Vinyl: The Complete First Season

This flamboyant drama set in the American music industry of the early 1970s—created for HBO by Martin Scorsese (who directs the pilot episode) and Mick Jagger, along with Boardwalk Empire co-creator Terence Winter—features a superb cast, led by Bobby Cannavale as Richie Finestra, head of a failing record company, and Olivia Wilde as his exasperated wife Devon. Richie goes on a drug- and alcohol-fueled binge and comes out re-energized, ready to sign exciting new acts emerging from the punk, hip-hop, and disco cultures of New York City. But he loses his family in the process. Ray Romano, Juno Temple, and James Jagger (Mick's son) are among the costars of this series that interweaves real-life music figures and historical events (many in flashback) throughout the fictional narrative—with actors standing in for David Bowie, Velvet Underground, the New York Dolls, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Andy Warhol, and others. Unfortunately, the story turns into a compendium of flamboyant fashions, ‘70s excess, and show business clichés in this series that features a murder and a cover-up, shady deals and backstabbing, and plenty of sex, booze, and cocaine. Although technically impressive—and featuring great music—Vinyl doesn't offer much insight into the music industry or rock lifestyle that hasn't been done before (and better). Facing low viewership and poor reviews, HBO wound up cancelling the show. Presenting all 10 episodes from the 2016 first and only season, extras include audio commentaries with cast and crew, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Optional. (S. Axmaker)