Love #DanielFranzese!!! So thrilled we have him here for #PrideTO!! #MeanGirls (@whatsupdanny)
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Fans of HBO‘s GIRLS have a lot to look forward to as Season Four of the beloved Lena Dunham-created Series premieres this Sunday, January 11, 2015! I’ve had a chance to preview a few episodes of the new Season thus far and can say that this by far is my fave. The Series which has taken a turn to the darker in the previous two Seasons focuses back on the Stories and the individual journeys each of our four Heroines face. They certainly don’t hold back, going to some uncomfortable places emotionally, starting with Hannah‘s (Dunham) scholastic journey to Iowa where she struggles desperately to fit in. Is it already too late for her to patch things up with Adam (Adam Driver)? It also is interesting to see the charismatic Shoshaanna (Zosia Mamet) have to face humility as she begins her job search. And of course, we love Marnie (Allison Williams) deeply and love that we get more of her and her longing for love and her carving her own musical niche.
As the Poster indicates, there’s nowhere to grow but up:
Sunday not only marks the return of GIRLS, but also another personal Fave in LOOKING, the Dramedy which follows right after. As you know, we wholeheartedly loved the first Season of the Series set in San Francisco, centering on the complex love lives of three gay Men. You cannot help but fall in love with these Characters. Their mistakes, their wisdoms. Read me gushing about the Series here.
Seasons Three of GIRLS and Season One of LOOKING now are in stores on Blu-ray and DVD.
Fans of HBO‘s BOARDWALK EMPIRE might be sad that the acclaimed Series has concluded, but you can re-live its greatness with its fifth and final Season being released on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD next Tuesday, January 13, 2015.
Official Synopsis:
Concluding a powerful and groundbreaking run, Season 5 jumps forward six full years to 1931. In stark contrast with the Roaring ‘20s, the country is in the throes of the Great Depression, and with the end of Prohibition in sight, Nucky (Steve Buscemi) is looking to legitimize himself by forging alliances with liquor producers. Featuring four audio commentaries and eight “Scouting the Boardwalk” location pieces that take fans behind-the-scenes of the final Season.
Official Artwork:
Pre-order here.
(Photo/video credit: HBO)
I am absolutely unafraid to admit that HBO‘s LOOKING is my newest Guilty Pleasure. As its first Season reached a half-way point this weekend, I look forward with a bit of sadness that there are only a few more weeks till it concludes. And then comes an excruciating wait for another Season. Hopefully.
The Premise is simple, but there are so many, many rich unafraid-to-go-there layers in this Series from Creator Michael Lannan. Set in San Francisco, we get an honest look at the lives of three Gay Men: Patrick (Jonathan Groff), Agustín (Frankie J. Alvarez) and Dom (Murray Bartlett). If this were Sex and the City, Patrick – a Video Game Developer looking for love – certainly would be our Carrie. Agustín – a coupled Artist amidst a bit of a creative Dry Spell – and Dom – a Waiter aspiring to embark once again as a Restauranteur after a big disappointment – don’t so clearly fit the archetypes of Samantha, Miranda nor Charlotte, but as the Series gets rolling, we get the feeling big changes are about to take place for both of them. We can’t wait to see what happens next and we have a feeling there might be a bit of trouble. The knowing glances we get from our three Leading Men capture so subtly that unique dynamic among Gay Men of perhaps once being potential Lovers before deciding ultimately to be Friends.
Fans of GLEE and FROZEN will feel a sense of familiarity with Groff who has starred in both, the latter still freezing its position near the top of the Box Office, and he is just really, really good here. He owns it as a picky, fumbling Patrick, constantly reminding us the importance of using a filter when we speak, but we are with him every step of the way watching him redeem himself each time.
In one super-awkward moment in the Series’ third Episode he hits-on Kevin (Russell Tovey), whom we later learn actually is his soon-to-be Boss. Raúl Castillo plays Richie, whom Patrick meets on the Subway and we become enamoured at first glance. Did I mention, the Cast is heartbreakingly-handsome?
If that weren’t enough, the amazing Scott Bakula also stars in the Series as a Floral Shop Owner, Lynn. We meet him in a towel only in a Steam Room with Dom. Yes, I just said Scott Bakula and Steam Room in one sentence.
LOOKING looks and feels like San Francisco, taking us away for 30 minutes to another place every time. The eclectic Electronic-Pop selections also are just pitch-perfect. While most eyes are on HBO‘s Runaway Hit TRUE DETECTIVE right now, this new Comedy Series certainly isn’t to be ignored.
Anyhow, I’ll let you Wongsters discover LOOKING on your own. It airs Sunday nights on HBO Canada at 10:30 PM EST.
Some of the more memorable moments thus far:
Patrick (Jonathan Groff) hitting-on eventual Boss Kevin (Russell Tovey)
Patrick (Jonathan Groff) meets Richie (Raúl Castillo)
Official Artwork:
(Photo credit: HBO)
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