Magic City (2012-2013): TV Series Review
Hell yeah. Back again after a few weeks. This time, a review about a TV series. Hmm, I always love writing my thoughts about a TV series which could provoke my imagination... previously were True Blood and Spartacus. However, this one really beats the hell out of me. The sexuality level among these series are probably similar, but the storyline and the impact are pretty different. Magic City is gripping and compelling. Both amazing and disturbing. I would not say mind-fucking, thought-provoking, or something like that, because it belongs to other movie department. In short, this series has a strong storyline. I love the concept and the conflicts among the characters. There are boring moments, but never too long. It is graciously packed, albeit abruptly cancelled.
What can I say? I was hooked with this series ever since I saw the trailer on Fox Crime HD. I bought the DVD without even thinking twice, and I am glad it is only 2 seasons which in total only 16 episodes. Just the perfect amount to fill my curiosity. I could wrap it up in a week, but I decided to prolong it in 2 weeks. The ending was a combination of happy and sad ending... Would love to watch the next season if there is any chance of continuation, but probably this will be a hopeless wish, exactly similar to Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. Speaking of which, I gotta write a review about that phenomenal anime TV series.
One thing that I notice about this series is, the characters love to smoke. All of them, male and female, no exception. It seems like smoking is a daily routine for them, not a bad habit. I am totally fine with that, because they look fine while they are smoking. Overall, this series portray the beautiful life of Miami Beach - with the conflicts and intrigues behind it. The setting is old-fashioned 1959, but the feel is very lively. I wish I am an owner of hotels and casinos... *dreaming*
I will review the characters one by one (the list is courtesy of Wikipedia):
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Isaac "Ike" Evans, majority owner and boss of the Miramar Playa, Miami Beach's premier resort hotel >> the godfather of the series. His look is totally favorable and suits his role :)
- Olga Kurylenko as Vera Evans, Ike's second wife, stepmother to Stevie, Danny, and Lauren Evans, convert to the Evans' Judaism, and former Havana nightclub dancer under the name "Vera Cruz" >> she is probably the reason why I'm pretty curious to watch this series. Being a former Bond Girl, I found her charm is different here. She always wears gorgeous dresses and gowns, I totally fall in love with her wardrobe <3
- Steven Strait as Steven "Stevie" Evans, Ike Evans's "bad boy" older son and the manager of the Miramar's Atlantis Lounge >> the playboy and the bartender. Not my type of guy, but... gotta admit he is pretty hot. Seems like his hobby is having sex and seducing women. ;)
- Christian Cooke as Daniel "Danny" Evans, Ike's straight-arrow younger son and a law school student >> the good boy who wanna be a law enforcer... Ended up not-so-good ;)
- Danny Huston as Ben "The Butcher" Diamond, a Jewish-American mobster and the silent minority owner of the Miramar >> he is the evil guy... Tend to be hated for, but without him, this show would be meaningless.
- Jessica Marais as Lily Diamond, Ben Diamond's third (trophy) wife and the secret lover of Stevie Evans >> ah, the tempting beauty. This woman likes to bare topless in the first season - she also dresses gorgeously, but has that "indecent" look. Seems dangerous but mostly she just swims and has sex with Stevie.
- Elena Satine as Judi Silver, a prostitute who works out of the Atlantis Lounge and does occasional jobs for Ike and Stevie >> to me, she leaves little impression, but she suits her role as a tortured whore
- Dominik Garcia-Lorido as Mercedes Lazaro, a Miramar housekeeper in training to be a Pan Am stewardess and Danny's love interest >> she has a natural beauty look - no-make-up beauty - ended up pretty sad
- Taylor Blackwell as Lauren Evans, Ike's teenage daughter >> the little kid who has a love/hate relationship with her stepmother Vera Cruz
- Yul Vazquez as Victor Lazaro, the hotel's general manager, Mercedes' father, and a first generation Cuban immigrant >> always longing for his wife Maria, he seemed to be pretty depressed along the series
- Kelly Lynch as Meg Bannock, the big sister of Ike's late first wife Molly >> she seems nice, a family member and the aunty, but Vera Cruz seems to be jealous at her
Definitely the best TV show of the year.
Rating: 8 out of 10 *would love to give 9 if there is any next season*