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Head (1968) - So this is The Monkees movie.

I remember watching and enjoying their TV show in reruns. It's been awhile but I have a basic memory of the user-friendly, pop tone and direction - and Head is not that. It is still very friendly but it is psychedelic and subversive. It is plotless and random. I liked it.

No doubt, part of the conscious thrust of this movie was to shed the "pre-fab four" image created by the TV show. It was successful I thought. I really did like the Monkees before but I now have an increased respect.

Particularly enjoyed the cameo by Zappa.

7 out of 10.






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*SPOILER ALERT
















58 minutes into Mad Men and the first interesting scene happens (Roger gets notified that his Mom died). I like to look at Don make faces as much as the next guy but common.


Ok, another good scene in Don's office with the photographer. It took an hour but Mad Men is back.
 
Finales of the Showtime shows last night. Shameless has been my 3rd favorite of the 3 for a long time (Californication 1, House of Lies 2) but their finale was far superior to the other 2. I really wanted Hank to ditch butterface in Californication and House of Lies was its usual self, just felt a little disconnected form the story a little bit. We still don't know if Steve/Jimmy is still alive in Shameless which is a little annoying. Califorinaction actually feels like it's running out of places to go these days. Good, enjoyable season for all 3. I'm still giving the Matt Damon episode of House of Lies as the best episode for any of them, that was so hysterical.
 
I was really unimpressed with Mad Men. It may be partly because I didn't watch it until late due to curling - so I was up past my bedtime and maybe not at full alertness - but whatever, I was really underwhelmed.

It was just stuff happening. When Mad Men has worked best - like the first season - it has been because of the really thoughtful bits. Connected moments of subtle impact that keep me thinking about it the next day and through the week. Last night just felt like the middle seasons again where it was: this happened and then this happened and then this happened - with no particular threads.

The symbolism and gestures last night seemed really obvious.

Not sure what I am supposed to care about at this point.



January Jones still can't act. I'm not even sure about John Hamm. Don Draper is an interesting character but I think pretty much anybody could play him. He broods and little more. (Ehh, John Hamm is fine in the role but ever since I saw how brutally bad he was in Bridesmaids, I have been very suspicious of him.)
 
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