“Hell on Wheels.” “The Haunting of Hill House.” “Broad City.”

“Hell on Wheels.” Amazon Prime. Historical drama. 5 Seasons. Western series about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States. The panoramic saga chronicles the intertwining lives of the project’s laborers, mercenaries, prostitutes, surveyors, politicians, and others who worked and died in the mobile encampment, called "Hell on Wheels,” that followed the railhead west across the Great Plains. In particular, the story focuses on a former Confederate soldier who initially joins the railroad to track down Union soldiers who murdered his wife and young son during the American Civil War. In the process he becomes a foreman and eventually chief engineer on the railroad.

       Historical cinema is no brainer to me. I am addicted to this genre. Five seasons: Season 1 began in 1865, shortly after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln; Season 2 covered 1866; Seasons 3 and 4 opened in 1867; and Season 5 carried the series into 1869. This is the kind of series that end/s as it ends. Done. There were prequel/sequel buzz but I don’t care. I am already pleased. 📹📺📹

“The Haunting of Hill House.” Netflix. Horror, family setting. Miniseries. Loosely based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson. Five adult siblings whose paranormal experiences at Hill House continue to haunt them in the present day, and flashbacks. Not the usual, stereotypical “icky scream!” kinda horror. This is more on the cerebral line of a James Wan or Guillermo del Toro scarer. Subtle, kneading, inward. The central germ revolves around dramatic intramurals between the siblings and their dad. And exemplary ensemble acting, particularly Oliver Jackson-Cohen as the tormented, drug junkie son/brother.

       “Hill House” is the first entry in “The Haunting” anthology series. Next up is “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” with the same cast and overlying “house” plotpoint though the two series' narratives are not connected. 📹📺📹

“Broad City.” Hulu. Comedy. 5 Seasons. Having lived and wandered in New York City, I derive easy elation from watching Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson churn out silliness upon silliness of Big Apple sitcom confections. The show received critical acclaim throughout its run and not due to what I judge as oblique/“correct” political humor but this show is sheer oddball entertainment that is essentially anchored on Ilana and Abbi’s effective and enduring chemistry. Should be. The series, which was originally a web hit till Comedy Central picked it up, is based on Glazer and Jacobson's real-life friendship. 📹📺📹