I watched the first episode of River, Marilyne.  I'm reserving judgment until I can look at more of it.

phyll, Jean and others - River is definitely not your standard detective show, and I don't expect that most viewers will care much for it.  For me, it was refreshingly different, with flawed characters and a unique story. I've never seen anything like it on TV, but I'm sincerely hoping that they do NOT continue on, and make it an ongoing series.  That would ruin the the uniqueness, IMO.

I tend get overly enthusiastic about movies and TV shows that I especially like, and I go on and on with praise and recommendations. However, I try to keep in mind that we all have differing reactions to shows, and to the actors who bring the characters to life. 

This show "River" I think I would like it. Can't get it on my TV but bet will be on DVD this year.

Storyline

A hardened, yet psychologically vulnerable, Swedish-born police detective in London struggles to deal with having witnessed the murder of his detective partner. He must come to terms with the loss whilst investigating her murder, helped (and sometimes hindered) by what he calls 'manifests' - the ghosts of both victims and criminals, including the shade of his partner.


I is strange that over the past 2 years, both in UK and US they are bringing in Detectives that are Swedish.  Looks like "River maybe a short 6 show one.  If accepted though they will make more .

Season Two of Bloodline is
now on Netflix .....     

I am already on Episode 3!

Sandy - I'll watch the first episode of Bloodline tomorrow night. (Saturday).  I'd watch it tonight, but the TV with Netflix will be busy with the Hockey finals.

Yesterday AJ went to dinner with retired buddies, so I had the TV to myself.  I binge watched about four episodes of the HBO show, Girls.  I'm not recommending it, as it's pretty raunchy, but I like it anyway.  I'm fascinated by the characters and their lives in NYC. I get a kick out of Lena Dunham, who directs, produces, and stars as the main character, Hannah.  All other actors are excellent, and the storyline is "over the top", to put it mildly!   It's a show about young 20 somethings, and I'm sure that's the audience they are after..  Hard to believe that young people really live that way in NYC?

Lots of inspirational war movies featured on Turner (TCM), for Memorial Weekend.  They are all World War II oriented, but not nearly as graphic and violent as the "war" movies made today. Some are comedies, and others are strictly dramas. Here are just a few of the classics that will be playing the next couple of days

The Guns of Navarone:  Gregory Peck, David Niven
From Here to Eternity:  Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster
Mister Roberts:  Henry Fonda, James Cagney, Jack Lemmon
The Caine Mutiny:  Humphrey Bogart, Van Johnson,
Bridge on the River Kwai:  William Holden,  Alec Guinness
They Were Expendable:  John Wayne, Donna Reed
The Best Years of Our Lives: Dan Andrews, Fredric March

Plus lots of other classics - too many to mention. I like all of the movies listed, and plan to watch as many as I can fit into my days and nights.  If I had to choose a favorite, it would be The Best Years of Our Lives.  As most of you know, it takes place after the War, and is about three returning service men and their families - played by Dana Andrews, Frederick March  and Harold Russell - the young soldier who actually did lose his hands fighting in WWII. This is a wonderful Americana story, and considered to be the best movie ever produced about the aftermath of the War, and those who became known later as, The Greatest Generation.

Good Afternoon Everyone...

I have just started re watching "Six Feet Under" on
HBO   NOW... 

I spent years hooked on this and cried like a baby
when it was over.     

First Season, First Episode, 
all the tears came back.   

It is going to be great reliving it
all over again!

Sandy

Last night we watched the first episode of the new version of Roots, on The History Channel.  I usually don't like remakes of old movies or TV shows, because they never live up to the original . . . but this one is the exception to that rule!  It's very well done, and the acting is perfection!  We've only seen the first two hours, but both of us are looking forward to the entire series. 

I'm not a big fan of most of the historical style shows that have played on THC, but they really went for high quality this time! We watched it On Demand, and were happy to discover that we could fast forward through the commercials!  So that is a definite plus!!  

I watched and recorded all four nights...   I also like
to record them so as to fast forward through the
commercials.   

IMHO,  this latest Roots was very well done.
Excellent. 

Sandy

Since moving here, we have been so busy settling in I haven't watched much TV or done much reading.  Things have settled down and I found HBOGO on my Apple TV.  I watched the 2nd and 3rd Newsroom series (which had a terrific ending), The Man from Uncle, and The Intern, both movies good and no commercials.  Now I'm relaxing with a good book. 

Marilyne, I read about the new "Roots" and it is given good reviews.  I haven't checked out the On Demand yet.  Our TV is off more than on.

I forgot to remind you, Marilyn, if you watch the LBJ movie, the language is terrible, which I had heard that he was fond of using!

I watched the LBJ movie and the language is terrible, but the movie is well done and really kept my interest.  I think Lady Bird must have been a saint.

Tome, thanks for reminding me about "All the Way".  I got it free on On Demand. What a tour de force!  It was excellent.  I grew up in Texas and remember LBJ well.  Cranston was amazing in the part. 

Cranston looked just like LBJ!  Uncanny!

My Public TV is doing the Pledging again . They just did it the whole month of April in May. So nothing on PBS for a few weeks now. Lots of shows have gone off the reg. Chanel also so looks like lots of reading and a few DVD for me.
Perfect day here today. 78 deg. lots cooler.

JeanneP - While you're waiting for PBS to get back to business,  take a look at the new Roots, on The History Channel. I've only seen about three hours of the show, but find it to be just as compelling as the original.

I have lots of saved movies on my DVR, so I usually can dredge up something if nothing sounds good on my channel selection.  There are probably some good movies today on Turner, honoring D-Day - the 6th of June.  I wonder how many of us remember June 6, 1944?  I remember it well, and feel bad that there was no mention in my newspaper today. I guess when our generation dies off, there will be nobody to actually remember, so it will just be a footnote in history.

I don't have the History Channel and so will have to wait for the new Roots to come out on DVD. Will not be long. My library will have it as soon as it does.  I use my DVD player as much as the Reg. TV.  Can't stand the Commercials most shows have now.

Tonight we watched a couple of episodes of Bloodline, on Netflix.  So far, Season #2 is better than I was expecting it to be.  Is anyone else following it, besides Sandy and me? 
If anyone has any recommendations for other good series shows on Netflix or Amazon, please let us know? 

I meant to record the movie Giant, today on TCM, but forgot all about it.  It's one of the oldies that I never tire of watching over and over again.  A great movie, with excellent performances by Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean. 

We've been watching Crossing Lines on Netflix.  It is a little too violent at times but does have some interesting themes.  I really prefer a TV series where the characters are not so intense and there is a little leaven worked into the situation or dialogue.  I guess that is why I enjoyed Midsummer Murders.

Jean - Thanks for the tip on the Netflix show, Crossing Lines.  We will probably give it a look some night this week. 

Has anyone watched Orange is the New Black?  Dil likes it, and recommends it to me, but not to AJ.  Apparently our son didn't like it enough to stick with it, but she thinks it's great.  I only know that the story takes place in a minimum security women's prison, but is not violent or controversial. Definitely a "chick flick". 

Just not going out in the 94 deg. weather today. fixed a nice meal and put in the  Movie. "The Dove Keepers" Lasted 4 hours. 2 DVD.  I could now take a nap but to late in the Day.

Now that hockey season is over, (Sharks lost ), I'm getting back to some regular TV viewing. The last couple of nights we've been trying to catch up on movies and shows that we have recorded on the DVR.  Also, lots of good stuff on Netflix!

Sandy - in case you look in?  I didn't think I'd like season #2 of Bloodline, without Danny, but it's just as good as season #1.  Some flashbacks, plus the new characters, are keeping him in the story.  I'm feeling very sorry for Meg, and wondering what is to become of Kevin? Not to mention poor old Mom (Sissy Spacek), who seems ready for a nervous breakdown!

Lots of good shows playing now on Amazon. Love and Friendship, adapted from the book by Jane Austen, sounds good.  Also, Doctor Thorne, a series written by Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey.  Looks like another good British period drama.

I've been binge watching Suits on Amazon Prime.  I started with the first episode of Season 1 and last night I watched Episodes 2 and 3 of Season 3.  Sunday night our PBS station will air the first episode of Endeavour Morse (new) so at least that is something to look forward to.  And then, there is the US Open golf and I've had that on for most of the day today.

There are so many series shows and  TV movies on Amazon and Netflix now, that it's almost overwhelming.  How can the writers come up with so many different ideas?  But they do, and they're all good, and very watchable. (And  addicting!)

Phyll - I didn't see Suits listed, but will look for it.  Bloodline, (Netflix), is a fabulous family drama, and I highly recommend it.  The acting is wonderful, and the story is great.  Easy to catch up on, for anyone who is interested in this show . . . only two seasons so far.   

I guess I was the only one on this board who liked River?  I enjoyed it enough to watch it again in the future, if there is nothing else playing. 

Those of you who have Amazon . . . did anybody else ever watch Mozart in the Jungle?  Another unique series, that held my attention for a long time.  However, I lost interest as it moved through the episodes. Too much of an "over the top" story for me, when the new orchestra conductor came on the scene.  My husband liked it better than I did.

I, and my son, liked Mozart in the Jungle very much.  I enjoyed the interplay between the various orchestra members and always enjoy Bernadette Peters.  I was sorry when it ended with the third season.  I haven't heard that there will be any more episodes made.

Quotefrom Wikipedia: The series stars Gael García Bernal as Rodrigo, a character based on conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

This particularly interested me because I have seen Dudamel conduct (on PBS) and am amazed that he uses no music...he has memorized every note and orchestral section.  He is really fascinating to watch.  Of course, I think you can guess that I'm a nut about classical/symphonic music.

I am still bingeing on Suits.  And, also watched the most recent episode of Outlander.  Culloden is looming ever closer.  I tried both Bloodline and River.  I didn't think I would like to continue with them but may try again.  Often something I don't like at first will be enjoyable, or interesting, if I go back to it later.  And sometimes my first opinion remains the same....

Phyll . . . call me clueless!  I didn't realize that the character of Rodrigo, was based on a real conductor!  That does make the entire story more interesting.  I liked Rodrigo, but some of his antics, and those of the people close to him, were a little too much for me. For instance, his ex wife was totally unbelievable.

My husband has played in many orchestras and bands over the years, so he was interested in that aspect of the show . . all the "goings on" behind the scenes! LOL  Now that I know more about the show, I'll definitely give it another look.

Here Ye, Hear Ye!  Anyone out there watching anything on television that's worth mentioning? (good or bad).

We're still in our usual rut . . . local and world news between 5 and 6, and then an hour or so of HGTV.  After that we settle down to watch something on Netflix, Amazon, TCM or On Demand. If there's nothing that sounds interesting to me, then I'll do other things, and AJ will watch The Western Channel, American Hero's or Velocity.(All about cars!) He's also a big fan of "American Pickers" on History.

We'll watch the final episode of season 2 of  "Bloodline" tonight.  It's an excellent drama on Netflix steaming, but not for those who want something light.  It's a heavy family drama!

Still keeping up with "Game of Thrones", but I'm getting tired of this once- a-year routine.  All of the good shows do that now, and I'm not fond of the concept. Ten or twelve shows, and then when the season is over, then you must wait for approximately a year before it returns and continues on with the story.   Sometimes they even go over a year.  I just read that "Homeland", one of my favorites, starring Claire Danes, isn't returning until January, 2017!  That will be an 18 month break!   

   

Nothing on TV, but I did go to the movies - saw "The Free State of Jones", with Matthew McConaughey.  Pretty good - based on a true story from the Civil War, one I hadn't heard about before.

maryz - Good to see you posting.   I've seen promo ads for "The Free State of Jones", and it looks like something I will enjoy.  Matthew McConaughey, is an excellent actor, and has done a great job in every movie or TV show that I've seen him in.  If you haven't seen "True Detective", it's worth watching.  A short series that only had one season.  It originally played on HBO, but now I think it's available on Netflix or Amazon??

Marilyne , thanks for the recommendation - I'll look for that.