Magic City: Season 1, Episode 3 “Castles Made of Sand” (C)
It seems a bit early in this show’s life to be bringing in past lovers, not to mention two of them at a time. Ike’s business relationship with his sister-in-law is entirely awkward and full of sexual tension, but it’s not as bad as Cliff, who isn’t anywhere near subtle in the way he speaks about the fact that he considers Vera the one that got away, going so far as to offer her a job away from Miami Beach. Vera leaving Ike wouldn’t be nearly as deadly for her as it will be for Lily once her husband finds out just what she’s been up to with her lover on the side. Ike’s most interesting interaction with another woman wasn’t actually with Meg but instead with Mike Strauss’ widow, who showed up to ask him to stop sending money to her every week. She managed to get a job as a pastry chef in his kitchen rather easily, and she even seemed to buy the fact that he had nothing to do with Mike’s death, something we know to be patently untrue. Ike’s efforts to get gambling legalized weren’t terribly productive, but politicians should be careful about how they behave in public, lest they make themselves prime targets for blackmail, though the most resilient can manage to survive even that. In its third outing, this show continues to be rather shallow and vapid, presuming its characters, events, mysteries and plot developments to be far more intriguing than they actually are.
Showing posts with label Magic City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magic City. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Round Two: Magic City
Magic City: Season 1, Episode 2 “Feeding Frenzy” (C)
This show definitely isn’t as good as it looks, and I mean that in the most literal way possible. Its visuals are rather astounding, yet the quality of the acting, the dialogue, and the story don’t come anywhere close. Perhaps it’s unfair to judge this show in comparison to other currently-running period dramas, namely “Mad Men” and “Boardwalk Empire,” because those two happen to be excellent series featuring particularly interesting eras and characters. Miami Beach just doesn’t have that same allure, in that the landscape is mesmerizing, but it’s a pretty picture devoid of much substance. The lengthy debate over how the “Bas Mitzvah” is going to play out is tiresome, and Ike’s family members aren’t terribly compelling characters, with the exception of his wife, who can’t possibly carry the show on her own, expressing interest in things that seem of no concern to anyone else. A grand effort is being made to establish Danny Huston’s mobster The Butcher as the evilest man in all of Florida, but shooting a dog because he’s on the phone and purporting to be able to sense infidelity aren’t exactly convincing villainous attributes. He seems much more like a cartoon than anything else, especially as he sits out on the water beckoning his minions to come join him in the middle of the night. The only truly interesting plot point is the beginning of the handling of Danny Evans as he ascends into the district attorney’s office, something that clearly and rightfully makes Ike extremely nervous.
This show definitely isn’t as good as it looks, and I mean that in the most literal way possible. Its visuals are rather astounding, yet the quality of the acting, the dialogue, and the story don’t come anywhere close. Perhaps it’s unfair to judge this show in comparison to other currently-running period dramas, namely “Mad Men” and “Boardwalk Empire,” because those two happen to be excellent series featuring particularly interesting eras and characters. Miami Beach just doesn’t have that same allure, in that the landscape is mesmerizing, but it’s a pretty picture devoid of much substance. The lengthy debate over how the “Bas Mitzvah” is going to play out is tiresome, and Ike’s family members aren’t terribly compelling characters, with the exception of his wife, who can’t possibly carry the show on her own, expressing interest in things that seem of no concern to anyone else. A grand effort is being made to establish Danny Huston’s mobster The Butcher as the evilest man in all of Florida, but shooting a dog because he’s on the phone and purporting to be able to sense infidelity aren’t exactly convincing villainous attributes. He seems much more like a cartoon than anything else, especially as he sits out on the water beckoning his minions to come join him in the middle of the night. The only truly interesting plot point is the beginning of the handling of Danny Evans as he ascends into the district attorney’s office, something that clearly and rightfully makes Ike extremely nervous.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Pilot Review: Magic City
Magic City (Starz)
Premiered April 6 at 10pm
Period dramas with large ensembles are all the rage these days. It’s no surprise, therefore, that Starz would produce a show of its own to rival “Boardwalk Empire” and “Mad Men” and to explore a different wild, seedy era of recent history. Miami Beach in the 1950s seems like as good a place as any to set a show, and it’s certainly hard to deny the beauty and power of the shots and the views off Ike’s balcony as he stands there smoking a cigar. As expected, there is plenty of sex infused into almost every bit of the show, on the beach and even managing to derail a car and cause major damage within the show’s first few minutes. There’s definitely a sense of this being the place to be, with the strike affecting productivity and business in a big way, and the background of Che taking power is prominent and influential as well. Like other similar shows, this series is almost impossible to penetrate, full of characters whose identities and roles have yet to be fleshed out and clarified. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been waiting for a part like this, and I think he’ll prove to be a strong lead after plenty of guest-starring parts as dead fathers and boyfriends on other shows. It’s really all about Danny Huston, who doesn’t appear until thirty-four minuets into the pilot but instantly milks his scene for all it’s worth, soaking up the scenery with this electric-swiveling chair and intimidating stories. I’m not yet sold on this show, but I’ve learned that giving up so soon on a show with so much potential isn’t wise. It will need to distinguish itself based on the merit of its story and not simply its look and feel.
How will it work as a series? There’s plenty of material to be covered here, and the show’s success will depend mainly on the effectiveness of its lead and its ability to offer engaging short-term plotlines, like the strike and any other happenings at the hotel. It’s going to need to become accessible, and that’s something that may or may not come with time.
How long will it last? Actually, the show has already been renewed for a second season, three weeks before it premiered. Starz is clearly invested in a certain type of programming, producing “Spartacus” and intense drama “Boss,” and I think this is a way for them to break into a new genre and they’ll want to follow through unless the ratings are truly awful.
Pilot grade: C+
Premiered April 6 at 10pm
Period dramas with large ensembles are all the rage these days. It’s no surprise, therefore, that Starz would produce a show of its own to rival “Boardwalk Empire” and “Mad Men” and to explore a different wild, seedy era of recent history. Miami Beach in the 1950s seems like as good a place as any to set a show, and it’s certainly hard to deny the beauty and power of the shots and the views off Ike’s balcony as he stands there smoking a cigar. As expected, there is plenty of sex infused into almost every bit of the show, on the beach and even managing to derail a car and cause major damage within the show’s first few minutes. There’s definitely a sense of this being the place to be, with the strike affecting productivity and business in a big way, and the background of Che taking power is prominent and influential as well. Like other similar shows, this series is almost impossible to penetrate, full of characters whose identities and roles have yet to be fleshed out and clarified. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been waiting for a part like this, and I think he’ll prove to be a strong lead after plenty of guest-starring parts as dead fathers and boyfriends on other shows. It’s really all about Danny Huston, who doesn’t appear until thirty-four minuets into the pilot but instantly milks his scene for all it’s worth, soaking up the scenery with this electric-swiveling chair and intimidating stories. I’m not yet sold on this show, but I’ve learned that giving up so soon on a show with so much potential isn’t wise. It will need to distinguish itself based on the merit of its story and not simply its look and feel.
How will it work as a series? There’s plenty of material to be covered here, and the show’s success will depend mainly on the effectiveness of its lead and its ability to offer engaging short-term plotlines, like the strike and any other happenings at the hotel. It’s going to need to become accessible, and that’s something that may or may not come with time.
How long will it last? Actually, the show has already been renewed for a second season, three weeks before it premiered. Starz is clearly invested in a certain type of programming, producing “Spartacus” and intense drama “Boss,” and I think this is a way for them to break into a new genre and they’ll want to follow through unless the ratings are truly awful.
Pilot grade: C+
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