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Post by Ragtop on Mar 30, 2020 6:08:42 GMT -5
When "The Sopranos" debuted in 1999, we did not watch. The kids were around then, we were busy people. But then, somewhere towards the end of the run, we tried watching and got hooked. Ended up going back to the beginning and watching all six seasons and 86 episodes. Very entertaining.
Now it seems we have some time on our hands, so we decided to watch it all again. It seems to make more sense and tie itself together better the second time through. And I've really come to appreciate the acting skills of James Gandolfini. He can friendly and engaging, or he can be a very bad man, threatening and homicidal, and everything in between. Edie Falco as the long-suffering Carmela is excellent as well as the well-kept wife back home. Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Melfi is good too, I can't take my eyes off of her.
On the other hand, some of the acting is pretty terrible. I don't know if the young fellow playing Anthony Jr. is actually a dolt, or a really good actor playing a dolt. The former is my guess. And some of the characters are over-the-top when it comes to portraying Italian-Americans. Steven Van Sant as Silvio is a good example, although I enjoy his character. The character know as "Chris-ta-fer" is annoying as well. Skinny, big-mouthed, why somebody hasn't crushed him by now is a miracle. Annoying.
Anyway, we're about halfway through season 2 and enjoying it very much. Fifteen down, some 70 episodes to go. It keeps you entertained for a very long time. One thing- the series is not really dated yet. Still seems current and relevant.
It's on Amazon Prime if you're interested.
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Post by Stratluvr on Mar 30, 2020 7:02:53 GMT -5
Chris-ta-fer would probably gotten the crap kicked out of him or killed but because he is Tony's nephew he got a pass for all of the screw ups he continually made. As for AJ. His acting when he was younger was not quite the best but his character was lazy kid who grew up into a ne'er do well slacker spoiled rich kid. The type that could never ever measure up to his Father's positive qualities. I have been a big fan of the show and watched it through a couple of times. Other than the fact that any Mafia Boss could never ever go to a therapist without getting whacked, it's an extremely solid show. You also have to understand that these "Italian-Americans" don't represent all Italians or even close to it. I do know some Italians that take offense at Mafia shows and movies because they think it denigrates them as a people. I just see the characters as they are. Criminals. It's a very good show and I personally think of as the yardstick that all other serial shows need to measure up to. When it first came out over 20 years ago, it was actually revolutionary.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Mar 30, 2020 7:15:47 GMT -5
Probably my all time favourite TV show. I watched the very first episode again a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't go any further.
Great analyses above.
"Other than the fact that any Mafia Boss could never ever go to a therapist without getting whacked, it's an extremely solid show." Yep, I think Tony knew that, and it was acknowledged as part of the plot.
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Post by Ragtop on Mar 30, 2020 7:32:36 GMT -5
I Wiki'ed it to clarify a few facts while writing my OP, and was amazed at the number of awards the show received over the years. The best thing on television, ever, according to many.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 30, 2020 10:23:25 GMT -5
Season 2 and 3 were my favorite.
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Post by Taildragger on Mar 30, 2020 10:47:44 GMT -5
Gandolfini did a great job with that role. "Sil" and "Paulie Walnuts" were also highlights.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Mar 30, 2020 11:36:55 GMT -5
It irritates me when people talk about The Sopranos not being a fair representation of Italian Americans. It’s not supposed to be. It’s a fictional portrayal of a small subset of Italian Americans.
Some of the characters are overblown caricatures of mafia guys. But those caricatures actually do exist. I know 3-4 people off the top of my head who could slot right in as characters on that show just by being themselves.
Guys like Paulie, Silvio, etc. 100% do exist in the wild.
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Post by Chris Greene on Mar 30, 2020 11:40:54 GMT -5
Best thing about the show for me was the food. I've been rewatching clips of various shows on YT. The cast was terrific and I learned what gabagool was.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Mar 30, 2020 11:41:53 GMT -5
Best thing about the show for me was the food. I've been rewatching clips of various shows on YT. The cast was terrific and I learned what gabagool was. It’s just Sunday dinner to me... |
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Post by Chris Greene on Mar 30, 2020 11:47:41 GMT -5
One of the things the show inspired me to do (other than shylocking) was to learn to cook Italian dishes better. I make better marinara, learned about baked ziti, and so on. Loved the Artie character.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Mar 30, 2020 11:52:08 GMT -5
Artie was a great portrayal of a guy who is not connected, but “knows a guy”. Another type that definitely does exist in the real world.
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Post by K4 on Mar 30, 2020 12:55:23 GMT -5
I may have to re-watch
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Post by archiestone on Mar 30, 2020 13:01:34 GMT -5
"I don't know if the young fellow playing Anthony Jr. is actually a dolt, or a really good actor playing a dolt."
Definitely the former. Now 35, actor Robert Iler has had multiple arrests (including armed robbery), struggles with addiction
and now pursues a steady career as a professional gambler/poker player. Thankfully he has completely retired from acting (poorly.)
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Post by Chris Greene on Mar 30, 2020 13:08:47 GMT -5
What archie said. He was the least interesting cast member on the show. A better job casting that character could have made major improvements to the family story line.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 30, 2020 13:14:31 GMT -5
I dunno, I accepted AJ as a dolt without much personality. I found the family dynamic with Carmella and the kids the least interesting. Meadow irritated me more than AJ.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Mar 30, 2020 13:17:02 GMT -5
Both kids were well played. Entitled jerks.
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Post by Ragtop on Mar 30, 2020 14:53:37 GMT -5
Tony and Carmela were never going to win any "Parents of the Year" awards, that's for sure.
That scene after Meadow and her friends trashed her grandmother's empty house and she then manipulated her parents into taking away her Discover card as her only punishment was outrageous to me, as a parent.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Mar 30, 2020 15:08:52 GMT -5
Tony and Carmela were never going to win any "Parents of the Year" awards, that's for sure. That scene after Meadow and her friends trashed her grandmother's empty house and she then manipulated her parents into taking away her Discover card as her only punishment was outrageous to me, as a parent. Absolutely. But kids who grew up that way are used to there being no consequences. |
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Post by Taildragger on Mar 30, 2020 15:14:49 GMT -5
A better job casting that character could have made major improvements to the family story line. How 'bout "Snooki" and "Pauly D." from "Jersey Shore" as Meadow and Anthony Jr.?
No?
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Post by NoSoapRadio on Mar 30, 2020 16:16:54 GMT -5
I still have yet to make it through a single episode. Godfather I and II, Goodfellas, and A Bronx Tale, are among my favorite movies -- so it's not like I don't like wiseguy flicks. The whiney kids and wives and the shrink are not what I want to see in a mafia movie. The only whining I can abide in a mob movie is always followed by a whacking.
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Post by FlyonNylon on Mar 30, 2020 16:20:09 GMT -5
I dunno, I accepted AJ as a dolt without much personality. I found the family dynamic with Carmella and the kids the least interesting. Meadow irritated me more than AJ. Yeah I agree with this. Sopranos was an awesome show. I watched it through shortly after the show ended and again a few years later. If I re-watch it any time soon I'll probably fast forward through most of the home life and a lot of the therapy and focus on Tony's life as a gangster. |
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Post by rok-a-bill-e on Mar 30, 2020 18:23:12 GMT -5
---"The whiney kids and wives and the shrink are not what I want to see in a mafia movie.---"
Since that was the main premise of the show I can see why you don't like it! The everyday suburban life of a modern Mafioso was the setting and Tony's mental health crisis was the central plot element.
-----"I know 3-4 people off the top of my head who could slot right in as characters--"
Me too, and I've lived my entire life in the South. Those New Jersey tough guys do seem to come out of central casting, but I keep meeting them in real life.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Mar 31, 2020 6:00:25 GMT -5
The everyday suburban life of a modern Mafioso was the setting and Tony's mental health crisis was the central plot element. That's what I loved about it, a lot of episodes seemed to be:- Nothing happening, nothing, nothing, domestic issues, nothing, then out of nowhere...…BAM  |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 31, 2020 7:24:20 GMT -5
"That's what I loved about it, a lot of episodes seemed to be:- Nothing happening, nothing, nothing, domestic issues, nothing, then out of nowhere...…BAM " Phil Leotardo pumping gas comes to mind. "Bye bye, poppa..." |
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professor
Wholenote
"Now I want you to go in that bag and find my wallet." / KMMFA
Posts: 618
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Post by professor on Mar 31, 2020 11:11:20 GMT -5
The crappy reality and the wacky elements of parody, darkness and borderline slapstick, made the the whole crazy enterprise work. Truly and literally the role of a lifetime for Gandolfini.
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bassngtr
Wholenote
I am all about the bass...
Posts: 146
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Post by bassngtr on Apr 1, 2020 20:08:28 GMT -5
Like Ragtop I came in a bit late to the series but LOVED it. I was one of many who thought our cable went out when the last episode went to black. Lots of Soprano clips pop up in my YouTube "feed" lately and I am powerless to scroll by without watching. I am fascinated with the Mob, as I am with politicians...fascination leading to ultimate disgust. I often think that folks who chose that life actually chose to work/associate with horrible people who very likely may whack them at any point. Why someone would/could live that way is the basis of my fascination/disgust. |
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Post by rok-a-bill-e on Apr 1, 2020 20:39:51 GMT -5
It is very family based, so I suppose that most who are in that world were born into it. As for lower level "soldiers", there is never a shortage of expendable dumb muscle for hire.
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