) via the animated series and original movies - I'm trying not to throw things at the thought of George and Val!
So animated TV has grown with the times, yet today I would be hard pushed to choose a favourite. There are shows I dip in and out of such as Family Guy which makes me chuckle when I watch it but I do not watch them religiously. There is South Park which kept me amused for a while until it became a simple idea of how to shock the audience the most or at least that's what happened in my eyes.
I know there have been plenty of others and I welcome suggestions as always, I guess though for me it will always be the simple shows that you remember with fondness;
http://youtu.be/43M55Ay6RKA
http://youtu.be/pjw2JshcIT4
Oh I just remembered I do like this as well;
Parental Advisory Lryics!! http://youtu.be/n3jfbAcsfX8 -
Obvious choice here would be The Simpsons. This show has no doubt become integrated into virtually everyones lives. The humour, the reality and the simple genius of the show sets the standard not only for animated shows but for many shows on television.
If you simply look at the famous cameo roles that have taken place it amazes to see so many people clamber to become a yellow citizen of Springfield. The shows openings are genius, the couch moment, the saxophone tune, the till register and of course the blackboard (oooh how non-pc of me - showing my age too) all make up the magic of the show. If you look at Cougar Town, it has clearly copied elements from this show with its ever changing titles.
Since I was young cartoons as they were known became a staple part of my TV diet. Shows like Transformers and He-Man are still great to watch now. You only have to look at the success (that's right Kermode - SUCCESS!!!!) of the Transformers movies to see that the appeal has not gone, just evolved with the technology. He-Man - erm, let's leave it there.
Technology has played a major part in the evolution of animated favourites. You'll have to forgive my chronological timeline here but this will emphasise the point.
Spider-man - back in the 70s (I think) there was this http://youtu.be/qyYrxQx7RBc - apparently 'He Comes Alive' and 'You'll see it all'. How exciting - cue the disappointment. Then we have this http://youtu.be/4o29VoxtsFk - you'll be humming that tune for days now - sorry. Eventually the animated series reaches the levels we expect in modern day times http://youtu.be/uvrNHlo3dEs. Of course you have the movie trilogy which was as a huge Spider-man fan a spine-tingling event. Despite some of the obvious flaws, like for example Spider-Man 3 having way too many bad guys at once they have been a triumph.
Batman too, my favourite super-hero has also been through some significant changes due to technology.
Ka-pow! through to Heath Ledger (R.I.P.) via the animated series and original movies - I'm trying not to throw things at the thought of George and Val!
So animated TV has grown with the times, yet today I would be hard pushed to choose a favourite. There are shows I dip in and out of such as Family Guy which makes me chuckle when I watch it but I do not watch them religiously. There is South Park which kept me amused for a while until it became a simple idea of how to shock the audience the most or at least that's what happened in my eyes.
I know there have been plenty of others and I welcome suggestions as always, I guess though for me it will always be the simple shows that you remember with fondness;
http://youtu.be/43M55Ay6RKA
http://youtu.be/pjw2JshcIT4
Oh I just remembered I do like this as well;
Parental Advisory Lryics!! http://youtu.be/n3jfbAcsfX8 -
Thursday, 14 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Soap Opera show.
So you will have undoubtedly read my about my intense dislike of Soap Operas in previous posts. Rest assured, I will not be rehashing these thoughts.
In situations like this where one must choose something they do not believe in or decide on something they have no love for I often say to myself; "What would Brett Michaels do?". Actually, I have never said that but hey it's my blog and it could all be lies!
So I have a choice and it's not really a Soap Opera. However before I full admit to cheating once more let us see if I can shoehorn this in.
Set in a hospital - check!
Doctors (good looking) - check!
Nurses (also good looking) - check!
Tormented characters - check!
Perfect, righteous characters - check!
Death - check!
Sadness & Loss - check!
Drug addictions - check!
Tangled love lives - check!
Huge set piece disasters - check!
10 key elements to build an Opera made of Soap.
The series ran for years (1994 - 2009) and gave us some major Hollywood stars. It merged together all the elements needed for a great drama and somehow mixed this with elements of Soap Opera without detrimentally affecting the storyline. Throughout the years we saw love lives grow, love lives shattered, people killed off, key characters battle their own demons, be it drink, drugs or illness. There were episodes set in other countries such as the Democratic (I smirk at this title!) Republic of Congo and went on to help raise awareness of key issues affecting the people there including civil war.
The series focussed on other major issues such as AIDS or Racism helping to raise awareness and inform the audience whilst not patronising them.
When the series ended (and one major star returned - no spoilers as always) it was a truly sad episode. Perhaps in some ways a historical episode, meaning that it will be preserved as one of the great TV shows ever created - perhaps?
I still remember a key scene from a key episode leading to the almost total demise of a main character. It involved a stabbing in the hospital and the affects and aftermath. It was truly an epic episode and filled with heart rendering and sad moments. It also for me highlighted the dangers that hospital staff face every day and reminded me that they do not get enough thanks and recognition for the work they do.
Wikipedia has a great page on this superb series http://bit.ly/ciXJEz.
Was it a Soap Opera, Casualty and Holby City; one would assume aspire to reach the heights that this ground breaking drama reached. So in essence, if they are classed as Soap Operas then this series must fall into the same category. I cannot help but feel it deserves a much better place than amongst these - STOP IT - I promised to to recover old ground!
http://youtu.be/ICMm2xvqkF8
WARNING - http://youtu.be/LZ98ke7ma3s - SPOILER ALERTS
Soap Opera - phew - I think I got away with it...
So you will have undoubtedly read my about my intense dislike of Soap Operas in previous posts. Rest assured, I will not be rehashing these thoughts.
In situations like this where one must choose something they do not believe in or decide on something they have no love for I often say to myself; "What would Brett Michaels do?". Actually, I have never said that but hey it's my blog and it could all be lies!
So I have a choice and it's not really a Soap Opera. However before I full admit to cheating once more let us see if I can shoehorn this in.
Set in a hospital - check!
Doctors (good looking) - check!
Nurses (also good looking) - check!
Tormented characters - check!
Perfect, righteous characters - check!
Death - check!
Sadness & Loss - check!
Drug addictions - check!
Tangled love lives - check!
Huge set piece disasters - check!
10 key elements to build an Opera made of Soap.
The series ran for years (1994 - 2009) and gave us some major Hollywood stars. It merged together all the elements needed for a great drama and somehow mixed this with elements of Soap Opera without detrimentally affecting the storyline. Throughout the years we saw love lives grow, love lives shattered, people killed off, key characters battle their own demons, be it drink, drugs or illness. There were episodes set in other countries such as the Democratic (I smirk at this title!) Republic of Congo and went on to help raise awareness of key issues affecting the people there including civil war.
The series focussed on other major issues such as AIDS or Racism helping to raise awareness and inform the audience whilst not patronising them.
When the series ended (and one major star returned - no spoilers as always) it was a truly sad episode. Perhaps in some ways a historical episode, meaning that it will be preserved as one of the great TV shows ever created - perhaps?
I still remember a key scene from a key episode leading to the almost total demise of a main character. It involved a stabbing in the hospital and the affects and aftermath. It was truly an epic episode and filled with heart rendering and sad moments. It also for me highlighted the dangers that hospital staff face every day and reminded me that they do not get enough thanks and recognition for the work they do.
Wikipedia has a great page on this superb series http://bit.ly/ciXJEz.
Was it a Soap Opera, Casualty and Holby City; one would assume aspire to reach the heights that this ground breaking drama reached. So in essence, if they are classed as Soap Operas then this series must fall into the same category. I cannot help but feel it deserves a much better place than amongst these - STOP IT - I promised to to recover old ground!
http://youtu.be/ICMm2xvqkF8
WARNING - http://youtu.be/LZ98ke7ma3s - SPOILER ALERTS
Soap Opera - phew - I think I got away with it...
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Drama.
So after the interruption to proceedings I am back to decide which Drama on TV I think is my favourite. Once again this challenge brings me to a Sophie's Choice, after all I have already named so many Dramas I enjoy watching.
So I guess the question is, what decides if the programme is a Drama or a Thriller? Are C.S.I. shows classed as drama or thriller? Are they not both to some degree?
The definition of a drama is;
–noun
So I pick here the 'conflict or contrast of character reference to help me narrow down my choice.
I like conflicted characters. It might stem from my younger days as I watched Darth Vader attempt to regain some of his humanity (hopefully no spoiler there!) or perhaps Rick in Casablanca struggling to stay on the fence and yet unable to wrestle his conscience and remain impartial.
Shows I have mentioned previously, House, Luther and Lie To Me all star as a central role characters with inner conflict. I think it adds to the drama, I think it takes the shows to that level beyond a simple thriller. Of course each show has an element of thriller within it. This adds to the excitement and enjoyment of watching but it is always ramped up, accentuated by the turmoil our central characters go through that simply adds that extra dimension.
My choice today is not therefore an unsurprising one. What perhaps makes the show different from the others is that ultimately this show contains a whole set of characters who are conflicted in some way. To be fair, they are no where nearly as conflicted as our main 'Hero'.
And there I have it - the debate point, the spark that makes this show so bright.
We, the audience are with him all the way. We support, like, maybe love the character. We forgive the flaws and the mistakes and relate to his stress of life, the job, the family. We sympathise with him, we make him our HERO. And yet, after all this I catch myself, fleetingly, briefly questioning - isn't this guy a serial killer!?
That is the magic of the show - a brother, a son, a father, a husband, a man in a responsible job, a crucial job is actually a very, very poorly man (in the head!).
The acting in the series is brilliant. Not too serious, not to too hammed up, plenty of dark, black humour and there needs to be considering how many deaths there are. The supporting characters all play their parts beautifully and our central character is brilliant - how else would we be rooting for the serial killer for all this time?
If you have never watched this series then I urge you to do so.
http://youtu.be/-u2Xgcd3lq8 - Parental Advisory Lyrics!
So after the interruption to proceedings I am back to decide which Drama on TV I think is my favourite. Once again this challenge brings me to a Sophie's Choice, after all I have already named so many Dramas I enjoy watching.
So I guess the question is, what decides if the programme is a Drama or a Thriller? Are C.S.I. shows classed as drama or thriller? Are they not both to some degree?
The definition of a drama is;
–noun
1.
3.
the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.
So I pick here the 'conflict or contrast of character reference to help me narrow down my choice.
I like conflicted characters. It might stem from my younger days as I watched Darth Vader attempt to regain some of his humanity (hopefully no spoiler there!) or perhaps Rick in Casablanca struggling to stay on the fence and yet unable to wrestle his conscience and remain impartial.
Shows I have mentioned previously, House, Luther and Lie To Me all star as a central role characters with inner conflict. I think it adds to the drama, I think it takes the shows to that level beyond a simple thriller. Of course each show has an element of thriller within it. This adds to the excitement and enjoyment of watching but it is always ramped up, accentuated by the turmoil our central characters go through that simply adds that extra dimension.
My choice today is not therefore an unsurprising one. What perhaps makes the show different from the others is that ultimately this show contains a whole set of characters who are conflicted in some way. To be fair, they are no where nearly as conflicted as our main 'Hero'.
And there I have it - the debate point, the spark that makes this show so bright.
We, the audience are with him all the way. We support, like, maybe love the character. We forgive the flaws and the mistakes and relate to his stress of life, the job, the family. We sympathise with him, we make him our HERO. And yet, after all this I catch myself, fleetingly, briefly questioning - isn't this guy a serial killer!?
That is the magic of the show - a brother, a son, a father, a husband, a man in a responsible job, a crucial job is actually a very, very poorly man (in the head!).
The acting in the series is brilliant. Not too serious, not to too hammed up, plenty of dark, black humour and there needs to be considering how many deaths there are. The supporting characters all play their parts beautifully and our central character is brilliant - how else would we be rooting for the serial killer for all this time?
If you have never watched this series then I urge you to do so.
http://youtu.be/-u2Xgcd3lq8 - Parental Advisory Lyrics!
Monday, 11 July 2011
30 Day Challenge -TV Shows
Dear All
Due to riots and a new banking crisis affecting the inhabitants of Fraggle Rock, all Blogs have been delayed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
In the meantime please do re-read any of my previous posts and encourage your friends to read & follow these ramblings. Thank you.
Due to riots and a new banking crisis affecting the inhabitants of Fraggle Rock, all Blogs have been delayed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
In the meantime please do re-read any of my previous posts and encourage your friends to read & follow these ramblings. Thank you.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
No one expects you to like.
Reality TV. Am I a fan or not? I can't decide. Why am I so indecisive about this, let's look at the facts.
Every year some utter Pop music dross is created and let loose into the world. It is the kind of music I choose to ignore and would never choose to listen to, go and see live (Hmm Live - there's another can of worms) or purchase. And yet, every year I tune in to see the car crash television moments at the audition stages. Be it, American Idol, X Factor or Must Be The Music from the car crash moments I get hooked. I know every year that this is the hook, where and how they get you. Slipping in that one person who can sing well live and is different (not Cher 'weirdo' Lloyd different but Daughtry different) and that you want to see progress through the weeks to ultimately triumph or crumble before our eyes.
I have in the past watched a series of Big Brother, the one with Kate Lawlor in. It was ok, weird people in unnatural circumstances slowly going stir crazy - if you like people watching, and I do, then this kind of voyeur television is just the ticket. The problem for me is that it gets old and boring. We've seen it, in many cases on Big Brother, we've seen it all (Kinga *vomit), however the TV stations and the Davinas of this world do not realise that the audience has seen enough. They try and up the anti, try and become so over the top and enthusiastic about a series that, for me anyway, it becomes overbearing and cringe worthy.
The new breed of shows, and so some of my friends who read this will know where this is going, are reality shows about real people, in 'real' situations, doing normal stuff that we all do.
The Only Way is Essex took its lead I guess from the American shows, The Hills, Jersey Shore etc. These ideas were born out of Beverley Hills 90210 perhaps? Let's take the fictitious show and design a real life version - we give you posh, rich people doing stuff in great Cities around the world - The Hills was born.
Now before I say anything about these shows - I have never seen TOWIE, I cannot stand The Hills and the people in Jersey Shore are just plain dumb! Like I said though, I haven't actually watched any of these.
BUT - and it's a big BUT (I've got Sir Mix-a-Lot going round in my head now!) There was one show that caught my eye (well I'll be honest a couple of the pretty ladies on it caught my eye). Having worked and spent some time in London I have always been fascinated by the rich and their lifestyles in London.
When I was much younger, a friend of mine introduced me to the word 'Sloane' which at the time described the rich, trendy types who frequented the Mayfair, Kensington and Chelsea areas. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sloane
The fascination began and when I saw the adverts for Made In Chelsea I was hooked.
It is always great to see how the other half live. To see the restaurants, bars and clubs that although I wouldn't necessarily choose to frequent are interesting to see inside of. I don't think I'll ever go to a Polo match and spend my time 'divoting' whilst sipping Champagne or Pimms. I don't think I'll ever be chauffeur driven in a Rolls Royce Phantom and I definitely don't have friends that I could or they could whip us away to Cannes for a weekend without a care in the world. I'm pretty sure my best guy mates don't have any jumpers with Pink Pigs on, or are bi-sexual or wear makeup - actually one does wear professionally done nail polish!
Made in Chelsea became a firm favourite of my weekly TV schedule, tweeting about it whilst watching it, discussing the pros and cons of the characters with friends and colleagues, trying and failing to convince https://twitter.com/#!/_Lalabum that it is worth watching.
What surprised me the most about watching Made in Chelsea was that it highlighted one of my failings. It made me realise that I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to judging a book by its cover. The assumption about someone based purely on appearance (and a number of the write ups prior to the show) is truly a failing and as a supporter of the S.O.P.H.I.E charity http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/ - I was surprised.
Let me quickly explain, anyone who saw the series will probably understand. Let's take Ollie as an example. A makeup wearing (face, neck and abs!), long haired individual (not in a Metal or Rock way) with a very interesting dress sense (Pig Jumper & Bright Yellow Ski Suit), he also looked the spitting image of his girlfriend. From the look and the description given in the Radio Times write up a character that I assumed would be annoying. How wrong was I? Ollie was brilliant, so funny, so entertaining and quite simply one of the best characters in the series. Book, judge, never, a, its, by, cover - rearrange!!
Then there was Hugo and Spencer - a double act of best mates with designer beards which in Spencer's case came and went like the sun and moon. Rich beyond belief, off to Cannes at the drop of a hat etc, etc. Turns out Hugo was a complete Dude, said the right things, was very funny and pointed out the misgivings of his best mate on many occasion. Would Spencer be as good? - would he hell. Playing love life games, immature games and.... (no plot spoilers here)
So my choice for today, something you wouldn't have expected me to like which taught me a lesson about misjudging people http://www.e4.com/chelsea/
http://youtu.be/m1SyNyDoj8M
In my defence - I did call Francis right.
Reality TV. Am I a fan or not? I can't decide. Why am I so indecisive about this, let's look at the facts.
Every year some utter Pop music dross is created and let loose into the world. It is the kind of music I choose to ignore and would never choose to listen to, go and see live (Hmm Live - there's another can of worms) or purchase. And yet, every year I tune in to see the car crash television moments at the audition stages. Be it, American Idol, X Factor or Must Be The Music from the car crash moments I get hooked. I know every year that this is the hook, where and how they get you. Slipping in that one person who can sing well live and is different (not Cher 'weirdo' Lloyd different but Daughtry different) and that you want to see progress through the weeks to ultimately triumph or crumble before our eyes.
I have in the past watched a series of Big Brother, the one with Kate Lawlor in. It was ok, weird people in unnatural circumstances slowly going stir crazy - if you like people watching, and I do, then this kind of voyeur television is just the ticket. The problem for me is that it gets old and boring. We've seen it, in many cases on Big Brother, we've seen it all (Kinga *vomit), however the TV stations and the Davinas of this world do not realise that the audience has seen enough. They try and up the anti, try and become so over the top and enthusiastic about a series that, for me anyway, it becomes overbearing and cringe worthy.
The new breed of shows, and so some of my friends who read this will know where this is going, are reality shows about real people, in 'real' situations, doing normal stuff that we all do.
The Only Way is Essex took its lead I guess from the American shows, The Hills, Jersey Shore etc. These ideas were born out of Beverley Hills 90210 perhaps? Let's take the fictitious show and design a real life version - we give you posh, rich people doing stuff in great Cities around the world - The Hills was born.
Now before I say anything about these shows - I have never seen TOWIE, I cannot stand The Hills and the people in Jersey Shore are just plain dumb! Like I said though, I haven't actually watched any of these.
BUT - and it's a big BUT (I've got Sir Mix-a-Lot going round in my head now!) There was one show that caught my eye (well I'll be honest a couple of the pretty ladies on it caught my eye). Having worked and spent some time in London I have always been fascinated by the rich and their lifestyles in London.
When I was much younger, a friend of mine introduced me to the word 'Sloane' which at the time described the rich, trendy types who frequented the Mayfair, Kensington and Chelsea areas. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sloane
The fascination began and when I saw the adverts for Made In Chelsea I was hooked.
It is always great to see how the other half live. To see the restaurants, bars and clubs that although I wouldn't necessarily choose to frequent are interesting to see inside of. I don't think I'll ever go to a Polo match and spend my time 'divoting' whilst sipping Champagne or Pimms. I don't think I'll ever be chauffeur driven in a Rolls Royce Phantom and I definitely don't have friends that I could or they could whip us away to Cannes for a weekend without a care in the world. I'm pretty sure my best guy mates don't have any jumpers with Pink Pigs on, or are bi-sexual or wear makeup - actually one does wear professionally done nail polish!
Made in Chelsea became a firm favourite of my weekly TV schedule, tweeting about it whilst watching it, discussing the pros and cons of the characters with friends and colleagues, trying and failing to convince https://twitter.com/#!/_Lalabum that it is worth watching.
What surprised me the most about watching Made in Chelsea was that it highlighted one of my failings. It made me realise that I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to judging a book by its cover. The assumption about someone based purely on appearance (and a number of the write ups prior to the show) is truly a failing and as a supporter of the S.O.P.H.I.E charity http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/ - I was surprised.
Let me quickly explain, anyone who saw the series will probably understand. Let's take Ollie as an example. A makeup wearing (face, neck and abs!), long haired individual (not in a Metal or Rock way) with a very interesting dress sense (Pig Jumper & Bright Yellow Ski Suit), he also looked the spitting image of his girlfriend. From the look and the description given in the Radio Times write up a character that I assumed would be annoying. How wrong was I? Ollie was brilliant, so funny, so entertaining and quite simply one of the best characters in the series. Book, judge, never, a, its, by, cover - rearrange!!
Then there was Hugo and Spencer - a double act of best mates with designer beards which in Spencer's case came and went like the sun and moon. Rich beyond belief, off to Cannes at the drop of a hat etc, etc. Turns out Hugo was a complete Dude, said the right things, was very funny and pointed out the misgivings of his best mate on many occasion. Would Spencer be as good? - would he hell. Playing love life games, immature games and.... (no plot spoilers here)
So my choice for today, something you wouldn't have expected me to like which taught me a lesson about misjudging people http://www.e4.com/chelsea/
http://youtu.be/m1SyNyDoj8M
In my defence - I did call Francis right.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite on screen couple.
So I've already talked about a number of on screen couples. House & Cuddy, Benson & Stabler, Buffy & Angel.
There of course some great couples which will stand the test of time as the giants of the on screen TV partnerships, Marge & Homer for example. They represent so many households and the situations of married life, family life and work life we all experience. Naturally it's the writers that get the credit and I can't really say that the actors deliver this - they are after all only cartoons - no really, they are cartoons.
Laurel & Hardy - comedy geniuses. An on screen partnership so brilliant that like other TV gems such as Morecambe & Wise, Del Boy & Rodney, The Two Ronnies we will all remember them for generations.
Will anyone remember my choice for this in generations to come - we shall have to see.
The story is not new, far from it. A love story of two very different characters, two different backgrounds. Set in a world of opposing sides our two starring characters must work hard to get their love to succeed. They have to overcome the hostility towards their relationship, they have to overcome the difficulties of understanding each other and each others differences. The forces of nature and human alike which try to pull them apart.
Romeo & Juliet, Buffy & Angel, Dracula & Mina Harker, Bella & Edward (sparkles in the sun FFS!)
As with many new takes on old stories the action, the drama, the sex has been ramped up to 11. The ridiculous is made believable and every character has a story and a part to play. From what I have heard, there is plenty more to come too.
http://youtu.be/uK1D9vGJePc
The next challenge is 'Guilty Pleasure' which I have covered before so here is a link to the previous post
http://nikpriestley.blogspot.com/2011/03/30-day-song-challenge-day-13.html
So I've already talked about a number of on screen couples. House & Cuddy, Benson & Stabler, Buffy & Angel.
There of course some great couples which will stand the test of time as the giants of the on screen TV partnerships, Marge & Homer for example. They represent so many households and the situations of married life, family life and work life we all experience. Naturally it's the writers that get the credit and I can't really say that the actors deliver this - they are after all only cartoons - no really, they are cartoons.
Laurel & Hardy - comedy geniuses. An on screen partnership so brilliant that like other TV gems such as Morecambe & Wise, Del Boy & Rodney, The Two Ronnies we will all remember them for generations.
Will anyone remember my choice for this in generations to come - we shall have to see.
The story is not new, far from it. A love story of two very different characters, two different backgrounds. Set in a world of opposing sides our two starring characters must work hard to get their love to succeed. They have to overcome the hostility towards their relationship, they have to overcome the difficulties of understanding each other and each others differences. The forces of nature and human alike which try to pull them apart.
Romeo & Juliet, Buffy & Angel, Dracula & Mina Harker, Bella & Edward (sparkles in the sun FFS!)
As with many new takes on old stories the action, the drama, the sex has been ramped up to 11. The ridiculous is made believable and every character has a story and a part to play. From what I have heard, there is plenty more to come too.
http://youtu.be/uK1D9vGJePc
The next challenge is 'Guilty Pleasure' which I have covered before so here is a link to the previous post
http://nikpriestley.blogspot.com/2011/03/30-day-song-challenge-day-13.html
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite show from America.
As you have no doubt gathered from previous blog posts I enjoy the American TV imports very much.
I have already told you how I enjoy the C.S.I. range of shows, House, Law & Order: SVU, Lie To Me. I am really enjoying the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 and very much enjoy NCIS, preferring the Los Angeles version to the original.
So how do I choose a favourite from all the shows I enjoy, if I add in Cougar Town, Fairly Legal, True Blood, Dexter...this could go on all day.
I have to really name the shows that grip me at the moment. It's easy to reminisce on shows that have past, and to a degree some of those shows will remain true favourites, but as I write this, for me anyway, it is easier to choose a current show.
Over recent months there was a huge, I mean, massive campaign for the launch of a new Sky channel, Sky Atlantic. There really couldn't have been more promotion, it was Will & Kate epic!
Not only did they promote the whole channel but the real draw - the shows coming to the channel. The trailers for these were played over & over again. Shows such as Boardwalk Empire with the mighty Steve Buscemi, Treme, with John Goodman and Blue Bloods with Tom Selleck. WOW - this is going to be mega!
As it turns out, in my little world anyway, it wasn't :-(
Boardwalk Empire was a watchable series, reminiscent of the Godfather or The Untouchables it played out in a slow and measured pace. Steve Buscemi, whom I have always enjoyed watching (Mr Pink, Garland Greene - classic roles), delivered a superb performance and he was backed up by some equally good actors. Trouble was, whilst The Godfather too is measured and slow, it also only lasts for around 3 hours. Boardwalk was 12 episodes, where if I think back - not a lot really happened.
Treme??? There is little to say, I just didn't get it. I managed the first two episodes. The real disappointing fact is that I have a real sympathy for the people of New Orleans. They were devastated by nature and if what I have read and watched is true, left to rebuild on their own. I admire the community and the people for showing the world what it is to overcome such tragedy and to rebuild with such pride. So when Treme was advertised I could see myself enjoying the series as we watched the community come together to overcome the odds and rebuild their lives. As it was the series was so dull, for me it just didn't work.
I had recently enjoyed a series called K-Ville which was also set in New Orleans and was a good old cops and robbers type of series. I look forward to series two.
And so this brings me to Blue Bloods with our main man Magnum P.I. As Meatloaf sang, 'Two out of three, ain't bad', I can only think that this would read for Sky Atlantic. 'Two out of three ARE bad' (hum the tune if that helps).
Blue Bloods is excellent. It mixes the style of series I like so much. A kind of Hill Street Blues meets Law & Order. Whilst the series had the obligatory underlying conspiracy moving through it, this never distracted from the stories or the characters. Tom Selleck whilst being great, is only so great beacause of the characters around him. Marky Mark's brother New Kid on the Block Donnie Wahlberg is superb as the Detective and his brother as the beat cop, acted by Will Estes plays his role very well. There are great characters also delivered by Bridget Moynahan and Len Cariou completing the 'always on the job' police family.
My second choice (its my prerogative - oooh Bobby Brown just popped into my head) would be The Chicago Code. A brilliantly crafted police drama set in Chicago (duh!) dealing with an elite team set out to fight corruption within the city. The focus, revolves around a specially chosen maverick cop, hand picked by the female police superintendent (Jennifer Flashdance Beals) who go after the Alderman Gibbons (the cool cat himself Delroy Lindo). Throw into the mix, complicated love lives, twist and turns, undercover cops and lots of voiceovers to give us back story, this is a compelling and thrilling series. Too bad from what I have seen it has not been recommissioned.
This site lists the shows that have been cancelled and there are some shockers; The Chicago Code, Lie To Me & Law & Order:L.A. which we haven't even seen in the UK yet.
http://tvdonewright.com/2011-2012-preview/2011-2012-renewal-pilots-cancellation-chart/
Two choices today, two great series.
http://youtu.be/qR54ghcg-UQ
http://youtu.be/Me5srZhvuEA
As you have no doubt gathered from previous blog posts I enjoy the American TV imports very much.
I have already told you how I enjoy the C.S.I. range of shows, House, Law & Order: SVU, Lie To Me. I am really enjoying the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 and very much enjoy NCIS, preferring the Los Angeles version to the original.
So how do I choose a favourite from all the shows I enjoy, if I add in Cougar Town, Fairly Legal, True Blood, Dexter...this could go on all day.
I have to really name the shows that grip me at the moment. It's easy to reminisce on shows that have past, and to a degree some of those shows will remain true favourites, but as I write this, for me anyway, it is easier to choose a current show.
Over recent months there was a huge, I mean, massive campaign for the launch of a new Sky channel, Sky Atlantic. There really couldn't have been more promotion, it was Will & Kate epic!
Not only did they promote the whole channel but the real draw - the shows coming to the channel. The trailers for these were played over & over again. Shows such as Boardwalk Empire with the mighty Steve Buscemi, Treme, with John Goodman and Blue Bloods with Tom Selleck. WOW - this is going to be mega!
As it turns out, in my little world anyway, it wasn't :-(
Boardwalk Empire was a watchable series, reminiscent of the Godfather or The Untouchables it played out in a slow and measured pace. Steve Buscemi, whom I have always enjoyed watching (Mr Pink, Garland Greene - classic roles), delivered a superb performance and he was backed up by some equally good actors. Trouble was, whilst The Godfather too is measured and slow, it also only lasts for around 3 hours. Boardwalk was 12 episodes, where if I think back - not a lot really happened.
Treme??? There is little to say, I just didn't get it. I managed the first two episodes. The real disappointing fact is that I have a real sympathy for the people of New Orleans. They were devastated by nature and if what I have read and watched is true, left to rebuild on their own. I admire the community and the people for showing the world what it is to overcome such tragedy and to rebuild with such pride. So when Treme was advertised I could see myself enjoying the series as we watched the community come together to overcome the odds and rebuild their lives. As it was the series was so dull, for me it just didn't work.
I had recently enjoyed a series called K-Ville which was also set in New Orleans and was a good old cops and robbers type of series. I look forward to series two.
And so this brings me to Blue Bloods with our main man Magnum P.I. As Meatloaf sang, 'Two out of three, ain't bad', I can only think that this would read for Sky Atlantic. 'Two out of three ARE bad' (hum the tune if that helps).
Blue Bloods is excellent. It mixes the style of series I like so much. A kind of Hill Street Blues meets Law & Order. Whilst the series had the obligatory underlying conspiracy moving through it, this never distracted from the stories or the characters. Tom Selleck whilst being great, is only so great beacause of the characters around him. Marky Mark's brother New Kid on the Block Donnie Wahlberg is superb as the Detective and his brother as the beat cop, acted by Will Estes plays his role very well. There are great characters also delivered by Bridget Moynahan and Len Cariou completing the 'always on the job' police family.
My second choice (its my prerogative - oooh Bobby Brown just popped into my head) would be The Chicago Code. A brilliantly crafted police drama set in Chicago (duh!) dealing with an elite team set out to fight corruption within the city. The focus, revolves around a specially chosen maverick cop, hand picked by the female police superintendent (Jennifer Flashdance Beals) who go after the Alderman Gibbons (the cool cat himself Delroy Lindo). Throw into the mix, complicated love lives, twist and turns, undercover cops and lots of voiceovers to give us back story, this is a compelling and thrilling series. Too bad from what I have seen it has not been recommissioned.
This site lists the shows that have been cancelled and there are some shockers; The Chicago Code, Lie To Me & Law & Order:L.A. which we haven't even seen in the UK yet.
http://tvdonewright.com/2011-2012-preview/2011-2012-renewal-pilots-cancellation-chart/
Two choices today, two great series.
http://youtu.be/qR54ghcg-UQ
http://youtu.be/Me5srZhvuEA
Monday, 4 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite show from England.
Well I've harped on enough about my severe dislike for soap operas so it will not be one of those.
I have watched a view TV dramas in my years which I do or did enjoy. I was partial to A Touch of Frost where I thought David Jason played the character very well indeed.
Of course there was the master John Thaw as Inspector Morse which then spawned Lewis. I was never a huge avid watcher of these but the episodes I did watch were perfectly decent. The trouble for me is that most British Drama I have seen heads towards the Sunday evening level of drama, Midsommer style and it for me lacks the edge that our friends across the pond muster up.
There have been exceptions that I have watches, for example Vice with Ken Stott was very dark and twisted with great storylines and characters. Whitechapel was also a great series. Spooks managed for a long time to keep up with the Americans for thrills and spills but for me took the twists and turns way to far and way to often losing some of it's edge.
It is to these style of dramas that I turn my attention.
Firstly a glaring problem, the addressing perhaps of the proverbial elephant in the room. Law & Order: UK - seriously????? Total rubbish, a Law & Order embarrassment - I rest my case.
So back to dark & twisted. Flawed characters of course, thrills and spills, a brilliantly crafted, shot and acted piece of work. Pure far fetched madness - not a Sunday evening in sight.
The fabulous:
http://youtu.be/aEwrOnrlERY
Well I've harped on enough about my severe dislike for soap operas so it will not be one of those.
I have watched a view TV dramas in my years which I do or did enjoy. I was partial to A Touch of Frost where I thought David Jason played the character very well indeed.
Of course there was the master John Thaw as Inspector Morse which then spawned Lewis. I was never a huge avid watcher of these but the episodes I did watch were perfectly decent. The trouble for me is that most British Drama I have seen heads towards the Sunday evening level of drama, Midsommer style and it for me lacks the edge that our friends across the pond muster up.
There have been exceptions that I have watches, for example Vice with Ken Stott was very dark and twisted with great storylines and characters. Whitechapel was also a great series. Spooks managed for a long time to keep up with the Americans for thrills and spills but for me took the twists and turns way to far and way to often losing some of it's edge.
It is to these style of dramas that I turn my attention.
Firstly a glaring problem, the addressing perhaps of the proverbial elephant in the room. Law & Order: UK - seriously????? Total rubbish, a Law & Order embarrassment - I rest my case.
So back to dark & twisted. Flawed characters of course, thrills and spills, a brilliantly crafted, shot and acted piece of work. Pure far fetched madness - not a Sunday evening in sight.
The fabulous:
http://youtu.be/aEwrOnrlERY
Friday, 1 July 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite TV show from Australia.
Dear oh dear, this isn't going to be pretty.
What can I choose between, Erinsborough or Summer Bay. Perhaps, Rescue Special Ops which was recently on a Sky channel - hmmm. There is of course Sons and Daughters which ran for a massive 972 episodes - did anyone manage to watch them all - medals to be awarded.
It's fair to say that I watch very little television from our distant cousins.
So in all emergencies like this I am simply going to cheat!
Anyone watched The Mentalist? Good isn't it? Light hearted, even with the undertone of revenge against the serial killer that killed a wife and child, its a funny and entertaining show offering some nice, clever ending reveals akin to Columbo (R.I.P. Peter Falk).
How am I cheating, some of you will know already, well Patrick Jane, played by Simon Baker - he's Australian you know!
So on-ya mate there's my cheating choice - The Mentalist! - Not quite, fair dinkum but no worries hey! (apply Aussie accent to this sentence for the full effect)
http://youtu.be/Jc8Ay1XLMu0
Dear oh dear, this isn't going to be pretty.
What can I choose between, Erinsborough or Summer Bay. Perhaps, Rescue Special Ops which was recently on a Sky channel - hmmm. There is of course Sons and Daughters which ran for a massive 972 episodes - did anyone manage to watch them all - medals to be awarded.
It's fair to say that I watch very little television from our distant cousins.
So in all emergencies like this I am simply going to cheat!
Anyone watched The Mentalist? Good isn't it? Light hearted, even with the undertone of revenge against the serial killer that killed a wife and child, its a funny and entertaining show offering some nice, clever ending reveals akin to Columbo (R.I.P. Peter Falk).
How am I cheating, some of you will know already, well Patrick Jane, played by Simon Baker - he's Australian you know!
So on-ya mate there's my cheating choice - The Mentalist! - Not quite, fair dinkum but no worries hey! (apply Aussie accent to this sentence for the full effect)
http://youtu.be/Jc8Ay1XLMu0
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Female Actor.
So here we go again, asking me to choose a favourite. And, like yesterday I will be unable to do so.
Over the years there have been a number of female actors that have left an impression. These were not the ones from Channel 5's Red Shoe Diaries either!
I was; and too a degree still am, a huge Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan. Sarah Michelle Gellar was great as Buffy, tough, sassy and good looking. She beat up demons and vampires with style and wit, whilst also showing she could act every emotion as the rollercoaster of her life, love life, family and friends thundered through the Hell Mouth.
In most of the TV series I watch there are female characters which are instantly great. Stella (Melina Kanakaredes), Lindsay (Anna Belknap) & Jo (Sela Ward) from C.S.I. New York are great actors.
I love Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) in House. Everything she has to endure and deal with is perfectly acted and portrayed. She manages to ensure that you as the audience are always with her, even in her most difficult situations. The is for this reason probably one of my favourite TV female actors.
Whilst on the subject of enduring desperate situations. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is one of the most harrowing and gripping ongoing TV dramas there is. Dealing almost every episode with the most depraved and despicable crimes it is hard to imagine how the actors feel when shooting some of the scenes and episodes.
To the great credit of TV actors the main characters are superb and in particular I have always felt that Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is one of the top TV actors there is. The tragic and hard situations they deal with on the show are so well acted and portrayed. Every emotion comes off the screen and hits the audience member like a perfectly filmed 3D experience.
So my two choices for today are Lisa & Mariska.
Couldn't resist this one - http://youtu.be/JDFNQBIxlrM
http://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-special-victims-unit/
So here we go again, asking me to choose a favourite. And, like yesterday I will be unable to do so.
Over the years there have been a number of female actors that have left an impression. These were not the ones from Channel 5's Red Shoe Diaries either!
I was; and too a degree still am, a huge Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan. Sarah Michelle Gellar was great as Buffy, tough, sassy and good looking. She beat up demons and vampires with style and wit, whilst also showing she could act every emotion as the rollercoaster of her life, love life, family and friends thundered through the Hell Mouth.
In most of the TV series I watch there are female characters which are instantly great. Stella (Melina Kanakaredes), Lindsay (Anna Belknap) & Jo (Sela Ward) from C.S.I. New York are great actors.
I love Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) in House. Everything she has to endure and deal with is perfectly acted and portrayed. She manages to ensure that you as the audience are always with her, even in her most difficult situations. The is for this reason probably one of my favourite TV female actors.
Whilst on the subject of enduring desperate situations. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is one of the most harrowing and gripping ongoing TV dramas there is. Dealing almost every episode with the most depraved and despicable crimes it is hard to imagine how the actors feel when shooting some of the scenes and episodes.
To the great credit of TV actors the main characters are superb and in particular I have always felt that Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is one of the top TV actors there is. The tragic and hard situations they deal with on the show are so well acted and portrayed. Every emotion comes off the screen and hits the audience member like a perfectly filmed 3D experience.
So my two choices for today are Lisa & Mariska.
Couldn't resist this one - http://youtu.be/JDFNQBIxlrM
http://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-special-victims-unit/
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
30 Day Challenge - TV Shows
Favourite Actor.
I always get stuck when being asked to single out any particular individual in any given field.
Let us take for example your favourite action movie star - would you choose Sly, Bruce or Arnie. The evidence itself is hardly helpful either.
Sly starred in (and yes I know he wrote & directed etc... what a clever boy!) Rocky (all of them) which were give or take a few marvellous films, he also starred in Rambo (all of them) which again were the epitome of action films. Don't get me wrong, he also had Throw Mama of a Train or something like that so it's not all great.
Bruce starred in Die Hard (all of them) which took the action movie into new vest wearing heights. He strung together hits like The Last Boy Scout and Striking Distance (Hmmm) but yet again there are worrying moments like Colour of the Night.
Arnie is the Terminator - 'nuff said. But he did do Last Action Hero.
So could you choose?
Then there are singers, who has the best voice in the world of Heavy Metal? Actually that one is easy it's Corey Taylor from Stone Sour & the mighty Slipknot - why? Because he can scream and sing with equal awesomeness (all hail to Tenacious-D).
Here are two examples showing the skill in both for those who have never heard a Slipknot song;
http://youtu.be/ZPUZwriSX4M & http://youtu.be/LXEKuttVRIo
So when it comes to TV actors I'm not sure if I can choose a favourite. I like William Peterson a.k.a. Gil Grissom and I like Gary Sinise a.k.a. Mckenna Boyd Taylor II (no I didn't know that what was Mac was short for either!).
I like Ross, Chandler and Joey (although Joey edged it for me until the solo series).
I like Homer and Bart.
So if I had to choose then I would go for two actors who are both British and have made a huge impact on America. One has the edge no doubt, but in their own ways they are equally brilliant.
Of course their unhinged aspect is in both characters, slightly mad, definitely with screws loose and yet equally outstanding in their fields.
Neither is particularly likeable and yet we go with them, root for them and follow them down their dark roads without question.
They are genius actors;
http://youtu.be/4AG5uJlzKZ8
http://youtu.be/LH5Ih4T0QGE
I always get stuck when being asked to single out any particular individual in any given field.
Let us take for example your favourite action movie star - would you choose Sly, Bruce or Arnie. The evidence itself is hardly helpful either.
Sly starred in (and yes I know he wrote & directed etc... what a clever boy!) Rocky (all of them) which were give or take a few marvellous films, he also starred in Rambo (all of them) which again were the epitome of action films. Don't get me wrong, he also had Throw Mama of a Train or something like that so it's not all great.
Bruce starred in Die Hard (all of them) which took the action movie into new vest wearing heights. He strung together hits like The Last Boy Scout and Striking Distance (Hmmm) but yet again there are worrying moments like Colour of the Night.
Arnie is the Terminator - 'nuff said. But he did do Last Action Hero.
So could you choose?
Then there are singers, who has the best voice in the world of Heavy Metal? Actually that one is easy it's Corey Taylor from Stone Sour & the mighty Slipknot - why? Because he can scream and sing with equal awesomeness (all hail to Tenacious-D).
Here are two examples showing the skill in both for those who have never heard a Slipknot song;
http://youtu.be/ZPUZwriSX4M & http://youtu.be/LXEKuttVRIo
So when it comes to TV actors I'm not sure if I can choose a favourite. I like William Peterson a.k.a. Gil Grissom and I like Gary Sinise a.k.a. Mckenna Boyd Taylor II (no I didn't know that what was Mac was short for either!).
I like Ross, Chandler and Joey (although Joey edged it for me until the solo series).
I like Homer and Bart.
So if I had to choose then I would go for two actors who are both British and have made a huge impact on America. One has the edge no doubt, but in their own ways they are equally brilliant.
Of course their unhinged aspect is in both characters, slightly mad, definitely with screws loose and yet equally outstanding in their fields.
Neither is particularly likeable and yet we go with them, root for them and follow them down their dark roads without question.
They are genius actors;
http://youtu.be/4AG5uJlzKZ8
http://youtu.be/LH5Ih4T0QGE
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