Dylan Baker

Film Review: Lauren Ambrose Shines in Heartbreaking Indie ‘About Sunny’

mattmovieman — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:31:06 -0400

CHICAGO – In the annals of bad parenting portrayed on film, the heroine of Bryan Wizemann’s 2011 indie drama is a special case indeed. Though we watch helplessly as she makes countless bad decisions guaranteed to send her young daughter to intensive therapy, we don’t regard her a sinister figure on the order of Monique’s monstrous matriarch in “Precious.” Our gaze is one of empathy.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

That’s because Wizemann’s film is remarkably observant in its exploration of the factors that led this single mother, Angela, to commit such desperate acts. She embodies the anxiety and rage of a working class that feels utterly abandoned by its own country. It’s difficult to be a nurturing parent when you’re living from paycheck to paycheck while struggling to keep your head above water in a society consistently at odds with your needs. Yet instead of transforming the tale into a political polemic, Wizemann allows the outrage to emerge organically from the dire situations that his tragic duo find themselves trapped within.

Read Matt Fagerholm’s full review of “About Sunny” in our reviews section.

Of course, a picture this sad and uncompromising with prove to be a tough sit for many viewers, and there are times when Angela’s misguided behavior verges on infuriating. Yet what keeps the viewer anchored throughout is the powerhouse performance by Lauren Ambrose (of “Six Feet Under” fame) as Angela. It’s difficult to think of another actress who could’ve pulled off this role so well. She earns our sympathy without softening any of her character’s rough edges. In many ways, she’s no less unsuitable for motherhood than Tilda Swinton’s wayward criminal in “Julia.” It’s clear from the get-go that Angela’s pint-sized daughter, Sunny (Audrey P. Scott), is the more clear-headed, perceptive and (let’s face it) adult of the two. She doesn’t dispel precocious wisdom like some hideous Hollywood caricature, but she is able to maintain her cool in crises that nearly cause her mother’s sanity to cave in. Whereas Angela’s frenzied mind is often clouded with irrationality, Sunny can often see straight to the heart of things. During the many tirades in which Angela projects her own self-loathing onto her daughter, Sunny maintains a stiff upper lip despite her agony. One gets the idea that Sunny will somehow manage to survive her circumstances and grow into the sort of woman Angela could never become.

‘About Sunny’ stars Lauren Ambrose, Audrey P. Scott, Dylan Baker and Penelope Ann Miller. It was written and directed by Bryan Wizemann. It was released May 24th at Facets. It is not rated.

Continue reading for Matt Fagerholm’s full “About Sunny” review.

Lauren Ambrose stars in Bryan Wizemann’s About Sunny.
Photo credit: Oscilloscope Laboratories

Film Review: Julie Delpy, Chris Rock in Sweet ‘2 Days in New York’

BrianTT — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:54:31 -0400

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Julie Delpy’s “2 Days in New York” is an amenable screwball comedy with some jokes that definitely fall flat and some awkward emotional beats in the final act but a likable tone that allows for easy passage over the screenwriting rough spots. Ms. Delpy is still charming and co-star Chris Rock is more effective here than he typically is in film. It’s just a likable little movie without pretension to be anything more.

The film is a sequel to Delpy’s “2 Days in Paris,” in which she played half of a couple with Adam Goldberg as they spent some awkward moments in the city of lights. This time, Goldberg is gone as Margot has moved on from that relationship and travelled with her son to New York, where she has fallen in love with a radio talk show host named Mingus (Rock). The film takes place over the two days that her father Jeannot (the filmmaker/actress’ actual papa Albert Delpy), sister Rose (Alexia Landeau), and sister’s boyfriend Manu (Alex Nahon) come to visit. To say that these three characters are meant to invoke screwball comedy would be to say that Woody Allen movies are a bit neurotic. Delpy is going for broad, wacky humor and so while I can see how the contrivances and stereotypes could annoy some critics and viewers, I found the consistency and likability of the film engaging enough to recommend.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “2 Days in New York” in our reviews section.

As for how Mingus and Margot’s relationship is tested by the arrival of her family, it ranges from minor irritants like the fact that Jeannot doesn’t really believe in showering to major ones like when Manu invites a drug dealer over to the house or when he has sex with Rose in their bathroom possibly including Mingus’ electric toothbrush in the proceedings. Margot seems to go off the rails a bit herself at the arrival of her family, constantly fighting with sister Rose and even going as far as telling neighbors Bella (Kate Burton) and Ron (Dylan Baker) that the reason her loud family is in town is because she’s dying of a brain tumor. Rose is convinced that Margot’s son has autism while Manu can’t stop making racist comments. It’s all very much in the vein of French screwball comedy although it’s now been filtered through a New York sensibility. Woody Allen has gone to Europe. I guess it makes sense for Julie Delpy to come to Manhattan.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “2 Days in New York” review.

“2 Days in New York” stars Julie Delpy, Chris Rock, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Alex Nahon, Kate Burton, and Dylan Baker. It was written and directed by Julie Delpy. It is now available On Demand and opens in Chicago on August 17, 2012.

2 Days in New York
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 30 Pairs of Passes to ‘2 Days in New York’ With Chris Rock, Julie Delpy

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:30:26 -0400

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 30 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of “2 Days in New York” with Chris Rock and Julie Deply! The film, which is Delpy’s follow up to “2 Days in Paris,” opens in Chicago on Aug. 17, 2012.

“2 Days in New York” also stars Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Alexandre Nahon, Kate Burton, Dylan Baker, Daniel Brühl, Talen Ruth Riley, Owen Shipman, Malinda Williams, Carmen Lopez, Emily Wagner, Arthur French and Petronia Paley from writer and director Julie Delpy and writer Alexia Landeau.

To win your free advance-screening movie passes to “2 Days in New York” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! This screening is on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning!

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at 5 p.m. CST. These Hookup winners will be awarded via e-mail that night.
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Here is the synopsis for “2 Days in New York”:

Hip talk-radio host and journalist Mingus (Chris Rock) and his French photographer girlfriend, Marion (Julie Delpy), live cozily in a New York apartment with their cat and two young children from previous relationships.

But when Marion’s jolly father (played by Delpy’s real-life dad, Albert Delpy), her oversexed sister and her sister’s outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for an overseas visit, it initiates two unforgettable days of family mayhem.

With their unabashed openness and sexual frankness, the triumvirate is bereft of boundaries or filters. No one is left unscathed in its wake. The visitors push every button in the couple’s relationship and truly put it to the test. How will the couple fare when the French come to New York?

The “2 Days in New York” movie poster with Chris Rock and Julie Deply.
Image credit: Magnolia Pictures

The “2 Days in New York” movie trailer can be watched now below.

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple! Just get interactive in our unique Hookup technology above. We will award 30 admit-two movie tickets based on social entry numbers and/or randomly via e-mail for our “2 Days in New York” Hookup. Good luck!

Disclaimer
Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Since showings are overbooked to ensure a full house, winners are not guaranteed entrance and must arrive early. We recommend arriving 45 minutes before the showing’s scheduled start time. HollywoodChicago.com LLC is a promotional partner with the studio and its partners and doesn’t assume any liability for this giveaway. Note: Comments are closed in this Hookup.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

TV Review: Sigourney Weaver Carries USA’s Disappointing ‘Political Animals’

BrianTT — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:40:18 -0400

CHICAGO – I’m a political junkie who naturally loves to follow the world of journalism as well and so I was psyched about the premiere of USA’s mini-series, “Political Animals,” a star-studded affair about how a powerful Washington family deals with a headstrong reporter and the secrets they still hope to keep. Sigourney Weaver makes her TV premiere in this political drama and she’s supported by a stunningly strong cast. Sadly, the writing lets them all down a bit, choosing soap opera over satire.

Television Rating: 3.0/5.0

Despite attestations by the people involved that the show isn’t meant to be a commentary on the Clinton family, the parallels are obvious. We meet Former First Lady Elaine Barrish (Weaver) on the night she is conceding her shot at the Presidency after a hard-fought campaign, which also happens to be the same evening that she asks her philandering ex-President husband (a scenery-chewing Ciaran Hinds) for a divorce. Two years later, Barrish is Secretary of State, dealing with a crisis involving journalists kidnapped in Iran and a long-term interview with a writer (Carla Gugino) who has expressed disdain for the powerful female figure before.

Political Animals
Photo credit: USA

Of course, it wouldn’t be a deconstruction of a political family without a few secrets. The Barrish family has two sons, one of which happens to be the Secretary’s Chief of Staff and is about to be married to a woman with secrets of her own and the other of which happens to be a drug-addicted, suicidally depressed homosexual. He gets a lot of drama in episode one to the point that it almost feels unfair but one imagines that “the more stable son” will have his share of future problems. Ellen Burstyn rounds out the cast as the crotchety matriarch who can say and do whatever she likes and will remind you of that fact. She’s the Maggie Smith of this “Downton Abbey.”

Political Animals
Photo credit: USA

And she rules. So does Weaver. So does Hinds. Even the young cast members are strong. Gugino over-plays a few beats but she’s always been an interesting actress and James Wolk reminds me that I wish “Lone Star” had been given more time to find an audience. If people like “Political Animals” it will be because of what the cast brings to it.

Because it certainly ain’t the writing. It may be dressed in more high-profile clothing, but this is sudsy soap opera writing not much different than what TNT is doing on “Dallas.” And I think the disguise of allowing viewers access behind the political curtain makes it more annoying. I don’t know what happens on a Dallas estate but I know damn sure that much of what goes down in “Political Animals” is the kind of activity that only happens on TV. Let’s ignore the fact that someone as politically acute as Barrish would know not to ask for a divorce on the night she ends her campaign (it would be too much fuel for those who thought she was riding her husband’s coattails), but she also wouldn’t say half the things she does to Gugino’s reporter in their very first scene together (an interview that makes Palin-Couric look downright cordial).

And then there’s the dialogue. Barrish spits out things like “I hate lying and telling people things will get better” while her husband spouts gems like “I don’t eat shit. I serve it.” As much fun as it is to imagine Bill Clinton saying that with a serious face to Hillary, it didn’t happen. It’s dialogue like that reminds one of the missed opportunity here. It doesn’t have teeth. It mistakes melodrama and vulgarity for bite.

But, damn, those great performances. Weaver is just fantastic and, despite my obvious reservations, I’m going to keep watching for her and much of the strong supporting cast (which will also include Vanessa Redgrave).

“Political Animals” is the kind of exaggerated world that only exists on TV and with the brilliant satire of “Veep,” the Shakespearean saga of “Boss,” the genius of “Game Change,” and other recent political gems with which to compare it, USA’s entry just barely loses the election. Although given how I expect it will do in the ratings, I look forward to the eventual second campaign.

“Political Animals” stars Sigourney Weaver, Ciaran Hinds, Carla Gugino, Ellen Burstyn, James Wolk, Sebastian Stan, Brittany Ishibashi, Adrian Pasdar, Dylan Baker, Dan Futterman, Roger Bart, and Vanessa Redgrave. It premieres on Sunday, July 15 on USA at 9pm CST.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

TV Review: Glenn Close, Rose Byrne Return For More ‘Damages’

BrianTT — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:31:48 -0400

CHICAGO – Can DirecTV do what so many other companies have failed to do and actually rewrite the way shows make it to air? They did something truly remarkable with their deal to co-produce and co-air “Friday Night Lights” and now they have taken it a step further by exclusively airing the new season of “Damages,” starting tomorrow night, July 13th, 2011. With a slightly new tone allowed by longer running time and no censorship, “Damages” feels rebooted, a familiar courtroom with a few new rules.

Television Rating: 4.0/5.0

It seems clear now that “Damages” will never quite match the overall quality of its brilliant first season. The second and third seasons were good but they felt a bit more convoluted and forced than chapter one despite some strong performances. The writing in subsequent seasons never quite matched the first and I think that’s one of the reasons that “Damages” never completely clicked with a wide audience. The show was a huge critical hit, earning multiple Emmy nominations, but it never found strong ratings. At least not strong enough for FX.

Damages
Photo credit: DirecTV

Now, weak for FX is impressive for a fledgling network, especially one with as horrendous a name as DirecTV’s Audience Network (which used to be “The 101”). In a brilliant move, someone at DirecTV decided that esteem is what they need now more than anything else. Get the name out there by taking a quality property like “Damages.” Why start from ground zero? What harm it could do to take a show with a built-in following, even if that audience may be relatively small? And if they could land an Emmy nod or two out of it? It could put the network on the map.

Damages
Photo credit: DirecTV

One thing that hasn’t changed is the structure of “Damages,” which opens with a mysterious tragedy and then flashes back to detail how we got there. The premiere of the fourth season of “Damages” sets several plotlines and characters in motion but most are centered around the military industrial complex, personified by a Cheney-esque character played to slimy perfection by John Goodman, the main guest star for the new season, stepping into the shoes of notable guests like William Hurt, Ted Danson, and Martin Short (all three were nominated for an Emmy).

Goodman plays the head of High Star, a company that has clearly been up to no good in Afghanistan. At the beginning of the season, they’re up for renewal by the U.S. government while Ellen (Rose Byrne) is beginning an investigation into their practices. To do so, she has contacted an old friend (Chris Messina), who happens to be the only survivor of a mission that went very wrong. Dylan Baker also co-stars as the man who cleans up after particularly sinister messes are made.

What about Patty Hewes? In the premiere, it’s relatively unclear how she’ll play into the overall arc of the season, other than the fact that Ellen, somewhat surprisingly, still goes to the woman who tried to kill her for advice. The season premiere of “Damages” focuses heavily on Patty’s personal life. She is taking care of her granddaughter after the drama with her son from last season (this one picks up three years later, so the child can be a toddler) and trying to balance her career with the child’s care.

Damages
Photo credit: DirecTV

Last season featured an emphasis on a financial crisis that felt inspired by the Bernie Madoff ordeal and this year feels similarly ripped from the headlines as controversy around our involvement in the Middle East continues to play a role in daily headlines. What’s interesting about this arc is that it’s still unclear the specific role that Goodman’s character will play. The actor was perfectly cast, bringing a mix of menace and mirth to the role that not a lot of other actors could have pulled off. This is one of those guys who may honestly believe that the corners he cuts and the lives he puts in jeopardy are worth it for the greater good. One of the main reasons I’m excited for season four of “Damages” is the potential shown by John Goodman in the first episode. He’s stellar from minute one and a likely Emmy nominee next year.

Of course, Byrne and Close have been invited to the Emmy party before and they haven’t lost a step. They know these characters so well by now that the only concern is that they might be somewhat complacent in the parts. What other shades of Patty Hewes could Close have to show us? Only time will tell (and she plays a surprisingly small role in the premiere), but I never doubt actresses this talented. She’ll find something new this season. And I expect Byrne will as well.

It’s likely that both actresses and the writers of the show will be reinvigorated by the freedom allowed by the Audience Network. No commercials means a longer running time, which equates to a pace that feels less manic than “Damages” sometimes did on FX. The premiere is a slow burn more than the fires we’ve seen in the past and I think that’s a product of both the new home and the running time. The writers are giving scenes more room to breathe, making a show that feels more like AMC or HBO than FX.

Where will “Damages” go from here? Will critics and the Academy still recognize it on another network? I hope so. The premiere of season four certainly doesn’t represent a drop in quality from the last two, so why shouldn’t we pay it as much attention? Just because it’s in a new home. Nonsense. Of course, I know a lot of you don’t have DirecTV. Find a friend who does.

Until then, check out last season, recently released on DVD only (boo) from Sony. The third season of “Damages” was a strong 4/5, another installment that earned multiple Emmy nominations (and should have earned at least one more for the woefully-underrated Tate Donovan). Special features on the complete third season box set from Sony include a commentary on Episode 3.7 by Martin Short, Glenn Kessler, Todd A. Kessler, & Daniel Zelman, commentary on episode 3.13 by Rose Byrne, Tate Donovan, both Kesslers, & Zelman, deleted scenes, “Directing ‘Damages’,” episode introductions, “Damages Season 3 — A Look Back,” “Sometimes You Just Get Damaged Blooper Reel,” and season three teaser.

“Damages” stars Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, Dylan Baker, Chris Messina, and John Goodman. The fourth season premieres on The Audience Network on DirecTV on Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 at 9pm CST.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Trick ‘r Treat’ is Shockingly Tasty Horror Anthology

BrianTT — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:00:00 -0400

CHICAGO – From producer Bryan Singer (“X-Men,” “Superman Returns”), “Trick ‘r Treat” is a fantastic horror anthology film that has inexplicably been rolling around the Warner Bros. offices for years, having initially been scheduled for release back in 2007. Finally getting a Halloween-tied Blu-Ray release, this is one of the best straight-to-DVD horror flicks in years, a consistently clever and enjoyable genre entry that will have horror fans screaming in glee this holiday season.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

I will never understand why junk like “The Stepfather” and “Saw VI” get national, heavily-marketed releases but something like “Trick ‘r Treat,” which has won festival awards and been buzzed about since it first started screening, won’t be playing on a screen near you this Halloween. This is one messed-up genre. I think if WB had found a way to market this film, especially with the star power of Anna Paquin coming off “True Blood,” they would have easily made back their investment.

Trick ‘r Treat was released on Blu-Ray on October 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

But that hasn’t happened and “Trick ‘r Treat” is about to become a cult classic. In fact, the film has received such a positive response from the people that have seen it that a sequel is already in the works. Horror films this good eventually find an audience.

Trick ‘r Treat was released on Blu-Ray on October 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

“Trick ‘r Treat” isn’t your traditional anthology film. There are separate stories but there are no chapters like “The Twilight Zone: The Movie”. Instead, the stories are intertwined as writer/director Michael Dougherty flashes back and forth on one crazy Halloween night. It’s more like “Pulp Fiction,” as we watch one thread and then flashback to watch another as it intertwines with what we already know. It’s a clever construct that keeps the 82-minute film moving briskly.

As for the individual stories, they all feel like something inspired by classics like “Tales From the Crypt” comics and “Creepshow”. Most have a twisted sense of dark humor and usually come with a gotcha twist ending, although that element doesn’t feel overplayed like so many horror films in recent years.

The plot threads in “Trick ‘r Treat” start with a couple (Leslie Bibb and Tahmoh Penikett of “Dollhouse”) coming home from their Halloween festivities. She begins to take down the extensive decorations in front of the house and you just know that one of the sheet-covered ghosts is going to have someone or something underneath. Dougherty is already playing with expectations of genre fans and staples of the holiday.

Trick ‘r Treat was released on Blu-Ray on October 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

The rest of “Trick ‘r Treat” features a high school principal who happens to be a serial killer (Dylan Baker), a young virgin (Anna Paquin) dressed as Red Riding Hood for the holiday but with a big surprise for her ‘wolf,’ a group of kids learning that you shouldn’t mess around near the site of a tragedy, and a Grinch-like figure (Brian Cox) terrorized by a visitor who really wants a treat.

Dougherty’s film isn’t perfect. A few of the gotcha endings fall flat and some of the dialogue could have used a rewrite, but it is an enjoyable, clever, briskly paced Halloween anthology movie and when’s the last time you saw one of those? And Dougherty wisely avoids the modern trend of sadistic horror, making a film that feels much more inspired by the horror of this filmmaker’s youth than the torture porn of something like “Saw”. Perhaps that’s why no one at WB could figure out how to get this crowd pleaser to the big screen.

Horror films that work this week are almost better off when they’re this mishandled by their studio. It allows the cult phenomenon to build and the buzz on “Trick ‘r Treat” has been deafening for awhile now. Surprisingly, it lives up to the hype.

And the theatrical branch of Warner Brothers may have screwed up the release of “Trick ‘r Treat” but the Blu-Ray is a beauty with crystal clear video and expertly mixed audio. The special features are copious and interesting including a commentary track, over fifteen minutes of deleted/extended scenes, an animated short called “Trick ‘r Treat: Season’s Greetings,” a school bus FX comparison, BD-Live features, and a holiday-based doc called “How Did Many of Our Scary Season Traditions Start?”

‘Trick ‘r Treat’ is released by Warner Brothers Home Video and stars Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker, Brian Cox, Tahmoh Penikett, Leslie Bibb, and Rochelle Aytes. It was written and directed by Michael Dougherty. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 6th, 2009. It is rated R.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

TV Review: Ambitious ‘Kings’ With Ian McShane Unlike Anything Else on Network TV

BrianTT — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:00:13 -0400

Television Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – You won’t see many shows much more ambitious than NBC’s “Kings”. The multi-character drama borrows from the story of King David to create a tapestry piece about power, corruption, and war. It’s dense, layered, complex storytelling that you rarely see on network television. In other words, I don’t think it’s going to be on very long.

“We give up what we want when we want power.” - King Silas Benjamin (Ian McShane, “Deadwood”)

In the two-hour premiere of “Kings,” directed by “I Am Legend“‘s Francis Lawrence (as are all of the first four hours) and created by “Heroes”’ Michael Green, we meet the popular King of Gilboa, Silas Benjamin, played with driven perfection by the great Ian McShane. His people have recently emerged stronger from a horrible war and the King lives with his Queen Rose (Susanna Thompson of “Once and Again”), outspoken Daughter Michelle (Allison Miller), and son Jack (Sebastian Stan).

Ian McShane and Chris Egan in Kings.
Photo credit: NBC/Eric Leibowitz

After an intriguing introduction that nearly prophesies what’s going to happen (“Kings” is rich with prophecy and symbolism), the show jumps forward a few years and the kingdom has been pushed into yet another war with the neighboring nation of Gath.

Chris Egan in Kings.
Photo credit: NBC/Andrew Eccles

A commoner that we met in the introduction watching the King on TV soon becomes a part of his circle. David Shepherd (Chris Egan of “Eragon,” a dead-ringer for Matt Damon), a wide-eyed, earnest soul is fighting on the front with his brother. When the King’s son is kidnapped by the opposition, David leads a charge to save him, even facing down a Goliath tank. (Get it?!?! A soldier named David against a Goliath tank.)

When David’s bravery is revealed, he becomes an icon and is invited to the king’s castle to be honored. It’s there that “Kings’ really kicks in as our hero falls for the lovely Princess and watches as the peace with Gath that he has put his life in jeopardy to achieve falls apart. There are people in the king’s inner circle who don’t want peace.

The ‘A plot’ of a corrupt king and the young man looking to stop the war is merely one part of “Kings”. Silas is also torn in two by his militaristic brother-in-law (Dylan Baker) and his religious advisor (Eamonn Walker of “Oz”). His son Jack hides a secret of which his father doesn’t approve. And the great Brian Cox and Miguel Ferrer pop up in episode three. And that’s just the beginning but I wouldn’t want to spoil the revelations of future weeks.

Will you make it that far to discover them for yourself? “Kings” reminded me of a recent show that had a huge following and dealt with issues of corruption and warfare - “Jericho”. Not a bad critical comparison, but fans of “Jericho” know what happened to that show. “Kings” features the kind of storytelling that requires patience and commitment, two things less common in the era of “Deal or No Deal”.

Ian McShane and Susanna Thompson in Kings.
Photo credit: NBC/Eric Leibowitz

On Sunday nights, do people want escapism like “Desperate Housewives” and “Family Guy,” or two hours of Shakespearian drama? Clearly, HBO has thrived on Sunday nights with rich, layered storytelling, but I have a tough believing that people are going to turn to NBC looking for the same thing. This is the same network that recently announced they were handing over five hours of primetime to a talk show host. They’re not exactly the first place you think of for something like “Kings”.

Why bring popular response to a review? Because network TV has something called the axe of cancellation. As ambitious and well-made as it is, “Kings” is the kind of show that I’m hesitant to get into or recommend because we’ve all been burned by devoting time to something that a network cancels before a satisfying conclusion can be reached. Unlike HBO, where at least one season is guaranteed, the likelihood of cancellation should play into network TV reviews. Why praise something that’s not going to be on by the time you read the review?

What’s truly tragic about the way I think people are likely to respond to “Kings” is that it gets better week-to-week. I’ve seen the first three episodes - four hours of the show - and it takes that long for the show to really cohere into something interesting. The first two hours drag a bit and feel overblown, but by the end of the fourth episode I was totally hooked on “Kings”. Let’s hope the show stays on the air that long.

‘Kings,’ which airs on NBC, debuts on March 15th, 2009 at 7PM CST. It stars Ian McShane, Chris Egan, Susanna Thompson, Sebastian Stan, Allison Miller, Wes Studi, Eamonn Walker, and Dylan Baker. It was created by Michael Green.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com