I watch too much TV. I know it. So when the Writer's Guild of America went on strike, I actually cheered. In a month where I am usually glued to my beautiful set and dependent on that lovely DVR for extreme sweep action, I actually finished a book and did my taxes early. Even with the strike, though, my appetite for television has become downright particular. I do not do the reality thing nor do I put much into sitcoms. My taste for the legal drama is dry and the teen drama, acidic. I tend to veer toward high production dramas with either witty writing or appealing relationships. And, of course, scifi and anime which consume more than most. Now that the strike is over and Spring TV starts to unveil, my DVR will fill again. No worries, though. There is nothing better than stepping into someone else's shoes for a long while.
I came home, exhausted from sickness and playing catch up all week to find a classic on Turner Classic Movies. 12 Angry Men was on my must see movie list and now that I have finally watched it I find it difficult to explain my amazed impression. A clean, simple, black and white film centering on 12 men in a room debating the innocence or guilt of one boy. The performances were natural, each man getting up and moving around, the nervous energy waifing off the screen. Fonda used his steely eyed grace to try and convince the men but only convinced me that there was no one better chosen for the role. The weather was its own character moving from sweaty tension to a release of rain. They say they don't make them like they used to and this is the one that fits that rule. A character piece, and simple plot, and yet a winner in every respect. Thank goodness I can scratch it off my list but it is a proud moment that I have.
