Monday, Sep 5, 2005
... there is no action! Wrong!
Just look at the most well written, cast and produced American drama in ages: The West Wing. Starring Martin Sheen in his best role apart from Apocalypse Now, John Spencer as the man who runs the entire show, Rob Lowe in his comeback-part and many other notable actors such as Allyson Janney, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff or Stockard Channing, The West Wing also features the best scripts on TV (at least during its first 4 seasons) written by the remarquable Aaron Sorkin. The Bartlett administration on The West Wing has everything people want the most important American office to have but the current president of the US lacks. A great, modern president, some of the best advisors and of course humanity. The West Wing does not only look at American problems the American way but looks at things from a wider angle, and this is why the show has been a hit in Europe too.
While I've not seen any episodes from the 5th or 6th season, I've heard that quality has gone downhill since Sorkins departure. Let's hope that it will be up again in the 7th season or we'll soon have to watch a soapy-nanny-like "Commander in-chief" instead of the West Wing!
Just look at the most well written, cast and produced American drama in ages: The West Wing. Starring Martin Sheen in his best role apart from Apocalypse Now, John Spencer as the man who runs the entire show, Rob Lowe in his comeback-part and many other notable actors such as Allyson Janney, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff or Stockard Channing, The West Wing also features the best scripts on TV (at least during its first 4 seasons) written by the remarquable Aaron Sorkin. The Bartlett administration on The West Wing has everything people want the most important American office to have but the current president of the US lacks. A great, modern president, some of the best advisors and of course humanity. The West Wing does not only look at American problems the American way but looks at things from a wider angle, and this is why the show has been a hit in Europe too.
While I've not seen any episodes from the 5th or 6th season, I've heard that quality has gone downhill since Sorkins departure. Let's hope that it will be up again in the 7th season or we'll soon have to watch a soapy-nanny-like "Commander in-chief" instead of the West Wing!
Friday, Jul 1, 2005
... my return to American network's orginal shows.
Let me clarify right from the beginning that I live in Europe and that for the last few years, due to different assignments and the european channels not scheduling US shows in prime-time, I was unable to watch on TV what I liked most: The american network's original programming. Well, thanks to the DVD, I am now able to watch almost everything, from great to poor, I missed these last years.
Let me speak today of the first "next-generation show" that I only discovered on DVD: 24! In my opinion, this is one of the greatest shows ever made. Not only is Kiefer Sutherland a wonderful actor and Elisha Cuthbert a very attractive girl, but the show has what most series produced in the second half of the 90s missed: originality. Even if the scripts aren't always coherent, this show reaches a new level for action shows on television. Even the supporting cast in this show is great: Xander Berkeley, Richard Burgi are only two names that we tv-fans will remember for a long time. Good quality shows off: 24 was an instant hit in Europe! In France, Germany and the UK, it has become some sort of kult-show following the path of the X-Files - meaning: Many devoted fans from all demographics. Unfortunately, the third season will only be released on DVD in a few weeks, so everything I've seen from this show is the first second seasons. If I had to rate the show, I'd slightly prefer the first season over the second, but I hear season 3 is even better. Let's see...
In my next blog: An ensemble of devoted people who have to deliver each day more than just 100%. Can you guess the show?
Let me clarify right from the beginning that I live in Europe and that for the last few years, due to different assignments and the european channels not scheduling US shows in prime-time, I was unable to watch on TV what I liked most: The american network's original programming. Well, thanks to the DVD, I am now able to watch almost everything, from great to poor, I missed these last years.
Let me speak today of the first "next-generation show" that I only discovered on DVD: 24! In my opinion, this is one of the greatest shows ever made. Not only is Kiefer Sutherland a wonderful actor and Elisha Cuthbert a very attractive girl, but the show has what most series produced in the second half of the 90s missed: originality. Even if the scripts aren't always coherent, this show reaches a new level for action shows on television. Even the supporting cast in this show is great: Xander Berkeley, Richard Burgi are only two names that we tv-fans will remember for a long time. Good quality shows off: 24 was an instant hit in Europe! In France, Germany and the UK, it has become some sort of kult-show following the path of the X-Files - meaning: Many devoted fans from all demographics. Unfortunately, the third season will only be released on DVD in a few weeks, so everything I've seen from this show is the first second seasons. If I had to rate the show, I'd slightly prefer the first season over the second, but I hear season 3 is even better. Let's see...
In my next blog: An ensemble of devoted people who have to deliver each day more than just 100%. Can you guess the show?
Some people just don't have opinions. Like Muerz.
Muerz must really love MovieTome and agree with every review we've ever written! What other reason could Muerz possibly have for not rating a single film?
