There’s nothing I like doing more on an overcast day (with no looming responsibilities or maddening deadlines, of course) than to dig into the wonderful world of the Digital Versatile Disc. I’ve been blessed lately with some excellent additions to the collection, along with some solid swaps from pals who are finally starting to learn my taste. So here’s a list of recommended DVD goodies to keep you in the saintly vibe, or at least somewhere in the extended neighbourhood 🙂
CARNIVALE: Ok, so I buckled out of sheer curiosity and bought the first season DVD set because of my love for Nick Stahl’s acting chops, Michael Anderson’s diminutive presence, and the ‘Dustbowl Apocalypse’ thing. Now I hear that it’s been cancelled after only 2 seasons. Pity. Extremely moody, stylized, smart, and laden with urgent mystery, Carnivale follows a travelling circus in the US during the Great Depression, and how one of their young vagrant workers has ‘messiah’ written all over him. Meanwhile, over in sunny California, a troubled priest develops otherworldly powers and builds a powerful ministry to challenge any and all who oppose. And did I mention the Knights Templar and the hot sex? WATCH THIS!
DEAD LIKE ME: I’m WAY behind on TV (I unplugged from cable four years ago), so I missed out on this cute Buffy void-filler about a young girl who becomes a Grim Reaper. The premise is a little silly – gal gets struck on the head by a toilet seat from the crumbling Soviet space station and suddenly joins a legion of undead union workers who collect souls while being forced to live normal lives and make peace with themselves. It might border on schmaltz, and the acting ain’t always the strongest (with the exception of Mandy Patinkin – one of my heroes from stage musicals, The Princess Bride, and Chicago Hope), but it’s beautifully shot and edited, every Vancouver actor and location gets time to shine (was that Dave ‘Lear’ Kaye humping a bank clerk in the pilot?!? lol), and the Police’s Stewart Copeland is the series composer. You could do worse…and there are even a few misty moments if you’re patient enough to let the characters grow on you.
MR SHOW (Season 4): The most aggressive and subversive sketch comedy show to come out of the US in the last 20 years (Kids in the Hall are Canucks, so they’re exempt from scrutiny!). Bob Odenkirk and David Cross are svengalis of mirth who seamlessly weave absurd and twisted ideas together into comedy platinum. The final season of their live show (though often mixed with hilarious short film segues a la Python) is available now, but I’d start with the 1st and 2nd Season Box Set if you can find it. They’re still hitting their stride at this point, but the musical numbers (including guest wailings by a young Jack Black) and the Metallica spoof will have you buying rubber shorts. Bob and David forever!!!
