Daily Helping » HBO

The Wire

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:09:41 +0000

As many long time readers of the DailyHelping can attest, there’s no fear of recommending a film, book, album or television show that debuted long ago. As the old adage goes with respect to picking up an old newspaper…”If I haven’t seen it…it’s news to me!”.

It’s with this in mind that DailyHelping climbs onto the proverbial soapbox, several years late, to proclaim the greatness of HBO’s much-lauded series, “The Wire”.

The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008. This amounted to 60 sixty episodes over five seasons. The show never saw the water cooler popularity of Sex in the City or The Sopranos or won any major television awards, and yet is considered by long-time television critics as the greatest television series ever produced. The Wire has been off the air for roughly two years and is still the focus of fan sites and college course work where the show is considered a realistic portrayal of urban life in America.

The series has been out in DVD compilations for better than a year now and is available for rental at almost all independent DVD vendors and through Netflix. Allow us to repeat what was said above…one more time.

Considered by many long time television critics as the greatest television series of all time.

The show has a very large, incredibly talented, for the most part unknown cast. The stellar corp of writers were unafraid of complex and unorthodox plot lines and at times, undecipherable jargon. This is the true “reality show”.

Go to Netflix or Google “The Wire” and read a little about the show. Treat yourself to watching the first three or four episodes. In no time you’ll be hooked and experiencing an entertainment experience that will stay with you long after watching that final episode.

Here is a terrific article that compares The Wire to The Sopranos in a debate as to which is truly the best. Surprisingly the DailyHelping, which has long been a huge fan of the Sopranos, accepts The Wire as the best of the best.

Best of the past ten…(Television Drama)

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:02:28 +0000

The Daily Helping has sought to promote many quality television dramas that may not be on the current schedule, but easily accessible at Netflix or Amazon.com. It was a remarkable decade for quality television and even the most cynical of television watchers would have to point to the past ten years as a true watershed of classic, intelligent entertainment, not just on HBO and Showtime, but also TNT, WB and the networks.

It was however on HBO that you could find David Chase’s brilliant Jersey- Mob saga, The Sopranos. In a decade filled with outstanding dramas, it was clear that there were The Sopranos and then there was everybody else. From January of 1999 to the summer of 2007, there was no one else operating on the same creative plane. The ensemble was led by the previously unknown James Gandolfini, a burly character actor who more than delivered when handed the role of a lifetime. Few dramas over the years left the air with such anticipation and fostered so many permanent cultural icons.

The Sopranos set the bar high early in the decade and arguably spurred on the creative output by other cable networks and elevated the appetite for a now more loyal and sophisticated viewer.

The Daily Helping also salutes some very viable candidates: The West Wing, Deadwood, Six Feet Under, The Wire, The Shield, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Lost , Battlestar Galactica and Dexter.

Matt Damon goes viral…

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:06:46 +0000

Viral marketing be it for a film, beauty product or charity may be overtly manipulative but that doesn’t mean it can’t be entertaining. Places like YouTube, Twitter and the web’s plethora of gossip sites are great launching pads for these creative vehicles that are anonymous and compelling and downloaded a million times before lunch. What may seem like something too good to keep to yourself, may be packaged for word of mouth all along.

Take for example a “behind the scenes” clip that has made it’s way around the web in record time after being launched just within the last twenty-four hours. With it’s shaky camera phone feel and a celebrity going nuts on another…it has all the appeal one can ask for. Those who see this clip think it’s another Christian Bale type meltdown when in fact it’s a scripted scene that will likely materialize on HBO’s hit bromance, Entourage.

Matt Damon is capable of generating a huge wave of publicity for his favorite charity called OnexOne.org. Viewers are led to believe that they’re watching Damon direct a very quick promotional spot from another hip actor, Adrian Grenier who plays A-list superstar Vinnie Chase. Also shown in this “behind the scenes meltdown is Entourage co-star, Jeremy Piven, who seems suitably distraught as well.

Don’t be surprised to hear that Matt Damon went off on Grenier. It’s big news particularly when documented on film. Such an uncomfortable situation is irresistible and impossible to keep to one’s self.

Have a look and enjoy Matt Damon’s performance. He shows that he has a knack for these viral videos. Don’t forget how he and Sarah Silverman owned YouTube for a few weeks.

Nurse Jackie knows where it hurts.

admin — Sun, 24 May 2009 17:21:56 +0000

Showtime has supplanted HBO as the premier venue for original series, adult dramas or comedy. (Or when blended, the “dramedy”).

Home to such current critical and audience favorites as Weeds, The Tudors, The L Word and Dexter, Showtime has secured creative momentum and takes the kind of risks that used to define HBO in the salad days of Sex in the City, The Larry Sanders Show, Oz , Six Feet Under and of course, The Sopranos.

Showtime is launching a half-hour long dark comedy called Nurse Jackie. The show provides the brilliantly talented Edie Falco, (forever known as Carmella Soprano) with a juicy, multi-layered role. The no-nonsense ER nurse found on television is twisted to accommodate a more sophisticated and forgiving audience. Let’s not forget that Showtime’s Dexter has made it OK to root for the serial killer.

Nurse Jackie is extremely competent and grudgingly works alongside some familiar hospital drama stereotypes. The foolish, incompetent doctors, the impressionistic trainee, the hypocritical administrative types, they’re all there, but the pace and writing of the show won’t allow for familiar mediocrity.

Falco’s nurse Jackie is flawed. Though she operates above the fray believing that the end justifies the means, the viewer immediately understands that this is an anti-hero who can rationalize behavior unbecoming our perception of the supreme care giver we desperately rely upon when rushed into the emergency room. Jackie snorts pain medication in order to continue to do her job. She relieves stress with impromptu sexual trysts in the break room and is not above losing a severed ear when she finds the owner of said ear…repulsive. Forgery, adultery and a little theft are all in the course of duty for Nurse Jackie as she makes things all better.

It’s doubtful the nursing industry will appreciate the questionable decisions made by this medical professional, though a few nurses may privately enjoy seeing someone responding to situations in a way that they’d like to…not as they’re supposed to. (Think policemen watching Dirty Harry or The Shield’s Vic Mackey).

Showtime is providing a free look at their pilot episode. You can watch the episode by clicking here, and then typing in the password: shifthappens when prompted.

Give it a look.

I got your Golden Globes right here.

admin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:19:02 +0000

Tonite are the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association needs no help in promoting their star-studded, network televised event. The show is pretty glitzy and the blending of television and film stars generally makes this one of the more popular award shows. Though the judges represent 55 different countries and about 200 foreign entertainment magazines, there is no denying the impact that a win might have on both the box office and Oscar chances.

I won’t bore you with reviews of the nominees but I do want to go on the record with my choices for some of the major awards. If you have any opinions to the contrary, or agree…you’re certainly welcome to share your thoughts.

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television

A Raisin in the Sun
Bernard and Doris
Cranford
John Adams
Recount

I’ve seen only two of these, but I feel pretty comfortable that John Adams is going to take this one. If you haven’t seen this HBO historical drama, then get ye to the video store.

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Musical Or Comedy

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Kevin Connolly, Entourage
David Duchovny, Californication
Tony Shalhoub, Monk

Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock. This is going to be a big year for 30 Rock and Baldwin is a huge reason why viewers are finally tuning in to what may be television’s funniest show.

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Musical Or Comedy

Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

This has been an amazing year for Tina Fey and a Golden Globe is going to be just one more well-deserved accolade.

TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

30 Rock
Californication
Entourage
The Office
Weeds

The Office and Entourage are viable, but the night is going to belong to 30 Rock.

ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors

I will admit not to being a fan of Mad Men. I was tempted when I heard the creator and lead writers were from the Sopranos, but I just couldn’t get attached. Dexter is getting some publicity but when all is said and done, this is the foriegn press voting here and they love Hugh Laurie. It’s not that he doesn’t deserve his award, but I think Dexter has the buzz, just not enough to win here.

ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
January Jones, Mad Men
Anna Paquin, True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

I know little about any of these shows. My pick is purely out of the blue based on a hunch. Go with the Closer’s Kyra Sedgwich here. Anna Paquin is a wild card here because True Blood is quickly developing some fans.

TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

Dexter
House
In Treatment
Mad Men
True Blood

I don’t know that the rest of the world is excited by Mad Men. Maybe I’m underestimating the global appetite, but I think blood is going to be the deciding factor. Vampires or serial killer; I’m going to give the edge to True Blood. HBO could use the boost.

DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

Boyle worked with a co-director (Indian director), Loveleen Tanden, to help with an all-Indian cast. Even with the help, there’s no denying the accomplishment here. I’ll acknowledge that I was disappointed with Benjamin Button and a big part of that is I’m huge fan of David Fincher. This was just not a good story for someone with his abilities.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Want a real sleeper here? Viola Davis. She had less than ten minutes in a movie starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. In a film filled with dramatic flourish, Ms Davis provided the most powerful performance. Marisa Tomei is who I’d like to win. She’s part of The Wrestler’s underdog popularity and I don’t know anyone who wasn’t impressed with that body.

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger will win this and will probably win the Oscar, come Spring. Sentiment aside, this is the kind of role that defines a career and it’s a shame he couldn’t follow up with something more worthwhile than Terry Gilliams, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. As for Tom Cruise, I will admit it was a great cameo but I don’t think he belongs in this category. I don’t see Hoffman’s role as a supporting role either, but it won’t matter anyway.

ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

I haven’t seen Last Chance Harvey but I think I’d have heard some scuttlebutt about Thompson’s performance if there was a chance here. Sally Hawkins drove people crazy with her perkiness, McDormand was pretty dreary and Meryl Streep sings ABBA. That leaves Rebecca Hall. She was actually terrific in a very good Woody Allen movie. That would usually do it but again, this is the foriegn press doing the judging. How can you compete with ABBA? I think Meryl’s going to dance away with this one.

ACTOR, COMEDY OR Musical
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

Not a lot of people saw In Bruges. It was a very original movie with more violence than you would expect. It also took place in Europe and this was a pretty popular movie overseas where here it qualified for art house distribution. With all that said, everone like Bardem and he carries the movie. I think this is going to be the one award that Vicky Cristina Barcelona wins all evening.

BEST MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Mamma Mia has sold a lot of DVD’s overseas. It was a critical hit over there, where over here people were being warned that Pierce Brosnan would be singing. I really liked Vicky Cristina Barcelona and it was primarily a foriegn film save for the director and his muse, Scarlett Johansson. One of the big differences between the Golden Globes and the Oscars is that Mamma Mia coud win this.

ACTRESS, DRAMA
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

These are all very good nominees but I think you have to go with Anne Hathaway here. I also think that if she wins here, she will draw more attention to Rachel Getting Married, and that will enhance her chances for a big Oscar night. The foriegn press loves Angelina Jolie and this was a great role for her, but her bright red lips stole the movie and I think that Hathaway has the buzz.

ACTOR, DRAMA
Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

This is all about Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke. I also think it will boil down to these two come Oscar-time as well. Since this is the Hollywood Forigen Press, I’m going to say Mickey Rourke is going to not only win, but get one of those sentimental, standing ovations. He’s a come back story that everyone likes to hear about…despite the fact that he was his own worst enemy for many years and primarily the reason he disappeared in the first place. He’s also been talking smack to anyone who will listen about Sean Penn’s performance as Harvey Milk. This guy needs to just shut up and accept the awards that are coming his way, deservedly so. If you haven’t seen The Wrestler, you should do so soon. It’s a brutal look at Professional wrestling, but it’s also as gritty a performance as anyone is going to see in a very long time. (More on this movie in an upcoming post).

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog will win this. If you haven’t seen this movie, do so soon. Also, don’t be so quick to leave the theatre. The closing credits are pure Bollywood, and it’s fantastic. My sense is that this is going to be the big award for Slumdog Millionaire. The Oscars are going to boil down to Milk and The Wrestler and maybe even Batman, but the Golden Globes are all about entertainment and that’s what Slumdog delivers.