HBO - John Adams

[Giant Chicken]

Did anyone watch the 2 part premire of John Adams? It was an amazing 3 hours. The cast is fantastic and the story is wonderful. This program lets you peak into a few areas that we did not talk about in school.

The mini-series will continue for 5 more weeks. If you have HBO I would recommend catching up and watching it. If you do not have HBO you will need to watch it on dvd.

 

[gideon]

I watched the first night and will be back for the rest of the series. It was very well produced, acted and written. I wish they had shown the Boston Massacre and Tea Party as the events took place instead of just the after effects. That would be by only criticism.

 

[Vader AL]

yeah i was wondering too why they didn't show the boston massacre,etc. but maybe they'll show that as a flashback or something. great so far...really good acting throughout.

 

[Batty]

It's very well done. Paul Giamatti really shows what a great actor he is.

I'm not surprised they didn't show the Boston Massacre. I think it was better hearing how events unfolded from the witnesses than just seeing it.

 

[Darklord Dave]

I watched it and thought it was very well done. The make-up is a bit too naturalistic though. Giamatti doesn't have a face for widescreen HD.

They are telling it through Adams and his wife's perspective - so if he wasn't at the event, we only get it second hand.

The thing that struck me the most was the smallpox inoculation. I had no idea they did that sort of thing back then. Especially since they were talking about "bleeding" as a treatment just a little earlier. But I'm finding Laura Linney's Abigail as almost more interesting than John.

 

[gideon]

I too found the smallpox episode very striking - I even had to look away at times. And you are right about not seeing events if Adams or his wife did not see them --- I just wish that had been done differently. I wonder if money was any consideration on that? After all, it would have cost a lot more to stage the Massacre and especially the Tea Party.

 

[The Josh]

I really liked it. I'm a big history buff so it was cool to see these events through their eyes (Adams and his wife). Yeah, the smallpox stuff was really gross. It was actually difficult to watch during a couple of moments.

 

[galactiboy]

Great show so far, looking forward to EP3 tonight... and I too was pretty shocked by the Small Pox scene. I really like how the series is giving a nice insight into how things unfolded.

 

[Entropy]

This is a wonderful series and I've been telling anyone who'll listen about it. I've seen both episodes and the making of twice now and can't wait for the rest. I'm watching episode 3 right now in fact.

I think this miniseries will really get its due once on DVD. And I for one am glad that they're concentrating on the Adams family and not showing things that occurred when John or Abigail were not present.

 

[The Josh]

Very good show tonight. Can't wait for the DVD's to just sit through and watch this. I will say BF is a giant douche.

 

[Vader AL]

i think it was more JA not understanding the working of international politics and how to deal with different countries and their cultures. although i like JA's approach and his passion.

 

[Entropy]

I will say BF is a giant douche.

The ladies couldn't get enough of big Ben.
Nothing sexier than bald, long hair and a cane.

Tom Wilkinson is having a lot of fun playing him. It's great to watch.

 

[galactiboy]

Yeah, he has a better understanding of what needs to be done... whereas Adams doesn't have the stomach for it. BTW, I thought the smallpox scene was rough until tonights amputation

 

[Vader AL]

Yeah, he has a better understanding of what needs to be done... whereas Adams doesn't have the stomach for it. BTW, I thought the smallpox scene was rough until tonights amputation

no kidding. hey hurt leg let's saw it off. oops, he's lost too much blood.

 

[The Josh]

Yeah, Adams wasn't real good at dealing with others it does appear. The leg thing was quite nasty but I did think it was pretty cool. I liked it but I also liked the same thing in The Patriot.

 

[Customikey]

I'm a huge fan of the McCullough book, and of John Adams the man, I was so excited for this series! The first time I heard about it was seeing a huge poster of Paul G. in profile on the side of my bus stop. From thence, I've been drooling for more info.

Now that i've seen three episodes, I find it was all warranted. I am LOVING this series, and everyone's portrayal is amazing! In spite of the surface appearance of Franklin, you can see a moment when John is introduced to the King of France, where you can see Ben's feeling just as humilliated, but he has the capacity to swallow it for the greater good, which John does not.

John's greatest failure throughout his life has always been pride. He was ever the proverbial bull in the china shop. That may be one of the reasons I respect him so much. He was, moreso than most of our historical forefathers, a do-good, upright man who never apologized for being who he is, and never subverted himself to the whims of those around him.

I can't wait for the DVDs.

Or the soundtrack, for that matter!

 

[Giant Chicken]

liked tonights episode... the ocean battle was a great scene. Abigal seems like she was a strong woman.

The french dinner scene = barf
I felt the awkwardness all the way in my living room.

 

[galactiboy]

no kidding. hey hurt leg let's saw it off. oops, he's lost too much blood.

Yeah, I joked with my wife... "hmmm... hurt leg, better disinfect that fast. Maybe use an anesthetic and see if we can save it".

Thinks for a second...

"Or maybe just hack it off... okay!"

 

[Les Walker]

I don't have HBO, so I have to wait for the DVD set. But I love anything American Revolution, and the cast is incredible, so I am there release day!
Glad to know it's as good as I had hoped.
(I wish they'd make a solid life-career movie about George Washington that was as well made is this looks to be...)

 

[galactiboy]

Looking at the show I'd love to see some American Revolution figures... so many cool possibilities, especially if they were appropriately grungy.