Magic City –The Complete Second Season

When I watch a time period-specific movie or a TV series, I pay close attention to the production design, hoping that I would make me feel that I was there. Set in the Miami of the late fifties, “Magic City” certainly made me feel that way – its attention to detail is just fascinating as the story itself. Having reviewed the first season of this classy and intriguing series, I anxiously waited for the second one. And, for my bucks, the “Magic Season – The Second complete Season” did not disappoint – it is first class entertainment.

The second season Blu-ray edition includes 3 discs, the first two featuring eight episodes and the third one loaded with special features. It opens with “Crimes and Punishment,” where we find Ike Evans (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), the series’ main character, in prison, accused of murder, with Judi Silver (Elena Satine), a prostitute, as the main witness. However, Ike is able to get bail, and is also fortunate to keep his beloved Miramar Playa Hotel. “Angel of Death,” the second episode, introduces us to a new character: Sy Berman (the always dependable James Caan), a respected Chicago Outfit mobster, who arrives to Miami to visit Ben Diamond (Danny Huston, who shines in his role), the local mobster king. When asked by Sy if he is happy, Ben responds, “Happy? F-----g Howdy Doody is happy. I’m content.” At the end of the episode, Ike is traveling to Cuba, to expand his empire. In the following episodes, we’ll keep witnessing Ben’s sexual fantasies with his wife (Jessica Marais); Ike’s deals with the Cuban government;  Jack Klein (Matt Ross), Miami’s District Attorney, restless harassment of Ike Evans; Ike’s son, Stevie (Steven Strait) rising up in the power structure, but not in a good way; Ben putting pressure on Miami politicians to pass the law that would allow gambling in Miami, and Ike and Meg Bannock (Kelly Lynch) fight against it; and much more. The last episode of the season, and the best, I think, feels like “The Godfather,” with all the pieces falling into place, and in which only the best will survive, with Ike always trying to save and keep his hotel, with the support of his beautiful wife Vera (Olga Kurylenko). In addition to Caan, the second season also features Esai Morales and Sherilyn Fenn. I specially enjoyed the use of the track “Fever,” with the voice of legendary Cuban singer La Lupe.

As I mentioned in the review for the first season, “Magic City” “has class and elegance in everything – the sex, the ambiance, the colors, the nudity… hell, even the violence. It has style and it has substance – great production design and photography --, and it feels like noir at times.” The exciting second season follows the same path, and I can’t wait for the next one. The special features include the documentaries “The gamble for Havana,” “The Criminal Element,” “Magic City Style,” and more. (USA, 2013, color, 411 min)

Reviewed on November 3, 2013 - Starz – Anchor Bay Entertainment Blu-ray