TV SHOW REVIEW: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

Piper Chapman (Schilling), a woman from Connecticut, living in New York City who is sent to the women's Litchfield, NY federal prison for possessing a suitcase full of drug money for Alex Vause (Prepon), an international drug smuggler and Chapman's one-time lover. Sentenced to serve a fifteen-month sentence, Chapman must survive the hardships of prison life, and she may have to be a different person to do so.

Cast: Taylor Schilling, Jason Biggs, Michael Harney, Natasha Lyonne, Laura Prepon, Kate Mulgrew, Pablo Schreiber

Created by Jenji Kohan

Based on the book Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Review:

Jenji Kohan’s Weeds is the type of show that really divided a lot of people after certain massive changes utterly changed the landscape of that show. Personally, I’ve always been impressed by how bold Kohan was but I digress. I loved Weeds more often than not and it made me a big fan of Mary Louise Parker in the process. Kohan’s new series has some of the hallmarks of what people liked about the first few seasons of Weeds, sharp writing and a deft mix of comedy and drama. Orange is the New Black does occasionally head into melodramatic territory but the sharp writing and impressive ensemble keeps you interested throughout. The story unfolds with a Lost style series of flashbacks after the main plot is presented, each episode focuses on the backstory of one inmates, so we are introduced to the characters before we know their story. As a result, Kohan has us playing into a lot of stereotypes Piper experiences. I’d never call this a hard hitting Oz style prison drama but it does pack an emotional punch quite consistently while providing plenty of laughs along the way. Taylor Schilling, who looks like a pathetic version of Diane Kruger in this unglamorous role, does a solid job in the lead role. She’s believable as a yuppie trying to navigate prison but she isn’t tasked with carrying the entire series. Her character is complex and somewhat unlikable especially as the series progress. Luckily the supporting characters are just as interesting, occasionally more sympathetic, than the lead. The supporting actors and actresses make up one of the most eclectic cast assembled in recent memory. They run the gamut of Star Trek, That 70’s Show, American Pie franchise alums, to character actors who have populated the background of various movies or shows. Each one delivers a strong sense of authenticity to their characters. Kate Mulgrew turn is rather impressive since it’s so effective while she’s sporting a bad Russian accent. Jason Biggs does a solid job as Piper’s fiancé but his American Pie castmate, Natasha Lyonne, really shines throughout. Lyonne, who’d had her battles with addition, nails her portrayal of a former addict. She has a certain warmth and acidity to her performance while never overdoing it. Laura Prepon is nearly as impressive as Pipers ex-lover especially once her backstory is fleshed out. Laverne Cox provides a fascinating performance as a transgender inmate. Pablo Schreiber provides the most obvious antagonist throughout and he makes you hate his character more and more with each passing episode. The world they all create is incredibly rich with multiple characters bringing an engaging storyline to the series. This first season covers a lot of ground in the main and supporting characters emotional arches but leaves plenty to explore in season 2 which I’ll be looking forward to.

B+

TV SHOW REVIEW: House of Cards

Francis Underwood is Majority Whip. He has his hands on every secret in politics - and is willing to betray them all to become President.


Cast: Kevin Spacey, Michael Gill, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Michael Kelly, Corey Stoll

Executive Producers: David Fincher, Kevin Spacey, Eric Roth, Joshua Donen, Dana Brunetti, Andrew Davies, Michael Dobbs, John Melfi, Beau Willimon


Netflix’s decision to give original programming a shot was something that could have gone very badly. It could have been some cheaply produced muck with low rent actors. The decision to remake the British series House of Cards, after outbidding the cable networks, with A-list talent in front and behind the camera was a master stroke. With David Fincher at the helm for the first 2 episodes, allowing him to establish is distinctive style, gives the series instant legitimacy. The cast instantly shows you they are on their A game with an incredibly magnetic performance by Kevin Spacey at its center. The supporting cast such as a luminous Robin Wright textures the world being presented. Robin Wright’s performance as Underwood’s wife is just as interesting and complex as Spacey’s, a lesser actress could have faded into the background. Kate Mara continues to leave a noticeable impression even when working with some grade A talent. Other supporting players like Corey Stoll and Michael Kelly round out an impressive cast. The story and characters are all incredibly rich giving all these actors so much to work with throughout. Its plot feels like a MacBeth, King Lear hybrid blended into a modern day Washington all of it handled in an incredibly watchable and engrossing manner. Season 1 only failing speaks to effectiveness, the finale leaves you wishing you could watch season 2 instantly, a real triumph for Netflix.

A

Netflix Streaming Exclusive with all 13 episodes available

TV SHOW REVIEW: PEEP SHOW Series 1-7

TV SHOW REVIEW: PEEP SHOW Series 1-7

ON DVD / STREAMING VIA NETFLIX



Mark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.

Creators Andrew O'Connor, Sam Bain, Jesse Armstrong

Starring David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, Matt King, Isy Suttie, Paterson Joseph

Like a perverse “The Odd Couple” Peep Show is the kind of show that is sure to offend plenty of people and make every more people, like me, break into laughter just at the mention of it. It’s a series that’s so incredibly well written and performed that the comedic timing on display is truly something impressive to watch. Its distinctive point of view style, it decreases to a certain extent as the series goes by, gives it a fresh feel throughout. It’s the kind of show that feels very familiar but not at the same time. Its characters are all fairly dislikable and do terrible things to each other but like Seinfeld and its Always Sunny in Philadelphia it’s not off putting. Instead you are sucked into these characters lives and hilarious inner monologues as they go through the mundane minutia of their lives. David Mitchell and Robert Webb make a fantastic comedic duo, further proof can be found in the equally awesome “That Mitchell and Webb Look”, who just live and breathe their characters throughout the series. Mitchell has that frustrated repressed office drone persona down with Webb playing a perfect slacker foil. The supporting players are equally impressive and memorable. If shows like Arrested Development, Spaced, Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia or The IT Crowd make you laugh then Peep Show is required viewing.

A-

TV SHOW REVIEW: UNITED STATES OF TARA THE COMPLETE SERIES

TV SHOW REVIEW: UNITED STATES OF TARA THE COMPLETE SERIES

ON DVD / STREAMING VIA NETFLIX



A woman struggles to find a balance between her dissociative identity disorder and raising a dysfunctional family.

Created by Diablo Cody

Starring Toni Collette, John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt, Patton Oswalt, Keir Gilchrist, Brie Larson

United States of Tara is the type of show that’s easy to dismiss for plenty of people. Once some people see Diablo Cody’s name listed as the creator and writer of the show, I assume some people will just move one. Personally, I’ve been a fan of Cody since Juno and never went through the backlash about her writing style after that film came to prominence. I’ve enjoyed all the films she’s written, even liked Jennifer’s Body. I also have to admit I’ve been a big fan of Toni Collette since Muriel’s Wedding, so maybe I’m just a perfect mark for this show but none the less I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the 3 seasons of it. The writing and direction is excellent throughout, very few episodes ever fill like filler and deftly avoids falling into a repetitive pattern of plots. The cast of characters are all wonderfully written and well rounded over the life of the series. The cast is filled with wonderful actors whom I’d already been a fan of (Toni Collette and Patton Oswalt) and gave me new found respect for some I’d never given more than second thought (John Corbett & Rosemarie DeWitt). Toni Collette is front and center of course and her talents truly deliver throughout as she creates clearly defined personalities that go beyond wardrobe changes. Keir Gilchrist and Brie Larson deserve special attention because they really deliver even though their characters are written in the most “Codified” style. The cast as a whole gives the writing real heart and soul. The series, sadly, never had a proper finale and season 3 really heads down some interesting and dark roads. A shame but it doesn’t detract from an excellent run.

A

TV SHOW REVIEW: WEEDS SEASON 1 - 7

TV SHOW REVIEW: WEEDS SEASON 1 - 7



Synopsis:

Dark comedy about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in the fictional suburb of Agrestic, California. The series exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the of this gated community. Mary Louise Parker stars as the suburban mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies

Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Kevin Nealon, Justin Kirk

Weeds is an interesting show, for a dramedy it’s incredibly risky and bold, not just because of the subject matter either. Jenji Kohan has to be given credit for taking massive risk throughout the series’ 7 season run. Most shows stick with the status quo and stick with what works. Weeds, for better or worse, likes to stir the pot (pun intended). At its center is the lovely and snarky turn by Mary-Louise Parker. Parker has an interesting screen presence and an uncanny ability to deliver lines in a funny & sarcastic way. Her biggest talent is turning a character that becomes increasingly reckless, selfish and self centered likeable some how. It’s a daunting task to keep the audience on Nancy Botwin’s side and there are plenty of times that it’s impossible but regardless Parker make her interesting. Justin Kirk has a slightly easier time with Andy Botwin who starts off as kind of a mooch be really turns into the shows heart and soul. Andy functions nicely a passive stand in for the audience. Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould really grow into their roles both literally and artistically as the series goes on. Gould’s character in particular takes an interesting but decently foreshadowed turn as the series goes on. Kevin Nealon really flexes his comedic muscle as stoner / once well respected bureaucrat and accountant, like everybody else’s character his story line takes many a twist and turn. An assortment of excellent character actors and actresses pepper the series all leaving lasting impressions which are especially noticeable when their characters disappear from the series. Elizabeth Perkins, Allie Grant, Tonye Patano and Romany Malco in particular do fine work and causally tossed aside during various seasons. I’d be a liar if I said that Weeds wasn’t occasionally frustrating and maddening. Things change a lot over the course of the series. Season 1 is vastly different from Season 7 but then again the characters would be incredibly boring if they stayed the same forever. Wouldn’t they? If Season 7 is the end and a massive cliffhanger we’re left with is the end, part of me feels like its oddly fitting. Time will tell if we get a proper end or not.

B-