For those of us who miss the "Sopranos" we have a new show to embrace

“Boardwalk Empire” a new HBO series airing at 9 PM est has all the verve, violence and sex that made the “Sopranos” such a mega hit!  This should not be surprising since it is created and produced by Terrence Winter who wrote and produced the “Sopranos.”  In addition, this great show has the incomparable direction of Martin Scorsese whose artistic yet realistic interpretation of American crime and political corruption in past works is once again on prominent display in this series.  Scorsese is also an executive producer so he has left his “fingerprints” on the series throughout a myriad of aspects from casting to costume and scene production according to the official website.
 
“Boardwalk Empire” is about the “explosion” of organized crime in America after the passage of prohibition.  In the series, organized crime and political corruption is viewed through the microcosm of Atlantic City NJ.  The main character “Nucky” Thompson (Steve Buscemi) is a local politician who understands the potential money he can make from off of prohibition by running political interference for the organized crime syndicate. 
 
Some of the things that I like about this series are how the plot is a look at America’s “Roaring 20’s,” a historical time period not often depicted in Hollywood.  In addition, I am impressed with the attention to detail that went into costume design, and especially set design.  A boardwalk had to be built in Greenpoint NY to replicate the original boardwalk and store fronts of Atlantic City of the 1920’s.  The series is a look into the often ignored by Hollywood early crime life of “Lucky” Luciano, Al Capone and other major American crime figures.  Finally, the acting is superb, this is a genre that is “custom” made for Buscemi, (remember his superb episodes in the Sopranos, Reservoir Dogs, Con Air, etc.). 
 
If you didn’t watch the debut this Sunday, “get on it” this is going to be another great cable series “must see TV”!!!