Things that make me happy... Oprah's Master Class

Things that make me happy... Oprah's Master Class

"Everyone has a story, and there is something to be learned from every experience" - Oprah Winfrey

Oprah's OWN is still working to establish itself as a new cable channel, but Oprah has a hit with the Master Class series.  The premise of this show is that everyone can be a teacher and she enlist celebrities to share their stories and what was learned from their experiences. In season one, she featured Jay-Z, Condeleezza Rice, Maya Angelo, just to name a few. The show returns in season two with another strong line up including  Jane Fonda, Ted Turner, Morgan Freeman, and Jon Bovi.  This first person account about their successes, and failures. is biography and interview at its highest level. Even America Ferrera in season one share golden nuggets of her own.

A new episode airs on Sunday nights at 10pm on OWN but past episode can be found online at the OWN website.

Pros
1. Great selection of guest "teacher" from film, politics, sports, and arts
2. The interviews are in first person... as if the person was just telling their story to class room.
3. Each guest opens up and is honest and forthright with their stories. You really get a sense of the the person. Goldie Hawn interview was surprising... you thought you knew this actress, but after the episode you realize how wise and ground breaking she really was.

Cons
1. Its on OWN so people can barely find the network much less the show which airs on Sunday night.
2. Some guest are not as famous, but all have great life lessons. You get something out of every episode even if you don't know the person.
3. Only about 8 episodes a season. And they don't run a lot of reruns so you may have to go online to see old episodes (Jay-Z, Condeleezza, Goldie, Oprah, and Sidney are much see)

http://www.oprah.com/own-master-class/master-class.html

SF. Guru

Things that make me happy... A Separation...the foreign film

Things that make me happy... A Separation...the foreign film

The foreign film "A Separation" is currently showing in art house theaters and won the academy award for foreign film this year. This Iranian film directed by Asghar Faradi, and starring Leila Hatami, Peyman Moaadi, and Shahab Hosseini is about life in current day Iran. The movie starts with a couple going through a separation after 14 years of marriage. This is a story about family drama and how families deal with tragedy, hardship, and the legal system in Iran.  The best part of the film is the indirect mystery as you watch the legal system work to discover what occurred during a incident where a woman suffers a tragedy. How families are affected and how life in an Islamic country mixes the old with the new. 

Behind the scene making of the movie with director.

Pros
1. Director took his time to tell this great story
2. The performance by the cast was excellent especially the husband and the domestic help.
3. Its is a drama told as a suspense mystery of sorts... You have to see discover this clever mystery
4. This one of the few story in the west about life in a Islamic country. Iran is not what you expected but life is different.

Cons
1. For those that don't like subtitles this is not for you. Not only subtitles but they speak rapidly and it takes a moment catch up.
2. None of the actors are recognizable to a US audience, but their performance are great none the less.
3. This is a slow drama so no big action scenes but there is suspense to keep you captivated.



SF Guru

Things that make me happy... House of Lies on Showtime

Things that make me happy... House of Lies on Showtime

Funniest new show on TV.... period! Love it! Showtime's new show House of Lies featuring Don Cheadle is one of the best new comedy on TV. House of Lies is based on the book House Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time by Booz Allen Hamilton Consultant Martin Kihn. The show also features Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Couples Retreat) and Ben Schwartz, Josh Lawson, wheo are part of a management consultant "pod'. This incredible cast deciphers the management consulting culture in clever ways.

This is a funny inside look at the consultant world and the people that are a part of it. Cheadle as Marty wildly intelligent and gifted consultant at work is a partial train wreck in his personal life. With an narcissistic ex-wife, and cross dressing young son, and stripper girlfriend, Marty life is full of twist and turns. But his handling of clients is what makes the show a must see for anyone in corporate america in general and consulting in particular.

A couple of video clips...

Pros

1. The cast... especially Cheadle. One of our best actors today

2. Clever edgy writing.

3. Directing... The show breaks the "fourth wall" of TV as Marty explains to the audience what he is thinking.

Cons

1. Showtime has specialize in dysfunctional characters some consultant types might be insulted a bit. But if you can't laugh at yourself... don't watch

2. Its Showtime so its not for kids... Yes language, nudity, included.

3. Showtime has such a low viewership so you might have to catch on Netflix when DVD are available.

All in all. this show is a good look. Check it out. Best TV to stream this summer when released on DVD or online.

S.F Guru