Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
#26
DVD Talk God
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Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
http://www.businessinsider.in/Heres-...w/47738772.cms
An explanation on how the show/HBO was able to use NFL logos without official licensing from the NFL.
So as long as they show players playing football and not doing anything to tarnish the images or league, they have the legal right to use the logos.
An explanation on how the show/HBO was able to use NFL logos without official licensing from the NFL.
After speaking to entertainment lawyer Michael C. Donaldson, who has over 30 years of experience in copyright and entertainment issues, BI learned that as long as the use of the NFL trademark and team logos are used as it was intended to be used, and do not disparage or tarnish it, there is no need to ask for permission.
So as long as they show players playing football and not doing anything to tarnish the images or league, they have the legal right to use the logos.
#27
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
IIRC, the NFL was on board with Any Given Sunday until they read the script. I'm not sure how this show can have "drama" without making the NFL look bad, but I wish them luck.
#28
DVD Talk God
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Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
The footage that was used in the Pilot just showed The Rock in a Dolphins uniform making a sack on a Bills player. Nothing negative about that.
Even though the Packers player Jarrett was getting into a scuffle and banging a chick at a party, he wasn't wearing any logos to represent the team.
#29
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
Unlike Focus where they had to use painfully fake teams.
#32
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I'm meh on the first episode. I was expecting a little bit more humour, but I didn't find anything funny. The situations we've seen already on shows like Entourage and Ray Donovan.
I think the big problem is Dwayne Johnson. He's fine to carry a 90-120 minute movie, but I don't think he can carry a 30 minute show 10 episodes a season - and the rest of the cast don't look good enough to make up for his deficiencies.
I'll give it a few more episodes before I decide to bail or not.
BTW, just found out that Ricky Jerret is Denzel Washington's son. He definitely has his fathers voice. Unfortunately he doesn't have his fathers acting abilities - he has virtually no acting experience and it shows.
#33
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
Yeah, I thought this was going to be a comedy, but didn't find much to laugh about either. Definitely wasn't like Entourage, at least out of the gate.
#34
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I thought the show was just ok. I'm sticking with it just to see Rock do something that isn't action based, but this show felt cheap to me. It's no big deal, but the intro felt really slapped together. Like hardly any thought or time was put into it, and you just get a random song, with some views of Miami, and some weak looking credits.
I hope this gets better, and just isn't Entourage light.
I hope this gets better, and just isn't Entourage light.
#35
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Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I liked it fine but I also didn't even see an attempt at humor. Seems a straight up drama which I guess is fine.
#36
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I found the main player to be funny, but not in a sitcom way. I didn't even realize this was supposed to be a comedy.
#38
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Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I don't recall Entourage being overly funny in it's pilot episode either. Granted, it's been awhile since I've seen it. This show seems to have some potential so I'll stick with it for a little while.
#39
DVD Talk God
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Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
Sunday cable ratings came out. This was the second most watched show. Probably a lot of eyes on it because of The Rock. Plus it had a huge lead in with True Detective.
#40
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
Yeah those are pretty good numbers for new HBO shows (and the lead-in essentially being a reboot).
#44
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I cut it some slack because it was the pilot and there's always a bunch of empty minutes and awkward dialogue spent on exposition. I'll give it a season unless it goes completely off the rails.
#45
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
It was exactly what I expected. It wasn't great, but it was enough to keep me coming back, since I like The Rock and football and boobs.
#46
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I just hope as this show goes on it begins to feel more like an HBO show, and less like a Showtime show. There is just a lack of polish to this that I hope gets worked out over the season. I do really like shows about people doing interesting jobs, though, so I'm in.
I liked Draft Day, so I never stood a chance.
I liked Draft Day, so I never stood a chance.
#47
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
Was it a twist? The Rock's character was told half way through the episode that he couldn't afford to loan his client $300k. He did it anyway which is why we all knew he was going to be broke.
#48
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Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
Well, I took more from that conversation that "afford" wasn't necessary referring to his financial situation but just that its the kind of activity that would be precarious for him as a general rule. But I can certainly see both interpretations.
#49
DVD Talk God
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Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
Episode 2 tonight
A cash-strapped Spencer struggles to close a deal when Vernon's best friend, Reggie (London Brown), refuses to step aside, while Jason (Troy Garity) works hard to renegotiate for his client. On his first day of workouts, Ricky finds that not all his new teammates are friendly. At his new job, Charles finds it hard to keep his mind off the game. At a brunch to talk business, Spencer counsels Vernon to learn from his mistakes.
Written by Evan Reilly; directed by Julian Farino.
Written by Evan Reilly; directed by Julian Farino.
#50
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ballers (HBO) -- S: Dwayne Johnson -- Season 1 Thread -- Premieres 6/21/15
I gave it a second episode, but Zzzzzz. This show is so dull, I am out. I think it needed an Ari Gold-type character to make it interesting.