The Sopranos

[Vic Mackey 47012]

On 9/15/2024 at 8:04 AM, GhostOfTomJoad said:

The  doc is really well done and essential for any fan of the show. I really enjoyed the details about how during the table reads the actors would check in to see if their characters were safe or getting whacked in that episode, and how Chase or the producers would take them out for dinner as a way to soften the blow. Chase insisting that Drea's execution take place off camera was also quite telling.

And I thought the DP gave the best insight about the ending of the series and how that final scene just adds to the rewatchability of the Sopranos. If it had simply ended with an on camera killing/arrest/escape and tied up the series it wouldn't have worked as well. I'm of the belief that Chase's immediate cut to black was his way of executing us, the viewers. He pulled us all into the mob life, and as the series has shown the only way to truly get out is to die. And most times the people getting whacked never see it coming. What better way for the viewers to experience that finality and uncertainty than by simply ending it?

Documentary was awesome. And showed insight that I never knew about the show. I laughed at Edie Falco calling Chase the overlord. He definitely seemed like a beating to work with but it was his show, his direction and he didn't want to deviate that much. But you could tell the toll it took on some of them. The long, grueling hours.

 

[GhostOfTomJoad 9323]

On 9/15/2024 at 8:15 AM, CurlyDumps said:

Nah. No way. Just think about Drea's death which you brought up. He cared about the character so much he didn't wanna see her shot. He (and others) talked about how he practically lived inside this show. He loved the show and the characters too much to end it with a 4th wall breaking gotcha prank.

 

It's very possible that Tony was whacked. Probable, even.  Maybe the entire family. But my point still stands that Chase brought the viewer into the world of the Jersey mob, and the only way you get out is when you die. In this instance, the audience is on the opposite side of the frame from Tommy Devito in Goodfellas when he thinks he's about to get made. 

"It goes on, and on, and on, and on..."

 

 

[Jive Turkey 12594]

I’d never seen this before. 

 

[Red Five 40847]

I have a question. I believe it was Edie Falco who in the documentary said something about how the entire cast was shocked when they saw the finale, because apparently they weren't expecting it to end that way? How were they expecting it to end? Was there more shot after the cut to black?

[CurlyDumps 4468]

19 hours ago, GhostOfTomJoad said:

It's very possible that Tony was whacked. Probable, even.  Maybe the entire family. But my point still stands that Chase brought the viewer into the world of the Jersey mob, and the only way you get out is when you die. In this instance, the audience is on the opposite side of the frame from Tommy Devito in Goodfellas when he thinks he's about to get made. 

"It goes on, and on, and on, and on..."

 

 

Yeah, at the end of the day it is still technically left open ended and will remain that way unless Chase pulls a Ridley Scott. As the DP said, the open endedness made for an indelible ending that will talked about for a long, long time. Here we are still debating it.

The "only way you get out is when you die" reality is another reason why I think Tony was whacked. Just about everyone (except Paulie?) eventually ends up dead, in prison,  sick, or shot.  Tony was gettin it one of those ways, and I think Chase planned for Tony to die all along. Chase implied that in one of those more recent interviews when he talked about having an idea for a death scene back when they were shooting season 2(?).

Edited September 18 by CurlyDumps

[Vic Mackey 47012]

2 hours ago, Red Five said:

I have a question. I believe it was Edie Falco who in the documentary said something about how the entire cast was shocked when they saw the finale, because apparently they weren't expecting it to end that way? How were they expecting it to end? Was there more shot after the cut to black?

This is what I wondered. The cast is usually around for shooting, right? I would imagine they saw some alternate cuts for how it ended. I guess one of them being Tony dying or something. Seems like no one but Chase knew that the black screen ending was going to make the final cut.

Series was a 10/10. The ending? Not so much. Sure, it's still being discussed but a show/movie should have a definitive ending unless abruptly cancelled. I am watching for the director/writers vision of the entire story. I don't want to make my own assumptions of the ending. Doesn't take away from the series, though, even in my 2nd run through a few years ago. As others have said, that profession never ends well. Death, prison, witness protection are about the only 3 options.

[CurlyDumps 4468]

2 hours ago, Red Five said:

I have a question. I believe it was Edie Falco who in the documentary said something about how the entire cast was shocked when they saw the finale, because apparently they weren't expecting it to end that way? How were they expecting it to end? Was there more shot after the cut to black?

 They shot a fake ending to avoid potential leaks since that had become an issue. Nobody from the cast and crew knew which one was gonna be used until they saw it.

 Deadline Interview where Chased talks about the fake ending.

[Wally Pryor 5261]

Gandolfini would have been 63 today. 

Hard to believe he's been gone over 11 years.  Such a loss. 

[Celery Man 20933]

Let 👈 that one call 👉 that one buchiach. 😐

[MirrOlure 14760]

We are rewatching the entire series…at a non binge pace. Tonight is S2E13 The Funhouse (S2 Season Finale)…

Holy
Fucking
Shit…

They could do oil paintings of the scenes and I’d decorate my whole house with them.

This is an entire genre of Gangster Movies in one TV episode

[BigDHornfan 6545]

What's your favorite season?

Season 5 IMO is the best.  

[billfromlaketravis 11448]

[Deej 76756]

Just realized that the woman playing Leslie Abramson in the new Netflix series about the Menendez brothers played Meadow's college roommate Caitlin.

[billfromlaketravis 11448]

18 minutes ago, Deej said:

Just realized that the woman playing Leslie Abramson in the new Netflix series about the Menendez brothers played Meadow's college roommate Caitlin.

Despite the craziness, I had the hots for Caitlin. Ari Graynor is an attractive woman. 

[CurlyDumps 4468]

Nice catch. Watched a few episodes over the weekend and never would have guessed. I did notice her husband is a Mad Men alum.

[Deej 76756]

5 minutes ago, CurlyDumps said:

Nice catch. Watched a few episodes over the weekend and never would have guessed. I did notice her husband is a Mad Men alum.

 

[CurlyDumps 4468]

^That's exactly what I think of when I see him.

[billfromlaketravis 11448]

4 hours ago, Deej said:

 

Wildest episode of Mad Men. There is no second. 

[Cousin Strawberry 1261]

20 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Despite the craziness, I had the hots for Caitlin. Ari Graynor is an attractive woman. 

When it aired originally, I thought she was chunky but on rewatch she was hot.

[billfromlaketravis 11448]

Robert Iler has also moved to Austin. Smart. Royalty checks will last longer in Austin than LA. I’d rather he not attend Texas home games, but I won’t put jinxing powers on him.

[Bama Llama 1450]

Mama and Bsby Llama left me at home for a couple of weeks and I watched the whole schmeer beginning to end.  Just rewatched the last episode last night.  Jesus it’s so much better without the interruptions.

The Soprano family refrigerator “mark” set the tone for each scene.  Either Tony says too much or Meadow rolls her eyes and pisses off Carm or Anthony goes off about some dumb shit as he plays in his cereal.

Have to say my favorite moment of the whole series is Tony schumping down the stairs in his robe and slippers, singing 🎶 When I i i was a child, I had a fleeting glimpse, two ships on the horizon. . . . “. 
 

That or Paulie amazed telling Chris the “Ukranian guy (who eluded them) had killed 17 Czechoslovakians!” (Chechens)

i kept hoping the ducks would come back.  Gandolfini was mighty fuckin good.  RIP, Tony

PS/ Janice bugged the shit out of me.  Dingbat needy frontrunner space cadet.  Have you heard?  Narcoleptic boyfriend.

[Macklemore 2876]

On 9/23/2024 at 8:16 AM, BigDHornfan said:

What's your favorite season?

Season 5 IMO is the best.  

Season 3 was peak Sopranos. Jackie Jr provided laughs with his stupidity and flailing attempts to break into the Mafia. Noah being a complete hateable douchebag. Pine Barrens was the best episode of the series. Vito’s fatass getting the drop on Jackie Jr. and whacking him from behind is an indelible image.

 

[Gil Bang 25922]

3 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Robert Iler has also moved to Austin. Smart. Royalty checks will last longer in Austin than LA. I’d rather he not attend Texas home games, but I won’t put jinxing powers on him.

drugs are cheaper in Austin? 

[Nole-4-Life 802]

I liked season 2. Ritchie was the best.

[Dennis Taylor 18811]

"Less yacking, more whacking" cracked me up. And Paulie's refusal to let professionals touch his hair was hilarious as well.  

[billfromlaketravis 11448]

I enjoyed the documentary. Just the right length. Chase acknowledging the comedy or drama debate was refreshing. I think it changed from scene to scene.

Chase is going to be a cautionary tale in the industry. 1 extremely successful show, but such an unwavering prick that nobody would work with him again. 
 

His protege Matthew Weiner has enjoyed a similar fate. 

[Dennis Taylor 18811]

 

[billfromlaketravis 11448]

23 minutes ago, Dennis Taylor said:

 

Also the best Shaq impression I’ve ever seen. Spears is a very talented guy. RIP Mad TV.