Shows or movies that premiered in 2010 – The Smart Awards are for shows or movies that aren’t dumbed down, that force you to use your brain. And the acting is subtle rather than over the top or playing to the camera.
Lisbeth Salander, a hacker with a difficult upbringing, works with journalist Mikael Blomkvist to solve crimes, including those within her own family. Three movies were also made from this TV series, which was originally called Millennium. Netflix has the TV series, not the movies. To see the three movies, check out Sundance Now, Shudder, iTunes, or Amazon On Demand.
Directors: Niels Arden Oplev, Daniel Alfredson
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre
Original Title: Millennium
Language: Swedish, English
IMDb: 8.4
Where: Sundance Now, Shudder, Netflix, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Raylan Givens, a throwback to the Old West, is a gunslinging deputy U.S. Marshal in Kentucky whose unconventional tactics are not appreciated. Series modernizes the Western but maintains some of its basic elements. Deserves its high IMDb rating. The role Olyphant was born to play.
Creator: Graham Yost (The Pacific)
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter
IMDb: 8.6
Where: FXNOW, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Atlantic coast organized crime at the dawn of Prohibition. The cast is headed by Steve Buscemi, who plays bootlegger Nucky Thompson. Martin Scorsese is Executive Producer. Has the feel of some of his movies. Golden Globe winner for Best Television Series – Drama (2011).
Creator: Terence Winter (The Sopranos)
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald
IMDb: 8.6
Where: HBO, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Grizzled detective John Luther, a DCI for the Serious Crime Unit, can’t seem to shake the darkness of the crimes he solves. Series has elements of film noir and Nordic noir. Very well done and well acted. A perfect fit for Elba.
Creator: Neil Cross
Cast: Idris Elba (The Wire), Warren Brown, Dermot Crowley
IMDb: 8.5
Where: iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Future King George VI is trained to cope with his stuttering problem, as his brother, Edward, abdicates the throne, and George is called upon to deliver an important speech to the public before entering war with Germany. Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
IMDb: 8.0
Where: iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Very popular Irish gangster drama, set in Dublin’s criminal underworld. Four friends maneuver life and crime under their boss, John Boy. Think Peaky Blinders but a little darker.
Creator: Stuart Carolan
Cast: Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones), Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Killian Scott, Aoibhinn McGinnity
IMDb: 8.4
Where: Amazon Prime, Amazon On Demand
Political thriller miniseries depicting the life of “Carlos,” a pro-Palestinian terrorist who was one of the world's most wanted criminals for 20 years.
Director: Olivier Assayas (Clouds of Sils Maria)
Cast: Edgar Ramírez (Zero Dark Thirty), Alexander Scheer, Fadi Abi Samra
IMDb: 7.7
Where: iTunes (as a movie, not a miniseries)