Previous Next With the upcoming releases of The Boston Strangler and Luther: The Fallen Sun, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Serial Killer Films/Series. 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. SCREAM Of course, the Scream franchise made this list. It’s a bloody fantastic slasher who’s central serial killer, Ghostface, is inspired by Danny Rolling, aka the Gainesville Ripper, a notorious Florida serial killer who murdered five students in 1990. While it’s loosely based on a real serial killer, it also has become such a cult classic due to its meta commentary and iconic hooded ghost mask that gives you goosebumps if you see it in person. - Paige 4. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO As good of a job as director David Fincher and star Rooney Mara did with the 2011 remake, it was not their iteration of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo that got me reading the Millennium book series. It was the original Swedish film of 2009. If you have not seen Noomi Rapace’s guttural portrayal of Lisbeth Salander, do yourself a favor and strap into a wild, dark, and intense mystery; then finish off the whole trilogy because, damn, did they do a great job capturing how dirty you should feel after watching serial killer films. - Amarú 3. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Even beyond the Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) of it all, The Silence of the Lambs is a brilliantly crafted horror thriller built on a riveting manhunt as Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) chases down a thoroughly bone-chilling serial killer in Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). The “night vision” finale remains one of the all-time great final set pieces in movie history, and the lead-up to the film’s stunning revelation of Bill’s motivations is as engaging and disturbing today as it was in 1991. There is a reason this film is counted as one of the greatest ever made, and as the only horror to ever win Best Picture, it more than deserves the title. - Jacob 2. ZODIAC Serial killers are more than just their crimes. They’re a phenomenon, and no film highlights this better than what is arguably director David Fincher’s best film, Zodiac . It’s hard to sum up how great this film is in just a handful of words because it’s nearly flawless. Everything from the performances to the way the murders are carried out on screen is an absolute masterclass in filmmaking. It’s a creepy, fascinating film that grips you from beginning to end while forcing you to feed into the main character’s obsession with the notorious killer. - Joseph 1. SEVEN Seven remains perhaps director David Fincher's best work to date. The unrelenting oppressiveness of the rain in the unnamed city, the grime of the alleyways, and the brutality of the murders all combine to create one of the bleakest and most dour films of the 1990s. At the heart of the movie is the chemistry between Mills and Somerset (Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, respectively), and the classic trope of hotshot newcomer paired with the weary veteran is given fresh life as Pitt and Freeman embody the roles of the dogged detectives. With one of the best third act reveals in cinema history, Seven remains the shining beacon of serial killer movies. - Darryl HONORABLE MENTIONS AMERICAN PSYCHO MINDHUNTER PSYCHO DEXTER TRUE DETECTIVE Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Dimension Films; Photo 2 - Nordisk Film; Photo 3 - Orion Pictures; Photo 4 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 5 - New Line Cinema

Previous January 19, 2026 Next A BITESIZE CHAT WITH WALKER SCOBELL, LEAH JEFFRIES, & ARYAN SIMHADRI Walker Scobell, Aryan Simhadri, and Leah Jeffries are here to talk about the upcoming Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the process of bringing Rick Riordan's iconic novel to the screen. Make sure to check out Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+. Interview conducted on December 7th, 2023 by Nick van Dinther. Photo Credits: Walt Disney Studios

Previous Next May 5, 2025 Is Thunderbolts* something new or more of the same? Is the MCU back on track? What is the deal with that asterisk? These questions and more are answered as we take a bigger bite out of Thunderbolts* . This episode was filmed before the public name change Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our interviews, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

MARY & GEORGE Starring: Julianne Moore, Nicholas Galitzine, Tony Curran, Laurie Davidson, Nicola Walker, Niamh Algar, Trine Dyrholm, Sean Gilder, Adrian Rawlins, Mark O’Halloran, and Joseph Mawle Creator: D.C. Moore QUENTIN For fans of period-piece castle intrigue mixed with salaciously horny bawdiness, Mary & George will certainly scratch that specific itch…and scratch it well. The production design is fantastic, and Julianne Moore gives a typically excellent performance. It’s just that… after The Favourite and The Great (among others), this sort of contemporary-tinged history lesson already feels a bit played out. Or maybe I’m just tired of the genre, especially as this one comes across as a tad tabloid-y. I can fully admit that it’s a very competently made show that maybe just isn’t for me.

AMERICAN RUST Starring: Jeff Daniels, Maura Tierney, David Alvarez, Bill Camp, Julia Mayorga, Alex Neustaedter, Mark Pellegrino, and Rob Yang Creator: Dan Futterman QUENTIN Like Mare of Easttown before it, American Rust is yet another show trying to show the plight of a blue-collar community in America’s rust belt through the framing device of a murder investigation being conducted by a gruff sheriff with regrets. Except this one is poorly written and overly bleak. The cast does what it can, but it seems the only direction tossed their way was "Your character is miserable." Furthermore, the investigation doesn't have an interesting enough hook to matter, and it's often ignored for subplots about unionization and learning how to be homeless. It's an all-around gloomy bore.

Previous Next The Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Midyear Report. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films or series 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. THE BATMAN The Batman not only excels in its technical aspects and as a kick-ass detective caper, it also succeeds in re-defining the character as a pop culture artifact. In thematically establishing vengeance as a force for infection rather than inspiration, director Matt Reeves reckons with who Batman is largely understood to be to the mainstream, and challenges his audience to look for something more in him than just a crime-fighting vigilante. - Jacob 4. STRANGER THINGS: SEASON FOUR - PART ONE The first part of Stranger Things ’ fourth season is possibly the series’ best (or, at the very least, darkest) entry yet. It’s scarier, sadder, and deeper than previous seasons, and showcases the cast’s talent to an even better degree than before. The show remains a cultural touchstone, and based on “Running Up That Hill”‘s nearly 40-years-later success, it’s safe to say Stranger Things has been one of the most impactful pieces of media released so far this year. - Joseph 3. CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH AppleTV+ could potentially have another Best Picture nominee on their hands with Cha Cha Real Smooth , one of the year’s biggest surprises. It’s a delightful coming-of-age dramedy that is charming, heartwarming, and grounded from start to finish. Anyone can relate to this film, which is what makes it so special. It has a great ensemble, featuring Dakota Johnson, Leslie Mann, and newcomer Vanessa Burghardt, while director/writer/star Cooper Raiff is forging an exciting path as a filmmaker to keep an eye on. - Paige 2. TOP GUN: MAVERICK If you want to know just how good Top Gun: Maverick is, consider this: it’s Tom Cruise’s first movie to open at over $100 million and his first movie to cross the billion dollar threshold. For an actor generally regarded as the last true Movie Star, that is remarkable. And with the completely earned sequel story, thrilling aerial stunts, and heartfelt emotional beats, it shouldn’t be too surprising that it also is one of the best movies of the year. - Quentin 1. EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE Everything Everywhere All at Once is the best movie of the year, plain and simple. It’s a singular story with singular characters portrayed by singular actors. For a multiverse movie, that is a feat beyond anything you’ve ever experienced. Oscar nominations are a given, in every category, and it could easily win them all. - Amarú HONORABLE MENTIONS PEACEMAKER: SEASON ONE MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON SEVERANCE: SEASON ONE HUSTLE THE NORTHMAN Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Warner Bros; Photo 2 - Netflix; Photo 3 - Apple TV+; Photo 4 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 5 - A24

MS. MARVEL Starring: Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Laurel Marsden, Rish Shah, Nimra Bucha, Samina Ahmad, Farhan Akhtar, Aramis Knight, Arian Moayed, and Alysia Reiner Creator: Bisha K. Ali JACOB Though it does make some questionable choices as far as the pacing of certain episodes and a few underdeveloped supporting characters, Ms. Marvel is the first MCU project in a while that truly matches the essence of its protagonist. Pakistani culture mixes with Gen Z American energy to create a uniquely youthful fusion of what a kid superhero post-Endgame might actually look like, and Iman Vellani is more than up to the task. Admittedly, the more it attempts to expand into the wider MCU, the less it works, but even then, the more intimate storytelling is enough to hold it together. AMARÚ Ms. Marvel is joyful, heartfelt, and charming. It demonstrates how Phase 4’s diverse storytelling, when done right, is full of depth. The intricate care it takes in introducing Kamala Khan (the effervescent Iman Vellani), her infectious family, and the rich history of Pakistani culture is top notch. While the action can be slightly underwhelming and Disney+’s rushed 6-episode structure highlights the lackluster antagonists’ inconsistent development, each episode focuses on establishing Kamala (not Ms. Marvel) as a three-dimensional character with a resonant story. The emphasis on story over superhero makes Ms. Marvel my favorite MCU show to date. Plus… The soundtrack. IS. FIYAH!!!!! QUENTIN I’ve had several debates about whether Ms. Marvel is “not good” or “not for 41-year-old Q.” I’ll let you decide that for yourselves, but I’ll tell you this: I did not enjoy it one bit. It’s full of teenage cringe, subpar CGI, Bollywood-style camp, and characters (and story) that I couldn’t care less about. Plus, the tone is more aligned with Lizzie McGuire and Hannah Montana than the MCU. It’s the first time I’ve ever been held hostage by the MCU’s shared universe because I basically felt forced to hate-watch the series since Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) is a main character in 2023’s The Marvels . ADRIANO The MCU shows range from “pretty great” to “I forgot about Hawkeye ,” but thankfully, Ms. Marvel stands out as maybe the best one yet. This show sucked me in instantly with its style and vibe. Iman Vellani gives the most lovable performance, which makes it so easy to root for her, and I specifically love how much the show focuses on her . It doesn’t feel like it’s just one big Phase 4 set up. This is her story, about how what’s happening affects her and her loved ones. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

WAYWARD Starring: Mae Martin, Toni Collette, Sarah Gadon, Sidney Topliffe, Alyvia Alyn Lind, John Daniel, Tattiawna Jones, Brandon Jay McLaren, Joshua Close, and Patrick J. Adams Creator: Mae Martin NICK Netflix’s latest limited series Wayward is a spirited effort from comedian Mae Martin. Martin has their hands all over this as star, writer, showrunner, and producer, and they’ve done enough here to welcome more work in this genre. While I loved this series in the early going, it couldn’t maintain that momentum as it went along; despite a devilishly good Toni Collette. The story began to spin its wheels a little, the reveals didn't land as they should, and it didn’t quite stick the landing. I still enjoyed the series and think it was quite well done; just a couple creative decisions held things back. PAIGE Wayward attempts to be this generation's Twin Peaks , but fumbles its premise miserably. Weak writing, subpar performances, and choppy editing kill the tone. Not even the great Toni Collette, who tries her best to carry it on her shoulders, can get it across the finish line as a somewhat satisfying season of television. This stale show presents no real consequences for its characters' actions and merely dips its toes into its intended themes. It’s got the right ideas, but doesn’t know how to use them to make a compelling experience. BODE I wouldn’t have anticipated that Mae Martin’s scripted follow-up to Feel Good would be a very Canadian answer to Twin Peaks . But credit where it’s due, Wayward shows they have the chops to pull this mystery off. Though it occasionally stumbles, the show mostly does a good job building layers upon its plot – getting progressively surreal, but also surprisingly thoughtful with each episode. It helps that it has memorable performances, especially from Alyvia Alyn Lind and Sydney Topliffe. It’s enjoyable all-around, and though this was green-lit as a limited series, I wouldn’t be opposed to another season.

Previous Next March 26, 2025 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW This week sees the release of David Ayer’s A Working Man , which is a very generic title for a movie. However, the only thing more generic than the title is the generic way in which one can describe exactly what A Working Man is to someone who may not have heard of it: it’s a Jason Statham movie. This is by no means meant to denigrate Statham because “a Jason Statham movie” is usually a ton of dumb fun, often harking back to the action heroes of the 80s and 90s. That said, let’s be honest, Statham doesn’t have a lot of range. He is one of the few actors whose name alone articulates precisely what’s in store since his characters and movies tend to be so one-note. Bloodied knuckles, gun and knife play, the “oh shit!” killings of faceless henchmen, a gravelly voiced and accented wise-crack or two, and an unshaven and retired badass reluctantly asked to revert to his ass-kicking ways to right a wrong. Statham has played this type of character so well and so frequently that he was asked to spoof it in Paul Feig’s Spy , which he did with delightful aplomb. That was a decade and 12 very similar movies ago. Yet here we are with A Working Man , where he plays a former Royal Marine commando forced to use his old set of skills to find his boss's kidnapped daughter, uncovering a conspiracy in the process. And do you know what he has coming in 2026? Mutiny , where he plays a former Special Forces operative who is framed for murder, which leads him to an international conspiracy as he searches for the true killer. And in 2027? An untitled action thriller where he plays “a man pulled back towards the ghosts of his violent past.” All this is to say… you keep doing you, you magnificent British bastard. We’ll keep buying tickets. So, with all that in mind, the Bitesize Crew started discussing other one-note actors that we love despite their tendency to repeat themselves. Statham, at this point, is almost his own genre. Who else has reached that level? What other performers out there conjure a very specific image when we say, “it’s a [insert actor] movie”? We’ve listed our favorites below… WILL FERRELL A one-note actor shouldn't be confused with an actor that brings a piece of their own personality to a role, either in a subtle way or, in the case of Will Ferrell, a very big way. Ferrell is typically known for his large comedic roles as the man-child. Or the charming idiot. Or the confident loudmouth. Sometimes, all three at the same time. Still, it's hard to pin down what exactly Ferrell's style is other than... Will Ferrell. It's his own brand of funny, and he imbues that into most, if not all, of his roles. Case in point, Ron Burgundy ( Anchorman ) and Alan Gamble ( The Other Guys ) couldn't be more different. One is a cocky, narcissistic buffoon; the other is a dorky, desk-jockey hiding a ball of rage. Ferrell portrays these characters with very different personalities and characteristics, yet they're both fall-out-of-your-seat hilarious for similar reasons. Ferrell's talent as a comedic performer is such that you know what kind of comedy you'll get, but in a bizarre way, it's never the same as before, which is damn impressive. — Adriano DWAYNE JOHNSON Once upon a time, there was a man known only as "The Rock," a moniker from the then-known WWF. Two decades later, The Rock has become Dwayne Johnson, one of the biggest names in Hollywood. He did this by creating a persona that borrows from his wrestling days while also standing on its own. First, he was the tough but charming adventurer ( The Scorpion King , The Rundown ). Then, he became the tough but charming reluctant family man ( The Game Plan , The Tooth Fairy ) before evolving into the tough but charming action hero (The Fast Saga, Skyscraper ) we’ve seen most recently. Occasionally, there is humour mixed in, but that's basically what you're getting: tough but charming. However, even though I’ve mostly enjoyed his career so far, all good roads must come to an end. Johnson seems to be realizing this, too. In a world where Dave Bautista has consistently shown range and John Cena has shown an undeniable comedic quality, there is competition on the former pro wrestler turned actor front. As such, Johnson is making another pivot. Only time will tell how it turns out, but I'm really looking forward to his next iteration as the (presumably) tough but charming awards-caliber dramatic actor: as former MMA fighter Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s biopic The Smashing Machine and as a Hawaiian mob boss Martin Scorsese's untitled crime drama. — Nick MELISSA MCCARTHY Throughout her varied career, two-time Oscar-nominated actress Melissa McCarthy has proven that she is a diverse performer who can bring an emotional punch to her roles. However, I prefer her arguably more low-brow movies, where she tends to play a familiar but always hilarious comedic character. This character is simultaneously crude yet naive, brash, and loud, but also charming and ultimately kind-hearted. She can always be relied on for a laugh. For one, she’s my favourite character in my favourite comedy, Bridesmaids , bringing a chaotic energy that shines in every scene with a deadpan delivery that never fails to make me giggle. She plays a similar character in The Heat, Identity Thief, and Spy , in all of which her esteemed improv skills have yielded countless hysterical one-liners. For these reasons, she always plays incredibly well against her co-stars, and I think her performance alongside co-star Sandra Bullock in The Heat is my favourite buddy cop pairing ever. McCarthy gets a lot of flak for her one-dimensional characters, but time again, she has proven she is the best at what she does. — Katie RON PERLMAN Ron Perlman was the perfect actor to play Hellboy in the early 2000s. He looks big and menacing, with a deep voice and the air of nefariously fun charm. However, even without the makeup, that perfectly describes Perlman in just about every role you've seen him in, just ask Guillermo del Toro. Anytime you need an actor to punch up a macho-man action movie with the right amount of funny bravado, you get Mr. Perlman. And he is money every time. No matter how often you see him as the bad guy, or the heavy, or the black-market arms dealer you’re not sure you can trust but have no choice but to, he is that guy. He is also that voice, as heard in roles like Gnarlack from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the Stabbington Brothers in Tangled . Once he puts on his famously devilish grin and guffaws that deep-timbered laugh, you can’t help but get sucked into the slickest, slyest, and most perfectly timed puns and one-liners, which he has been delivering over the last 30-some-odd years. Guillermo, keep putting Perlman in all your things because I’ll keep watching him. — Amarú KEANU REEVES What’s not to like about Keanu Reeves? He’s a beloved actor on and off the screen who, over the course of three decades, has starred in some of our favorite movies, including The Matrix and John Wick franchises, Speed , and Point Break . However, if you really dive into his extensive filmography, you can undoubtedly spot a trend in his performances. In fact, most of the characters he has portrayed are strikingly similar as he tends to take roles that focus more on the physicality of a performance than the actual acting itself. I won't argue that the characters he portrays aren't complicated or nuanced, but when Reeves is on screen, he is seemingly just being himself to a certain degree. I don't think that's inherently a bad thing, either. In all honesty, I consider him to be among the top "one-note" actors working today. Reeves knows how to play to his strengths, and he does so by consistently taking on characters that are comparable to his own persona. You may disagree, but as portrayed by Reeves, are there huge differences between John Wick ( John Wick ), Neo ( The Matrix ) and Ted “Theodore” Logan ( Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure )? He is best suited for characters that don't call for massive depth or a wide range of emotions, allowing himself to remain more stoic, calm, and almost at peace, even as he kicks ass. And I’m here to tell you there is nothing wrong with that. — Paige RYAN REYNOLDS Despite dipping his toe into some non-comedic waters, including suspense ( Buried ), action ( Smokin’ Aces ), psychological thriller ( The Nines ) science-fiction ( Life ), drama ( Mississippi Grind ), and horror ( The Amityville Horror ), Ryan Reynolds is mostly known for playing some version of his breakout character, Van Wilder. He is almost always the handsome, quick-witted, charmingly snarky, lovably sarcastic, glib smart-ass, which doesn’t feel too far from his actual personality if his social media and interview personas are to be believed. And maybe that’s why it still works so well. It feels genuine. Say what you will about the quality of the movies themselves, but his schtick is routinely elevating mediocrity (as opposed to it ruining an amazing script). Whether it’s as Wade Wilson ( Deadpool ), Nolan Booth ( Red Notice ), Guy ( Free Guy ), Michael Bryce ( The Hitman’s Bodyguard ), Victor Locke ( Hobbs & Shaw ), Andrew Paxton ( The Proposal ), Chris Brander ( Just Friends ), Monty ( Waiting… ) — well, you get the idea — I know I’m in store for mile-a-minute jokes from a dude that I would love to just hang out with. He seems like the type of guy who would make my face hurt from laughing too much at the bar, and if the only way I can get close to that experience is by watching him play himself over and over again, I’m in every time, especially when he is allowed to fully unleash under the cover of an R rating. — Quentin

Previous Next With the upcoming release of Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, we've been thinking a lot about time travel. So, the Bitesize crew has travelled back through their history of cinema to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Time Travel Films/Series. Of note, this list is focused on physical time travel so we've omitted any time loop content. As per usual, each writer ranks their top 15 releases 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. AVENGERS: ENDGAME You mean to tell me that Back to the Future is all… bullshit?! Well, we aren’t saying that, but Paul Rudd’s delivery of that line, along with every Endgame conversation about time travel (including Don Cheadle’s hilarious noose-tying gesture) is as perfect as the three-hour MCU Phase One finale is. After Infinity War left audiences in perpetual dread, wondering how the team was going to come back from such a horrific loss, the Russo Brothers directed arguably the greatest cinematic achievement of all time. They were able to culminate 10 years and 23 movies worth of storytelling with a competent maintenance of stakes using only three words (“Five... Years… Later”), intelligent use of the quantum realm to facilitate time travel, and a perfect use of said travel to combine nostalgia and catharsis to an extremely satisfying ending. Endgame combines characters we love, a top-tier villain, and the most exciting time heist this side of time heists to pull off what would never be considered possible before we saw Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) get bombed in his funvee in 2008. - Amarú 4. X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Without comic-book knowledge, the idea of merging both of Fox Studios’ X-Men casts together into a mind-trippy, time displacement epic seemed too strange to work. High ambition does not always present too lofty a bar to clear, however, especially when your project is bulwarked by two universes of superior actors with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine as the connective tissue. The contrast of the dreary, cold, apocalyptic future with the colorful and fashionable aesthetic of the 1970s serves both sides of the plot to the point that not even controversial director Bryan Singer could ruin its appeal. Even when James McAvoy’s Charles has to enter Logan’s consciousness to look beyond him and converse with the Patrick Stewart version of himself for guidance, you don’t feel like your brain is completely acid-saturated. With a cool soundtrack, arguably the greatest slow-motion scene ever depicted on film, and mother-f’ing Sentinels (finally!), Days of Future Past remains top-level X-Men and time-travel storytelling, no matter when you watch it. - Robert 3. LOOPER Looper may be the grittiest time-traveling film out there. Its unique premise and central conflict make it a thrilling and thought-provoking modern sci-fi classic. Rather than leaning on the more technical mechanics of time travel, the film functions more as a character-driven crime noir focusing on how these characters deal with the moral and emotional consequences of using such a tool. Time-traveling movies can often become convoluted, as there are so many rules and explanations that need to be communicated, but writer/director Rian Johnson cleverly takes the show-don’t-tell approach, and it works out masterfully here. He manages to craft a brilliant premise that features a stacked cast (Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, and Paul Dano), who all deliver fantastic performances. Looper avoids time-traveling cop outs and delivers one hell of an entertaining and action-packed thrill ride that never loses sight of its characters. - Paige 2. TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY The rare example of the sequel exceeding the original, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is one of cinema's crowning action and sci-fi achievements. Director James Cameron, always one to push the boundaries of filmmaking, crafted a true spectacle out of this time-travel epic, with some of the most notable characters and quotes, yet, even with all that, T2 is not one to shy away from thought-provoking themes to complement its badass nature. This is a well thought out time-travel story, a father-son tale, and an artificial intelligence warning that’s sadly more timely than ever several decades later. But all of that is just icing on this delicious cake, as this movie can be best described as sick as hell, just about covering most of my preferential bases. Hasta la vista, baby! - Adriano 1. BACK TO THE FUTURE Rarely does a film rule an entire sub-genre, let alone rule it for 40+ years. Although this complete list was a question mark, there was never a doubt to me that Back to the Future would take the top spot. Since 1985, this film has been the gold standard for time-travel cinema. Led by two iconic characters in Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd), Back to the Future is the perfect blend of comedy, adventure, and science fiction. My personal affinity for this film is well documented, but even if you set that aside, it's hard to argue that Back to the Future isn’t undeniably one of the greatest films of all time. - Nick HONORABLE MENTIONS AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE DEMOLITION MAN STAR TREK (2009) 12 MONKEYS

MYTHIC QUEST: SEASON FOUR Starring: Rob McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, Imani Hakim, Jessie Ennis, and Naomi Ekperigin Creators: Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney QUENTIN Shows like Mythic Quest get tougher to review with each passing season, especially in 100 words, because not much changes from year to year. The characters are established, the brand of humor is set, and the series just is what it is at this point. Nothing I say will drive you to watch if you haven’t already, just like nothing I say will turn you off if you’re already a fan. So, given that, Mythic Quest remains a funny (if not laugh-out-loud) workplace comedy built on tremendous cast chemistry and increasingly mature and heartfelt character dynamics. I mean, after four seasons…if you know, you know. Check out our reviews for Season Three HERE .

Previous Next As we approach 2025 and the end of the 21st century’s first quarter, we wanted to look back to see which actors, actresses, directors, and movies have stood the test of time. With that in mind, for the rest of the year, the Bitesize Top Five will be giving a consensus view on what we think are the Bests of everything since 2000. We are only looking at work released since January 1, 2000, so don’t get mad because your favourites of the 90s didn’t make it. Over the next four months we will do Top Five Dramas, Comedies, Horrors, and Action Films of this century. For our purposes, we worked with the idea that every movie falls under one of those broad umbrellas. It’s imperfect, but it felt like the best course of action. As always, each writer ranks his or her top 15 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. MEAN GIRLS Without a doubt, one of the most iconic teen comedies of the past century is Mean Girls . This hilarious treasure, which was created from the comical minds of Tina Fey and Rosalind Wiseman, is still a pop culture phenomenon thanks to its quotable gags like "she doesn't even go here!" and “if you’re from Africa, why are you white?” And let’s not forget its notable ensemble, which includes Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams. This lighthearted and whimsical flick addresses important topics including bullying, body image, and the negative effects of conformity. Mean Girls manages to do all of this without being cliché. All in all, this movie is so fetch! - Paige 4. TROPIC THUNDER I don’t know what one could want from a comedy that isn’t provided by Tropic Thunder . Sharp and biting satire? Mmhmm. A delightful mix of irreverent humor and meta insightfulness? You betcha. A never-ending string of hilarious and infinitely quotable one-liners? Damn right. A tremendous ensemble that seems to be having a blast making fun of themselves, including unforgettable turns from an against-type Tom Cruise and an Oscar-nominated Robert Downey Jr.? In fucking spades. I mean, think about that for a second…this movie is so clever and well-respected amongst pretentious critics and general audiences alike that RDJ was nominated for an Oscar while doing literal blackface. That’s wild. Tropic Thunder is easily one of the funniest and most consequential comedies of the century, and if nothing else, it “m-m-m-mmm-m-makes me happy.” - Quentin 3. THE NICE GUYS Before he was Kenough, Ryan Gosling was a private investigator with a shrill little girl's scream. He was perfect. The Nice Guys (a spiritual successor to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang ) is the best buddy-cop comedy of this century, bar none. A mixture of great dialogue by Shane Black and wonderful chemistry between Gosling and Russell Crowe provides snickers, that turn into chuckles, that turn into full-on belly laughs. Sadly, we never got a sequel, but I'm still holding out hope, and I know I'm not the only one. - Nick 2. STEP BROTHERS Step Brothers is one of the most iconic and quotable comedies of the century so far; a gleefully immature celebration of absurdity and raunchy humour. I’ve loved this film since I watched it when I was definitely too young, and I’ve seen it countless times since, yet it never fails to make me cry with laughter. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are exceptionally funny as the infantilized man-children, and every single member of the cast is a scene stealer in their own right, bouncing off each other in hilarious harmony. Step Brothers is a comedy that isn't afraid to go over the top and test the limits, whilst there being something unironically heart-warming about the brother’s relationship and the film’s message to never grow up. - Katie 1. OCEAN'S ELEVEN George Clooney and Brad Pitt is an undeniably titanic and charismatic one-two punch that just works, further evidenced by a recipe revisit in Apple’s upcoming Wolfs . Ocean’s 11 combines the dashing duo with an absolute bonkers all-star cast that seems to be having a blast and the directorial intelligence of Steven Soderbergh that is on full display in an endlessly clever script. This stylish 2001 feature proves how smart comedy films can be with the inclusion of elements beyond the scope of a “pure comedy” that bring tension, surprises, intrigue, fun, and a pure, leisurely smile to one’s face. - Preston HONORABLE MENTIONS SNATCH O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY BRIDESMAIDS TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY