Bessie Smith On HBO tonight #TV #Bessie @HBO

Tonight at 8PM HBO is premiering BESSIE, the bio pic of Bessie Smith famous singer of the 1920s and 1930s, starring Queen Latifah. For me Bessie Smith is inextricably linked to pre code film with her famous rendition of St. Louis Blues that can be heard in so many films of the era. I can't wait to see how her life is depicted.

Here she is a rare film short appearance from 1929, Bessie comes in at 4:20 and sings at 6:57. This film also features Jimmy Mordecai as the worst boyfriend in the world.



The network description:

 Queen Latifah stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in this HBO Films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees from a screenplay by Dee Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Dee Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” who became one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and is an enduring icon today. BESSIE also stars Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, with Charles S. Dutton and Mo’Nique. Executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Lili Fini Zanuck, Richard D. Zanuck, Shelby Stone, and Randi Michel. Ron Schmidt produces.




Here's the trailer

HBO True Detective Sunday Jan 12

HBO has a new series premiering January 12th, starring Mathew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, TRUE DETECTIVES. When I first heard about it I pictured a buddy cop show with lots of witty repartee. Boy, was I wrong. This is a really dark story of two police detectives investigating a serial killer. McConnaughey's character is an exceptional cop with a painful history. While Harrelson character is just a mess of contradictions. The tempo of the show is extremely moody and somber. After watching the first few episodes I definitely had a feeling that something was about to jump out at me any minute.

The story is told from two different times, with the action jumping back and forth between them. First there is the time where the two detectives are investigating the killer. Then there is a time in the future when two other police officers are questioning Harrelson and McConaugheys characters about the investigation. I'm not a huge fan of this type of story telling, as it can be a bit jarring, but it is done well here and develops the story.

I'm definitely going to watch this one. While the pacing is slow, it does build an insane amount of anxiety about the characters and the case. I would not recommend watching this one alone at night. I think it goes without saying the cast is fantastic. Both these actors and the supporting cast do a stellar job of completely creeping you out.

The Newsroom Returns to HBO

Aaron Sorkin's Newsroom returns to HBO this Sunday. The show is definitely controversial, the right wing thinks it's liberal propaganda. I actually witness a room of feminist journalist try to devour Sorkin for what they feel is a sexist show. I admit, as a liberal and a feminist, I see their points, but I still love the show.

The cast is stellar with leads Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, and Sam Waterston. The supporting cast is equally fabulous, perhaps the best example being THE Jane Fonda, as well as, my personal fave Olivia Munn.

I'll definitely be busy Sunday nights till it's season is complete. Join me...

HBO Family Tree May 12

Christopher Guest has created a new Mockumentary series for HBO, Family Tree. Joining his usual team of brilliant comedic actors is Chris O'Dowd. If you are familiar with him at all you'll know he should fit right into this quirky comedy troop.

The show premieres May 12th on HBO. It begins with 8 episode. I've yet to see an episode so I can't say how it is, but I think these people have a pretty good track record, so watch it!

Family Tree: Invitation to the Set

Boardwalk Empire returns to HBO

Boardwalk Empire is finally coming back to HBO September 16th. I've been dying to see how Nucky will deal with his new life. I'm guessing we will see a lot more blood and guts as we sink deeper into the gangster era and prohibition.

I'm excited to see the addition of Bobby Cannavale (most recently on Nurse Jackie) as Gyp Rosetti. New characters and from the looks of things a very different Nucky are bound to take the show in a fresh direction. For my sake though I hope it doesn't get too graphically violent.

If you need to catch up or just refresh your memory you can find season 2 On Demand and HBO Go.

Check out the trailer:

The Newsroom on HBO

The Newsroom premieres this Sunday, June 24th on HBO. If you feel the way I do about writer/producer Aaron Sorkin, you have been waiting, not to patiently, for this. With a cast that includes Jeff Daniels, Sam Waterston, and Jane Fonda, it's a guaranteed home run. Ooh did I mention, my not so secret girl crush, Olivia Munn is in it too?

The premise is a popular newscaster who is no longer able to hold his tongue and starts reporting the news without network filtering. It's the 24 hour news cycle turned on it's ear. I think it's going to make newscasters around the country VERY uncomfortable and me VERY happy. I'm sure it will be full of insanely sharp rapid fire dialogue, and commentary on current events.

I can't wait!!! See you Sunday, until then here's the trailer to whet your viewing appetite.

Season 1 Trailer - A Changed Man

Dick Cavett and Mel Brooks on HBO

Dick Cavett and Mel Brooks' interview from last year will be aired on Sept 9th on HBO. You may remember I attended this interview at the Saban Theatre ,follow the link and read all about it. It really was great, so don't miss it!
Also, if you've never seen the old Dick Cavett show interviews I highly reccommend them. They are sometimes run on TCM, and you can rent them on Netflix.

Eric Stonestreet, Fatty Arbuckle, and HBO

Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family is attached to portray Fatty Arbuckle in a HBO movie. I love the idea of this long forgotten silent film star getting his record set straight. If people know anything about him they know he was charged with rape. What they often don't know is that he was aquitted and there was really never any evidence that he had committed the crime. It was all newspaper creation, which ruined his reputation.
I really don't have any more to tell you about the HBO film, but stay tuned!

True Blood Season 4

Guess what I'll be watching tonight. You got it. True Blood Season 4 premiers tonight on HBO.

Join me!

Boardwalk Empire Finale

Boardwalk Empire has it's final episode of it's first season this Sunday. I can't believe it's over already. If you haven't been watching it on HBO you have all this week to catch up, on OnDemand. The cast is phenomenal. Steve Buscemi and Michael Pitt are such lovable villains.

If I have a criticism of the show, it's that it can be a bit graphic. I don't think there's an angle we haven't seen almost every female character, naked from. With the possible exception of Mrs. Shreoder.

There are so many great characters on the show from the psychotic G-man to the tacky show girl, but I particularly like Jack Huston, as Richard Harrow. He plays the WWI vet who wears a mask to cover half his face that was destroyed in the war. I hope his character gets developed next year.

I can't wait for the next season. I hope they will bring in more historical characters. I'm sure lots of celebrities visited Atlantic City in the 20's, and I want to see them all portrayed on the show.

Boardwalk Empire on HBO

Boardwalk Empire starts on HBO tomorrow night. Steve Buscemi stars, who I love, ever since Mr. Pink.
I have tried and tried to get a screener of Boardwalk Empire but with no success. Probably just as well, since it's always excruiating to have to hold my tongue until the air date.
I have been waiting for this premiere for, what feels like, forever. If I wasn't dressing up in 50's garb for Wednesday night's Blogger Prom, I might have been inspired to throw a 20's party tomorrow. But as it is I'll be glued to the couch all by my onesie tomorrow night for Boardwalk Empire and of course Mad Men.
Thank god True Blood's over, or my DVR would be in over drive.

Mildred Pierce on HBO

Mildred Pierce is being remade by HBO as a five part series and will air this spring. I really love this movie, so it's a little scary for me to think of someone messing with it. But I'm also intrigued. Maybe they will add something fabulous to it.

From my snooping on the tweets of people at the TCA HBO panel today I gleened that the HBO version will be based on the book. I didn't even know there was a book. It will star Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood, and Brian O'Byrne. So at least we know the casting is top notch.

Anyway, consider this your heads up to hit the library and bone up on this Mildred Pierce book. You just know Hollywood cut it to ribbons back in the day.

Here's a picture of Kate Winslet in costume. She definitely looks more 1930's than 1940's, which is when the original film was made (1945).

True Blood June 13 on HBO

True Blood is coming back to HBO. I'm very excited to have one of my shows finally starting this Sunday. I need a refresher on where we left off. Thank god, they have them all on On Demand. If you haven't been watching True Blood I recommend you do a marathon to catch up by Sunday.

Anyway the most important thing I want to get across is, don't call my house after 9pm on Sunday. I will not answer and there will be retribution for breaking my TV concentration with your ring.



Looks good, right?

True Blood

True Blood comes back tomorrow night, Sunday June 14th on HBO. I look forward to seeing all the creatures they introduce this season. So far we have our vampires, of course, and one werewolf, and whatever that lady is. I can't remember any of the characters names but I'm dying (no pun intended) to see what happens. Triple love this show!!

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

My mother recommended the new HBO series "No 1 Ladies Detective Agency". She has read all the books, and loves it. I gave it a try last week, and really liked it. It's set in Botswana, Africa, and is about a women detective, played by Jill Scott. I am dying to go to Africa, so I love getting a weekly peak. Check your local listings.