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Post by CentreHice on Feb 20, 2009 18:36:34 GMT -5
My wife and I have legit Bell ExpressVu...and therefore haven't had the HBO connection.
We purchased both seasons of ROME over the Christmas break...and we've had 3-episode viewing sessions until completed. Hooked. Too bad it was only 2 seasons.
What a fantastically produced series.
I highly recommend it.
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We're currently watching THE WIRE box set one.
Wow.
Any more recommedations?
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Post by jkr on Feb 20, 2009 18:49:26 GMT -5
Andrew put me on to The Wire. I picked it up at my library & have quickly moved into season 4. It's one of the best produced/written shows I have seen.
I find myself planning on watching one episode & before I know it, I have watched 2-3 episodes. I can't wait to see what happens next.
A few others that I have enjoyed:
Deadwood
6 Feet Under
Weeds
All available at as box sets or perhaps at your library, that's where I get my fix.
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Post by CrocRob on Feb 20, 2009 20:45:34 GMT -5
Rome was amazing, but it's no surprise that it was the most expensive television show ever produced. It was only supposed to be one season, but came back for a 2nd due to how popular it was.
The only things I buy in box sets are shows that I'll watch over and over -- mostly West Wing, Seinfeld and Frasier. I can rent the rest.
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Post by Andrew on Feb 22, 2009 18:11:52 GMT -5
I quite liked Rome as well. Very entertaining, and great production. I guess it was just too expensive for them to continue with.
I'm glad that you're both enjoying the Wire CH and jkr. That's a box set that I'll definitely buy once it makes it to Costco.
Another good HBO show that we've recently gotten into is Big Love - season three is currently running. It's about polygamist Mormon family with Bill Paxton as the patriarch. The premise didn't really appeal to me until I started watching - but quickly got hooked.
It's very entertaining watching Bill's character trying to juggle the responsibilities of supporting three households, running a business, and dealing with politics of the polygamist compound that he grew up on.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 22, 2009 18:58:15 GMT -5
"Rome" was probably one of the best-written, and best historical-fictions out there, IMO. As Andrew said, it was too expensive to continue the series. I found online that suggest it was upwards of $11 million per episode to produce. The series, itself, captures the brutality and lifestyle of ancient Rome.
However, not all is lost with this series; a cut and paste from IMDB.com:
Fans of HBO’s historical epic series Rome may soon have a reason to give their DVDs a rest. It seems that creator Bruno Heller is interested in revisiting the series as a theatrical film.
and
HBO hoped to have a huge hit on their hands when they launched the big-budget drama series "Rome" with a time slot directly after "The Sopranos." While the drama, co-produced with the BBC, had decent ratings and wound up with 11 Emmys in two years, it was also insanely expensive and "Rome" was canceled after two years. But that might not be the end of the show that HBO executives later claimed they prematurely gave up on. "Rome" creator Bruno Heller,...
Mike Sampson
"Rome" ends with Augustus Caesar restoring the republic, which is where "I Claudius" begins. It's based on the writings of the Emperor Claudius, the bumbling fool who was thrown into the job by the Praetorian Guard. The Praetorian were afraid they'd be going back to the ranks after Caligula is murdered. Caligula is played by one of my favourite actors, John Hurt, while Claudius is played by Sir Derek Jacoby (the senator who is arrested in "Gladiator"). The entire series can be seen episode by episode, on YouTube and, like series "Rome", it challenged conventional television to new levels.
Here's just one snippet from "I Claudius." If you can, free up the time to watch this. Caligula has just been murdered along with several other high-ranking, noble family members. Claudius is now emperor de facto and faces the Senate for the first time.
I've been told about "Deadwood" and I still have yet to watch any episodes. However, you also can't go wrong with "The Sopranos." There's a lull in the series but it picks up again. Very well casted and scripted.
I also heard that "Horatio Hornblower" was excellent as well, though like "Deadwood" I haven't watched any episodes.
I have several other series though; "For King and Empire" is documentary style but a very good account of Canada's contribution to WW I.
Cheers.
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Post by cigarviper on Feb 22, 2009 19:56:49 GMT -5
Sorry Dis, couldn'r resist.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 22, 2009 20:23:21 GMT -5
Know it well, CV. Thanks.
Cheers.
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Post by jkr on Feb 23, 2009 9:04:53 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure Deadwood was just 3 seasons - so not as much to go through. I was watching an episode of The Wire(season 4) yesterday. There was a scene I found funny - a man in a hospital bed was watching an episode of Deadwood. A quiet plug I guess.  |
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Post by roke on Feb 23, 2009 17:09:35 GMT -5
I've heard great things about The Wire; wouldn't mind watching it sometime down the road.
I recently re-watched (well, watched for the 5th or 6th time) the 3 seasons of Arrested Development and still managed to catch some things that I hadn't noticed in my previous viewings. The depth of the show amazes me, especially since it's a sitcom. One of those shows that, for me at least, gets better with more viewing.
I don't know if if most of the posters on the board would enjoy it as much as I have, it may skew to a younger audience, but I would recommend giving it a try at least.
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Post by jkr on Feb 23, 2009 18:03:20 GMT -5
I've heard great things about The Wire; wouldn't mind watching it sometime down the road. I recently re-watched (well, watched for the 5th or 6th time) the 3 seasons of Arrested Development and still managed to catch some things that I hadn't noticed in my previous viewings. The depth of the show amazes me, especially since it's a sitcom. One of those shows that, for me at least, gets better with more viewing. I don't know if if most of the posters on the board would enjoy it as much as I have, it may skew to a younger audience, but I would recommend giving it a try at least. I don't have the set but I think I have seen all of Arrested Development. I found it extremely funny & cleverly written. It took me forever to realize that the narrator was Ron Howard. To change gears compeltely, another show that I really enjoyed was The Shield with Michael Chiklis playing a corrupt cop. I don't get FX networks so I was relying on CHCH Hamilton. They showed it with little promotion & changing air times for the first 6 seasons. The final season ran on FX almost a year ago but it looks like, for some unknown reason, that CHCH won't be showing the final season. I've tried emailing but get no response. Anybody else watch this? It looks like I will have to rent the final season to find out how it all ends. |
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Post by habernac on Feb 24, 2009 15:17:28 GMT -5
Band of Brothers is the best I've ever seen. I wish I had more time to watch things, some good stuff out there. The Wire is on my list. I'm still trying to watch the Sopranos, which is difficult as my wife hates it.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 24, 2009 16:47:03 GMT -5
I really like Band of Brothers. Excellent series.
There's a couple of box sets out on the '72 Summit Series as well. Different sets offer different materials. I have two box sets. Both have the eight games in their entirety, but the added features are different.
I like watching them mostly to recapture what the mood of the day was back then. However, while it was a classic series, I've gotten a bit tired of hearing how great it was time and time again.
I still say it was by far the most exciting I've ever seen.
Cheers.
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Post by habernac on Feb 24, 2009 18:18:18 GMT -5
trying to watch my Canadiens 10 DVD set with their "greatest games" as well. Just did the 75 New Year's Eve game. Tretiak was ridiculous. The first goal by Shutt was superb.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 24, 2009 20:26:55 GMT -5
trying to watch my Canadiens 10 DVD set with their "greatest games" as well. Just did the 75 New Year's Eve game. Tretiak was ridiculous. The first goal by Shutt was superb. I ordered my set through Amazon but I never received my order. I tried contacting the company directly, twice, and I never got a reply either time. I contacted Amazon and I got a generic message back saying they'd look into it before refunding my money. Still, the '75 New Year's game was by far the best Habs game I've ever seen. I was 18 years old back then and watched it in our living room. I don't think I sat down throughout the entire game. Cheers. |
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Post by roke on Feb 24, 2009 21:31:16 GMT -5
A shame that you haven't been able to find it Dis. Apparently my mother found it at Pharmaplus (Rexall), or London Drugs here in Winnipeg. The New Year's Eve game was the first one I watched on it; spectacular.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 24, 2009 22:56:23 GMT -5
A shame that you haven't been able to find it Dis. Apparently my mother found it at Pharmaplus (Rexall), or London Drugs here in Winnipeg. The New Year's Eve game was the first one I watched on it; spectacular. Well, I know their policy, Roke. They'll refund my money once they ascertain the problem. The thing is, while I'll deal with Amazon, I refuse to deal with that company any longer. I'll probably get out to HMV and buy it there once this current mess is settled. Cheers. |
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Post by clear observer on Feb 27, 2009 13:27:33 GMT -5
I was 18 years old back then... Whatsamattaforyou, huh!!? Stop adding years to your life!!! (you'd just turned 17 at the time) |
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Post by Skilly on Mar 2, 2009 12:17:14 GMT -5
Still, the '75 New Year's game was by far the best Habs game I've ever seen. I was 18 years old back then and watched it in our living room. I don't think I sat down throughout the entire game. Cheers. I was 3 |
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Post by CentreHice on Mar 2, 2009 20:17:37 GMT -5
Still, the '75 New Year's game was by far the best Habs game I've ever seen. I was 18 years old back then and watched it in our living room. I don't think I sat down throughout the entire game. Cheers. I was 3 I don't think you woke up throughout the entire game. |
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Post by jkr on Mar 17, 2009 15:30:17 GMT -5
I quite liked Rome as well. Very entertaining, and great production. I guess it was just too expensive for them to continue with. I'm glad that you're both enjoying the Wire CH and jkr. That's a box set that I'll definitely buy once it makes it to Costco. Finished The Wire about a week ago & highly recommend it. There's 5 seasons to go through but I went through it quickly. I found I just had to keep watching & would go through2-3 episodes in a sitting. |
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Post by Andrew on Mar 20, 2009 15:25:23 GMT -5
I quite liked Rome as well. Very entertaining, and great production. I guess it was just too expensive for them to continue with. I'm glad that you're both enjoying the Wire CH and jkr. That's a box set that I'll definitely buy once it makes it to Costco. Finished The Wire about a week ago & highly recommend it. There's 5 seasons to go through but I went through it quickly. I found I just had to keep watching & would go through2-3 episodes in a sitting. So many great characters in that one. The criminals are often the most entertaining - like Omar or Clay Davis.. "sheeeeeeeeeeeit". |
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Post by jkr on Mar 20, 2009 15:36:13 GMT -5
Finished The Wire about a week ago & highly recommend it. There's 5 seasons to go through but I went through it quickly. I found I just had to keep watching & would go through2-3 episodes in a sitting. So many great characters in that one. The criminals are often the most entertaining - like Omar or Clay Davis.. "sheeeeeeeeeeeit". I often wondered how long his character could stretch out one word. I agree about the criminal characters. I found my self pulling for some of them, especially Omar. He did seem to have a sense of honor. His fate caught me completely by surprise. |
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