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littleprince1977
Reviews
High Maintenance (2012)
Newest HBO Show- best old webisodes ever
HBO just started a "brand new" show called "High Maintenance" with the first HBO showing last night
Other reviewers have said it better before me since they watched the original 18 VIMEO versions (now only available to view in HBO-GO) before this show came into my view via HBO on Sept. 16, 2016 as an "Episode One". .that turns out to be not the fact.
When I watched my first HBO episode, I thought the show was very good...yet after watching all the eighteen 5-10 min. webisodes that were first shown on VIMEO since 2012...THIS IS A GREAT SHOW! Such a treasure trove of writing
Each episode is named for a slightly seen or talked about character, or usually unseen person
SPOILER for a webisode, "Elijah"-- If you're Jewish you know an empty chair/place setting is always left for the prophet at Passover (I'm not Jewish, just informed). Example, their dysfunctional "Passover" was titled, of course, "Elijah", the unseen person. And when they opened the door to let in Elijah, as is tradition— there was "THE GUY", the MJ Dealer, who had been called for a pot delivery by the caterer working the party. Turns out one of the family members (Evan-asexual magician) was also one of his clients as well.
it is a husband-actor and wife-casting director who started off in 2012 with one 5 min. show, all have been set in NYC. Initially, they write, shoot and direct using 5-7 people (cast and production crew— the lead actor, "THE GUY" who sells the pot is the husband of the team, and is the original gofer for lunch for cast and crew (not part of the 5 min. show)— so many parts to play, so few players. The apartments/sets are usually their friends or exec. producer— cramped stuffed NYC apt.—but you can't tell it is low budget since the set is well-dressed (e.g, it is using ALL the real owners personal clutter).
Thankfully this well-crafted, extremely well-written, directed and filmed show now has a larger audience. If you've seen it on HBO you have access to HBO-GO. It is a gem...take the time to go on-line and view ALL 18 prior episodes...with a commentary of a minute or so before each webisode...the entire viewing delight should take about 2 hrs. Well worth your time for such a jewel.
The Chalk Garden (1964)
THIS is a '60's WONDERFUL sleeper classic!
THE DVD is SO MUCH better than VHS. Colours better than the fading VHS. I've waited for YEARS for this to be in DVD format. GREAT thanks On VHS I must have watched this 15-20 times, IF NOT MORE.
Dame Edith Evans- her acting-incredible. John Mills, father of Haley (actor-director), Deborah Kerr, and Haley Mills; all great as well. The interaction between the actors, the actors themselves, AND the saucy script; I don't know which is the best. I believe that it is a combination of the wonderful script and the incredible actors.
I'm surprised it took this long to put it on DVD. I'm not going to discuss the plot-line...Just know you will be watching FOUR actors at their peak or on their rise.
BUY the DVD for yourself...watch it...if you do not like it....THEN write your own review and call me a liar. THIS is a WONDERFUL '60's sleeper classic!
"Will you stay with me, would you?..."I must know one thing...DID YOU DO IT?" "Before I die I will find out"
Steel Toes (2006)
Powerful, moving... Hate changed into tolerance, into love.
Powerful, moving... I am so VERY impressed and humbled. From what I saw on your first cut into what I watched tonight, this movie which forced my attention time and again back to watch and refocus on the screen, had such a wonderful progressive movement from that movie into this one.
I've jotted down thoughts as I was watching it... most all of these notes are therefore in sequential order but just quick thoughts: Great grab at the beginning, one thinks it's an action movie. The slow effects- spot on- good! Entering into the cell first time -- the grid work shadowing -- wonderful Overall: Music -- oboe, cello, violin, piano....touches a persons heart strings.
Sound effects... really hammer home many things; hard, cold, etc. of the prison environment.
The first St. Viatteur scene with Muslim and orthodox Jew was good transition.
Really well cut re: close in and full shots... especially first meeting and last (e.g., chair breaking) scene. Yes, the tub scene worked with Danial, finally I understood what he was thinking and then he focused on the "Victim Impact Statement".
Showing the passing of time... worked well... good angles of the prison- stark, cold.
Interior prison scenes: really worked, bars, blocks, sun off the wall.
It was very clear at the beginning... the dialog which meant to convey 'try me for me, not for what I believe', etc.
Danny and mike "what happened with you today" worked great... it wasn't necessary to know what and why.... leaves the minutiae up to the audience... yet, the frustration is clearly seen... based on prior scenes and what was going on in that one.
The window-washing scene... so clearly showed Danny's frustration at so many things but then framed against a "random act of kindness"
Very clearly you were able to capture the home and work responses to his work on this case with very little air time.
The title grew on me... as it's significance was played up during the course of the movie. ALL scenes carried a very nice juxtapositions between Dan/mike Great scenes to close with... jail vs. free ... yet both were in their own prisons.
And the end provided hope for them and for us. Wonderful Work.