When you hear that Martin Scorcese is associated with a show you assume it will be good. Unfortunately he directs the first episode and passes the torch to others. All the clips shown in ads are from his work. So you have a show that uses his name but is largely the work of others. The show is at times slow and plodding and generally needed to be tightened up. Also it isn't an historic period piece. The characters don't speak like they are from the period. As an example the black gangster dresses like P Diddy and uses the mo fo phrase a lot. Arnold Rothstein uses a story from 1000 Ways To Die to impress a gangster. This is a reflection of poor writing and bankrupt imagination. The commentary in the first episode reveal this as the writer spends 10 minutes gushing about "Marty" then spends the rest of his time introducing family and friends he gave bit parts to. He refers to "great comedic moments" but he is the only one laughing. Also he takes liberties with historic personalities like Luciano and Capone and makes them look like half wits in order to make his hero Arnold Rothstein seem that much more intelligent and impressive. His lack of ability means that he can only build up a character is by tearing down those around him. At best Boardwalk Empire is the tv version of a comic book. All the nudity will impress the 13 year olds the writer is seemingly pandering to. The inconguous opening theme music is your first warning that this is going to be a mere over produced reboot or reimagining of American history. Another profane and overly sexed offering fom HBO who name drop to infer a quality product but deliver immature dregs.Read full review
I was looking for a series on DVD, and believe HBO does a remarkable job. Evidence The Wire. In my opinion, the best TV series of all time. After trying some cable productions, I bought Boardwalk Empire and have not been sorry. It is a wonderful piece of work. The re-creation of the 20's is stunning. The vast sets of period accurate components is fabulous. Casting in my opinion is very important to the success of any production. The only failing in this series is the lead - Buschemi. He is not bad, but in my opinion, they easily could have done better. Story lines are wonderful, and if you seek crime/mafia type productions you will not be dissappointed. It starts a bit slow, but is overall is very, very good.
I actually loved the story and the acting and the casting for this show. The writing and the direction for this show started off really good but doesn't stay consistent at times. What was a big turn off, for me, was all of the nudity. Boardwalk Empire is an incredible Oscar worthy effort by HBO Studios. Again, the excessive nudity wasn't needed at all.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Somewhat entertaining. Some scenes are dragged out. Some scenes are chopped. Overall I enjoyed the season. Good acting and a feeling of what it might be like to live at this time period of prohibition and what people did at the Speak Easy's. The sex scenes are boring, fast and thrown in for who knows why? Short and to the point. I give this four stars because I think it could be better. I think they did a good job with the story line but some parts should of played out with more to it. I would recommend Boardwalk Empire to anyone who likes gangster shows but don't expect it to be like the Sopranos. Enjoy.
I bought the dvd set Boardwalk Empire, because my brother recommended it. Since my favorite movie all time is the Godfather, it was easy to fall in love with Boardwalk Empire. The setting is Atlantic City in the 1920's. Prohibition is enacted and the crime bosses are ready to exploit this opportunity. Enoch Thompson played by Steve Buscemi is the crime boss that controls Atlantic City. Thompson is a complex character. He is a womanizer, prone to violence, but at the same time he can have a heart of gold. There are many facets to this series. Thompson's relationship with a temperance volunteer Kelly McDonald. The mob from Philly trying to muscle in on Thompsons territory. The creepy performance by Michael Shannon as Fed guy trying to bring down Thompson. And lastly, Michael Pitt is the son of the original founder of Atlantic City, and he is there for Thompson when he needs help. Overall, I highly recommend the Boardwalk empire and look forward to seeing season 2.Read full review
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