Animal Kingdom

Intriguingly paced and stocked with cast members both gorgeous and magnetic, this TV reboot of the 2010 Aussie drama is fun but not for kids. Barkin is a compelling replacement for the movie version's Jacki Weaver -- who nabbed an Oscar nomination for her version of Smurf -- injecting a hot streak of sexuality into her Ma Barker-ish role, which also lends a more troubling whiff of incest to her dealings with her frequently shirtless bronzed Greek god sons. She keeps them in line with steely gazes and maternal doting and humiliation, doled out in turns. She welcomes her jailbird son back with a meatloaf with egg inside just before kicking him out of the nest because they can't have a bunch of parole officers hanging around just when the family's planning another big score. 

Cole's J makes a convenient entryway into the scene, a newbie who has to be slowly introduced to the family and their thieving, intimidating ways. They're all so gorgeous and obviously successful at ... whatever it is they do; they all spend so much time together drinking and carousing and smoking joints and throwing pool parties filled with beautiful, laughing people. Naturally J is attracted. But the Cody's family's menace is never far beneath the surface, and he -- as well as we -- suspect all of this isn't going in a shiny, happy direction.