I seem to have stepped in it today. In about three hours I have to a) chaperone; b) drive to; and c) cater yet another end-of-year party for one of Kate’s school things. (These are the safety/service kids, the ones with a future in law enforcement.) I see that I’ve signed up to bring a salad, and a quick look in the fridge confirms that yes, once again there’s no food in it, much less an already prepared salad appropriate for a picnic on a 90-degree day. So it’s off to the store to find something with a wide age-group appeal and no mayo.
What I’m saying is this: Don’t expect much from ol’ Nance today. (As usual.)
Watched part 1 of “John From Cincinnati” last night. I imagine Tim Goodman has his reasons for calling it “a mess,” and I won’t argue too much — it’s weak out of the gate — but I remain hopeful. For those of you who were “Deadwood” fans, I can tell you the show continues two of David Milch’s big crowd-pleasers — cascades of profanity and a certain mannered style to the dialogue. There are other pleasures. Rebecca DeMornay was born to be photographed in golden-hour light, and the surfing is lovely without being that “Point Break” fantasy crap.
Parts 2 and 3 are on the menu for the weekend, and I can tell you more then (of course, you’ll have seen part 1 for yourselves by then, too). But I’m still optimistic. I didn’t think it sucked out loud; it was just a bit self-conscious and, sad to say, no “Sopranos,” alas. Or even “Six Feet Under.” But I’m optimistic, because in the history of HBO series, they’ve only flat-out disappointed me twice. (And those are, boys and girls? Yes, “Mind of the Married Man” and “Carnivale.”)
Time, she slips by whether we want it to or not. In this order: Shower, grocery store, school, park. It’s a lovely day. I’m not complaining.
4dbirds said on June 7, 2007 at 9:24 am
I so wanted to like Carnivale but it never got to the point. It had many elements that I find fascinating; the depression era in rural America, creepy carnival people, creepy religious people, mystical happenings and a chance to see John Hannah although only for a few episodes.
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brian stouder said on June 7, 2007 at 9:47 am
creepy carnival people, creepy religious people, mystical happenings
Sounds like Little Children, a Kate Winslet movie that Pam & I rented last week, that was clunky enough that we came close to bagging it, but conventional enough to keep suggesting to us that we should give it 5 more minutes…which got us all the way to the end! (well, that, and Kate’s nude scenes!)
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John said on June 7, 2007 at 9:52 am
Todd Field is common to both.
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Kat Coble said on June 7, 2007 at 10:59 am
LOOOVE Carnivale.
I can only conclude that all y’all are broken somehow.
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ashley said on June 7, 2007 at 11:46 am
Nothing, not even “mind of the married man” was worse than that Delta Burke vehicle, “1st and Ten”. That made me believe that HBO could never do an original series. Then it made me think, OK, they can never do an original comedy…then Curb your Enthusiasm came along and…
Carnivale made me want to bathe. Repeatedly.
As for the surfing, I have the box set of the 3 “Endless Summer” films, and if I’ve forgot my lexapro (or whatever the hell I’m on now), or I’m living in Prague, I can just put in one of those discs and almost hit nirvana.
So yeah, between Rebecca DeMornay and surfing, I’ll give it a chance.
You forgot to tell us how you scored the DVDs. Are you the next Gene Siskel?
Oh, and try a potato salad with creole mustard instead of mayonnaise. Boo yah.
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LA mary said on June 7, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Make that beet salad Kate loves so.
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MichaelG said on June 7, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I was on the train to Bakersfield yesterday when some guy drove his truck into the side of the car in front of me. Just inexplicably turned left from a parallel road, crossed traffic and about 30 feet of grass and bang. A crunching sound, a slight lurch and a spray of dirt past the window. We had been bucketing along at around 70. I was on the opposite side and didn’t see the wreck. The guy across the aisle described it for me. We got restarted after a two hour delay. I was late for my meeting in Bakersfield and for the first time ever used the excuse that I was late because I was in a train wreck.
The HBO summation of “John” sounds kinda T. Jefferson Parkerish. I’ve always had a lech for Rebecca DeMornay.
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mouse said on June 7, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Had to order a used copy of Tapping The Source.Anybody
know anything about Dogs Of Winter?
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nancy said on June 7, 2007 at 9:41 pm
“Dogs of Winter” is not nearly as good. Try TTS and see what you think.
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