This is a series of articles detailing my top choices for TV, Video Games, and Films in 2015. So stay tuned to Hulksta Theatre for the other articles.
11. True Detective
When True Detective debuted in 2014, many were floored by how well-rounded and almost perfect that season was. I'd go as far as to argue that in terms of achieving what they set out to do, the season was near perfect in that regard.
So with the second season, it's hard to say why it dissapointed. Was it in the execution? The planning? I don't know if we'll ever find out to be completely honest, but even despite its faults in its storytelling and pacing, it's still a decent show and one of 2015's best.
The show also wins merits for having one of the best anti-bullying scenes of the year.
Hannibal was one of the best shows on TV, and I really enjoyed the final season. It worked out well that showrunner Bryan Fuller ultimately had a chance to seek closure for Will and Hannibal. I wasn't a fan of the first half of the season as much as I was the second half, the stuff with Dolarhyde was great!
Whether we get a movie, season on Netflix, or nothing at all; I feel the show ended things well enough that I'm satisfied with what I have and wouldn't mind something more.
When I watched Mr. Robot I immediately drew comparisons to Dexter. An anti-social guy who is an internet security expert by day and hacker by night. He even has the whole tragic backstory and the adoptive sister/best friend.
However there were lots of great moments in Mr. Robot that set it apart, and at the end of the shows brief run I was immediately excited for the upcoming season and to see more of what's ahead for Elliot (and Tyrell for that matter).
While I haven't been as big of a fan of Season 2 as I am of Season 1; The Flash is still engaging and a fun show not afraid to embrace the energy of it's comics source material. Only time will tell if the back half of the season elevates the show to a place I know it can go.
I won't say much more on Daredevil as you've no doubt read my review. If not why not? I will give you this excerpt from my review:
All in all, I really enjoyed Daredevil. It utilized the format well, and kept me engaged. A few hiccups aside I'd recommend the series to anybody looking for quality entertainment. It blends the best elements of why we love street-level characters like Daredevil with quality writing, acting, and directing. It's a true tour-da-force.
Game of Thrones got a lot right with Season 5. Focusing on Jon Snow, Cersei, Dany, and Tyrion felt fun. Some of the stuff with Stannis was a bore; and a lot of characters got the shaft while we wait for them to re-appear. Still, it's hard to argue with one of the best shows on TV.
As a huge Mr. Show fan, I was glad to see Bob Odenkirk and David Cross return for the spiritual successor. The irreverent comedy is here, linked loosely as the episodes go on. This is one of the best comedies all year and it pulls off it's humor really well.
If W/ Bob and David is good at irreverent comedy, Louie is the king. While Louie's formula never really changes, it's executed on perfectly. Every episode you think Louie is going to get away with something and treat himself to either letting loose or just doing something he should do for himself.
Of course whether he's having sex with a surrogate and causes a pre-mature birth, or parties with someone who ends up dead in his bathroom; that's Louie for you. It's depressing, uplifting, honest, and funny!
As you can tell by this list, I tend to like darker drama's and witty adult comedies. Despite season 2 of Silicon Valley not being as good as the first season, it's still an amazing show. Watching these morons attempt to run a start-up tech company is hilarious. There's lines of insanity muttered every few minutes and you learn to love every character for their own dumb idiosyncricies.
T.J. Miller and Martin Starr really are hilarious on the show, and amongst a cast so damn strong that's tough to do.
At the end of the day when people ask me if I'm excited for Season 3 I say...
Fargo was like True Detective in a lot of ways, where its first season was amazing and got the attention of many. So when the second season came out, many were wondering if it could live up to the standard of quality of the first season.
The great thing about Fargo is that it balances humor and drama perfectly. It offers great characters, some good, some evil, and many in-between. It takes the Coen Brothers film of the same name and honors it while being unique and creative all the same.
It's pretty much the perfect TV show if not for the existence of...
1. Mad Men
Those who've never watched the show will say it's just the story of a drunk asshole; but there's so much about Mad Men that makes it engaging, insightful, fun, frightening, and memorable.
From the beginning of the series this show has been about Don finding himself. He had lied himself into a life that was not his, and dismantled his life whenever people got close to the truth. Finally, the show ends with Don finding peace with himself.
There's many great characters on the show. Pete, Peggy, Rodger, Betty, Joan, Ken, Harry (well he's an ass but whatever), Sally, Henry, Megan, Stan, Paul, Salvatore, and even Trudy. Yes...even Trudy.
This show wasn't always about spectale, it was about great writing, and honest portrayls. There was never anything too spectacular from an action sense, but you see these characters grow over the course of a decade. As that decade ends you seem them grow into new roles, out of old ones; and that's something memorable and special. No TV show past, present, and (possibly) future willl get that or do it as well as Mad Men.
With that I'm out.
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