Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry because I must be up at six in the morning to announce the new Kritzerland titles, which will hopefully make for a happy Monday. The first thing I must talk about is my now having seen the first four episodes of The Killing. No, not the AMC The Killing, but the original The Killing from Denmark from whence the AMC show came. I guess new ideas just don’t come to people much anymore – I have no idea what the AMC series is like, but I will watch it after I finish the first season of the original Danish. From the little I’ve read, the American version simplifies things and is typical of US crime dramas in its camerawork and performances, none of which is usually to my taste, but I’m willing to keep an open mind. However, after seeing Mr. Fincher’s Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, I came away still thinking the original Swedish far superior in every single way. So, how is the original Danish The Killing? In a word, superb. The first four episodes are riveting and compelling and highly addictive. It makes me nervous about tone when critics are saying the US version is reminiscent of Twin Peaks, because Twin Peaks is the last thing that would come to mind when viewing the original Danish The Killing, which is actually called Forbrydelsen (The Crime). The plot revolves around the brutal killing of a teenage girl. In the initial episode we get several subplots that will all weave together as the episodes go on.
The direction is terrific, with none of that awful shakycam crap – just simple and understated. The leading lady is fantastic – just a subtle and wonderful performance with none of the whispery acting that seems to plague every American actor these days. The rest of the cast is perfection, too. We spend quite a bit of time with the grieving family of the young girl, and another subplot involves politicians. I’m very much looking forward to the other sixteen episodes that comprise season one. Unlike its US counterpart, everything is tied up in the final episode. Here, they angered viewers hugely by making the final episode of season one a cliffhanger, with the murder unresolved. And that’s why I’m watching the Danish version. There’s a season two of the Danish that involves a completely different crime. The Danish isn’t out on Blu and Ray, so I’m viewing it on DVD – but the quality is quite good and the subtitles are easy to read.
This makes me want to seek out several other well thought of Danish shows that are probably being ripped off by American TV as we speak. Prior to that enjoyable viewing experience, I’d had a fine day, but not as restful as I’d thought it would be, mostly due to prepping the new releases.
I had to write the blurbs, get the audio samples, get the artwork prepared for the eBlast, prepare the eBlast and that all just took hours to do. I also had a completely incoherent and truly annoying e-mail from one of my dealers – we feel he must have been drunk when he wrote it – I responded but got no response to my responses, which means he probably passed out. We’ll see what happens this morning, but hopefully all will be well and well will be all. I had a great night’s beauty sleep of ten hours, then went to Art’s Deli, which was literally the only place in Studio City I could get in – it was crowded, but I got a table right away. I should just cook on Sundays or wait until four to eat. But I had a nice luncheon and then came home and watched the four hours of The Killing.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must get as much beauty sleep as possible before my early rising.
Today, I shall be up at six in the morning to announce the two new Kritzerland titles – one soundtrack, one show. Then I will hopefully print out a LOT of orders. Then I have a nine o’clock meeting so I don’t think I can go back to bed. After that, I’ll do errands and whatnot, pay some bills, hopefully keep printing out orders, hopefully pick up some packages, eat, and watch more Forbrydelsen.
Tomorrow I’ll be writing contextual commentary and doing the show order, and then I’ll be supping with muse Margaret and her ever-lovin’ Richard. Wednesday is more of the same and taping a two-part radio show. The rest of the week is consumed with meetings and meals and seeing shows.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, announce the new Kritzerland titles, I must hopefully print out a LOT of orders, I must have an early meeting, I must do errands and whatnot, I must hopefully pick up packages, I must eat and I must watch episodes. Today’s topic of discussion: Which of the current crime shows are your favorites and why? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland and then arise to announce, which will hopefully lead to a happy Monday.