Hello all, as the quote above insinuates this week I have decided to switch things up and give a couple of reviews of television shows instead of films. As a viewer, my interest in television shows is on almost the same level as my love for film since it continues the story over longer periods of time. For this reason I would like to introduce you to two shows that I’ve started watching recently, House of Cards (2013) and White Collar (2009), that I find to be quite good.
House of Cards (2013- )
Starring Kevin Spacey (Seven, American Beauty), House of Cards gives viewers an insight to the wheeling and dealing of our country’s political system in Washington D.C. Spacey plays Congressman Francis Underwood who is slighted from being made Secretary of State after being promised the position from the new President. Filled with rage over his loss of advancement, Congressman Underwood systematically starts manipulating the political system by removing those who oppose him and putting those who sit within his pocket in the vacant positions that are left behind. Though this may seem like your average political drama, what causes House of Cards to rise above the rest is their excellent use of a film technique called breaking the fourth wall. This takes place when Congressman Underwood talks directly to the viewing audience, sharing his thoughts on other characters within the show and background of the situation he is currently investing himself in. Though this may be peculiar for viewers at first, the way the House of Cards uses the break in the fourth wall provides a fresh viewing experience that will cause the audience to keep watching episode after episode.
Rating: 8 Stars
*A special note that should be made is that House of Cards can only be viewed on Netflix since it is a new Netflix original series.
White Collar (2009- )
Can a person be genuinely good but commit unethical actions? This question is asked continually throughout the television show White Collar, which tells the story of Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomber: Fight Plan, Magic Mike) a white collar criminal who has made a deal with FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay: Swordfish, Without a Trace) to help him solve crimes instead of living out a three year jail sentence for forgery and stealing expensive items. As the most peculiar partners, Caffrey and Burke work humorously together to solve a white collar crime in each episode, while a continuing back-story of Caffrey’s own plan to complete the last big job with his friend in crime Mozzie (Willie Garson: Sex and the City, Fever Pitch) brings tension of whether Caffrey has changed or still remains the white collar criminal. Through charismatic writing and character development this show, though poorly using green screens at times, will have you laughing hysterically and yelling in trepidation.
Rating: 7 Stars
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