Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (5 Viewers)

[Chaka]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

 

[Chaka]

Californication

I'd never seen this David Duchovny series before, so I gave it a shot. Not the best way to approach it since I started with season 4. I must say that this series is no better than Entourage. I watch Entourage, but I fully admit that the series is the male equivalent of Sex and the City. Californication is an empty, star ####ing fluff that goes out of its way to glamorize drugs and debauchery. I am all for drugs and debauchery, but the real thing is far more interesting than this series.

I cant speak for Season 4, but the first 2 seasons were really good. Not sure if I caught the 3rd season or not.

I think I gave up on this after season 1. Sure it was funny at times but it was pretty much wash, rinse, repeat and I got bored with it.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Eyes Wide Shut - While I don't do number type ratings for movies I find that a good way for me to judge how much I enjoyed a film is by how much time I spend on FBG while watching said film. I spent most of the film tooling around here while waiting for something to happen in the film. It wasn't bad, and I thought it was visually very interesting (even beyond the prodigious nudity), rather it was meandering, random (at times) and felt, ultimately, pointless. And why was Kidman even in the film? She gets like 10 minutes of screen time and most of that was without dialogue. I was hoping for a little more from the film that Kubrick believed was his best work.

I don't disagree with your complaints. It'd be hard to talk you into this, but here's a movie that is better every time I see it.

Actually I could see that. It seems to be filled with nuance and there is probably a lot of allegorical content that I simply missed. I am not sure how many times I want to invest three hours into the same movie but this is one I would probably revisit.One of the things that bothered me initially was the Hungarian dude who tried to seduce Kidman at the party. I found nothing about that sequence, except her rejection of him, to be even remotely believable. Not the premise, not the dialogue, not the acting and being that it occurred so early in the film it put me off for awhile.

I dig. I bought it. Are you saying there's no way she'd ever be attracted to him?

 

[jdoggydogg]

Californication

I'd never seen this David Duchovny series before, so I gave it a shot. Not the best way to approach it since I started with season 4. I must say that this series is no better than Entourage. I watch Entourage, but I fully admit that the series is the male equivalent of Sex and the City. Californication is an empty, star ####ing fluff that goes out of its way to glamorize drugs and debauchery. I am all for drugs and debauchery, but the real thing is far more interesting than this series.

I cant speak for Season 4, but the first 2 seasons were really good. Not sure if I caught the 3rd season or not.

Cool. I like Duchovny enough to watch more.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

Yes. There's so much to like in Deadwood - the writing in particular. But I am hard pressed to come up with a more compelling character than Al. The scene where Al and that preacher share that final moment is the most poignant thing I've ever watched.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Eyes Wide Shut - While I don't do number type ratings for movies I find that a good way for me to judge how much I enjoyed a film is by how much time I spend on FBG while watching said film. I spent most of the film tooling around here while waiting for something to happen in the film. It wasn't bad, and I thought it was visually very interesting (even beyond the prodigious nudity), rather it was meandering, random (at times) and felt, ultimately, pointless. And why was Kidman even in the film? She gets like 10 minutes of screen time and most of that was without dialogue. I was hoping for a little more from the film that Kubrick believed was his best work.

I don't disagree with your complaints. It'd be hard to talk you into this, but here's a movie that is better every time I see it.

Actually I could see that. It seems to be filled with nuance and there is probably a lot of allegorical content that I simply missed. I am not sure how many times I want to invest three hours into the same movie but this is one I would probably revisit.One of the things that bothered me initially was the Hungarian dude who tried to seduce Kidman at the party. I found nothing about that sequence, except her rejection of him, to be even remotely believable. Not the premise, not the dialogue, not the acting and being that it occurred so early in the film it put me off for awhile.

She had had a few drinks by the time she started dancing with him. And since women go more by how a man makes her feel than how he looks, there's a definite possibility that she could fall for him in such a set of circumstances.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

I loved Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue as well. I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

 

[wikkidpissah]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

 

[jdoggydogg]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

You didn't find anyone you liked in Deadwood? Methinks a few more episodes might change your mind.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

I know I'm jumping into the conversation here, but strangely, I did not like True Grit.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

You didn't find anyone you liked in Deadwood? Methinks a few more episodes might change your mind.

if he didn't like season 1, he probably won't like season 2.this seems to happen pretty often when you have really high expectations for something before watching it.

 

[Sconch]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

You didn't find anyone you liked in Deadwood? Methinks a few more episodes might change your mind.

if he didn't like season 1, he probably won't like season 2.

It's not like Deadwood gets "better".

 

[wikkidpissah]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

You didn't find anyone you liked in Deadwood? Methinks a few more episodes might change your mind.

i watched 3 eps at my friend's. when i rented it, i think i tried 2-3 beyond that. not saying it sucked - it just left me cold. i'd like to revisit sometime, because it seems so inexplicable except when im watching it, but i see too few DVDs anymore to make a 3rd try at something i clearly didnt "get".

 

[Sconch]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

You didn't find anyone you liked in Deadwood? Methinks a few more episodes might change your mind.

i watched 3 eps at my friend's. when i rented it, i think i tried 2-3 beyond that. not saying it sucked - it just left me cold. i'd like to revisit sometime, because it seems so inexplicable except when im watching it, but i see too few DVDs anymore to make a 3rd try at something i clearly didnt "get".

I'm with this guy. I really wanted to like this show but after 4-5 episodes I just couldn't deal with it any more. I understand the appeal but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

 

[joffer]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

i'm half way through season 1, and i have to say a ireally like it, but i don't see the "epic all-time" quality. good writing, good characters, good stories, but not on the level of some others

 

[jdoggydogg]

Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

I know I'm jumping into the conversation here, but strangely, I did not like True Grit.

I loved it

 

[jdoggydogg]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

You didn't find anyone you liked in Deadwood? Methinks a few more episodes might change your mind.

if he didn't like season 1, he probably won't like season 2.this seems to happen pretty often when you have really high expectations for something before watching it.

I concur, although I imagine getting serviced by Bar Refaeli is exactly as good as I imagine it.

 

[jdoggydogg]

I don't know what to tell you. We don't normally see writing and characters this good even in film. Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

its not out on DVD yet, is it? looking fwd to it. believe me, i love most attempts to deconstruct the old western, but Deadwood made me feel like i was standing boot deep in mud, leaning up against a splintery fence in order to listen to a guy i didnt like.

You didn't find anyone you liked in Deadwood? Methinks a few more episodes might change your mind.

i watched 3 eps at my friend's. when i rented it, i think i tried 2-3 beyond that. not saying it sucked - it just left me cold. i'd like to revisit sometime, because it seems so inexplicable except when im watching it, but i see too few DVDs anymore to make a 3rd try at something i clearly didnt "get".

To each his own

 

[Thread Killer]

Ninja Assassin.

Meh. I tried watching it twice, and fell asleep both times.

Zombieland.

I thought this was going to be as boringas Ninja Assassin, but it was actually really fun and funny.

The Bill Burray part was weird but hilarious.

:doubletap:

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Zombieland.I thought this was going to be as boringas Ninja Assassin, but it was actually really fun and funny.The Bill Burray part was weird but hilarious.:doubletap:

Do you have any regrets?Garfield...maybe.

 

[Chaka]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

Deadwood is definitely not accessible to everyone and I can completely understand why it would not resonate with many people. The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people. I don't think I truly gained an appreciation for the show until late in the first season when I finally adapted to the way in which they speak.Once I made that adaptation I began to see that the dialogue was, to me, pure poetry and upon repeat viewings I always found I picked up something that I had previously missed.

Added to that are the incredible production values, IIRC it cost $2mil/episode to produce, and colorful secondary & tertiary characters that really brought the town of Deadwood to life.

I have seen it through three times and would gladly go for a fourth.

 

[Sconch]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

 

[Chaka]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

Is that an opinion or a researched statement?

 

[jdoggydogg]

Ninja Assassin. Meh. I tried watching it twice, and fell asleep both times.

Although this is a rote martial arts experience, I enjoyed it. I guess the visuals were impressive enough to keep me interested.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

Deadwood is definitely not accessible to everyone and I can completely understand why it would not resonate with many people. The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people. I don't think I truly gained an appreciation for the show until late in the first season when I finally adapted to the way in which they speak.Once I made that adaptation I began to see that the dialogue was, to me, pure poetry and upon repeat viewings I always found I picked up something that I had previously missed.

Added to that are the incredible production values, IIRC it cost $2mil/episode to produce, and colorful secondary & tertiary characters that really brought the town of Deadwood to life.

I have seen it through three times and would gladly go for a fourth.

This is what seals it for me. It's poetry on par with anything I've seen.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

i felt similarly - that the words didnt fit the people speaking them. which makes me think that dogg & chaka have it - that there's a level upon which one hears it, and another which others don't. ona those things....

 

[jdoggydogg]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

I'll defend Deadwood's vernacular with the same defense I used for the Coens' True Grit: I think people don't realize how literate America was before radio and television. Sure, the peons wouldn't speak formally. But anyone with a halfway decent education in this period would invariably sound more mellifluous than a modern educated American.

 

[jdoggydogg]

If you're looking for a good horror movie, check out Dario Argento's Deep Red. The Blu Ray release is out this week.

Ignore the cheesy music and the sketchy acting. This movie made me want my mommy.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Californication

I'd never seen this David Duchovny series before, so I gave it a shot. Not the best way to approach it since I started with season 4. I must say that this series is no better than Entourage. I watch Entourage, but I fully admit that the series is the male equivalent of Sex and the City. Californication is an empty, star ####ing fluff that goes out of its way to glamorize drugs and debauchery. I am all for drugs and debauchery, but the real thing is far more interesting than this series.

You might want to try watching it from the beginning. I'm not saying its the greatest show out there (haven't seen Season 4 yet) but starting on the 4th season is pretty dumb.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Californication

I'd never seen this David Duchovny series before, so I gave it a shot. Not the best way to approach it since I started with season 4. I must say that this series is no better than Entourage. I watch Entourage, but I fully admit that the series is the male equivalent of Sex and the City. Californication is an empty, star ####ing fluff that goes out of its way to glamorize drugs and debauchery. I am all for drugs and debauchery, but the real thing is far more interesting than this series.

You might want to try watching it from the beginning. I'm not saying its the greatest show out there (haven't seen Season 4 yet) but starting on the 4th season is pretty dumb.

Dumb, for sure. Free on Comcast? You betcha.

 

[Sconch]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

I'll defend Deadwood's vernacular with the same defense I used for the Coens' True Grit: I think people don't realize how literate America was before radio and television. Sure, the peons wouldn't speak formally. But anyone with a halfway decent education in this period would invariably sound more mellifluous than a modern educated American.

The writers weren't trying to accurately duplicate the speech of 1880s America. They were going for some sort of blend between Shakespeare and Good Fellas. I'm not saying that that's a bad thing. It just wore thin on me.

 

[Chaka]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

I'll defend Deadwood's vernacular with the same defense I used for the Coens' True Grit: I think people don't realize how literate America was before radio and television. Sure, the peons wouldn't speak formally. But anyone with a halfway decent education in this period would invariably sound more mellifluous than a modern educated American.

The writers weren't trying to accurately duplicate the speech of 1880s America. They were going for some sort of blend between Shakespeare and Good Fellas. I'm not saying that that's a bad thing. It just wore thin on me.

I am not saying that you are wrong but I would really like to know what you base that on? Did you see an interview with Milch or something?

 

[Sconch]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

I'll defend Deadwood's vernacular with the same defense I used for the Coens' True Grit: I think people don't realize how literate America was before radio and television. Sure, the peons wouldn't speak formally. But anyone with a halfway decent education in this period would invariably sound more mellifluous than a modern educated American.

The writers weren't trying to accurately duplicate the speech of 1880s America. They were going for some sort of blend between Shakespeare and Good Fellas. I'm not saying that that's a bad thing. It just wore thin on me.

I am not saying that you are wrong but I would really like to know what you base that on? Did you see an interview with Milch or something?

Do you honestly think your average American, living in the middle of BFE, used such flowery prose in during their daily conversations? The style of dialog is crafted. It's a creation of the writers/creators. I never said it was a bad thing. In fact it's one of the things that made the show such a hit with many people. I just wasn't one of them.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

http://www.slate.com/id/2100950/

Spoiler

But Deadwood was a real place—a 19th-century gold mining camp on Sioux treaty land in the Black Hills of what is now South Dakota—not a thought experiment, and this is where Milch has courted some trouble and confusion. In interviews, he has insisted that the show, particularly the flamboyantly vulgar dialogue, is based on rigorous historical research. Milch might be right that the quantity of swearing is historically accurate , but his show's language is dotted with obvious neologisms (one character uses the term "triangulate"; a drug addict refers to some opium as "good ####"). Some dimly literal-minded critics have used Milch's assertions against him, tallying up discrete anachronisms and mistaking these for aesthetic shortcomings. This is predictable but unfortunate, as it is precisely the dense mix of accuracy and artifice that makes Deadwood such a gorgeous creation.

....

Milch's attempt to capture a sense of historical distance with the speech patterns of Deadwood succeeds marvelously, but not because the dialogue achieves true realism or gritty accuracy. Deadwood's characters don't talk quite like us, but neither do they talk like Dakota scalawags in 1876 probably talked. Instead, the show's fidelity to the idea that the past is a foreign country results in dialogue that is just slightly stilted and formal, even as Deadwood's characters say the earthiest and vilest things. The combination yields the most deliciously literary television dialogue I've ever heard. For example: Wild Bill Hickok's killer, Jack McCall, is acquitted and he bellies up to Swearengen's bar to celebrate. But the threat of retribution hovering around the acquitted killer is bad for business. So, as Swearengen sees it, McCall's future doesn't involve celebrating in Deadwood:

"You buy me a drink and I'll make my mark," McCall crows.

"Stick around camp, Jack, and I'll make mine for you."

"What in the hell's that supposed to mean?"

"It means there's a horse for you outside you want to get on before somebody murders you who gives a #### about right and wrong, or I do."

Deadwood's characters utter long, serpentine sentences, in diction that—depending on the speaker—can ascend to courtly abstraction or sink to the ripest vulgarity. Newspaperman Merrick (Jeffrey Jones), distraught over Hickok's death and disgusted with McCall's acquittal, offers a sarcastic toast: "Should it ever be your misfortune, gentlemen, or mine, to need to kill a man, then let us toast, together, the possibility that our trials be held in this camp."

Given the show's treacherous context, the formality of much of the dialogue offers all kinds of room for strategic insincerity and corrosive irony. When a Deadwood character talks he's almost never saying just one thing. Indeed, one of the pleasures of Deadwood is observing what characters are doing when they speak, where they're heading, whom they're trying to fool and what secret messages they're transmitting. The camp's doctor (Brad Dourif, in perhaps the finest performance of his weird career) examines the corpse of a man who apparently fell to his death, but who was actually pushed off a ridge and then bludgeoned, as he lay groaning on the rocks, by one of Swearengen's men. When the man's widow (Molly Parker) presses the doc on whether he was murdered, the doc—who fears Swearengen like everyone else—responds with a perfect touch of overstatement: "Mrs. Garrett, I do not know how your husband's skull got caved in." Say no more, doc.

While this linguistic artfulness serves the necessary caution of Deadwood's inhabitants, it signals the sheer audacity of David Milch and his writers. They have staked themselves to a dramatic idea that, in its openly literary ambition, could have been laughable. Deadwood is a funny show alright, but that's because, in the unflagging brilliance of its execution, it fulfills its ambition.

 

[Sconch]

http://www.slate.com/id/2100950/

Spoiler

But Deadwood was a real place—a 19th-century gold mining camp on Sioux treaty land in the Black Hills of what is now South Dakota—not a thought experiment, and this is where Milch has courted some trouble and confusion. In interviews, he has insisted that the show, particularly the flamboyantly vulgar dialogue, is based on rigorous historical research. Milch might be right that the quantity of swearing is historically accurate , but his show's language is dotted with obvious neologisms (one character uses the term "triangulate"; a drug addict refers to some opium as "good ####"). Some dimly literal-minded critics have used Milch's assertions against him, tallying up discrete anachronisms and mistaking these for aesthetic shortcomings. This is predictable but unfortunate, as it is precisely the dense mix of accuracy and artifice that makes Deadwood such a gorgeous creation.....Milch's attempt to capture a sense of historical distance with the speech patterns of Deadwood succeeds marvelously, but not because the dialogue achieves true realism or gritty accuracy. Deadwood's characters don't talk quite like us, but neither do they talk like Dakota scalawags in 1876 probably talked. Instead, the show's fidelity to the idea that the past is a foreign country results in dialogue that is just slightly stilted and formal, even as Deadwood's characters say the earthiest and vilest things. The combination yields the most deliciously literary television dialogue I've ever heard. For example: Wild Bill Hickok's killer, Jack McCall, is acquitted and he bellies up to Swearengen's bar to celebrate. But the threat of retribution hovering around the acquitted killer is bad for business. So, as Swearengen sees it, McCall's future doesn't involve celebrating in Deadwood:"You buy me a drink and I'll make my mark," McCall crows."Stick around camp, Jack, and I'll make mine for you.""What in the hell's that supposed to mean?""It means there's a horse for you outside you want to get on before somebody murders you who gives a #### about right and wrong, or I do."Deadwood's characters utter long, serpentine sentences, in diction that—depending on the speaker—can ascend to courtly abstraction or sink to the ripest vulgarity. Newspaperman Merrick (Jeffrey Jones), distraught over Hickok's death and disgusted with McCall's acquittal, offers a sarcastic toast: "Should it ever be your misfortune, gentlemen, or mine, to need to kill a man, then let us toast, together, the possibility that our trials be held in this camp."Given the show's treacherous context, the formality of much of the dialogue offers all kinds of room for strategic insincerity and corrosive irony. When a Deadwood character talks he's almost never saying just one thing. Indeed, one of the pleasures of Deadwood is observing what characters are doing when they speak, where they're heading, whom they're trying to fool and what secret messages they're transmitting. The camp's doctor (Brad Dourif, in perhaps the finest performance of his weird career) examines the corpse of a man who apparently fell to his death, but who was actually pushed off a ridge and then bludgeoned, as he lay groaning on the rocks, by one of Swearengen's men. When the man's widow (Molly Parker) presses the doc on whether he was murdered, the doc—who fears Swearengen like everyone else—responds with a perfect touch of overstatement: "Mrs. Garrett, I do not know how your husband's skull got caved in." Say no more, doc.While this linguistic artfulness serves the necessary caution of Deadwood's inhabitants, it signals the sheer audacity of David Milch and his writers. They have staked themselves to a dramatic idea that, in its openly literary ambition, could have been laughable. Deadwood is a funny show alright, but that's because, in the unflagging brilliance of its execution, it fulfills its ambition.

Next thing you'll tell me is that during prohibition people didn't really talk like Tom Reagan.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

I'll defend Deadwood's vernacular with the same defense I used for the Coens' True Grit: I think people don't realize how literate America was before radio and television. Sure, the peons wouldn't speak formally. But anyone with a halfway decent education in this period would invariably sound more mellifluous than a modern educated American.

The writers weren't trying to accurately duplicate the speech of 1880s America. They were going for some sort of blend between Shakespeare and Good Fellas. I'm not saying that that's a bad thing. It just wore thin on me.

I am not saying that you are wrong but I would really like to know what you base that on? Did you see an interview with Milch or something?

i actually think that's a pretty good description of the way i heard it too. i'm a big fan of high-minded dialogic contrivances (ala Chayefsky or Sorkin) - that one just didnt register with me.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Next thing you'll tell me is that during prohibition people didn't really talk like Tom Reagan.

what's the rumpus?

 

[Chaka]

Deadwood

When I first saw this series, it easily assimilated into my favorite all time TV series list. But re-watching it, I'm convinced it's the best dramatic TV series ever made by a wide margin. And forget the TV comparisons, because Deadwood puts most movies to shame. Brilliant.

The Wire guys are gonna be offended but I think Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is perhaps the greatest character performance in the history of television.

As one who loved David Milch's work from the beginning (lit up when i saw his name in the Hill Street opening credits, never missed an ep of Blue & even mourned the passing of the 5-ep-long Big Apple) and felt a kinship toward him (mutual love of words, narcotics & thoroughbreds), few people looked forward to "Deadwood" like I. Only time ive ever begged the indulgence of a friend with HBO in order to watch a TV program. Stopping coming by after 3 programs. Rented it when it came out on DVD in hopes that i was too amped originally or there was something i didnt get the 1st time around. Nope. Left me totally cold.

The period manner of speaking and highly nuanced dialogue (almost no one ever comes out and says what they are thinking in plain English) are difficult for some people.

That's one thing that bothered me. This dialogue wasn't really realist for the period. It was forced.

I'll defend Deadwood's vernacular with the same defense I used for the Coens' True Grit: I think people don't realize how literate America was before radio and television. Sure, the peons wouldn't speak formally. But anyone with a halfway decent education in this period would invariably sound more mellifluous than a modern educated American.

The writers weren't trying to accurately duplicate the speech of 1880s America. They were going for some sort of blend between Shakespeare and Good Fellas. I'm not saying that that's a bad thing. It just wore thin on me.

I am not saying that you are wrong but I would really like to know what you base that on? Did you see an interview with Milch or something?

i actually think that's a pretty good description of the way i heard it too. i'm a big fan of high-minded dialogic contrivances (ala Chayefsky or Sorkin) - that one just didnt register with me.

Interesting. I think Sorkin is one of the prime examples of writing contrived dialogue. It almost feels as if he has never spoken to another human being.Network is all I know of Chayefsky's work but I am a huge fan of that.

 

[Sconch]

Next thing you'll tell me is that during prohibition people didn't really talk like Tom Reagan.

what's the rumpus?

You givin' me the high-hat?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Next thing you'll tell me is that during prohibition people didn't really talk like Tom Reagan.

what's the rumpus?

If I'd known we were gonna cast our feelings into words, I'd've memorized the Song of Solomon.

 

[cosjobs]

re: Deadwood dialogue

It really reminded me of Canterbury Tales. The middle English prose began as completely unapproachable, but when I stuck with it I began to comprehend, then appreciate the nuance and cadence. I now think Canterbury & Deadwood are two of the the most beautifully written pieces in the English language.

 

[Sconch]

re: Deadwood dialogue

It really reminded me of Canterbury Tales. The middle English prose began as completely unapproachable, but when I stuck with it I began to comprehend, then appreciate the nuance and cadence. I now think Canterbury & Deadwood are two of the the most beautifully written pieces in the English language.

Says the guy that sounds like he played "Confederate Calvary Officer #3" in Gettysburg.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

I know I'm jumping into the conversation here, but strangely, I did not like True Grit.

I liked it, didnt think it was great or anything. I havent seen enough movies from last year, but I probably wouldnt put it in the top 10. Bridges was great (though not near as good as in Crazy Heart), and it had a nice feel to it, but something was missing. Watched the original a few months after seeing the Coens, and the Coens version def crushes the original, as does Bridges over Wayne

 

[Andy Dufresne]

re: Deadwood dialogue

It really reminded me of Canterbury Tales. The middle English prose began as completely unapproachable, but when I stuck with it I began to comprehend, then appreciate the nuance and cadence. I now think Canterbury & Deadwood are two of the the most beautifully written pieces in the English language.

Says the guy that sounds like he played "Confederate Calvary Officer #3" in Gettysburg.

I'm actually friends with the guy that played the kid that Armistad asks "Come on, boy, what will you think of yourself tomorrow?" The one cowering by the fence.

 

[jdoggydogg]

re: Deadwood dialogue. It really reminded me of Canterbury Tales. The middle English prose began as completely unapproachable, but when I stuck with it I began to comprehend, then appreciate the nuance and cadence.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Did you see / like the Coens' True Grit?

I know I'm jumping into the conversation here, but strangely, I did not like True Grit.

I liked it, didnt think it was great or anything. I havent seen enough movies from last year, but I probably wouldnt put it in the top 10. Bridges was great (though not near as good as in Crazy Heart), and it had a nice feel to it, but something was missing. Watched the original a few months after seeing the Coens, and the Coens version def crushes the original, as does Bridges over Wayne

I bet that the more 2010 movies you watch, the higher you'll rank True Grit.

 

[wikkidpissah]

i actually think that's a pretty good description of the way i heard it too. i'm a big fan of high-minded dialogic contrivances (ala Chayefsky or Sorkin) - that one just didnt register with me.

Interesting. I think Sorkin is one of the prime examples of writing contrived dialogue. It almost feels as if he has never spoken to another human being.Network is all I know of Chayefsky's work but I am a huge fan of that.

Chayefsky gained his fame with the teleplay "Marty", which later became an Academy Award-winning movie in the 50s, where he elevated Brooklynese to epic levels of expression.

 

[saintfool]

i actually think that's a pretty good description of the way i heard it too. i'm a big fan of high-minded dialogic contrivances (ala Chayefsky or Sorkin) - that one just didnt register with me.

Interesting. I think Sorkin is one of the prime examples of writing contrived dialogue. It almost feels as if he has never spoken to another human being.Network is all I know of Chayefsky's work but I am a huge fan of that.

Chayefsky gained his fame with the teleplay "Marty", which later became an Academy Award-winning movie in the 50s, where he elevated Brooklynese to epic levels of expression.

"marty" is a terrific little film. very simple story but one well done. i especially like borginine's little monologue towards the end:

"You don't like her. My mother don't like her. She's a dog. And I'm a fat, ugly man. Well, all I know is I had a good time last night. I'm gonna have a good time tonight. If we have enough good times together, I'm gonna get down on my knees. I'm gonna beg that girl to marry me. If we make a party on New Year's, I got a date for that party. You don't like her? That's too bad."

Even better is that little moment of tenderness he offers "See, dogs like us, we ain't such dogs as we think we are." That's the line!

 

[jdoggydogg]

i actually think that's a pretty good description of the way i heard it too. i'm a big fan of high-minded dialogic contrivances (ala Chayefsky or Sorkin) - that one just didnt register with me.

Interesting. I think Sorkin is one of the prime examples of writing contrived dialogue. It almost feels as if he has never spoken to another human being.Network is all I know of Chayefsky's work but I am a huge fan of that.

Chayefsky gained his fame with the teleplay "Marty", which later became an Academy Award-winning movie in the 50s, where he elevated Brooklynese to epic levels of expression.

Excellent movie.