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[TheOddOne]

 

[TheOddOne]

- THR: 'Show Me a Hero': TV Review.

Show Me A Hero certainly isn't sexy and, on the surface, may not seem particularly timely or urgent, but the core elements of the story are universal and the show's most impressive achievement is making them relevant and dramatic and entertaining all at the same time.

- NYTimes: Lessons of Yonkers From David Simon’s ‘Show Me a Hero’.
- Newsweek: HBO's 'Show Me a Hero' Goes Deep on the Nitty Gritty of Racial Politics.

 

[lednerg]

Really looking forward to this.

EDIT:

(After having seen it) Get past the first two episodes - it pays off. And definitely avoid spoilers.

The HBOGO version has extra content after episodes 4 and 6, so be sure check that out. Skip to 1:01:00 for ep 4, if you don't want the next episode spoilers.

 

[Benjamin_MFF]

This Sunday? Perfect. I'm looking forward to hearing David Simon's work again.

 

[afternoon delight]

Great topic, greatest team, cant f'ing wait.

 

[Cornballer]

Thanks for putting the thread together. I'm not sure when I'll get to this, but I'm going to DVR it and watch at some point.

 

[TheOddOne]

- Rolling Stone: 'Show Me a Hero': David Simon Is Still Mad as Hell.
- Hitflix: 'Show Me a Hero' director Paul Haggis on Oscars, TV, and his love of 'The Wire'.
- Metacritic page.

 

[blainethemono]

David Simon and Oscar Isaac are on Charlie Rose on PBS right now to discuss the show

 

[TheOddOne]

- Variety: TV Review: ‘Show Me a Hero’.

A timely, nuanced look at class and race through the prism of events that transpired more than a quarter-century ago, “Show Me a Hero” is a sobering, spare and meticulously crafted HBO miniseries. Although the subject matter — six hours devoted to the battle over public housing in Yonkers, N.Y. — won’t be for everyone, David Simon’s productions seldom are. Nevertheless, the pervasive quality and ambition, including Oscar Isaac’s central performance, rubs off on the pay network in a flattering way, feeling very much of a piece with the third season of “The Wire” in capturing the dysfunction of municipal politics.

- IndieWire: Review: David Simon's Outstanding 'Show Me A Hero' Starring Oscar Isaac, Catherine Keener, More.

Directed with great craftsmanship by Paul Haggis, and powered by an organically felt selection of Bruce Springsteen tunes, ”Show Me A Hero” is an outstanding and deeply soulful miniseries drama delivered at the kind of top-tier level that only comes along every few years or so. It’s not just a slice of true history, but a probing, entertaining look at how the politics of fear and prejudice can curdle even the most earnest of American ideals and progress. However, even within that atmosphere, "Show Me A Hero" shows that a few seeds can blossom, ones that carry the best of what we want for ourselves and each other.

- NYTimes: David Simon and Cory Booker on ‘Show Me a Hero’ and the Future of Cities.

 

[lednerg]

Sounds like we're getting the 6th season of The Wire after all.

 

[Trey]

Andy Greenwald (Grantland) really likes it.

Its subject matter — public housing in the New York city of Yonkers — is uncommercial to an almost absurd degree. (Networks these days demand noisy premises and, literally, sex in the first five pages of a pilot script. The only banging in Show Me a Hero involves a gavel.) But it is also brilliantly, vibrantly alive in a way almost no television is. Despite its title,1 there are no actual heroes in the series: just a collection of flawed, full-blooded human beings trying their best under trying circumstances. With Oscar Isaac in the lead as embattled Yonkers Mayor Nick Wasicsko, it’s anchored by one of the best star turns on TV in recent memory. Unlike Simon’s last two projects, Show Me a Hero is as entertaining as it is powerful. It’s going to win awards. Sorry, David. But I also have a feeling that people are going to watch it — and hopefully a great many of them.

 

[Frog-fu]

The reviews are very encouraging. Sad it's only a miniseries, which means a second season is unlikely (unless the show becomes an anthology series based on other real life events), but I'll be making sure I enjoy the hell out of it the best I can.

 

[Blader]

Nevertheless, the pervasive quality and ambition, including Oscar Isaac’s central performance, rubs off on the pay network in a flattering way, feeling very much of a piece with the third season of “The Wire” in capturing the dysfunction of municipal politics.

Aw yes, music to my ears. S3 was king.

 

[TWrecks310]

I was already looking forward to this, but now the reviews have convinced me to be there the second it premiers Sunday.

 

[TheOddOne]

- Sepinwall: Oscar Isaac shines in David Simon's 'Show Me a Hero'.
- Time: Review: Housing Drama Show Me a Hero Hits Us Where We Live.
- NYTimes: Review: ‘Show Me a Hero’ Focuses on a Mayor in the Maelstrom of Desegregation.

 

[Fjordson]

Andy Greenwald (Grantland) really likes it.

Yeah, glowing review. I don't always agree with Greenwald, but it's good to hear.

I'm excited. Though to be totally honest, I actually forgot this was premiering this Sunday until I saw Greenwald's write up on the front page of Grantland.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Is this gonna be over six weeks?

 

[Fjordson]

Is this gonna be over six weeks?

Three. Two hours each week.

 

[TheOddOne]

- Vulture: Oscar Isaac Bridges the Distance Between Show Me a Hero and Star Wars.

 

[Brinbe]

Loves me some David Simon. I have read nothing but good things about this. I'm all in.

 

[Discotheque]

Treme was a good show but it got a bit boring for me, I ended up not finishing it.

This miniseries sounds right in his wheelhouse though and it helps that it stars Oscar Isaac too, I'm hyped

 

[Night Hunter]

I am so looking forward to this. Watched Generation Kill last week to get my Simon fix in anticipation of this.

Gonna quote myself from the other thread

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Oh, there's an official thread. kool

 

[TheOddOne]

Series premiere today:

"Parts 1 & 2"

 

[gdt]

I won't be able to watch live tonight so I'll have to wait till tomorrow, but man I'm excited.

 

[Messofanego]

I'll keep my eye on this.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

Trailer is decidedly unimpressive. Haggis is a real hack's hack, man.

 

[Blackhead]

Wtf, we are judging directors on trailers now? I see somone is already trying to get their knife into Haggis early lol. Why bother with trailers at all? One of the most annonying things about HBO are the episode-specific trailers each Sunday right before the new epsiode airs. Either get spoiled or switch/mute and risk missing the start of the episode. Why willing watch a trailer if you already know you'll watch the show anyway? David Simon shows are the surest good thing in TV

Spoiler

I didn't watch the trailer and read the book instead

 

[RatskyWatsky]

I hate when HBO airs episodes of their minis back to back. As it there wasn't enough to watch on any given day of the week, now I have two extra hours instead of just one. :/

 

[dead souls]

I hate when HBO airs episodes of their minis back to back. As it there wasn't enough to watch on any given day of the week, now I have two extra hours instead of just one. :/

The stupidest thing about the scheduling is that The Leftovers isn't even premiering until October 4th, so HBO is blowing through this for no reason at all.

 

[Sanjuro]

Looking forward to this, but that could be said about anything beyond the True Detective debacle.

 

[RastaMentality]

Anyone watching?

 

[Guzim]

Brother Mouzone!

 

[Sanjuro]

I can't take that beard seriously.

 

[oneils]

Anyone watching?

Yeah, looks like the stage is just being set right now.

Edit: does Ryder ever age? Is she reeves' sister or something?

 

[Ultimadrago]

David Simon? Yes please

 

[oneils]

So he was against desegregation before he was for it?

Flip flopper!!!

Hyuk

 

[yami4ct]

Just started the episode. Man this show is pretty as hell. Great use of licensed music as well. Really sets the tone.

 

[oneils]

Huh, is that Catherine keener in a grey wig? Didn't recognize her until she said a few more lines.

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

I like Jon Bernthal

EDIT: Holy shit is that Winona Ryder??

IT IS!!!!

 

[Guzim]

I liked this a lot.

 

[Bloodrage]

Surprised by this. It's very good.

 

[Rastafarian42]

Oscar Issac is a great lead really enjoying this first episode. Nice to see Jon Berthal doing a different type of character he's known for doing.

 

[BlueTsunami]

Compelling stuff. I like the separate narratives churning off the main one. All these worlds are going to collide soon enough.

 

[Foggy]

Tremendous. Between this and The Problem We All Live With episodes of This American Life, it's been a real gut punch to the soul for me this past week.

 

[brianmcdoogle]

After two episodes, I'm convinced that they made the Vice Mayor look like Justice Scalia on purpose. I know I can easily look up what he looks like in real life, but I want to cling to this for a few moments. lol

Anyway, wonderfully acted, directed, and written episodes so far. After the True Detective Season 2 debacle, it's nice seeing something well made again.

 

[Jonm1010]

Very good first 2 episodes. Puts the wheels in motion and sets the playing field with a slow build in typical Simon fashion.

Isaac is a great lead and the supporting cast has been great all around. Between this, Wolf of Wall Street and Fury, Bernthal has made me do a complete 180 on him after hating his performance in Walking Dead(though not many actors have came out of that series looking good).

 

[Steelyuhas]

Really enjoyed the first two hours, Isaac is great as expected. Very well acted all around, fun role for Bernthal.

 

[Kvik]

Generation Kill was 8/10 for me.

Impression looks cool so far.

 

[Dalek]

Right out the gate this thing is high class, top notch television. Felt like I was watching The Wire again.