The Sopranos....

MeatTwoVeg

sbsquarepants wrote:

I hated the pine barrens episode, it bored the bejaysus out of me - one of the worst in the whole series I though - plus I don't think they ever cleared up what happened to the Russian guy did they?

Wha?

It's one of the few occasions I remember actually rolling around my couch laughing uncontrollably.
Very clever episode to put these street smart New Jersey wise guys into a totally different environment.
Paulie ripping up the carpet of the van to use as a blanket - still makes me chuckle.

Duggie2012

MeatTwoVeg wrote: »

Wha?

It's one of the few occasions I remember actually rolling around my couch laughing uncontrollably.
Very clever episode to put these street smart New Jersey wise guys into a totally different environment.
Paulie ripping up the carpet of the van to use as a blanket - still makes me chuckle.

how could anyone hate that episode. and paulie with the tic tacs

Lovely Bloke

He wasn't Russian, he was a Czechosklovakian Interior Decorator. [sic]

But his apartment looked like shít.

sbsquarepants

Duggie2012 wrote: »

how could anyone hate that episode. and paulie with the tic tacs

I found it extremely boring I have to say.

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

He wasn't Russian, he was a Czechosklovakian Interior Decorator. [sic]

But his apartment looked like shít.

That's right - sorry it's been a good while since I seen it. Did they ever clear up what happened to him, I remember kind of expecting him to resurface in later episodes but he never did?

runningbuddy

No way...Pine Barrens scene hilarious...Paulie thinking he was going to lose his foot in the cold ...he lost his shoe:D.....funny, always expected to see that Czech guy popping up again...

Richie Aprile killed off way too soon....

Ralphie Cicelleto (sp)'s voice....jesus, he sounds like Jon Lovitz!!

HalloweenJack

I'm rewatching the show again on HBO. I only got into watching it during its initial run towards the last few seasons so never really saw it in order.

Just getting towards the end of the second season where

Janice kills Richie. I get that it happened quickly because the tension was building but it was the only thing that was ever going to happen to him as he was such a volatile person and Tony is the boss. The fact that it was her was probably inevitable as he would have done it otherwise.

It's great watching the second time round. There's so much going on and I'm old enough now to understand it better. It's not just a story about the mafia, there's a lot about masculinity, psychology, family, Italian-Americans and religion. It does all of that very well.

neirbloom

This intervention scene from the 4th season is legendary. Pauline's reaction at 1:48 cracks me up every time and Tony's reaction to the dog.

MickDoyle1979

I loved how several characters functioned as different versions of Tony.
His sister was a female version of Tony. She had much the same temperament intelligence and personality but in a female body and doomed to have no purpose in the mob world.
The bouncer in the Bada Bing who was beaten mercilessly by Tony when he was pissed off functioned a failed Tony - a male version who never made it in the mob.
Tony is suburban mobster whereas across the river is the real NYC mafia

Thargor

MickDoyle1979 wrote: »

across the river is the real NYC mafia

I love this scene where Phil explains the Sopranos are a glorified crew not a real family, "We got the 5 families then we got this pygmy thing across the river..."

Another great Phil scene:

mikeybrennan

Just started rewatching it

Junior is comical ,he's some clown

runningbuddy

It's quality TV. I watched it for the second time a while back. It's slightly dated but still brilliant

buried

The beef between these two in season 2 is absolute gold mozzarella balls.

take everything

Watched it completely for the first time over the past few weeks.
Spoilers below.

Brilliant show.
I do agree that it seemed a bit directionless around the fourth or fifth season but overall it's a show with such amazingly rich characters and interesting dynamics (not to mention being out right consistently hilarious with killer one liners) that this is easy to overlook.

So many great characters.
Livia Soprano: I missed her when she went. Nancy Marchand was an incredible actress.

"It's all a big nothing". That dismissive hand wave thing. Her narcissistic mother and her relationship with Tony is amazing dramatically yet still at times so funny. That's hard to do and testament to how good this show was.

Smaller characters like Richie "Manson lamps" Aprile. Thoroughly psychopathic with no redeeming qualities yet compelling and funny. The relationship with Janice- a funny timebomb engagement with a deadly ending.

Dr Melfi: someone said all the characters were unlikeable but I liked Melfi. Played with aplomb IMO by Lorraine Bracco. I would have liked if they fleshed out Tony's sessions a bit more in the show. I felt for her dealing with his bull****.
I would have liked if she nailed him on his bull**** a bit more. Of course he'd probably just storm out again.

Paulie Walnuts (apparently a guy who was involved in stuff like this in real life IIRC).

Little Carmine and his beautiful malapropisms and self-regard. Dim but still likeable That was a show in itself.

Vito and his dalliances (another sad and deeply deluded character).

Jonny Sach. Cool guy. Loved his family. Proper mob boss?

Janice. What a character. One scene I didn't like was Tony ****ting on her (admittedly probably doomed) attempt at introspection and change. The bit where he provokes her into getting angry again at the dinner table and walks out happy with his night's work. I thought that was quite mean of him. That's why that family was never gonna improve tbh.

Christophah:
Another sad deluded character. Ade's death was one of the saddest parts of the show.

Ralphie: arguably the least likeable character for me. Played with typical sliminess by Joe Pantolioni ("Guido the killer pimp" from Risky Business).

And of course Uncle June. So many amazing one liners delivered so perfectly.

Amazing characters. Amazing dynamics between them. Great show.

take everything

buried wrote: »

The beef between these two in season 2 is absolute gold mozzarella balls.

Love how they're outside a lingerie display.
Of course that's where our "romantic"/pervert Richie would wait for Tony.
Small little touches again that make this show so great.

take everything

Actually the one legged Russian and the Jewish psychiatrist who lays it out for Carmella ("leave him") are another two great characters.

Although in retrospect that psychiatrist's advice could have gotten her killed. Actually he does just say to consider it (maybe she'd know herself HOW to leave him) so I dunno. Still a cool fcuker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzVeLjj6Ao8

Baron Kurtz

Tony Soprano: (digging with shovel) Halfway ta China...there's nuthin' here.
Uncle Junior: Forty thousand I had. My share of the Bohack's haul from the seventies.
Tony Soprano: Did you wrap it right? It gets moldy...it could've disintegrated.
Uncle Junior: Wrap what?
Tony Soprano: The money.
Uncle Junior: He knows I need that money for my ****in' retrial.
Tony Soprano: Who?
Uncle Junior: You know who.
Tony Soprano: No I don't know who, that's why I asked you.
Uncle Junior: Malanga.
Tony Soprano: Will you stop with that. Pussy Malanga's dead...six years now. I should dig him up already!

MickDoyle1979

Frank Vincent who played Frank Leotardo has passed away.

He started in Raging Bull as a sleazeball who tries to steal (Robert De Niro) Jake La Motta's wife only be beaten up by Joe Pesci.

Joe Pesci playing Tommy De Vito in Goodfellas murders Billy Batts played again by Vincent.

Vincent got his revenge on Pesci when his character beats Nicky Santoro to death in Casino with a baseball bat.

Frank Leotardo a cold hearted evil vengeful violent homophobic mobster in The Sopranos was a terrific character and was brilliantly portrayed by Vincent.

Baron Kurtz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KIHhwM1j9w

Baron Kurtz

You never had the makings of a varsity athlete!:)

Venom

Junior's quotes were always gold


"My nephew is a c*nt hair away from controlling all of North Jersey......and I am that c*nt hair."

Baron Kurtz

MickDoyle1979 wrote: »

Frank Vincent who played Frank Leotardo has passed away.

He started in Raging Bull as a sleazeball who tries to steal (Robert De Niro) Jake La Motta's wife only be beaten up by Joe Pesci.

Joe Pesci playing Tommy De Vito in Goodfellas murders Billy Batts played again by Vincent.

Vincent got his revenge on Pesci when his character beats Nicky Santoro to death in Casino with a baseball bat.

Frank Leotardo a cold hearted evil vengeful violent homophobic mobster in The Sopranos was a terrific character and was brilliantly portrayed by Vincent.

Frank Leotardo?

MickDoyle1979

Baron Kurtz wrote: »

Frank Leotardo?

Ok Phil.

You want to go? Let's go!

Baron Kurtz

MickDoyle1979 wrote: »

Ok Phil.

You want to go? Let's go!

"Woh! The language on you! You blow your father with that mouth?!" TS

runningbuddy

Venom wrote: »

Junior's quotes were always gold


"My nephew is a c*nt hair away from controlling all of North Jersey......and I am that c*nt hair."

Junior had the best lines and he delivered them so well..

HalloweenJack

Onto to Season Five now.

I think the best villain so far has been Ralphie.

Richie April was a full-blown psycho who treated people like crap, except for Janice when he started out with her but that quickly went downhill but Ralphie, however, was more complex.

He had something of a stable family life with Ro and tried to be a mentor for Jackie, though he was either setting him up or trying to piss Tony off. Richie was always moody and pissed off whereas Ralphie seemed to be able to interact with people and seem sociable, though his anger and violence was always bubbling underneath. I thought he was one of the best characters around, even though I wasn't a fan. The 360 in his final episode was also quite an impressive performance.

ballyargus

The Sopranos was all great first time around. I kinda lost interest on the second visit once I'd gotten to season three.

The Wire is in another league.

Duggie2012

ballyargus wrote: »

The Sopranos was all great first time around. I kinda lost interest on the second visit once I'd gotten to season three.

The Wire is in another league.

me arse it is :rolleyes:

Rjd2

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SPOILERS

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First time I watched it since it aired on telly and wow its a masterpiece.

I adored the Wire, but season 5 of the show is the absolute pits and the sopranos is never that dire. It seems widely accepted that the first part of season 6 is weak, but the vito storyline was interesting to see how such a guy would cope in the "real world". Obviously any bad will anyone may have towards it is erased with the second half of the season which is absolute compelling.

You also as you age gain more appreciation of stuff you dismissed when younger. Janice who I loathed is a superb character, hateful, amusing and at times incredibly tragic. She had little chance with that background its easy to forget.

Paulie is hilarious as Pine Barrens proved and his relationship with Chris was compelling. Big Pussy while as evil as anyone was tragic, his breakdown after his chat with AJ and the episode where he is popped is incredible TV.

Chris at times is infuriating, his treatment of Adrianna horrid, but his relationship with Tony was so well wrote. The scene where he cries after the bullying from both Tony's its impossible not to empathise with him.

Ralphie is as good as Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, absolutely horrific, but at times incredibly amusing, the tension between him and Tony is wonderful.

I also should give props to the ladies in the show, yep its a male orientated world, but so many memorable moments. Eddie Falco is incredible in the whole show and her obvious highlight is whitecaps which had so much tension and plenty of humour , vintage sopranos.

Adrianna however is my favourite character and her death still hurts every time you see it.

Also the musical choices so many to mentoin, Tindersticks have some great moments where there music appears, heck even XZIBIT is used excellently.
The Kinks " I am not like anyone else" after Tony and Janice have an epic fight another quality choice.

Ajsoprano

I really enjoyed it.

Rjd2

More SPOILERS...........

So fav stuff guys?


Favourite scene......Such a hard call this, was going to suggest when Tony gets shot with Tindersticks in the background, and numerous moments from Pine Barrens along with Tony and Carm fight in white chapels, but will go with Melfi saying no to Tony when it seems certain she will set Tony on her attacker. Tension!

Best episode.....This is such a hard one,,Il go with University to be different! I loved the contrast between the spoilt Meadows and Tracee who apart from Adrianna is the most tragic character in the show.

Tracee: I'm pregnant. It's Ralphie's.

Anthony 'Tony' Soprano Sr.: Congratulations.

Tracee: What should I do? He acts like he doesn't give a ****.


Anthony 'Tony' Soprano Sr.: You ever think he's not acting?

heart breaking. She is only 20 and out of her depth in these circles. Also a reminder to audiences how ****ing dreadful these people are.


Favourite character......Ralph just edging Paulie, frightening.

Most memorable death.....Big Puss getting killed, mob hits are pretty standard stuff, but this was great especially the build up where Tony finds out.

Best Musical Moment...

Not a leftfield choice, but the intensity of this is great. The anger of Phil and that hug with Chris and Tony. Wow.

Fav quote...."The Boss of this family told you, you were going to be Santa Claus. You’re Santa Claus, so shut the fucck up about it!”

Would love to hear other people's choices.:)

WHIP IT!

It really is nothing short of a Masterpiece and it's important to remember it really was the first of its kind. A new 'boxset' type TV series with well-known actors comes out every other week these days - but this was the first to give us practically movie-length episodes over extended seasons. The depth and character development were never seen before.

Like a lot of people have said, you get something different from it every time you go through it. When I first watched it, I couldn't stand Chris, Carmela or Janice.
I felt Chris always seemed to just f*ck something up when things were going well; Carmela was a whiny wagon and Janice was just uber annoying.

But by the second or third viewing, they became some of my favourite characters.

Very few people have mentioned Syl, which I'm surprised at. He had a brilliant way of delivering lines that were not necessarily supposed to be funny but would have you laughing out loud. In the intervention clip that someone posted above, Syl's deadpan reading of his 'grievance' with Chris is hysterical ("your hair was in the toilet water").

One big advantage of the Sopranos, for me, is that every episode stands out on its own - they are all mini-movies. I feel like I can dip in and watch random episodes here and there and enjoy them.

As brilliant as The Wire and Breaking Bad are, I really feel like you have to just watch them in series order. It's hard to dip in and out of both of those shows. I'd actually be interested to hear if others agree on that point. I loved the Wire but have never rewatched it, same with BB.

JoshRosen

This thread made me smile! My favourite ever scene even episode at that is when Paulie & Chris are stuck in the woods after the Russian, that scene in the van where they are ripping up the carpet & Paulie snaps ‘I shouldn’t of even been there, c*ck sucker Sil with the sniffles’ brilliant!

osarusan

Favourite quote: there is a scene where Tony calls Chris in to discuss something, and Chris, perhaps sensing he is in trouble, says, "is this about the Easter baskets?"

Tony just says he doesn't know what that is, and they move on to whatever Tony wanted to talk about, but I just love the idea of that heist or scam or whatever it was, a whole load of baskets full of Easter goodies being stolen, or never delivered, kids left crying, parents upset, all is they could be sold for a few bucks.

A simple line, delivered and left there, but gives a glimpse of the petty, grubby, small-time stuff they were often up to.

BoroMan32

JoshRosen wrote: »

This thread made me smile! My favourite ever scene even episode at that is when Paulie & Chris are stuck in the woods after the Russian, that scene in the van where they are ripping up the carpet & Paulie snaps ‘I shouldn’t of even been there, c*ck sucker Sil with the sniffles’ brilliant!

That's a brilliant episode alright.

Personal favourite quotes/scenes are;

Tony killing Ralphie after Ralphie has their horse burned to death in a fire for an insurance payout. Ralphie's quote that tips Tony over the edge ''It was a FUC*IN' horse! What are you a vegetarian? You eat beef and sausage by the fuc*in' carload!''


Also love the scene where Bobby Bacala Senior carries out his final hit on Mustang Sally. ''Any more smart remarks?''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FGPJ6D2KyQ

runningbuddy

Phil Leotardo to Chris's Mother. "We are from Alcoholics Anonymous" Her "What's your name?"

Phil: "We're Anonymous"

The Pheasant2

Greatest television show of all time.

JoshRosen

Tony- “Those who want respect, give respect.”

Richie Aprille- “See kid, he just told you to shut the fcuk up. And he told me to go fcuk myself.”

DEFTLEFTHAND

Junior.

I've got the Feds so far up my ass I can taste the brylcream.

DEFTLEFTHAND

JoshRosen wrote: »

Tony- “Those who want respect, give respect.”

Richie Aprille- “See kid, he just told you to shut the fcuk up. And he told me to go fcuk myself.”

Richie Aprille was one of the most frightning characters in the show imo, a real meanacing vibe off him. Pity they didn't keep him around longer.

MrKingsley

One of my favourite shows alright. Each of these 'favorites' could change upon reviewing of so many episodes but here goes.

Favorite episode: So many that I love but "Long Term Parking" is amazing. It had me hooked from beginning to end and completely fooled me when Syl picks up Adrianna. Helped show just how ruthless Tony is due to his relationship with Adrianna that had developed.

Favorite scene:

Literally too many to pick from but love this one. Shows Juniors smarts and some hilarious lines too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kFcNj2H3z0

Favorite Character: Junior or Paulie. Both hilarious and really well developed throughout the whole series. Also a mention for Ralphie

Favorite Joke:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp4TOJz54NM

Favorite musical moment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8i01bL9a8Q

Biggest tool of a character: Mikey Palmice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kea5qqhOHoY

Biggest Snake: Johnny Sack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERMw9MvNm3c

Cartman78

There's probably dozens I'm forgetting, but this is one that always springs to mind.....

JoshRosen

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Richie Aprille was one of the most frightning characters in the show imo, a real meanacing vibe off him. Pity they didn't keep him around longer.

Agreed!

Thargor

Whenever I see someone with crazy eyes I always think of them as "Manson Lamps" after this scene, such a perfect description of Richies stare

w/s/p/c/

Reading this thread in work today makes me want to go home and start the series again... for the 6th time.  Best TV show of all time, will never get tired of watching it!!! 

If anyone is going to go to NYC and are fans of the show, I would suggest doing the Sopranos tour (if it is still running!).  I did it about 8 years ago and it was excellent, got to meet the actor who played Vito as well as visit most of the major filming locations (bar the Soprano's house as this was a private residence).  The tour ended up in the real life Bada Bing (Satin Doll's it's called) but I thought I read last year that it was closed down.  Much smaller in real life than it looks on TV!!

rob316

I watch it in its entirety every year, its is hands down the greatest TV drama ever. There isnt a bad actor or character in it, its just amazing. The first of its kind and yet to be topped IMO. I've watch them all GOT, Breaking Bad, The Wire and I still dont get that same feeling as watching the Sopranos.

I was actually heartbroken when Gandolfini passed, I was always holding out for more Sopranos. A movie, anything.

I remember I did a table quiz a couple years ago, it was tie between two tables for 1st so the judges, gave us a topic each, my table got the Sopranos. Took that prize home I did.

I wouldnt get star struck by anyone but I was outside the Hotel Pennsylvania in Manhattan about 18 months ago, Steven Van Zandt was in a car outside I had to meet him. Nice enough guy, I kept calling him Syl though! Sopranos fan I take it he said. YEP!!!:D

Favourite Scene?
I love the scene where Tony himself kills that rat Petrulio, while out looking at colleges with Meadow. It really highlights how loyal he is to both families, its brutal personal type of kill too - strangulation.

lolokeogh

great thread,i was sitting at home last week and the sopranos poped in to my head,i have never watched one second of it,.so i think ill start it later.

rob316

lolokeogh wrote: »

great thread,i was sitting at home last week and the sopranos poped in to my head,i have never watched one second of it,.so i think ill start it later.

You lucky bastard, you are in for some treat.

lolokeogh

rob316 wrote: »

You lucky bastard, you are in for some treat.

pmsl..i said the same to someone last week that had not seen breaking bad,then sopranos poped in to me head and he said the same as you,well thats me sorted for a while i guess,i have been itching for something good to watch...cheers folks

Deeper Blue

lolokeogh wrote: »

great thread,i was sitting at home last week and the sopranos poped in to my head,i have never watched one second of it,.so i think ill start it later.

You won't regret it. I'd love to be in your position!

Baron Kurtz

There should be no Wire talk in this thread. It really doesn't come close. The character portrayal and development in the Sopranos is impeccable. You feel a lot more for the characters and the human psyche is properly delved into. There's a far better dynamic between characters in scenes and seamless links from one storyline to the next. The pace of the show rarely dragged as there was always an exciting subplot to segway onto long-burning, essential storylines. It was tremendous viewing.

The second season in the Wire killed it and the kids season never recovered anything for it. Very disjointed. Maybe it wasn't my thing, but I've watched it a couple of times just to see.

Out of any series produced at the time and even today, there isn't much that can compete with the Sopranos.


There are no scraps in my scrapbook.