Category: TV

A Clash of Kings (1998)

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

A Clash of Kings is the second novel in A Song of Ice and Fire, an epic fantasy series by American author George R. R. Martin …

Like its predecessor, A Game of Thrones, it won the Locus Award (in 1999) for Best Novel and was nominated for the Nebula Award …

A Clash of Kings picks up where A Game of Thrones ended. The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros are plagued by civil war, while the Night’s Watch mounts a reconnaissance force north of the Wall to investigate the mysterious people, known as wildlings, who live there. Meanwhile, in the distant east, Daenerys Targaryen continues her quest to return to and conquer the Seven Kingdoms. All signs are foreshadowing the terrible disaster that is to come. …

Clash

The highlights for me were Tyrion Lannister (the Imp) and Arya Stark, the Tomboy daughter.

The subplot of the Night’s Watch on The Wall is fascinating.

Though Clash was not nearly as good as Game of Thrones, I’ve downloaded book 3 – A Storm of Swords (2000)

I’ve also started watching Game of Thrones, the TV series.

George Takei on TV Cord Cutting

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Mashable:

1. Decide What You Really Watch

This is an important step for figuring out what — if any — digital alternatives you’ll use. If your current cable package includes 1,000+ channels, or some equally gargantuan number, you probably only watch a handful of them. It’s just impossible to see everything.

And if the majority of your shows are also available for streaming on their respective network’s sites — most go up the day after they air — take the time to prioritize which ones you need to watch. You may find that, given your schedule and watching habits, you only take the time to sit down for a few shows each month.

Granted, not every show has an online option …

read more …

Wall Street Journal – ‘Are You Still Watching Cable TV?’

Friday Night Lights

On By Rick McIn education, ethics, health & fitness, product endorsements, TVLeave a comment

Do you think that God loves football?

I find myself watching Season 1 of the acclaimed TV series Friday Night Lights. (2006-2011)

It’s very intense. Very well done.

Is Texas truly this football obsessed?

Click PLAY or watch a promo on YouTube.

All the acting is strong. The writing excellent.

I really like Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins. And Connie Britton as Tami Taylor.

In fact, for a TV series about a macho male sport, the female lead characters are all good.

I never played football. Never much liked football.

Watching the show in 2013 I mostly worry about brain damage. Concussion.

Game of Thrones

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

A Song of Ice and Fire is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin. …

A Game of Thrones (1996)
A Clash of Kings (1998)
A Storm of Swords (2000)
A Feast for Crows (2005)
A Dance with Dragons (2011)
The Winds of Winter (forthcoming)
A Dream of Spring (forthcoming)

I listened to audio versions of the first two on my recent travels.

Long … But engaging. Especially during dark nights in the tent.

… While the first novel contains nearly no magic at all, the prominence of magic grows within and beyond each novel to the next. The assortment of disparate, subjective, and not always accurate points of view confronts the reader with a variety of perspectives on each of the other characters from one chapter to the next. The reader may not safely presume that a favorite prominent character will prevail, or even survive. Violence, sexuality and moral ambiguity frequently arise among a set of over a thousand named characters. …

Too violent, I’d say.

Still, I’ll likely download A Storm of Swords for my next trip.

And watch the TV series.

Click PLAY or watch the season 1 trailer on YouTube.

season 4 – Breaking Bad

On By Rick McIn product endorsements, TVLeave a comment

Walter White is a bad ass.

breaking-bad-season-4

Breaking Bad (season 4) concluded on October 9, 2011. …

… the ongoing feud between Walter White and Gus Fring …

a “13-episode chess game” between Gus and Walt.

I’ve been addicted, watching about half an episode most nights.

… Is a Canadian version being cast ?? 🙂

breaking Ron

I’ve started Breaking Bad …

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

The first season of the American television drama series Breaking Bad premiered on January 20, 2008 …

Warren and Sandy got me hooked.

Walter “Walt” White (Bryan Cranston) leads a mundane, timid life as a high school chemistry teacher. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his pregnant wife, Skyler (Anna Gunn), and his son, Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte), who has cerebral palsy.

… on the day after his 50th birthday, he is diagnosed with stage-three terminal lung cancer. Walter decides to enter the illegal drug trade to develop a sufficient inheritance for his family before he succumbs to his cancer. He uses his chemistry knowledge to cook remarkably potent methamphetamine, enlisting one of his former students, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).

Click PLAY or watch a tribute video on YouTube.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

On By Rick McIn food, travel, TVLeave a comment

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown is an American travel and food show on CNN which premiered on April 14, 2013.

episode 8 – “Congo”

Tony visits Congo, the setting of one of his favorite books, Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, and the basis for one of his favorite movies, the classic Apocalypse Now.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

You might remember Troy McClure from …

On By Rick McIn humour, TVLeave a comment

By Kevin McFarland:

Troy McClure is the most beloved peripheral character in the Simpsons canon, and with good reason. The character was retired after Phil Hartman’s tragic death in 1998, largely confining McClure’s appearances to the “Golden Age” of the show.

… a two-minute montage of 47 educational and promotional film McClure mentions on the show. …

AV Club – Here’s a supercut of every film you might remember Troy McClure from

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The Wire – season 4

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

The fourth season of The Wire has been universally lauded and hailed as one of the best seasons of television ever produced. As of 2012, it is listed as the second highest rated individual TV season of all time on Metacritic (behind season 5 of Breaking Bad), with a score of 98 out of 100 based on 21 critics—including 17 perfect score reviews.

It’s great. But the weakest of the 4 seasons, so far, in my opinion.

At this point it’s mainly my favourite characters keeping me going.

I cannot recall any characters of fiction anything like Omar or Snoop.

The_Wire_Omar

The_Wire_Snoop

On to season 5.