A Deadwood evening and more

Last night I watched four episodes of Deadwood, beginning the second season. And they were very fine. I was talking to my mother about the series today while visiting her and my dad. We talked about its Shakespearean aspects and she thought there were elements of Antigone --I'm not sure which one--I assume the original. She felt Al commenting on the action from his balcony was kind of Greek Chorus like--I don't agree with that but the dialog is becoming more and Shakespearean in both its cadences and the language itself (except for the "fucks"). The characters get richer as the series goes on. I told my mother she should try to rent it for my dad to watch--I think he's like it. Or maybe there would be too much talking for him and not enough action.

Tonight I watched American Gangster. I'm not sure what I expected, but I did hope for more. I have the feeling that Ridley Scott was going for an African American Godfather and it just didn't work as such. I skimmed the original article by Mark Jacobson in NY Magazine a few years ago upon which the script is based and was unimpressed by the character of Frank Lucas then. He was a thug in real life. He's a thug in the movie, no matter how good-looking Denzel Washington is (and he IS). In the opening scene he murders someone horribly, passionlessly, and we don't get inside him at ALL.

I've been comparing his character (and others in the movie) to other gangsters in some relatively recent American movies that worked better (I'm not saying they're necessarily better movies, although some obviously are) in order to figure out why HE as a character didn't move me.

The Corleones in The Godfather--each son had a distinct personality. In American Gangster Lucas's brothers did not --we spend very little time with each brother. The mother (played by Ruby Dee) is good in a very small role.

In Scarface Pacino goes way over the top but at least he's dramatically interesting. Goodfellas of course has the terrifying performance by Joe Pesci. Ray Liotta's a mook but it doesn't matter because the gang around him is colorful.

Denzel Washington is smart, greedy (I guess), ruthless (although it seems to come out of nothing), passionless. Basically, he's a very dull character. I don't know if it's the script or the performance. Russell Crowe as the one honest cop in town is much better. And for me, the most interesting part of the movie is the end when they meet for the first time and the last 15 minutes. I'll have to see if I come to any other conclusions after the movie sinks in... but I'd very much like to hear what others felt about the movie if you've seen it. And if you disagree, please tell me what you think I've missed.

A Guest at Virtual Conflux next Saturday morning

I've been asked to answer questions at the Virtual Conflux site (the physical Conflux is taking place in Canberra, Australia). I attended in person a few years ago and it was a marvelous convention. I'm delighted to attend virtually this year. Anyone can sign up to participate here at the Conflux forum .

I will be responding to questions awaiting me Saturday morning and will continue to answer them periodically as long as they're asked.

Oz is about 12 hours ahead of the east coast of the US for anyone interested.

Here's the entire schedule (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Saturday August 2

12 noon – Glenda Larke
1pm – Chris Barnes
2pm – Gillian Polack
3pm – Bruce Gillespie
4pm – Cat Sparks
5pm – Stephen Hunt
6pm – Peter Strong
7pm – Karen Miller
8pm – Fiona McLennan
9pm – Maxine McArthur
10pm – Sharyn Lilley
11pm – Karen Herkes
12 midnight – Ellen Datlow

Sunday August 3rd

1am to 6am – break
7am – Sherwood Smith
8am – Nicole R Murphy
9am – Jonathan Strahan
10am – Kaaron Warren
11am – Sean Williams
12pm – Kevin J Anderson
1pm – Phil Berrie
2pm – Jackie French
3pm – Jack Dann
4pm – Simon Haynes
5pm – Marianne de Pierres