Shows or movies that premiered in 2014 – 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.
This was a strong year.
Anthology crime drama. In Season 1, new information sheds light on a 1995 murder case for two estranged homicide detectives. The first season is considerably better than the second season. I’m not a huge fan of McConaughey or Harrelson, but here they are spot on. Their best work.
Creator: Nic Pizzolatto (The Killing)
Series Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga (Season 1)
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Monaghan
IMDb: 9.0
Where: HBO, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu, Google Play
Each season brings a new tale of criminal desperation and human oddities. In Season 1, a mild-mannered insurance salesman meets a from-out-of-town hitman, setting off a chain of violent events. I like this neo-noir TV show even more than the movie version.
Creator: Noah Hawley (Legion)
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Ewan McGregor
IMDb: 9.0
Where: FXNOW, Hulu, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
A tough-but-sweet Yorkshire police sergeant pursues the young man who abused her daughter eight years earlier, which led to her suicide. Has some strong accents, but even stronger acting. Lancashire has created a very memorable character. Another great Brit crime drama.
Creator: Sally Wainwright
Cast: Sarah Lancashire, Siobhan Finneran, James Norton, Charlie Murphy
IMDb: 8.5
Where: Netflix, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu, Google Play
Clive Owen plays a drug-addicted surgeon/genius in turn-of-the-century New York, practicing medicine when new procedures were being invented. Very memorable cinematography (Soderbergh) and music (Cliff Martinez).
Creators: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler
Series Director: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Clive Owen, André Holland, Jeremy Bobb
IMDb: 8.5
Where: Max Go, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
British political spy thriller. An Anglo-Jewish businesswoman committed to Middle East peace is caught up in a British/Israeli/Palestinian power struggle as she tries to bring greater technology to the West Bank. Gyllenhaal won a Golden Globe.
Director: Hugo Blick (The Shadow Line)
Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Stephen Rea, Lubna Azabal
British title: The Honourable Woman
IMDb: 8.1
Where: Netflix, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Season 1 is about a missing boy in France. Season 2 is about a missing girl in Germany. Both seasons earned very positive reviews. The main detective is expertly portrayed by veteran Tchéky Karyo.
Creators: Harry Williams, Jack Williams
Cast: James Nesbitt, Frances O'Connor, Tcheky Karyo
IMDb: 8.2
Where: Amazon Prime, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Fly-on-the-wall drama chronicling the birth of the computer age. Intended to be the new Mad Men for AMC. It doesn’t hit that high bar, but I still really liked this show.
Creators: Christopher Cantwell, Christopher C. Rogers
Cast: Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, Kerry Bishé, Toby Huss
IMDb: 8.3
Where: Netflix, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
Two percent of the world’s population inexplicably disappears, and those left behind must figure out how to live in the aftermath. Creative, non-cliché show from one of the co-creators of Lost. Similarly deals with existential issues and is somewhat difficult to understand.
Creators: Damon Lindelof, Tom Perrotta
Cast: Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston
IMDb: 8.2
Where: HBO, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
The origin stories of Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and other fantasy characters all mixed together, taking place in Victorian London. At times gory and creepy, but also very well done.
Creator: John Logan
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green
IMDb: 8.2
Where: Showtime, Netflix, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu
LA detective yarn with solid performances and storylines. Based on books by Michael Connelly.
Creators: Michael Connelly, Eric Ellis Overmyer
Cast: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino
IMDb: 8.4
Where: Amazon Prime, Amazon On Demand
Another great spy series from the Brits. This one very much has the feel of Tinker Tailor. The downside is there was no second season.
Creator: Toby Whithouse (Being Human)
Cast: Tom Hughes, Jonathan Aris, Victoria Hamilton, Brian Cox
IMDb: 7.9
Where: Sundance Now, iTunes, Amazon On Demand, Vudu