{"id":9613,"date":"2015-05-27T14:52:23","date_gmt":"2015-05-27T21:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/?p=9613"},"modified":"2015-05-27T14:53:09","modified_gmt":"2015-05-27T21:53:09","slug":"review-boardwalkempire-series-bd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/2015\/05\/review-boardwalkempire-series-bd\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Boardwalk Empire – The Complete Series BD + Screen Caps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>\u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d<\/strong> is yet another great show from HBO and although it\u2019s not up to par with \u201cThe Sopranos,\u201d \u201cDeadwood\u201d or \u201cGame of Thrones,\u201d that standard is hard to meet. That being said, I will say the ensemble cast ranging from Steve Buscemi to Michael Shannon is one of the best and the performances all around, in conjunction with quality writing beginning with Terence Winter, is top notch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

“Boardwalk Empire”
\nThe Complete Series<\/span><\/span>
\n(2010-14)<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nREVIEW NAVIGATION<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Movie<\/a> | Special Features<\/a> | Video Quality<\/a> | Audio Quality<\/a> | Overall<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Genre(s): <\/strong>Drama, Crime
\nHBO Home Entertainment | TVMA \u2013 3360 min. \u2013 $239.99 | May 19, 2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n <\/b>MOVIE INFO:
\n<\/u>Directed by: <\/strong>Various
\nWriter(s): <\/strong>Nelson Johnson (book); Terence Winter (created by)
\nCast: <\/strong>Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Stephen Graham, Paul Sparks, Gretchen Mol, Jack Huston, Michael Pitt, Dabney Coleman<\/p>\n

DISC INFO:
\n<\/u>Features: <\/strong>Episode Commentaries, Featurettes, In-Episode Guides
\nDigital Copy: <\/strong>Yes
\nNumber of Discs: <\/strong>20<\/p>\n

Audio: <\/strong>English (DTS-HD MA 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Latin Spanish (DTS 2.0), Castilian Spanish (DTS 2.0)
\nVideo: <\/strong>1080p\/Widescreen 1.78
\nSubtitles: <\/strong>English SDH, French, Latin Spanish, Castilian Spanish (S1-4), Brazilian Portuguese (S1), Dutch (S2-5), Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
\nDisc Size: <\/strong>Various
\nCodec: <\/strong>MPEG-4 AVC
\nRegion(s): <\/strong>A, B, C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\n** Click Here to Purchase “Boardwalk Empire” on Blu-ray from Amazon.com<\/a><\/strong> **<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

THE MOVIE<\/strong> \u2013 4.5\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

HBO has always produced quality programming and although \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d<\/strong> wasn\u2019t quite as good as others like \u201cThe Sopranos,\u201d \u201cTrue Detective\u201d or \u201cGame of Thrones,\u201d it still features an impressive cast and interesting enough<\/em> story to carry through its five season run. The biggest reason to watch is to finally see Steve Buscemi with a juicy part playing it up as a corrupt politician. Also giving good performances throughout the series are Michael Shannon showing respect for the material (versus Daffy Ducking it up in Premium Rush<\/em> and, to some extent, Man of Steel<\/em>) and Kelly Macdonald as a woman Buscemi\u2019s Nucky Thompson takes a liking to.<\/p>\n

Here is a breakdown of the five seasons:<\/p>\n

Season 1
\n\u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d<\/strong> begins in Atlantic City in 1920. It is the eve of Prohibition, and country treasurer Enoch \u201cNucky\u201d Thompson (STEVE BUSCEMI) is looking to cash in. As the undisputed \u201cBoss\u201d of Atlantic City, Nucky leads a double life as a politician and bootlegger; Prohibition may have outlawed alcohol, but in Nucky\u2019s world is has opened up highly lucrative opportunities for gangsters and rumrunners looking to provide \u201cliquid gold\u201d for a thirsty nation. In a city defined by notorious backroom politics and vicious power struggles, Nucky must battle with a relentless federal agent (MICHAEL SHANNON), ambitious underlings (MICHAEL PITT), and opportunistic rivals \u2013 including Arnold Rothstein (MICHAEL STUHLBARG), Lucky Luciano (VINCENT PIAZZA), and Al Capone (STEPHEN GRAHAM).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Season 2
\n<\/strong>This season begins in 1921 and in the wake of Prohibition, Enoch \u201cNucky\u201d Thompson wields ultimate power in \u201cthe world\u2019s playground.\u201d After rigging the Atlantic City mayoral election, Nucky and young WWI veteran Jimmy Darmody (MICHAEL PITT) appear to control the city. However, their grip soon begins to unravel as Nucky is arrested for election fraud and members of both his inner circle and family begin to question their allegiances. All the while, mobsters like Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky (ANATOL YUSEF), and Al Capone wait in the wings, looking for the right opportunity to grab a bigger piece of Nucky\u2019s pie.<\/p>\n

Season 3
\n<\/strong>Atlantic City 1922: The Roaring \u201820s are about to begin in earnest and despite a booming economy, alcohol is scarce and gangster violence is heating up. Amidst this backdrop, Nucky Thompson, whose marriage to Margaret (KELLY MACDONALD) has become a sham after she signed away his highway windfall to the church, faces the challenge of mending old relationships. Nucky also encounters new competition from a hair-trigger gangster who builds a strategic bulkhead between New York and Atlantic City in an effort to siphon off Nucky\u2019s alcohol business. The conflict brings out the best and worst in Nucky as new and familiar faces undergo compelling metamorphoses.<\/p>\n

Season 4
\n<\/strong>Atlantic City, February 1924: Picking up 8 months after the events of season 3, Nucky Thompson is laying low at the end of the Boardwalk after barely surviving an overthrow by gangster Gyp Rosetti (BOBBY CANNAVALE). But the calm will be short-lived, as Nucky faces new challenges, including a clash with a violent Harlem power broker, a battle with his brother Eli (SHEA WHIGHAM) over Eli\u2019s college-age son, and the irresistible lure of lucrative \u2013 and perilous \u2013 opportunities in Florida.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Season 5
\n<\/strong>The final season begins in 1931, a full six years after the end of season 4. In stark contrast with the Roaring \u201820s, the country is in the throes of the Great Depression, and with the end of Prohibition in sight, Nucky is looking to legitimize himself by forging alliances with liquor producers. The season also includes flashback scenes of Nucky, Eli, the Commodore, Gillian and others from 1884-1900 \u2013 childhood experiences that would shape their relationships and their futures.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

SPECIAL FEATURES \u2013 5.0\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This 20-disc set comes in a sturdy box with a thin outer slip cover. Each season is housed in its own HD Keep Case with identical artwork (front and back) of the individual releases. The redemption code for the Digital HD<\/u><\/strong> copy is in the first season case.<\/p>\n

Season 1 \u2014 4.5\/5
\nEnhanced Viewing Mode<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Each episode receives this picture-in-picture featuring interviews and other bits of info on not only the show but history of the time.<\/p>\n

Character Dossiers<\/u><\/strong> allows viewers to look at each of the regular characters and their background, gallery of pictures and relationships with other characters (for that particular disc).<\/p>\n

Audio Commentaries<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 \u2018Boardwalk Empire\u2019 with Creator\/Writer\/Executive Producer Terence Winter; \u2018Anastasia\u2019 with Winter, Steve Buscemi (Nucky Thompson), and Michael Kenneth Williams (Chalky White); \u2018Family Limitation\u2019 with Winter and Writer\/Supervising Producer Howard Korder; \u2018Hold Me in Paradise\u2019 with Winter and Director Brian Kirk; \u2018Paris Green\u2019 with Korder, Director Allen Coulter, and Michael Shannon (Nelson Van Alden); \u2018A Return to Normalcy\u2019 with Winter and Director\/Writer\/Executive Producer Tim Van Patten<\/p>\n

Creating the Boardwalk (4:54; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 See how the amazing 300-foot Boardwalk set was created to bring Prohibition-era Atlantic City to life.<\/p>\n

Speakeasy Tour (24:39; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Get an insider\u2019s tour of some of the famed Prohibition speakeasies in Chicago and New York with cast members from the series.<\/p>\n

Atlantic City: The Original Sin City (29:35; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Explore the culture and climate of AC during the roaring \u201820s.<\/p>\n

Making \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d (19:35; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Step onto the sets in this behind-the-scenes look featuring interviews from the cast and crew.<\/p>\n

Season 2 \u2014 4.0\/5
\nAudio Commentaries<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 \u201821\u2019 with Creator\/Writer\/Executive Producer Terence Winter, Director\/Writer\/Exec Producer Tim Van Patten, and Michael K. Williams (Chalky White); \u2018Gimcrack & Bunkim\u2019 with Co-Exec Producer\/Writer Howard Korder and Jack Huston (Richard Harrow); \u2018Peg of Old\u2019 with Korder, Co-Producer\/Writer Steve Karnacki, Director Allen Coulter, and Charlie Cox (Owen Sleater); \u2018Two Boards and a Lifeguard\u2019 with Winter, Van Patten, and Steve Buscemi (Nucky Thompson); \u2018Under God\u2019s Power She Flourishes\u2019 with Korder, Coulter, and Gretchen Mol (Gillian Darmody); \u2018To the Lost\u2019 with Winter and Van Patten<\/p>\n

Season Two Promo Spot (1:37; HD)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

New Characters (3:35; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Get acquainted with the two new major characters in season two: Owen Sleater and Manny Horvitz.<\/p>\n

Updates to the Boardwalk (3:14; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Production Designer Bill Groom, and Creator\/Exec Producer Terence Winter discuss the new sets of season two.<\/p>\n

The Money Decade (24:33; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Explore the legacy of the 1920s and get an inside look at the styles and trends that made the decade \u201croar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Back to the Boardwalk (14:37; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Here we revisit season one of \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d with Creator\/Exec Producer Terence Winter with this recap bonus feature.<\/p>\n

Living in 1921<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Look back in time and discover the styles, sounds, and events that defined 1921 in this comprehensive, interactive guide. You can look at the history, people, culture, tends and arts.<\/p>\n

Secrets of the Past: Storytelling in Episode 11<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Here from the writers, cast members, and crew in this enhanced picture-in-picture feature as they reflect on season two and the pivotal episode.<\/p>\n

Season 3 \u2014 4.0\/5
\nBoardwalk Chronicle<\/u><\/strong> is a picture-in-picture feature, available for all episodes, that displays what characters are on screen, the location and newsreel featurettes.<\/p>\n

Audio Commentaries<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 \u2018Resolution\u2019 with Creator\/Writer\/Exec Producer Terence Winter, Director\/Exec Producer Tim Van Patten, Steve Buscemi (Nucky Thompson), and Jack Huston (Richard Harrow); \u2018You\u2019d be Surprised\u2019 with Exec Producer\/Writer Howard Korder, Michael Stuhlbarg (Arnold Rothstein), Bobby Cannavale (Gyp Rosetti), and Stephen DeRosa (Eddie Cantor); \u2018Sunday Best\u2019 with Korder, Director Allen Coulter, Shea Whigham (Eli Thompson), and Gretchen Mol (Gillian Darmody); \u2018The Pony\u2019 with Winter, Michael Shannon (Nelson Van Alden), Charlie Cox (Owen Sleater), and Meg Chambers Steedle (Ellie Kent); \u2018Two Imposters\u2019 with Korder, Coulter, Buscemi, and Michael Kenneth Williams (Chalky White); \u2018Margate Sands\u2019 with Winter, Van Patten, Cannavale, and Chris Caldovino (Tonino)<\/p>\n

Distilling Season 2 (14:22; HD)<\/u><\/strong> is a look back of the season two.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d: Director\u2019s Chair (29:56; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Hear \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d directors Tim Van Patten and Allen Coulter break down key scenes from season three, and how they approach taking the series from script to the screen.<\/p>\n

American Empires<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Prohibition did little to quench the country\u2019s thirst for alcohol, and proved to be a boon to the era\u2019s gangsters. In this featurette you learn more about these gangsters, their influence, and their systems of distribution in this interactive compendium.<\/p>\n

Newsreels<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Explore some of the real-world events and historical figures that inspired the third season spread across 24 featurettes.<\/p>\n

New Characters (4:57; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Meet the new faces of season three: Gyp Rosetti, Billie Kent, Gaston Means, Dean O\u2019Banian, and Benny Siegel.<\/p>\n

Scorsese on Season 3 (4:34; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Martin Scorsese provides a detailed perspective on the third season.<\/p>\n

Season 4 \u2014 4.0\/5
\nBoardwalk Chronicle<\/u><\/strong> is a picture-in-picture feature, available for all episodes, that displays what characters are on screen, the location and newsreel featurettes.<\/p>\n

Audio Commentaries<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 \u2018New York Sour\u2019 with Exec Producer\/Writer Howard Korder, Exec Producer\/Director Tim Van Patten, and Steve Buscemi (Nucky Thompson); \u2018All In\u2019 with Creator\/Exec Producer\/Writer Terence Winter, Writer David Matthews, Director Ed Bianchi, and Michael Stuhlbarg (Arnold Rothstein); \u2018Erlkonig\u2019 with Korder, Van Patten, Anthony Laciura (Eddie Kessler), Brian Geraghty (Agent Knox) and Gretchen Mol (Gillian Darmody); \u2018The Old Ship of Zion\u2019 with Korder, Erik LaRay Harvey (Dunn Purnsley), Michael Kennth Williams (Chalky White), and Margot Bringham (Daughter Maitland); \u2018Havre De Grace\u2019 with Korder, Director Allen Coulter, Williams, and Bingham; \u2018Farewell Daddy Blues\u2019 with Winter, Van Patten and Buscemi<\/p>\n

PaleyFest: Made in NY \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d Panel (26:08; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 A Q& A with Creator\/Exec Producer\/Writer Terence Winter and cast members after a screening of Episode 5.<\/p>\n

The Onyx Club: A Step Back in Time (9:12; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 This is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of, and historical inspiration for the massive new set in Season 4 \u2013 The Onyx Club.<\/p>\n

Becoming Harrow (7:40; HD)<\/u><\/strong> are a set of interviews with Jack Huston on the origins, story arc and evolution of his character, Richard Harrow.<\/p>\n

New Characters (5:55; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Meet the new characters introduced in season four: Dr. Valentin Narcisse, Roy Phillips, Agent Knox, Sally Wheer, Frank and Ralph Capone and Daughter Maitland.<\/p>\n

Scouting the Boardwalk (23:10; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Hear how the Locations Manager finds the unique buildings and neighborhoods that bring the 1920s to life in each episode.<\/p>\n

Season 3: Revisited (14:32; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Get reacquainted with season 3 recap with Terence Winter.<\/p>\n

Season 5 \u2014 2.5\/5
\nAudio Commentaries<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 \u2018Golden Days for Boys and Girls\u2019 with Exec Producer\/Writer Howard Korder, Exec Producer\/Director Tim Van Patten and Steve Buscemi (Nucky Thompson); \u2018Cuanto\u2019 with Creator\/Exec Producer\/Writer Terence Winter, Korder, Buscemi and Vincent Piazza (Lucky Luciano); \u2018Friendless Child\u2019 with Director Allen Coulter, Michael Zegen (Benny Siegel) and Ben Rosenfield (William Thompson); \u2018Eldorado\u2019 with Winter, Korder, Van Patten; \u2018Eldorado\u2019 with Winter, Korder, Van Patten and Buscemi<\/p>\n

Scouting the Boardwalk (18:38; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Hear how the Location Managers find the unique buildings and neighborhoods that being each episode to life.<\/p>\n

BONUS DISC
\nThe Final Shot: A Farewell to \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d (29:21; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 A look back with the cast and crew as they discuss the origins of the show, their favorite moments and more.<\/p>\n

Anatomy of a Hit (8:11; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Creator\/Exec Producer\/Writer Terence Winter, Exec Producer\/Director Tim Van Patten and Exec Prod\/Writer Hoard Korder discuss the cinematography for some of the series\u2019 most murderous hits.<\/p>\n

Building the Boardwalk (3:42; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Exec Producer\/Director Tim Van Patten and crew discuss how the Atlantic City boardwalk was brought to life.<\/p>\n

Shooting the Series (5:06; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Learn how the look of the series was developed through conversations with Directors of Photography Jonathan Freeman and Bill Coleman.<\/p>\n

Designing the Series (4:27; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Production Designer Bill Groom and Set Decorator Carol Silverman discuss their process and the challenges faced in creating the authentic look of the series.<\/p>\n

Visual Effects (8:29; HD)<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Whether brining to life Atlantic City or Havana, Cuba, Visual Effects Supervisor Lesley Robson-Foster illustrates the creation of some of the show\u2019s award-winning visual effects.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

VIDEO \u2013 4.5\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

HBO releases \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d<\/strong> onto Blu-ray presented in its original televised 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. The picture to no surprise looks good showcasing sharp details throughout the series while colors seem to have a more bronze hue though the splashes of color are fairly vibrant. It\u2019s not the most pristine of transfers but still looks nice.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

AUDIO \u2013 4.5\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Each episode comes with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track and all in all sounds great. Dialogue levels sound crisp and clear and although I can\u2019t say it\u2019s the most dynamic lossless track I\u2019ve come across, even by TV standards, with ambient noises kept to a minimal, the audio effects (like gunshots) provide decent depth as does the wonderful score\/soundtrack. Like the video, I can\u2019t quite say it\u2019s amazing yet when you compare it with other TV on Blu-ray releases, it\u2019s still impressive.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n<\/a>
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

OVERALL \u2013 4.5\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Overall, \u201cBoardwalk Empire\u201d<\/strong> is yet another great show from HBO and although it\u2019s not up to par with \u201cThe Sopranos,\u201d \u201cDeadwood\u201d or \u201cGame of Thrones,\u201d that standard is hard to meet. That being said, I will say the ensemble cast ranging from Steve Buscemi to Michael Shannon is one of the best and the performances all around, in conjunction with quality writing beginning with Terence Winter, is top notch. This Complete Series Blu-ray release by HBO Home Entertainment is nice and far more condensed versus all five seasons for those with limited bookshelf space. The bonus disc contains about an hour\u2019s worth of new material highlighted by a 30-minut retrospective featurette.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Published: <\/strong>05\/27\/2015<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers<\/strong>.
\nThese are only here to give an idea of the movie\u2019s video quality and may not be truly representative of it.<\/p>\n