STACK #123 Jan 2015

DVD&BD

REVIEWS

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The end of an empire. BOARDWALK EMPIRE: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON

A new sci-fi series is born. EXTANT: THE FIRST SEASON

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Release Date: 14/01/15

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Release Date: 28/01/15

TV

Fittingly, this final season of Boardwalk Empire brings the focus back to pivotal figure Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi). The end of prohibition is in the air, and the appearance of Eliot Ness also adds the historical weight that might end up being the noose around Nucky's neck. There's also no shortage of the gangland brutality that has made this series a natural successor to The Sopranos , with the first three episodes signposting the kind of violent world Nucky and his associates inhabit. It's also the kind of world Nucky is determined to rise above, as he attempts to morph from bootlegger to a

The early promos hinted at a Rosemary's Baby meets Gravity hybrid, with astronaut Halle Berry experiencing an immaculate conception of sorts whilst on a solo mission in orbit. But there's a lot more to this Steven Spielberg produced sci-fi series, which also throws in X-Files -like conspiracies, android children and, of course, alien offspring. Moreover, Extant creates a convincing future world where for once, artificial intelligence isn't out to destroy humanity. Production values

legitimate business figure, by courting the big money of Wall Street. True to form, Nucky finds that getting out is much harder than he thinks. Bringing this series full circle, showrunner Terence Winter's gripping vision has received another Golden Globe nom for Best Drama Series. Nucky goes out on top.

are top notch, episodes are consistently eventful, and a star of Berry's calibre adds extra prestige. Extant has been renewed for a second season, which will hopefully clear up a few errant plot points left dangling in the final episode.

Good town. Bad blood. BANSHEE: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON

Downtown alley. PEAKY BLINDERS: SEASON TWO

Release Date: 14/01/15

Release Date: 21/01/15

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Setting up its pulpy premise in season one, Lucas Hood (Antony Starr) is a crim who arrives in the titular Amish town the same time as its new sheriff. When the sheriff is murdered, Hood spots a golden opportunity and assumes the identity of the lawman, allowing him to keep tabs on his former lover and criminal accomplice Carrie Hopewell (Ivana Millicevi), who's now married to the town's district attorney. Lucas also has to keep a watch out for a ruthless local mobster, who also happens to be Carrie's dad. And when duty calls, Lucas also has to dish out his brand of justice. In season two, this powderkeg premise becomes even more explosive when the son of the real sheriff arrives in town, with a highly unexpected proposition that Hood will not be able to refuse.

Set in Birmingham in the aftermath of World War One, Cillian Murphy plays returned soldier Thomas Shelby, who embarks on a life of crime as part of the eponymous gang – their name deriving from the razor blades sewn into the rim of their caps. Series creator Steven Knight first heard about the exploits of these real-life crime figures through his parents: his uncles were actually members of the Peaky Blinders gang. And according to Knight, the English have been bad at 'mythologising the working class'.

This riveting series goes a long way to setting things right, and in the second season things are going to get a whole lot darker, as the gang sets about expanding their operation. It's Breaking Bad meets Downton Abbey , and highly recommended.

JANUARY 2015 JB Hi-Fi www.jbhifi.com.au

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