I've been wowed by two totally different shows recently, and I've only seen the first few hours of both so far. Believe me, they couldn't be more different but they're both terrific productions, with incredible acting, great storytelling (though one's fiction, and the other fantasy, okay actually it's historically accurate but is so moving it's hard to believe it was true).
True Blood is a new series on HBO starring Anna Paquin (showing her Oscar-winning chops) as a mind-reading waitress curious about the newly "open" vampires. It takes place in Louisiana either today or not too far in the future. Vampires have been given rights since a synthetic blood means they don't need to feed on humans. However, not all vampires feel that they should give up their old ways and mainstream their lives. But Paquin meets Bill, 130+year old trying to fit in. He's old-fashioned, courteous, but definitely doesn't seem human. The show is interesting in its exploration of all the vampire myths, and the wonderful ways it elaborates on them - e.g. vampire blood is a drug, so humans hunt vampires not to kill them, but drain them. But luckily vampires still need to be invited to enter humans homes. Paquin's brother also causes all kinds of problems, has been arrested twice for murders he probably didn't commit. It's just a terrific show, different, unique, fantastical and fun.
The other show I've only see the first few hours of but am already in love with is the John Adams miniseries from HBO and Playtone. I recently watched Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee which seemed to be HBO's entry for the Emmy miniseries last year. It won best Made for TV movie. It was also a historical fictionalized version of a lesser known aspect of a well-known story. But the acting, directing, etc. (ironically starring Anna Paquin in a supporting role) was nothing compared to John Adams. They both won awards, though John Adams won, and deserved, more. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney give wonderful performances (so far). The episodes I've seen follow them from the Boston Massacre through the signing of the Declaration of Independence, so only about 5 years, as Adams goes from being an attorney fighting for the rule of law, whether under the crown or independence, to a delegate from Massachusetts who lobbies for the Declaration. History is always fascinating, but watching what Adams had to go through to force the changes that created our country makes me wonder how far we've actually come. It took months and months of negotiation, lobbying with favors (not including slavery abolition from the beginning), and each state trying to assert its dominance. But seeing it from the beginning before there really was an actual identity for each state, it was just the personality of the delegate they selected that forged their interests into a common document. I can't wait to see how Adams, a quiet lawyer, makes it all the way to the Oval office.
I've been wowed by two totally different shows recently, and I've only seen the first few hours of both so far. Believe me, they couldn't be more different but they're both terrific productions, with incredible acting, great storytelling (though one's fiction, and the other fantasy, okay actually it's historically accurate but is so moving it's hard to believe it was true). True Blood is a new series on HBO starring Anna Paquin (showing her Oscar-winning chops) as a mind-reading waitress curious about the newly "open" vampires. It takes place in Louisiana either today or not too far in the future. Vampires have been given rights since a synthetic blood means they don't need to feed on humans. However, not all vampires feel that they should give up their old ways and mainstream their lives. But Paquin meets Bill, 130+year old trying to fit in. He's old-fashioned, courteous, but definitely doesn't seem human. The show is interesting in its exploration of all the vampire myths, and the wonderful ways it elaborates on them - e.g. vampire blood is a drug, so humans hunt vampires not to kill them, but drain them. But luckily vampires still need to be invited to enter humans homes. Paquin's brother also causes all kinds of problems, has been arrested twice for murders he probably didn't commit. It's just a terrific show, different, unique, fantastical and fun.
The other show I've only see the first few hours of but am already in love with is the John Adams miniseries from HBO and Playtone. I recently watched Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee which seemed to be HBO's entry for the Emmy miniseries last year. It won best Made for TV movie. It was also a historical fictionalized version of a lesser known aspect of a well-known story. But the acting, directing, etc. (ironically starring Anna Paquin in a supporting role) was nothing compared to John Adams. They both won awards, though John Adams won, and deserved, more. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney give wonderful performances (so far). The episodes I've seen follow them from the Boston Massacre through the signing of the Declaration of Independence, so only about 5 years, as Adams goes from being an attorney fighting for the rule of law, whether under the crown or independence, to a delegate from Massachusetts who lobbies for the Declaration. History is always fascinating, but watching what Adams had to go through to force the changes that created our country makes me wonder how far we've actually come. It took months and months of negotiation, lobbying with favors (not including slavery abolition from the beginning), and each state trying to assert its dominance. But seeing it from the beginning before there really was an actual identity for each state, it was just the personality of the delegate they selected that forged their interests into a common document. I can't wait to see how Adams, a quiet lawyer, makes it all the way to the Oval office.
3 comments:
I am dying to see True Blood, and it is killing me that we don't have HBO! I can't wait for it to be available on iTunes or through Netflix. Thanks for the review!
Isn't John Adams brilliant? Paul and I were so enthralled and moved by that mini-series. What fantastic performances! Such a gripping rendering of history. I want to read the McCullough book this summer. Won't be quite as good as seeing Giamatti and Linney as John and Abigail, though. It doesn't flag in its fabulousness. You will keep enjoying it this much. Yay!
totally unrelated, but I tagged you again on my blog. HA!
Oh, so you know about True Blood. That's what I get for thinking I know stuff.
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