As a Comcast subscriber, I have access to dozens of channels, so there's lots to see, but nothing to watch. Every night I go down the list of crappy programming, looking for something of value. If there is anything, you can pretty much expect that when you click it on, you are more likely see a series of commercials than the program itself. Then of course there's On Demand, which allows you to watch past episodes of all the lousy series you didn't want to see in the first place. I don't deny that there are good programs like Jon Stewart, the MSNBC shows, and a few intelligent sitcoms. I admit I like The Big Bang Theory, The King of Queens, Everyone Loves Raymond and Seinfeld. But I often turn them off mid-program when there have been so many commercials I've lost track of the story or don't care anymore. Besides how often can you watch an episode you've already seen too many times. Last night I tried The Green Lantern a recent film which cost $3.99. After 25 minutes of special effects and no story to speak of, I gave up on this boring loser. That's when I turned to Turner Classic Movies and had a great TV watching experience with no commercial interruptions. The movie was 1957's Sweet Smell of Success directed by Alexander Mackendric, which I had not seen in years. Everything about it was superior to anything on television today. A brilliant, hard-edge script by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman. Superb acting by Tony Curtis in one of his finest roles as sleazy Sidney Falco; Burt Lancaster as the Winchell-like J.J .Hunsecker, a cruel and powerful columnist obsessed with his neurotic sister; and Barbara Nichols as the vulnerable nightclub worker considered as fungible as the cigarettes she sells. Watching this black and white film, one didn't have to deal with the acrobatic cinematography of today's hack cameramen, because it was filmed by the master: James Wong Howe. No crappy imitative music since the original score was by Elmer Bernstein. And instead of the untalented exrras one sees today, supporting roles were played by talented and respected actors like San Levene, Jeff Donnell, Joe Frisco and Emile Meyer. On another night of wimpy television, it was great to see this perfectly crafted and disturbingly powerful film. Pity one had to reach back 54 years for quallity entertainment.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
A diamond among the paste.
As a Comcast subscriber, I have access to dozens of channels, so there's lots to see, but nothing to watch. Every night I go down the list of crappy programming, looking for something of value. If there is anything, you can pretty much expect that when you click it on, you are more likely see a series of commercials than the program itself. Then of course there's On Demand, which allows you to watch past episodes of all the lousy series you didn't want to see in the first place. I don't deny that there are good programs like Jon Stewart, the MSNBC shows, and a few intelligent sitcoms. I admit I like The Big Bang Theory, The King of Queens, Everyone Loves Raymond and Seinfeld. But I often turn them off mid-program when there have been so many commercials I've lost track of the story or don't care anymore. Besides how often can you watch an episode you've already seen too many times. Last night I tried The Green Lantern a recent film which cost $3.99. After 25 minutes of special effects and no story to speak of, I gave up on this boring loser. That's when I turned to Turner Classic Movies and had a great TV watching experience with no commercial interruptions. The movie was 1957's Sweet Smell of Success directed by Alexander Mackendric, which I had not seen in years. Everything about it was superior to anything on television today. A brilliant, hard-edge script by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman. Superb acting by Tony Curtis in one of his finest roles as sleazy Sidney Falco; Burt Lancaster as the Winchell-like J.J .Hunsecker, a cruel and powerful columnist obsessed with his neurotic sister; and Barbara Nichols as the vulnerable nightclub worker considered as fungible as the cigarettes she sells. Watching this black and white film, one didn't have to deal with the acrobatic cinematography of today's hack cameramen, because it was filmed by the master: James Wong Howe. No crappy imitative music since the original score was by Elmer Bernstein. And instead of the untalented exrras one sees today, supporting roles were played by talented and respected actors like San Levene, Jeff Donnell, Joe Frisco and Emile Meyer. On another night of wimpy television, it was great to see this perfectly crafted and disturbingly powerful film. Pity one had to reach back 54 years for quallity entertainment.
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