Series & Miniseries: Crème de la crème
*If I think a series ruined itself at a certain point, that will be noted. "True Detective" springs to mind as an example. How do you rate a show that had a nigh perfect first season, then... a bad season 2?. I will attempt to factor in such a "jumping of the shark" type decline.
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- CreatorDavid MilchStarsTimothy OlyphantIan McShaneMolly ParkerA show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime.Three seasons of grand themes, wonderful depth, history, liberal swearing and violence (accurate to the times), but also high eloquence. What an achievement!
It's a who's who of the best character actors, and completely transcends being a "Western". Ian McShane is simply wonderful, as is Tim Olyphant.
Deadwood is quite possibly the best TV series ever.
The reunion telefilm is totally up to snuff. It was a nice send off for fans of Deadwood.
9.9 - CreatorDavid ChaseStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoNew Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.Easily debatable as the best series ever. Gandolfini anchors it so well, but there is so much acting talent here. The quality stays high right to the end.
I didn't mind at all when they chose to end the series plot wise, I do think it could have been done way better technically. Eg:How about a bit of REVERB, for instance, to stop me thinking my disc player had broken.
9.8 - CreatorMatthew WeinerStarsJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserA drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper.I loved it all. So few series keep the quality high all the way through. The detail is incredible, the emotions complex. The characters grow and change as the 60's unfolds in front of us.
9.7 - StarsAlec GuinnessMichael JaystonAnthony BateIn the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced out of semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.A total gem of the small screen. Along with The Decalogue, it's one of best mini-series ever, and almost as good as the Tomas Alfredson film of the same name. Just don't expect Bond style action. This is subtle stuff, and all the better for it.
The followup mini-series, "Smiley's People", with Alec Guiness is not nearly as good.
9.5 - CreatorGlen A. LarsonRonald D. MooreStarsEdward James OlmosMary McDonnellJamie BamberWhen an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.My favorite ending to any series. This is way deeper than most sci-fi fare. Religion, politics, unions, philosophy (what it is to be human) and yes, space battles are all a part of this wonderful series.
the only wrong move at all is a prefunctory love affair between two of the leads 2/3 into the series.
9.5 - StarsJoseph CampbellBill MoyersGeorge LucasMythologist Joseph Campbell presents his ideas about comparative mythology and the ongoing role of myth in human society.One of the most learned men you'll ever see in a great set of interviews. I've watched this and read the transcript/book, easily ten times. This is gold for those interested in wisdom. I can always learn more from Campbell, and be nourished again and again by this series.
9.5 - StarsAlexander SkarsgårdJames RansoneLee TergesenA Rolling Stone reporter, embedded with The 1st Recon Marines chronicles his experiences during the first wave of the American-led assault on Baghdad in 2003.This is excellent. The creators of "The Wire" convert an Iraq invasion memoir from an embedded Rolling Stone reporter, into a very real look into the "tip of the spear" Marines leading the invasion.
9.4 - CreatorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsRicky GervaisMartin FreemanMackenzie CrookThe story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.This one is deeper, and more realistic than the American Office (which I still like the first 5 seasons of). keep in mind that the humor is based on failing jokes. There may actually be more pathos than comedy in this series.
9.4 - StarsJohn CleesePrunella ScalesAndrew SachsHotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away.There aren't many episodes, but boy are they great.
9.3 - StarsLaurence OlivierAverell HarrimanAnthony EdenA groundbreaking 26-part documentary series narrated by the actor Laurence Olivier about the deadliest conflict in history, World War II.I grew up watching this, and it was excellent.
9.3 - StarsPeter CoyoteGeorge F. WillGeoffrey C. WardA documentary that weaves together the stories of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of one of the most prominent and influential families in American politics.Maybe the best of all the Ken Burns films.
9.3 - CreatorGene RoddenberryStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyIn the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.Endlessly re-watchable.
9.2 - StarsMark RylanceDamian LewisClaire FoyAfter the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey, his secretary, Thomas Cromwell, finds himself amongst the treachery and intrigue of King Henry VIII's court and soon becomes a close advisor to the King, a role fraught with danger.An absolute gem of the small screen, but rather depressing. The central performance by Mark Rylance is just excellent.
9.2 - CreatorLeonardo FasoliStefano BisesRoberto SavianoStarsSalvatore EspositoMarco D'AmoreIvana LotitoCiro disregards tradition in his attempt to become the next boss of his crime syndicate. The internal power struggle puts him and his entire family's life at risk.Do you like mob series? This is movie quality. Gomorrah is certainly one of the best crime series.
seasons 1-5--- 9.1 - CreatorJoe PenhallStarsJonathan GroffHolt McCallanyAnna TorvIn the late 1970s, two FBI agents broaden the realm of criminal science by investigating the psychology behind murder and end up getting too close to real-life monsters.Imagine fincher's film "Zodiac", but a series. That's Mindhunter. The first season is tip-top. If you like dark content, check it out.
season 1- 9.3
season 2- 9.0 - CreatorCarlo BernardChris BrancatoDoug MiroStarsPedro PascalWagner MouraBoyd HolbrookA chronicled look at the criminal exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as the many other drug kingpins who plagued the country through the years.I find the actor playing Pablo Escobar is more Escobar to me than the real video clips and photos used throughout this excellent, gripping series.
A friend does point out though that the actor is Brazilian, so his Columbian accent is off. As a non-Spanish/Portugese speaker, It certainly isn't something I noticed.
Season 3 was great as well, dealing with the Cali cartel.
9.0 - CreatorCarlo BernardChris BrancatoDoug MiroStarsScoot McNairyJosé María YazpikAlejandro EddaThe rise of the Guadalajara Cartel as an American DEA agent learns the danger of targeting narcos in Mexico.Just as good as the original Narcos. I think it's a must watch.
9.0 - CreatorCraig MazinStarsJessie BuckleyJared HarrisStellan SkarsgårdIn April 1986, the city of Chernobyl in the Soviet Union suffers one of the worst nuclear disasters in the history of mankind. Consequently, many heroes put their lives on the line in the following days, weeks and months.The story of the nuclear meltdown is told over 5 episodes. It is an excellent series. The one thing that took me a while to acclimate to, was the cast being predominantly British actors. It would certainly better to have heard Russian accents.
That said, the lead actors are Emily Watson, Jared Harris, and Stellan Skarsgard, who are all favorites of mine.
The show looks great, and the writing is very high quality.
9.0 - DirectorGeoff PosnerStarsHarry EnfieldMelvyn BraggCharles SimonNorbert Smith, A Life is a 1989 Mockumentary charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith. It stars Harry Enfield in the title role.This is gold for those who like mocumentaries like Spinal Tap. The clips of the old films and /TV shows that Norburt starred in are amazing. It's infinitely rewatchable.
9.0 - StarsEdgar RamírezAlexander ScheerFadi Abi SamraThe story of Venezuelan revolutionary Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, who founded a worldwide terrorist organization and raided the 1975 OPEC meeting.Excellent stuff, especially from the lead actor, Édgar Ramírez.
9.0 - StarsIan RichardsonMichael KitchenKitty AldridgeFrancis Urquhart, the unscrupulous but cunning Conservative Prime Minister, has his survival threatened by a liberal monarch and an upcoming General Election.An excellent followup to the Brit "House of Cards", in fact even better. "The Final Cut" failed me though.
9.0 - StarsDavid AttenboroughChadden HunterGordon BuchananDavid Attenborough returns with a new wildlife documentary that shows life in a variety of habitats.Due to remote camera technologies, this is even better than part one because of the wildlife closeups.
9.0 - CreatorLarry GelbartStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersLoretta SwitThe staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.Aside from the laugh track, which is very dated, most of this show is excellent. MASH was often very innovative for it's time, and I still really enjoy this show.
8.8 - StarsGünter LamprechtClaus HolmHanna SchygullaIn late-1920s Berlin, Franz Biberkopf is released from prison and vows to go straight. However, he soon finds himself embroiled in the city's criminal underworld.I am quite mixed on Fassbinder's work, but this 15 hour mini-series is quite something. I would say, it seems quite clunky for the first half of the first episode. By the second, it's really finding it's wings.
By the 2 hour epilogue (which compares only to the utterly unique "Our Hitler, A film From Germany"), it's just amazing.
8.8 - CreatorPeter MorganStarsClaire FoyOlivia ColmanImelda StauntonFollows the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped Britain for the second half of the 20th century.After seeing two seasons, and finding it far more interesting than I thought possible, I'm so impressed. This is super high quality stuff that even an anti-monarchist like me can get behind. I see the Windsors of that era as being in a cage with gold bars.
Claire Foy and Vanessa Kirby are fantastic. the sets could pass for the real thing, and the score is perfectly suitable.
The only bit of weakness for me at all was Michael C. Hall as JFK.
Season 3 was close to the quality of 1 and 2, but I do miss the original cast, especially Foy as the queen. Coleman is very good, but Foy was perfect.
The fellow who plays Prince Charles in season 3 though, is excellent.
The latest season (5?) with the third Elizabeth is just not as good as the old seasons. Diana is very well played though.
8.7