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Previous Next September 7, 2022 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW With The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the D23 Expo, taking place this weekend, there has been a lot of speculation that Marvel Studios will finally announce the cast for the MCU's highly anticipated Fantastic Four film (releasing Nov. 8, 2024). Before that happens, we decided to have each writer Fantasy Cast their own Fantastic Four. The only rule was that the actors chosen couldn’t have been in any previous MCU films. Let’s see if any our picks make the final cut this weekend! William Jackson Harper - Reed Richards Lily James - Sue Storm Glenn Powell - Johnny Storm Alan Ritchson - Ben Grimm We have now been through three movies and two iterations of the Fantastic Four since 2005, and while some stars have emerged from these at-the-time up-and-coming actors (Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller), we have yet to get a cohesive group that allows the story to build momentum off of their dynamic. So, when making my fan cast, I not only wanted to have actors who truly fit their roles (I mean, Alan Ritchson’s depiction of Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is basically The Thing), but I also wanted it to feel like these characters really KNEW each other and encapsulated their relationships. Johnny and Ben really need to piss each other off. Sue and Reed should pull Paula Abdul-levels of opposites attract. Ben should be a permanent fixture at Reed’s back. Sue has to put Johnny in his place. These four actors seem perfect for their individual roles but can also make their costars' lights shine brighter. That’s what the MCU’s Fantastic Four needs to be, a sum that is greater than their fantastic individual parts. - Amarú Dev Patel - Reed Richards Britt Lower - Sue Storm Mike Faist - Johnny Storm Bill Skarsgård - Ben Grimm Without much in the way of comic knowledge or background, the team I have assembled for the rebirth of the Fantastic Four comes not from wish fulfilment or in-depth personal passions, but from my own experiences as a movie lover and critic for the past ten years. In my eyes, one can always cast these roles as part of a singular project, but all MCU fans know by now that Kevin Feige likes to keep these guys around for a long time. To that end, these selections are not merely reflective of or inspired by where each actor has been, but where they have the potential to go. We’ll almost surely be with these actors for the long haul, so whether the team is youthful or aged, growth is of the essence. And I truly believe that the group of actors I’ve selected will not only grow as performers by embodying these characters, but also grow closer as a team through this journey. - Jacob Penn Badgley - Reed Richards Alicia Vikander - Sue Storm Dacre Montgomery - Johnny Storm O’Shea Jackson Jr. - Ben Grimm The MCU is set to deliver one of its biggest tentpole films to date with Marvel's First Family, Fantastic Four , in 2024. With rumors swirling and speculations popping up everywhere over the past few years, including my choice of Penn Badgley as Mr. Fantastic, we all need to put into perspective who would actually be the perfect fit for this team. Let’s be honest, this isn't the first time that a movie has been made with these characters where the casting looked good on paper, but we need choices that will solidify this iconic team. While not being a superhero guru, I do believe my choices score a Perfect 10 at bringing a certain nuance and classic feel to the big screen. Ultimately, the final decision will come from Kevin Feige, but I feel that he has earned our trust thus far. That said, Mr. Feige, if you ever need another casting director, call me because, damn, my choices are smoking hot. - Paige Henry Cavill - Reed Richards Kristen Bell - Sue Storm John Boyega - Johnny Storm Pablo Schrieber - Ben Grimm I didn’t grow up a big comic guy, so, for better or worse, my Fantastic Four has largely been the Ioan Gruffudd-led team. That said, I expect Kevin Feige to reinvent and increase the importance of the MCU's edition. With the two leaders of the previous phases (Iron Man and Captain America) now departed, the stage is set for Reed Richards to step into that role and be a focal point moving forward. Over 29 films, the MCU has done its fair share of big-name casting (some great actors were lost to early and less significant roles), and they need to nail it with Reed in both scale and performance. This team is made to be a team. I think the chemistry between the four could be off the charts, finally giving the Fantastic Four the movie they deserve. - Nick Justin Theroux - Reed Richards Samara Weaving - Sue Storm Taron Egerton - Johnny Storm Ben Foster - Ben Grimm When it comes to dream casting, I’m always looking for actors who capture the complete essence of the characters being discussed. So, for Marvel’s First Family, that means using more than just Tim Story’s two mediocre movies from the early 2000s and Josh Trank’s 2015 disaster as reference points. I’m taking the comics, cartoons, movies, video games, action figures, and all that lore into account. Also, while I’m not opposed to race-swapping, my very simple brain will almost always cast people that look like the characters I’ve grown up with for 40 years, which is why I have the only all-white cast. Get mad at me for not embracing diversity if you want to, but it’s hard to argue with the team I came up with. - Quentin Darren Criss - Reed Richards Simone Ashley - Sue Storm Avan Jogia - Johnny Storm Gus Kenworthy - Ben Grimm I hoped to achieve something a little different with my list. Truth be told, the Fantastic Four has never interested me much, so I think the most exciting thing to do would be casting relative unknowns in hopes of making them household names while giving Marvel’s First Family a modern update. Considering their previous iterations, my primary concern was Sue and Johnny Storm. Sue has been woefully underused, while Chris Evans’ portrayal as Johnny still remains memorable. Because of that, I felt actors who were able to stand on their own and bring a different energy needed to be cast in those parts. The same goes for Reed Richards and Ben Grimm, but because I find both them both deeply uninteresting. This is why I think the MCU needs to swing for the fences to bring a young, unique, and diverse cast to shake things up. - Joseph Jamie Dornan - Reed Richards Evan Rachel Wood - Sue Storm LaKeith Stanfield - Johnny Storm Trevante Rhoades - Ben Grimm Past iterations of the Fantastic Four have been, how you say, not ideal. So, when assembling my dream team, I wanted to retain the good qualities of the early 2000s cast and nothing from Fant4stic . Some actors I chose because of their physical similarities, on top of just thinking that they would be a great fit. I also wanted to mix in potentially interesting interpretations, which made this exercise a lot more fun. Most importantly, when I put together this team, I wanted it to be actors that I can actually see in the role. I could have easily thought “Oh, I love Anya Taylor-Joy, so she should be Sue Storm,” but she just doesn’t feel right for the character. These are all actors I love but also can realistically see them in the role, wearing the iconic blue uniforms and nailing it. - Adriano

Previous Next November 29, 2023 WRITTEN BY: NICK AND QUENTIN Canceled. It's a word that has haunted television watchers for years. You get into a series, watch it for multiple seasons, and become invested in the characters just to have the rug pulled out from under you. But what about the good shows that never even get to that point? The series that are never given a chance to find their footing in spite of their cast and potential. Yes, these cancellations can happen due to poor ratings and low quality, but they can also be caused by lack of finances, behind-the-scenes turmoil, or a number of other varying reasons. "Canceled" has become synonymous with being “bad,” and that's just not always the case. Below, Nick and Quentin spotlight some of their favourite "One Season Wonders," those series that left a lasting impression despite the networks pulling the plug too soon. LIFE ON MARS (2008-2009) Synopsis: The story of New York City police detective Sam Tyler, who, after being struck by a car in 2008, regains consciousness in 1973. Based on the BAFTA-winning British show of the same name, the American remake of Life on Mars was lauded for its premise, acting, and accurate depiction of the ‘70s. Featuring a superb cast of Jason O’Mara, Academy Award Nominee Harvey Keitel, multi-Emmy Award Nominee Michael Imperioli, and Gretchen Mol, this series is a complex mishmash of genres, including thriller, mystery, sci-fi, and gritty police procedural. Sadly, the ambitious show was interrupted by a lengthy midseason hiatus, which was followed by a timeslot change. This caused ratings to plummet by nearly half, so naturally ABC canceled it. On the plus side, there is a silver lining. It was canceled early enough that producers had time to rewrite the planned season finale as a mostly satisfying series finale, leaving us with a terrific, 17-episode miniseries that functions as a testament to what might have been. THE PASSAGE (2019) Synopsis: When a botched U.S. government experiment turns a group of death row inmates into highly infectious vampires, an orphan girl might be the only person able to stop the ensuing crisis. As someone who grew up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer , I had an affinity for vampires before the Twilight craze hit. After Buffy , though, the focus leaned too heavily into the romance side of things ( Moonlight , The Vampire Diaries , True Blood ) and away from the more innovative ideas. Then FOX debuted the underseen series The Passage . Based on the Justin Cronin series of novels, The Passage provided a new twist on the genre, led by the perpetually underrated Mark-Paul Gosselaar and relative newcomer Saniyya Sidney (who went on to play Venus Williams in King Richard ). The series, which focused on a government project gone wrong that opened the door for a potential apocalypse, was like a shot of adrenaline. The storytelling was deliberate and well paced, while the action-packed sequences FOX has always been known for were present as well. Although it was viewed positively by both fans and critics alike, the ratings weren’t there, leading to another much-too-soon cancellation for a Gosselaar series. THE GOOD GUYS (2010) Synopsis: Washed-up detective Dan Stark teams up with young, by-the-book detective Jack Bailey in the police department's property crimes division. Their superior officer strives to keep them investigating seemingly minor crimes in order to keep the department out of trouble. Something of a mix between The Other Guys and The Nice Guys , The Good Guys soared on the comedic, against-type performance of multi-Emmy winning actor Bradley Whitford as Dan Stark, a washed-up, loose cannon cop who was hot shit in the 80s. The type of cop who relies on hunches, listens to Foghat, hides beer in his shampoo bottles, and uses his gun as a bottle opener. Whitford tackles the role with mustachioed aplomb. No disrespect to Colin Hanks, who plays the straight man incredibly well here, but this was Whitford’s series. On top of that, the basic intent of The Good Guys was a sort of satirical anti-thesis to the glut of CSI -inspired shows that still plague the airwaves today (there are running jokes about Stark not understanding “computer machines” and “smarty phones''), which, at the time, made it a fresh take on the cop procedural. The problem was that people just didn’t watch it since FOX aired it during the summer months - first on Mondays, then on Fridays, then on Saturdays. If you want your show to fail, that’s how you do it. STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (2006) Synopsis: A behind-the-scenes look at a fictional sketch-comedy television show. While some of my entries for this article admittedly lean heavily on personal preference, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is the one I think most deserved continuation. Set behind the scenes of a Saturday Night Live -style program, the series had a stacked cast of TV mainstays (Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Sarah Paulson), interesting characters, and smart writing by one of the best to ever do it in Aaron Sorkin. The reason for its cancellation came down to poor timing. It was released alongside 30 Rock (another behind-the-scenes-of-an- SNL -style program, albeit a strict comedy), and it was decided there wasn’t room for such a similar series. Unfortunately, with all the talent involved, Studio 60 was the much more expensive venture, which led to its cancellation in spite of being a stronger ratings success than 30 Rock . Personally, I think the series was also undone by airing on network TV instead of a channel like HBO, where it would have been a better fit and likely could have had the success of another Sorkin series, The Newsroom . There’s no way to know if that’s the case, but it's been nice to see the series gain a bit of a second life following the death of Matthew Perry, as many are revisiting it as one of his best pieces of work, which it is. NO ORDINARY FAMILY (2010-2011) Synopsis: The story of the Powells, a typical American family living in Pacific Bay, California, whose members gain special powers after their plane crashes in the Amazon. Back when the MCU was just getting started, everyone was dipping their toes into the superhero pool, with many offerings being about generic heroes (i.e., not Marvel or DC). One such series was No Ordinary Family , which was essentially “live-action The Incredibles .” Family was generally well-received, with the San Francisco Chronicle saying, “there's lots of promise here, of drama, action, comedy, etc., all wrapped up in a family-friendly series.” The charming cast was led by Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz, but also featured a parade of people you’d recognize even if you don’t know their names. But for whatever reason, the audience didn’t latch on to it, with viewership dropping from 11 million to 3.5 million over the course of its 20 episodes. So, it’s not surprising that ABC canceled it within weeks of the season finale. The real shame is that it was maybe just ahead of its time because this series may have flourished if it premiered five years later. POWERLESS (2016) Synopsis: Follows the staff of an insurance company that specializes in products to protect defenseless bystanders from the collateral damage of superheroes and supervillains. Instead of going the CW route like many DC characters before it had, Powerless aired on NBC as the first DC Comics sitcom. It featured a charming ensemble cast, including Vanessa Hudgens in my personal favourite performance of hers, Danny Pudi coming off Community , and Alan Tudyk in a scene-stealing role as Van Wayne, Bruce’s cousin. Sadly, the series was marred by behind-the-scenes issues. The original pilot (shown at Comic-Con) was very well received, but after the creator left the project, it was largely re-shot as a shadow of what it was. The series did find its footing as it went on, but the early word of mouth was too much to overcome. At the height of the superhero craze, Powerless attempted to do something different within that universe, but all that’s left is its unrealized potential. MY OWN WORST ENEMY (2008) Synopsis: This drama follows a man with two identities: Henry Spivey, a mild-mannered family man, and Edward Albright, a covert operative who is trained to kill. Each identity is unaware of the other until the carefully constructed psychological wall between the two is breached. For a while, there was a running joke on the internet that you should never get too invested in a series starring Christian Slater. Between 2008-2015, Slater had three series canceled after one season (and a fourth that was canceled midway through Season Two). The first and best from this string of failures was My Own Worst Enemy . In what might be the most perfect example of a network not giving a series a fair shake, NBC canceled it after just four episodes despite critics calling it “smart and shrewdly funny” with a “charismatic” dual performance from Slater. The show also starred Bella Thorne, Taylor Lautner, Alfre Woodard, and James Cromwell, so a solid cast across the board, and its use of the “sleeper agent” idea to explore the duality of man and self-awareness was extremely clever. Sadly, the premise was just too complicated for your standard network television audience because the already-not-great ratings of the premiere dropped by almost half after four episodes. Then, once the cancellation was announced, viewers found little reason to continue devoting time to it despite featuring slick thrills, non-stop action, dark humor, and engaging twists. SON OF ZORN (2016) Synopsis: Animation and live-action collide when a cartoon Barbarian dad leaves his war-torn village to reconnect with his moody, non-animated teenage son in suburbia. A hybrid live-action/animated homage to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe , Son of Zorn was a fun weekly comedy. As an outsider, Jason Sudeikis’ real-life cartoon character (literally) Zorn brought forth tons of solid fish-out-of-water jokes as he would struggle with fitting in while the contrast between him and the Pleasantville -stylings of Tim Meadows’ Craig consistently provided laugh-out-loud moments. It’s as if Thor was funnier and had more teeth. Unfortunately, of my selections here, this is the cancellation I understand the most due to the limitations its rating provided. Were this a Netflix series with the ability to go all out, Son of Zorn could have been another of the great adult animated series. Instead, it failed, likely held back by network tv trappings. THE TICK (2001) Synopsis: Following the adventures of a wide-eyed, 7-foot, 400-pound superhero with nigh-invulnerability, superhuman strength, super speed, and the battle cry of "Spoooooon!," The Tick is a surrealistic parody of superheroes. Based on the comic book of the same name, The Tick is one of three attempts to adapt the cult classic hero for television. However, for my money, this short, single season is the best of the bunch, mostly thanks to Patrick Warburton’s iconic and pitch-perfect performance as the childlike and optimistic character. On top of that, you’ve got a pilot directed by the acclaimed Barry Sonnenfeld, production design from multi-Oscar and multi-Emmy Award nominee Bo Welch, and Nestor Carbonell as series’ original creation Batmanuel, a hilarious Latino parody of Batman. Despite receiving praise from fans and critics alike for its inventiveness and clever humor (Sonnenfeld has called it the best thing he has ever directed), FOX completely mismanaged the series, pitting it against massive ratings grabbers like Survivor and NBC’s “Must See TV” lineup of Friends and Will & Grace , as well as seemingly not knowing how to promote it in general (or simply not wanting to because they didn’t own it and it had high production costs). Sadly, it was canceled after eight of the nine episodes aired, but you can still buy this surprisingly enduring series on Prime for under $8. TERRA NOVA (2011) Synopsis: In the year 2149, a large group of settlers leave the apocalyptic world they live in to time travel 85 million years into the past in an attempt to start a new civilization. Did the Jurassic World franchise leave a bad taste in your mouth? If so, go back and check out Terra Nova . One of the few dinosaur-centric projects to hit the small screen, it focused on a group of people who travel back to prehistoric times in an attempt to recolonize a human race facing extinction. Executive produced by none other than Steven Spielberg, Terra Nova featured the likes of Jason O’Mara (who has made this list twice!), Stephen Lang, Naomi Scott, and Shelley Conn in a thrilling dinosaur adventure with both the effects and unique plot needed to succeed. Unfortunately, the series was very uneven out of the gate, and though it hit its stride in the final episodes, it was too little, too late. It was promptly canceled due to low ratings and high costs. The path to Season Two renewed excitement in fans and critics alike, which even led to Netflix expressing interest in picking it up, but the high costs per episode were just too much to justify the renewal. Still, one worth searching out. Honorable Mentions: The Adventures of Brisco Country Jr., The Michael J. Fox Show, The Unusuals, Reboot Video Credits: Video 1, 5 - ABC; Photo 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 - FOX; Photo 4, 6, 7 - NBC

Previous October 24, 2025 Next A BITESIZE CHAT WITH CHRIS STUCKMANN After a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, Chris Stuckmann joins Nick to talk about Shelby Oaks , his approach to directing horror films, and explains that we may not be done with the town of Shelby Oaks quite yet. Make sure to check out Shelby Oaks now in theatres. Interview conducted on October 16th, 2025 by Nick van Dinther.

Previous Next With the release of The Woman King, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Badass Women in Film. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 characters in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. SARAH CONNOR (TERMINATOR FRANCHISE) When you think of “badass” characters, Sarah Connor comes to mind almost instantly. From being the final girl in The Terminator to a woman teetering on the edge of sanity in Judgment Day , Linda Hamilton brought this character to life with unmatched energy. While outside of the first two films there hasn’t been the same level of success (critically or financially), the fact that the franchise has continued trying to reinvent and reintroduce the character shows how important she is. There’s even an underrated television show focusing on her. She is tougher and more interesting than most other male badasses, and one of the most layered and complex female action heroes of all time. - Joseph 4. LEIA ORGANA (STAR WARS FRANCHISE) I’m a huge Star Wars fan, so of course I would have the iconic Princess-turned-General Leia Organa listed here! Portrayed by the late, great Carrie Fisher, Leia is the most badass woman in the galaxy far, far away. Not only is she royalty, but she’s one of the greatest leaders of the Rebel Alliance. She’s a feisty woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and take charge, making her a fearless leader that I’ve admired since I was a little girl. There will never be another heroic badass like her in this or any other galaxy. - Paige 3. IMPERATOR FURIOSA (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD) Imperator Furiosa could have been a simple hardened warrior, but with her disability, her incredible fighting spirit, and her deeply felt emotions, she becomes a hero. To have Charlize Theron be the true lead of Mad Max: Fury Road 's stellar ensemble was an inspired choice by director George Miller, and her absolute ferocity is exhilarating to witness. She is, without doubt, one of the most badass female characters of all time. - Jacob 2. BEATRIX KIDDO (KILL BILL FRANCHISE) In Kill Bill , director Quentin Tarantino and star Uma Thurman created the ultimate female badass in a world full of female badasses by getting to the heart of the old adage "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." The Bride (Thurman) violently tears through former assassins, Yakuza bosses, hit squads, and endless henchmen with martial arts, a samurai sword, and a relatable sense of purpose to exact her revenge. She's the definition of a badass, female or otherwise. - Quentin 1. ELLEN RIPLEY (ALIEN FRANCHISE) Over the course of three movies (technically four, but TECHNICALLY, TECHNICALLY that isn’t Ripley in Alien: Resurrection ), Ellen Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) story arc delivers arguably the most well-rounded, fleshed-out character in movie history. She checks every “badass” box: action star, alien killer, mech suit-wearer, mother, leader, martyr, survivor, and all-around woman you don’t wanna mess with. Even her clone is more badass than most characters who only have one body. - Amarú HONORABLE MENTIONS LAURIE STRODE (HALLOWEEN FRANCHISE) RITA VRATASKI (THE EDGE OF TOMORROW) HIT GIRL (KICK-ASS FRANCHISE) CLARICE STARLING (HANNIBAL FRANCHISE) PALOMA (NO TIME TO DIE) Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2 - Disney; Photo 3 - Warner Bros; Photo 4 - Miramax Films; Photo 5 - 20th Century Studios

SLOW HORSES: SEASON ONE Starring: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Olivia Cooke QUENTIN The synopsis for Slow Horses includes the following language: “MI5 rejects (read: failed spies) must endure dull, paper pushing tasks and their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who expects them to quit out of boredom and frustration.” Surely it wasn’t by design, but the series seems to want the audience to do the same. The central story is blandly unfocused, which, when coupled with the British dryness of it all, makes it tough for the audience to become invested. I admit Oldman is fairly entertaining as a flatulent old curmudgeon, but he can only take the show so far by himself.

SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Mae Whitman, and Ellen Wong Creators: Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski KATIE Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a triumph. It’s bold and original with incredibly creative animation, appearing both retro and contemporary in its eclectic style. The action scenes are dazzling, and it feels like each one is carefully crafted. This new take thoughtfully and cleverly engages with the original story, acknowledging some aspects of it that deserve a re-assessment while retaining everything that makes Scott Pilgrim great. On top of that, it enables the audience to spend more time with and become more invested in other beloved characters, only made better by the fact that each voice performance is outstanding. PAIGE Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an electric reimagining of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World that manages to enhance the original story. This refreshing take allows for an expansion on the Pilgrim universe to make it feel like its own thing. Despite lacking some of the film’s charm, this anime vision of the story is still punk rock, and it thrives from having the original cast returning to voice their characters. At the end of the day, did we really need a retelling of this material? No… but I’m glad we got it!

Previous Next January 29, 2025 WRITTEN BY: NICK AND QUENTIN We’re back, TV viewers! With the Oscars fast approaching and everyone focusing on 2024’s Best in Film, Nick & Quentin, once again, wanted to take a second to highlight 2024’s Best New Television Series (check out 2023’s Best New Television Series HERE ). While some of these were massive successes, others flew under the radar. Either way, all are worth checking out. BABY REINDEER In what seems like forever ago, Baby Reindeer quietly burst on to the scene almost exclusively through internet chatter and word of mouth. Truth be told, that was even the case for me, and I follow new and upcoming shows very closely. A British miniseries that features no known stars and a title that gives absolutely zero hint as to what it might be about, Baby Reindeer could have easily gotten lost in the shuffle like so many other international Netflix shows. Instead, it went on to be one of the most buzzed about series of the year en route to winning six Emmys and two Golden Globes while making stars out of Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning. It’s best if you go in blind, if that’s even possible at this point, so I won’t get into plot details, but know that you will laugh, cringe, recoil, cover your eyes, be heartbroken, feel things you wouldn’t expect, and never be less than 100 percent spellbound. - Quentin Baby Reindeer is currently streaming on Netflix. SUGAR I'm a sucker for a good detective noir, and Sugar is basically a love letter to the genre. It's sleek yet gritty, and it even incorporates some films of yesteryear to tell its story. However, it's Colin Farrell who makes it work as well as it does. Yes, John Sugar (Farrell) is a detective, but it’s the infusion of humanity and empathy into the character that make him so engaging. Then there's that twist. I'm going to avoid getting into specifics as I implore you to check out the series yourself, but it promises to change the trajectory of everything moving forward. Farrell's continued exploration of this character would have been enough to hook me, but the late season revelations have piqued my interest for a second season even more. Another Apple TV+ gem you need to check out. - Nick Sugar is currently streaming on Apple TV+. It has been renewed for Season Two, likely coming in 2026. WISE GUY: DAVID CHASE AND THE SOPRANOS Admittedly, Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos probably only works for people who have seen The Sopranos . That said, considering The Sopranos was an awards juggernaut that went off the air more than 15 years ago, not to mention that many consider it to be the greatest show of all time and the godfather of “prestige television,” that should be most people. In this two-part docuseries, the typically reclusive Sopranos creator David Chase offers behind-the-scenes and personal insight into the writing, casting, and impact of the series through an uncharacteristically candid interview and archival footage. On top of that, you learn about the man himself, seeing the parallels between the series and his own life. For Sopranos fans, it's an engaging nostalgia bomb that should drive them to rewatch the landmark series. - Quentin Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos is currently streaming on Max. CREATURE COMMANDOS After two Suicide Squad films in the span of six years, I can't say I was particularly clamoring for another villain team-up. However, not only did Creature Commandos prove me wrong, but it’s also the best version of this sub-genre we've seen. Making the series animated gives it much more opportunity to showcase extreme violence, tell layered and complex stories, and separate itself from the Squad films. It also focuses on an entirely new cast of characters (save for Viola Davis' Amanda Waller) and instantly establishes them through tragic backstories. Add in a tremendous voice cast, and you've got a spectacular start to James Gunn's DC Universe. - Nick Creature Commandos is currently streaming on Max. It has been renewed for Season Two, likely coming in late 2025. THE PENGUIN If you’ve been paying attention, you might have noticed that DC is in the early stages of overtaking Marvel, especially on the television front, and they are doing it from multiple angles. Not only do you have James Gunn’s Peacemaker and Creature Commandos , but you’ve also got Matt Reeves’ Elseworld Batman universe, which delivered us a knockout series in The Penguin . Even if you hate superheroes, this The Sopranos -like miniseries is compelling, featuring remarkably written villains who elicit your sympathy even as they do dastardly things. There is almost no mention of Batman, superpowers, or capes, but there is a Golden Globe-winning performance from an unrecognizable Colin Farrell. Fans of gritty crime dramas should check it out. - Quentin The Penguin is currently streaming on Max. MASTERS OF THE AIR Regardless of where his career goes, Masters of the Air will always be the place I was introduced to Austin Butler's undeniable star power. It's not just his command of the screen, it's the way he does it so effortlessly. Beyond his performance (and the rest of the supporting cast), this is a series that checks all the boxes… and I do mean all of them. Visuals? Check. Direction? Check. Score? Check. Effects? Check. This stunning series stands along with Band of Brothers as one of the greatest World War II series ever made, yet sadly didn't receive the same accolades. Don't let this be another show that lives in obscurity on Apple TV+. It's far too good for that. - Nick Masters of the Air is currently streaming on Apple TV+. SHŌGUN If you haven’t made it a point to watch Shōgun yet, I don’t know what I can say that hasn’t already been said to change your mind, but here we go… Let’s talk about the awards and acclaim. Did you know that it set a record for most Emmy wins for a single season of television with 18, including Outstanding Drama Series and four acting-related awards? It also won a haul of Golden Globes, Television Critics Association Awards, and Astra TV Awards, among others. Plus, with 137 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, only ONE guy gave it a bad review (who hurt you, Rohan Naahar of The Indian Express ?). But maybe that doesn’t mean anything to you. Do you care about compelling drama, outstanding visuals, sweeping grandeur, incredible performances, well-developed characters, political intrigue, and feeling powerful emotions? Because Shōgun has all of that in spades. How about the fact that it is so damn good that it has been renewed for two more seasons even though it was conceived as a miniseries? Don’t want to listen to snooty critics and self-congratulatory awards shows, I get it; but listen to me — Shōgun will go down as one of the best shows this decade. - Quentin Season One of Shōgun is currently streaming on Hulu. It has been renewed for Season Two and Season Three, with Season Two likely coming in 2026. X-MEN ‘97 A lot of shows we grew up on just don't hold up anymore, so when Disney+ added X-Men: The Animated Series to the streaming platform, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this childhood cartoon still landed with me as I sit here in my early 30s. I must not have been the only one because, soon after, we got the sequel series X-Men '97 , and it's everything you could have hoped for. By bringing back most of the original voice cast (minus those no longer with us), the transition is seamless, while the updated animation and storytelling somehow improves upon the original. I was glued to the TV with each passing episode, just as I was in my adolescence. The anticipation of the X-Men's MCU debut has been palpable, but if this series is any indication, they're clearly in good hands. - Nick X-Men ‘97 is currently streaming on Disney+. It has been renewed for Season Two and Season Three, with Season Two likely coming in 2025. FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST On paper, I was probably going to like Fight Night , no matter what. It’s got a stellar cast, including some of the best African American actors not named Denzel (Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, and, yes, even Kevin Hart in a career-best dramatic performance). It has a tremendously authentic 70s soul vibe, from the hair to the fashion to the soundtrack to the scene transitions. Half of its episodes are directed by Craig Brewer, who also directed Hustle & Flow , Black Snake Moan , and Dolemite is My Name . And, finally, just look at the title — heist, baby! So, yeah, I knew before I even saw the first trailer that this was going to be my jam. All that aside, though, the thing is… this is just a damn good show. Sure, all those things that speak to me help, but it’s also funny, thrilling, entertaining, intense, socially relevant, stylish, and most of all, a good-ass time. - Quentin Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist is currently streaming on Peacock. PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS I’ve never read the Percy Jackson books, and the film adaptation in 2010 didn't interest me enough to even watch the sequel. Honestly, the only reason I checked out Percy Jackson and the Olympians was because fellow Bitesizer Amarú was so high on its potential. Let me tell you — potential reached. Much like the Harry Potter films, this series follows three children on their journey throughout a magical universe, except wizards are replaced with mythological gods. It's a unique concept that features great world building and a young energetic cast that carries the story, resulting in an exciting adventure series that never feels like a "kid's show" thanks to its action, humour, and most importantly, pacing. I'm glad I listened to Amarú as this is the adaptation the series deserves. - Nick Percy Jackson and the Olympians is currently streaming on Disney+. It has been renewed for Season Two, set to be released in 2025. THE DAY OF THE JACKAL In recent years, there has been a glut of espionage-tinged series, especially on streaming services. Hell, I can think of more than a dozen that have been released just since 2023. For the most part, they all kinda blur together, even if they are generally pretty decent, so it’s refreshing when one takes a different approach. The Day of the Jackal , which is based on a novel that has been adapted several times (most of you are probably most familiar with 1997’s The Jackal starring Bruce Willis), flips the script by humanizing the globe-trotting assassin (a cold-blooded and incredible Eddie Redmayne), which makes you root for him even as he is being chased by the nominal hero, an MI6 agent (a soulful yet not-to-be-messed-with Lashana Lynch). In an over-crowded genre, Jackal stands out, which is more than enough to earn my recommendation. - Quentin Season One of The Day of the Jackal is currently streaming on Peacock. It has been renewed for Season Two, likely coming in late 2025. THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE Look, I get it, I'm the Walking Dead guy. I've often been high on the series' spinoffs, and sorry, but you're just going to get more of that here. The Ones Who Live is the best spinoff of the main series. Genuinely. Sure, the show lost some viewers following Glenn's (Steven Yeun) demise, but the bigger drop in viewership came with the disappearance of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). This follow-up brings him back alongside Danai Gurira's Michonne, and it's a welcome return. Yes, it's a love story within the Walking Dead Universe, but it’s done in a way that is carefully curated (Lincoln and Gurira were co-creators of the series), so it brings back some of the best aspects of the early series. If you dropped off and are looking for closure, The Ones Who Live is here to help. - Nick The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is currently streaming on AMC+.

Previous December 31, 2024 Next A BITESIZE CHAT WITH DAVID ARQUETTE David Arquette (Scream, Never Been Kissed, Eight Legged Freaks ) joins us to talk about his documentary You Cannot Kill David Arquette and his return to the squared circle. BB: Hi, David, and thanks for sitting down with Bitesize Breakdown. I’d like to start by asking if this film was always going to be about your time in wrestling? Or was the initial intent to focus on your life and it just turned that way? DA: No, it was always supposed to be about wrestling. I did know that I wanted to be honest, vulnerable, open, and really allow people into my life. They really did it, and, you know, when you’re open, it’s hard… it’s hard for me to watch. I can’t watch some of the scenes. It's really difficult, and I did want to talk about stuff I’ve been going through. I think it's important to talk about things like that so that if anyone else is going through something like that, they feel and understand [that] they’re not alone. DA: It’s a really tricky world to be caught up in, and we’re all trying to figure out what we’re doing here and how to find happiness. It's an anxious world and a depressing world at times, so when you can find things that make you happy and feel content and not feel alone, I think that’s important. BB: The title of the documentary comes from The Black Math Experiment song of the same name, but it also fittingly describes your mindset over the last decade or so. Whether you’re auditioning or training for the ring, where do you draw your perseverance from in life to keep on pushing what you're doing? DA: I’m inspired by a lot of things. Nature is a big inspiration for me. Love is a big inspiration for me. I want to make my kids proud. I want to be happy, so I try to do things that I enjoy, that I have a love for. That’s sort of why I wanted to go back to wrestling ‘cause it's something I’ve always loved, and I was hated for my time there. DA: So, I really wanted to go back there and prove myself so that people just could understand that I didn’t mean to dishonor wrestling. Wrestling really is a lot about honor and respect, and the people who are involved in it have dedicated their lives to it. So I wanted to do something that was a love letter to wrestling. BB: In the film, you go through a pretty drastic physical transformation. What were some challenges and benefits that you found in getting so fit? DA: So I used DDPY, which is Diamond Dallas Page’s Yoga, but it's not really yoga; it’s yoga and strength training. That helped me get inspired to start my weight loss and get me prepared for taking bumps in the ring. After that, I worked with Rigan Machado doing Jiu-Jitsu, Ricky Quiles doing boxing, and Peter Avalon as a trainer. It was really great to get out there and do all that cardio; then you have to change your diet. DA: I went on a zero-carb diet for months and months. You reduce the size of your meals, you eat smaller meals throughout the day, and you don't eat a big meal for dinner ever. It's best if you don't have anything to eat three hours before you go to bed. It's just stuff like that. It was hard, but something, as an actor, you kind of learn how to do. You have to lose weight for parts or put on weight, which is always kind of harder in a weird way, because you have to take it off at some point. But, yeah, it taught me a lot about discipline. It taught me a lot about getting in the mindset of an athlete. BB: I want to ask about Ready to Rumble , which obviously was a big part of why you got into the WCW in the first place. As a wrestling fan yourself, what was the experience like making that movie? Do you have anything you wish you could have done differently with it? What were your general feelings on that film at the time and even now? DA: When I first read it, it was, like, page 8, and it said “Macho Man Randy Savage.” So, I called my agent, and I was, like, “Do they have Macho Man Randy Savage for this movie?” They [said], “Yeah, he signed up,” and I [said], “I’ll do it! I love, love the idea of it.” At the end of the movie, I become “The Law.” I’m a wrestler that goes out with the [other] wrestlers to become a wrestler, so I think that is sort of where part of the germ of the idea in bringing me into the WCW [came from]. DA: For whatever reason, they made me the champion. [Former WCW writer] Vince Russo says part of the idea came from him seeing me backstage, getting everyone’s autograph on a kid’s belt, and he was, like, “oh… this guy’s really a wrestling fan!” I think it kind of led to them wanting this angle where I somehow became the champion, and it just set up what Diamond Dallas Page and Jeff Jarrett were doing; but the audience really didn't appreciate that storyline. You know, it was sad. I thought Ready to Rumble was a fun movie, and it didn’t really do that well at the box office, so I wanted to also do this as kind of an unofficial sequel to Ready to Rumble . BB: Your experience in the WCW kind of branded you “the most hated man in wrestling.” Going into this film, you're setting yourself up for a bit of criticism by documenting it and exposing yourself in the movie. What was your biggest fear going into this experience and in making it a documentary? DA: Well, one of the crazy things is I don’t really let fear drive me at all. I’m not really afraid of many things. I don’t know… it's a little weird that way. I think it makes it a little more dangerous, to be honest with you. If you’re not fearful of certain things, you probably wouldn't put yourself in certain positions like I did. DA: I don't know, I just wanted to come back and prove myself. I wanted to do it for myself, for wrestling, to sort of write this love letter to wrestling. And, also, I was just sick of being bullied. You know, the thing about when people say mean things online, it really hurts if you believe it too. I was kind of telling myself the same things they were saying, and I had to learn through this process to stop beating myself up and really being, as corny as it sounds, being kinder to myself. BB: What do you think people who don't enjoy wrestling could get out of your movie? DA: I think people are really quick to write wrestling off as either for kids or it’s not real or whatever they want to say, but it takes a tremendous amount of athletic ability. You have to be tougher than anything than I can imagine. I mean, it is just such a painful sport. It really pushes you. It's really difficult to… you know, the way these guys travel all the time. I just have the utmost respect for them. DA: If anything, I would just love to see guys like Ric Flair or Stone Cold Steve Austin get, like, a regular job on a CBS drama or something. They’re just such funny, full of life characters, and it just really would be amazing to give them an opportunity to act. We had the great opportunity of working with Mick Foley on 12 Hour Shift , and he's a tremendous actor; really great character and I just think there's so much room for these guys to break into Hollywood. BB: You mentioned reading the script for Ready to Rumble and being sort of impressed that Macho Man was going to be in the movie. Growing up, who were your top three wrestling icons and why? DA: Growing up, I was always a Hulkamaniac. I just love Hulk Hogan, and his relationship with the fans is like nothing I’ve ever seen. I love Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka; he jumped off the top rope and that's why I jump off the top rope to the outside of the ring. I also love Junkyard Dog, [he] was one of my favorites. He's just so fun. DA: There's an amazing wrestler now named Willie Mack, who is just such an incredible wrestler. I hope he gets picked up by...one of the big places and shows up there ‘cause Willie Mack is just one of the greatest wrestlers that I was able to share a card with. BB: You’re pretty much your own action hero in this documentary. Is there any future for you in action movies or is there a superhero you'd like to play? DA: Well, interestingly, I was just offered an action movie. I was reading through some of the scenes, and… I dont know… it’s just guns and all this stuff. I don't know what I want to do, but I’m not sure I want to just do, like, gun toting and shooting. There just has to be more of a story involved or something. I like action movies, you know, somewhat, but I'm not really a big action movie guy. I mean, it'd be nice to be able to do that, but I just don’t know. It's so weird, such a weird time in the world. I don't know if I want to be running around with guns in this climate. BB: Finally, when will we be able to see you in the ring again? And what do you think your wrestling career will look like in the future? DA: I don’t know if I’ll get back in the ring again. I really love wrestling when I'm wrestling as a tag team with RJ City. We have a really fun dynamic, and it makes for a safer experience. Whenever I wrestle alone, I tend to get hurt. He kind of protects me in that way, but I don't know if I’ll be wrestling again anytime soon. I do love it, but I do feel like this movie kind of exists in its own world. I think it might be best if I let it live there. Make sure to check out You Cannot Kill David Arquette now on VOD. Interview conducted on August 19th, 2020 by Joseph Ruiz. Photo Credits: Banner - Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP; Photo 1 - Elevation Pictures; Photo 2 - Warner Bros.

Previous Next November 10, 2025 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW If you hadn't noticed, we see a lot of films during festival season. Some of them come out right away, while others release the following year. There are even occasions when it can be multiple years before release – like Gonzo Girl , which originally screened for TIFF in 2023 and still awaits a wide release. Also, since we see these films on the fest circuit, many haven’t released marketing materials yet, meaning you often have no idea about the movies we review. With that in mind, we decided to gather up trailers from the festival hits we loved but that may not be on your radar; putting a face to the name, so to speak. Enjoy! RENTAL FAMILY (Nov 21, 2025) An American actor in Tokyo struggling to find purpose lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. He rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the beauty of human connection. HAMNET (Nov 26, 2025) A powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. THE SECRET AGENT (Nov 26, 2025) In 1977, a technology expert flees from a mysterious past and returns to his hometown of Recife in search of peace. He soon realizes that the city is far from being the refuge he seeks. JAY KELLY (Dec 5, 2025) Famous movie actor Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past and present with his devoted manager Ron. Poignant and humor-filled, pitched at the intersection of regrets and glories. PRIMATE (Jan 9, 2026) A group of friends' tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival. NO OTHER CHOICE (Jan, 2026) After being unemployed for several years, a man devises a unique plan to secure a new job: eliminate his competition. SIRĀT (Jan, 2026) A father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa. PILLION (Feb 6, 2026) A directionless man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive. WASTEMAN (Feb 20, 2026) Follows parolee Taylor whose fresh start hopes are jeopardized by cellmate Dee's arrival. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances. THE LAST VIKING (TBA, 2026) A bank robber released from jail must unlock his traumatised brother's memory to recover stolen loot.

THE BOYS PRESENTS: DIABOLICAL Starring: Christian Slater, Antony Starr, Dominique McElligott, Jason Issac, Simon Pegg, Awkwafina, Chace Crawford, Aisha Tyler, Don Cheadle, Youn Yuh-jung, and Elisabeth Shue Creators: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg NICK Although this series is every bit as violent and crass as The Boys , the tone is somewhat different. And while characters from The Boys do appear, these stories are largely focused on new characters. For the most part, these are good things. However, the thing working against Diabolical is the anthology format. Though the individual stories work (I really enjoyed the Looney Tunes inspired ones), the constant animation and tone changes stopped me from getting truly settled in. With only eight episodes running between 10-15 min long, you can’t really complain, but this may be one of those series that’s better off not binged. QUENTIN Aside from the finale, Diabolical isn’t essential viewing for fans of The Boys , but it does manage to do some fun world building in its eight breezy episodes. Like any anthology, some episodes are better than others, but none are bad. Plus, the short runtimes (about 14 minutes each) mean even the less engrossing ones never overstay their welcome. The various animation styles and A-list stable of writers (including Seth Rogen, Andy Samberg, Justin Roiland, Awkwafina, Ilana Glazer, and Aisha Tyler) made each vignette feel fresh and unique. If you remember The Animatrix , this is basically that but for The Boys .

THOSE ABOUT TO DIE: SEASON ONE Starring: Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Tom Hughes, Gonçalo Almeida, Dimitri Leonidas, Gabriella Pession, Rupert Penry-Jones, Pepe Barroso, Eneko Sagardoy, Kyshan Wilson, Alice Ann Edogamhe, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Alessandro Bedetti, Martyn Ford, Jarreth J. Merz, and Anthony Hopkins Creator: Robert Rodat QUENTIN I cannot believe that Those About to Die cost $140 million because it looks chintzy as hell — just laughably bad CGI and green screening. Plus, a glorified cameo from Anthony Hopkins aside, there are no stars amongst the sprawling cast, unless you count Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones ). So, where did all that money go? It didn’t go into the script, which is flat and unengaging. The set design and costumes are okay, I suppose…but not $140-million-okay. Was this series a money laundering scheme for Peacock? Anyway, this Thrones rip-off will probably live up to its title by not seeing a second season.

Previous Next April 25, 2024 WRITTEN BY: PRESTON The year was 2003 (or thereabouts) and being a new soldier who had just enough time under his belt to start dreaming of other things and enough money to be dangerous, I started consistently watching Emeril Live with Emeril Lagasse. His made-for-television personality and signature catchphrases “Bam!” and “Oh, yeah baby!” were enough to draw a cocky young man into the cooking world. Just so you know, I didn’t grow up with a lot of money, so the idea of being able to create fine-dining, restaurant-quality dishes of my own seemed like a dream too far until he first showed me it was possible (thanks TV!). It was official, I was a foodie! It wasn’t until later that I learned about the real rough and tumble culinary world from other heroes like Anthony Bourdain. In his book Kitchen Confidential , he discusses how Emeril (or at least “TV Emeril”) was a bit of a façade; however, I later found out that Emeril actually is the real deal, just don’t trust the TV version…no wonder I have trust issues. Either way, there are culinary shows on 24/7 nowadays, with a myriad of cooking challenges and scenarios to feed the food fantasist. Upon retiring from the Army, I was able to live out a lifelong dream by enrolling in culinary school. Now, I work part-time for the University of Tennessee, cooking at their conference center. I have my own set of knives and everything! All I’ve said so far is to say that, even if things lose their luster a bit when you dive deeper, you can never really lose it for food. I mean, you still need to eat three times a day. So, here’s a shout out to the people who are doing it for real every day. It is an extremely tough career that pays very little, except to those at the very top and the recent trend of lucky social media chefs. For my fellow foodies, I want to feed you some delicious films to satisfy what you might be hankering for. I am choosing to ignore some of the ridiculously good documentaries out there, but if you managed to somehow miss Jiro Dreams of Sushi or Roadrunner: A Film about Anthony Bourdain , stop and watch both now. Just kidding, finish my article and then watch them. Then, maybe decide to cook something tonight; just look up a recipe and jump in. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just fresh; or maybe you decide to support those who are out there throwing down on the line every day by dining out locally! Either way, the menu is looking good! CHEF (2014) Chef is probably the most realistic of the more popular fictional foodie films. Jon Favreau plays the passionate chef to a T, and the rest of the cast is star-studded. Most importantly, though, the romantic notion of traveling the country with visions of the associated food porn is enough to make anyone contemplate quitting their job to open their own high-risk food truck venture. Oliver Platt plays the daunting and unflappable food critic, whose eventual friendly turn gives me hope for my own associated guilt as a sideline critic. Of note: the spinoff television series, The Chef Show , is brilliant in its own right, as it showcases the real-deal chef and owner of the popular Kogi restaurant, Roy Choi, who inspires much of the realism we get to appreciate in the film. SIDEWAYS (2004) Sideways might not be strictly in the food realm, but most would include winos into the foodie scene since they are often one and the same. It also is an excuse to shamelessly plug 2023’s The Holdovers as Paul Giamatti continues to act so aptly as writer/director Alexander Payne’s drunken muse. Set in Napa Valley, expectations are upset as the true imperfect nature of our humanity is demonstrated by how we sometimes can take things just a little too far. Be sure to splurge on a good bottle of wine, at least $18 (or at least don’t go boxed this time, you heathen!), when you sit down to watch because you will regret not having one once you’ve started. RATATOUILLE (2007) Ratatouille is the greatest Pixar film of all time, and if you are a chef knife-wielding fiend like me, I think you can agree. Yeah, yeah, Toy Story is good, but Ratatouille is a movie for the people, no matter your age. It features the most unlikely of characters, Remy (Patton Oswalt) — a rat who realizes his dream of becoming a top French chef. There are few films that can have us cheering for a rat to succeed, yet that is exactly where we find ourselves. The underlying story inspires us all to follow our dreams, and as a simultaneous bonus, it features a pretty accurate account of the challenges one faces in the world’s best kitchens. Incidentally, the Ratatouille ride at Disney’s Epcot is a pretty good time too! JULIE & JULIA (2009) Julie & Julia tells the simultaneous story of how Julia Child (Meryl Streep) got her start in the culinary world and how the late Julie Powell (Amy Adams) worked her way through the famous Mastering the Art of French Cooking . Streep and Stanley Tucci (playing Child’s husband, Paul) play the epitome of what a couple should be, sublimely displaying their quirkiness, love for food, and adoration for each other. Admittedly more saccharine than other culinary cinematic outings, it is still a terrific true story that features some very adorable people displaying their affection by way of something so many of us do: cooking for others. BURNT (2015) Full disclosure, Burnt released to very mixed reviews. Yes, it is filled with clichés, with Bradley Cooper playing a “burnt-out” high-level chef in yet another redemptive tale. However, despite people’s criticism of its superficiality, I happen to love it. I have watched this movie over and over, and although it may be trope-tastic, it’s that way for a reason. It reveals what it is often really like in the high-stakes, high-pressure kitchens of the world’s very best restaurants. The script may be lacking some seasoning, and the romantic subplot could have been left out, but none of that matters because this is right up the kitchen-obsessed foodie’s alley. PIG (2021) Pig features Nicolas Cage at his absolute best, and it is a complete departure from the more cliché films that have been listed so far. Cage plays Rob, a former top executive chef turned reclusive hermit. We find that he has left the superficial and hedonic culinary world to live a simpler life, but he is still tied to his past by hunting truffles with his treasured pig. When his cherished pet-turned-friend goes missing, he must to step away from the simple life and back into the world he left behind, forcing him to deal with his trauma and loss. The film is a terrific surprise in its multi-layered, complex, and nuanced approach. Essentially, it’s a measured John Wick for foodies. THE MENU (2022) The Menu is perhaps the most unique offering of those served up here. It is an extremely dark comedic satire that makes fun of the pretense that often precedes self-proclaimed foodies, at least the more serious ones. Its thematic messaging attempts to focus on the “why” behind our infatuation with food in the first place as it violently does away with the ridiculous artsy-fartsy crap. Anya Taylor-Joy delights as always, and I can’t help but think that righteous justice is ultimately served up in the end. BONUS: THE BEAR (2022-PRESENT) I know it’s not a film, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention The Bear . If you were a fan of Shameless, particularly Jeremy Allen White’s character Lip, AND you’re a foodie, you need not look any further than FX’s The Bear for your tailor-made amalgamation of jacked-up awesomeness. This is hands-down the most real portrayal of what the twisted, wonderful back kitchen is really like, especially as it examines the personalities that choose to “bear” it (I had to). Attention to detail is of the utmost importance, from the fantastic culinary books displayed on the kitchen’s bookshelves to the cleverness of having the maintenance man, Neil Fak (played by legit chef Matty Matheson), forbidden from cooking. If you haven’t seen it, try Season One as an amuse bouche. I promise you will be locked in for the second season course, then impatiently waiting for the third. Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Open Road Films; Photo 2 - Fox Searchlight Pictures; Photo 3 - Walt Disney Studios; Photo 4 - Sony Pictures Releasing; Photo 5 - Lantern Entertainment; Photo 6 - Neon; Photo 7 - Searchlight Pictures; Photo 8 - FX