Blackout is a pop culture junkie who wants to spread his addiction of television and film to as many people as possible. If you're planning on sitting in front of a screen, you might as well watch the good stuff.
In 2010, I’m going to try and spend a bit more time talking about television instead of movies. While I’ve talked about some of the following series, I don’t think I’ve given all them their full due; for example, the amazing fourth season of Dexter with the wonderful John Lithgow as a fellow serial killer. Anyway, like last year, instead of describing each series on the list, I’ve selected three amazing episodes from 2009. Download them or watch them online and see what I mean.
1. LOST
1. 316 (Season 5 : Episode 6)
2. The Life and Times of Jeremy Bentham (S5 : E7)
3. He’s Our You (S5 : E10)
2. BREAKING BAD
1. 4 Days Out (S2 : E9)
2. Grilled (S2 : E2)
3. ABQ (S2 : E13)
3. DAMAGES
1. London, Of Course (S2 : E11)
2. Trust Me (S2 : E13)
3. Hey! Mr. Pibb (S2 : E4)
4. THE OFFICE
1. Niagara, Part I & II (S6 : E4, E5)
2. Secret Santa (S6 :E13)
3. Stress Relief (S5 : E13)
5. MAD MEN
1. Shut the Door, Have a Seat (S3 : E13)
2. The Gypsy and the Hobo (S3 : E11)
3. Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency (S3 : E6)
6. DEXTER
1. The Getaway (S4 : E12)
2. Hello, Dexter Morgan (S4 : E11)
3. Dex Takes a Holiday (S4 : E4)
7. FLASH FORWARD
1. No More Good Days (S1 : E1)
2. The Gift (S1 : E7)
3. Scary Monsters and Super Creeps (S1 : E6)
8. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
1. East of Dillon (S4 : E1)
2. The Giving Tree (S3 : E10)
3. Hello, Goodbye (S3 : E4)
9. CHUCK
1. Chuck Vs. the Ring (S2 : E22)
2. Chuck Vs. the Suburbs (S2 : E13)
3. Chuck Vs. the Lethal Weapon (S2 : E16)
10. THE BIG BANG THEORY
1. The Adhesive Duck Deficiency (S3 : E8)
2. The Terminator Decoupling (S2 : 17)
3. The Gorilla Experiment (S3 : E10)
There you have it. What’s in your top ten list? Feel free to let me know.
So as the decade comes to close, it’s time to look back on some of the great television shows that have graced the tubes. Trying to narrow it down to ten was way too difficult so I tried to keep it down to twenty instead. My only criteria was that the show needed to have more than two seasons in the past decade; there has to be some sustainability to be considered a classic. So, sorry Firefly and Pushing Daisies, you were great and all but didn’t make the cut. Also Breaking Bad and Damages, as great as they are, need to survive a little longer to be considered. Honorable mention goes to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report who definitely deserve to be considered some of the best television out there, but I decided to look at more weekly fare instead of daily installments. Sorry. Anyway here is my top twenty followed by a recounting of previous years.
1. LOST
Nothing can beat the intricate nature of this show. You must watch each episode to gather clues and try solve the mysteries that surround the island. This is event television. Can’t wait to see how it ends.
Standout Episode:The Constant(S4:E5)
Desmond’s search for Penny had grounded the show for so long and seeing him jolt back and forth in time to get to her kept us fully engrossed.
2. BUFFY, THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Don’t let the name (or crappy film) fool you, this was one of the best shows ever produced with scripts that were full of action, humour, emotion and social commentary. By season two I was hooked.
Standout Episode:Once More, With Feeling (S6:E7)
Joss Whedon penned a beautiful musical that not only got his characters to express their emotions but also advance the plot significantly. This is not just a quirky stand-alone episode.
3. ANGEL
While it started off a little rocky, it grew into a more mature Buffy show with a lot more adult themes. The humour and action were still there but the emotional punch hit home a lot more.
Standout Episode:Waiting in the Wings(S3:E13)
Not only do we get to see the Angel Investigations crew a little out of their element, but we also see loads of heartbreak as the female characters fall in love unaware of other suitors.
4. ALIAS
Sure the last two season stretched the premise a little too far, but the first three were top notch. The spy element mixed with emotional relationships made for some great television. I can still hear the techno.
Standout Episode: Phase One(S2:E13)
They practically wrapped up the series with this episode. Shown after the Superbowl, this action packed thrill-ride was truly a game-changer for the series.
5. SCRUBS
From the first time JD (Zach Braff) played with his shaving cream in the pilot, I was hooked on this very funny comedy that was filled with zany dream sequences and hard-hitting emotional turns.
Standout Episode:My Screw Up(S3:E14)
Brendan Fraser brought even more credibility to this fantastically written episode that even managed to throw in a little twist when you weren’t looking.
6. THE WEST WING
I got to the series after it ended but boy am I glad I got to watch it.The repartee between the presidential staffers was quick-witted and fun to see. Learned some things about politics as well.
Standout Episode:In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Part I & II(S2: E1/E2)
With the heart-pounding emergency room scenes and the flashbacks of how the staff came together, this episode has it all.
7. THE SOPRANOS
Even though I sometimes felt the pace dragged at times, the storytelling was still compelling and the acting was incredible. Talk about powerhouse performances.
Standout Episode:Pine Barrens(S3:E11)
Christopher and Paulie eating ketchup packets in a frozen van. This episode, directed by Steve Buscemi, made me smile from ear to ear.
8. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Quirky characters, inside jokes, guest stars galore, brilliant callbacks, and wonderful narration by Ron Howard. This is the definition of a fall-down funny sitcom.
Standout Episode: S.O.B.s (S3:E9)
The Save-Our-Bluths campaign becomes a cry for help from the actual series begging for viewers to watch by bringing out every television gimmick in the book.
9. THE OFFICE
I will admit that the original British version with Ricky Gervais was more groundbreaking and painfully awkward, but the Scranton branch has made me care about the characters. Probably because it’s been around longer.
Standout Episode:Casino Night (S2:E22)
Michael Scott trying to juggle two women while organizing a casino night is funny in itself but it all comes down to Jim’s confession to Pam that steals the show.
10. THE AMAZING RACE
The only reality show I still watch. There’s a reason it keeps winning the Emmy. Fascinating locales, interesting challenges and competitive couples = fun times.
Standout Episode:The Unexpected Twist (S1:E9)
Team Guido takes their time after completing a fast forward. It’s always fun to watch first season players make costly mistakes.
11. DEXTER
You got to hand it to a show that makes you want to root for a serial killer. Sure, he only kills bad people but I keep hoping he doesn’t get caught. Michael C Hall sure managed to separate himself from his Six Feet Under character. Wow.
Standout Episode: The Getaway(S4:E12)
Even after four season, this show can make my mouth drop in utter shock. Seriously, my bottom lips was almost on the floor at the conclusion of this tense episode.
12. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
For those who missed Seinfeld, this filled the void, and I’m not just talking about this past Seinfeld reunion storyline. This show was basically George ramped up to the nth degree.
Standout Episode: The Grand Opening(S3:E10)
Never before has this much bad language been so funny. The lead up was well crafted enough to make the conclusion of the episode, featuring a swearing cook, priceless. Simply priceless.
13. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Never thought I would get into this show. Not only does is have one of the most realistic marriage portrayals on TV with Coach and Tami Taylor but the games themselves are well shot and totally unpredictable.
Standout Episode:Mudbowl(S1:E20)
For those who are passionate about the sport of football, this one’s for you. Nothing like playing in a field, and in a downpour, to go for a state championship.
14. MAD MEN
This is a show that revels in its preciseness. Everything is picture perfect except the character’s lives. This show knows how to take its time weaving a compelling story that will have you empathizing with its characters in no time.
Standout Episode: Shut the Door, Have a Seat (S3:E13)
This must be one of the fasted paced episodes in the series history. With a hint of Jerry Maguire-ish maneuvering, we see things made new while relationships crumble.
15. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
I’m not the biggest sci-fi fan but this show has so much more to offer. There are some intense political and theological debates going on; much more so than previous Star Trek versions.
Standout Episode:Blood on the Scales(S4:E14)
Mutiny brings out the worst in people. The intensity of this show does not subside as horrific acts are committed and loyalty is truly tested.
16. SIX FEET UNDER
I will admit the pacing of this show is slow but it does deal with death on a constant basis so it seems justified. Great acting and storytelling show the struggle of living and dealing with death.
Standout Episode:Everybody’s Waiting(S5:E12)
A show that deals with death better end its series right. This is a wonderfully fitting conclusion to the series that also manages to show us the future of these characters in a beautiful montage. Breathtaking.
17. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
This sitcom takes its relationship/friendship commentary from Friends but manages to turn it on its ear. Rules are made, conventions are broken as we still try to determine who is the mother of the title.
Standout Episode:Slap Bet (S2:E9)
Our first introduction to Robin Sparkles and the genesis of the slap bet. There is one more slap to go; who knows when it will rear it’s ugly head.
18. VERONICA MARS
Unfortunately not enough people knew this show existed. Sure it seemed a little Nancy Drew-ish but Kristin Bell’s sarcasm and spunk gave this series an electric energy. The season-long mysteries were also expertly crafted.
Standout Episode:Leave it to Beaver(S1:E22)
The conclusion of the yearlong mystery had me on the edge of my seat. Literally. They got everything right in this episode. Brilliant.
19. THE OC
This show replaced my guilty-pleasure Dawson’s Creek fix. Full of pop-culture references, meta-commentary and indie music cred, this show kept me coming back for more. Seth Cohen made the nerd look cool again.
Standout Episode: The Best Chrismukkah Ever(S1:E13)
This show highlight the best of Adam Brody’s work as Seth Cohen before the over-exposure sunk in. Seth juggling two girls during his holiday mash-up feast is fun, fast and fresh.
20. 24
This show started strong with innovative storytelling and camera work, intense emotion and high-octane action. Unfortunately it got a little to repetitive. You can only here Jack Bauer yell, “Dammit, we’re running out of time” so many times.
Standout Episode:Day 5: 6:00pm – 7:00pm(S5 : E12)
After some predictable seasons, 24 rejuvenated itself with President and Martha Logan. This episode features a CTU takeover that results in the demise of a tragic new character.
PREVIOUS TOP 10 TV LISTS
2009:1.Lost2.Breaking Bad3.Damages4.The Office5.Mad Men6.Dexter7.Flash Forward8.Friday Night Lights9.Chuck10.The Big Bang Theory
2008:1.Lost2.The Office3.Pushing Daisies4.Chuck5.Mad Men6.30 Rock7.How I Met Your Mother8.House9.Eli Stone10.Dexter
2007: 1.Lost2.Pushing Daisies3.The Office4.Damages5.Battlestar Galactica6.How I Met Your Mother7.Dexter8.30 Rock9.Dirty Sexy Money10.Chuck
2006:1.Lost2.Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip3.Heroes4.The Office5.Scrubs6.Veronica Mars7.248.How I Met Your Mother9.Prison Break10. The Colbert Report
2004:1.Lost2.Scrubs3.Alias4.Angel5.Arrested Development6.Wonderfalls7.The Apprentice8.The Amazing Race9.Everybody Loves Raymond10. The OC
2003:1.Alias2.Angel3.Scrubs4.Curb Your Enthusiasm5.Without a Trace6.247.The OC8.Survivor: Pearl Islands9.Buffy the Vampire Slayer10.Arrested Development
2002:1.Buffy the Vampire Slayer2.Angel3.Alias4.245.Friends6.Scrubs7.Without a Trace8.Andy Richter Controls the Universe9.The Amazing Race10. Firefly
2001:1.Buffy the Vampire Slayer2.Angel3.Scrubs4.245.Dawson’s Creek6.Andy Richter Controls the Universe7.The Lone Gunmen8.Ed9.Boston Public10.The Simpsons
2000:1.Buffy the Vampire Slayer2.Angel3.Dawson’s Creek4.Survivor5.X-Files6.Whose Line Is It Anyway7.Friends8.Spin City9.The Simpsons10.Boston Public
OTHER GREAT EPISODES FROM THE DECADE
Here are some other favourite episodes that need to be mentioned. Consider these some honourable mentions:
ER:All In the Family(S6:E14)Carter and Lucy are stabbed. The staff works frantically to save one of their own.
House:House’s Head(S4:E15) House has partial amnesia but tries to decipher who was seriously injured in a bus crash.
CSI:Grave Danger(S5:E24/25) The CSI team have to rescue on of their own who has been kidnapped and buried alive.
Pushing Daisies:Pie-lette(S1:E1) We are introduced to Ned, a pie-maker, who can brings things back to life for one minute.
Heroes:Company Man(S1:E17) We finally learn more about the background of Mr. Bennet, also know as HRG.
Firefly:Our Mrs. Reynolds (S1:E3) Mal is accidentally given a woman in marriage but she has ulterior motives.
Dawson’s Creek:The Longest Day (S3:E20) The day is told from three perspectives when Dawson learns of Joey and Pacey.
X-Files: Hollywood AD(S7:E19) Mulder and Scully are disgusted with how they are portrayed on the big screen.
30 Rock:Jack-Tor(S1:E5) Jack is a terrible actor but has to perform on Friday, while Liz thinks Tracey maybe illiterate.
Damages:Because I Know Patty (S1:E13) We finally learn what all happened between Ellen and Patty in the season finale.
Ed: The Proposal(S4:E9) Ed has to come up with a creative way to propose to Carol when his New York plan falls through.
Big Bang Theory:The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis(S2:E11) Penny gives Sheldon the perfect gift to which Sheldon must respond in kind.
There you go. That was a lot of writing. What are your favourite television shows of the past decade?
RATING: PG-13 for violence and some suggestive scenes
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 8 minutes
STARRING: Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Chaplin),
Jude Law (The Holiday, Closer, I Heart Huckabees)
DIRECTOR: Guy Ritchie (Snatch, RocknRolla)
WRITERS: Michael Robert Johnson (newcomer)
Anthony Peckham (Invictus, Don’t Say a Word)
PLOT: Holmes and Watson try to solve a puzzle involving the dark arts and a terrorist plot.
FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 The film works because of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Impeccable chemistry between these two actors. They are vibrant and fun to watch making this film fun to watch.
2 There has been a lot of criticism concerning Guy Ritchie’s direction. I like it. It’s gritty, fast paced and thoroughly entertaining. Nothing is airbrushed (well maybe Rachel McAdams). Ritchie’s fast motion style works well with Holmes’ analysis of situations as well as fight scenes.
3 I like how they didn’t make Holmes’ into an all-out brawler, he considers every angle and thinks thing through before attacking. Apparently, the books back up the fact that Holmes was able to box and fight.
4 The dark arts storyline didn’t work for me. I like that Holmes has to debunk what everyone else believes is magical, but you have to wait for such a long time for the reveal. Mark Strong’s Lord Blackwood, while having an imposing presence, didn’t seem all that threatening either.
5 I like how they set up the sequel. It was inevitable but well played. It kind of reminded me of the end of Batman Begin where they reveal the Joker card.
Vera Farmiga (The Departed), Anna Kendrick (Twilight)
DIRECTOR: Jason Reitman (Juno)
WRITERS: Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking)
Sheldon Turner (The Longest Yard)
PLOT: A man who makes his living by traveling and firing people trains a new recruit who wants to makes his job obsolete.
FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 I’ll say it again, George Clooney is so much fun to watch. His character, Ryan Bingham, reminded me of Aaron Eckhart’s Nick Naylor character from Thank You for Smoking except Ryan is a bit more charming than smug.
2 The commentary made on airline travel was brilliant. However, it also seemed like a constant advertisement for American Airlines and Hilton VIP clubs.
3 The film had a perfect pace. Nothing seemed too hurried or dragging.Jason Reitman has mastered the art of letting a film take you on a life-altering journey through an interesting character’s life.
4 Some great small roles for JK Simmons (Spiderman), Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) and Sam Elliot (Thank You for Smoking). I wish they had more time on the screen.
5 The film made me even happier to be married. The loneliness in Clooney’s character was far too familiar.
RECOMMENDATION: Watch it in theatre for Oscar prep
PLOT: A marine inhabiting an avatar feels a connection to the natives he is supposed to be forcing to relocate.
FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 Talk about eye candy. This has spectacle written all over it. And it is worth every penny to see in on the big screen. The Navi and the creatures on the planet Pandora looked so real; I often forgot I was looking at CG figures. Also the muscle definition on the creatures was outstanding. The planet itself is breathtaking.
2 Though the running time is long; it is necessary. Throughout the film, I was looking for things that could be cut. Had a hard time finding things that were extraneous. Time went by pretty quickly. My bladder disagrees.
3 Giovanni Ribisi (Gone in 60 Seconds) plays a real dick. And I don’t mean a private investigator. He was so much fun to watch. Wish he had more scenes.
4 Unfortunately the antagonist played by Stephen Lang (Public Enemies) was a little too cartoonishly evil. There was no real justification for his sheer malevolence.
5 The story isn’t as bad as critics say but the environmentalism themes are a little too obvious.
4 Clint Eastwood uses the slow motion a little too often. Slow mo on the field to hear the grunts and cracking of ribs during rugby play = good. Slow mo during a celebration in a bar with patron jumping up and down = lame.
5 The score was powerful, but the music choices were laughable and reminded me of Michael W Smith sentimentalism.
STARRING: George Clooney (Ocean’s Trilogy, Men Who Stare at Goats); Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia; Mamma Mia)
DIRECTOR: Wes Anderson (Rushmore; Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic)
WRITER: Wes Anderson & Noah Baumbach (The Life Aquatic)
PLOT: A fox, who is addicted to stealing chickens, angers a group of farmers who take vengeance on him and his family.
FIVE OBSERVATIONS 4Even though it is stop motion animation, this film is classic Wes Anderson. It has the quirky music, dialogue and character traits, the bird’s eye view shots, the colorful backstory descriptions, the faithful troupe consisting of Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray. If you like Wes Anderson films, this will not disappoint.
4I loved how the characters acted sophisticated, yet were still animals. Mr. Fox at breakfast was hysterical. Classy until the devouring of food occurs. 4Being a family film, there should be no foul language. Anderson simply substitutes the word ‘cuss’. It’s genius. Check out this excerpt of dialogue:
Fox: Your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice.
Badger: The cuss you are.
Fox: The cuss am I? Are you cussing with me?
Badger: No, you cussing with me?
Fox: Don't cussing point at me!
Badger: If you're gonna cuss, you're not gonna cuss with me, you little cuss!
Fox You're not gonna cuss with me!
[Both start snarling at each other, and then settle down]
Fox: Just buy the tree.
4Great voice casting. George Clooney is having a stellar year. He rocks the role or Mr.Fox. Meryl Streep, as his wife, is not too shabby either. Everyone brings their ‘A’ game to this film.
4It did take me a little bit to get used to the tall thin legs of the characters (reminded me of Jack Skellington) but they eventually grew on me.
STARRING: George Clooney (Ocean’s Trilogy, Syriana); Ewan McGregor (Angels & Demons, Big Fish); Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, Surf's Up) DIRECTOR: Grant Heslov (newcomer) WRITER: Peter Straughan (How to Lose Friends and Alienate People PLOT: A reporter tags along with a former member of a military unit that uses paranormal powers in their missions.
FIVE OBSERVATIONS 4George Clooney is fun to watch. He’s the selling feature of this film, so that’s a good thing. He plays goofy well, much better here than in Burn After Reading. What was weird is that he turns his goofy charm off in the last thirty minutes of the movie. Too bad. 4The film starts with a caption saying the following story is more true than you think. I can imagine the unit but I can’t imagine them going out into the field. I guess this disbelief puts us in the same boat with McGregor’s reporter role. 4The word ‘Jedi’ is thrown around a lot. It kind of took me out of the scenes seeing as McGregor played Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Knight, in the Star Wars prequels. Was this casting on purpose? 4 Some of the slapstick works, some does not. You can decide which is which. 4 I’d like to see more missions of this bizarre battalion rather than just the training montages.
