'Treme' hitting its stride

Ep. 21 – Preview

HBO's "Treme" ended its second season in fine form this week, capping an eventful season that saw the series hit its stride as complex storylines came into focus.

With "Treme," producer David Simon has returned to the heights that made his HBO series "The Wire" one of the best TV shows ever.

Like "The Wire," the acting is superb (in fact, at least four "Wire" actors have either starring or supporting roles in "Treme"). And while Season 1 star John Goodman appeared only briefly in Season 2, his now-dead character remained in the forefront. 

The series has been renewed for a third season, and I can't wait. I encourage "Treme" rookies to dive in while the show is still in rotation on HBO or wait and pop for the inevitable box set. I can't recommend this kind of smart TV enough.

Every American should watch 'Too Big to Fail'

Trailer

The banking crisis that continues to ripple through -- and rip through -- economies worldwide is a difficult event to understand.

Millions of words have been written on its past and present, most notably by Michael Lewis (his Vaniety Fair piece on the Irish banking collapse is long but well worth reading). But for many people, the back story remains murky and impenetrable. 

That's why HBO's "Too Big to Fail" should be required watching for all Americans. The star-studded movie brilliantly explains a very complex topic with the pace of a thriller. You're on the edge of your seat without knowing you're actually getting a rich history lesson in how greedy banks became overleveraged in tapping a financial house of cards, and how a few dozen people furiously worked to keep the world financial markets from buckling under the pressure. 

Because the developed world likely came within hours of financial collapse, it's important that we all take notice and learn lessons so this crisis doesn't recur. Invest the 1 hour, 45 minutes "Too Big to Fail" takes in documenting the fraud that enveloped America, cost millions their jobs, toppled a few European countries, and who knows what else lies around the corner. 

I won't give away the chilling ending, when William Hurt, starring as Treasury Secretery Henry Paulsen, can't help but feel like the boy with his thumb in the dike. But it's a scene you'll never forget. 

"Too Big to Fail" left me feeling that America -- and the world -- hasn't been this close to such a man-made catastrophe since the Cuban Missile Crisis. I'm hoping we don't have another near miss in my lifetime. 

'Game of Thrones" another terrific HBO hit

Ep.10 - Recap

I'm on vacation and have been wasting time catching up on some backed-up DVR recordings, including HBO's grisly but seductive "Game of Thrones."

The 10-part series based on a fantasy novel concluded Season 1 on Sunday, and left viewers with lots of tasty threads to ponder. Like HBO's "Rome" from a few years ago, "Game of Thrones" is a lavish period piece filled with violence, sex and wonderful political storylines.

And befitting most HBO series, the acting from a large and deep cast is terrific. And, as "The Wire" taught us, don't fall in love with characters because they may not stay long. Case in point is Season 1 lead Sean Bean, whose character Lord Stark was beheaded on orders from a punk kid unsuited for his new role as king. 

If you have HBO, by all means catch this series. If not, look for it on Netflix or the inevitable DVD box set and prep yourself for what looks to be an exciting Season 2.