What TJ Watched: Week of Oct. 11, 2010

Hello,

Here's what I watched this week:

"The Thomas Crown Affair." I'm sure on the year for this one, but it was the Brosnan/Russo one, not the McQueen/Dunaway one. I liked how the film was fashioned in the style of a witty 50s heist flick, but the idea and banter didn't fit with the over-bearing 90s aesthetic. The music was horrid. Dennis Leary had aweful hat hair the entire film. A shout out to Frankie Faison from "The Wire" as the police department's token funny black cop. In the end, though, I just couldn't care enough about 2 people who burned paintings for fun and complained about wine.
2/4

I watched the entire Season 4 of "30 Rock" in about 3 days. I can almost anticipate the biting Jack Donaghy comment that would go with that. "30 Rock" is the best sitcom on TV. Whenever I am depressed from the fall of "The Office" I just think of the witty banter and meta jokes on this show. Though the season did a few lull episode, the Jack/Liz relationship that anchors the show continues to grow comfortably. Most of the guest stars didn't feel forced like they did in previous seasons, and the writers made a few permanent decisions that I admire.
3.5/4

Then, I blitzed Ep. 2, 3 and 4 of Season 5. I'll talk mainly about the live show and ignore how much I can't stand Matt Damon on "30 Rock." The live show was a great idea and was executed nearly flawlessly (certainly much better than I thought. But the show usually moves as quickly through sets as it does through dialogue. This was the source of a good joke involving Elaine from "Seinfeld," but I thought it limited Jack Donaghy too much. Well played, Lemon, well played.
3.5/4

I finished "Tanner 88." I've said in previous posts most of what I wanted to say about this brilliant show. The pent-ultimate episode was particularly well done very funny while deeply touching. I would have voted for Jack. Still, a great series with a special shout-out to Michael Murphy, Cynthia Nixon and Pamela Reed.
4/4

Lastly, I watched Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer." Just finished this one in fact. The tension and setting of sequences built paranoia masterfully. McGregor was unexpectedly good. As was Williams. But Catrall was aweful. Her accent was inexcusable. The film failed to draw me in all the way, but I truly loved the Tom Wilkenson bit and the chilling final shot of the film. I'd check this one out if you are a thriller or Polanski fan, as the subject matter bears more than a slight resemblance to his own life.
3/4

That's all from me. See Ya Next Time.
-TJK