HBOs new series: Luck

January 29th..

starring Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, Dennis Farina (whom I adore..)

From Michael Mann and David Milch (creator of Deadwood)..

A 9 episode drama about horse racing, gambling and the colorful charactors lurking around the track.

again- Coming to us Jan. 29th. HBO! It's not TV, Its HBO

HBO has lost me. Seems like they come out with 3 new series every year now - and I haven't been impressed with most of the recent ones. I'm not sure I would use "Director of Deadwood" as a selling point on the resume for the new show. That show was dead wood.

I'm not the least bit offended by vulgar language or nudity - in fact, I love those things! - but it seems like HBO believes thats all thats required to have a good show. Its like they just want to rub it in the FCC's face that they are allowed to say "c@cksucker" on TV.

Maybe this one will be better.

Both Game of Thrones & Boardwalk Empire have received nominations for best series. HBO series tend to start slow as they develop the characters and plot lines

Personally, I liked the first episode of LUCK. Many others I've talk to also liked the show and this counts the many folks who are horse players and folks that worked in the racing industry.
Give it a look when it starts at the end of January!

Just the opening segment for Deadwood should've earned an Emmy- same as Sopranos.... lushly filmed..beautifully captured the essence of what each series was about.
(Loved the prospecter pulling out a bad tooth in the creek)
Deadwood was about the gritty New West and them rough/tough enough who pecked out new territory. Foul lanuage doesn't bother me..maybe because I'm from Brooklyn..
P.S. that Ian Shane guy was PERFECT in that role.- to each their own, P.J.. you write a mean TR, regardless

I had the pleasure of meeting Dennis Farina years ago in the parking lot of The Riveria where they were shooting a sceen for Crime Stories. It was only a few minutes but he was great. Have been a fan for years. Frank Venis.

Saw the first episode last night. Considering that HBO series' tend to staart slow as they develop the plot and characters I will give it a few more shots. However this is what I didn't like

1) The characters use a lot of horse racing terminology; which most people have no clue about. At one point everybody seemed excited that a horse took a dump. There is not attempt to explain it
2) Dustin Hoffman seems to be do his Brando/Don Corleone imitation by talking in a low monotone
3) Richard Kind plays a stutterer. He does it so well you can't understand him. He is also the character using the most horse racing terminology. So scenes with him are a disaster
4) Halfway thru the episode a a drunk character shows up to talk to Richard Kind - more confusion
5) John Ortiz has a heavy spanish accent; more confusion, then he speaks Spanish; no subtitles
6) Nick Nolte wanders in and out of scenes mumbling to horses. Have no idea what he is there for
7) There are 4 degenerate gamblers who spend a lot of time talking in what appears to be English but way to much racing lingo