BoardChiri
Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay
TeenzTen
An action-packed slog
Rio Hayward
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
lhunt-9
There is ample evidence that we are presently inhabiting a golden age of television production. I have just completed episode 12, season 2 of Carnivàle. Clearly, the series is only establishing itself at this point. The primary quality metrics I employ are (1) how much do I think about the program when I'm not watching it? (2) How high has it moved up on my list of free-time priorities? and (3) How much do I care about the characters and how events develop? On these three metrics, Carnivàle ranks as (1) a constant daily companion in my thoughts; (2) the most important thing I do in my free time; and (3) introducing me to characters I am only starting to know, want to stay with much longer, and get to know much, much better. May I add that something magical must have happened at this program's auditions? Every character/actor match was inspired. I know that the descriptor "unique" has frequently been applied to this series, and it is an appropriate choice. I can think of no other program that has (1) captured and developed the era of the dustbowl; (2) delved into the world of an itinerant, socially marginal subculture and brought it to life; (3) developed a unique (allegorical) mythology that says something authentic about our actual nature as humans; (4) left me thinking long afterwards about the themes explored by each episode; (5) so gloriously revelled in the magic and mystery of human differences and uniqueness; and, perhaps above all, (6) inspired me with regards to the importance and possibly lasting significance of the moral and spiritual struggles of daily life. If I were to fall into a small fortune tomorrow, I would consider using it to develop Carnivàle's seasons 3-6, as had originally been planned for this series. Bring it back? Carnivàle still lives. Somewhere out there, it is real, even now. I'd sure like to return it to the screen.
cbockiii
I watched the two seasons of this show in one of those weekend marathon viewing sessions. There are a lot of interesting characters that play very small parts, but each one manages to be interesting. The MVP of this show is Clancy Brown, who is outstanding. I was already a fan of his and this show really let him show his teeth. The pacing of the story was off. Too much time was spent in the two seasons wading around and then when the crap hit the fan, it was a little too rushed. They could have give the dry parts a little more oomph and smoothed it out. They certainly had the acting talent to make this a 5- year series. But you take the two seasons for what they're worth, and it's a solid 8. Don't quit when it drags early in the first season.
Ivan Dean
Words can't describe how amazing this show was.The idea was so profound that you could re-watch it at least 3 times. Even from the very first episode I knew this was to be different than most of the TV-shows,and I was right."Carnivàle" is another view of our lives,and it shows the bad and good sides of everything we do but Daniel Knauf(the creator of the show) chose a Carnival to express what others couldn't.The script was perfectly written,the frames were amazing,the characters had a complex point of view and the acting was great.This is a show that can and will change your perspective about life!Don't stall and watch the show!
amanz05
This is one of the best shows ever. It severely bums me out that it only lasted two seasons. We all know why (because god forbid if people have to think about something and aren't handed the answers in one episode).This is the most though provoking and original piece of television that I have ever seen. It is as simple as that.I hope before I expire that they are allowed to continue the series or do something. I read that it was originally supposed to be six seasons. But from what I read and hear it doesn't look good for anything further happening with the series. What a shame.
