Boomtown
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Kansas City, MO
Boomtown
So what did you guys think of this show? I thought it was pretty good. At times it seemed like a Tarantino rip-off, but overall it was pretty original, especially for TV. I will probably keep watching this one.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: USA
Isn't "Tarantino rip-off" redudant since everything that guy does is a rip-off?
Anyway, I liked it, I'll wait a couple more episodes to make a final judgement but what I saw had promise. I don't know how long the nonlinear story will work before it gets old. Having said that, though, the actors seem to make it work. Who knew Donnie Wahlberg had acting chops?
Anyway, I liked it, I'll wait a couple more episodes to make a final judgement but what I saw had promise. I don't know how long the nonlinear story will work before it gets old. Having said that, though, the actors seem to make it work. Who knew Donnie Wahlberg had acting chops?
#3
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, it was a pretty good show. I'll give it a couple more weeks before I decide for certain.
Overall, it was good, and although it's cliched a bit by now, I really enjoyed the changing viewpoint. While it might not be that original anymore, it's certainly something different for TV.
Spoiler:
Overall, it was good, and although it's cliched a bit by now, I really enjoyed the changing viewpoint. While it might not be that original anymore, it's certainly something different for TV.
#4
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Houston, TX
Definitely the best new show this season. The only problem I had were the cuts to commercial. I can see the cliffhanger going to commercial working, but it just never felt right this episode.
I think the funniest thing about this episode for me was I was trying to figure out what it reminded me of and I thought of Run Lola Run and then the Run Lola Run music started playing. But I was thinking, it's not really like Run Lola Run, there's something else and then they had the line, "Do you know what they call an orgasm in French?" and I was like oh yeah, Pulp Fiction.
I hope the show doesn't start to feel too gimicky, but I'll definitely keep tuning in because I enjoyed all the characters so much.
I think the funniest thing about this episode for me was I was trying to figure out what it reminded me of and I thought of Run Lola Run and then the Run Lola Run music started playing. But I was thinking, it's not really like Run Lola Run, there's something else and then they had the line, "Do you know what they call an orgasm in French?" and I was like oh yeah, Pulp Fiction.
I hope the show doesn't start to feel too gimicky, but I'll definitely keep tuning in because I enjoyed all the characters so much.
#5
Moderator
Originally posted by Neush
Who knew Donnie Wahlberg had acting chops?
Who knew Donnie Wahlberg had acting chops?
Good show...better than Robbery Homicide Division but worse than The Shield (two other L.A. cop shows). I could have done without the Pulp Fiction and Run Lola Run rips, but overall the show worked.
#6
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Overall I thought it was a good episode. Like most people I will give it a few more episodes before making a final decision. I do like the way everything seemed to come full circle:
Spoiler:
#7
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Chicago, IL
I learned that several perspectives on one boring story makes for several boring stories.
I'm not one for the police drama, but I imagine the only reason this show is on is because of its "gimmick". I'm not sure it's going to last long-term, 24 had a gimmick too but followed it up with interesting episodes, Boomtown felt like your average cop show.
My $.02
I'm not one for the police drama, but I imagine the only reason this show is on is because of its "gimmick". I'm not sure it's going to last long-term, 24 had a gimmick too but followed it up with interesting episodes, Boomtown felt like your average cop show.
My $.02
#8
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Harrisburg, PA
Originally posted by nny
I think the funniest thing about this episode for me was I was trying to figure out what it reminded me of and I thought of Run Lola Run and then the Run Lola Run music started playing. But I was thinking, it's not really like Run Lola Run, there's something else and then they had the line, "Do you know what they call an orgasm in French?" and I was like oh yeah, Pulp Fiction.
I think the funniest thing about this episode for me was I was trying to figure out what it reminded me of and I thought of Run Lola Run and then the Run Lola Run music started playing. But I was thinking, it's not really like Run Lola Run, there's something else and then they had the line, "Do you know what they call an orgasm in French?" and I was like oh yeah, Pulp Fiction.
Great show, I will definitely keep watching. Especially since The Practice is so bad now -- its quality level has gone down so much that it's in negative numbers now, if that's possible.
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Based on this episode, and what I have seen so far of the other new shows, this is probably the best new drama. I thought that it was a great show, and I liked how everything tied together, and you got a complete look at the story, from all of the angles. I hope that the rest of the shows from this series is just as good.
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: How'Bout Dem Cowboys
I soooo didn't plan on watching this one but I did and I liked it.
I’m like many that will give Boomtown a couple of episodes before making a final decision.
That's the last thing I need a late Sunday night show.
I’m like many that will give Boomtown a couple of episodes before making a final decision.
That's the last thing I need a late Sunday night show.
#11
I really liked it. Forget all of the Tarantino references- it actually borrows more from Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon, one story from multiple viewpoints, differing depending on the characters involvement.
Anyway, I think it will work based on the neat narrative trick. Something like Law and Order or CSI becomes passé and predictable because of its fill-in-the-blank, paint by numbers plotting. Homicide and Hill Street Blues worked based on its characters, once the character arcs became boring and tired the shows tanked. Boomtown has a chance to leap both hurdles. You take a basic crime plot, but every character has different reaction to the crime, likewise if you dont like a character, their development, well, just wait five minutes and they jump to a different viewpoint. It is definitely different and has potential to be quite entertaining.
Anyway, I think it will work based on the neat narrative trick. Something like Law and Order or CSI becomes passé and predictable because of its fill-in-the-blank, paint by numbers plotting. Homicide and Hill Street Blues worked based on its characters, once the character arcs became boring and tired the shows tanked. Boomtown has a chance to leap both hurdles. You take a basic crime plot, but every character has different reaction to the crime, likewise if you dont like a character, their development, well, just wait five minutes and they jump to a different viewpoint. It is definitely different and has potential to be quite entertaining.
#12
DVD Talk God
wow, this is a kick ass show.
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Houston, TX
Originally posted by Slumbering Fist
I really liked it. Forget all of the Tarantino references- it actually borrows more from Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon, one story from multiple viewpoints, differing depending on the characters involvement.
I really liked it. Forget all of the Tarantino references- it actually borrows more from Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon, one story from multiple viewpoints, differing depending on the characters involvement.
Last edited by nny; 10-03-02 at 10:47 PM.
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Well knock me down with a feather, got around to watching this last night, and I have to say no tv show in quite a while, has left me anticipating more.
I love the cast, Donnie was amazing in the 6th sense, and is quite the actor, and Neal McDonough I really enjoyed in band of brothers. I think they have enough of a cast whereby they can have little bits going on.
Not sure how I feel about the deputy DA banging the reporter, not a great way to start out the show.
but until the shield comes back on tv, this is the best cop show on television
I love the cast, Donnie was amazing in the 6th sense, and is quite the actor, and Neal McDonough I really enjoyed in band of brothers. I think they have enough of a cast whereby they can have little bits going on.
Not sure how I feel about the deputy DA banging the reporter, not a great way to start out the show.
but until the shield comes back on tv, this is the best cop show on television
#16
Originally posted by nny
Actually, the creator/writer has never seen Rashomon and says he won't see it until the show is over. Whereas I can guarantee you he's seen Pulp Fiction. Also, I thought the main thing about Rashomon was that the facts of the story changed depending on who was telling it. Boomtown didn't really show different points of view,...
Actually, the creator/writer has never seen Rashomon and says he won't see it until the show is over. Whereas I can guarantee you he's seen Pulp Fiction. Also, I thought the main thing about Rashomon was that the facts of the story changed depending on who was telling it. Boomtown didn't really show different points of view,...
Last edited by Slumbering Fist; 10-05-02 at 01:27 PM.
#17
It's an oversimplification to say Boomtown steals from Rashomon or Pulp Fiction/Jackie Brown or any other countless works that utilize a unique story-telling device. It's doing many things, weaving many forms of presentation, into an hour-long show. And we've only seen one episode; who knows how it will play each week? In any case, there are many ways to tell a story, and when a show tries to go outside of the typical 5 act script, it's inevitably going to resemble something someone else has already done. Anyone having a problem with that should rewatch the South Park episode 'Simpsons Already Did It'.
Personally, I enjoyed it quite a bit and look forward to tonight's episode. The style worked well for the first episode, and the cast is very top notch. Wahlberg already established himself as a fine actor, so there's no reason for surprise that he's doing well here.
das
Personally, I enjoyed it quite a bit and look forward to tonight's episode. The style worked well for the first episode, and the cast is very top notch. Wahlberg already established himself as a fine actor, so there's no reason for surprise that he's doing well here.
das
#21
Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When "Doofus" came up on the screen, I couldn't help laughing. I think they switched me from watching Practice live with that one screen
This show has some promise. I like a lot of the characters.
BTW, Practice is going downhill fast for me anyway, good to have a replacement. I may still tape it for awhile. Dunno.
This show has some promise. I like a lot of the characters.BTW, Practice is going downhill fast for me anyway, good to have a replacement. I may still tape it for awhile. Dunno.
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Good episode. Not as good as the first one, but still better than anything than most of the regular cop shows. I really like the seperate views, but it was put to better use in the first episode, rather than the second.
#23
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Seattle
So far so good, this show and Without a Trace are tops on my list for news shows. Slightly disappointed with the comedies, but Boomtown has more than made up for that.
#24
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: wishing I was in Vegas
Help me out here. The part where the Hispanic who’s only been in this country for 6 months and uses better English than most who post in this forum: what's up with that?
I’ve never heard “notwithstanding” used in conversation in my entire life, much less by somebody soon after a car wreck.
It's an interesting idea. On paper. Doesn't work for me on the screen, with that type of writing. The fat cop is about the only believable character. And he's almost over the edge.
I love live-action cartoons.
I’ve never heard “notwithstanding” used in conversation in my entire life, much less by somebody soon after a car wreck.

It's an interesting idea. On paper. Doesn't work for me on the screen, with that type of writing. The fat cop is about the only believable character. And he's almost over the edge.
I love live-action cartoons.
#25
DVD Talk Legend
The show is good but critically overhyped. I can see the frenetic cross-cutting getting tired very quickly. I'm already losing interest; some of the varying viewpoints aren't compelling enough in and of themselves to justify their existence.
Anyone else catch the in-joke? As Doofus tumbles off the back of the pickup, the cop driving past remarks 'Nice try, Keanu', or something like that. This is a reference to Speed, which was Boomtown creator/writer Graham Yost's breakthrough screenwriting project.
I love the show's melodious theme music.
Anyone else catch the in-joke? As Doofus tumbles off the back of the pickup, the cop driving past remarks 'Nice try, Keanu', or something like that. This is a reference to Speed, which was Boomtown creator/writer Graham Yost's breakthrough screenwriting project.
I love the show's melodious theme music.



