Category: TV/Film Projects

Take the M Train to Billions: A Visit to Bobby Axelrod’s Favorite Pizzeria *UPDATED*

bobbypizza7

We already published Billions Season 1 Dining Guide,  Season 2 Dining Guide, Season 3 Dining Guide, and Season 4 Dining Guide, but Bruno and his Capparello’s Pizzeria or real life Rosa’s Pizza have become such a staple in the show that the pizzeria absolutely deserves its special tribute!

Bobby Axelrod, as much as he is a man of confidence, seems to feel most comfortable in his skin at Capparello’s echoing that Yonkers boy who wants to “get rich and get even” when he grows up. Every scene at this corner pizza joint reveals a thing or two about Bobby and THIS alone makes a trip to Rosa’s a MUST for me and my partner-in-crime Lewisto. And a comment on the blog from a reader, Alaston, saying “If you DO go to Rosa’s, get the Grandma slice” triggers it that we find ourselves on the M train heading to Rosa’s in August 2016.

So who folds it better? Bobby or Me?

foldingpizza

We start with a virtual trip, revisiting the four scenes we saw at Capparello’s in Season 1 before our real trip, and highlight what we learn about Bobby in each one. Then we follow up with our real trip to Rosa’s Pizza and discuss the use of the pizzeria in the following seasons of the show.

Bon Appetite! Continue reading “Take the M Train to Billions: A Visit to Bobby Axelrod’s Favorite Pizzeria *UPDATED*”

Remembering Nicholas Brody and His Muslim Faith

“You live in despair for eight years; you can turn to religion, too. And, the King James Bible was not available.” – Nicholas Brody

source: Showtime
source: Showtime

I was born and raised in a secular family in Turkey, a country that is predominantly Muslim. That is, even though I am not religious myself, I am very familiar with the Islamic traditions, rituals and norms. I am obviously coming out of the culture and have been shaped by it in ways that I am probably not aware of 🙂 Thus, I thought it would be neat to talk about Nicholas Brody, my most favorite fictional character ever on small screen, and his Muslim faith, in celebration of Ramadan!

Now, I am not an expert, not even close, about Muslim characters on TV shows; however, even if there had been a popular Muslim character on TV before Brody came along, I just don’t think there is any way she or he could beat him on any popularity scale. Continue reading “Remembering Nicholas Brody and His Muslim Faith”

“From the Trader’s Desk”:
Bobby Axelrod – a Man and his Music *UPDATED FOR SEASON 5*

**UPDATED FOR SEASON 5**

What metal shirt will Axe reveal in Season 5? I’d love to see (and Gingersnap is with me on this!) an Iron Maiden classic (The Trooper, or Piece of Mind), or Judas Priest. But now we know Axe likes the classic metal bands as well, so it could Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Rush or even Rainbow.

Yes, I wrote those words back in December 2019, before we were teased with the Season 5 Billions trailer and Axe’s metal shirt was revealed to be none other than Rainbow.  Axe continued the tradition of wearing his metal on his sleeve (or on his chest) in Episode 3 “Beg, Bride, Bully“.

In each season of Billions, at least one episode has featured a song and a t-shirt of a metal band that must be Axe’s favorites.  (Gingersnap and I are always trying to predict which band will be featured. We’re holding out Season 6, or maybe in the second half of Season 5 will finally be the year of Maiden!!) The writers of Billions don’t do anything just to do it, so we know that these choices are there to tell a story, shine light on who the character is, and to set a tone. Continue reading ““From the Trader’s Desk”: Bobby Axelrod – a Man and his Music *UPDATED FOR SEASON 5*”

Fan Fun Movie of the Month: Brides (Nyfes)

“Niki, my darling, I thought about you all last night. That’s more or less how a love letter begins. Isn’t it, Niki? ” – Norman Harris

source: screencap
source: Screencap from movie

It is THAT time of the year again 😀 While I have been living in the US for the last 25 years, I come back to my native Turkey every summer to visit my mom and my extended family. And here I am in Izmir, my hometown, at the moment enjoying my time with family, the sun, and the blue waters of the beautiful Aegean sea.

Continue reading “Fan Fun Movie of the Month: Brides (Nyfes)”

Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis in Will – A Football Movie

As I was thinking about Damian during England vs Denmark semi-final match in Euro 2020 last week, these pictures made my day. Damian was there at Wembley, with Gully and pals, to watch the game!

And in celebration of England becoming a finalist in a major football tournament for the first time in 55 years, our Throwback Thursday today takes us to Will, a football movie Damian made in 2011, that is about Liverpool playing in the  2005 Champions League Final Match in  Istanbul, Turkey, yes, my native country! As the great Charlie Crews would say “everything is connected” 😀

Have you seen Will yet? Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis in Will – A Football Movie”