So I got my hands on HBO screener DVD's and watched the first 4 episodes of the new HBO series, Boardwalk Empire. There's plenty of hype surrounding this and it's well deserved. Terence WInter, writer for Sopranos is involved and the big name, Martin Scorsese is attached to the show as well. He directs the first episode. Steve Buscemi is the lead, so there's plenty of good names behind this show.
This will be a well discussed show, so it deserves its own thread. Here's a trailer for those who are not familiar with it.
I was hooked after Episode One. Seriously hooked. It's a 75 minute episode and they pack a lot into it. I'm no historian or know a lot of this era by any means, but you get the feeling that the show is pretty authentic. The sets, the clothing, the music, the language, everything seems pretty real. The show has got some great style, is very violent but more importantly, very slick and well crafted.
My main concern about this show was whether or not Steve Buscemi could pull off the "Kingpin" type role. He's never really been that kind of guy. I wasn't sure if I would believe him as being the tough guy. After watching the first four episodes, I realize they made the right choice. The character he plays, Nucky Thompson is not like a Tony Soprano, he's not a Jimmy Conway. Nucky is a sleazeball with some class if that makes any sense. He's got two lives. One as city treasurer and one as a powerful man who dabbles in bootlegging, gambling and prostitution.
The stories revolve around Nucky, but some of the supporting characters are very strong as well. Look out for Jimmy, one of Nucky's "soldiers" who just came back from the war, who wants to get back in the business right away. Also, the character of Margaret. An Irish immigrant who comes to Nucky for help with her abusive husband. In episodes 2-4, you see a lot of her and she's a very interesting character. Also, you see Al Capone as a common thug, before he becomes the legend we know him as now. Very cool stuff.
edit...oh and those fans of HBO's The Wire will be happy to know that Michael K Williams is in it. Definitely a different character from his iconic role on the Wire as Omar.
This show will be a big hit and will generate a lot of buzz and I woudln't be surprised if it cleans up at the Emmy's next year. It will have to beat out Mad Men, which won't be easy(Mad Men has been very good this season)), but from what I've seen, it's definitely in the conversation about Best Drama.
Last edited by VANFLAMESFAN; 09-26-2011 at 01:48 AM.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to VANFLAMESFAN For This Useful Post:
I am so excited for this show to start. Been looking forward to it since I saw the first trailer almost a year ago.
Between this, season 5 of Dexter, season 2 of Eastbound & Down, and season 4 of mad men, my sunday nights/mondays are going to be full for the next little while.
Oh yeah, my bad... misread an article. I knew that sounded ridiculous, probably $50 million for the season. I'll see if this can dethrone Breaking Bad as the best show on TV.
The last few years for HBO have been rough, their only real hit has been True Blood
Entourage doesn't bring in big ratings anymore, so they need this show to be huge
and I think it will
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acey
Oh yeah, my bad... misread an article. I knew that sounded ridiculous, probably $50 million for the season. I'll see if this can dethrone Breaking Bad as the best show on TV.
If it can do that I will be extremely impressed, the past 2 seasons of Breaking Bad have I think been 2 of the best seasons of any tv show ever
Has anyone been able to set a series recording in their PVR yet? I tried a few days ago and wasn't able to locate the show.
I was having those issues yesterday, but my Shaw PVR has HBO Canada's listings for the next 14 days or so, and I was able to start my series record for Boardwalk.
This Sunday at 8pm Pacific.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to VANFLAMESFAN For This Useful Post:
Oh yeah, my bad... misread an article. I knew that sounded ridiculous, probably $50 million for the season. I'll see if this can dethrone Breaking Bad as the best show on TV.
I worry when a show is hugely hyped and then its release gets held back, I suspect this may turn out to be a bit of a dog.
That doesn't mean they make bad shows. Just because a show is not a huge hit doesn't make it bad.
true, but they also haven't made well received shows the last few years
Hung is panned by critics, Entourage has been the last few years (even though I liked it during that time), I liked How to make it in America as well but I don't think it got a lot of press from critics
John from Cincinnati was very bad I thought
They used to be the network of the "best" shows on TV when it had the Sopranos, the Wire, Six Feet Under
now AMC has Mad Men, Breaking Bad (and Rubicon which has potential)
Showtime has Dexter
The best show they have in terms of quality is probably True Blood, but even that has almost as many detractors as it does people who like it
HBO has been struggling lately was the only point I was trying to make
The Following User Says Thank You to d_phaneuf For This Useful Post:
Boardwalk Empire-The Show to Watch This Fall
