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Wed 17 Sep, 2003 06:41 pm
As I watched the first episode, the Tod Browning classic "Freaks" immediately came to mind. There's a lot of the structure of that film even if the plotline is not thoroughly revealed in just the one hour premiere segment.
The show's production design is the finest I've ever seen for a TV series -- but then, it is HBO. Lots of atmosphere including some set design evocative of that old black-and-white film if one was to cross it with, say, "The Sting."
There are some current and past plotlines revealed here so if it concerns you that some of the story is given away, read under caution.
HBO is the only thing I watch on Sunday evenings.
I won't even watch football.
This show looks awfully intriguing.
I love the look of "Carnivale", the Dust Bowl-type setting, the menagerie of 'odd' characters... Supernatural stuff is cool. I hope it maintains the evocative look, and the storyline heats up.
I was really intrigued by the multiple locales -- where does the preacher in California fit in? It's difficult to access the quality of the scripts and what the writers will flesh out of their characters. The time frame of the Great Depression is going to obviously bring up social issues, beginning with the big bad tractor plowing down one of the principal character's home.
Sadly, I missed the first episode, but am very intrigued by the concept. I am a big fan of Browning's "Freaks" and look forward to catching up on this new show.
My, that was an interesting film - we do not have the TV series over here, yet - but I will watch with interest.
How much a lag is there in HBO shows making it to Oz?
Not sure - since I generally do not know when they were made!
Depends on whether a network here wants to buy them a lot, I guess.
HBO is good about getting their series onto DVD shortly after the series finale -- I'm sure you'd be able to rent the first season in about six months.
If I had a DVD player - lol!
There so cheap over here at least. If you were to wait for the series on your cable, I'm still not clear how long it takes. Are you getting the new seasons of "The Sopranos" (the final season delayed until 2004) or "Sex in the City?"
I think we got our DVD player for about $200-250. Not too bad...and plenty worth it.
Then you likely got one with progressive scan which is now going to show up on even the cheapest players. It sure helps, as I've stated elsewhere, that the component connections are utilized (one cable for each color) and the Dolby 5.0 sound is certainly awesome (watched "Private Ryan" again last night and had to duck several times).
Bringing me to the sound on the HBO shows which is 5.0 -- you can hear a pin drop as well as see each hair on the head of the actors with the High Def. "Carnivale" looks particularly great even if the film isn't High Def. Those anamolies of darks or foggy scenes in being able to see the digital information are gone. The sand storms look real (I was looking around for a face mask...)
I like my Denon five disc player and was surprised it wasn't in the Consumer Reports ratings. I guess they didn't offer a unit (they are fairly new).
They did give a bargain unit of $60.00 a really good rating for the money. Unless one has a large screen, the progressive scan is not essential.
Anyway, back to "Carnivale," I am anxious to see future episodes so Sunday nights I am going to be glued to HBO.
Lightwizard wrote:There so cheap over here at least. If you were to wait for the series on your cable, I'm still not clear how long it takes. Are you getting the new seasons of "The Sopranos" (the final season delayed until 2004) or "Sex in the City?"
Cable? WHAT cable? I can't afford cable!
Nah - we do not have the latest series of either of those - (and both are on recess) - and they are on free to air here.
Well, then, sit tight and wait for the series to make it over to Oz. How much is cable over there? I pay $59.95 a month including HBO, Showtime (and add $4.00 for VOD - Video On Demand).
Mrs. cav is going to have to remind me about when Carnivale airs here....she caught the premiere and thought it was great, so it's on our list, along with Dead Like Me, Six Feet Under seasons we missed, endless Simpsons reruns, all the Law and Order premieres coming up, and MI5.
$70 for basic - with non-basic movie channels, Discovery channel etc extra.
I do not watch enough TV to make it even remotely worthwhile...
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