Smart List: ‘Boardwalk Empire’

Don’t be the only one who isn’t talking about “Boardwalk Empire.”

The Prohibition-era drama, based on the Nelson Johnson nonfiction book “Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City,” makes its debut, and it has everything going for it: It’s on HBO, it’s produced by Martin “Everything I Touch Turns to Gold” Scorsese, and it stars Steve Buscemi (“The Sopranos,” “Fargo”) as a county treasurer who runs Atlantic City from his room at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Enough said. (Sunday)

Because it won an Emmy, you should probably be talking about “Modern Family.”

The first season of the ABC mockumentary-style sitcom is coming to DVD. And it’s sure to make you chuckle as it explores domestic convention through three families: the wannabe hip parents who would rather befriend their children than discipline them, the gay couple who’ve adopted a Vietnamese baby, and an aging schlub and his much younger trophy wife … and her overly sensitive son. (Tuesday)

You’ll probably need to select the “subtitles” option to talk about “El Secreto de sus Ojos” (The Secret in Their Eyes).

The love story-thriller directed by Juan José Campanella is set both in the present and 1970s Argentina and revolves around a cold-case mystery under the stiff control of the country’s infamous military dictatorship. If that doesn’t ring a bell, you might recall Campanella’s race against the clock and the orchestra when he accepted the award in the foreign film category at the Oscars this year. (Tuesday)

If you want to groove to some soulful tracks with a message, talk about “Wake Up!”

Soul prince John Legend teams with the Roots for a collaborative covers album — we’re guessing Jimmy Fallon approved of his employees’ side project. Inspired by the 2008 presidential election, the album features renditions of songs from the 1960s and ‘70s — artists covered include Marvin Gaye and Eugene McDaniels — with an underlying theme of awareness. (Tuesday)

Whether you like Ryan Reynolds or not, you’ll be talking about “Buried.”

For the gals who have fantasized of getting the strapping actor alone in a small space: Be careful what you wish for. In the film, which opens in limited release, Reynolds wakes up 6 feet underground with no idea how he got there. But hey, at least he has a cellphone and a lighter! It’s a grippingly cringe-worthy look at being buried alive. (Friday).

— Yvonne Villarreal