Film: Downton Abbey

GENRE: Drama

RATING: PG for thematic elements
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 2 minutes

STARRING: Michelle Dockery (Good Behavior, Anna Karenina)

Allen Leech (Bohemian Rhapsody), Maggie Smith (Harry Potter)

DIRECTOR: Michael Engler (Sex and the City, 30 Rock, Downton)

WRITER: Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park, The Tourist, Downton)

PLOT: The royal family visits the Crawly family. Manners ensue.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: I enjoyed the television series.

STORY STUFF: It was a pleasant film. Nothing profound. Just think of it as an extended episode with some nicer (expensive) camerawork. I was happy that Lady Mary’s storyline was pretty small as I don’t like her much. I like Tom, who had a lot to do this time around. Keep in mind, if you haven’t watched the series, you’ll be pretty lost with most of the character backstories.  

ACTING STUFF: A little annoyed that Matthew Goode, who plays Mary’s husband, gets one of the top billings yet is barely in the film. The acting is on par with the television series. Smith is still wonderful as Violet. Enjoyed Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter) as Violet’s rival.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Some beautiful shots of the Downton Abbey exterior. Can’t think of too much else that caught my eye. Wondering if they are going to get Oscar nominations for costume as the academy usually praises elegant period pieces.   

VERDICT: Three stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You watched & enjoyed the TV series. (Not for newcomers.)

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Ad Astra, The Joker

2019 Emmy Wrap-Up

Good job Fleabag (started watching the show tonight as a result). I didn’t do well, I got 12 out of 22 categories (I count predicted and wanted as wins). The ceremony was more miss than hit. I was okay with the no-host thing but Thomas Lennon as the commentator didn’t really add anything to the broadcast, maybe his Felicity Huffman shout-out. The massive photos behind the winners were unflattering at times. Some of the music choices were poorly chosen; some pretty upbeat tunes for the depressing Chernobyl wins. I was also embarrassed for Adam Devine’s dance number introducing the variety portion of the show; it was no Tony intro. Ken Jeong's TikTok bit was awful.  I’m always annoyed that some categories show clips for the shows and others are sped through; but this year it was ultra awkward as they showed the nominees then brought the presenters out to do lame banter. In the meantime, my short attention span had forgotten the nominees already. Dumb order. I did like a couple things. The president of television something or other explaining the meaningfulness of television was well said. My highlight was Maya Rudolph and Ike Barinholtz naming the nominees. Their opening bit about being blind took too long but I loved the misreadings of the names. “Here are the nimrods for dead ascot in a chocolate staircase.” Loved Bill Hader’s win and speech. Here are some of the other winners:

THE WINNERS:

Drama Series: Game of Thrones (Predicted & Wanted)

Comedy Series: Fleabag

Limited Series: Chernobyl

Television Movie: Black Mirror – Bandersnatch (Predicted & Wanted)

Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Predicted & Wanted)

Variety Sketch Series: SNL (Predicted & Wanted)

Reality Series: RuPaul’s Drag Race (Predicted)  

Lead Actor [Drama]: Billy Porter

Lead Actress [Drama]: Jodie Comer

Lead Actor [Comedy]: Bill Hader (Predicted)

Lead Actress [Comedy]: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Lead Actor [Limited]: Jharrel Jerome (Predicted)  

Lead Actress [Limited]: Michelle Williams

Supp. Actor [Drama]: Peter Dinklage (Predicted & Wanted)

Supp. Actress [Drama]: Julia Garner (Predicted)   

Supp. Actor [Comedy]: Tony Shalhoub (Predicted)

Supp. Actress [Comedy]: Alex Borstein

Supp. Actor [Limited]: Ben Whishaw

Supp. Actress [Limited]: Patricia Arquette

Writing [Drama]: Succession – Nobody is Ever Missing

Writing [Comedy]: Fleabag – Episode 1 (Predicted)   

Writing [Limited]: Chernobyl (Predicted)  

2019 Emmy Predictions

The Emmys are on Sunday. I haven’t seen a bunch of the shows and miniseries nominated this year which could prove detrimental. There’s just too much out there to keep track of it all. For the Primetime Emmys predictions, it’s same as past years: I play to win but am happy if the one I want to win takes the statue. Here now are the predictions and outright guesses:

Outstanding Drama Series

Better Call Saul | Bodyguard | Game of Thrones | Killing Eve | Ozark | Pose | Succession | This Is Us

WILL WIN: Game of Thrones (Ended strong in my opinion)

WANT TO WIN: Game of Thrones (It’s an impressive series)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Barry | Fleabag | The Good Place | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Russian Doll | Schitt’s Creek | Veep

WILL WIN: Veep (A win for its last season)

WANT TO WIN: Barry (Did not enjoy Good Place as much this season)

Outstanding Limited Series

Chernobyl | Escape at Dannemora | Fosse/Verdon | Sharp Objects | When They See Us

WILL WIN: When They See Us (Powerful and racially relevant)

WANT TO WIN: Escape at Dannemora (A riveting story)

Outstanding Television Movie

Bandersnatch (Black Miror) | Brexit | Deadwood: The Movie | King Lear | My Dinner with Herve

WILL WIN: Bandersnatch (Black Mirror) (Innovative and interesting)

WANT TO WIN: Bandersnatch (Haven’t seen the other ones)

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

Daily Show with Trevor Noah | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | Jimmy Kimmel Live | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | The Late Late Show with James Corden | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert  

WILL WIN: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (He’s awesome and informative)

WANT TO WIN: Last Week Tonight (It’s appointment television for me)

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

At Home with Amy Sedaris | Documentary Now! | Drunk History | I Love You America with Sarah Silverman | SNL | Who Is America?

WILL WIN: SNL (This show is still on a roll)

WANT TO WIN: SNL (Hands down)

Outstanding Reality – Competition Program

Amazing Race | America Ninja Warrior | Nailed It! | RuPaul’s Drag Race | Top Chef | The Voice

WILL WIN: RuPaul’s Drag Race (Never seen it, but apparently fun)

WANT TO WIN: Amazing Race (Only one I watch of these)

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Better Call Saul: Bob Odenkirk | Game of Thrones: Kit Harrington | Ozark: Jason Bateman | This Is Us: Sterling K Brown | Pose: Billy Porter | This Is Us: Milo Ventimiglia

WILL WIN: Kit Harington (He got to be all emotional this season)

WANT TO WIN: Bob Odenkirk (His show deserves some love)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Game of Thrones: Emilia Clarke | House of Cards: Robin Wright | How to Get Away With Murder: Viola Davis | Killing Eve: Jodie Comer | Killing Eve: Sandra Oh | Ozark: Laura Linney | This Is Us: Mandy Moore

WILL WIN: Sandra Oh (People seem to love this show)

WANT TO WIN: Emilia Clarke (I liked her craziness)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Barry: Bill Hader | Black Monday: Don Cheadle | Black-ish: Anthony Anderson | The Good Place: Ted Danson | The Kominsky Method: Michael Douglas | Schitt’s Creek: Eugene Levy

WILL WIN: Bill Hader (Lots of PTSD dark humour this season)

WANT TO WIN: Eugene Levy (Would love to see this show get an Emmy)

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Dead To Me: Christina Applegate | Flebag: Phoebe Walker | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Rachel Brosnahan | Russian Doll: Natasha Lyonne | Schitt’s Creek: Catherine O’Hara | Veep: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

WILL WIN: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Why not extend her streak?)

WANT TO WIN: Catherine O’Hara (Along with Eugene Levy)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Chernobyl: Jared Harris | Escape at Dannemora: Benicio del Toro | Fosse/Verdon: Sam Rockwell | True Detective: Mahershala Ali | A Very English Scandal: Hugh Grant | When They See Us: Jharrel Jerome

WILL WIN: Jharrel Jerome (It’s a heart-breaking performance)

WANT TO WIN: Jared Harris (He’s so compelling to watch)

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

The Act: Joey King | Escape at Dannemora: Patricia Arquette | Fosse/Verdon: Michelle Williams | Sharp Objects: Amy Adams | When They See Us: Aunjanue Ellis | When They See Us: Niecy Nash

WILL WIN: Patricia Arquette (She brought her ‘A’ game)

WANT TO WIN: Patricia Arquette (She’s unrecognizable and awesome)

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Better Call Saul: Jonathan Banks | Better Call Saul: Giancarlo Esposito | Game of Thrones: Alfie Allen | Game of Thrones: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau | Game of Thrones: Peter Dinklage | House of Cards: Michael Kelly | This Is Us: Chris Sullivan

WILL WIN: Peter Dinklage (He’s just fantastic)

WANT TO WIN: Peter Dinklage (He brings it every time)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Game of Thrones: Gwendoline Christie | Game of Thrones: Lena Headey | Game of Thrones: Sophie Turner | Game of Thrones: Maisie Williams | Killing Eve: Fiona Shaw | Ozark: Julia Garner

WILL WIN: Julia Garner (Thrones ladies will cancel each other out)

WANT TO WIN: Maisie Williams (She got to do so much this season)

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Barry: Anthony Carrigan | Barry: Stephen Root | Barry: Henry Winkler | The Kominsky Method: Alan Arkin | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Tony Shalhoub | Veep: Tony Hale

WILL WIN: Tony Shalhoub (he always seems to win, him or Tony Hale)

WANT TO WIN: Stephen Root (How has this guy never won an Emmy before?)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Barry: Sarah Goldberg | Fleabag: Sian Clifford | Fleabag: Olivia Colman | GLOW: Betty Gilpin | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Alex Borstein | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Marin Hinkle | SNL: Kate McKinnon | Veep: Anna Chlumsky

WILL WIN: Olivia Colman (She’s on a roll lately)

WANT TO WIN: Kate McKinnon (like SNL people winning things)

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Chernobyl: Stellan Skarsgard | Escape at Dannemora: Paul Dano | A Very English Scandal: Ben Whishaw | When They See Us: Asante Blackk | When They See Us: John Leguizamo| When They See Us: Michael K Williams

WILL WIN: Asante Blackk (Awesome young performance)

WANT TO WIN: Paul Dano (Loved watching him escape)

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

The Act: Patricia Arquette | Chernobyl: Emily Watson | Fosse/Verdon: Margaret Qualley | Sharp Objects: Patricia Clarkson | When They See Us: Marsha Stephanie Blake | When They See Us: Vera Farmiga

WILL WIN: Patricia Clarkson (Critics like her)

WANT TO WIN: Emily Watson (Just picked a name out of a hat)

Writing for a Drama Series

Better Call Saul • Winner | Bodyguard • Episode 1 | Game of Thrones • The Iron Throne | The Handmaid’s Tale • Holly | Killing Eve • Nice and Neat | Succession • Nobody Is Ever Missing

WILL WIN: Better Call Saul-Winner (The ending is heartbreaking)

WANT TO WIN: Better Call Saul-Winner (The writing is impeccable)

Writing for a Comedy Series

Barry • ronny/lily | Fleabag • Episode 1 | The Good Place • Janet(s) | PEN15 • Anna Ishii-Peters | Russian Doll • Nothing In This World Is Easy | Russian Doll • A Warm Body | Veep • Veep

WILL WIN: Fleabag-Episode 1 (It’s doing well with critics)

WANT TO WIN: Barry-ronny/lily (Outrageous fight scenes mixed with humour. So good.)

Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special

Chernobyl | Escape at Dannemora • Episode 6 | Escape at Dannemora • Episode 7 | Fosse/Verdon • Providence | A Very English Scandal | When They See Us • Part Four

WILL WIN: Chernobyl (An eye-opening story)

WANT TO WIN: Escape at Dannemora-Episode 6 (Compelling)

Let’s see how I do. I’ll post after the Emmys with the results and commentary.

2019 Fall TV Preview

The fall television season is almost upon us. Most of the shows will return in a couple of weeks. Trying seven new shows this year but am worried that most won’t last too long. Here’s the run down of what I’ll be watching (by premiere date):

THE GOOD DOCTOR [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 3

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 23 @ 10pm

Genre: Medical Drama

Starring: Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel, Finding Neverland)

Richard Schiff (West Wing, I Am Sam, The Affair)

Creator/Showrunner: David Shore (House, Houdini and Doyle)

Why I watch: Freddie Highmore is an amazing actor

THIS IS US [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Sept 24 @ 9pm

Genre: Drama

Starring: Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember, Saved, Tangled)

Sterling K Brown (ACS: The People vs OJ Simpson, Black Panther)

Creator/Showrunner: Dan Fogelman (The Neighbors, Grandfathered)

Why I watch: Top notch writing and performances

MODERN FAMILY [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 11

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Sept 25 @ 9pm

Genre: Family Comedy

Starring: Ty Burrell (Back to You, Finding Dory)

Julie Bowen (Boston Legal, Weeds, Lost, Ed)

Creators: Steve Levitan (Just Shoot Me, Frasier, Wings)

Christopher Lloyd (Wings, Frasier, Out of Practice, Back to You)

Why I watch: Now I’m just waiting for this to end

[NEW!] STUMPTOWN [ABC]]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Sept 25 @ 10pm

Genre: Action Drama

Starring: Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother, Marvel films)

Jake Johnson (New Girl, Tag, Jurassic World, Let’s Be Cops )

Creator: Greg Rucka (newcomer)

Premise: An arm vet becomes a PI, based on a graphic novel

Why I’ll give it a chance: Like Smulders and Johnson together

What could hurt it: Procedurals don’t always last

YOUNG SHELDON [CBS]

Upcoming Season: 3

Premiere Date/Time: Thu, Sept 26 @ 8pm

Genre: Family Comedy

Starring: Iain Armitage (Big Little Lies, The Glass Castle)

Zoe Perry (Scandal, The Family)

Creators: Chuck Lorre & Steven Molaro (The Big Bang Theory)

Showrunner: Steven Molaro (The Class, The Big Bang Theory)

Why I watch: The kids are pretty darn entertaining especially Missy

[NEW!] PERFECT HARMONY [NBC]]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Thur, Sept 26 @ 8:30pm

Genre: Divine Comedy

Starring: Bradley Whitford (West Wing, Get Out, Handmaid’s Tale)

Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect, The Help, True Blood)

Creator: Lesley Wake (Go On, Life in Pieces, Speechless)

Premise: An Ivy League professor conducts a rural church choir

Why I’ll give it a chance: I like Whitford and time placement

What could hurt it: The premise is weak, more like a movie instead

THE GOOD PLACE [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Thu, Sept 26 @ 9pm

Genre: Divine Comedy

Starring: Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Frozen)

Ted Danson (Cheers, Becker, CSI:, Fargo)

Creator/Showrunner: Michael Shur (Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine Nine)

Why I watch: Very funny characters and interesting twists

[NEW!] SUNNYSIDE [NBC]]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Thur, Sept 26 @ 9:30pm

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Kal Penn (House, Harold & Kumar films)

Creator: Oz Rodriguez (SNL video segments)

Premise: A councilman helps immigrants in search of the American Dream

Why I’ll give it a chance: Produced by Michael Shur (Good Place, etc)

What could hurt it: The premise seems weak and unable to last

[NEW!] THE POLITICIAN [NETFLIX]]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Fri, Sept 27 @ 12:01am

Genre: Comedy Musical

Starring: Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen, Pitch Perfect)

Jessica Lange (American Horror Story, Feud, Tootsie)

Creator: Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story, Feud)

Premise: An ambition student needs to become student president

Why I’ll give it a chance: Like Platt and the trailer

What could hurt it: Lost in the Netflix catalogue of the shows

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 45

Premiere Date/Time: Sat, Sept 28 @ 11:30pm

Genre: Sketch Comedy

Starring: Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters, The Spy Who Dumped Me)

Kenan Thompson (Good Burger, Snakes on a Plane)

Creator: Lorne Michaels (30 Rock, Portlandia)

Why I watch: It’s an institution. Always something to talk about.

THE SIMPSONS [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 31

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Sep 29 @ 8pm

Genre: Animated Comedy

Starring: Dan Castellaneta (Hey Arnold!)

Hank Azaria (Smurfs, Ray Donovan)

Creator: Matt Groening (Futurama)

Showrunners: Al Jean (The Critic) & Matt Selman (newcomer)

Why I watch: I’ve seen every episode, why stop now?

THE FLASH [CW]

Upcoming Season: 6

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Oct 8 @ 8pm

Genre: Action/Adventure

Starring: Grant Gustin (Glee, 90210, Arrow)

Jesse L Martin (Law & Order, Smash, Rent)

Creators: Greg Berlanti (Dawson’s Creek, Everwood, Eli Stone)

Andrew Kreisberg (Boston Legal, Arrow) & Geoff Johns (Arrow)

Why I watch: More of a guilty pleasure at this point

[

NEW!] WATCHMEN [HBO]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Sunday, October 20 @ 9pm

Genre: Drama Action

Starring: Jeremy Irons (Lion King, Die Hard 3, The Borgias)

Don Johnson (Miami Vice, Django Unchained, Nash Bridges)

Creator: Damon Lindelof (Lost The Leftovers, Star Trek into Darkness)

Premise: An alternate history where ‘heroes’ are treated as outlaws

Why I’ll give it a chance: Lindelof and high production value

What could hurt it: Graphic novel purists may revolt

SILICON VALLEY [HBO]

Upcoming Season: 6

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 27 @ 9pm

Genre: IT Comedy

Starring: Thomas Middleditch (Godzilla: King of Monsters)

Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Stuber)

Creator: Mike Judge (Office Space, Beavis & Butthead)

Why I watch: Great awkward humour and cast chemistry

TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN [AMAZON]]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Fri, Nov 1 @ 12:01am

Genre: Action Drama

Starring: John Krasinski (The Office, A Quiet Place, 13 Hours)

Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Treme, Suits, The Odd Couple, Bad Moms)

Creators: Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel) & Graham Roland (Fringe)

Why I watch: Like Krasinski and the tension-filled cases

KIDDING [SHOWTIME]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Nov 3 @ 9pm

Genre: Comedy Drama

Starring: Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Yes Man)

Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon, Robot & Frank, The Americans)

Creator: Dave Holstein (Weeds, I’m Dying Up Here)

Why I watch: It’s very dark and I enjoy Jim Carrey

[NEW!] THE MANDALORIAN [DISNEY+]]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Nov 12 @ 12:01am

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy

Starring: Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, Kingsman 2, Equalizer 2)

Brendan Wayne (small roles in TV shows and films)

Creator: Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Jungle Book, Lion King, Swingers)

Premise: The adventures of a gunfighter in the Star Wars universe

Why I’ll give it a chance: Favreau and Star Wars

What could hurt it: Have to get Disney+ to watch it

THE CROWN [NETFLIX]]

Upcoming Season: 3

Premiere Date/Time: Fri, Nov 17 @ 12:01am

Genre: History Drama

Starring: Olivia Coleman (The Favourite, Broadchurch, Fleabag)

Tobias Menzies (Game of Thrones, Outlander, Rome)

Creator: Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon, The Audience)

Why I watch: Fascinating insight into British royalty + great acting

[NEW!] THE MORNING SHOW [APPLE TV+]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: TBA

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Starring: Jennifer Aniston (Friends, Horrible Bosses)

Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies, Election, Wild, Walk the Line)

Creator: Kerry Ehrin (Friday Night Lights, Bates Motel, Rise)

Premise: A morning anchor faces competition

Why I’ll give it a chance: Stars and behind the scene stuff

What could hurt it: I don’t plan on getting Apple TV+ 

LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 7

Premiere Date/Time: ongoing @ 12:30pm

Genre: Talk Show

Starring: Seth Meyers (SNL, The Awesomes, New Year’s Eve)

Creator: Lorne Michaels & NBC

Why I watch: Mostly just his Closer Looks, sometimes his interviews

LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER [HBO]

Upcoming Season: Still in Season 6

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, still running @ 10pm

Genre: ‘News’ program

Starring: John Oliver (Daily Show, Community)

Creator: John Oliver

Why I watch: Love Oliver’s rants and in depth stuff

What new shows are you going try this year?

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Emmy Predictions