City of Angels

Top 20 HBO Series + Miniseries

All That Glitters... — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:53:12 +0000

I was gonna do a top 10, but I couldn’t. I had to do a top 20.

I rated every show with points on six different subjects. And made my top 20 on the average. Some surprises.

HONORABLE MENTION: Sex & The City, Epitafios, Tell Me You Love Me, Dream On, Club Your Enthusiasm & Tales From The Crypt

20. John from Cincinnati (2007)

Although this show was highly uneven, the interesting characters and original story kept me intrigued.
Performance: 50
Screenplay: 55
Creativity: 70
Soundtrack: 65
Cinematography: 65
Entertainment Level: 65
TOTAL: 370

19. Oz (1997-2003)

This show was also uneven because it had too many storylines, and some of them didn’t work. But still it was great 90’s tv.
Performance: 70
Screenplay: 60
Creativity: 55
Soundtrack: 55
Cinematography: 65
Entertainment Level: 70
TOTAL: 375

18. Entourage (2004-???)

A bit empty, but certainly entertaining and the cast really works.
Performance: 70
Screenplay: 65
Creativity: 55
Soundtrack: 60
Cinematography: 60
Entertainment Level: 70
TOTAL: 380

17. Extras (2005-2007)

A great comedy that does look a bit cheap. But when it comes to British comedies, It’s probably the only one I like.
Performance: 75
Screenplay: 65
Creativity: 65
Soundtrack: 55
Cinematography: 55
Entertainment Level: 70
TOTAL: 385

16. The Comeback (2005)

In the future, no one will remember this as one of HBO’s best. But the small fanbase will always adore it.
Performance: 65
Screenplay: 70
Creativity: 70
Soundtrack: 55
Cinematography: 60
Entertainment Level: 75
TOTAL: 395

15. Flight of the Conchords (2007-???)

A fun and creative show, it’s not quite perfect but it doesn’t try to.
Performance: 60
Screenplay: 70
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 70
Cinematography: 60
Entertainment Level: 75
TOTAL: 410

14. Big Love (2006-???)

A wonderful show about something that i’d never seen ont tv before. It’s fresh and going the right direction.
Performance: 75
Screenplay: 75
Creativity: 70
Soundtrack: 65
Cinematography: 60
Entertainment Level: 75
TOTAL: 420

13. The Wire (2002-2008)

I can see why this show is so highly regarded. It was sometimes hard to swallow, but very honest.
Performance: 75
Screenplay: 75
Creativity: 70
Soundtrack: 65
Cinematography: 70
Entertainment Level: 70
TOTAL: 425

12. True Blood (2008-???)

My new favorite show, it’s not perfect, but it’s more addictive than crack.
Performance: 60
Screenplay: 65
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 70
Cinematography: 75
Entertainment Level: 85
TOTAL: 430

11. In Treatment (2008-???)

A show that scores pretty high in all, but doesn’t truly stand out in any. But it’s definitely unique.
Performance: 75
Screenplay: 75
Creativity: 70
Soundtrack: 70
Cinematography: 75
Entertainment Level: 75
TOTAL: 440

10. From the Earth to the Moon (1998)

A terrific miniseries with fantastic and captivating visuals.
Performance: 75
Screenplay: 75
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 80
Cinematography: 85
Entertainment Level: 75
TOTAL: 465

09. The Sopranos (1999-2007)

Pretty much the most acclaimed show of HBO, and perhaps of all time. It never failed at being shocking.
Performance: 80
Screenplay: 80
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 75
Cinematography: 75
Entertainment Level: 80
TOTAL: 465

08. Generation Kill (2008)

A realistic and very well executed mini-series portraying the war in Iraq.
Performance: 75
Screenplay: 80
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 80
Cinematography: 80
Entertainment Level: 80
TOTAL: 470

07. John Adams (2008)

A powerful miniseries about America’s second president.
Performance: 80
Screenplay: 80
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 80
Cinematography: 85
Entertainment Level: 80
TOTAL: 480

06. Band Of Brothers (2001)

Better and perhaps even more realistic than most movies about WW2. Heartbreaking and realistic.
Performance: 80
Screenplay: 80
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 85
Cinematography: 85
Entertainment Level: 80
TOTAL: 485

05. Angels in America (2003)

The shortest, but perhaps the best HBO miniseries. A very honest portrayal of someone dying of Aids.
Performance: 85
Screenplay: 80
Creativity: 80
Soundtrack: 80
Cinematography: 85
Entertainment Level: 80
TOTAL: 490

04. Rome (2005-2007)

A realistic portrayel of ancient Rome, violent and epic.
Performance: 85
Screenplay: 80
Creativity: 75
Soundtrack: 80
Cinematography: 85
Entertainment Level: 85
TOTAL: 490

03. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Alan Ball’s masterpiece of a series, and my personal favorite. Very honest and life-changing.
Performance: 80
Screenplay: 85
Creativity: 85
Soundtrack: 80
Cinematography: 85
Entertainment Level: 85
TOTAL: 500

02. Deadwood (2004-2006)

Close to perfect in many ways, especially performance-wise and the dialog. It was almost like reading a poem all the way through.
Performance: 95
Screenplay: 95
Creativity: 80
Soundtrack: 75
Cinematography: 80
Entertainment Level: 80
TOTAL: 505

01. Carnivale (2003-2005)

This show was so close to perfect, I can only dream about how it was supposed to end. Hopefully we will get a book, or a comics, or an animated series, hopefully something! I don’t think I would rate a show higher than Carnivale, not even Mad Men.
Performance: 80
Screenplay: 80
Creativity: 95
Soundtrack: 80
Cinematography: 95
Entertainment Level: 95
TOTAL: 525

Top 10 Rome Characters

All That Glitters... — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:19:37 +0000

Finished rewatching Rome this week, and this show truly had some of the greatest acting and most legendary characters.

ROME FTW!

10: Caesarion

An unfortunate victim of being Caesar’s son. I loved how they handled his story and made him into Pullo’s son instead. He was a crazy power-hungry kid, just like his mom.

09: Vorena The Elder

One of the saddest characters to watch. Daughter of Vorenus and Niobe, cursed, prostituted. One of the best scenes of the entire series was when she told her father that she hated him.

08: Atia Of The Julii

One nasty mean old bitch, but you couldn’t help but love her. She crushed all women that were in her way, but even though she always got what she wanted. She was still unhappy. The Servillia vs Atia bitch fights were wonderful television.

07: Titus Pullo

I admit not liking some of his storylines. I felt like a lot of it was filler-ish. But his character was great nonetheless, he was brave if not a little bit stupid.

06: Marcus Junius Brutus

When I started watching the show, I was expecting to hate him and I kind of did. He was a coward, but not really in control of the things he did. He ended up warming up to me and having one of the bravest deaths. I actually liked him a lot more than Caesar.

05: Lucius Vorenus

I didn’t like him all the time, as he was definitely hot-headed and sometimes just an ass. His character was very strong and honorable, and very, very stubborn. But fascinating to watch.

04: Gaia

A lot of people hated her, but I thought she was extremely sexy and fierce. I love women that can kick your ass. Her final scene was very intense, she couldn’t die with what she did and confessed. It was definitely one of my favorite scenes.

03: Mark Anthony

A hot-headed fool, usually didn’t use his brain but no matter. He was powerful, and just fantastic to watch. His chemistry was great with everyone, especially Cleopatra.

02: Cleopatra

She did only appear in 5 episodes, but everytime she was on screen it was magic. I’m not sure if it was the actress or the character, but it was better than porn. Lots better. Her first and last episode were my favorites of each Season. Oh, how much I wish she had appeared in more.

01: Gaius Octavian Caesar

I loved both young and old Octavian. He was very wise and inspiring since an early age, you could tell his potential. It was just a matter of time before he would be on top. Older Octavian was kind of an unfeeling nutjob. But he was still as fascinating to watch.

Coming Up:
Top 10 Kids Movies
Top 10 Most Disturbing Movies
Top 10 Shows I Loved But Now Hate
Top 10 Shows I Have Been Most Obsessed With
Top 10 Battlestar Galactica Characters
Top 10 Best Couples
Top 10 Bad Guys
Top 10 HBO Original Series
Top 10 Bitches
Top 10 Lead Characters
Top 10 Most Tragic TV Deaths
Top 10 Angel Characters

Top 10 Lost Characters

All That Glitters... — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:07:02 +0000

Finally doing one of the ones on the list

Lost Characters! Well, those were always fantastic. A nice mixture of tragic people.

10: Richard Alpert

I’m not sure what it is about him, but there is just something so attractive about his character. There seems to be so much going on, and there is no doubt that his backstory is going to be great. I cannot wait to learn more about him.

09: Juliet Burke

She didn’t do as much as I hoped she would on Season 4. But Elizabeth is so great at portraying her character, she gives her so much wit and power.

08: Jin Kwon

He seems to be getting more underused each Season, and yet I just adore him whenever he gets his fair chance of screen time. Jin’s character has completely transformed into a good husband and hopefully one day, a good father.

07: Danielle Rousseau

Danielle has had so much potential since her very first appearance back in Season 1, and there is still so much potential surrounding her. I cannot wait until her backstory is finally revealed, one way or the other.

06: Hugo ‘Hurley’ Reyes

A loveable, huggable little bear. Hurley really provides the much needed comedy, he’s always a hoot no matter what. And one of the most interesting parts of the mythology is linked to him. Of course I am talking about the Numbers.

05: Ana-Lucia Cortez

Perhaps not the fan favorite, but frankly I don’t give a damn. I think that her story was very well told, a damaged woman that finally found her redemption.

04: Desmond Hume

Des is without a doubt one of the most interesting characters right now, the whole time travel storyline would have failed if it was connected to the wrong actor. But I still think that Henry is the best actor in the entire cast. He gives his character so much power and likability. I can’t wait for more Des episodes.

03: James ‘Sawyer’ Ford

Sawyer has gone from ‘bad boy’ to ‘hero’. From selfish to selfless. He’s definitely my favorite character from the original cast, and he’s a character that still keeps me guessing and entertained. He definitely has the best quotes.

02: Mr. Eko

The small chance that he might appear one day keeps me watching no matter what. Eko is partly why I worship the second season. His backstory was fascinating, and Eduwale was a brilliant actor. His chemistry with Locke was much better than Jack’s.

01: Benjamin Linus

The more I see of him, the more I love him. He is without a doubt one of the greatest villains on television. Ever. He’s cynical, entertaining and even scary. Michael Emmerson does a fantastic job at portraying this little monkey.

Top 10 Shows On Tv

All That Glitters... — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:52:13 +0000

Yay, another list.

I honestly think TV, unlike Movies & Music, has really been at it’s best in the last 10 years. The shows back in the day were too afraid to take chances, but thanks to cable, tv has gotten where some movies never will.

Honorable Mentions: Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad, Robot Chicken, The Tudors, Entourage, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Family Guy, Californication, In Treatment, Flight Of The Choncords

10: The Office

Still one of the best comedies on tv. The great cast makes it work, though I do miss the 30-minute episodes.

09: Weeds

Not as funny, but darker and more intense lately. Fourth season had it’s flaws, but I love the direction it is taken.

08: True Blood

My favorite new show, I should probably put it up higher but it has only been 9 episodes as of yet. It feels like SFU, only less depressing and with vampires.

07: Big Love

It’s a shame that BL had to skip 2008 because of the writer’s strike. But I can’t wait for it to finally return again.

06: 30 Rock

Tv’s best comedy has returned. The excellent cast and throughout great writing makes this a must-see.

05: Pushing Daisies

I am loving the second season so much. It’s such a colorful show, no other show can make me smile as much as this one.

04: Lost

I am both loving and not-loving the changes. I love the nice action, but I really missed the character development last season. Slow-pacing was actually something I loved. But it’s still an excellent show.

03: Dexter

Season 3 has been different, not as mind-numbing but that is not a bad thing. I love the character-heavy ness of the third Season, and I feel like it’s really gonna pay off.

02: Mad Men

Season 1 was perfect, Season 2 was perfect. Watching this show is like watching art being made.

01: Battlestar Galactica

Oh man, I can’t wait for this show to finally come back. The epicness of the mid-Season finale was unbelievable. I can’t wait to be blown away by the last couple of episodes like the cast and crew seemed to be.

Coming Up:
Top 10 Kids Movies
Top 10 Most Disturbing Movies
Top 10 Shows I Loved But Now Hate
Top 10 Shows I Have Been Most Obsessed With
Top 10 Lost Characters
Top 10 Battlestar Galactica Characters
Top 10 Best Couples
Top 10 Bad Guys
Top 10 HBO Original Series
Top 10 Bitches
Top 10 Lead Characters

Obama/Biden ‘08

All That Glitters... — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:32:30 +0000

Good day Peeps.

Congrats to America for choosing the right president.

I believe that Obama won’t only change America, but he might repair it’s mistakes and bring it’s respect back.

Rock on!

Carnivale Countdown

All That Glitters... — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:29:12 +0000

Since I finished rewatching Carnivale recently, I thought i’d do my very first Carnivale countdown.

24: Tipton

My least favorite episode was still quite good. The guest acting was not that great, nor was the Jesus stuff. But the characters had some nice moments.

23: Ingram, TX

My least favorite of the second season. Still good and creepy. But the episode was a little random at times.

22: Insomnia

This episode had some very creepy Justin moments. But the rest was a bit basic. Still a very strong episode though.

21: Old Cherry Blossom Road

Another weird-ass episode with Ben meeting his weird-ass grandma. Good episode, with a cute ending.

20: Lonnigan, Texas

Some very awesome scenes, including Ben’s nightmare and the sex scene between Jonesey and Rita.

19: Alamogordo, N.M.

Another strange, creepy episode with some great plot development and character development for Sofie.

18: Outside New Canaan

While mostly providing build-up to the final episode. Still a very good one. Burley and Lila pissed me off a lot though.

17: Outskirts, Damascus, NE

Some powerful moments with a beautiful ending. Great character development in this one.

16: After The Ball Is Over

Excellent second episode with the utterly-creepy Apollonia telling Ben ‘He’s the one’.

15: Hot And Bothered

Sexyness with some nice Ben moments and excellent acting.

14: Cheyenne, WY

One of the spookiest and fucked up episodes. Really dark and creepy, with Scudder meeting his fate.

13: Black Blizzard

This episode was powerful if not for the ending alone. It could make a grown-man get teared up.

12: Los Moscos

Excellent start to the second season, more spookyness and wonderful visuals.

11: Milfay

A wonderful start to one of my favorite shows. Showed so much promise.

10: Creed, OK

A very weird, and very creepy episode. Absolutely loved the masks. I need to get me one of those.

09: The Road To Damascus

It had one of the most powerful sex scenes ever. Some excellent character moments and acting, too.

08: Pick A Number

Heart-breaking episode after the Carnivale loose one of their own. Creepy ending, too.

07: The Day Of The Dead

Fantastic build-up to the final episode of the first season. Shocking cliff-hanger.

06: Damascus, NE

Pretty damn epic episode, and we finally meet Scudder. and see Management.

05: Babylon

The writing for this episode is just perfect. The end of the episode blows my mind every time I see it.

04: The River

We learn more about Justin. That dude was creepy since he was little. Great way of storytelling.

03: Lincoln Highway

Full of beautiful visuals, powerful acting and heart-breaking writing.

02: The Day That Was The Day

End of the first Season. Pretty epic, with one of the greatest cliff-hangers ever.

01: New Canaan, CA

This episode was as perfect as an episode could have been. Only thing that sucked about it was the fact that it was the show’s final episode. Carnivale will be missed, R.I.P.

School Peepz

All That Glitters... — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:01:45 +0000

Reposting this one

Why? ’cause I can.

In Rotterdam. I need a haircut. and a shower xD

Evelyn, ain’t she creepy? =O

Thirza doesn’t like to get picturz taken =[

Marc was hungreh

Peni wanted to use my camera =XXXXX

Yeah, everyone thinks she’s crazy

Seriously, if she puts her hair in front of her face, she’ll look like The Grudge =X

Who can resist the asian charm?

“I’m on acid, lolz” - JD

“Does my face look bovvered” - Evelyn

The whole gang, whoo

“Pep me” - Sera

“Peace, bro” - Peni

“I don’t know what that means” - Thirza

“Me…want…FOOOD” - Marc

O.o

In class, we’re never really doing anything <<

Meet Shawn

He’s shy =[

She’s satanic =O

Our Photoshop/Illustrator teacher. He told me to erase the picture… guess again <<

Aww, cuteness

Why do I always sit with the freaks? XD

Epic picturez

I was waiting for her outside the bathroom =o
_________________

Top 10 First Season

All That Glitters... — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:30:34 +0000

Time to make a new list.

This one is about my top 10 favorite First Seasons. Wasn’t on the list to do, but I felt like doing this one.

First Seasons can be troubled, a lot of network shows don’t really know what to do in it’s first season. While Cable shows usually have a fantastic first Season. There are exceptions of course.

Honorable Mentions: Dexter, Battlestar Galactica, Dead Like Me, Firefly, True Blood, Oz, Friday Night Lights, Big Love & Desperate Housewives

10: The Sopranos

The Season that started it all. The life of a Maffia boss, with his two families. The guys that work for him, and his wife + kids. Fascinating storytelling made better by a tremendous cast.

Best Episodes: Down Neck, The Legend Of Tennessee Moltisanti, I Dream Of Jeannie Cusamano.

09: Six Feet Under

What started one, if not my all time favorite tv series. While it could be heart breaking at times, it could also be absolutely hilarious.

Best Episodes: The Pilot, The Room, A Private Life

08: Rome

An epic historical series about ancient Rome. The first Season dealt with the rise on and rise off of Caesar. Despite having a lot of made-up side plots, it was quite accurate and never disappointing.

Best Episodes: Pharsalus, Caesarion, Kalends Of February

07: Nip/Tuck

Back when this show was one of the best shows on tv. It was hilarious, smart and ultimately genius. Shame it has gone down so badly.

Best Episodes: Cara Fitzgerald, Adele Coffin, Escobar Gallardo

06: Lost

One of the few full-season shows that started off with a bang. While definitely slow-paced compared to the rest of the series. It only worked for the better. The characters were rich of development, and the stories were intriguing if not fascinating.

Best Episodes: Solitary, …In Translation, Deus Ex Machina

05: Deadwood

Not only is this one of the best written tv series, but it was also perfectly casted and produced. It was all a little too realistic at times.

Best Episodes: Here Was A Man, Mr. Wu, Sold Under Sin

04: Mad Men

A show that is so beautiful that it makes you want to kill yourself. It’s wonderfully produced and rich of fantastic characters and writing.

Best Episodes: Babylon, Nixon Vs. Kennedy, The Wheel

03: Band Of Brothers

The best miniseries of all time, perhaps. At least, the best one i’ve seen. It was only made to have 10 episodes, but it had more impact than shows with 100 episodes. Very intense.

Best Episodes: The Breaking Point, Why We Fight, Points

02: Freaks & Geeks

With only 18 episodes, this show truly touched my heart. Aww, I know. The characters were all so loveable and it was easy to feel sympathy towards them. There were just some moments full of pure brilliance, despite it being a teen dramedy. It’s really an insult calling it that.

Best Episodes: Looks & Books, Smooching & Mooching, Discos & Dragons

01: Carnivale

This show just brought television to a whole new level, I was completely and utterly fascinated by the storylines, the characters and pretty much everything that was going on. And the fantastic performances and beautiful cinematography just made it like crack for the brain. And the second Season even toped it, IMO.

Best Episodes: Babylon, The River, The Day That Was The Day

Coming Up:
Top 10 Kids Movies
Top 10 Most Disturbing Movies
Top 10 Shows I Loved But Now Hate
Top 10 Shows I Have Been Most Obsessed With
Top 10 Lost Characters
Top 10 Battlestar Galactica Characters
Top 10 Best Couples
Top 10 Bad Guys
Top 10 Shows On Tv
Top 10 HBO Original Series
Top 10 Bitches
Top 10 Lead Characters

Talk about a long time…

Cajungirl26 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:41:31 +0000

since I’ve blogged and then only once. I’m a baaad Cajun.

Well, currently the hubby is working what the plant calls a “turn-around” which is when they shut certain areas of the plant down to do maintenance..the big sort of projects that they can’t do with the unit running. At first they planned to do it in October, then when the storms hit most of the areas plants were down so they pushed it back to January, then one day my husband calls and says, “you won’t believe this…” and they had started it already when he showed up for work one day. So now he’s working 13 hours a day, up from 12, and instead of 2 days on, 2 days off and off every other weekend off (which consists of Friday through Sunday) he’s working every day with only one day off a week. I have to admit I’ve been going a little nutzo. It’s just me, the kids, and the animals around the house…well, actually with the kids in school during the week in the daytime it’s just me and the animals.

I’m still working out on the treadmill….a little obsessively…it keeps my mind occupied though. I just ordered and received the Terminator first season so I’ve been watching that while I’ve been working out. I had started walking outside in the morning for a while after the storm had passed with my dogs. They were loving it at first, then they lost interest…I have some strange dogs. Maybe my walk was too long for them? Now, they actually duck and hide when I grab the leashes. They used to jump for joy and run to the door:(. I might start bringing them on a shorter mid-afternoon walk as the weather cools. There was also this certain area where this dog kept jumping the fence to charge at me and my dogs. I was ready to kick him in his freaking face. I knocked on the owner’s door and told him what he was doing and even though he corrected him he still kept doing it. My hubby wanted me to get some dog mace or carry a stick but once I started walking without the dogs the didn’t bother with me anymore. One morning I had the pleasure of seeing his stupid ass get caught in the fence in his attempt to jump over (which I actually hated that I felt that way being the animal lover that I am). The design of his fence is high in the front while the side slopes down to a shorter height. This is where he’s able to jump the fence. It’s a medium sized lab mix mutt. I love animals but I won’t tolerate one trying to hurt my dogs. I stand up to him and any other dogs that try to approach, too. Usually I give them the “get!” or “aat” loudly. That last one I use to use on my kids when they would get into something they weren’t supposed to be messing with to get their attention. It works on the kids, dogs and my cats, too, LOL. My dogs are so good on their walk, too…no barking, pulling, and they walk either beside or behind me giving me the leadership role like they are supposed to…why can’t they give me the same respect in the house?? :insert Rodney Dangerfield comment here: Oh well. So I’ve resorted to just walking inside on the treadmill in the morning and also in the afternoon. I found walking on the concrete was sort of jarring on my body anyway…up and down curves and all….and I don’t walk slowly either. I feel like the treadmill gives me a more intense, regulated, cushioned work-out than the outside walk did. Although the benefits to the outside walk are a change of scenery and sun exposure which is good for you. Amazingly, it really hasn’t rained much since the storms passed…maybe a couple of days with the couple of fronts that have passed through. We’re in the 50’s right now…which is pretty cool actually for the time of year so we must be below average. I love the cooler temps though. It also pretty much means no more storms for the year. Hurricane season starts in June and I believe runs all the way either through the beginning of November or the end…not sure.

The kids finished their first nine weeks of school already…both made the honor roll. Also, my daughter, Taylor, participated in a talent contest on Friday. She read a poem she wrote. She tied for first place!! She has amazing talent. I used to write poetry, too, when I was a teen. I’m a much better speller though LOL. I’m extremely proud of them. Dylan is in the midst of working on a social studies project. The way they do it at his school is certain parts are due about every week instead of the whole thing being due on one day. It’s good for us procrastinators. . His research report is due on Monday. He’s finished all I need to do is proof it. So basically that’s about it right now…which almost sounds like a crazy statement after the length of this blog. I wish I could escape to the beach and listen to the crashing waves and the seagulls flying overhead (as long as they don’t crap on me LOL). I miss going to Florida…we haven’t been since 2004:(. Until next time….and who knows when that will be…

Laissez le bon temp roulez,

Cajun-G

Poor dick =[

All That Glitters... — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:38:27 +0000