jope

The Knick finally re-appeared with a strong 4th episode. Now we know who all of the main characters are. Still rather a mystery to me, the relationship between Dr. Thack and that poor lady with the absent nose. Can you imagine having to endure a reconstruction like that? Oh c'mon, that's not a spoiler. If you're watching, you know, if you're not you don't care, and if you're curious, now you might take a look. Clive thanks you.

I just wish they would lighten the scenes just a bit. It's so dark on this show, and not just in the hop joint.

Good stuff. I say 9/10.

Also worth mentioning (and disturbing): the rat-scene. As there was no TV or internet at that time, I guess, people were looking for entertainment wherever they could find it. In this case, a rather unpleasant thought, though.

If someone is interested in the music of the show and why it is as it is, the creator looses a few words about it here:

Surgical Instruments: The Knick's Cliff Martinez on Creating the Show's Musical Heartbeat

It could also explain the lightning of the scenes (or the lack thereof): with this show, we are still in the dark ages of surgery. With Dr. Thackery making more and more progress in modern science medicine (with the help of Dr. Edwards, no doubt) the scenes might receive more brightness?

Am I the only male around here who likes Masters of Sex? Should I consider gender reassignment surgery? I'm in the right country for it, but I'm much to ugly and old to be a lady.

You know, it is not about outer appearance, but how you actually feel (inside, I mean, as a woman an' all)

Just watched the finale of „The Leftovers“, another show not many people around here seem to care for that much. But I will tell you anyway :

It was quite the ride!

A few things the Guilty Remnand did in previous episodes make sense now (in the most perverse and craziest meaning). And it is chaos, full blown anarchy! I feel for you, Chief Garvey, but I must say it : „You need therapy, man, long hours of bloody therapy.“ On the other hand, don’t we all?

HBO renewed the show for a a second season. Count me in!

Speaking of Steve Buscemi, I saw him in „Living in Oblivion“ at the Berlin Film Festival in 1996 for the first time. The film was not shown in the Competition but on a sub-section called „Forum des jungen Films“, which gives young directors the chance to show their work to an international audience. Often, that is more exciting for the audience than for the director because the „Forum“ shows everything from total crap (I mean, seriously, total utter crap) to highlights you do not forget.

„Living in Oblivion“ was such a highlight. The film is about making a film and all the things that go wrong while trying to make it. In the interview afterwards, the director Tom DiCilio admitted that it had autobiographic elements in it. The film was hilarious and I liked Steve Buscemi, of whom I had not heard before, ever since. BTW, the film director seems to have become rather successful, too. Also in that film: Peter Dinklage as a dwarf in a dream sequence (with anger issues: „I don't even have dreams with dwarves in them!").

It is with great enjoyment that I can take notice of the fact that the final season of „Boardwalk Empire“ will premiere tonight.

Come on, Nucky! You can do it! There is a life after bootlegging.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRcAWjyUYM

The Bridge, s02 e09 SPOILER SPOILER! CAN"T HELP IT. Gotta Talk! Go no further if you ain't up to date. You were warned.

Almost a ruined episode due to the waste of time and insult to our intelligence, the bit about "The Chopper," abducting Sonya, taking her out to the desert, digging her grave while she is allowed to hop around unattended...Such bad writing. He seems like a moron. Can't believe Fausto is down to using a clown like this guy.

However, we got to see a lot of Eleanor (be still, my heart!) doing her evil stuff, and a brief Eleanor/Charlote girl fight (no contest there.)

Best of all...THE SHOOTOUT! Two minutes of legendary film that Sam Peckinpah must be smiling down upon, from the Theater in the Sky.

Dumbass Huge DEA Guy decides he's gonna take down Eleanor's crew, and then go right on over to lasso Fausto. Can you believe this clown? Eleanor sends him a text from Red Ridge. He runs out there with no backup, and Hank, usually such a straight-thinking Old School Lawman, goes along.

They go running in, unaware that THREE of Fausto's best asesinos are right behind them, fully equipped with assault rifles.

What a mess! The DEAD:

Two DEA guys, three Fausto guys, one innocent notary lady, and Chip the real estate agent.

Wounded: Hank (badly hit, escapes out the patio door) Charlotte, playing possum, Cesar knows, lets her get away with it. Oh, didn't you see her eye move? Her name is on the main credits, she can't get killed, yet. And where is that bum Ray, when you need him? Lyle Lovett stayed home, rolling fat ones and watching his band play on Austin City Limits.

Survivors: Eleanor, somehow un-scathed, YAY! Cesar (flesh wound,could get sepsis later) , and Jaime the Tool Boy, who eats all of Chip's store-bought crappy cookies.

Meanwhile. Marco rescues the ungrateful Sonya and easily kills the Chopper, just in the knick of time. And she's STILL giving him s--t about being a friend of Fausto! Does she ever say "Thanks, Marco, you saved my life AGAIN." Oh no, not her. And whenever she finds out Hank is 3/4 dead, clinging to life in the ICU, she'll probably still be breaking his balls, too, over shooting the unarmed (what a shame!) rapist/murderer of her very own sister, Jim Dobbs.

I love this show. Only four more to go. Unseen this time: Eva and Steve, Bob the Preacher, Ray the Useless Surfer, and those nosy reporters.

Good summary (as usual), BUT:

We should not forget that Sonya is a high functioning autistic. Gratitude is probably something she cannot "feel". Marco and Hank know about her emotional restrictions, so, their reactions towards her are rather restrained. She would not understand their anger or disappointment, anyway.

That was the only point I found totally implausible when I started watching the show. There are certainly things, which an autistic can do just fine, which would even allow for a career. But being a police officer is without doubt not one of these things. They showed it in season 1, when Sonya had to deal with the victim of a crime and messed it up quite badly. Well, Hank being all protective and responsible made her an officer of the law, nevertheless. Who knows how they choose applicants for the police in that little town near the Mexican border, anyway. Maybe "put your hand on the bible..." is all it takes.

I hope, I am completely wrong with my second objection. I immediately watched the shoot out again. Honestly, I could not see Charlotte's eye moving. When was that exactly?

I do hope, that she survived. Although she is only a minor character, I like her and her "associate" Ray very much. She might be a bit insecure, but in the end she probably thinks "What an idiot! How could I ever go out with this moron?". Ray on the other hand is not only very stupid but also hilarious. In season 1, when he went down on that female drug lord (would that be a drug duchess???) without hesitation, I knew he would be good for some entertainment and he has not disappointed, yet. I am looking forward to every appearance of Ray and I am afraid that once Charlotte is out of the picture he will be gone, too. It might not be essential for the development of the show but I would nevertheless regard it as a great loss in the entertainment department (in "Cougar Town" he played exactly the same kind of character, simply structured but fun and with a good heart).

Anyone watching this? Looks great.

The Knick

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2937900/

A look at the professional and personal lives of the staff at New York's Knickerbocker Hospital during the early part of the twentieth century. -- IMDb Plot: The Knick (2014)

I heard, there are a few around here who do not find it too bad. (understatement of the week).

About to watch episode 4 and looking forward to it.

Really looking forward to season 2.

And I still think James Spader should've

won the Golden Globe.

If James Spader had not been in it, I doubt that I would have watched it in the first place! But I am a little worried that his style and his character will wear off over time. And then we will be left with a few rather good action scenes and, lets face it, a lot of funny stuff that cannot be taken seriously. But until then, I am in.

And I think one thing will contribute to a good second season: the ruthless husband is out of the marriage picture, so, our girl can concentrate on the real stuff and does not have to apologize all the time. The shift of the husband's character was rather entertaining, though.

And one more: „Are You Here“. Cast: Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis (shaved!), Amy Poehler.

...

Well, I did not fall asleep and watched to the end. I guess, it’s something like 6 or 7/10.

Jope, you were a lot more generous and forgiving of this movie than I was.

I just couldn't see the romance/love interest at all. Zero connection IMO. Nothing much else made a lot of sense and it struggled with laughs. 2/10 from me

Thanks for adjusting my perspective...

...again.

But I admit, I have some trouble serving the x/10 system. My own little definitions are: with 1s and 2s I throw up and/or switch off after a few minutes, with 3s and 4s I feel just uncomfortable and/or switch off after a while. Nothing of that kind happened, so, this one must be a 5, at least, I think, or what?

Here is another one: „Dom Hemingway“.

...

Thanks for that one. I watched it and agree it's campy fun. While watching it I was thinking it was a Guy Ritchie film (Snatch, Lock Stock etc.,) featuring low lifes doing low life crime stuff. Quite shocked to see Jude Law maxing that role out, he really made it worth watching. Didn't know he had that range.

If you like the Guy Ritchie stuff you'll like this one.

Guy Ritchie films have better nicknames: Brick Top, Franky Four-Fingers, Boris The Blade, it cannot get better than that.

And one more: „Are You Here“. Cast: Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis (shaved!), Amy Poehler.

One would expect some light comedy. And it actually is funny, but it also has some more serious stuff in it that is supposed to make one think about life and all the rest: Galifianakis plays a man who is rather disoriented due to some mental problems, Owen Wilson is his true friend with a successful but otherwise meaningless life that includes lots of drugs and good looking women. There is also an inheritance, a sister who wants it for herself (Poehler in a serious role) and a girl who seems to be a gold digger but is not.

Well, I did not fall asleep and watched to the end. I guess, it’s something like 6 or 7/10.

Here is another one: „Dom Hemingway“.

A criminal spends 12 years in prison without giving up his accomplices in the heist that led to his prison sentence. Now he is released and he receives his share plus bonus. Not surprisingly, he cannot handle money, booze and hookers and his behavior gets a bit over the top.

The first half is not bad, seeing Dom (Jude Law) acting out while his friend Dickie (Richard E. Grant) is barely able to keep him under control. Then, when he tries to reconnect with his daughter (Emilia Clarke) the whole thing deteriorates to Kitsch-level. Two reasons why I would give it 7/10 nevertheless: Demian Bichir, whom we know as Detective Marco Ruiz in „The Bridge“ plays a mobster with a Russian accent (I think). The whole story takes place in England, so it is British English all the time (the EastEnders’ version of British English, of course).

This is one of the disappointments I experienced over the last few film and TV weeks: „Life of Crime“.

A wealthy mans wife is kidnapped while her husband already filed for divorce to leave her for a younger woman who is more or less a prostitute. Now he is somehow reluctant to pay 1 Mio. $ for his wife’s safe return. Cast includes Jennifer Anniston and Tim Robbins.

Calling it a disappointment is a bit harsh, the film is not that bad, but it is advertised as a comedy and that it is not. It had a few moments that could amuse but in the end it falls into the category of drama and crime. „Life of Crime“ is alright and it is decently played but all in all I did not see a story worth remembering. And I simply expected something completely different. 6/10?

I have developed a serious "thing" for Franka Potente from The Bridge. I would volunteer to be Eleanor's 'pet', if she would visit me every day and feed me acorns, and say "Is it safe?" a lot, and tell me stories. Well, I'm late to the party but she has a big role on the cancelled show "Copper", about the doings of the NYPD back in Civil War days. I watched the first episode last night, and there was Franka, the number one attraction at a middle class level whore house, wearing a dress (part of the time) and acting "normal." I think I like the Eleanor version of Franka better, but I'll take what I can get. Turns out that big dragon tattoo on her shoulder is real, because she has it in "Copper." I hear she was good on season six of The Shield, but I can't stand that Michael Chiklis guy. Maybe I'll check it out anyway. The only cop show(s) with more obnoxious characters than The Shield are (IMHO of course) Chicago PD and Graceland.

Copper reminds me somewhat of that new show, The Knick, which showed three episodes but seems to have been off for a couple of weeks.

It was covered by all major papers in Germany, when Franka Potente made it to "Copper". Of course, whenever a German actor plays in an American Film or show it is news everywhere. Only the German "Spiegel" rated her performance as rather poor. But their film critics are well known/notorious for being completely off. General attitude is: when the people from "Spiegel" say a film or show is a good thing, better avoid it and vice versa.

BTW, "The Shield" made it into police jargon: "going Vic Mackey on someone". I liked the show except for the last season. What a depressing finale!

"The Knick" episode 4 will air tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

And the question remains: Is TV trying to tell us something or are they just showing what they see?

Unless they all live in San Francisco, they are not showing what they see. They are trying to influence to accept their version of reality. Quite frankly, the propagandizing gets on my nerves, but young people probably don't even realize that it is happening.

So, are we in the grip of a GAY CONSPIRACY??? Why haven't I heard about this on Fox News?? Hannitty!! Get on this! As the great Robert Downey Jr. says in Tropic Thunder (as an white Australian playing a black American soldier) "Hey, this is Hollywood! Everybody's gay sometime!"

I agree: Robert Downey Jr. is great!

And I propose this: if we continue discussing gay presence on film and TV, then everybody who answers must do so with at least one quote from a TV-show or a film directly referring to the topic. I would like to hear the honorable (founding!) member BookMan on this proposal.

N

I liked the "State of Affairs" review. That alone could kill it off.

I mean, Katherine Heigl, is there a woman in this world less desirable?

Jope, I could think of a few mate.

Clearly you have never seen the Australian actress Magda Szubanski

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=magda+szubanski&espv=2&biw=1351&bih=632&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9DcIVLy3FIbi8AWBiYGQAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

Thanks for bringing my world into perspective. On the other hand: if she is a good actress...

New shows--not looking promising. Gotham maybe?

http://tv.msn.com/five-shows-to-skip-this-fall/photo-gallery/

http://tv.msn.com/10-new-shows-to-watch-this-fall/photo-gallery/

I liked the "State of Affairs" review. That alone could kill it off.

I mean, Katherine Heigl, is there a woman in this world less desirable? Even Doris Day had more appeal than her (no offense to anybody who likes Katherine Heigl... or Doris Day, for that matter). I read, Heigl produced the show herself. Would make sense. Who in his right mind would give her such a role?

Saw "AtoZ". Any further comment would be superfluous (Bernard Trink would say).

"Blackish" might be fun (would David Fishburne play in a crappy show? I hope not!).

I will give "Manhattan Love Story" a chance. It is the "Peep Show" principle (we can hear what people think while they talk and listen). They will probably mess it up, though.

"Marry Me" is more or less a reincarnation of "Penny" from "Happy Endings". That is sufficient for me. I will watch it.

And I agree, "Gotham" is probably the most promising among these shows. The trailer is not too bad.

For the rest: I wonder who gives money for these "shows"? But maybe it's just me. That would explain it.

And the question remains: Is TV trying to tell us something or are they just showing what they see?

Unless they all live in San Francisco, they are not showing what they see. They are trying to influence to accept their version of reality. Quite frankly, the propagandizing gets on my nerves, but young people probably don't even realize that it is happening.

I do not want to hijack this thread and go all political etc., but this fits in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HljL7m_VGG4

Two high school girls are accidentally and falsely "outed" as gay, which they are not. The whole thing is a complete misunderstanding but it makes them very, very popular over night, so they play along. I could not believe that this made it to a second season (it is really, really bad).

Just watched the second episode of the "chidrens show" dr who ,please do not get offended by what i am about to say ,because i am neither racist or a homophobe, but the writer is gay and the BBC is notoriously left wing .

in the first two episodes we have had two women who are married ,then in the second episode we had the doctors assistant chatting up a black guy while holding a copy of the guardian in plain view,are the subliminally trying to tell us and the kids something?

ps i am not to keen on the new doctor and the show seems to be lacking something ,its not as good as usuall but his assistant is very cute.

Ha? What's wrong with the "guardian"? Very Europe-friendly!

And the question remains: Is TV trying to tell us something or are they just showing what they see?

I can answer that for Germany: the state-run TV stations are always trying to tell us something. It does not really matter because we all know it. It is simply nerve jumping once in a while.

Having watched all of the pilots tonight, I've got to say that unless 3 of them go into a longer format, they've got no chance.

Hand of God's got the goods so far, crazy arse Judge and father whose found Jeebus.

Ron Perlman an excellent choice for the role. It's also good to see some ex-Burn Notice actors getting a second chance.

I had a good laugh with 'Really' and if 'Married' got itself a season then there's no reason this chestnut can't be cracked.

Completely agree, "Hand of God" is my favorite, too.

For me, "Really" was a must: Sarah Chalke! Since she played Dr. Elliot Reed in "Scrubs" (one of my all time favorites), I like her. But after "Scrubs", no comedy she played in stayed for long. So, "Really" might be her chance. The potential is there.

If it was up to me, I would give "Hysteria" a chance, as well. I think, it was way better than expected (the summary of the pilot sucks), with some characters and story lines worth developing: a weirdo on death row, a 17 year old girl with a 36 year old ex-lover who is also a cop, false rape accusations, a boring female psychiatrist with personal problems. Not too bad, so far. But to be honest, I cannot see it making the cut. We'll see.

Just finished Episode 2 of "Intruders". They managed to keep me interested. In other words: I want, I must find out what is going on. If only it wasn't so confusing. At least it became clear who the main characters are. The cop is on the good side, the girl is obviously not (btw, I think the child actress plays her rather well). But what is it with this "Mr. Shepard"? Is he good or bad? Does anybody know? Any hint is appreciated.

The new show, Hand of God, looks promising.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3973768/

A morally-corrupt judge suffers a breakdown and believes God is compelling him onto a path of vigilante justice. -- IMDb Plot: Hand of God (2014)

That was close. I almost missed it.

And "promising" seems a bit like an understatement to me . The first episode was simply fantastic with a great cast and a good plot (finally, after being a desperate housewife and a coroner I can see Dana Delany in a role I like her in). The idea of the story reminds me of "Boss", a bit more violent, though.

For me, that's a keeper!

I liked it too, but you can't always tell from the first episode.

Yes, that's correct. But this time it's different. This one will rise above the others and it will become one of the few really great shows! (I so hope that I am right. If not, I will of course do the right thing: simply not mention it again and pretend that I never said otherwise ).

The new show, Hand of God, looks promising.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3973768/

A morally-corrupt judge suffers a breakdown and believes God is compelling him onto a path of vigilante justice. -- IMDb Plot: Hand of God (2014)

That was close. I almost missed it.

And "promising" seems a bit like an understatement to me . The first episode was simply fantastic with a great cast and a good plot (finally, after being a desperate housewife and a coroner I can see Dana Delany in a role I like her in). The idea of the story reminds me of "Boss", a bit more violent, though.

For me, that's a keeper!

Came across the British itv-series "Breathless". My advice: do not bother watching it unless you like "Downton Abbey" because that is what "Breathless" more or less is. No blue blood, but British upper class in the 60s with doctors (Jack Davenport as über-doctor, unbearable as usual) and nurses and a dark secret from the past and a highly psychopathic chief inspector who knows about it and some infidelity and a sexual assault (not shown). Target audience is probably "female senior citizens above the age of 75". I do not really know why I watched it. Probably, because I like the 60s when women still wore dresses and actually demanded to be treated as ladies. Good news is: there will be no second season.