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After much eager anticipation, I watched the first two episodes of the John Adams premier last night and was totally blown away. The writing and characters were so riveting, that before I knew it the both episodes were over and I was then re-watching it on HBO West. Very tired at work today as a result, but well worth it.
Paul Giamatti's performance here is better than any role I have ever seen him in, and I would suspect any Emmy is forthcoming if the next 5 episodes are anything close to what we've seen so far. There will also likely be costuming and set design and effects Emmys as well.
You know, this is why I keep my subscription to HBO. It really has nothing to do with movies- which I can get anywhere. It has to do with the outstanding work done by HBO in original programming. While certainly this would include the ongoing drama and comedy series offered (such as Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Big Love) I would say I have been even more impressed with the outstanding quality of historical miniseries we have seen in the last 10 years or so from Tom Hanks et al to include From the Earth to the Moon, Band of Brothers, and now John Adams. Simply amazing and entrancing television viewing, which is both educational and inspirational. Congratulations to all involved in this great work!
I understand there is also work underway by Tom Hanks to now develop a miniseries drama about the Pacific theater in WWII- has anyone heard about that? Will this also be on HBO and when?
Thanks,
Dave
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Posts:
120
Registered:
3/28/08
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(14 of 14)
Apr 21, 2008 11:31 PM
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HBO's Dark, Dishonest Caricature Interpretation of Early America...
Bad Music almost all the time. Hollywood, Tom Hanks and others apparently prefer rap music to classical. Other than brief interludes of passable scores, the musical selection has a lot in common with a "B" movie horror flick. Given that the series is about a "CO", the music is better than the film.
Bad Scene Selections. Many scenes were outright distortions from the Book and without any obvious reasoning for departing from History. It's granted and obvious that film translations from literature are difficult but given the nature of the subject matter there simply can be no excuse for gross historical distortions. In a very few cases, some scenes were honest and in most of those, the scenes were apparently chosen for their negativity.
Bad Scripting. Apparently the producers never missed an opportunity to interject viewpoints and dialogue not found or of severely less emphasis in the book or in numerous historical documents. It's a wonder the presentation didn't screw up the first two episodes. Of course not screwing up the first two episodes which nearly anyone with an education (a surprisingly dwindling portion of the modern population) holds sacred is hardly an literary or cinematic accomplishment. (Thanks for nothing!).
HBO Films intends to leave those who have no current education of Early America with a bad taste in the mouth.
This is how liberals and traitors view America. Dark, filled with massive flaws, disease, unshaven, unkempt, bereft of Christian values, and with no regard for honor. The men of the revolution were men who regarded Christian truth, virtue, mannerisms as sacred. George Washington and John Adams and the other Founding Fathers were great men and giants but they were also the best copies of a citizenry who regarded honor, truth and Christian virtue as sacred. From farmer to tailor to trader to mechanic to carpenter, men and woman prided themselves on truth, literacy, honesty and Christian Virtue.
In our times, common men put their faith not in Commandments from God but in tribal jungle loyalties, the organized crime of unions, personal lusts, greeds and fears. Ordinary police brag about their loyalty to the fraternal union rather than their oaths of office. Is it any surprise that modern political leaders a reflection of the people they represent?
Neither is it much of a surprise to discover that Hollywood, HBO and modern writers have a dark dim view to no comprehension of early America.
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Posts:
5
Registered:
2/12/07
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(13 of 14)
Apr 14, 2008 12:20 PM
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> The worst part is that it is going to end so soon! I
> want HBO to just keep rolling this out with the same
> cast and production - let's see Jefferson's
> presidency next, and go back and fill in more about
> Washington and Franklin with prequel episodes. All
> the way to John Quincy Adams Presidency at least!
I have felt this way about several HBO series (Rome). In actuality, some of JA's greatest moments will come after his presidency. What a shame we won't be there to see them! This is the way history should be presented within the context of the times and the emotions of the characters. I love it when a series makes me see historical characters as real people, who not only lived the "high" points of history, but the everydays as well. JA does exactly that. They weren't gods, they were just people, albeit with unusual intellectual gifts and courage. I remember spending an entire Saturday a number of years ago watching Ken Burns' The Civil War. Never a Civil War history buff, I found I could NOT turn off the TV until the series ended. I don't think I even got out of my pjs that day! It was an enthralling and moving experience and I went out and bought several books used as historical sources for the series. I will now do the same with JA.
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Posts:
13
Registered:
2/16/04
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(12 of 14)
Apr 9, 2008 6:14 PM
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> The worst part is that it is going to end so soon! I
> want HBO to just keep rolling this out with the same
> cast and production - let's see Jefferson's
> presidency next, and go back and fill in more about
> Washington and Franklin with prequel episodes. All
> the way to John Quincy Adams Presidency at least!
Brilliant idea. Writing campaign anyone? Would LOVE to see the son ascend to his presidency, just great idea!
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Posts:
41
Registered:
4/6/08
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(11 of 14)
Apr 9, 2008 3:31 PM
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vernie wrote:
> The worst part is that it is going to end so soon! I
> want HBO to just keep rolling this out with the same
> cast and production - let's see Jefferson's
> presidency next, and go back and fill in more about
> Washington and Franklin with prequel episodes. All
> the way to John Quincy Adams Presidency at least!
My sentiments exactly! I would love the same thing, major figures in history, such as these men and women, explored for viewing pleasure and learning.
It's almost like the theory - put it to song will help you remember. Learning history through such a well done, well acted medium cannot take the place of books, the classroom, or family discussion, but WOW, what a format! What an engrossing teaching tool/aid it could be.
I turned off the TV following my husband's death, everything seemed crude and lacking depth. I kept paid subscriptions for our son, he turned to TV more, especially during the wee hrs of a sleepless night.
This series will not cause a 'comeback to TV' for me, but I am likely to seek programs of value. I am captivated by HBO's John Adams.
Bravo and Brava!
~~~~~~~~
edited for typo - groan
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Edited by jmts at 04/09/2008 12:32 PM PDT
--
Edited by jmts at 04/09/2008 12:38 PM PDT
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Posts:
4
Registered:
3/31/08
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(10 of 14)
Apr 7, 2008 7:38 PM
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The worst part is that it is going to end so soon! I want HBO to just keep rolling this out with the same cast and production - let's see Jefferson's presidency next, and go back and fill in more about Washington and Franklin with prequel episodes. All the way to John Quincy Adams Presidency at least!
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Posts:
13
Registered:
2/16/04
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(9 of 14)
Apr 7, 2008 7:17 PM
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Fantastic series! I'm totally hooked, and enamoured with the thinking men of this era. Inventors, thoughtful serious men...so few and far like these anymore!
Stellar casting, wonderful acting. No doubt, Emmy's are coming for this magnificent and inspiring effort!
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Posts:
13
Registered:
3/31/08
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(8 of 14)
Mar 31, 2008 10:54 PM
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Even my school age children are majorly into this - this is what fine, quality TV is about. Thanks Tom Hanks - one of my all time favorites too (Run, Forest, Run!)
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Posts:
713
Registered:
1/17/08
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(7 of 14)
Mar 27, 2008 11:52 AM
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I am just loving this mini-series. It seems that Sunday cannot come soon enough. I hope that HBO takes this opportunity to do another series on our history.
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Posts:
332
Registered:
11/22/05
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(6 of 14)
Mar 27, 2008 12:49 AM
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The Versailles scenes were definitely outstanding. I wonder if these scenes were actually shot there.
I wish they could have stretched things out a little more. The whole Revolutionary War period is covered in one hour. HBO Rome had the same problem, of trying to cram years of momentous events into too few episodes.
--
Flavio's not coming.
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Posts:
469
Registered:
1/17/08
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(5 of 14)
Mar 26, 2008 11:53 AM
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> I understand there is also work underway by Tom Hanks
> to now develop a miniseries drama about the Pacific
> theater in WWII- has anyone heard about that?
> Will this also be on HBO and when?
Hey Dave,
I've read that it is to be called The Pacific, the long anticipated sequel to Hanks' band of Brothers, sometime in 2008 as a miniseries on HBO. Last time I checked, Hanks said in December 2007 they were halfway done with the project, so if that is any indication, we probably will hear more about it in the coming months, hopefully! I am also eagerly looking forward to this! 
If you hear anything, let us know!
Ginna
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Host_Ginna
HBO Forums Host
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Posts:
1
Registered:
3/26/08
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(4 of 14)
Mar 26, 2008 12:36 AM
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What an amazing and informative series John Adams has become. My wife and I have tuned in for each of the first 3 parts, and have not been disappointed. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney are great in the lead roles. We also have learned things in our country's early history that we did not know, for example how Adams defended the British sentry's from the Boston Massacre. Great job HBO and it is programming like this that keeps us interested in watching original shows more on television. More history based shows would keep us from turning off our tv! Well done, Mike
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Posts:
3
Registered:
3/25/08
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(3 of 14)
Mar 25, 2008 6:21 PM
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I'm blown away!
Ditto everything you said Dave. I find myself checking the schedule and watching it over and over...and anxiously awaiting Sunday evenings. I can't remember viewing anything better than this!
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Posts:
275
Registered:
11/13/06
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(2 of 14)
Mar 19, 2008 1:07 AM
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Dave,
I, too, am enjoying this mini-series even more than I thought I would. It's a far cry from the comedy musical "1776."
Franklin is incredibly well done. Giamatti as Adams is superb. Let's hope the next three portions are as great as the first two.
This is partially satisfying my withdrawal symptoms from The Wire.
--
KBB
"Oh, man, m-my BREW!"
"History learned through knowledge shared."
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Posts:
1
Registered:
3/18/08
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(1 of 14)
Mar 19, 2008 12:01 AM
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After much eager anticipation, I watched the first two episodes of the John Adams premier last night and was totally blown away. The writing and characters were so riveting, that before I knew it the both episodes were over and I was then re-watching it on HBO West. Very tired at work today as a result, but well worth it.
Paul Giamatti's performance here is better than any role I have ever seen him in, and I would suspect any Emmy is forthcoming if the next 5 episodes are anything close to what we've seen so far. There will also likely be costuming and set design and effects Emmys as well.
You know, this is why I keep my subscription to HBO. It really has nothing to do with movies- which I can get anywhere. It has to do with the outstanding work done by HBO in original programming. While certainly this would include the ongoing drama and comedy series offered (such as Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Big Love) I would say I have been even more impressed with the outstanding quality of historical miniseries we have seen in the last 10 years or so from Tom Hanks et al to include From the Earth to the Moon, Band of Brothers, and now John Adams. Simply amazing and entrancing television viewing, which is both educational and inspirational. Congratulations to all involved in this great work!
I understand there is also work underway by Tom Hanks to now develop a miniseries drama about the Pacific theater in WWII- has anyone heard about that? Will this also be on HBO and when?
Thanks,
Dave
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