Mad Men 9-26

See? I can post pics that aren't of Jon Hamm. But it's not as much fun...

Anyhoo, another strong episode, I mean so strong that at one point I stopped breathing, I swear to God. It was when Don had his panic attack. I could not breathe till he could. Mr. Hamm is not just about looks; the man can ACT!

Finally, we move into the era of the Beatles. Sally's euphoric pre-teen primal scream was dead-on. Don certainly seems to be trying to reach his impressionable daughter.

This episode was a nice balance of several characters. Joan and Roger's predicament was not handled with any surprises, tho. However, what a painful moment when Joan is taken for the mother of a daughter in a pickle. Imagine the pain. Her "I'll take care of everything" veneer is starting to get to me, tho. I need to see her EXHALE, lest she explode out of that amply stuffed wardrobe. How like her to immediately say to Roger, "I'm really sorry," over their love-embryo. So typical of many of us women.

Introduction of the Playboy Club was a tickle. I truly hoped (and halfway expected) to see Hef actually appear, sporting a little hair dye and a smoking jacket. It would have been too awesome.

Lane's attempt to break out? His own love relationship seemed to come out of nowhere. Very sad, pathetic really, the way his "proper" father treated him.

Back to Don - This was immensely dramatic as we watched his terror. I was amazed by Pete's noble sacrifice. What does he have to gain? Is it to arm himself for later? He seemed like he really couldn't bear the idea of a no-Don firm. And Betty's cover-up can only mean she still has feelings for him. His new love interest (Dr. Miller, first name?) seems good for him. "I don't want any secrets." wow.

We all have secrets. We ALL have secrets. But I wonder what it would be like to LIVE a secret every day of your life. I have a friend who lives a lie every day. Must be torture.

Finally, the episode's ending song of "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" by the Beatles was, as usual, perfection in clever appropo.

This series satiates me.

Lakeview Terrace

Remember Samuel L Jackson as the Bible-thumping hit man in Pulp Fiction? He was hauntingly bad as the assassin with weird, religious fanaticism.

SLJ has done so many powerful roles, it's time someone nominate him for a Best Actor. In Lakeview Terrace, Jackson again shows why he's Oscar material.

The information I will provide about the plot is on the jacket cover, so no spoiler here: SLJ plays a cop who is just slightly miffed at a "mixed" couple who move in next door! The racist officer has strange reasons for hating black women who go with whites, so he lets his new neighbors know they are not welcome in no uncertain terms.

Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington play the victimized couple with a mixture of arrogance and stupidity. The result is a taut, tense, tight, scary plot that grabs viewers and pulls them into the film.

Will the cop wreak vengeance on the innocent lovers? Will the couple survive the harassment? All bets are off as the plot unfolds, with each scene making the knot in our stomachs oh-so-much tighter!

A- grade. Super acting. Some suspension of disbelief required. Top notch entertainment.

Coco Before Chanel

Audrey Tautou reminds us of Audrey Hepburn. She is cute, adorable, pixie-ish...the kind of girl who worms her way into our hearts.

In Amelia, she crashed on the American scene as the winsome Parisian waitress, whose good deeds spread happiness wherever she went. In L'Auberge Espagnole, she dazzled as one of the international 20-somethings living together. We got to love her sweet personality and edgy wit. She got serious and really changed her colors in Dirty Pretty Things...so effectively, that she was a knockout as the brave kid who exposed the baddies.

In Coco, Audrey is perfect as the wayward child who eventually rules the fashion industry. This viewer had no idea that Coco was abandoned as a child, worked as a seamstress, and eventually became the mistress to a wealthy landowner.

The film is not easy to watch, in the same way a Jane Austen piece creates malaise. Turn of the Century France, like England, was not easy on women. If a young lady did not grow up in a wealthy family, she had to find a husband who would care for her...and if she failed in this dreary task, she could end up in the streets. So it was with Coco.

Without giving away plot details, we can safely say that our kept lady emerges victorious. Coco is worth seeing, both for Audrey Tautou's fine acting and a revealing glimpse at women's condition in France a century ago.

Grade of A. A fine film that instructs and entertains.

Wedding Weekend

If you enjoy the singing in Glee, you'll love The Wedding Weekend.

The plot is simple: Former male college glee-ers, friends from way back when, gather for the wedding of one of their members. More precisely, the men are all now in their late 30's, and they wish they were still in their young 20's...which means that they seek a fountain of youth that eludes them.

We witness great angst among the men, who, with spouses in tow, find themselves together on a large estate for a weekend. Naturally, we learn about marriages that teeter, men who have eyes for younger babes (a Swedish nanny), and women who wish their lives were different. We hear about career failures, relationship failures, and maturity failures.

Just as we must wade through Glee's humorous/less-than-humorous plot-lines as we anxiously await the song sequences, similarly we need to be patient with the 30-somethings who wallow in self-pity on their way to marvelous chorus scenes.

But...the wait is worth it. The all-male vocals, with harmonies that sound like barbershop quartets, provide fodder for a really unusual, emotionally complex story.

For those of us well past the 30 mark, we find it a bit hard to sympathize with the characters who, with black hair and lean physiques, figure they're ready for assisted living.

Grade of B+, for a fine effort at an engaging, but at times annoying, plot with outstanding musical moments.

Glee 9/22/10

Glee is supposed to be an ensemble cast. But when one actor is so far above the others that she steals the show every time she's on stage, we can only wish there were more of her. Thus, Lea Michele gets the picture above all by her lonesome.

As Rachel, Lea shines every time she's in a scene. Lea is at one with the stage, and her voice, emotion, and gestures rank her as one of the greatest crooners of all time. When she bats out the closing song in this first episode, we viewers simply want to stand up and cheer.

Did I say "cheer"? Great word to describe this upbeat season opener. The mood is light and frothy throughout. We feel, gosh, should I say it... gleeful!

We meet a great new personality in the form of Coach Beast (I know, it's not spelled that way, but what the heck, that's how the writers want us to think of her!). Now we have two tough ladies on staff, and believe you me, sparks will fly between them over who rules the roost!

The first song in the episode, "New York City", is a winner. The entire cast participates in a perfectly choreographed song and dance extravaganza that takes place by the outdoor lunch tables. Listen for the harmonies and watch the footwork...brilliant!

In this viewer's mind, the show dazzles when the cast sings. The in-between efforts at comedy or character development sometimes work, sometimes don't. In this episode, the mood remains light, so we don't have to cull up our patience as we await the song numbers. In others, when the show tries to be serious, I find myself being charitable by keeping the channel tuned to Glee.

So let's hope the season continues as it opened. Nice work, Glee writers and actors. Fantastic work, Lea Michele!

Nikita

When "La Femme Nikita" hit the big screen back in the 90's, the French film powered its way into our hearts.

The story of a pretty female felon, rehabilitated against her will and trained to be a government assassin, captured our imaginations. No wonder several knockoffs were made by the American film industry, including the movie with Bridget Fonda and TV show with Peta Wilson.

When I heard that another TV series called "Nikita" was in the works, I thought, oh no, not another! But how wrong I was.

With the stunning and talented Maggie Q at the helm, the new version is a knockout. The writers have made some nice changes in the original plot. Instead of Nikita being the helpless victim who strives unsuccessfully for freedom, Maggie Q is the epitome of woman empowered! She is not only free of the government bullies, but she is out for revenge against them.

Maggie Q is a beauty, no doubt. Her Asian features make her an original-looking Nikita. But more importantly, she has the ability to shade her character, making the female protagonist at once believable and vulnerable: we root for the rebel as she takes on the bad guys. In fact, most of the time, I find myself saying, "You go, girl!"

The first two episodes are exciting and gripping, full of nonstop action and good character development. If the series continues to excel, this viewer will have to recommend it to all TV buffs.

So, in between Glee, Mad Men, and few other favorites, consider watching Nikita. You won't be disappointed.

The Town

Truth is, I have never been a big Ben Affleck fan. Loved Good Will Hunting, but after that my "fan-hood" moved with Matt Damon. Subsequent Affleck movies were lame and his acting was even worse. He now seems to be finding his stride as a director, much like Eastwood's footsteps. (I must see Gone, Baby, Gone, I hear.) He returns to his hometown of Boston to write, direct, and star in The Town.

I liked it.

This movie's real main character is Charlestown, suburb of Boston, hence, the title. I've read that Affleck did volumes of research to accurately portray this blue-collar, street-wise, gritty, desperate sub-culture. I thought Affleck's acting was quite excellent. I am a huge fan of Jeremy Renner after seeing him in The Hurt Locker, and he delivers here. Affleck's love interest, Rebecca Hall, is certainly not glammed-up and their conclusion was an intelligent one. Jon Hamm is dominating in a supporting role (but then, I saw it on Jon Hamm Day.) Dialogue was tight, and at times amusing, and ya had to pay close attention through some thick Boston accented banter.

Special nod to Chris Cooper who was brilliant, as always, and may earn serious recognition for this supporting role of only one scene. I felt him in my gut.

Through bank robberies, shoot-outs, and lots of twists in the last 15 minutes, my attention never waned. Oh, and watching a multiple car chase in Boston's teeny, tiny, narrow streets makes The French Connection chase look like cake.

A tad formulaic ("This will be my last robbery...I'm gonna change...") in parts, this movie will not replace said French Connection or Bullet (another personal favorite of this writer's), but when it's still 111 freakin' degrees out in the middle of September, I enjoy an escapist summer-esque ride.

So, Mr. Affleck, I have new respect for you. As you continue to mature, ya could be another Clint Eastwood. We shall see.

Mad Men 9-19

Today was Jon Hamm Day. It was a good day. Came upon the last 15 minutes of Bill Maher's show with Hamm on it. Later in the day, saw The Town with him in supporting role. Came home and caught up with a taped Daily Show with...Mr. Hamm. THEN, actually watched Mad Men in real time and gazed at...Jon (He's now just Jon.) Whew.



Mrs. Blankenship goes belly up (or head down). NOOOO!!!! I loved her. I kept waiting for her to pull her disguise off and reveal herself to be Debra Messing! She brought such needed comic relief to this show, including her own unseemly, undignified Exit Stage Left. I thought I'd bust a gut watching the staff try to wheel her out of clients' views. This was vintage I Love Lucy. I shall miss her. She gave us one last great line: "This is a business of sadists and masochists. Which are you?" Ooh, a statement about life in these here United States, I suggest. Thought-provoking.

Love the little details in this show, like the guy parodying Pet Clarke's "Downtown," just to fade to a bar with her hit playing in the background.

Most of my pals have little patience with the Sally sub-plot, but she intrigues me. I notice she is starting to look and act like Betty. (watch her gestures) Yikes. And she is a vehicle for revealing different qualities and weaknesses in Don. He loves her so; just doesn't know what to do with her; I noticed she got her pizza. Poor Daddy Don, so inept.

Continued focus on women in the workplace suggests to me that this series could make its own pop culture university course. Peggy's resentment over Blacks breaking barriers before women shows a refreshing honesty. Minority du jour. Her referencing the glass ceiling before it was even coined reinforces her representation of so many women then and since. (Side note: I've often said women need to take up golf just to be in on deals brokered on the golf course, but even that doesn't work, as women's tee boxes are apart from men. I felt that detachment many times when some courses have substantial distance between tee boxes. Or the guy driving my cart [tom] would forget and drive past my tee box. But I digress...)

I was not at all surprised about the Roger/Joan "reunion." My t.v. lets off steam every time they are in the same scene. Dang it, I LIKE them together.

Anyway, the final freeze shot of the three working women in the elevator was captivating. Each is making her own way in her own way. Played against vintage "flowing chiffon" music makes one wonder what we women really are pursuing.


Did I mention it's Jon Hamm Day?

Killers

I'm not a great fan of the spy/romance genre. I was never too enthused about Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and perhaps even less so about True Lies. But Killers, a recent production with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heidl, is really charming.

The premise is simple: Katherine is a neurotic, sweet, naive young lady on vacation in Nice, France, with her parents. There, she meets Ashton...who is a James Bond in disguise, and who, upon falling in love with the cute blond, decides to give up the "life."

No plot spoiler, but viewers of the spy genre know that hit men cannot just say bye-bye and walk out on their bosses. So the old life interferes with the new, and, of course, Katherine is mildly shocked, to say the least, that she is married to a former mobster!

Why is the film so much fun? Only because Katherine Heigl cutesies (my invention, English teacher) her way into our hearts, as she always does in every role she plays. Remember 27 Dresses? Knocked Up? The Ugly Truth? Katherine is another Audrey Hepburn/Rachel MacAdams/Amy Adams....a wonderful actress whose smiles simply light up the screen.

Don't expect anything profound. No messages you can take away. No wisdom. Just loads of entertainment in the old-fashioned way.

A- grade for a feel good, light romp.

Mad Men 9-12

We are now moving deeper into Viet Nam days and the Rolling Stones. Very clever placing just their line aimed at advertisers "...tellin' me how white my shirts can be..."

This episode was interesting, but seemed disjointed between Joan and Don. Now, y'all know I am a big advocate of journaling, but frankly, watching Don do it creeped me out. I am a bit lost; is this self-induced, or part of some mandated therapy after his alcoholic crash? He just doesn't seem the type to take up the pen filled with emotional ink. Plus, I am not sure I like hearing so much Don voice-over. Better writing shows, it does not tell, and I more enjoy the subtle, intelligent revealing over, "and then I feel...blah, blah, blah."

Still, his pronouncement that we see people as we want them to be, not like they are, speaks volumes to his lack of authentic identity, the games the sexes play, and the advertising world at large. I want my toothpaste to be a chick-magnet, when it's really just a toothpaste.

Joan. Whew! On unhappy lady and it all comes out at work. She didn't even look as pretty in this episode. We have all known Joan. Being neither the lowly clerks, nor management, have power, but limited, make for a very lonely slot at work. She has no peers. We all need them. The workplace sexual harassment I almost can't watch (having been through my own version - as every woman probably has - it makes me see red!) Her observation in elevator with Peggy was stunningly brilliant. And painful.

Betty misses her bad boy (see post 9-5 for reasons why - haha).

I'll bet Ashley Montague would also have a field day with the alpha-males and metaphorical garage and boat scene. My (big) boat will now be in your garage!

Can somebody tell me why Don is not sleeping with Bethany?

Funniest lines: Don referring to his cataracted secretary as Ray Charles. After running into Don, Henry says seriously to Betty, "Well this is a small town." Huh? Manhattan?

Lastly, I hope Don swims again next week. ;-)

An Unfinished LIfe

I recently had the good fortune to stumble on a masterpiece. In 2005, Robert Redford put together a film that lingers with its messages, subtlety, honesty, and beauty.

No spoiler, my inquisitive viewers, but just imagine the acting power when you put together the Sundance Kid himself, the gravely-voiced Morgan Freeman, and the stunning Jennifer Lopez.

The plot is simple. Jennifer is the daughter-in-law of Robert, and she has been gone the past ten years. She has struggled with men and tried to be a good single mother. Down on her luck, she meanders back to Redford's place...which, as you will guess, is a ranch. Redford DOES the outdoors! Morgan Freeman plays a ranch hand who is injured and hangs out on the property.

The conflicts? Redford as father-in-law can't forgive his daugther-in-law for being at the wheel when his son died. He also can't forgive himself for being too drunk to help his farm hand when a bear mauled him. Imagine themes of guilt, anger, and love... Put them in a big cauldron, stir well, and presto! With three fantastic stars and a great script, you've got film magic.

Don't miss the symbolism of the bear. The wild animal that wanders the town is a metaphor for so many emotions.

A for top notch. A fantastic piece of work....with no wanton violence or sex!

Mad Men 9-5

It is rare when a television show (outside of HBO) takes the time to deeply explore complex human relationships. One favorite exception of mine was the weekly Denny Crane/Alan Shore male bonding on Boston Legal. So thank you, thank you, Mad Men, for shooing away all the extraneous characters and plots, at least for a time, and just allow the Peggy-Don dynamic to flow. The tension - the heat - the eye contact - I was completely captivated by this episode. While it had its share of dramatic developments, its brilliance lay with terse, poignant dialogue and superb acting! How rare. And that requires producers/directors who trust the intelligence and patience of viewers.

Peggy continues to speak for the women of her time as she faces the ancient age of 26 with no husband on the horizon. Her conflict over "what I am supposed to want" versus her true passion for work is fascinating.

Now for a minor tidbit: The Clay-Liston flashback was fun. I was only eleven or 12, but I still vividly remember sitting with my family and visiting grandparents at Green Gables restaurant in Phoenix, all anticipating that night's fight. We were pretty appalled by Clay's pomposity. But today I can appreciate his personality, confidence, and showmanship, not to mention his extraordinary athleticism.

Why has Don never hit on Peggy? Because men like him stay away from women they RESPECT. I hope Don and Peggy do not get together. But if they do, it will be a different kind of "hook-up" than Don (or Peggy) has ever known!

O.K., I've written enough. What say our readers??

Here and There

Few Serbian movies reach our shores, and thank goodness this one did. Made in 2009, the film premiered at the Belgrade Film Festival to top reviews.

Like many European films, Here and There shows us life in another part of the world: we see what Belgrade looks and feels like...old, drab, war-torn, and bleak. Can flowers grow and love bloom in such an environment?

As usual no spoiler, but the plot is quite simple: A Serbian mover on a temporary visa in NYC does a job for a rootless down-on-his-luck, unemployed American...and a friendship of sorts evolves. The Serb has a very simple request: he asks the American to go to his native country, "marry" his girlfriend, and bring her back to the U.S. He will pay the American for the job.

From there on, the plot unfolds in a quiet, meaningful, gripping manner. As the American learns the ways of the Serbs, he finds a comfort and peace that always escaped him in hustling, bustling NYC. Will the plan work? Will the Serb come up with the money? How will the strange arrangement turn out? And what about the American's attachment to the woman who puts him up?

This little sleeper packs a calm but effective punch. Most of us don't plan on going to the former war-torn city of Belgrade, but we travel there vicariously in a well-crafted, memorable diamond-in-the-rough of a film.

The Boondock Saints, I and II

Get ready for some great action! If you like gritty shootouts, vengeance motifs, and oddball humor amid wanton violence, this two-part series is for you!

Just imagine two Irish brothers, good-hearted ruffians by nature, who love to laugh, smoke, drink, fight, and enjoy life....only to find that some evil dudes want to get in the way of their fun. While less volatile folks might walk away and do their partying elsewhere, the two lads are not prone to turning their backs on a good tiff. Problem is, fisticuffs quickly turn into guns!

No spoiler, but let me say that the two Boondock Saints films, made in 1999 and 2009, are among the best of any gun-totin' films ever made. The two Irish sibs make it a point to kill anyone evil, particularly gangsters...yet, strangely, they knock off the baddies as they pray over their misguided souls. We root for the rowdy boys, who drink and shoot with equal dexterity, because we somehow like them. And we really like their wild and extreme dad.

Willem Dafoe, who is known for his outstanding work in Platoon, does his very best acting ever as the crazed, brilliant, often effeminate FBI investigator who "feels" each and every crime scene. In the 1999 film, he sometimes steals the show.

Batten down the hatches, turn off the mind, and brace yourself for the film ride of a lifetime! After viewing the Boondock boys, you'll think twice about admiring other action heroes. These guys are as tough as nails and about as heroic as good/bad boys can be!

Jade

Back in the early 90's, David Caruso shocked TV viewers when he left the hit show NYPD Blue. He had won a Golden Globe for his work in that series. What would become of the star? Today, he is very successful as the lead in CSI: Miami, playing Detective Caine. Bewteen NYPD and CSI, the red-headed idol did a few offbeat films, including Jade.

In Jade, which is now quite dated (gee, made way back in the Middle Ages in 1995), Caruso plays the detective in charge of a murder investigation. In a setting where there were no cell phones, computers were big boxes, and cars looked primitive, Caruso has to figure out who killed a prominent millionaire (today, the films speak of billionaires...guess that's inflation!).

No spoiler, but the flirtatious and slinky Linda Fiorentino is the suspect. Did she do it? Is there a larger plot? Is the governor involved? Was someone being blackmailed? And what about Jade's husband, the sleezy lawyer, played brilliantly by Chaz Parmintieri?

Jade is a wannabe film noir that is closer to "film gris." An air of mystery pervades, and Ms Fiorentino is indeed a suggestive, seductive suspect. But by today's standards, the film does not grab us quite as it should.

Yet, I'd recommend the flick. It's a good night's entertainment. Just don't expect perfection. And....enjoy the look of some our favorite actors and actresses when they were young!

Trucker

Michelle Monaghan has proven herself as a top actress with two recent films. In Made of Honor, opposite Patrick Dempsey, she demonstrated that she could do a romantic role with charm and ease. In Eagle Eye, with Shia LaBoeuf, she showed her skills in the thriller domain. In Trucker, Michelle is awesome when she's behind the wheel...and less impressive when she's playing mom.

Quite often actors get inspired by an idea, work on a script, and finance a film. For some reason, Michelle found the notion of playing a young female trucker worthy of her money. She financed a film that is only partially good.

Without makeup, and wearing jeans and frayed shirts, Michelle is perfect as the tough, no-nonsense rig driver, who is driven to get her truck to places on time, and only pauses to bed a few no-name young studs with whom she has no desire to bond. The entire lifestyle of the female trucker, including her modest house, visits to truck stops, and hours on the road, are extremely well done.

The film falters when the protagonist tries to play mom. No spoiler, as usual, but whoever penned the words between the mother and her eleven year old son has never had kids. The lines are so far off as to be absurd. The big question: Will Michelle as "mom" ever learn to be a good mother? Will she stop living the hard life and stop running from her past?

I'd recommend the film for the non-mom scenes. A great look at life for a pretty young driver who handles grit just fine. The confused, driven protagonist is a feminist at heart. Best to look to other films for the distant parent/needy child reconciliation theme. It just does not work here.

Running Mates

I've never been too impressed with Tom Selleck. Maybe it's been the roles he's played. As Magnum PI, Tom was not quite a superhero. He was just okay as an Australian in Quigley Down Under, as a ballplayer in Mr Baseball, as a writer in Her Alibi, and as a cowboy in a few westerns.

But Mr. Selleck excels in Running Mates. As the democratic front-runner for president, Selleck is perfect...he's believable, strong, principled, and charismatic. Laura Linney is even better as his campaign manager. Now add to the mix the likes of Teri Hatcher and Faye Dunaway, and you've got yourself a top-notch cast doing top-notch work.

No spoiler, but the main themes are: Will the presidential candidate sell out to big money and big business? Will Pryce (the candidate) stay true to his wife, after affairs with more than a few women still present in his life? Will the future be politics as usual or a new way of governing Washington?

This reviewer is not a great fan of "political" movies. But this film is a winner. It takes us into the world of a political climber and shows how he, and his support staff, shape image, policy, and publicity.

A- for an outstanding portrait of a politician. A bit too light in tone at times, and one scene with four women gossiping about bedding the candidate that needs deleting...otherwise, an excellent film.

Coyote

My favorite films are those that draw us into another reality. Coyote transports us to the American/Mexican border, where "coyotes", or organizers of illegal aliens crossing to the U.S., brazenly escort the desperate through the hot desert.

Coyote is the brainchild of Brian Petersen, who writes, directs, and plays the major role in the film. Brian plays Steve, a seemingly well-educated, decent fellow who can't get a job...and discovers that he can be a good samaritan by bringing illegals across the border in style: with water bottles, hats, respect, and a can-do attitude. He hugs the folks and bids them well as they enter the U.S. amid cactus and sagebrush.

With his best friend Jay, who is bi-lingual in Spanish, Steve seems to be a good guy doing a good deed for a good fee...until the bad Mexicans, the cartels, who control the desert crossings, get peeved that the two have moved in on their territory.

No spoiler, but suffice it to say that the film is a powerhouse. Will Steve and Jay continue to live the good life and fool themselves into thinking they're not really doing anything illegal? Will the cartels do them in? Will their girlfriends hang in there with them?

Whether the viewer is liberal or conservative re illegal immigration, the film presents the daunting, scary world of illegal crossers in graphic detail.

A stunning, powerful portrait of a world we can only imagine.

The American

George Clooney has done some fine work. He's a riot in the Coen Brothers' O Brother Where Art Thou. He's gripping in the romantic romp, Up in the Air. He's a hard hitter in action films such as Syriana, Ocean's Eleven, and most of all, The Peacemaker.

We need to keep this in mind as we view, or, I should say, suffer through, The American.

You could watch snails crawl on your driveway....or ants meander to a nest...or flowers grow... OR: You could watch The American. Few movies in this reviewer's memory have moved so slowly, been so insipid and shallow, and offered so little in the way of meaningful messages.

No spoiler, as usual. The film is vaguely about an assassin who must counter those who would end his sad career. There's a bit of gunfire here and there. Or better, misfire here and there. The whole film, I would suggest, is one big misfire.

Now add to this disaster a few scenes about guns, which, to most gun experts, are woefully erroneous. Also add shots of Italy's ugliest territory, the barren plains of the south. And throw in some stupid stares and even stupider lines. Now you've got The American.

Some contrarians might argue that the film strives to create a certain tone, a melancholy mood with stylistic moments. BUT: There is something wrong with a film that has no character development, no depth, no plot twists...in fact, no reason for existing on the screen.

One positive: The relatively unknown Violante Placido plays the assassin's love interest. Her pretty smiles sometimes brighten this dour landscape.

Grade of D- for a poorly constructed, mindless, boring, meaningless flick. However: Lots of fun viewing the film with my esteemed colleague, Valerie. With spouses, we enjoyed chewing this film up and spitting it out.

Mad Men 8-29

Not as tightly wound as last week, but still a solid one. Don did more smiling in this episode than all the previous combined. And it looked weird on him! Some people actually look better not smiling, I suppose. Anywho, I loved the flashback with Roger Sterling sporting slightly darker gray hair. Don's bold persistence in landing his job paralleled with the little squirt wood-pile relation of Roger's was an interesting twist.

Don's brewing (pun intended) alcohol consumption leading to work foul ups and a lost weekend add to his complex character. I was most intrigued when the waitress bimbo he cluelessly woke up next to, called him by his real name, Dick. In his stupor he must have given her that name. Suggests that one can never completely deny one's true identity, background, etc. He cannot shake that he's a Dick. (laughs here)

I am totally drawn in to Peggy's evolving character. As she goes deeper and deeper into male career territory, it makes this blog writer feel new appreciation for those women who broke through those boundaries, not without a LOT of irritation, anguish, frustration...

Two strange coincidences from this episode: In a phone conversation with a friend just hours before the show, I happened to reference Peyton Place (completely out of left field). Later, the show alluded to it! Wacko.

Daughter spent last weekend in the Hamptons (!) and met a man who had been creative director for BBDO, one of Madison Avenue's top 4 agencies during Mad Men era. A couple of days ago, I watched Face in the Crowd, the classic break-out film for Andy Griffin and Patricia Neal (will post later), and in it, BBDO is mentioned. In this episode of Mad Men, as in some previous ones, BBDO is again referenced.

Jersey Shore (TV)

Reality TV is fun! My daughter Sara dragged me kicking and screaming into this genre, but I am now grateful for her persistence. From American Idol to The Real World, programs that focus on so-called "real" life (hardly very real at times) are entrancing and often captivating.

Jersey Shore grabs you out of your own world and takes you into a wild, twenty-something whirlwind where the F-word is as common as morning cereal and extreme eastern accents abound. To enjoy this strange reality, you need to be fascinated by new lingo, foul mouths, and bizarre manners of communicating!

The eight or so kids of obvious Italian origin live together, much as in The Real World. They date each other, hate each other, love each other, and gossip about each other....how much better can TV get? You'll enjoy the funny nicknames: Mike Sorrentino calls himself "The Situation," because his six-pack abs are so-welll sculpted they are the essence of life itself! Jenni Farley is known as JWoww, because yes, you guessed it, her female anatomy is so large it's a wow...to guys, at least! Nicole Polizzi goes by "Snooki" because, well, who knows?

Gotta get into the eastern-Italian lingo to enjoy the humor. Example: In the Jersey Shore universe, you say "He hates on me" rather than "He hates me." And keep an eye out for funny gestures, so many new ones that mean F-you.....the finger is simply passe!

So turn on the tube, forget that there are ways of speaking without the F-word, and get into the fun! The show is becoming iconic, adding language and expressions to our culture, so you might find yourself getting a very needed, unexpected education!

Jersey