Boardwalk Empire Finale: “To The Lost”

Great shows usually make audiences react in the most emotional ways, and this finale of “Boardwalk Empire” was no different. Anytime a show kills of a main character, especially right after making him so damn interesting, it’ll hurt. But take a step back for a minute and you realize, this was the only logical way for things to end.

Time’s critic James Poniewozik, in his wrap up of the finale, puts it best:

“......in terms of sheer character and story, killing Jimmy was the wrong thing to do. From where I sit, collecting my jaw from the floor, it feels right now like the most logical thing for the show to do. Considering what unfolded this season, all the shit that went down between them, for Nucky and Jimmy to partner up again and get back to old times would have felt like a contrivance.”

We all know Jimmy didn’t exactly want Nucky killed when he took a bullet to the hand, but as an audience we KNEW that Terence Winter and crew wouldn’t kill Nucky anyway because he’s real and necessary for the show. But from that point on, it must have been simmering in Nucky to get full on revenge for everything that had happened.

Earlier in the series, in the first episode I believe, Jimmy said to Nuck, “You can’t be half-a gangster.” Well for Nucky, this was his Walter White moment, the point where he went from being a politician and a gangster on the side to just a full on gangster.




I’m upset about it just as many of you are, not only because I felt they were turning Jimmy into such an interesting character, but because of just how excellent Michael Pitt was in the role. The simplicity of Jimmy staring out at the ocean or smoking a cigarette and how powerful those moments were is a testament to Pitt’s skill.

I also thought the wedding sequence mixed in with Neary’s death was awesome and a great hark to “The Godfather.” One of the most interesting scenes of the episode to me was the very last shots of Jimmy in the trench in WWI. It was great writing and a powerful moment when he says: "I died in the trench, years back. I thought you knew that."




The episode leaves many questions, and luckily creator Terance Winter spoke with a few writers about the episode and the show’s future:

From the NY Times Art Blog:

“For most of the episode, I was hoping to [annoy] the audience a little bit in having them think, ‘Oh, great, everything’s going to be forgiven, and now he’s going to take this guy back and everything’s fine.’ And of course it’s not. But that was all by design, so that’s great.”

At HitFlix with awesome critic Alan Sepinwall:

It's clear, as you said, that when Jimmy gets the phone call and doesn't bring his knife, he knows it's coming. Does he know it earlier in the episode? Because it seems like some of his interactions with Tommy, for instance, are that of a father getting ready to say goodbye.

“I think he knew. I don't know that he knew exactly when it was coming, but this finale was Jimmy mopping up all the business he could, preparing knowing that at some point in the future, this was going to happen, whether it's now or next week or next month. He's going to do as much undoing of the damage he's caused as he can, he's going to psychologically say goodbye to his son, say goodbye to Richard, and get his affairs in order, and then he's ready to ship out.”

And on Entertainment Weekly, both Winter and Michael Pitt answered questions:

Said Pitt on Jimmy’s shocking death: “I like it...As much as I will miss working with everyone on this incredible project, I thought that it would be very shocking, and I’m always drawn to that.”

There are also many questions to be answered in season three, like will we ever see Van Alden again? Or what role will Gillian and Richard have now that Jimmy is gone? For all you Harrow fans, don’t be alarmed, Winter has things in store for him and the others.

Some quick hits from various interviews:

Q: What about Michael Shannon’s character, the now-disgraced federal agent Nelson Van Alden?
Winter: People in the audience who are students of Mob history might pick up on the fact that Cicero, Ill., was the place that became Al Capone’s headquarters in 1924. It wasn’t an accident that we chose to put him somewhere in the Midwest that might or might not have ramifications down the line for him.

Q: So can we expect to see Al Capone come into his own as a formidable force next season?
“As time goes on. The plan is now is we would come back in season 3 a little further into the future and start to really track Al Capone’s rise and — God willing — through the course of the series. By 1925, Capone was the guy everybody recognizes — the guy in the white fedora who’s firmly in charge of Chicago. Hopefully we’ll be on the air long enough to see that guy. Certainly in [season 3] we’ll start to see Capone on pretty much equal footing as Johnny Torrio in terms of who’s running the town.”

Q: And I’m assuming Richard Harrow will continue as a key player?
“Yes, Harrow will continue to be part of the show, absolutely.”

Obviously it hurts to lose a character as great as Jimmy and an actor as good as Pitt, but if you are a fan of the show, please don’t let this discourage you. These are many of the same people who did “The Sopranos” and this show is turning into something special.

Don’t let the emotion of it get the best of you. Can’t wait for season three. RIP James Darmody.

NFL Week 14: They Did What?!?!?

An astute analysis of the Week 14 thrillll-fest between the Giants and Cowboys from friend of the Breeze Gary Hartman:

"NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL. NEVER GIVE UP. ALWAYS RESILIENT. In a five minute period we go from season being over to being a first place team. Now, I will be the first person to tell you that our defense sucks. Plain and simple play calling is awful and execution is even worse. 10 out of 11 players on the defensive end were playing with their heads up their asses the whole game. That needs to be fixed.

Jason Pierre-Paul is a freak of nature. Blocking that kick was simply unreal. He would be by far our MVP so far this season if it weren't for that one guy. Eli Manning is absolutely, unbelievable, undoubtedly simply amazing. ELI-te for sure. Best fourth quarter QB in the league and it is not even close. He never gives up, never stops fighting ( through dropped passes, constant blitzes, tipped balls) and it paid off today. Look at this offense when it has a run game! Put up 37 and that is with settling for 2 FGs and the unlucky turnover. Brandon Jacobs deserves a huge shout out.

Great game for Nicks too. O-Line was great in the run game not as good as it looked in the pass game, that is again credited to Eli. Blitzes in his face and he makes perfect throws, he is again unreal. Defense has to get its shit together. We control our own destiny. Fuck the Cowgirls. New York Giants Football. First place. Washington next week, Fewell get it together and let's run the table like we are capable of doing with Eli at the helm. GMEN."

Here we go boys. On to the next one.

NFL Week 13: What's A Catch These Days?

An astute analysis of the Week 13 poorly officiated game between the Giants and Packers from friend of the Breeze Gary Hartman:

"First off, that was absolutely one of the worst, one sided officiated games I have ever seen in my 19 years. Unfortunately as Dave Tollefson said, there are no moral victories. The Giants did play their hearts out though. Our defense gave up 28 points to the Packers offense which is about standard, yet does not make up for the fact that they did not make plays when they had to. If you give Rodgers all day to throw he'll kill you regardless of how poor coverage is. I still cant get over the officiating. So fucking terrible. Awful pass interference call against Prince, very bad call on the third down sack, JPP and Kiwanuka were being blatantly held all day in ways that vastly effected the game and we still should have won. That being said, it was really nice to see fire with this team again. One of the more exciting games I have gone to in a long time and we did not play like a team that just lost 4 straight. Offense was great. Luckily remain in the same position as last week and all in all if we play like we did tonight we can no doubt take the division. 38-35--same score of the week 17 Patriots game in 2007. Let's hope this game lights the same fire under this teams asses. Heartbreaking loss but looking up right now. Dallas next week baby. Let's get it.

One more thought: The packers are not a that should win the Super Bowl. Not taking away from their greatness but they have a very average to weak defense and no run game. They just need the right test. I'd love to see em again. NYG Football."

Time to win out boys. We still have two games against Dallas, lets do it.

These New "Dark Knight Rises" Photos Are Effing Amazing

Soon enough we will some real footage for The Dark Knight Rises, with a real trailer and the 6-minute-sure-to-be-amazing IMAX prologue to fawn over, but for now all we have are some pics. And they are spectacular.

The new pics show off Batman standing over some rubble looking grizzled and bad-ass, Bane standing on what looks to be his own customized Tumbler in front of a city building (City Hall?). He is holding up a picture of fallen DA Harvey Dent, perhaps in a speech telling Gotham that his hero story was a cover up?

The last picture is the best, as usual. Bane in the foreground, back to the camera, veins and muscles pulsing with rage. Batman is in the background prepared to do some battle, but clearly looking slightly worried.

While there aren't many details on the upcoming film, director Christopher Nolan has let out a few snippets that make the story sound like it will be something truly epic.

Said Nolan to Empire Magazine: "It's really all about finishing Batman and Bruce Wayne's story. We left him in a very precarious place. Perhaps surprisingly for some people, our story picks up quite a bit later, eight years after 'The Dark Knight.' So he's an older Bruce Wayne; he's not in a great state."

Actor Tom Hardy also spoke about his role as the villain Bane: "It's not about fighting. It's about carnage. The style is heavy-handed, heavy-footed, it's nasty. Anything from small-joint manipulation to crushing skulls, crushing rib cages, stamping on shins and knees and necks and collarbones and snapping heads off and tearing his fists through chests, ripping out spinal columns. He is a terrorist in mentality as well as brutal action."

Cannot wait for this one.

Idiots On The Trail

Things on the trail Republican candidates have already proven they don't know:

Bachmann says if she were President she would close down the U.S. Embassy In Iran...Hmm. Ever hear of the Iran hostage crisis? The U.S. hasn't had a functioning embassy in Iran since 1980.

Cain is worried about China "Trying to develop nuclear capability."...Hmm. Just so you know, China's first test on a nuclear device dates back to October of 1964. Better watch out.

Now we could go on all day about the good 'ol Texan Rick Perry. "Uhhhh Ooops." But lets stick with this. Apparently Mr. Perry didn't get the memo that the voting age is 18.

As he said in New Hampshire recently, "Those of you that will be 21 by November the 12th, I ask for your support and your vote." He also couldn't grasp what day the election is, but we'll let that slide. Guess he didn't hear about that little thing called the Twenty-sixth Amendment, which limited the minimum voting age to no more than 18.. By the way, it was adopted on July 1, 1971. Yeah, 1971.

We could go on and on with these idiots, but these are pretty egregious if you ask me.

These aren't gaffes or mental errors, these are pure facts that these idiotic candidates just do not know and should know if they want to become the POTUS.

Read an effing newspaper.

NFL Week 12: Another One Bites the Dust

An astute analysis of the Giants latest from friend of the Breeze and certified G Money All Star, Gary Hartman:

"Everyone not named Eli Manning, coaches included (actually coaches especially) associated with the New York Football Giants should be extremely embarrassed. This has been the most pathetic display of Giants football that I've seen in a real long time. I'm not a big fan of jumping to people losing their jobs but Fewell needs to go right now. I understand that coaches don't play but it is their job to put players in position to be the most successful and the defenisve performance from play calling down has been absolutely pitiful tonight. Just gross. We are pounded with injuries, have no run game, no offensive line, receivers who drop balls, a defense who plays with no heart and seemingly no talent whose captain even gives up on plays. (That was very upsetting to see and tells me all I need to know about this team). This being said, again everyone not named Eli Manning should be ashamed. From Coughlin down, this team needs to get its shit together. I am very upset with this performance. I hope something changes for Green Bay next week, right now I don't even want to go home for the game. Ugh, embarrassed to be 'Giants status guy' right now."

Not another collapse! Come on guys, get it together. See you next week Packers....Shit.

NFL Week 10: An Astute Analysis of the New York Giants

The New York Giants fly out West to play the San Fransisco 49ers.

Almost another fourth quarter comeback by Eli Manning and now the G-Men are 1-1 to start what many are calling the schedule from hell: Week 11 vs. Philly, Week 12 @ New Orleans, Week 13 vs. the Pack, Week 14 @ the Cowboys, Week 15 vs. the Skins, Week 16 "@" the Jets, and finally, week 17, at home, New Years Day, vs. Dallas again.

An astute analysis of week 10 from friend of the Breeze Gary Hartman:

"Fuck. Almost did it again too. Mistakes, stupid mistakes (and soft, bad play calling) cost us that game. Injuries throughout didn't help either but dumb mistakes. We hurt ourselves more than they hurt us which is why this loss sucks. Self-inflicted loss with dumb penalties, play calling and mistakes. Tough game. Get right back up though. I really don't have much to say except that I know we are better than that outcome. The anti-dream team at home next week. Bounce right back up and start putting a 'NY' permanent mark on the division. Hats off to San Fran though that is a good team. I'd love to see them again though because when we are playing mistake-free football like we proven we can this season, no doubt in my mind we can beat them. We'll bounce right back and get em next week. Some improvement needed but this team still has what it takes. Looking forward to finally going to another game next week. NYG Football."

See you next week iggles.

Six Minute Teaser of "The Dark Knight Rises" on the Way

The first real look at The Dark Knight Rises is almost here. Warner Bros. will be premiering six minutes from Chris Nolan's third Batman installment this fall with the release of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in an extended trailer. The new footage will only be screening in 70mm IMAX theaters, so that might limit the exposure to some people, but it's sure to hit the net soon after. Finally some footage to follow up that awesome-yet-utterly-too-short teaser!

Daily Breeze: What's Breezing

The Daily Breeze...

Tom Hanks is developing another show at HBO. Damon and Affleck team up and head to Boston like it's the Good Will Hunting days. Coldaply. Justin Timberlake. Captain America. And the return of a Butt Head.



- Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are gonna party like it's 1997. The two friends and Oscar winners will team up in the near future for a movie about the reputed former godfather of the Irish Mob. As Matt Damon said in an interview with GQ: "We're doing a Whitey Bulger movie." Damon will star as the notorious gangster while Affleck will direct. Affleck is currently filming his next picture, the Iran hostage crisis film Argo, and will most likely direct the film after completing that project. Terence Winter, of The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, will pen the screenplay.

- Tom Hanks is developing another show at HBO, but this time the project is not a war epic or a series detailing the space race, instead the setting shifts to another American institution: college. The half-hour comedy, titled Players, will follow the lives of college athletes and is in development from Hanks and long-time producing partner and Playtone co-founder Gary Goetzman.

- The quality hit from the summer and arguably marvels best "second" wave production Captain America: The First Avenger gets the Blu-Ray and DVD treatment this week. Extra features include how to get a six pack and the short documentary on Steve Rogers titled: "From Frail to Feared."

- Coldplay drops their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto, this week. Lead singer Chris Martin explains to MTV the details: "It's definitely a schizophrenic album ... it keeps changing sounds. That's why we called it such a strange thing, Mylo Xyloto. Because we felt like so many people have already made up their minds about us, both good and bad, that we can sort of start again from scratch and try and reflect all the music we listen to and we love." Some people will scream.

- Speaking of MTV... Beavis and Butt Head makes a glorious return to television this week on Thursday night. This time around the duo will be riffing on the likes of the Jersey Shore and 16 and Pregnant. Beavis and Butt-head Do America is classic. Cornholio.

- In Time races into theaters, the latest film from Gattaca director Andrew Niccol. The film stars Justin Timberlake, along with the slick cast of Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Olivia Wilde, Johnny Galecki and Matt Bomer, as a man who is accused of murder and has to go on the run. The catch in this one? It's a retro-future when the aging gene has been switched off and people stop aging at 25 years old. Time is money, literally. JT starts running when he inherits a fortune of time from a dead upper-class man over a century old prior to his death. The premise might sound a bit out there, but trust the director on this one. Gattaca is one of the most underrated films of the 90's.

- Some crazy stuff happened on Boardwalk Empire last night.

Weeeee Back!

"Inventory is boring. In the islands, they don't make you do stuff like take inventory. Why do you think so many businesses move to the Caymans?"

After a slight hiatus for some much needed r and r...weeeee back.