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Wednesday 19 January 2011

TV Review - Boardwalk Empire

Written  by Kelly Alyse


HBO, the American TV Channel which broadcasts shows such as True Blood, Entourage, The Wire, and The Sopranos to name a few. If you're minutely interested in these, there's just no doubt in my mind you won't be taken aback by Boardwalk Empire. This fresh tale told in a TV series brings with it incredible cinematography, taboo subjects, impressive acting and pure coolness on screen. 


It's set in the Prohibition era of the 1920s in Atlantic City. With this brings a time that's so elegantly beautiful yet brutally horrible to watch, that alone is candy to the eyes. We also have the brilliant Steve Buscemi playing Nucky, the admired yet crooked man of the moment. Him, along with Kelly Macdonald makes this something quite special. 


When watching the very first episode, you find yourself expecting a long wait to get interested in the characters. But being that this pilot episode is the most expensive ever created, and it was directed by Martin Scorsese gives it a bit of an edge. That edge means you're hooked instantly on the story and characters purely because it's just so well done; There's no other way to describe it.


This isn't one for the whole family though. There are explicit sex scenes and graphic torture scenes not even Aronofsky would attempt. But that doesn't ruin the appeal of the show, it just adds to it. The honesty behind the story means when you're relating to the characters; you really become a part of them. And when these scenes crop up, they're truly shocking but spectacular to experience, as you realise this isn't just any TV show. 


Only having seen the first 2 episodes, I can't judge the whole series. But from what I've witnessed, this is ground breaking television that's going to be massive in England. Already the show has one a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Series and Buscemi with Best Actor in a Dramatic Series. If this isn't an indication at how good and appealing the show is, I don't know what's going to convince you. Maybe the fact that you get to play the "Guess what film that actor's in" would intrigue you slightly... 


Sky Atlantic is broadcasting the first episode on 1st February - Be there. 

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