Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
brand x
I'm not sure what I was expecting from Russell Brand's new late-night comedy show, Brand X, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's not exactly a talk show, unless you accept that you are tuning in to hear Brand talk non-stop for half an hour. It's not exactly a comedy. He throws out some quick jokes on topics of the moment, but he is more likely to wax philosophical than hysterical.
For his premier episode Brand spent the show talking to the studio audience, urged on by his sidekick Matt Stoller, about his recent experience of meeting the Dalai Lama, which led to the episode's main topic, who is the equivalent of the Dalai Lama in America?
Stoller, a former congressional advisor and blogger and contributing editor to Naked Capitalism, who Brand introduced as a man who spent many years at Harvard "without inventing a social network," suggested Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey were America's Dalai Lamas. Brand agreed that the President of the United States must be a sort of spiritual leader, but that our country also worships sports and consumerism. Stoller's brother Nick directed Brand in two of his most successful films, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek (which he also wrote).
Brand did go into the audience for a little give and take, but the focus, at least in this first episode, is more on the giving. Brand has a quick mind, and watching him reminded me of his blog, which I enjoy reading and where he frequently has some interesting and thoughtful things to say, on topics as diverse as the death of Amy Winehouse to Occupy Wall Street. Will Brand X and the FX network be the right place for some thoughtful, yet zany expounding on the topics of the day with a man whose persona is more rock 'n' roll than Wall Street Week? We'll see. But Brand is offering an alternative commentary to talk show monologues or The Daily Show's more witty approach to the news. It's worth coming back to check out what he will decide to talk about next.
For his premier episode Brand spent the show talking to the studio audience, urged on by his sidekick Matt Stoller, about his recent experience of meeting the Dalai Lama, which led to the episode's main topic, who is the equivalent of the Dalai Lama in America?
Stoller, a former congressional advisor and blogger and contributing editor to Naked Capitalism, who Brand introduced as a man who spent many years at Harvard "without inventing a social network," suggested Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey were America's Dalai Lamas. Brand agreed that the President of the United States must be a sort of spiritual leader, but that our country also worships sports and consumerism. Stoller's brother Nick directed Brand in two of his most successful films, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek (which he also wrote).
Brand did go into the audience for a little give and take, but the focus, at least in this first episode, is more on the giving. Brand has a quick mind, and watching him reminded me of his blog, which I enjoy reading and where he frequently has some interesting and thoughtful things to say, on topics as diverse as the death of Amy Winehouse to Occupy Wall Street. Will Brand X and the FX network be the right place for some thoughtful, yet zany expounding on the topics of the day with a man whose persona is more rock 'n' roll than Wall Street Week? We'll see. But Brand is offering an alternative commentary to talk show monologues or The Daily Show's more witty approach to the news. It's worth coming back to check out what he will decide to talk about next.
Monday, July 02, 2012
what a (whist of a) bargain
We went to a yard sale in the neighborhood yesterday and picked up a few books. As we were on our way out when I saw a tray with some odds and ends and what looked like, frankly junk. But on closer inspection we saw a tiny silver salt cellar and this interesting little object:
We took a few guesses as to what it might be. A timer? Some sort of toy, like a yo-yo? Something to wind thread on? The little hand spins, so I thought it might be some part of a game. I didn't really care. It reminded me of Dada and Surrealist objects and I just liked it, so I quickly handed over my dollar. Thanks to some internet sleuthing, we found out the answer shortly after we got home with our treasures, and it was a lot older than I originally thought.
It's an ivory whist marker or counter. Whist was a pretty popular card (gambling) game in the mid-19th century, which was eventually replaced by bridge. My little dollar knick-knack is actually a collectible. We had a little bit of our own Antique Road Show moment.
The game of whist is still played, mostly in England, but is nowhere near as popular as it used to be. Wikipedia had some fun little factoids that makes me want to get three other people together and give this little item a spin. Anyone game?
- It is strictly against the rules to comment on the cards in any way. One may not comment upon the hand one was dealt nor about one's good fortune or bad fortune. One may not signal to one's partner.
- Apparently originating in the early 17th century, the now obsolete adjective "whist" and variant spelling "wist" (in which the word "wistful" has its roots), meant quiet, silent, and/or attentive. The adverb "wistly" is also defined as meaning intently.
- It was the game of the servants' hall. Contemporary writers refer to it in a disparaging way, as being only fit for hunting men and country squires, and not for fine ladies or people of quality. Edmond Hoyle, of According to Hoyle fame, wrote an early popular and definitive textbook, A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist and ... the game continued to increase in public estimation. There is abundant evidence that in the middle of the 18th century whist was regularly played at the coffee houses of London and in fashionable society.
- Edgar Allan Poe briefly mentioned whist in his tale The Murders in the Rue Morgue, alluding to the analytical mind needed to play.
- Jules Verne uses whist playing to describe Phileas Fogg in Around the World in Eighty Days: "... His only pastime was reading the papers and playing whist. He frequently won at this quiet game, so very appropriate to his nature ..."
- William Henry Seward, Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln, was famous for his enjoyment of whist, often entertaining guests with the game.
Sunday, July 01, 2012
the victorian era's coolest detective is back
Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Murdoch Mysteries, Season 4 on Blogcritics.
Acorn Media has come out with another excellent Blu-ray version of the Canadian forensic series set in Toronto, Ontario in the 1890s, Murdoch Mysteries
. Based on characters featured in the Detective Murdoch novels written by Maureen Jennings, Yannick Bisson stars as William Murdoch, a police detective ahead of his time, utilizing the latest scientific techniques to help solve crimes.
Murdoch is helped in his investigations by his chief, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), and until recently, coroner Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy). Murdoch and Ogden had been inching close to a full-fledged romance until the good doctor decided to leave Toronto abruptly at the end of last season
to move to Buffalo, N.Y.
Originally broadcast on Canadian television in 2011, the Season 4 Blu-rays in this collection feature all 13 episodes on three discs, for a total running time of 624 minutes. Video resolution is 1080p, with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Sound is Dolby Digital 2.0, and English SDH subtitles are available. Extras include additional behind-the-scenes featurettes, including one on star Yannick Bisson's directorial debut, "Buffalo Shuffle."
Disc 1
1 - "All Tattered and Torn" Murdoch is still mourning the exit of coroner Dr. Ogden, and still not sure why she left (him.) Her replacement, Dr. Francis (Paul Rhys), is a non-nonsense type who doesn't appreciate Murdoch, or being called to a crime scene. The squad investigates a series of gruesome hatchet murders that have taken place near the home of retired Detective Malcolm Lamb (Victor Garber), Murdoch's predecessor. Murdoch reaches out to Julia in her new home of Buffalo, N.Y. for ... help on the case.
2 - "Kommando" Soldiers from nearby Fort York are being found murdered. Murdoch must determine whether a crazed killer is suffering from a disease the soldiers may have acquired in South Africa or something else entirely. Crabtree mentions he is writing a mystery novel.
3 - "Buffalo Shuffle" Murdoch travels to Buffalo to help Julia investigate a suspicious death at the Children's Hospital where she is now working. Back in Toronto, Brackenreid and Crabtree must deal with a nosy reporter who wants to write about "bumbling Brackenried." Will Murdoch be able to share his real feelings for Julia — or handle the surprising news she has to share with him?
4 - "Downstairs, Upstairs" Rich man Percival Jenkins is found dead, shot through the head, over his breakfast. Murdoch uncovers that there have been an unusual number of maids employed by the family over the years, and that Percival had no fans either upstairs or downstairs in his household. Complicating issues, Julia is in town with her fiancé Dr. Darcy Garland (Johnathan Watton). Murdoch asks for her help in solving the case.
5 - "Monsieur Murdoch" A woman, Sophie, and her husband enlist Murdoch's help in finding her sister Monique, who has disappeared from her hotel. Curiously, Monique appeared to have keys to rooms on the fourth and second floors. Murdoch teams with a French investigator who had also been hired by the girl's father to find the missing girl, and uses photographic evidence to try and solve the crime. Dr. Ogden is back full-time in Toronto as coroner.
Disc 2
6 - "Dead End Street" Murdoch is able to piece together the details of a crime no one even knew had occured, based on the intricate artwork of an autistic woman, and an innovative autopsy performed by Dr. Ogden.
7 - "Confederate Treasure" A body discovered down by the docks has connections to Canada's first Prime Minister. Murdoch must tread lightly investigating a crime that may tie Canada to the American Civil War.
8 - "Dial M for Murdoch" Is a telephone operator (Rachel Wilson) really an "ear witness" to a crime, or is it a case of crying wolf? Further complicating matters is the affection that is growing between the operator, Tess, and Constable Crabtree. As the bodies pile up, her evidence must be taken seriously, and Murdoch helps devise a wire-tap to solve the crimes.
9 - "The Black Hand" A woman from Murdoch's past, Anna Fulford (Lisa Faulkner), may be implicated in a crime. Murdoch discovers that Anna's fiancé (why does every woman Murdoch cares for agree to marry someone else?), may have connections to The Black Hand. Murdoch must be careful – and so must Inspector Brackenreid, whose run for Alderman is being complicated by pressures from political factions.
Disc 3
10 - "Voices" Murdoch is reunited with his long-lost sister, who is an actual a sister at a convent – in fact, she is the Reverend Mother. The siblings aren't exactly experiencing a happy reunion, as two nuns at the convent are under suspicion of murder, and Murdoch is there on business, not a familial visit.
11 - "Blood Lust" The popularity of Bram Stoker’s Dracula convinces Constable Crabtree and soon the rest of the city to believe that a real-life vampire is on the loose in Toronto. Dr. Ogden can't help but relate her feelings for Murdoch to the famous book – their "forbidden" love could be jeopardizing her current engagement, as Count Dracula comes between Jonathan Harker and his fiancée Mina.
12 - "The Kissing Bandit" A Robin Hood-like thief, who robs banks and gives the money to the poor, is Murdoch's latest challenge. Meanwhile plans for Dr. Ogden's wedding are in full swing, much to the chagrin of Detective Murdoch.
13 - "Murdoch in Wonderland" Dressed as the Mad Hatter, Murdoch becomes the prime suspect in a murder that takes place at a Lewis Carroll-themed costume party. But that is the least of his troubles. Dr.Ogden is about to get married — will Murdoch try and stop the wedding?
The look of Murdoch Mysteries continues to impress, with its accurate period settings and costumes a definite highlight. The Victoriana on display in "Downstairs, Upstairs" is especially impressive. The sound quality and ambient noises are crisp and clear, and the series looks especially good on a large high-definition television, as the viewer feels they have stepped back in time with Murdoch.
Murdoch Mysteries is more than just a Victorian-era CSI. Its characters are interesting, human, and sometimes quite humorous. The cases are clever, with just the right amount of science, history, and sometimes a bit of fantasy thrown in to make for an entertaining and intriguing show. Happily there is another season, currently airing in Canada, and a sixth season already planned, so there will be more Murdoch on the way.
Acorn Media has come out with another excellent Blu-ray version of the Canadian forensic series set in Toronto, Ontario in the 1890s, Murdoch Mysteries
. Based on characters featured in the Detective Murdoch novels written by Maureen Jennings, Yannick Bisson stars as William Murdoch, a police detective ahead of his time, utilizing the latest scientific techniques to help solve crimes.Murdoch is helped in his investigations by his chief, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), and until recently, coroner Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy). Murdoch and Ogden had been inching close to a full-fledged romance until the good doctor decided to leave Toronto abruptly at the end of last season to move to Buffalo, N.Y.Originally broadcast on Canadian television in 2011, the Season 4 Blu-rays in this collection feature all 13 episodes on three discs, for a total running time of 624 minutes. Video resolution is 1080p, with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Sound is Dolby Digital 2.0, and English SDH subtitles are available. Extras include additional behind-the-scenes featurettes, including one on star Yannick Bisson's directorial debut, "Buffalo Shuffle."
Disc 1
1 - "All Tattered and Torn" Murdoch is still mourning the exit of coroner Dr. Ogden, and still not sure why she left (him.) Her replacement, Dr. Francis (Paul Rhys), is a non-nonsense type who doesn't appreciate Murdoch, or being called to a crime scene. The squad investigates a series of gruesome hatchet murders that have taken place near the home of retired Detective Malcolm Lamb (Victor Garber), Murdoch's predecessor. Murdoch reaches out to Julia in her new home of Buffalo, N.Y. for ... help on the case.
2 - "Kommando" Soldiers from nearby Fort York are being found murdered. Murdoch must determine whether a crazed killer is suffering from a disease the soldiers may have acquired in South Africa or something else entirely. Crabtree mentions he is writing a mystery novel.
3 - "Buffalo Shuffle" Murdoch travels to Buffalo to help Julia investigate a suspicious death at the Children's Hospital where she is now working. Back in Toronto, Brackenreid and Crabtree must deal with a nosy reporter who wants to write about "bumbling Brackenried." Will Murdoch be able to share his real feelings for Julia — or handle the surprising news she has to share with him?
4 - "Downstairs, Upstairs" Rich man Percival Jenkins is found dead, shot through the head, over his breakfast. Murdoch uncovers that there have been an unusual number of maids employed by the family over the years, and that Percival had no fans either upstairs or downstairs in his household. Complicating issues, Julia is in town with her fiancé Dr. Darcy Garland (Johnathan Watton). Murdoch asks for her help in solving the case.
5 - "Monsieur Murdoch" A woman, Sophie, and her husband enlist Murdoch's help in finding her sister Monique, who has disappeared from her hotel. Curiously, Monique appeared to have keys to rooms on the fourth and second floors. Murdoch teams with a French investigator who had also been hired by the girl's father to find the missing girl, and uses photographic evidence to try and solve the crime. Dr. Ogden is back full-time in Toronto as coroner.
Disc 2
6 - "Dead End Street" Murdoch is able to piece together the details of a crime no one even knew had occured, based on the intricate artwork of an autistic woman, and an innovative autopsy performed by Dr. Ogden.
7 - "Confederate Treasure" A body discovered down by the docks has connections to Canada's first Prime Minister. Murdoch must tread lightly investigating a crime that may tie Canada to the American Civil War.
9 - "The Black Hand" A woman from Murdoch's past, Anna Fulford (Lisa Faulkner), may be implicated in a crime. Murdoch discovers that Anna's fiancé (why does every woman Murdoch cares for agree to marry someone else?), may have connections to The Black Hand. Murdoch must be careful – and so must Inspector Brackenreid, whose run for Alderman is being complicated by pressures from political factions.
Disc 3
10 - "Voices" Murdoch is reunited with his long-lost sister, who is an actual a sister at a convent – in fact, she is the Reverend Mother. The siblings aren't exactly experiencing a happy reunion, as two nuns at the convent are under suspicion of murder, and Murdoch is there on business, not a familial visit.
11 - "Blood Lust" The popularity of Bram Stoker’s Dracula convinces Constable Crabtree and soon the rest of the city to believe that a real-life vampire is on the loose in Toronto. Dr. Ogden can't help but relate her feelings for Murdoch to the famous book – their "forbidden" love could be jeopardizing her current engagement, as Count Dracula comes between Jonathan Harker and his fiancée Mina.
12 - "The Kissing Bandit" A Robin Hood-like thief, who robs banks and gives the money to the poor, is Murdoch's latest challenge. Meanwhile plans for Dr. Ogden's wedding are in full swing, much to the chagrin of Detective Murdoch.
The look of Murdoch Mysteries continues to impress, with its accurate period settings and costumes a definite highlight. The Victoriana on display in "Downstairs, Upstairs" is especially impressive. The sound quality and ambient noises are crisp and clear, and the series looks especially good on a large high-definition television, as the viewer feels they have stepped back in time with Murdoch.
Murdoch Mysteries is more than just a Victorian-era CSI. Its characters are interesting, human, and sometimes quite humorous. The cases are clever, with just the right amount of science, history, and sometimes a bit of fantasy thrown in to make for an entertaining and intriguing show. Happily there is another season, currently airing in Canada, and a sixth season already planned, so there will be more Murdoch on the way.
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