SpunkySelfTwitter It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Payno I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

mellisonant Despite airing in 2003, I didn't watch Carnivale until last year. I thought the description of the show sounded interesting (I love anything set in this time period). This was such a great show. All of the characters are amazing, and the actors/actresses give great performances. The story is captivating, and is wonderfully told. The costumes and sets always looked realistic. It is a concept, with an even better execution. I really wish they had renewed it, and allowed the show to conclude, instead of ending with a cliffhanger. Despite this, I would definitely recommend this show. This is a show that was just done right.

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.

Red_Identity Well then... Season 1 managed to be moodier, have a more distinct atmosphere, was overall probably more unconventional than Season 2. I thought the first 5 episodes of Season 2 were somewhat lacking in the magic of Season 1, as well as making everything over-the-top and perhaps spelling stuff out to audiences a little too much. From "The Road to Damascus" and onwards though, the show hit a stride that not even Season 1 hit. Sure, the show wasn't as atmospheric as Season 1 any more, but it really plotted the story lines brilliantly. Whereas before the show had shown its slower-paced tendencies, it began to up the tension and pace in a way that didn't betray what the show was about. It was never full- out crazy, but everything really came together amazingly. I would usually mind all of the chasing shenanigans in the finale, but by that I didn't want Justin to die. I don't know, there's something so beautiful about endings that are left unresolved, even with shows that actually planed series finales. There's shows where you need to have everything resolved, but other times I feel like you don't need it. In a way, leaving stuff open-ended provides a better story up for imagination and speculation. The final shot really should've been Iris looking at the cornfields dying. Amazing. I also want to say that the Jonesey/Libby stuff ended up being perfect. Some amazing development there. GRADE A for Season TwoAnd I just read about what the characters' fates were supposed to be. So Sofie didn't want to kill Jonesy, and Season 3 would be about a power struggle between Iris and Sofie, with a kid in the household and the parents being unknown? Amazing.Season 1, I preferred the carnival stuff. Season 2 I preferred the Justin/Iris stuff. Both Brown and Madigan are the easy MVPs of the show, and their work in Season 2 was just outstanding. As for the show overall, it's flawed, incredibly so at times. Season 1 has a lot of spots where it drags, where it seems as if it's unsure of where to go, and the first few episodes of Season 2 are a bit too cartoonish and the more OTT tone gets some getting used to. Saying that however, I think this is an amazing show. The contrast between the styles of both seasons compliment each other incredibly well. Season 1 most closely resembles the sort of off-kilter vibe Twin Peaks gave off, while Season 2 moves away from that and really delivers on the story lines on all cylinders. While I cherish both, I think the second half of Season 2 is pretty masterful and I prefer the season overall. This really deserves a better reputation, and it deserves the kind of rabid cult following

yanika101583 I do not understand why this show is not brought back. Just look at arrested development. they are making new episodes now I think. I think HBO made a huge mistake by cutting Carnivale and Deadwood short.It is strange how some horrible TV shows can go on forever while masterpieces like this one get canned by some corporate executive who knows nothing about brilliant productions and only the bottom line.So sad, but I will always cherish this show.I would say that the entire cast of this show was great, but more important than anything else was the writing and the production (most specifically the imagery used to tell the tale) that made it so special.