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BLOCKBUSTER: SEASON ONE Starring: Randall Park, Melissa Fumero, Olga Merediz, Madeleine Arthur, J.B.Smoove, Tyler Alvarez, Kamaia Fairburn, and Leonard Robinson Creator: Vanessa Ramos NICK Although I had hope for this Netflix offering, this series puts the "bust" in Blockbuster . It’s supposed to be a comedy, yet the laughs are few and far between (and mainly provided by J.B. Smoove) thanks to its lackluster writing and underwhelming cast. Randall Park has given us some entertaining side characters in the past, but he wears on you in a lead role, while Melissa Fumero lacks the charm she showed in Brooklyn Nine-Nine . This one is just a misfire, and as for the "Blockbuster" aspect…if you're looking to satisfy your nostalgia for video stores, check out I Like Movies when it's released. AMARÚ At times, Blockbuster is an okay show, while at others, it most certainly is not. When it’s good, it serves as noise to put on in the background, with chuckles coming often enough that you laugh a little louder than expected. When it’s forcing you to finish a hard-to-watch episode, it’s wasting a cast full of extremely likable actors (Olga Merediz deserves her own damn show). There’s potential to the gimmick of the last video store on earth, but the visible heart of the cast isn’t enough to make this lackluster show anything more than another one-season bust.

Previous Next It's New Years Eve and time to party, so the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Party Movies. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films 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. DAZED AND CONFUSED Alright, alright, alright… not only is Dazed and Confused one of the best coming-of-age films of all time, it’s also the ultimate party flick! Director Richard Linklater transports us back to the last day of school in 1976, where a colorful cast of characters (portrayed by a star-studded cast) engage in high school shenanigans on their way to the raging party at The Moon Tower. If you’re looking for a movie with a top notch soundtrack to jam while throwing back some brewskis and smoking a doobie with your friends, this is a must watch. - Paige 4. OLD SCHOOL Growing up, Animal House was your parents' college party film. Well, for my generation, it was Old School . To this day, if Will Ferrell goes to any college, he'll hear chants of "Frank. The. Tank! Frank. The. Tank!" The film was the launch pad for Will Ferrell's film career, and resurrected Vince Vaughn as a comedic leading man. Meanwhile, Luke Wilson plays the perfect straight man to Vaughn's and Ferrell's comedic skills. What makes the film so strong, though, is all the supporting characters who add to the zany humor…."BLUE, YOU'RE MY BOY! - JTE 3. AMERICAN PIE As a freshly minted high school graduate in 1999, American Pie was perhaps the first movie to really capture what it was like for my generation in high school. The music, the language, the sexual pressure, and, most importantly, the friendships. Like most movies of its kind, parts of it are…let’s say, problematic…nowadays, but there is still a surprising amount of heart underneath all the raunch. Plus, let’s not forget that it had three hit sequels, spawned a five-movie spinoff series, jumpstarted multiple careers, inspired generational comedy classics like Road Trip and Van Wilder , and popularized the term MILF. - Quentin 2. THE HANGOVER Released in 2009, The Hangover helped usher in a new wave of the raunchy, adult-themed comedy that dominated 10-15 years ago. With a genius premise of reconstructing the events of a drug- and alcohol-fueled night (we’ve all been there), the movie peels back a number of absurd layers that ultimately reveals the bond between four friends. This is a movie that cemented Bradley Cooper as a leading man, broke out Zack Galifianakis, and reintroduced the world to Mike Tyson. It remains a touchstone of comedy from a bygone era. - Darryl 1. SUPERBAD Superbad , plain and simple, is one of the best comedies ever made, so it’s no wonder that it is also one of the best party movies ever made. Even with some of the raunchier and more absurd moments, it’s still an extraordinarily relatable high school coming-of-age story, one with tons of laughter and a surprising emotional core that always takes me back to senior year in a touching way. Chika, chika, yeah, yeah. - Adriano HONORABLE MENTIONS THE WOLF OF WALL STREET BOOKSMART CAN'T HARDLY WAIT THIS IS THE END NEIGHBORS Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Gramercy Pictures; Photo 2 - DreamWorks Pictures, Photo 3 - Universal Pictures; Photo 4 - Warner Bros; Photo 5 - Sony Pictures Releasing

REACHER: SEASON ONE Starring: Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald, Chris Webster, Maria Sten, Martin Roach, Currie Graham, and Bruce McGill Creator: Nick Santora QUENTIN Generally speaking, Reacher is a standard “solve the murder” show. However, the cast chemistry, literally bone-crunching fight scenes, and dry charisma of Alan Ritchson elevate the predictable story to something that is a lot more fun than it should be. Maybe I just had low expectations. I expected a series like Bosch , a show I always saw ads for while never meeting a person who actually watched it. But what I got was a show like Banshee , a brutal (yet still humorous) under-the-radar show that I can’t wait to turn people on to as we wait for next season. NICK As someone who remembers Alan Ritchson as blockhead linebacker Thad Castle from Blue Mountain State , his casting as Jack Reacher was quite a surprise. However, he manages to bring a stoic mercenary edge to the character that hearkens back to the heyday of 80s action films. This persona is matched with some hard-hitting violence that can come out of nowhere and hit you with a pure rush of adrenaline, but those scenes don’t come frequently enough. It’s almost The Punisher -lite. That said, it’s an easy watch that makes for some good shut-your-brain-off entertainment while doing the character justice.

TULSA KING: SEASON ONE Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, A.C. Peterson, Garrett Hedlund, and Dana Delaney Creator: Taylor Sheridan NICK Tulsa King isn't a great show. In fact, it's actually a fairly generic mob story, but, man, does Sylvester Stallone elevate the material. In his best original role in years, he commands the screen as Dwight Manfredi. Series creator Taylor Sheridan must have written this role with him in mind because few actors would have the same level of success with it. Unfortunately, there are some tonal issues throughout, and the series ends a little flat, failing to build hype for a sophomore season. In spite of this, it’s still an entertaining and worthwhile series I’ll return to. QUENTIN Coincidence or not, as prolific series creator Taylor Sheridan adds more shows to his Paramount+ empire, one can really start to feel how thin he has stretched himself. Although I enjoyed Tulsa King quite a bit, every ounce of credit goes to the screen presence and charismatic magnetism of Sylvester Stallone. Outside of Sly, who honestly isn’t doing anything all that special, the series has a level of camp and cheesiness that is a little goofy, while, somehow, the characters and plotlines are both underwritten and overwritten at the same time. Plain and simple, this show does not work without Stallone, who remains infinitely watchable. JTE Tulsa King is the newest series from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, starring Sylvester Stallone as a New York mobster who is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Anyone who is familiar with me knows I grew up a huge Stallone fan, so to say this show was high on my must watch list is an understatement. Thankfully, the show is exactly what I was hoping for. Sly has never looked so at ease or excited to play a role; he commands the screen, carrying the show on his bulky shoulders. It's the ultimate dad TV show.

Previous April 9, 2025 Next A BITESIZE CHAT WITH SACRAMENTO CAST Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World , Superbad , Barbie ) and Michael Angarano (The Knick , Minx , Oppenheimer ) are here to talk with Paige about Sacramento and the pair's personal relationship. Make sure to check out Sacramento now in theatres. Interview conducted on March 31st, 2025 by Paige Frabetti.

WECRASHED Starring: Jared Leto, Anne Hathaway, and Kyle Marvin Creators: Drew Crevello and Lee Eisenberg QUENTIN Of all the recent shows about corporate downfalls (see: Super Pumped, The Dropout ), WeCrashed has the most irritating characters at its center. Adam and Rebekah Neumann (Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, respectively) are depicted as the most entitled and clueless CEOs I’ve ever seen. To be clear, this is not a knock on the actors’ performances, as they both are genuinely excellent in the series. They portray these human clownshoes in a way that elicits visceral reactions at times. However, although a good show, the story of them becoming billionaires while spouting such self-important and hippie-soaked bullshit makes it a mildly infuriating one too.

SILO: SEASON TWO Starring: Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, Common, Chinaza Uche, Remmie Milner, Harriet Walter, Shane McRae, Avi Nash, Tanya Moodie, and Iain Glen Creator: Graham Yost NICK I’ve been eagerly anticipating Silo' s return, and it does not disappoint. Although it spends much of the season building to an inevitable climax, it does so with purpose, enhancing everything that’s to come. New addition Steve Zahn (Solo) is great, while Shane McRae (Knox) and Remmie Milner (Shirley) thrive in larger roles. It's Tim Robbins, however, who really steps his game up this time around as the villainous Bernard Holland. Silo continues to remind me of Westworld : Season One (high praise) with its continued world-building and well-balanced plot threads, and I once again look forward to watching this story unravel further. AMARÚ Silo continues to use bureaucratic mystery as a catalyst for creating intrigue to build off of an intense first season. More focus is given to the ensemble, which develops the history of the silo community’s inner workings; however, Rebecca Ferguson’s (Juliette) loss of screen time leaves early episodes a bit lacking. There isn’t a bad performance in the bunch, but Ferguson is so head-and-shoulders above everyone else that you recognize how heavily the first season leaned on her to generate tension. This time around, while still impactful, I found myself watching a little less intently than I did before. PAIGE Even though Season Two of Silo expands its scope and world-building while giving its side characters a chance to shine, it still has the same sluggish pacing that plagued its predecessor. Unlike the first season, which offered a compelling mystery to work from, this season's plot simply drags on, giving us all set up and no payoff. The buildup needs more meat on its bones to satisfy my hunger for more. With two final seasons greenlit, I hope the show begins to wrap things up and provide us with the answers we are all yearning for. QUENTIN In its second season, Silo completely drops the ball by separating Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson), the series’ most interesting and best-acted character, from the main rebellion plotline, leaving the majority of the show to be driven by a collection of almost nameless and barely developed nobodies. Not only is Ferguson wasted in a mostly untethered subplot, so is new addition Steve Zahn (first season holdover Common isn’t given much to do either). On top of that, the pacing is downright atrocious — both in narrative and revelations — giving very little incentive to press on to the next episode, let alone two more already approved seasons...so I won't. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

HAPPY FACE Starring: Annaleigh Ashford, Dennis Quaid, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, and Benjamin Mackey Creator: Jennifer Cacicio QUENTIN Happy Face is the type of true-crime series that makes you want to stop watching and Google the actual story, and I mean that in the worst way possible. It’s not because the story is so suspenseful or mysterious that you simply can’t wait for the eight episodes to play out. It’s because the series moves at such a languid pace that you just want to know what happens without wasting eight hours. Plus, once you find out the crux of the story is completely made up, what else is there but family melodrama, forced twists, and mediocre acting? Happy Face ? More like Sad Face, amirite?

BLACK BIRD Starring: Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Greg Kinnear, Sepideh Moafi, and Ray Liotta Creator: Dennis Lehane QUENTIN Despite some pacing issues, Black Bird soars on the performances of and visceral chemistry between Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser (especially Hauser, who creates a monster that you still manage to feel empathy for). That pacing, though. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s almost like the showrunners didn’t realize they only had six episodes to work with because the story moves very deliberately (if not convolutedly) until the finale, at which point it sprints to the end…like, “oh shit, we gotta wrap this up!” It’s hardly noticeable in a binge, though, and this limited series deserves some awards love when the time comes. NICK Black Bird is a three-headed monster of stellar performances. Paul Walter Hauser is highly unsettling as real life serial killer Larry Hall, while Taron Egerton continues to add to his leading man resume. However, it’s the scenes they share that brings out the best in both men. Each scene they’re in together has an underlying tension you feel at every moment. On top of those two, you also have Ray Liotta with a heartbreaking turn, in what is sadly one of his final performances. A great script, a harrowing story, and solid performances across the board. What more could you want? JACOB For the most part, Black Bird is a relatively familiar procedural, but it’s the performances contained within that elevate it beyond average status. While the detective B-story isn’t quite engaging enough to leave much of an impact, the A-story is firing on all cylinders. Taron Egerton aces yet another meaty role, while Paul Walter Hauser turns in his best work to date. And, of course, there’s also a fittingly poignant performance from the late, great Ray Liotta. The pace does dip somewhat around the fourth episode, but quickly picks back up to deliver a tense and unexpectedly emotional conclusion. PAIGE Black Bird , a gritty and tense prison story with an unsettling vibe, cements itself as one of the most intriguing dramas of the year despite some story flaws. While it can be intense at times, you can’t seem to look away with how well it’s shot and edited (credit due to its tight, six-episode season). But what really makes Black Bird sing is the performances of Paul Walter Hauser, Taron Egerton, and Ray Liotta. This limited series is one to check out for any true crime fan!

LOVE LIFE: SEASON TWO Starring: William Jackson Harper, Jessica Williams, Christopher Powell, Punkie Johnson, and Keith David Creator: Sam Boyd QUENTIN For whatever reason, this season of Love Life just isn’t as charming as the previous one. Admittedly, the first season may have been a case of “right place, right time” since it was released during lockdown (and, to be fair, I can’t resist Anna Kendrick), but this go-round feels more trite. It’s certainly watchable, especially for rom-com diehards, and HBO Max’s bulk episode drops make it easy to binge. However, I didn’t get much out of it this time. The transition to William Jackson Harper as the lead works, but the show lost a spark somewhere along the way.

Previous Next February 14, 2024 WRITTEN BY: PRESTON Valentine’s Day is upon us, and if my article is your first reminder of this, perhaps pay extra special attention to what follows. Or maybe just abandon this immediately and go get some damn flowers…like now! But I digress. This “Dude’s Guide” is not just for men in the traditional sense, but also for women trying to trick their man into watching a Rom-Com on this lovers’ holiday…just kidding (kind of). Seriously, though, this is for the one person in the couple who tends to shy away from romantic comedies, no matter their gender. The Realist, if you will. The person who would rather watch a slapstick comedy, a thoroughly violent action film, a slow and methodical psychological thriller, or maybe even a documentary about how the feelings of love release chemicals into our brains that can increase one’s life expectancy. More broadly, it’s for anyone looking to make a closer connection in their current relationship, or perhaps relationships yet to come. We thrive in the company of others, so why not spend time enjoying a story that we can both relate to in our daily life. What is a rom-com if not a story of connection? Personally, I don’t necessarily tend to seek out romantic comedies, but I am a hopeless romantic in many ways. I often while away my days thinking of an escape to the Spanish countryside or Vietnamese coast to live out my days as a poor writer, eating good food, and spending precious time with my witty and gorgeous wife (that’s how you earn brownie points, boys). That said, here’s the problem: it seems that romantic comedies are too often a completely inaccurate depiction of real life. Their overly saccharine sentimentality can be reductive, setting flawed souls like me up for failure by establishing a standard that is unrealistic. After all, isn’t it the fact that we can sacrifice, love, and connect despite our own failings the essence of what makes these stories so enticing to begin with? So many rom-coms tend to forget this. As such, I tend to get caught up in the more wholeheartedly sincere stories that are an accurate reflection of the ridiculous difficulty that comes in matching up two very different souls who have so many of their own faults to overcome while tending to the needs of another. Perhaps it is exactly because of this wide spectrum that the genre is packed full of intrigue, elegance, complexity, humor, and yes, love. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s look at some romantic comedies that meet my criteria for having something realistic that everyone can enjoy. Throw one of these on after your next date night and feel your life get a little bit longer from all those brain chemicals. THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987) Let’s kick things off right… The Princess Bride is director Rob Reiner’s adaptation of William Goldman’s book of the same name. Don’t be fooled by its name, though, because this dangerous fairy tale is more in the vein of The NeverEnding Story than The Notebook . It’s filled with fantastical adventure and surprises, only as it can deliver, by way of its unique narrative structure. This cult classic (with quotable lines galore) will allow you to experience piracy, murder, revenge, beast-fighting, torture, poison, humor, games of wit, and true love. The star-studded cast helps things along, with the likes of Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, and Andre the Giant to name a few. If your loved one should ever ask to watch this film, the proper response is, “as you wish”. SAY ANYTHING (1989) Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, Say Anything is more than just an angsty, teen love story. It is also about being authentically oneself and following your heart, no matter what society’s expectations are. John Cusack plays his part perfectly, and we love him for it. John Mahoney plays the hypocritical father that just wants the best for his daughter, played by Ione Skye. Plus, there are important life lessons to be found, like if you ever have a fight with your significant other, standing outside of his or her window with your arms lifted high and playing beautiful music (boombox not required) is a guaranteed way to get out of whatever trouble you are in. GROUNDHOG DAY (1993) Groundhog Day finds Bill Murray doing what he does best, playing an over-the-top, cocky narcissist, and delivering on his special comedic formula for success. He is caught in a never-ending time loop, forced to live the same day repeatedly. He tries to use this “curse” as a hack to win over the lovely Andie MacDowell’s character, but it isn’t until he stops “trying” that he is able to finally succeed. His journey reflects our own in so many ways, providing a useful framework for being a good person simply because it’s the right thing to do. If we can attack life from that perspective more often than not, you are probably going to win the girl anyways. JERRY MAGUIRE (1996) Well, well…Cameron Crowe, we meet again. It is really amazing to see how he is able to consistently bring out the raw emotion, charm, and character of his actors. Truthfully, Jerry Maguire , written and directed by Crowe, would be toward the top of the “Dude’s Rom-Com” list if this was a ranking. In the real world, romance doesn’t happen in a void, and Jerry Maguire intertwines the love story with the backdrop of striving for success in one’s career and the difficulties of single parenting. It also reflects our own shortcomings in trying, and often failing, to do things perfectly. The chemistry, subtlety, and passion expressed by Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, and Cuba Gooding Jr. is pure magic! Another quotable gem that will go down as not just one of the best romantic comedies of all time, but one of the best films ever. WHAT WOMEN WANT (2000) I have often wished that the one egotistical D-bag that we all seemingly must suffer in our lives might get the same power that Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) is “blessed” with in What Women Want . Although, it may be a power all men have wished for at some point in time, we learn (as life often proves) it’s not that simple. Much to his chagrin, Gibson’s character finds out that he isn’t “all that and a bag of chips” (man, I feel old). There may be some dangerous generalizations made during this film, but there are also some important insights into the female psyche that, I’d hope, most men can appreciate. Add in the lovely Helen Hunt and Marisa Tomei, along with some “manly” wine-drinking while listening to Frank Sinatra, and I can’t think of any other selling point you need to make this a must watch. HITCH (2005) Hitch might not spring to the forefront of your mind when you think about romantic comedies that guys might like. When I first saw it, I thought I wanted to be the super cool and debonair Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith), a man who knows exactly how to make women swoon with seemingly zero effort. By the end of the movie, though, I found I wanted to be much more like the sincere Albert Brennaman (Kevin James), the guy who gets the girl exactly because of his faults. By showing vulnerability, his special someone feels seen, believing that she too can be herself while with him. What truly makes this such a great date-night movie is its focus on both men’s and women’s struggle to impress, highlighting that what really matters is just being true to oneself and not taking yourself so damn seriously. WEDDING CRASHERS (2005) Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, Bradley Cooper, Will Ferrell, Christopher Walken…do I really need to keep going?! If this all-star cast isn’t enough to lure you, the awesome premise of crashing weddings to seduce women through outrageous lies should be. Wedding Crashers explores finding love through the tinted backdrop of a fiercely enforced Bro Code and the navigation of extremely tough family dynamics. For our purposes here, this is a guy’s dream as both a hilarious, sex-oriented comedy and as a traditional “chick flick.” In a world where rom-coms have become extremely formulaic, it is so refreshing to get one that is novel, laugh-out-loud funny, and will have you quoting from it for years to come. CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE (2011) Let’s see, I’m at the end, and I haven’t named a Ryan Gosling or Emma Stone movie. How can I fit one in? Hmm…I know La La Land doesn’t quite fit in this category…. ooh, ooh, Crazy, Stupid, Love !! Another crazy ensemble cast carries this complicated love story with a web of intertwined relationships that results in hilarious confrontation. The actors’ timing, comedic or otherwise, is one to behold, and the cast chemistry allows everyone a chance to shine. What’s more, you won’t walk away thinking you were pacified by the usual romantic comedy clichés, instead getting real, meaningful, and beautifully messy human connection that is a welcome reminder of what really matters. Photo Credits: Photo 1, 2 - 20th Century Studios; Photo 3 - Columbia Pictures; Photo 4, 6 - Sony Pictures Releasing; Photo 5 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 7 - New Line Cinema; Photo 8 - Warner Bros.

THE DYNASTY: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Starring: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft Creators: Matthew Hamachek and Jeff Benedict QUENTIN Objectively speaking, The Dynasty isn’t as good as The Last Dance , mostly because there is a refusal from certain people to open up (Bill Belichick, especially). However, as a Patriots fan, I was fully engaged. Even if I didn’t truly learn anything new, this behind-the-scenes look at 20 years of unprecedented sporting excellence was a worthwhile trip down memory lane. If nothing else, it drove me to think about where I was when X happened…the shock and joy of that first Super Bowl win, the devastating helmet catch, the thrilling 28-3 Super Bowl comeback victory…which, for fans, getting to relive those moments is more than enough PRESTON As a die-hard (read: bitter) Atlanta Falcons fan, The Dynasty was not an easy watch. It may have shifted my view of Tom Brady a bit more positively, but it required a full 10 episodes to get there. The New England Patriots’ involvement in so many of the NFL's historic events over the last 25 years is simply astounding, and the series captures it all in an unbiased manner (mostly), with Bill Belichick serving as the probably deserved scapegoat for a mired past. Even if that has made myself and others antagonistic towards their accomplishments, this is a great watch for all football fans.