HBO's The Duece

Well I waited a few days as I am not a threadmaker but no-one else has stepped up.so here goes..

The Duece takes place in new York city in the 70's, it depicts the underbelly of the gambling and sex trade industry ,and it's evolution as more "Forward-thinking" profiteers recognize the money to be made in porn. Instead of, or in this case ,along side, prostitution.

I found the first episode to be a mixed bag.

While the characters are interesting and the dialogue is decent, I find myself wishing they didn't use the twin gimmick with James Franco.

I realize most people would disagree , but I find JF to be a talented actor. As a comedic actor, no so much, but when he takes on a serious role he shines. He doesn't need the twin brother gimmick in my less than professional opinion.

That said, I really did enjoy it overall and was thankful that they did it tastefully, there was not as much gratuitous sex as you would think considering the subject matter.

On a scale of 1 to 10 on the auto-tune dial.

I give it a solid seven with high hopes as the series develops.

Looking forward to everyone else's opinions!



Respectfully,
~meathead

originally posted by: Mike Stivic
...there was not as much gratuitous sex as you would think considering the subject matter.

Guess I'll be watching something else.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Different strokes for different folks...

Seriously as a mature hetero male all I'm saying is we get it.. people have sex...now please get to the plot...no-one wants to see messendais grey worm..


The deuce managed to make all of the sex scenes necessary in context.and it wasn't GoT level softcoreporn.

Respectfully,
~meathead

a reply to: Mike Stivic


I'm only being my normal jackass self, I was going to try and catch it on demand tomorrow. 70's Times Square is a little before my heyday but it still had a touch of sleaze when I was a teen and going there.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Before my time as well but I can remember taking the train into the city with my friends and our fake id's in the late eighties early 90's and the vibe wasn't far off from the show just the style of clothes was different,even then.

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts after you watch!

Respectfully,
~meathead

I will stay with it because I have never seen a series depict so accurately NYC 1971 like this show. I was 5 in the village at the time and it honestly felt like being back there including the twin towers not complete yet. 42nd st was spot on. It is indescribable to tell people what it was like to walk on 42nd st as a kid. I am assuming Bay Ridge bar in one scene. Now I just hope the plot gets better.

a reply to: Mike Stivic

Can't wait to get started on this one.

Anything that David Simon is a part of, will be great.
The Wire still lives on as the best TV series ever.

originally posted by: o0oTOPCATo0o

The Wire still lives on as the best TV series ever.

I agree with that completely which is why I will stick with this one.

a reply to: Ash614

Wow glad to see as a native you think they nailed it as well.

Yes I enjoyed the cinematography it was well shot.



Respectfully,
~meathead

a reply to: o0oTOPCATo0o

To be honest I did not even realize that connection..

Ok shame me , tar and feather me, and banish me to the wastelands but...I have never seen the wire.

I hear it is excellent, I'll have to give it a binge this winter.

Respectfully,
~meathead

originally posted by: Mike Stivic
...I have never seen the wire.

It's a thinking persons show, you would like it.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus
Maggie Gyllenhaal's monologue during her scene with the guy losing his virginity is epic, the way she talks about it being her job and the car dealer analogy is great...

Respectfully,
~meathead

a reply to: Mike Stivic


Didn't watch it yet, maybe later tonight.

I'm 'working' right now.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: Mike Stivic
...I have never seen the wire.

It's a thinking persons show, you would like it.

Falls back into his chair..speechless... was that a compliment from AM....passes out in disbelief..



Respectfully,
~meathead

originally posted by: Mike Stivic
Falls back into his chair..speechless... was that a compliment from AM....passes out in disbelief..

Respectfully,
~meathead

Oops, I thought I was responding to myself.

a reply to: Mike Stivic

If you do happen to watch it, make sure it's quiet and you will be able to pay attention.
It is THE most accurate description of the politics of policing, drug dealing, school administrating, running for office, ect. ever portrayed on film.
Not to mention madly entertaining with tons of great characters.

There's even a college course that uses the show as a learning tool. I think its called "Inner City Politics and 'The Wire'"
Or something like that.

a reply to: o0oTOPCATo0o

It has been highly recommended by quite a few people I know, I didn't have internet or cable for about 5 years up here so there is a lot of good tv to catch up on for me from 2011ish to 2015ish.




Respectfully,
~meathead

So, the last episodewas good.

Not great, but good, with promise.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is just a force of nature, when she nails a role she really nails it....She could literally read the ingredient list of hot pocket and make it compelling.

I did find there to be a tad more gratuitous nudity then the first episode, and I really hope they don't exploit that cheap trick for ratings to much.I understand it's hard to tell a realistic story of the sex trade industry without showing nudity. I just think the show has great dialogue and an interesting story to tell with great cinematography and great actors.

It doesn't need to rely on nip slips for an audience .



So that said, it is holding a solid 7 out of 10 in my opinion.







Respectfully,
~meathead