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elicerottmann
Reviews
Boardwalk Empire: Two Impostors (2012)
Brilliant!
There are handful brilliant directors out there. Boardwalk Empire has two aboard its "ship". Allen Coulter is surely one of them. This episode in particular is a true testament to his unique skill, talent, ability. Every single setup is top to bottom brilliant, with perfect A-plus performances. This season had a very tough job - matching what had been established in season one and season two is no easy task. It took a little time to find its own stride. But once found, the season went ahead with remarkable strength. This episode "Two Imposters" is one of the series all time best. Again, kudos to Allen Coulter, who, along with Tim Van Patten (a brilliant director in his own right), are bringing this HBO's gem to new heights. Bravo!!
Boardwalk Empire: Spaghetti and Coffee (2012)
Boardwalk Empire: Spaghetti and Coffee
It would be a very tough act for ANY episode to follow after the tour de force Season 3 introduction entitled "Resolution", yet "Spaghetti and Coffee" stands up and delivers just that - an excellent hour of television. Though it is a quieter, slower burning episode (featuring no dead bodies) it is filled with truly outstanding, nuanced performances (Shea Whigham, Bobby Canavale, Stephen Root, Michael Kenneth Williams, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Sparks). "Spaghetti and Coffee" is a subtle, intelligent, cinematically engrossing episode, and (though slower) is every bit as good, interesting and well crafted as its predecessor. Photography, design, costumes, etc., are all fantastic as usual. The introduction scene with a fishbowl; a scene of Eli just released from prison and Mickey Doyle coming to meet him; a scene with Gyp Rosetti - map in hand - speaking with the young man at the gas station; a scene with Nucky in a hotel, facing an empty fishbowl and minutes later, meeting with Gaston Means; a spaghetti and coffee scene in a diner; Chalky White scenes; Margaret; Arnold Rothstein; Dr. Mason; etc., etc., etc., - all these scenes are pure gold and up to par with the very best out there. If any of you are in to nuance and subtlety, well then, cozy up in your arm chair, switch off that phone, relax and simply enjoy this amazing, quiet, superbly well written and directed episode with A+ performances.
EPISODE GRADE: A