Boardwalk Empire posterDirector Martin Scorcese is in familiar crime territory in this HBO 'prequel' to Goodfellas, Casino and The Departed. Beginning in gambling locale Atlantic city in 1920, the religious right succeeded in prohibiting alcohol and America's mobsters extended their reach into the bootleg trade. The show is based on the book by Nelson Johnson.

This is the 'golden age' of gangsters, many of whom appear dramatised here - Lucky Luciano, Al Capone, Arnold Rothstein. The lead, Steve Buscemi, is far from leading man material as Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson. As Atlantic City's corrupt city Treasurer he starts out, according to henchman Jimmy Darmody 'half a gangster.' Read more of this post