All Time Best TV Shows.

In a blatant rip-off of my blog (heh...), Empire Magazine issued its list for the Top 50 TV shows (link here). Here is my knee jerk reaction to the list.

50. Quantum Leap

No... nope. Don't like how this list started. Give me a "Flintstones" right here.

49. Prison Break

Never watched it.

48. Veronica Mars



Awsome show. Awsome writing and one of the best casts on TV. Much too smart for prime time.



I would have loved to have seen "Veronica Mars, F.B.I".

47. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Didn't like it.

46. Sex and the City


Liked it up until the season before the final season. It started off original but ended formulaic. I didn't like how the series wrapped up and the final episode was awful. Still I watched it to the very end. High points: Sarah Jessica Parker/Alanis Morisette lesbian lip-lock and any time Mirana had on screen sex. Yowza!

45. Farscape

Never watched it.

44. Cracker

Never watched it.

43. Star Trek

Awful drivel. Really don't like it.

42. Only Fools and Horses

Never watched it.

41. Band of Brothers

Technically this was a mini-series, but it was a tremendous piece of work. Teresa and I just recently enjoyed watching our DVD copy. The actors on this show deserve much more work than they are currently getting.



40. Life On Mars

Never watched it.

39. Monty Python’s Flying Circus

Revolutionary, strange and absurd in it's time.



Deserves higher honors except for the fact that the marketing of Monty Python has achived completely disgusting levels of selling out.

38. Curb Your Enthusiasm

Never watched it.

37. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Probably the best of all the iterations of Star Trek, but really, after "Firefly", all other space shows pale.

36. Father Ted

The show when they were competing in a song writing contest is a classic. Steve's been after me to get more into this show.

35. Alias

Never watched it, but it's on Zip List.

34. Frasier
Crap.

33. CSI

Fucking crap.

32. Babylon 5

Blech!

31. Deadwood

Never watched it. I should Zip List this baby....

30. Dexter



Good show. Really, really creepy.



Watched the first three episodes and like it so far.

29. ER

Great, up until Anthony Edwards left. The show gets props for hiring the Indian girl from "Bend it Like Beckham" and dude who plays Malarky from "Band of Brothers" as regular cast members.

28. Fawlty Towers

Never watched it before. Probably never will...

27. Six Feet Under

Hand down one of the best, most-real, shows on TV. Damn near perfect acting, writing, production, cameras, sets, props.... a real work of art!



26. Red Dwarf

Amusing.

25. Futurama

Don't like it.

24. Twin Peaks

Overrated.

23. The Office

The British version is brilliant.



22. The Shield

Never watched it. Maybe I will if Ngai lets me borrow his copies.

21. Angel

All around good TV show. The season with Conner and Jasmine was not the best, but not as bad as everyone thinks it is. I miss it... lots...

20. Blackadder

Amusing.

19. Scrubs

Eh... not really that interested...

18. Arrested Development

Funny, funny show.

17. South Park

These guys never lost it. The show still rocks.

16. Doctor Who

Probably will never, ever watch it (sorry Sarah).

15. Heroes

Bleh...

14. Firefly

Sing it with me:



Take my love,
Take my land,
Take me where I cannot stand.

I don't care,
I'm still free.
You can't take the sky from me!

Take me out into the black,
Tell 'em I ain't coming back,

Burn the land,
Boil the sea,
You can't take the sky from me!

Have no place I could be
since I've found "Serenity"
You can't take the sky from me...

Long live the Browncoats!

13. Battlestar Galactica

Definately on the Zip List.

12. Family Guy

Smart, funny...

11. Seinfeld

Isn't quite the same after the whole Michael Richards thing...

heh... heh...

10. SPACED

Never watched it.

9. THE X-FILES

Not my thing.

8. THE WIRE

Hope Ngai lets me borrow his DVD's.

7. FRIENDS

I know a lot of people like this show, and I did too, but really... There's way more ethnic people in New York. Where are the black, asians and hispanics. This was the Whitest show in Whitevania.

6. 24

Kiefer Sutherland is an arrogant blowhard. Man I hate that guy!



For contrast...



5. LOST

For Teresa's sake, I'll give this show another chance...

4. THE WEST WING

Teresa really liked it. I'm a fan of Aaron Sorkin, but after a while, the writing started to get formulaic and boring.

3. THE SOPRANOS

First four seasons were great TV.



The last two... genius...

2. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

Ah, Buffy... Seven of the best seasons in TV history.



1. THE SIMPSONS

Pretty good, but not as good as the "Flintstones". Skooodely-wah-waaaaahhh.

The Color of Money

In most discussions of Martin Scorsese's canon, The Color of Money (1986) is often peripherally mentioned, as if the movie does not deserve the same respect granted to other Scorsese movies, such as Mean Streets, Goodfellas and the Oscar-winning The Departed. Martin Scorsese himself admits that the movie, a pairing of veteran Hollywood icon Paul Newman with the new superstar-in-the-making Tom Cruise, was made on the quick to finance his real passion project, The Last Temptation of Christ.

Still, I feel that The Color of Money is an admirable movie, an underrated but truly satisfying tale. I feel it deserves discussion, and should be defended a wonderful film in it's own right.

In The Color of Money, Paul Newman reprises the role of "Fast" Eddie Felson, the pool player from 1961's The Hustler. Yet, I think it would be wrong to consider the Scorsese's movie a sequel. It's too original, it stands firmly in its own shoes. To me, The Color of Money feels much like the continuation of a late night discussion with a good friend about great modern movies. It reminds me of that "after midnight, tired but too jazzed to go to sleep" feeling one gets while sitting in a 24-hr diner at 2:00 in the morning with a group of good friends, after spending all of Saturday night partying. The movie has it's own distinct energy.

As the movie begins we see that "Fast" Eddie Felson has long since quit playing pool, and has become a successful liquor salesman. His business keeps him in close periphery to pool playing, and every once-in-a-while, he acts as a stakehorse to the next breed of young pool hustlers. But, one of his players loses to Vincent, played by Tom Cruise. Vincent, at first, seems more interested in playing an arcade video game that 9-ball. But soon Eddie realizes that Vincent is a gifted natural, and is bemused and somewhat shocked when Vincent offers the broke, busted and humiliated pool hustler $20 to keep playing.

Eddie takes Vincent, and his girlfriend/handler Carmen (played beautifully by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) to dinner and offers them a deal. Eddie will stakehorse Vincent for six weeks on the road, in anticipation of a big-money 9-ball tournament in Atlantic City. For 60% of the winnings he will teach both Vincent and Carmen the in's and out's of pool hustling. The rest of the movie deals with the formation of a tense relationship between these three characters, and the betrayal and redemption of "Fast" Eddie Felson.


The move contains many enjoyable elements. It is a movie of its time. You can quickly tell that this is a movie made in the mid-80's, much like how you can tell Cool Hand Luke was definitely made in the 60's. But, the movie manages to maintain a certain integrity, and resists feeling dated, unlike earlier Tom Cruise vehicles like Risky Business, Top Gun and Taps. Also this movie can be seen as a ceremonial changing of guard between the veteran Hollywood icon and the younger, upstart but talented superstar.

But the best element about the film is how the character arcs of the two leads, cross and mirror each other. At the beginning of the film, Eddie is a jaded cynic, in counterpoint to Vincent's naive cockiness. While Vincent is willing to pay out cash just to entice people to play him, Eddie sees pool (and Vincent) as a means to an end. "Money won is ten times as sweet as money earned," Eddie preaches to his new but wayward apostle, and the veteran tries to steer the acolyte beyond nickle and dime hustles into big time cash, being sure to charge his 60% no matter the size of the pot.

Somewhere in the middle of the film, Eddie realizes to his horror that he's hustling himself as much as he's hustling Vincent. Eddie realizes that what attracts him to Vincent is not the kid's money-making potential. It's the kids talent. Scary, natural talent that younger "Fast" Eddie once had, but old Eddie has lost. Eddie wants to be the kid's equal, he want his game back. After falling for a con perpetrated by Forest Whitaker (in a great cameo), Eddie unceremoniously ditches Carmen and Vincent and begins his own quest to get regain his skills.

Eventually, Eddie earns his place in the Atlantic City tournament, and re-encounters Vincent and Carmen. The once cocky, naive kid is gone, innocence burned away by Eddie's betrayal. This new Vincent is calculating and ruthless. He no longer plays for the enjoyment of the game, he plays for cold hard cash, eventually dumping a game against his former teacher in order to increase the odds on the bets played on the backroom games. Eddie though discovers that his earlier cynicism was a mask, and his "play for cash" ethic was an elaborate self-con. Eddie rediscovers the love for the game, no, rather the love of the win. Eddie learns what the more innocent Vincent knew from the start. Money is just a symbol for the win, it's the win that always motivated Vincent, and it's that lasting, haunting whiff of the win that kept Eddie hanging around bars and pool halls. To be The Winner, Eddie has to beat the best player, and his redemption lies in Vincent's willingness to grant his former teacher his best game.

The movie offers much for a film lover. One could write a book on the sheer gravity-defying pompadour that Vincent wears throughout the film. Scorsese's use of Warren Zevon's song Werewolves of London as Vincent plays pool is a near perfect synthesis of a music and visuals. It is as iconic as the "ear scene" in Reservoir Dogs (Stuck in the Middle With You, Steelers Wheel), or the opening credit sequence for Trainspotting (Lust for Life, Iggy Pop).



Character actors should study Bill Cobbs's role as Orvis as a primer on how, with just one look, one can steal a scene from a burgeoning superstar. I haven't even begun to sing the praises for Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and the strength and subtle vulnerability she brings to the role of Carmen. This movie is too full of riches just to be cast off as momentarily blip along Scorsese's road to Oscar glory.

Buffy Blogcast #4 - Long Way Home (Conclusion)

Once upon a time, some dude named Warren shot Willow Rosenberg's true love to death. The trauma caused Willow to turn really, really evil. She magically skinned Warren, while he still was alive, and then attempted to destroy the world.

Willow has since been rehabilitated, and everyone thought Warren was dead. Turns out, not only is he alive (aided by magical first aid provided by Amy the Witch), he's holding a bit of a grudge.


Meanwhile, Buffy and new Slayer, Satsu attempt to save Willow from vivisection. But first, they trade lip gloss. Cinnamon...


Then they battle the soldiers who are holding Willow hostage.


As, Buffy and Satsu breach the autopsy lab, Warren and Amy teleport away.


And Willow is... fine.


Magician, heal thyself.

Buffy notices that the military complex has a holding cell numbered "30". This reminds her of her dream of Ethan Rayne imprisoned within the roman numeral "XXX" (see last issue).


She finds Ethan Rayne. Murdered.



The killer, General Voll takes a shot at Buffy.


She notices the mark on his chest. Twilight, he explains, is coming. In upgrading all the Potentials into full-fledged Slayers, Buffy and crew have upset the natural balance threatening the future of normal folks. Some humans have declared war on all demon kind, and considering the or gins of the Slayer power, that includes Buffy and all her mystical, magical friends.

Buffy's reply...?


Here endeth the tale.

Final Thoughts:

The Long Way Home arc reminded me of a typical first episode of a new season. First episodes tend to be a bit shaky compared to later episodes. The quality may not be quite up to the usual "Buffy" standards, but the potential for greatness is evident. Georges Jeanty's art work is quite good, but the writing is a bit stiffer than usual for Joss Whedon. Still, the characterizations are faithful to the well beloved TV series, and on the whole, we fans are happy that "Buffy" is back. The owners of the comic book store I patronize have often sold out of initial runs of the "Buffy" comics, and record sales numbers have been reported throughout the industry. Great start.

Buffy Blogcast #3 - Witch Fight!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Children of all ages!

In the right hand corner, wearing a tan jacket and blue jeans, straight from the centre of the crater formally known as "Sunnydale", the challenger, Amy the Witch! (Boooo!)

And in the left hand corner, wearing a green peasant dress, straight from a fan-boy's wet-dream, the cutest red-headed lesbian in the world, "Wicked" Willow Rosenberg! (YAY)

LET'S GET READY TO RUUUMMMBLLLE!



Oh yeah, baby! It's on like Donkey Kong.

Meanwhile... in Buffy's, "dreamspace", we meet up with an older, fey, Chaos-worshipping former chum of Giles last seen in Season 5.



And oh yeah, Buffy is reeeeealllly horny!



Back in Scotland. Willow is absorbing and transmuting Amy's spells, causing the dead Scottish zombies to waltz "Jane Austen style" instead of attacking the castle. In retaliation, Amy uses magic augmented with technology to wallop Willow. Willow turns slightly evil, and all may be lost. But Giant Dawn comes to Willow's rescue...



...and squishes Amy like a bug!

Back in Buffy's dreamspace: Ethan Rayne leaves a cryptic message for Buffy to help her find out where he's being kept.



Also he warns that "Twilight is falling...", whatever that means...

Back in Scotland, Willow tries to come up with a plan to wake Buffy.



She remembers Amy's past modus oporandi and realizes that they can break the sleeping spell with True Love's kiss. (Note: Remember, fans, back in Season 7 episode "The Killer In Me", Amy casts a similar spell on Willow. Tee hee!)



Buffy wakes: "Cinnamon Buns"

Meanwhile, Giles gets a message from a hostile demon that links the setting sun and star symbol to "Twilight is falling...", whatever that means...

Xander flirts with an injured Renee...



...thus dispelling the rumours that he and Buffy have hooked up (I attribute it to Buffy's constant mental state of horniness, a fantasy that never really happened).

Willow and Buffy try to question Amy about who ordered her to attack them. Amy responds by teleporting Willow to meet her "boyfriend" who turns out to be...

...Warren Mears!



Ugh!

Key Plot Points:

• Buffy's dreamspace includes several notable images including: Faith, Joyce's body, Angel, the first day she met Giles, Graduation Day, Dawn, some of the Potentials and uh, Joss Whedon;



• Willow temporarily turns evil from time to time;



• Amy's magic is backed by technology, indicating either the military has augmented her power, or Warren (he of the sex androids and the invisible ray-gun) has;



• Someone in the castle lurrrves Buffy, and it's a good chance is one of the new Slayers;



• In a roomful of Slayers playing strip poker, Andrew is bored;



• Renee and Xander are getting really chummy. Chances are looking good that she'll be either impaled by a piece of rebar, or she'll get bisected by a knife wielding demon in the near future;



• Kennedy died for a month, was revived and is still dating Willow;



• Warren back, baby, and he is gonna cut into Willow's head with a lobotomy saw! Yikes!

Just for fun, a little love for Alyson Hannigan, courtesy of the Onion.com


FCC Okays Nudity On TV If It2019s Alyson Hannigan