So, I'm sticking to my plan of ending this blog with the review of the final SOPRANOS. I went away this weekend and my cat is sick, so I haven't had much time to watch - which is why this is 2/3 weeks late - but for the last of the loyal readers, here is a fresh-ish batch of reviews.
HALF NELSON (DVD)
Slow moving and kind of great. Phenominal performance by Ryan Gosling. Very unmanipulative, bleak and hopeful at the same time. Whoever plays the young black girl should've gotten a nomination as well.
Grade: B +
CELEBRITY FIT CLUB (VH1)
Screech is a complete tool. He's fat, unfunny and anti-social in a way that makes my skin crawl. Da Brat is retarded. Marcia Brady is lovely, but the weight gain is shocking. That said - she seems like a sweetheart. Kim from AMERICAN IDOL is sort of the same obnoxious chubby gal I remember from season 2 of that show. I forget the rest of the cast. But mostly, when Screech isn't causing controversy, the show is a bit of a bore. Oh - Tiffany the pop star is in the cast. She's overweight and still cute as a button. But most of the cast are people I've never heard of - and I watch everything.
Grade: C -
THE SOPRANOS (HBO) (3 weeks ago - Junior & Paulie storyline "Remember When")
Okay, another hour, another mediation on life in the mob. This show had 2 storylines going for it - the Junior storyline - Junior has been disowned by the Family and now sits in an old-age version of prison (I think - it seems awfully low security - but maybe that's how those facilities are) - and while it was amusing to see him running the card game - the whole thing felt a bit forced and definitely was sad. Sadder then how Jr. ended up was the extraordinary amount of time they gave to that very minor player in his storyline. The Tony/Paulie stuff - that was great. Subtle, scary - did they really need the Big Pussy imagery - I honestly think not. But still - Paulie has many slips of the tounge - and every week the show has pointed out that Bobby, Christopher and now Paulie are all liablities in their own way. So okay - we now have six hours to go. That's like Godfather 1 & 2 time. But shit has to get started NOW. This is it! This is the end of the best one hour drama in decades! We need great shows and we need them now! On the other hand, you can look at the end of the 5th season as some sort of post script. An epilogue if you will. These last batch of episodes seem to all be mediations on themes in David Chase's head - but they certainly don't feel like any kind of build up to something meaningfull.
Grade: B
THE SOPRANOS (HBO - - Chasing It)
The best episode yet of the final season. I wasn't that into the Vito's son storyline (and a different young actor played the role then the previous season) but the Tony/Hesh conflict was superbly played by both actors. And it's nice that THE SOPRANOS doesn't limp off, but rather goes off with a creative decision by the creator to turn Tony into the bloated asshole we always thought might've lurked behind the "neighborhood tough guy" swagger he'd always been cloaked in. In the last four eps, Tony has gotten completely miserable and paranoid with every single person in his life - I think the way this is going, Tony is going to either put a bullet in his own head.....I don't know - I actually don't want to speculate because I'm finally seeing the master plan here at work and I'm loving it. Edie Falco was her usual brilliant self. A lot of people complained that it's bullshit to suddenly present Tony as a degenerate gambler, but all along Tony has gambled - never to this extent - but from what I understand, every big time mobster's second business is gambling. We're just seeing a side of Tony we don't often see. An ugly, racist side with paranoid delusional thinking. As for AJ breaking up with his girlfriend- that was about as exciting as Janice singing Karaoke. Jerry Adler, who plays Hesh, should have an Emmy nom for his fantastic performance in this ep.
Grade: A
THE SOPRANOS "Walk Like A Man" (HBO)
Grade: A
THE SOPRANOS "Walk Like A Man" (HBO)
Written & Directed by the supremely talented Terry Winter, this was a brilliant, sparse, stark, bleak masterpiece. Emmys for Gandolfini and Michael Imperiolli seem like a no-brainer. This was unlike the previous 4 eps, in that it truly pushed the plot lines forward, had a truly good performance from AJ, and went so far in the Tony/Christopher/Paulie vortex that it was just....I won't be a spoiler to anyone who hasn't watched yet - but the show kept turning and surprising - and Winter's direction was truly right on the money. And for whatever it's worth, this felt like a true Sopranos classic. Lastly - the great song that ended the ep and played over credits was Los Lobos "The Valley."
Grade: A +
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
I saw the Johnny getting punk'd thing a mile away. But I just love Johnny Drama. Vince fucking his agent was refreshingly blunt and seemed to go beautifuly against what we expect from TV. And while I love seeing Artie Lange in ANYTHING - he and Ari's story were somewhat...so what-ish.
Grade: B
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
The one where they try to get MEDILON going again and the cell phone wars that go on in the Synagogue on a high holy day. This was probably the best ep of the season and Ari's performance was superb.
Grade: A
FIRED (MAX)
For anyone that's ever been fired - watch this movie and regain your self esteem.
Grade: B +
30 ROCK (Season Finale - NBC)
Sucked. Not sure what happened to this show. It was really funny for a while. Now it's getting really stupid.
SEASON GRADE: B
Finale' grade: D
THE OFFICE (Season Finale - NBC)
At this point, why not shoot on videotape and just add a laugh track?
I couldn't really get into THE NEXT PUSSYCAT DOLL. I just didn't find it very compelling - although I only watched the very first one. Still - even if the person wins - hard to get excited over this one.
THE BACHELOR: OFFICER & A GENTLEMEN (ABC)
It took me a while but I've warmed up to Andy. The problem: not nearly enough psychos in the bunch. And why does Andy - who has an admirable build, try to suck in his stomach like an old man when he's shirtless? It's weird, man. Anyway - all caught up now - and the ep where he met all the parents was oddly uncomfortable and why does every single girl on this show seem completely retarded? That one girl who sat him down with her whole speech on how she used to be married? Yikes. They all give me the creeps.
Grade: B -
Letterman had on SANJAYA the other night - I thought he was funny and likable - remarkably confident.
Robert Prosky was nothing short of brilliant on the most recent E.R. The storyline was incredible and nobody could've played that role like the superb Mr. Prosky.
THE SPRINGER HUSTLE (VH1)
Starting to kind of love this behind the scenes show of Jerry Springer's program. I'm finding myself rooting for Tobey.
Grade: B
I must say VH1's BEST WEEK EVER was on fire this week. Even though I have no problem with Alec Baldwin's message - honestly - I didn't think it was that big a deal nor evidence of anything but a real life family dynamic. But BEST WEEK EVER was particularly great with these subjects this week. Also - Artie Lange does a great impression of the message on the Howard Stern Show.
REAL WORLD/ROAD RULES INFERNO (MTV)
I guess this is for people who can just never get enough of these characters from the previous shows. While I always have an interest in checking in with yesteryear's reality stars, this show is way over-produced, overly complicated and through all the competitions, lacks what we really want to see - these characters at each other's throats.
Grade: D
SOUTH PARK (COM)
Had a great new episode called "Night of the living homeless" that parodies all three of Romero's zombie films AND the recent remake - genius!
Grade: A
REAL WORLD (MTV)
Davis, that troublemaker, told Jen's boyfriend everything!!!! And he still didn't kick Alex's ass! And they got back together. After Jen admitted to NOTHING with her man, and all the roomates told him what the deal was, Jenn said "I'm so happy I was just honest about my life with him." What????/ In other retarded news, Brooke, the COMPLETE PSYCHO from somewhere South, met a man, decided she loved him, then CRIED and CRIED because he suggested they go BOWLING. She asked through tears "Do I look like the kind of girl you take BOWLING?????" These fucktards are the best fucktards EVER!
Grade: B
THE BAD GIRLS CLUB (OXY)
I watched a few of these with G. - who thinks that Ripsi's drunken performance and beating up sleeping roomates was every bit the masterpiece we've all been talking about! The funniest thing about this show is everytime they call Kerri "the bad girl of country music." Umm....don't we need to know who someone is before they can take that title? And why are they all picking on Jodi!
Grade: A
AMERICAN IDOL (FOX)
So long, Sanjia. We hardly knew ya. Still - it was a shock to see him go - but I have to think that his lackluster "Something to talk about" had to be the final straw for America. Either that, or IDOL is ________
Anyway, I saw IDOL GIVES BACK - Jack Black was really funny.
AMY WINEHOUSE CD
Awesome. Buy it. Now.
LILY ALLEN CD
Awesome. Buy it. Now.
I LOVE NY FINALE & REUNION (VH1)
Actually lost brain cells watching this one. They're on my couch, gasping for air. NY is just a complete idiot, and the finale' seemed fake - as in - they wanted another season and they faked the ending.
DEBBIE DOES DALLAS AGAIN (SHOWTIME)
I was just starting to love this show and now I can't find it.
Grade: A +
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
I saw the Johnny getting punk'd thing a mile away. But I just love Johnny Drama. Vince fucking his agent was refreshingly blunt and seemed to go beautifuly against what we expect from TV. And while I love seeing Artie Lange in ANYTHING - he and Ari's story were somewhat...so what-ish.
Grade: B
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
The one where they try to get MEDILON going again and the cell phone wars that go on in the Synagogue on a high holy day. This was probably the best ep of the season and Ari's performance was superb.
Grade: A
FIRED (MAX)
For anyone that's ever been fired - watch this movie and regain your self esteem.
Grade: B +
30 ROCK (Season Finale - NBC)
Sucked. Not sure what happened to this show. It was really funny for a while. Now it's getting really stupid.
SEASON GRADE: B
Finale' grade: D
THE OFFICE (Season Finale - NBC)
At this point, why not shoot on videotape and just add a laugh track?
I couldn't really get into THE NEXT PUSSYCAT DOLL. I just didn't find it very compelling - although I only watched the very first one. Still - even if the person wins - hard to get excited over this one.
THE BACHELOR: OFFICER & A GENTLEMEN (ABC)
It took me a while but I've warmed up to Andy. The problem: not nearly enough psychos in the bunch. And why does Andy - who has an admirable build, try to suck in his stomach like an old man when he's shirtless? It's weird, man. Anyway - all caught up now - and the ep where he met all the parents was oddly uncomfortable and why does every single girl on this show seem completely retarded? That one girl who sat him down with her whole speech on how she used to be married? Yikes. They all give me the creeps.
Grade: B -
Letterman had on SANJAYA the other night - I thought he was funny and likable - remarkably confident.
Robert Prosky was nothing short of brilliant on the most recent E.R. The storyline was incredible and nobody could've played that role like the superb Mr. Prosky.
THE SPRINGER HUSTLE (VH1)
Starting to kind of love this behind the scenes show of Jerry Springer's program. I'm finding myself rooting for Tobey.
Grade: B
I must say VH1's BEST WEEK EVER was on fire this week. Even though I have no problem with Alec Baldwin's message - honestly - I didn't think it was that big a deal nor evidence of anything but a real life family dynamic. But BEST WEEK EVER was particularly great with these subjects this week. Also - Artie Lange does a great impression of the message on the Howard Stern Show.
REAL WORLD/ROAD RULES INFERNO (MTV)
I guess this is for people who can just never get enough of these characters from the previous shows. While I always have an interest in checking in with yesteryear's reality stars, this show is way over-produced, overly complicated and through all the competitions, lacks what we really want to see - these characters at each other's throats.
Grade: D
SOUTH PARK (COM)
Had a great new episode called "Night of the living homeless" that parodies all three of Romero's zombie films AND the recent remake - genius!
Grade: A
REAL WORLD (MTV)
Davis, that troublemaker, told Jen's boyfriend everything!!!! And he still didn't kick Alex's ass! And they got back together. After Jen admitted to NOTHING with her man, and all the roomates told him what the deal was, Jenn said "I'm so happy I was just honest about my life with him." What????/ In other retarded news, Brooke, the COMPLETE PSYCHO from somewhere South, met a man, decided she loved him, then CRIED and CRIED because he suggested they go BOWLING. She asked through tears "Do I look like the kind of girl you take BOWLING?????" These fucktards are the best fucktards EVER!
Grade: B
THE BAD GIRLS CLUB (OXY)
I watched a few of these with G. - who thinks that Ripsi's drunken performance and beating up sleeping roomates was every bit the masterpiece we've all been talking about! The funniest thing about this show is everytime they call Kerri "the bad girl of country music." Umm....don't we need to know who someone is before they can take that title? And why are they all picking on Jodi!
Grade: A
AMERICAN IDOL (FOX)
So long, Sanjia. We hardly knew ya. Still - it was a shock to see him go - but I have to think that his lackluster "Something to talk about" had to be the final straw for America. Either that, or IDOL is ________
Anyway, I saw IDOL GIVES BACK - Jack Black was really funny.
AMY WINEHOUSE CD
Awesome. Buy it. Now.
LILY ALLEN CD
Awesome. Buy it. Now.
I LOVE NY FINALE & REUNION (VH1)
Actually lost brain cells watching this one. They're on my couch, gasping for air. NY is just a complete idiot, and the finale' seemed fake - as in - they wanted another season and they faked the ending.
DEBBIE DOES DALLAS AGAIN (SHOWTIME)
I was just starting to love this show and now I can't find it.
FLAVA OF LOVE/CHARM SCHOOL (vh1)
Not sure what's more disturbing. Watching Vh1 jump the shark with never-ending "Flava" spinoffs, or how truly insane every single girl on this show is. I'm not kidding - these are the worst people ever presented on tv. Worse still, this is one truly badly produced show. The eliminations are based on bullshit, and these girls should all have psychological help, not more tv exposure. Shame on mainstream star Monique for involving herself in this truly exploitive, and truly boring hour.
Needing to catch up on shows like THE SHIELD - will have more reviews on Monday. And nothing was more disturbing that what went on THE STERN SHOW on yesterday's show between Sal and Richard. My God.
