Results tagged “HBO” from jsstudios.com

As with many of the dvd collections I watch after the kids go to bed and I happen to have a little free time to watch, I found the highly acclaimed HBO series, Six Feet Under, after it had already gone to dvd. Of course, the benefit to this is not having to wait until the next season begins. I can watch an episode a night, or week, or whatever. No cliffhangers keep me in suspense or hold me hostage wating for the next release in the steady stream of never-ending drama.

If you haven't already added Six Feet Under to your must-see-list I highly encourage you to stop waiting and do it immediately. You're missing out if you don't.

In a nutshell, the Fisher Family, who happen to run a funeral home in Southern California must finally face the reality they deal with on a daily basis. Only this time it hits close to home when Nathaniel Fisher ( Richard Jenkins ) is killed in a car accident on his way to pick up his eldest son, Nate ( Peter Krause ) who is on his way home for a visit. While at the airport, Nate happens to meet Brenda Chenowith ( Rachel Griffiths ) and they have a brief, but satisfying, sexual encounter. However, their relationship grows over time. While Nate may have found a way to escape home, the thought of being a funeral director and any other responsibilites to the family, he decides to stay and help run the family business. Nate eventually finds a steady relationship with Brenda and her psycho family including her brother Billy ( Jeremy Sisto ), a manic-depressive and his manipulative mother. That is until and old flame, Lisa ( Lili Taylor ), reveals she's pregnant. The two marry but her death will haunt him for years to come.

Nate's brother, David ( Michael C. Hall ), is the son who has taken the responsibility of running the funeral home with his father. He's also gay, but hasn't really come out of the closet yet. This causes quite a few realtionship problems with his lover, Keith ( Matthew St. Patrick ). Keith wants him to come out and believes that David must do it to show that he isn't ashamed of Keith. Drama ensues.

Additionally, there's Claire ( Lauren Ambrose ), Nate and David's agnst-ridden sister who seems to have her own set of problems with finding the right guy. Lover after lover come and go as do her interests and passions.

Last, but not least by any means, there is Ruth ( Frances Conroy ). She's the epitome of motherhood. The support system, the loyal wife, the mom who seems to be moddled after June Cleaver. But upon her husband's death she soon finds she needs more out of life. She too tries to find love in the arms a few men and ultimately marries George Sibley ( James Cromwell ). However, James has his own psychological problems. Finding that he is yet another person she must care for, her faith in the relationship flounders.

Of course, I haven't revealed everything here. There's quite a bit more to the storyline and an outstanding cast of characters of which I've only mentioned a few. However, you'll find each episode keeps you wondering what will happen next. What else could possibly test these people even more?

Now, if you've already watched the series I'm sure you have a favorite character. Personally, I tend to waver between Claire and Nate. I'm not sure which I enjoy more than the other.

Have a favorite episode or something you'd like to share?

Sunday the new series, Trueblood, started on HBO and I tuned in to watch it.

The basic premise of the show is that vampires have "come out of the coffin" since they can now get their minimum daily requirement of synthetic blood from any store that happens to carry it. They no longer need to go romping through the hillsides to find young, hot women to bite in the neck. As a result little towns everywhere are beginning to struggle with the thought that their populations will soon suffer an onslaught of legions of vampires who now want to mesh with mainstream society.

The star of the show ( and shown to the left ) is Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse, the local tavern waitress. She's not your average girl. She happens to be able to hear everyone's ( except vampires' ) thoughts. This ability comes in handy when costar and vampire ( Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton ) is being setup by a couple of rednecks who want to drain his blood and sell it on the black market. She saves him from his unexpected fate and the two seem to be made for each other.

But Sookie's life is not without turmoil. Her friends ( Rutina Wesley as sassy, Tara Thornton and Sam Trammell as Sookie's employer, Sam Merlotte ) aren't sure how they feel about vampires - but they do know that they believe she ( and their backwoods, Louisiana town ) may be better off without them. Furthermore, Sookie's brother ( Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse ) is the primary suspect in a murder investigation.

As with any HBO series, there's no shortage of sex, skin, language and violence. Given the sultry and seductive nature of vampire legends, I expect that episodes to come will probably get better and better. And the first episode left no doubt. Within 30 minutes of the first episode the viewer gets a glimpse into the perverted sex life of at least two characters. Thankfully the kids weren't in the room.

Vampires have never really been my thing, but I believe the story could just as easily be setup with INSERT SCORNED CLASS OF PEOPLE HERE. For example, "We dont want those GAYS|NON-WHITES|OTHER RELIGIONS people in our little, podunk Louisiana community." But, as with many new vampire stories, there is apt to be new spins on the vampire traditions and legends that will assist in creating compelling stories.

The bottom line: HBO has already had no problem hooking me as a regular viewer with such hits as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Deadwood. I expect that Trueblood will be no exception to the rule.

How about you? Is Trueblood going to be a must-see?