Jason Bailey's James Gandolfini biography is out this week and I'm really held by it. It's insightful and thorough, and clearly told with love but without sentimentality. It's so rewarding that I can almost forgive it the hundred hours in front of the TV it's about to cost me. - ThreadSky

markharris.bsky.social • 36 days ago

Jason Bailey's James Gandolfini biography is out this week and I'm really held by it. It's insightful and thorough, and clearly told with love but without sentimentality. It's so rewarding that I can almost forgive it the hundred hours in front of the TV it's about to cost me.

Comments

markharris.bsky.social•35 days ago

Thanks to all for their guidance; yes, I have seen The Sopranos.

jfassler.bsky.social•35 days ago

I met you at the premiere of the final season of The Sopranos in 2007!

amidprivilege.bsky.social•35 days ago

😆

mattzollerseitz.bsky.social•35 days ago

Saying obvious things in replies is the primary form of conversation on social media!

Like this, for example

benbowman.bsky.social•35 days ago

True.

stlsparty.bsky.social•35 days ago

LOL

My personal favorite of his performances is “The Drop”

maryl416.bsky.social•36 days ago

Every minute in front of the TV will be worth the experience of watching the overlooked talent of James G.
Watch closely as he navigates his character's slow decent into the irreversible outcome for Tony Soprano. Master class.

inasketch.bsky.social•36 days ago

I assume you're talking about The Sopranos. Even though I'm Italian, I haven't been able to watch it because I don't like violence. I need the reader's digest abridged version. :D

My daughters and I enjoyed him in the movie, "Enough Said."

anchoragehusky.bsky.social•36 days ago

Just watch the opening credits. You’ll be hooked. There’s a ton of humor wrapped with the violence giving it balance. And you can always shut it off. But Gandolfini is brilliant.

inasketch.bsky.social•36 days ago

Thanks for the encouragement. My dad and grandma were both big fans (both no longer alive).

There are also a lot of great actors in it I love besides James. Maybe someday...

anchoragehusky.bsky.social•35 days ago

Satin Dolls on Rt. 17 in, I think, Lodi (so many towns on that stretch it's hard to know where the town lines are) was where the BadaBing was shot.

inasketch.bsky.social•35 days ago

Cool.

anchoragehusky.bsky.social•35 days ago

As someone from NJ, I have a special love for the opening credits. A bunch of us were driving down the NJ Turnpike last weekend and we started talking about the landmarks in that sequence, some of which aren't there anymore.

inasketch.bsky.social•35 days ago

Wow, I love that local perspective--it brings a different nuance to the show. Although I lived in New York for several years, I didn't spend much time in New Jersey.

kathybow.bsky.social•35 days ago

I am watching it now and love it. Truly , it is only about 3 percent violence. It is more about the Italian family and culture. They nailed it. You will see things in it that spark memories that will make you smile.

inasketch.bsky.social•35 days ago

Thank you. I love your review--it definitely sounds like I'd enjoy it. This may be just the right moment to give it a try.

And then I'll have to read the Gandolfini bio mentioned in the OP. :D

hammys-howl.bsky.social•35 days ago

Great actor!

hinsdale.org•36 days ago

I'd never watched The Sopranos because I never had HBO. Just got it and binged the entire series. Gandolfini's portrayal of Tony Soprano is absolutely epic. I'm also now a 20-year resident of NJ and love all the Jersey vibe, the show really gets it. Also struck by Imperioli, he's awesome.

smittyslogic.bsky.social•35 days ago

Hundred hours for a biography? You've got more time than I do.

(reading is quicker!)

elisa515.bsky.social•34 days ago

Ahem. A hundred hours to watch all the movies he was in.

robertalipp.bsky.social•34 days ago

👆🏻

almot.bsky.social•36 days ago

Mark is going gengstra ;)

edgewalker.bsky.social•36 days ago

Oh, you are about to enter a whole New World

anchoragehusky.bsky.social•36 days ago

hinsdale.org•36 days ago

The man loved those ducks 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

lou-from-cleveland.bsky.social•36 days ago

He held his own when he shared the screen with Denzel Washington and John Goodman in “Fallen”

00betty.bsky.social•35 days ago

I’m asking for anyone to please share this link hoping it reaches people that can help https://gofund.me/2dd3c67b

hellointernet.bsky.social•35 days ago

save yrself the time and just watch Surviving Christmas

verdictofodin.bsky.social•36 days ago

How is this not an annual ritual?

briantallerico.bsky.social•36 days ago

It’s just fantastic. A perfect blend of the humanity of its author and subject.

terriresists.bsky.social•36 days ago

I’ll check it out. I love his work. And I was so sad when he died.

anchoragehusky.bsky.social•36 days ago

Way too young

sartre-mm.bsky.social•35 days ago

Please find an episode guide. The Sopranos is one of those rare series in which there are many layers of symbolism in each episode. Just an amazing talent. I'm going to procure this book.

timcarvell.bsky.social•36 days ago

Does it talk at all about him stealing scenes in B-movies like "Terminal Velocity" before hitting it big? (I literally remember seeing that movie and thinking, "Well, there's exactly one person trying to give a great performance in this, and it's that guy." And then he became Tony Soprano.)