A Word or Two About New Year's Eve

Just a few final words on the New Year's Eve we are about to experience from John Oliver on HBO's Last Week Tonight.  In this video, he compares New Year's Eve to the death of a pet where "you know it is going to happen, but somehow you're never truly prepared for how awful it really is."  He recommends avoiding the whole evening, and provides a few excuses to use with friends, such as "simply tell them you are doing a cleanse."  So with all of this in mind, whatever your plans, I wish you all a very Happy New Year. 

Season Two of Penny Dreadful

Showtime has released a trailer for the upcoming season two of Penny Dreadful.  While it does not reveal much, it does appear that Vanessa Ives is coming to terms with her "condition."  The series, starring Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton and Eva Green, was a nice surprise earlier this year, being a mash up of various London-based or London-created demons.  And this was not your usual love triangle between a werewolf and vampire fighting over the girl, though of course there was some of that as well (as well as Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and a few more twists).

In discussing season two during an interview with The Huffington Post, creator John Logan (who also wrote the movies Hugo, Skyfall, and Gladiator) had this to way about his acting team:  

They are a brilliant cast and they inspire me on a daily basis. The second season, in a way, was easier to write, in that I knew the actors' voices. Or, I should say, I knew the character's voices. And in a way, it was more challenging to write, because I realized these actors are capable of anything. They are fearless. So the limits I placed on myself in the first season, I took off in the second season. Because I know Eva Green will happily go there, and Josh will go there, and Tim will go there, and go there enthusiastically because they trust me and they trust in the central -- and this is important -- morality of our tale.

Season two will have a total of 10 episodes, compared to the 8 episodes of season one.  I look forward to the start on another great season.  In the meantime, the Penny Dreadful blog can provide some additional information on the series.
 

Black Mirror: See What You are Missing

Netflix did us all of favor by hosting two seasons of Britain's Black Mirror, a collection of self-contained dramas that are certain to leave you a little unsettled.  I wrote about this series years ago when it was hot in Britain yet less well-known here.  Well, now you can easily catch up and see it for yourself during the holiday break.  

Back in 2012 I wrote about the first season's three episodes.  Well, here is a little more on the second season's three episodes:

-- Be Right Back:  This episode involves a couple moving to the countryside, experiencing a tragedy, and trying to overcome it with technology.  As fascinating look at the danger of getting what you asked for.

-- White Bear:  This is a very disturbing look at crime and punishment, and how all of us have become voyeurs to a questionable justice system.  With all the stories in the news about police arrests gone bad, and the role of video cameras, this story could not be more timely. 

-- The Waldo Moment:  This final story says a lot about the electorate falling for the cynical candidate.  Again, a very timely story in a time of low poll ratings for Congress and poor voter turnout at elections.  I just hope we don't go this route.

A special holiday show called White Christmas was also broadcast in the UK recently, though it is not part of the Netflix collection.  The 90-minute series starred Jon Hamm and was showing in multiple parts.  Let's hope Netflix adds this story as well (I also found it was posted to YouTube).  And maybe we will even see a third season of Black Mirror at some point. 

A Great Discussion on 2014 TV Shows

I recommend you take a look at Slate magazine's series called The TV Club.  Seventeen posts are already available discussing some of best shows in 2014.  You can also see each of the critics top 10 favorite shows of the year.  The critics include Maureen Ryan (Huffington Post), Willa Paskin (Slate), June Thomas (Slate), and James Poniewozik (Time).  The critics discuss whether Fargo or True Detective was the better series, the advantages of streaming shows, the death of the sitcom, and much more.

By the way, here is Maureen Ryan's favorite shows of 2014 to start the debate.  I will have my own list later.

1. The Americans
2.  Enlisted  
3. Happy Valley 
4. Jane the Virgin 
5. Orange Is the New Black 
6. Penny Dreadful 
7. Rectify 
8. Review 
9. Transparent 
10. You’re the Worst 

New Years Video: Some Things to Remember in 2014

Jib Jab put together a concise (and funny) video highlighting the craziness of 2014.  The Sony computer hack is only the latest in a long line of events that make you wonder if the world went mad, from ISIS and Putin to Ebola and Cosby.  Let's hope 2015 is a little better.

Christmas Video: David Bowie and Bing Crosby

Here is a clip from 1977 showing David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.  The website OpenCulture provides a little bit of background: 

In 1977, just a short month before Bing Crosby died of a heart attack, the 40s crooner hosted David Bowie, the glam rocker, on his Christmas show. The awkwardness of the meeting is palpable. An older, crusty Crosby had no real familiarity with the younger, androgynous Bowie, and Bowie wasn’t crazy about singing The Little Drummer Boy. So, shortly before the show’s taping, a team of writers had to frantically retool the song, blending the traditional Christmas song with a newly-written tune called Peace on Earth...After one hour of rehearsal, the two singers recorded The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth and made a little classic. The Washington Post has the backstory on the strange Bing-Bowie meeting. 

Merry Christmas!

Another Superhero - This Time on Netflix

Now that Marco Polo is out the door, Netflix can prepare for the 13-episode series Daredevil.  Marvel Comics is testing out new venues for its character, and Ben Affleck has nothing to do with this version.  Instead, Charlies Cox will play the main character, blind lawyer by day, dark crime-fighter by night.

And be prepared for some violent scenes, as Entertainment Weekly noted:

 It’s a more grounded depiction of violence than we’re used to seeing in Marvel movies. But that seems to be the goal. Charlie Cox described Daredevil as “a character [who] suits a slightly older audience,” and Netflix affords the creative team the ability to go darker “without alienating anyone.”

After Daredevil, watch for other superheros to appear, including Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage.  Yes, Netflix is serious about taking Marvel to a whole new level, assuming we do not tire out of these heroes by then.