After an excellent discussion of politics, it's time to get back to the roots of this blog. I, for one, have still be reading and watching lots of interesting stuff this week.
Film: Smart People
I loved this film. It's billed as a romance, but I don't think I'd call it that. It's more a study of sad, depressed, dysfunctional people. Who happen to be smart. And one is a college English prof. And it's set in The Burgh. What isn't there to like? We all know that I don't watch a lot of romantic comedies; this is not a comedy. In the end, there hasn't been a great revelation. There hasn't been a significant change in any of the characters. Instead, the characters are aware of their short-comings and are trying to be less sad, depressed, and dysfunctional. Whether or not they succeed is not important. Heck, I can't even tell you if the film has a happy, romantic ending. I think that's why I like it. Well, that and the fact that Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, and Ellen Paige are all awesome. Oh, and if you happen to be an English prof (or a future English prof), or you ever took an English course in college, you may see a little too much of yourself, your English prof, and/or colleagues in this film, which just adds to the humor.
Television: Moonlighting
I have been feeling retro these past few weeks and have been walking down memory lane with David Addison and Maddie Hayes. I remember this show fondly but was afraid that my fond memories would end poorly upon rewatching (think Superfriends). Much to my surprise, this show stands the test of time (except for Maddie's wardrobe). The chemistry between Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd is amazing. I can only think of a handful of television duos to have such chemistry. Also, the writing is brilliantly funny. They were talking fast before the kids (and moms) of the WB/CW made it popular. Plus, they are constantly referencing the fact that they are a television show, yet no one blinks an eye when it happens. They tear down the fourth wall without anyone thinking much about it. Finally, they've got some fun people on the show. A very young Tim Robbins appears in one of the first eps and a very old Orson Welles appears in another. I am almost through Season 2 and couldn't be happier. I know the show eventually jumps the shark, but I am enjoying every moment until that happens. If you're feeling a little nostalgic, check out some old eps of Moonlighting. (By the way, the show appeared in 1985, 23 years ago. Does that make anyone else feel just a smidge bit old?)
Book: The Road
Go out and read Cormac McCarthy's saga of a father and son before it ends up at your local cineplex (due out in January). Set in a post-apocalyptic America, this book will send shivers up your spine. I have to warn you, though, nothing really happens in this novel. A father and his son are heading to the ocean where, hopefully, it will be warmer. They are following the road to get there but always vigilant in case one of the many cannibalistic hordes finds them. (There is no explanation but the world has died. There are neither animals nor plants left alive.) I was surprised to find myself so caught up in this world. Trust me, as you read you will never think of canned food, shopping carts, and shoes the same way. I am a bit concerned about the adaptation; Hollywood will have to make some significant additions to appeal to the masses. That's why I recommend reading this book now.
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15 comments:
Adult diapers here we come! Of course, when I watched Moonlighting when it was new I didn't get all of the jokes, and it fulfilled some fantasy in me to seem all adult and sophisticated.
Just think 23 years ago who would think that two decades later Bruce Willis would be the one on that show who is a major star. Who would have thought that would be the case ten years later in 1993 for that matter?
Adult diapers??? What???
PS - Seriously, how can you not enjoy that crazy little "Moonlighting" ditty?
Some walk by night...
That was the height of the crazy 80s tv theme songs. It's right up there with "Dallas" and "The Love Boat."
Great theme song...and I think we would be missing something if we did not discuss the great character actors in that show. Namely, Allyce Beasley (as Agnes DiPesto) and Curtis Armstrong (as Herbert Viola).
So what was the best crazy 80s theme song? "Different Strokes" deserves some play in that discussion.
Ah, 80's theme songs. Well, there are instrumentals (The A-team, Magnum, P.I., Kight Rider!!) and there are the ones with actual words (Family Ties, Fact of Life, WKRP, Three's Company, and Different Strokes is a great one)
The art of the theme song has really been lost, I think. I guess the original instrumentals are still good, but most of the rest are just snippets of existing pop songs. The one notable exception I can think of (an original theme song with lyrics) is That 70's Show - but even those lyrics aren't so specific to the show like the ones I mentioned. I guess 2 and Half Men also has limited lyrics (no, I don't watch it).
All excellent theme songs, Krista! The shows I watch these days have almost no theme song at all. They have "theme snippets" and that's it. The only theme songs I go around humming are oldies but goodies. Wait, what about the HBO shows? I usually fast-forward through the credits but they have some good instrumentals.
Yes, Allyce Beasley is excellent! Curtis Armstrong has yet to appear on the show. He might show up at the end of season two, though.
HBO's opening titles are the absolute best. I can watch them over and over because of the great music and visuals. They are definitely keeping the art of the opening title alive.
This includes Six Feet Under, Rome, Carnivale, Deadwood, Sopranos, and even John from Cincinnati (terrible show, but great credits and song). Love the John Adams theme music too. Big Love is the one exception--the song is too well-known ("God Only Knows") and the visuals aren't quite as imaginative.
Right now, I'm in love with the opening credits for True Blood. GREAT song. Probably my favorite new show of the year too.
Of course, HBO doesn't have to worry about cutting content for commercials. The show:commercial ratio has changed by a few minutes over the last twenty years or so, which is probably why most shows don't have theme songs anymore.
I absolutely loved the Carnivale theme and titles! Speaking of which, I have to check and see if the show is out on DVD. I really was upset when it was cancelled but would like to watch all the eps back-to-back. I know I missed a couple of them in there because I was a bit confused towards the end.
You can get Carnivale through Netflix. It's been in my queue for some time now.
Carnivale got SO, SO good around the middle of the second season. So it was a total bummer when it was canned! The show was actually starting to answer some questions about Ben, the preacher, the mysterious voice in the trailer, and Sophie.
Also, I will never understand why Deadwood got canceled in favor of the absolutely awful John from Cincinnati. That was a travesty too.
Hey, I thought of one. "Felicity" had an original theme song, with lyrics, for its opening titles in the 3rd and 4th seasons ("New Version of You"). It was an original song that was written just for the credits (a full-length version doesn't exist).
That's the most recent one I can think of, though. Everything else is original instrumental music or a pre-existing song.
Ahh, I actually thought of Felicity's first theme song - no real lyrics of course. I didn't know the second one was just for the show though.
I almost counted the first Felicity theme song, but it's really just Amy Jo Johnson moaning. So I think that counts more in the instrumental category. :-)
This is really sad, but I was flipping around the channels last night and guess what I found..."7th Heaven" has a theme song, WITH lyrics, that was obviously written for the show. ("7th heaven" is repeated over and over in the lyrics.)
I had forgotten about "7th Heaven." They did have that catchy, 80ish jingle.
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