Holiday Guide: HBO!

Ah HBO.  Such amazing television.  It's hard to even find a thing critical to say about any of their shows.  Especially, the titles featured here which represent some of the best HBO has to offer right now.

First up, Deadwood.  Finally, the much loved and highly acclaimed western has hit blu-ray in a gorgeous complete series set.  A extremely entertaining show, Deadwood will make a great gift for anyone on your list (except maybe the kids) that loves westerns or excellent television.  The acting is strong and the writing is superb.  The creators have really crafted an interesting world here.  It's too bad it's over.

HBO delivers yet another great blu-ray release with Deadwood looking and sounding better than ever.  I cannot recommend this show enough.  The language is extremely foul so be mindful of that.  I know some people complain that the swearing isn't authentic but I don't much mind it.  The stories are great as are the performances and that does more than enough to make up for some swearing.

Put this one at the top of your list!


Next up is the hilarious and heartfelt Hung staring Thomas Jane, Jane Adams and Anne Heche, who is a bit of a scene stealer.  The show follows a teacher who becomes a male prostitute after running into financial troubles.  Oh and he happens to be well...I think you know.  All you need remember is the name of the show.  It's really funny with a great cast.  Hung shows just how far a father will go for his kids and it presents interesting situations all the while maintaining a believability that never goes to far.


Hey, it's also set in Detroit (my home town)! 

If HBO had a holy grail it would probably be The Pacific.  What a work of art this miniseries is.  Exciting, dramatic, heartfelt, shocking, horrifying, funny, beautiful, just a few of the adjectives I can describe this with.  I could go on for hours.

The Pacific is truly a work of art that far surpasses its predecessor Band of Brothers.  With similar features and presentation, The Pacific makes for a perfect companion to BoB and would make for a great gift as a set.

If you choose just one of these titles to purchase this holiday, make it The Pacific.  You will be blown away buy how great it really is.  The cast is brilliant, the writing is superb.  The realism and productions are just amazing.  A truly remarkable feat this is.

Pick The Pacific up for as many people as you can.  Do yourself a favor and get the blu-ray though.  Stunning picture and sound.

Forget Twilight, True Blood is where the real vampires and season two makes for a hell of a watch.  The awesome Michelle Forbes joins the cast for an incredible season full of insanity.


You get all the sex and violence you could ask for along with some laughs, scares and jaw dropping "holy #(%" moments you could ask for.  The set contains a few features that take you deeper into Bon Temps and of course seeing this show in High Definition is a whole different experience.

True Blood is a delightfully fun show that hits every guilty pleasure sweet spot you can think of and I can't say I ever see anything coming, even after reading all of the books.

True Blood Season Two is a no-brainer.  Amazon has a nifty 2 pack of seasons one and two for $60 on DVD.  Worth a grab for sure.

 The title of this one is certainly misleading because while watching it you most definitely wont be Bored To Death.

Boring is exactly what this show isn't.  Hilarious and smart would be much more accurate.  Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson make the weirdest and funniest group of friends on TV right now.  Jason Schwartzman stumbling his way through being a private detective makes for excellent television.  The show plays the comedy pretty straight which makes it even funnier. 

I expect this show to catch fire and bring in some awards.  I can only hope it gets the recognition it deserves because it often time skirts the line of brilliance.  Watch for Kristen Wiig who is one of the funniest women on earth.  The special features are a little light on this set but it's a new show (Well Season Two just ended) and if HBO supports it we will get many years of great laughs.  Get in now and pick up this brilliantly funny noir comedy!

Last but not most certainly not least is Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Seventh Season.  Back on top in every way.  Season seven is hands down hilarious beginning to end.  The Seinfeld reunion makes this season the must own for any fan of either show. 

I don't think there is a bad episode in the bunch making this a great purchase. 

Larry gets up to his old tricks dealing with dating a girl in a wheelchair, an inappropriate bare midriff, getting his ex-wife a part on the reunion show and much more.  You'll be worn out from laughing as this season ranks among the shows best.

As usual, the special features leave much to be desired but the show makes up for it.  Grab this one for the comedy fans on your list

Well there you have it.  I was worried I wouldn't make it in time for Christmas.  These titles will all make great last minute grabs for gifts or better yet for yourself!

Hung Season One, Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Seven, True Blood Season Two, Bored To Death Season One, The Pacific, and Deadwood The Complete Series are all available now.