Oz 

OzForget Prison Break, this HBO series that ran from 1997 - 2003 is the real-deal when it comes to prison drama’s. I’ve only just got into the series and am half-way way through the season 4 DVDs but before The Sopranos and The Wire, was this incredibly well-crafted and extraordinary acted piece of television. There’s a reason why it ran for six seasons and to think that every episode was written by just one man, Tom Fontana. Fontana cut his teeth on TV shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street and St Elsewhere and whilst they were cutting edge at the time, it wasn’t until he moved onto Oz and HBO, that he could have free reign in terms of content. Oz is brutal, uncompromising and it doesn’t paint life in a maximum security prison as a holiday. And whereas The Sopranos and The Wire had its squrim-in-your-seat moments, by comparison, Oz has them pretty much in every episode. I cannot recommend this show highly enough and if you missed it the first time around and can stomach both the hardest visceral and mental anguish TV or cinema has to offer, then strap yourself in.

 
 
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Thursday, November 6 2008
 
TV
 

Midnight Madness 

Had the flu over the past few days and wanted to post this awesome video ‘Midnight Madness’ by the Chemical Brothers to help cheer up anyone else who might be feeling shite.

 
 
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Saturday, August 30 2008
 
Music General, TV
 

A Skin, A Night 

A Skin, A NightA Skin, A NightAlthough it’s been out for a little while, I had been anticipating The National’s DVD A Skin, A Night for quite some time. Boxer was my favourite album of 2007 and I’ve loved most of the Vincent Moon live performances. Having just watched the DVD all at 60 minutes, I was rather disappointed with the film. Rather than a collection of live performances, the DVD concentrates on the band recording Boxer and whilst this could have been interesting, I didn’t get many insights into the band themselves other than they are fiercely private and shy individuals.  Okay sure, that’s fine. I respect them for giving us some mystery about who they are as musicians and what motivates them but because of this, what we get instead is 60 minutes of grainy footage and not a lot else.  It seriously lacks excitement or substance. The band have been noted as excellent live performers and the two times I’ve seen them, they have been magnetic. Perhaps if we had a few full length live performances in there, we could see the magic of the band and why they’re so brilliant but it’s not to be found here. Disappointed yes :(

 
 
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Sunday, August 24 2008
 
Music General, TV
 
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