"Breaking Pointe" Review

Currently watching CW's brand new docu-drama about the ballet world, "Breaking Pointe"...
It's incredibly refreshing to see ballet being presented that way it deserves - HARDCORE! Intended to be "an antidote to Black Swan" the show immediately establishes that ballet is not for pansies, and it certainly isn't easy. The men they spotlight are quite masculine, and the women seem kind and balanced, yet competitive.

The first episode focuses on the dancers waiting to see if their contracts will be renewed. It's realistic and honest. The class scenes are inspiring and lovely.
I wish they spent a little less time on the relationship stuff. I'm just not interested! The nightclub scene is also silly. I want to know about their pointe shoes, their rituals, their superstitions, the subtitles and histories of the variations and ballets their working on - dancer stuff. The mindless minutes they waste on dancer relationships gives a slight blandness to the first episode and leaves me a little disappointed. I only hope the next few episodes are better! 

Hidden Joys of Cable TV

Just letting people know that I am now using the DISQUS commenting platform. Some comments, for whatever reasons, don't come through - or are displayed on my Blogger comment box, but not on the blog. Huh? Anyway, if I do not reply to a comment of yours, please do not be angry - I probably am unable to reply for technical reasons. :(

I'm still ill with a cold. Since the heat ducts under our house are broken due to flooding, we have not had heat for about a month. The landlord (we rent) is working on it, but it is taking a long time. To stay warm, I am forced to remain in the living room in front of a space heater. Because the electrical system is fickle, we can't plug in too many heaters, so most of the house is cold.

In the mornings, I have recently discovered a delightful little channel with perfect morning programming - TTV or Tokyo TV. It's channel 174 for me, and I have fallen in love! In the mornings, they have different programs from NHK World that feature life and culture in Japan. They are in English, and they explore everything from gardens, language, umbrella makers, young Sherpas, hotels and hospitality, the different seasons, and fashion. The programs are not slick - they have canned music and feel "older", but they focus on beautiful locations. The pace is slow and relaxed as they explore different locales in Japan or follow the day of a particular resident. They have been very insightful, and deepen my love for Japan even more. I loved the episode about the traditional umbrella maker, and this morning they had a 15 minute show that explained the differences in Japanese hotels from American ones.

The best programming tends to be in the mornings, and they have news and business stuff for the rest of the day. What I love is the variety of shows (some are quite short) and the non-violent, relaxed, sweet content. It is the perfect way to wake up and enjoy my morning coffee.

To see if you also get TTV which features NHK World in the mornings, check this website.