Smith (2006)

The best of a recent group of heist dramas, including NBC's "Heist" and FX's "Thief."

If I hadn't seen the same thing done 56,000 times before - from both versions of "Oceans 11" to my all-time-favorite, "Snatch" - I would be all over this show like a groupie. But I did, so I'm not.

Though the crime thriller territory is familiar, Liotta and the talented supporting cast give "Smith" an extra kick of dramatic energy.

The premiere breathe[s] like a moody, dark theatrical release -- one that tastes like Quentin Tarantino muddled with Michael Mann -- as opposed to a pilot from executive producer John Wells.

Think Ocean's Eleven (2001) meets HBO's The Sopranos.

It’s a smart series with a pacing that sometimes takes your breath away. Still, once the action pauses, will viewers want to spend time with a bunch of amoral characters?

If anything is liable to make "Smith" above the well-made caper show it already is, it's what might be done with the relationship between Liotta and Madsen.

"Kitchen Confidential" holds more potential than tonight's decent if imperfect start, given Star's track record and casting.