Paul Giamatti for President

I am so unbelievably excited about HBO's epic mini-series John Adams. Even though this is technically airing on TV, John Adams is just as much a film as anything else I discuss on here. For starters, HBO can really do no wrong, when it comes to original programming, mini-series, or traditional-length films. The production value on any given HBO film is astounding. Their films look better than most of the crud in theaters right now. But it looks like they've outdone themselves on John Adams. The scope of the mini-series is staggering, from the length, to the talent involved, to the sets, costumes, and every minute period detail. John Adams could very well be their best project yet.

And what's the key to that success? Why, Paul Giamatti as John Adams himself, of course. Outstanding. I know everything else will be amazing, but Giamatti will be the best. I know it. I have been one of his biggest fans for such a long time. I was there through the Best Actor Snub for American Splendor. I positively wept when he was snubbed for Best Actor for Sideways. I still haven't gotten over that one. He's been nominated lots of times (even a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Cinderella Man), and he's won quite a few, like a Golden Globe, a Spirit Award, and a bunch of critics' awards.

But John Adams will be his glorious moment to shine. This will be huge for him. I already predict a Golden Globe and an Emmy. I want nothing more than for him to finally get the recognition he has deserved for so long. Nothing can ever make up for past mistakes, but this is some damn good consolation. I can't wait to be dazzled by his genius as John Adams. Respect the Giamatti! And tame the, uh...never mind. Sorry, bad Magnolia joke.

John Adams is a seven-part mini-series. Wow. Seven! Awesome. It premieres on HBO on Sunday, March 16th with a two-parter (meaning that they're treating us with two episodes on the first day), and then there are five more installments, one a week until it's over. And I was looking at the lengths on TiVo, and the first part is 70 minutes, the second is just over an hour and a half, and the third is also just over an hour and a half. This mini-series is MASSIVE. How wonderful! I don't know how I'll be able to wait a week in between episodes.

Seriously, though, this film looks awesome. Laura Linney plays Abigail Adams, which is fantastic. Tom Wilkinson, Sarah Polley, and a bunch of other great actors are in it. And, for whatever reason, I've always LOVED epic historical dramas. I can't get enough of them. The bigger, the better. I grew up watching The Ten Commandments annually, so that explains that. Oh man, combine history, spectacle, AND religion, and I practically swoon. The ones about religion are always the juiciest. Thank you, Mr. DeMille! I'm not even religious myself, but I'm a sucker for it. I just love it.

John Adams looks like it will be as epic as anything I've ever seen. It could be my epic historical drama fantasy/dream come true. The costumes, the history, the sets, the painstaking period details, the scandal, the tragedy, the fighting, the melodrama... And it stars Paul Giamatti! I'm salivating already.