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Heartbreaker
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American Idol: Test
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So You Think You Can Dance: So Wrong It's Right
shaggydan wins! shaggydan beat tjb2 14 to 7.
If I were stranded on a desert island and had to choose between 10 DVDs of my favorite movies or a complete season of my favorite TV show, I'd pick TV.
shaggydan said
This is, admittedly, a pretty rough call, but I can say with confidence that my desert island TV Season of all time is West Wing Season Two.
It's 22 episodes, each at the standard 42ish minutes, is only slightly less total content as 10 dvds with an average of 2 hours- even though Godfather 1 and 2 would be in my top ten film.
Season two was, to me, the peak of the series' capacity. It starts with two staggeringly good episodes- In the Shadow of Two Gunman, parts one and two- and concludes with Two Cathedrals, which may be their best overall episode.
The writing was smart and fierce, and that scarily good cast was still hungry and eager to present the best of themselves and each other.
When I think about how many times I've reached for those DVDs- and I'm thinking about reaching for them now- I'm amazing how good they really are.
tjb2 said
I am the guy that said that television is going through its golden age, and I truly believe that. But cinema is my first love, and there is no question that if stranded on a desert island I would rather have 10 DVD's of my favorite movies than a season of my favorite television program. More so than great TV, great cinema immerses the audience in another world, making you care deeply for the well-being of the characters. Even when I'm in a lousy mood, a classic movie like "The Godfather" will soothe my pain. With all due respect to some of my favorite television shows of all time ("The Sopranos"; "Seinfeld"; "Frasier"), movies are what I would want on a desert island.
shaggydan said
Well, at the risk of losing a turn in this Throwdown, let me ask you this...
What ten movies are we talking about here?
tjb2 said
There are hundreds of great films that I could choose from, but here are ten of my favorites: "The Godfather"; "The Godfather: Part II"; "Dog Day Afternoon"; "Raging Bull"; "Taxi Driver"; "Little Miss Sunshine"; "When Harry Met Sally"; "Goodfellas"; "Lost in Translation"; "Hannah and Her Sisters". I'd also be content with most of the movies made in 2007, as it was such a strong year for cinema.
Since you would choose movies over television, let me ask you this: What are some of the television shows you would like to have if stranded on a desert island?
shaggydan said
Well, apart from the aforementioned West Wing, I'd think I'd do well if I had a collection of Sports Night, Six Feet Under, M.A.S.H. and The Office.
I think when it comes down to it, I think the question comes down to this. Collectively, the films you describe have moments of depth, emotional intensity, humor, happiness and intelligence. I would say that very so often, there are television series that provide each of those qualities, just within the context of a single narrative or from a single set of well developed characters.
There's no doubt that the films you mention here are some of the best works of entertainment in the last 40 years. So I'm not trying to minimize their value- I too am a big film lover- I think the question in this throwdown is would you rather have one large, single story to go back to again and again, or a collection of smaller stories to get you through whatever it is one does to survive on a desert island.
tjb2 said
For me, watching a great movie never feels redundant. I've seen "The Godfather" an infinite number of times, yet I always discover something new on each viewing. The same can be said for each of the ten films I previously mentioned. I greatly admire all the television shows you mentioned, but I think watching the same TV show over and over again is less satisfying than watching a good movie over and over again.
Like this throwdown?
Episode Recaps
Poll: Cop shows (Part 2)
What was the best cop show on TV from 1998 to 2008?
From EW.com
Comments
tjb2 02/29/08
Yes, I'm the guy who said that televsion has never been better, and I truly believe that. However, movies are my first love. If I was stranded on a desert island there is no question I would rather have 10 DVD's of my favorite movies than one season of my favorite television program. Great films, more so than great TV shows, immerse you in another world. Even when I am in a lousy mood, a classic movie will soothe my pain. With all due respect to sensational shows such as "The Sopranos", "Seinfeld", "Frasier", and "Friday Night Lights", 10 DVD's of movies is what I would want on a desert island.
shaggydan 02/29/08
Glad you made the repost. :)
The Counteragent 03/01/08
I know above all, Alias season 2, would be what I'd need to survive a desert island, even if Lost would seem the more logical choice. Sidenote: if I had the money to buy the Rambaldi cube, I'd bring that, even if it's cheating to bring 5 seasons. Oh, how I miss my Alias!
charinator 03/01/08
Here's my list:
1) Seinfeld S1 &2
2) Seinfeld S3
3) Seinfeld S4
4) Seinfeld S5
5) Seinfeld S6
6) Seinfeld S7
7) Seinfeld S8
8) Seinfeld S9
9) The Office S2
10) The Office S3.
Variety? Who needs that!
Moononastring 03/01/08
I absolutely love movies, and there are certainly at LEAST 10 films that I watch over and over again -- Princess Bride, Grease, Vertigo, Eternal Sunshine... however, that being said, I think I would rather have a season of my favorite show. As much as I love movies, I rarely forget I am watching a movie when I am watching one. But with the best TV show, I can get totally lost in it; I can totally forget what is going on around me and just watch the show, get invested in the characters, etc. It's not even that I love TV more than movies, just that I think its a better escape -- something I think I would appreciate on a desert island. Give me season 2 of Buffy or Alias, Season 3 of Angel, season 1 of Veronica Mars and I'll make it through.
shaggydan 03/01/08
Nice list charinator. I like how you combined Seinfeld S1 and S2 so you could make room for a couple Office discs- very nice.
shaggydan 03/01/08
Oh yes, Moononastring. Buffy, Season 2. Wow. what a great season that was.
charinator 03/01/08
Well S1 and S2 comes in the same box set. Worked out perfectly :)
The Counteragent 03/01/08
I think the idea is one complete season versus ten movies, but then again, maybe I don't know how to read.
bluetenille 03/01/08
TV for me. I'd have to have maybe 5 buffy dvds. Or seven one from each season and throw in a friends, an angel, and a veronica mars.
Moononastring 03/02/08
Yeah, the question is 10 movie DVDs VS ONE season on a show =)
bluetenille 03/02/08
That's a bummer. S4 buffy
shaggydan 03/03/08
S4 Buffy? I like that one too, but S2. I mean...
"What's left when you take all that away Buffy?"
"Me."
Come On!
:)
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