Deadwood: The Movie presents an overtly contrasting final message to the one it gave us over a decade ago, each finale borne of its political moment. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 37 “Deadwood: The Movie” with Emily VanDerWerff appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

Deadwood concludes with "Tell Him Something Pretty," a challenging finale which refuses to give its scrappy underdogs any victory, moral or otherwise. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 36 “Tell Him Something Pretty” with Harry Edmundson-Cornell appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

"The Catbird Seat" releases the pressure valve on Season 3's tension as the town coalesces on one side of the thoroughfare, Hearst and his goons on the other. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 35 “The Catbird Seat” with Ben Siler appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

Hoopleheads Podcast: W. Earl Brown pens one of Deadwood's most focused episodes, "A Constant Throb," the thrust of which concentrates on Al regaining his faculties in his existential contest with George Hearst. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 34 “A Constant Throb” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

"Amateur Night" closes off several storylines as it consolidates its focus on broiling conflict between the camp and George Hearst. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 33 “Amateur Night” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

Hearst greedily chases new gold mining opportunities, Steve's horse-minding career comes to an end and the Earps arrive in Deadwood as "Leviathan Smiles." The post Hoopleheads: Episode 32 “Leviathan Smiles” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

"Unauthorized Cinnamon" is a fantastic episode that provides some of the most exciting revelations and funniest moments in Deadwood thus far. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 31 “Unauthorized Cinnamon” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

Deadwood winds itself up tight in "A Rich Find," placing newcomer Odell square in the lion's den as he seeks out Hearst against his mother's wishes. Esther and Søren discuss. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 30 “A Rich Find” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

"A Two-Headed Beast" is a showdown between Deadwood's two chief rivals - but it also features the conclusion to one of the saddest, and most prescient, storylines in the series so far. Esther and Søren discuss. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 29 “A Two-Headed Beast” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

"Full Faith and Credit" delicately balances Deadwood's racial dynamics while offering some deeper introspection about who its leading characters really are. Esther and Søren discuss. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 28 “Full Faith and Credit” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

On a technical level, "True Colors" is often bizarre and always interesting; narratively, this is some of the most exciting material we've seen in Deadwood. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 27 “True Colors” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

"I Am Not the Fine Man You Take Me For" is an episode that makes a frightening declaration about who Hearst is and what Seth and Al are up against. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 26 “I Am Not the Fine Man You Take Me For” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

In "Tell Your God to Ready for Blood," director Mark Tinker revels in Deadwood's brewing conflict between George Hearst, Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen. Esther and Søren discuss. The post Hoopleheads: Episode 25 “Tell Your God to Ready for Blood” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

However (un)satisfactorily "The Iron Throne" concludes Game of Thrones, it also brings our podcast series, "Stark Contrast," to a bittersweet end. This week, Esther and Søren close out Stark Contrast. The post Stark Contrast: Episode 33 “The Iron Throne” appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

In Game of Thrones' "The Bells," Miguel Sapochnik once again uses every visual trick he can find to try reanimate a show long past its prime. Esther, Søren and guest host Josh Lewis discuss. The post Stark Contrast: Episode 32 “The Bells” with Josh Lewis appeared first on Movie Fail.By Esther Rosenfield

"The Last of the Starks" struggles to justify its own existence as Game of Thrones meanders in the wake of its climactic battle with Death itself. The post Stark Contrast: Episode 31 “The Last of the Starks” with AJ Ajetunmobi appeared first on Movie Fail.By Søren Hough

Release the confetti, folks: Miguel Sapochnik is back for “The Long Night.” This week we’re treated to 80-ish minutes of Game of Thrones‘ best remaining director choreographing the largest and most complex battle sequence in the show’s history. The results are immediately evident as a striking opening shot of Sam Tarly’s (John Bradley) shaking hand…

After a rough season premiere, Game of Thrones veteran Bryan Cogman turns the show in a positive direction with “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Cogman is responsible for writing some of the show’s best episodes (including Season 1’s “Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things” and Season 4’s “Oathkeeper”). His dialogue and character work shows a […] Th…

Welcome back to Stark Contrast! We’re happy to return to our perennial podcast show where we discuss Game of Thrones. This week, we’re kicking off with the Season 8 premiere, “Winterfell.” It’s a slow burn re-introduction to the denizens of Westeros and Essos that never managed to get J and me excited about the series […] The post Stark Contrast: E…

After last week’s dirge, Deadwood closes out Season 2 with the fantastic “Boy the Earth Talks To.” Director Ed Bianchi is back and it’s immediately apparent. His clever use of depth of field and of framing immediately permeate event he more mundane scenes. Tonally the show also strikes a contrast with its predecessor, trading day […] The post Hoopl…

Watching “The Whores Can Come” in such proximity to the finale, “By the Earth Talks To,” draws a striking contrast. This episode is a funeral: a sunny daytime tale where black clothes contrast with a bright backdrop. The joy of its successor is nowhere to be found; Seth (Timothy Olyphant) and Martha (Anna Gunn) languish […] The post Hoopleheads: Ep…

J and I both enjoyed “Advances, None Miraculous” from writer Sarah Hess and Deadwood film director Dan Minahan, J going to far as to call it their favorite episode. The episode features a distinct technical touch, embracing techniques like rack focus and dolly shots to set emphasize characters and set scenes, respectively. These little moments […] …

Director Ed Bianchi does excellent work with “Amalgamation and Capital.” The episode focuses on Seth’s (Timothy Olyphant) nephew and adopted son, William (Josh Eriksson), whose amiable interactions with different players in the camp put a lighter spin on the Deadwood cast. To build the tension of several plot threads, Bianchi uses clever editing re…

“Childish Things” is outstanding television. Director Tim Van Patten and writer Regina Corrado offer beautiful vignette-like portraits of human relationships within Deadwood. Meanwhile, the denizens of the camp — enemies and allies alike — coalesce around a charming wager as to whether or not Tom Nuttall (Leon Rippy) can ride his newfangled bicycle…

“E.B. Was Left Out” is a generally fantastic episode of Deadwood, even if both J and I found the subplot about the new prostitutes in the Chinese part of camp to be distasteful in presentation. Director Michael Almereyda adds small touches here and there to keep things interesting, particularly in his framings of otherwise ordinary […] The post Hoo…