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Scheduled & Proposed Book Discussions => PBS Programs => Topic started by: marcie on October 30, 2011, 10:04:34 PM

Title: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on October 30, 2011, 10:04:34 PM: (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2010/masterpiececontemp.jpg)

Masterpiece Contemporary 2011 welcomes Bill Nighy (The Lost Prince), Rachel Weisz, Michael Gambon (Emma, Cranford), Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson in two new programs, Page Eight and The Song of Lunch. See the 2011 MASTERPIECE CONTEMPORARY schedule and episode descriptions (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/contemporary/index.html). Check your local listings (http://www.pbs.org/).

NOW DISCUSSING
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2010/framed.jpg)
Framed (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/framed/index.html)
November 27, 2011 at 9pm
One 90-minute episode
An eccentric Welsh village learns that London's National Gallery is storing its entire art collection in a nearby mine during the museum's renovations — leading to curious encounters between the village locals and the gallery's urbane, lovelorn curator. Trevor Eve (David Copperfield) and Eve Myles (Little Dorrit) star in this gentle comedy, based on Frank Cottrell Boyce's best-selling novel of the same name. ENCORE FROM LAST SEASON

PAST PROGRAMS
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2011/songoflunch.jpg)
Song of Lunch (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/songoflunch/index.html)
November 13, 2011 at 9pm
One 60-minute episode
A dramatisation of Christopher Reid's narrative poem, telling the story of a book editor who, 15 years after their break-up, meets his former love for a nostalgic lunch at the Soho restaurant they used to frequent. The production is unusual in featuring little spoken dialogue, the action instead being an enactment of incidents described in poetic monologue of the male character. Starring Alan Rickman & Emma Thompson.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2011/pageeight.jpg)
Page Eight (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/pageeight/index.html)
November 6, 2011 at 9pm
One 120-minute episode
Sixty-something MI-5 agent Johnny Worricker has amassed an impressive art collection, an amicable collection of ex-wives, and a droll, unflappable relationship with the work he enjoys alongside his boss and best friend, MI5 chief Benedict Baron. But when Benedict brings to light damning evidence of British complicity with illegal American torture operations, it falls to Johnny to do the right thing.

Discussion Leaders: JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net) and marcie (marciei@aol.com)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Frybabe on October 30, 2011, 11:18:44 PM: Just saw the trailer for Page Eight. What a cast. It should be interesting.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on October 31, 2011, 10:29:52 AM: Yes, Page Eight has a great cast. It looks good.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 06, 2011, 12:53:37 PM: I'm looking forward to the episode tonight!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: jeriron on November 06, 2011, 05:05:18 PM: Our PBS isn't showing it until 11:30. Good thing I can DVR it. They're showing a Lewis (repeat) at 9. Now that's dumb.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 06, 2011, 07:31:30 PM: That is too bad. I wonder how many people watch TV at 11:30?
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Frybabe on November 06, 2011, 10:50:01 PM: What an interesting development/ending. Liked it.

I am probably going to pass on next week's program. I like Alan Rickman, but the story line does not appeal to me.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on November 07, 2011, 07:49:41 AM: Just wondered how you all found Page 8? it was on over here some months ago, and I loved it. But then I would probably like anything with Bill Nighy in ;D

I haven't seen the Song of Lunch. I don't think it got great reviews here, though I would still like to see it - if only because Alan Rickman is another joy to behold.....

What are we going to do without Downton Abbey? :'(

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 07, 2011, 10:34:42 AM: I enjoyed Page 8. At first, I was a bit confused in the beginning about the significance of information but later they spelled it out. Did the Bill Nighy character throw the secret document in the trash at the end?

Rosemary, you can re-live Downton Abbey when we get to see it in the U.S. ;)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Frybabe on November 07, 2011, 11:26:57 AM: Quote
Did the Bill Nighy character throw the secret document in the trash at the end?

Yes!

I felt sorry for his daughter, who had hoped to reconcile with her dad.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 07, 2011, 03:35:46 PM: Maybe if/when the government changes to another Party, he can come back to England. Or someone else could leak the information about "who knew what" and then he wouldn't be in danger.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Dana on November 07, 2011, 04:47:52 PM: I fell asleep thru most of it (which has to say something!), then woke up and thought he was going to kill himself--decided later, must have thought that because he NEVER CRACKS A SMILE. I hate that--not my idea of acting.

Saw the movie of Brideshead Revisited recently--with Emma Thompson--enjoyed it very much. Finally got the message that it is all about Catholicism--never really struck me before as I remember....odd......
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: FlaJean on November 07, 2011, 07:31:37 PM: Yea, I understood every word!! I really enjoyed it.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: pedln on November 07, 2011, 10:58:45 PM: I just finished watching Page Eight -- taped it last night, but was too sleepy to stay up and watch it all. I liked it, but am not sure I got all the nuances. SPOILER HERE -- Ralph W was Benedict's source? It was his place that Johnny photographed?

Johnny had me worried, carrying all that cash around in a plastic bag. 60 what for that painting? Sixty thousand?

Part of the fun of watching a good show is exploring further some of the background that the writer throws in. I had never heard of the artist Christopher Wood, but after looking for some other of his paintings, I think that like Johnny, I'd like him too. That was a nice touch, him giving Nancy his other Wood.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 08, 2011, 01:28:47 AM: Pedln, my understanding is that some Congressman in the U.S. who flew a plane to the U.K. to meet with Benedict was the source. Benedict's wife (Johnny's former wife) told him about the visit from someone in a plane and Johnny found him online.

Yes, Johnny was taking pictures of the room of the Ralph Wilson, the young man who was spying on him (the son of Jill Tankard--the Judy Davis character).

I hadn't heard of Christopher Wood either. I like his paintings too. See some at http://www.oilpaintingsgallery.com/gallery/oil-paintings/list-Key-Wood,%20Christopher,%20England%201901%20to%201930-Type-Artist.asp
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on November 08, 2011, 03:39:04 AM: Dana - have you seen the DVD of the original Brideshead TV series? it was so much better than the more recent film with Emma Thompson. And it comes in handy one hour chunks so you can watch a bit every night.

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 08, 2011, 10:28:37 AM: Rosemary, yes, the original Brideshead was amazing, particularly the performances by Anthony Andrews and Jeremy Irons. I hadn't realized there was a newer one, with Emma Thompson. I've just put a hold on it from my library.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Dana on November 08, 2011, 12:06:39 PM: Yes Rosemary, I did watch it, or some of it, when it was first on TV, but am thinking I might have rather missed the point (!)--I am going to put it on my list from Netflicks. But I did read the books too, think there were 3, could be wrong, when a teenager, and LOVED them, but apparently didn't get the Catholic point then either (or have forgotten). Well, I knew they were RC of-course but apparently dismissed its importance, certainly in the Emma Thompson version that comes across as the totally overriding issue. I thought I might indulge in the books again , too.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on November 08, 2011, 12:33:23 PM: Dana - I only watched it for the first time a couple of years ago - the Catholicism is, as you say, completely central, but I am quite sure that it would have passed me by if I had watched/read it any earlier. The bit towards the end when Sebastian's father crosses himself on his deathbed would, I am sure, have entirely escaped me, ditto Charles's return to Brideshead and his visit to the chapel - which is of course hugely significant. It has made me wonder how many other things I missed in books I read as a teenager - I would like to go back and read them all again, but also have my tottering TBR pile to consider!

So far as I am aware there is only one book. Do let us know what you think of the two film versions - you too Marcie. I thought the Emma Thompson one was far too long and just didn't have the panache of the TV series, but Anthony Andrews may be the true basis of that opinion!

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Dana on November 08, 2011, 01:12:40 PM: Well you are definitely right about Anthony Andrews!! Only Emma T. stood out for me in the film. Not the same in the TV series!! Don't even remember who played that part--but who can forget AA!!

Isn't it surprising when you reread a book and have a totally different viewpoint of it? I do wonder the same as you--how much did I miss as a teen.

The series of Evelyn Waughs that I read at the same time was the Sword of Honour trilogy, just looked it up. I think I'm about to be indulging in a Waugh-fest. That should keep me going for a bit!!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: BarbStAubrey on November 08, 2011, 09:43:44 PM: not having read the book I may be way off but I got the impression the painting held a message - that was where he was going and as she looked at the painting after he left she realized it so that our imagination could have the two of them together in love.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Dana on November 08, 2011, 10:06:09 PM: Actually I got the same impression about the picture, Barb and my husb thought a sequel was on the cards with the manuscript in the waste bin.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 08, 2011, 10:48:26 PM: Gee, that's interesting Barb and Dana. I didn't think about the painting being a clue to Johnny's location. I watched the ending of the show again online and took a screen shot of the painting. Does anyone recognize the location? http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2011/page8photo.jpg

Also, when Johnny was at the airport he looked at the flight board. The two city names that were moving on the board were Stockholm and Buenos Aires. I don't know if those are clues to where he's going. Here's a screen shot of the airport board: http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2011/page8schedule.jpg
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: BarbStAubrey on November 08, 2011, 10:53:07 PM: If the painting is a clue I'd bet on Buenos Aires - fitting in that many from Europe have in the past hid out in Brazil or Argentina
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: pedln on November 09, 2011, 01:03:25 PM: This is the one he sold for get-away money; now I'm trying to find the other in his collections. So many of his paintings were in Brittany. I wonder how far and wide he traveled.

(http://gerryco23.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/christopher-wood-the-card-players.jpg)

Quote
This is the painting that the Bill Nighy character had hanging in his flat. It’s The Card Playersby Christopher Wood and was actually sold at Sothebys a few years back to a private bidder.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 09, 2011, 08:37:12 PM: Thanks for posting that photo, Pedln.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Frybabe on November 09, 2011, 08:45:52 PM: I was doing a search earlier today too, Pedln. Hope you have better luck than I did finding the other painting. Wood seems to have liked Cornwall as well as Brittany.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: pedln on November 11, 2011, 05:55:44 PM: No more luck, Frybabe, but I'm glad to have made Wood's acquaintance because I really do like his work. What would he be -- part of the Impressionist scene? Post-impressionist?
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 12, 2011, 01:59:43 PM: I looked for the painting too but couldn't find it. If it isn't actually a Christopher Wood, that would make it more likely, I think, that it's a clue.

I found a citation that says that Christopher Wood was a major artist in the "British modern movement of the 1920s." http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=50001
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 12, 2011, 02:03:08 PM: Song of Lunch will be broadcast this Sunday. It's only and hour so I think I'll watch it, even though the subject matter doesn't sound compelling to me. I admire the acting of Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: nlhome on November 13, 2011, 09:38:11 AM: Oooh, Song of Lunch is conflicting with the Packer football game - will have to see it later.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: CubFan on November 13, 2011, 10:10:35 AM: Go Pack!!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on November 13, 2011, 10:22:35 PM: I watched Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman on PBS's Masterpiece Contemporary tonight. It was less than an hour long, and was perfection. I believe the name of it was A SONG OF LUNCH - A POEM. And it was a poem and the very best of acting and, sob, so unfortunately true to Life.

Gosh, but they were good. No, Great! They were great.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 14, 2011, 12:53:26 AM: I agree MaryPage. I didn't expect to like the program but it was very well done and interesting.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: salan on November 14, 2011, 05:58:28 PM: I watched Song of Lunch and found it extremely boring. I watched all of it because I love Emma Thompson & Rickman. They are such good actors, but this program left me cold. Ah well....
Sally
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: jeriron on November 14, 2011, 08:05:04 PM: I'm so glad I wasn't the only one. At least you saw it through to the end. I was so bored I went on my IPad and played solitaire.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: FlaJean on November 14, 2011, 10:44:29 PM: I didn't care for it at all. Watched 20 min. and then went back to a good book I had been reading.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: ginny on November 15, 2011, 08:06:43 AM: It's on youtube. I watched part 2 of 4 yesterday when I saw the ad here and thought to do it justice I really need to see it all. I watched because Alan Rickman!! Emma Thompson! But I guess starting with Part 2 is not good, I could not figure out what was wrong with him? Then I saw him on a British talk show also on youtube and he had some of the same mannerisms in speech. I was having problems sorting out what was wrong with him. So what I need to do is watch it from the beginning and then watch him again on the talk show and see if I can separate the man from the acting or if I've just gotten hold of two strange bits, because in other things he seems quite different.

I have a personal problem with voice overs or whatever you call the thoughts of the character voiced while the actual characters are trying to deal with the situation. Remember that old show with Walter Winchell? I SO hated it. He supposedly voiced over what would happen to the people in the program: "Bill doesn't know it but..." I hated that, just hated it, and this one seemed about as self destructive but the reviews are RAVING and I need to give it a better shot.

I am glad to see it here and to see the Newsline because everybody is talking about it and I hate to miss stuff ("Ginny always misses the newest thing, no matter what she does. She doesn't know it but this show will...")

That could drive you crazy.

Brideshead Revisited! Absolutely love it. Get the DVD, the new anniversary edition, if you can with the outtakes and the actors talking about what they wanted to achieve. I was so sorry, in watching the bonus stuff, to learn that "Boy" had died in real life, I thought he was marvelous in that piece. Jeremy something. They all seemed to love him, also the bit about which one, Andrews or Irons, was meant originally to play which part and why the director switched them. Somehow I can't see the reverse, I think it was a good decision. The new version of Brideshead is so inaccurate to the book and absolutely awful. The actors in the original one carried around their copies of Waugh's Brideshead Revisited for inspiration.

Did you know those were Waugh's old "dormitory" rooms in the film?

:)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 15, 2011, 10:40:44 AM: There is an interesting review of SONG OF LUNCH at http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/oct/04/poetry-bbc-song-lunch

The poet, Christopher Reid, who wrote the poem which is dramatized is quoted as saying: "I wrote The Song Of Lunch after I'd finished A Scattering, largely a book about the death of my wife. I loved the scene in Ulysses where Joyce picks through the minutiae of a pub, and thought I could do the same for lunch. As I wrote it, it became clear I was rewriting the Orpheus legend, that it was a poem about death, about failing to bring anyone back to life."

Ginny, I don't know whether or not you will get a different impression if you watch the program from the beginning. I guess you have to be in the mood and enter the world of Rickman's character and find humor in his observations. The writing is quite good.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: nlhome on November 15, 2011, 07:36:19 PM: Ok, are you saying I shouldn't waste my time watching it online? (The Packers won!)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 16, 2011, 12:37:42 AM: (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2010/masterpiececontemp.jpg)

Masterpiece Contemporary 2011 welcomes Bill Nighy (The Lost Prince), Rachel Weisz, Michael Gambon (Emma, Cranford), Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson in two new programs, Page Eight and The Song of Lunch. See the 2011 MASTERPIECE CONTEMPORARY schedule and episode descriptions (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/contemporary/index.html). Check your local listings (http://www.pbs.org/).

PAST PROGRAMS
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2010/framed.jpg)
Framed (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/framed/index.html)
November 27, 2011 at 9pm
One 90-minute episode
An eccentric Welsh village learns that London's National Gallery is storing its entire art collection in a nearby mine during the museum's renovations — leading to curious encounters between the village locals and the gallery's urbane, lovelorn curator. Trevor Eve (David Copperfield) and Eve Myles (Little Dorrit) star in this gentle comedy, based on Frank Cottrell Boyce's best-selling novel of the same name. ENCORE FROM LAST SEASON Watch online at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch/index.html through December 27, 2011.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2011/songoflunch.jpg)
Song of Lunch (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/songoflunch/index.html)
November 13, 2011 at 9pm
One 60-minute episode
A dramatisation of Christopher Reid's narrative poem, telling the story of a book editor who, 15 years after their break-up, meets his former love for a nostalgic lunch at the Soho restaurant they used to frequent. The production is unusual in featuring little spoken dialogue, the action instead being an enactment of incidents described in poetic monologue of the male character. Starring Alan Rickman & Emma Thompson.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/contemporary_2011/pageeight.jpg)
Page Eight (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/pageeight/index.html)
November 6, 2011 at 9pm
One 120-minute episode
Sixty-something MI-5 agent Johnny Worricker has amassed an impressive art collection, an amicable collection of ex-wives, and a droll, unflappable relationship with the work he enjoys alongside his boss and best friend, MI5 chief Benedict Baron. But when Benedict brings to light damning evidence of British complicity with illegal American torture operations, it falls to Johnny to do the right thing.

Discussion Leaders: JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net) and marcie (marciei@aol.com)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 16, 2011, 12:37:53 AM: I don't know what to say, nlhome. I enjoyed it.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: BarbStAubrey on November 16, 2011, 01:57:45 AM: Just tried to watch it online from PBS - I think it would make a better poem to read than see it acted - the subject matter did bore me and so I stopped watching a bit after she went to the powder room - she looked exquisite and as usual they are both such fine actors.

He has a distinctive speaking voice that brings drama to all his parts but I just did not like him in this part - maybe it was the character I did not like - the more I think of it that was it - he did a superb job of characterizing a bloated blowzy self absorbed depressive and I just couldn't take it any longer - maybe if I watched it through I would understand why she wanted to see him again except out of curiosity but then why - she had the husband, marriage and children she chose so why?

Was the author Christopher Reid the actor who was paralyzed after an accident on his horse?
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 16, 2011, 02:19:23 AM: Barbara, it's a different Christopher Reid. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Reid

I think that during the "poem" he recalls that he invited her to lunch so she accepted. He must have had some attraction for her during their time together. Perhaps she didn't want to hurt his feelings by saying no.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on November 16, 2011, 09:23:11 AM: This is my take:

They were lovers for a few years, breaking up 15 years ago. They had hoped for a life together, but he was going nowhere, treading water, getting deeper and deeper into alcoholism. She left him.

Now, happily married, living in Paris, a couple of children, she gets a call from him to have lunch when she comes to London. She accepts. Her deep hope is to find her old love improved, getting on with his life, and happy.

She hopes for too much. He is still in love with her, but in a dreamy, alcoholic sort of way. His Great Love is alcohol. He has gone nowhere and done nothing. She is so disappointed.

So is he, but he drinks that, and all emotions, away ____ away.

I feel pretty sure makeup had worked to make him look dissolute. And yes, Emma looked GREAT! I loved her hairdo, but even more, I loved that dress. I kept staring at the marvelous way that neckline was created and imagining all sorts of frocks and tops made in that fashion. Very feminine and flattering.

I found it extremely touching when the moment came that she was feeling so sad about finding him unchanged and stuck in time and still addicted and she reached out and touched his hand. She HAD been so very fond of him once, and the sadness of the death of those feelings and sorrow for him just overcame her. WELL acted!

I have seen sooo much of this in real life. I found it exquisitely acted and very short. Beautiful. Beautifully done. Both actors beyond superb.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on November 16, 2011, 09:28:27 AM: And I loved Page 8. Bill Nighy can do no wrong as an actor, in my view. Loved the whole thing.

One of my husbands was an Intelligence Analyst, so I relate to Nighy's and Gambon's jobs and lives.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on November 16, 2011, 11:59:58 AM: MaryPage - I'm sure that, as you say, make-up was the cause of Alan Rickman's dissolute appearance. He is far too gorgeous to have deteriorated (I hope). And I agree about Bill Nighy (I nearly typed 'nighty' then...), wonderful, wonderful. Michael Gambon also.

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: FlaJean on November 16, 2011, 01:03:35 PM: I really enjoyed Page 8, but didn't care for this one at all. I might have liked it better with a different male actor--felt he was miscast.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on November 26, 2011, 01:00:54 PM: I see that you are all to be treated to 'Framed' - I am just popping in to say that the book is absolutely brilliant, and my daughter Madeleine, who has seen the TV adaptation as well, says that that is excellent too. Enjoy!

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Frybabe on November 26, 2011, 01:30:08 PM: I've seen Framed twice, so I might skip it this time, or not. It is such a lovely movie - no nasty language, violence or over-sexed bits.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: Frybabe on November 27, 2011, 07:33:54 PM: My PBS station is not running Framed tonight. Instead there are a bunch of Christmasy things including Handel's Messiah Rocks. I know I can miss that version.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on November 27, 2011, 09:28:46 PM: I am not getting FRAMED either on my PBS station. I saw it last year and read the book. I agree that both are excellent. I may watch it again online (available starting tomorrow) if I can make time.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: ginny on November 28, 2011, 09:47:35 AM: There's a book? I was all excited about Framed, it looks wonderful and then I read everybody's comments and couldn't wait and we're having Pledge Drives, so hopefully we will soon see it. I must look up the book.

I also have watched much footage of Alan Rickman in many situations including interviews, and have changed my mind. He's also on Broadway now. Now I can see nuances I didn't before so am planning to get the Song of Lunch and watch it from the beginning, it's never good to enter something badly presented like the youtube is in the middle!

I've been watching over the break (you'll all laugh) Pie in the Sky, which ran on British TV for a considerable (if the number of CD's is any indication) number of episodes, I think that's my intellectual style. I really like it, it grows on you despite some obvious things which don't add up. I really have enjoyed sinking into it, it's a detective, who wants to open his own restaurant upon his retirement, and does.

The little touches are marvelous, like playing Elgar for his chickens in the coop. I hate to say it but we used to, too, not Elgar but suitable music for chickens. hahahaha It does work. :) He remarks at one point ever since the Elgar he's had a lot of double yolks, which of course you get with young chickens but the music also seems to make a difference, too. Love the series, it's unpretentious and fun and you always get to see something new and exciting when he gets dragged into cases.

I saw it listed in an Acorn catalog, and borrowed them from Netflix.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: FlaJean on November 28, 2011, 06:30:19 PM: I watched it for the second time and enjoyed it both times.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on December 01, 2011, 11:57:42 PM: We'll leave this discussion open to talk about FRAMED. We've opened a new topic to talk about the new PBS Classic season at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2716.0.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: okietxjenjen on December 03, 2011, 10:09:53 AM: Song of Lunch was strange. I kept waiting for something to happen, after awhile I flipped channels.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on December 03, 2011, 10:55:58 AM: To me, it was a small picture of an ongoing, real life tragedy: the person, male or female, who shows so much talent and promise as a well-educated young person and is grabbed by an addiction, alcohol, which they cannot let go of even for Love of another. I have seen so very much of this in my lifetime, and I thought these two outstanding actors did an amazing job of portraying the angst in one very small film.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on December 13, 2011, 01:44:41 PM: In a review of his latest Broadway Show, Seminar, The New Yorker mentioned that the American Theatre Guild had named Rickman #46 in the list of all-time villains in show business. The New Yorker went on to insist that they find him NUMBER ONE!

Maybe!

I absolutely adored him as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series.

He was also chosen by Empire as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (No 34) in 1995 and ranked No 59 in Empire's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list in October 1997.

Rickman has been a Joy in my old age, and thank goodness I have lived to know at least some of his work
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on December 13, 2011, 02:05:46 PM: Oh yes MaryPage - Rickman is just wonderful. Did you see him in Love Actually? He's just so good in everything.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on December 13, 2011, 02:47:05 PM: Oh Yes! Love Actually is one of my all time favorite movies, and I own the DVD. Can't TELL you how many times we have watched it in our family. It is one of those rare you-never-get-tired-of-it movies.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on December 13, 2011, 04:05:29 PM: And it's got Bill Nighy in it as well - and Colin Firth - joy, joy, joy!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on December 13, 2011, 04:42:13 PM: And LIAM NEESON!

Be still, my throbbing heart!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on December 13, 2011, 05:15:44 PM: ;D ;D

Am off to bed to dream sweet dreams....
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: JeanneP on December 13, 2011, 07:19:32 PM: Rosemary.

Don't dream Colin Firth. He is all mine.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: rosemarykaye on December 14, 2011, 03:06:36 AM: ;D OK, I'll take Alan Rickman before Mary does...
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: MaryPage on December 14, 2011, 08:37:58 AM: I am too old fashioned to go for threesomes, Rosemary.

Liam is my dreamboat!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece Contemporary 2011
Post by: marcie on December 14, 2011, 11:01:39 AM: :-)