Network: Cinemax Premiere date: Friday October 16, 10pm
My favorite show of 2014 is finally back! How has The Knick been running without it's famous troubled genius surgeon? Will Thackery ever get clean? Will he ever learn to function without his drugs? How is Cornelia doing out West? Will her and Algernon ever get to be together? How has Nurse Elkins been dealing with her heartbreak over Thackery's downfall? Better yet, how is our dear Bertie dealing with his heartbreak over Elkins? How is Gallinger handling his wife's breakdown? How has Algernon been doing running The Knick? What new financial trouble will Barrow get himself into? What will become of Sister Harriet and Cleary's illegal business?
After being nominated EIGHT times for his extraordinary portrayal of Don Draper, Jon Hamm finally won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series!!!!
It's a travesty that Jon didn't win earlier (although he's had stiff competition over the years) but I guess its better late than never. His impressive body of work on Mad Men will go down as one of the greatest performances in television history. It's impossible to pick just one favorite Don Draper moment, so here are a few:
Peggy gives Don her two weeks notice:
Most of Hamm's best work came when he played off the incredibly talented, Elisabeth Moss. This scene showcases Hamm's ability to cover a wide range of emotions (annoyance, arrogance, denial, anger, desperation, acceptance) all while maintaining Don Draper's cool, guarded facade. That moment when he gives up and kisses Peggy's hand is absolutely heartbreaking.
Don Draper on Speed:
Anyone that has watched any of Jon Hamm's numerous appearances in SNL and other comedies knows how funny the man can be. He didn't get nearly enough chances to show off his comedic chops during Mad Men but we did get to watch Don run through the office, high on speed and it was amazing.
Don Draper doesn't believe in love:
DIALOGUE.
Don "doesn't want to wake up pregnant":
Don's not-so-secret hatred for Pete created some wonderful tension throughout the years but never was it more enjoyable than during this hilarious burn.
Don lashes out at Peggy:
The iconic "That's what the money is for!" line.
Don gets some terrible news:
Watching Don Draper's walls crumble all around him was gut wrenching.
Don and Peggy share a beautiful moment:
The stoic, yet wildly inconsistent tenderness of Don Draper was always a marvel to watch.
Joan and Don share a laugh:
"But that's life, one minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary is running you over with a lawnmower."
Look at these gorgeous cuties!
And of course, the iconic "Polaroid" pitch:
Absolutely mesmerizing. In that moment we were all Harry Crane.
Release date: 8/21/15 Rating: R Run time: 1Hr 19Min Directed by:Paul Weitz Starring:Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Sam Elliott, Judy Greer,Laverne Cox, John Cho, Nat Wolff Synopsis:"Lily Tomlin stars as Elle who has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when Elle's granddaughter Sage unexpectedly shows up needing $600 bucks before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets."--IMDb
Why it looks worth seeing: It's exciting to see an older female actress get to be the lead in a film! And there are few actresses I'd rather see in this kind of role than Lily Tomlin. She has been one of my favorites ever since her hilarious performance in 2004's highly underrated dark comedy, I Heart Huckabees.
Premiere date: 8/16/15 8pm Channel: HBO Directed by: Paul Haggis Written by: David Simon, William F. Zorzi and (based on the book written by) Lisa Belkin Starring: Oscar Isaac, Alfred Molina, Winona Ryder, Catherine Keener, Jon Bernthal, James Belushi Synopsis: "Mayor Nick Wasicsko took office in 1987 during Yonkers' worst crisis when federal courts ordered public housing built in the white, middle class side of town, dividing the city in a bitter battle fueled by fear, racism, murder and politics."--IMDb.com
Why it looks worth seeing: Everything about this six part mini-series looks impressive: from the writing (done by David Simon, most famous for his widely acclaimed series, The Wire) and directing (done by Paul Haggis, Crash) to the unbelievable cast (Isaac, Molina, Keener and Ryder, just to name a few). And then there's the show's the intriguing plot: the incredible, real life story of Mayor Wasicsko and the desegregation of public housing in Yonkers in the late 1980's.
Release date: 8/7/15 Rating: PG-13 Run time: 1Hr 42Min Directed by: Jonathan Demme Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Rick Springfield, Sebastian Stan Synopsis: "A musician who gave up everything for her dream of rock-and-roll stardom returns home, looking to make things right with her family."--IMDb.com
Why it looks worth seeing: ALL HAIL QUEEN MERYL! The woman is such a phenomenal actress that whatever kind of film she makes, she will give it enough depth and heart to win over even the toughest of cynics. Fun fact: Meryl plays opposite her real life daughter (Mamie Gummer) in the film.
Just in case life wasn't soul crushing enough, here's the first trailer for the upcoming 'I Am Chris Farley' documentary. Get ready to feel a lot of feelings.
Release date: 6/19/15 Run time: 1Hr 19Min Rating: R Directed by: Patrick Brice Starring: Adam Scott, Taylor Schilling, Jason Schwartzman, Judith Godrèche Synopsis: "Alex, Emily, and their son, RJ, are new to Los Angeles. A chance meeting at the park introduces them to the mysterious Kurt, Charlotte, and Max. A family "playdate" becomes increasingly interesting as the night goes on"--IMDb.com
