TV: The Sopranos

Oscar nominee Mike Figgis (LEAVING LAS VEGAS) takes the reins and proves there’s room for directorial flourishes in episodic TV. Some of them worked: the use of the zoom after Johnny Sack disrespects Tony in the matter of the Vespa scooters, or holding on Tony as he storms away from Janice’s house instead of going to black as the credits roll. But Figgis’ most showy trick, employing slow motion as Carmela brushes off her onetime lover, knocked me clean out of the show.