Matt and I reconnect for a quick discussion on the recently concluded 3rd season of Boardwalk Empire. We both thought it was a fantastic season. The finale? Well...
Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot discussion on Lena Dunham's new HBO series, Girls. Most of the discussion has been centered around the politics of the show (race, class, gender), while the artistic merits of the show have mostly been pushed to the side.
In this clip from their April 25th podcast, Basa leads a discussion with TKO and K Badd, on the validity of the feedback coming from parts of the Black community.
I agree with them.
Hear the full episode, here: Link
(or) Subscribe via iTunes: Link
Not so new opinion I recently shared on a popular message board.
Some of you have already noted this, but MKW was horrible in the scene where Chalky was visited by Nucky and Eli. Some of the worst overacting I can remember on this particular show.
To be honest, I've always felt that Chalky was one of the weakest elements to this show. Perhaps not necessarily the fault of the actor, because they really didn't have much for the character to do in season one. I'm worried though that this season they're just setting him up to play prohibition era Omar; taking on the Klan all by himself, so that everyone can comment on how 'bad ass' (ugh...) he is.
There were moments I liked this episode, in particular when he had a barrel of a gun in his face, and a small part of his rant to Nucky, when he spoke of 'his people' in Atlantic City.
I'm hoping when all is said and done, there will be more to the character then what leads me to believe he was just put on this show for fan service.
Jesse Ducker aka Spider Jerusalem (The Hedrush), joins me for a spoiler filled discussion on two of the most talked about cable channel shows; AMC's The Killing, and HBO's Game of Thrones.
This conversation was a little more free flowing than usual, so it runs a little longer than ones posted in the past. If you only want to hear discussion on one of the shows, you may use the timestamps below.
The Killing (0:00 - 16:45)
Game of Thrones (17:06 - 46:30)
After listening to our conversation, head over to The Hedrush, and subscribe to their podcast. The latest episode (#39), has Spider Jerusalem and JB d'Mullato playing (and discussing) classic L.A. gangsta tracks from the late 80s and early 90s.
If you're at all interested in hockey (the culture, more than actual game), this is a good look into the on and off ice look at the players, coaches and executives involved in the game.
HBO lucked out by capturing two of the best players in the world and their teams which are heading in opposite directions. The series concludes with the two teams facing each other in an outdoor game on New Year's Day.
The entire first episode is available on YouTube, with subsequent episodes available through the usual channels.
Though it provided the impetus for this particular post, I thought The Godfather homage was a bit too on nose. Overall, the season finale was solid and did a good job of setting things up storylines for the coming season.
Terence Winter and crew created a very fascinating world, and the plot and characters kept me engaged during the entire season. I know a few people who jumped ship and commented that the show moved too slow. I think this may be due to their expectations being a bit off. You see some of the creative talent involved (Scorsese, Winter, Buscemi, "Omar"), and some of the characters involved in the story (Capone, Luciano, Lansky); people automatically assume it's going to be war all the time. The main character is a politician, so of course there's gonna be fair amount of behind the scenes politics, plotting and scheming during the episodes. Patience is often required and then rewarded with great payoffs for those who stick it out.
A good start for the show. Looking forward to more stories from Atlantic City.
Thought I would have some nice things to say about this show.
I don't.
Created by Ian Edelman and produced with the Entourage boys (Wahlberg, Levinson, Weiss...etc), this show feels very similar to its west coast predecessor. Pretty background extras, a party to go with pretty background extras, not so subtle usage of score and source music (yeah we get it, your fans of hip hop), and mostly self contained episodes that are part of a larger season length storyline. One thing this show sorely lacks is likable characters.
Cudi, Rasuk, Greenberg
I'm finding it very difficult to care about the struggles of these characters. Mostly because the nicest thing I can say about them is that they're bland. Bryan Greenberg plays the very nice Jewish boy, Ben Epstein. He's the one that has the background in fashion. Though you couldn't tell because every episode he and his partner make the most basic mistakes while trying to get their business off the ground. But then I don't suppose showing the character trying to obtain information and knowledge of the business would make for riveting television.
His partner (played by Victor Rasuk), Cameron "Cam" Calderon represents the "hustle" of the enterprising duo. He reminds me a little of Turtle, but is a lot less likable. The episodes I've watched have presented him as a bit of the good, but towards the end of the episode he will always display use his street smarts to save the day, proving he's worth more than an obnoxious sound bite.
The cast is rounded out by
Eddie Kaye Thomas - Wealthy friend of Ben.
Shannon Sossamon - I honestly can't remember who she is and what her purpose is.
Kid Cudi - Brought on to act hip and get laid.
Lake Bell - You won't remember her from Boston Legal, since she got dismissed seven episodes into the first season for being wack as hell. She's just as wack here and is supposed to be the girl that got away. REALLY?
Luis Guzman - An OG recently released from jail who has aspirations to make it large in the beverage business.
Actually, watching Guzman try to pimp (and say) "Rasta Monsta" is one of the few funny things in the show. For the most part, it feels like the show is trying a little too hard to be New York. I can imagine one of the creators saying something to the effect of "oh...i wanted the city of New York to be major character in the story". Bullshit! Cut the dead weights, and get the story moving. This show has the dullness of later season Entourage episodes, but when watching that show, most people have developed a kinship of sort with the cast. Somehow I don't think How To Make It In America will last long enough for the characters to ingratiate themselves with viewers.
If you're a fan of Luis Guzman, check out this interview with Jessie Thorn from The Sound of Young America.
