HYSTERIA!: SEASON ONE Starring: Julie Bowen, Bruce Campbell, Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, Kezii Curtis, Nikki Hahn, Anna Camp, Nolan North, Garret Dillahunt, Elijah Richardson, Milly Shapiro, Allison Scagliotti, and Jessica Treska Creator: Matthew Scott Kane QUENTIN Peacock’s Hysteria! genuinely has a great core storyline that explores the meaning of cult, juxtaposing overprotective evangelical Christian parents against high school outsiders forming a death metal cult for popularity reasons. However, in addition to that story, there are subplots surrounding a murder mystery, Satanic hallucinations, a weird rash, a love triangle, broken friendships, and more. It’s just too scattershot. There is also an underlying air of CW-level camp and YA-ness that makes the competing cult storyline feel too slight. On the plus side, the soundtrack is full of 80s hits, and it’s always a pleasure to see Bruce Campbell and Garret Dillahunt on screen.

BEEF: SEASON TWO Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho, and Seoyeon Jang Creator: Lee Sung Jin AMARÚ Even with a stacked cast of multi-generational stars, award winners, and fan favorites, Beef : Season Two couldn’t do anything to keep me interested in the lives of its main characters. Following three different couples who are oblivious to the real world for three separate reasons would be interesting if the show found a way to reconnect their troubles to some semblance of reality. But I couldn’t care less about rich people problems, ignorant people problems, or snobbish people problems. The least they could do is let us watch these undesirables take each other down, but the so-called “beef” is barely there. Such a waste. PAIGE Unfortunately, lightning did not strike twice with Beef : Season Two. While the show revisits similar themes as its predecessor, particularly around class and social structure, its tone felt noticeably different. This time around, it lacks the central “beef” and tension between the characters that made Season One so compelling. Even with a shorter episode count, the story takes too long to find its footing, and to be frank, it’s kind of all over the place. The performances make the watch bearable, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say the writing made it a lackluster experience. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

THE CHANGELING: SEASON ONE Starring: LaKeith Stanfield, Clark Backo, Adina Porter, Malcolm Barrett, and Samuel Herring Creator: Kelly Marcel QUENTIN Despite good performances from LaKeith Stanfield (of course) and Clark Backo, as well as some often great direction from Melina Matsoukas, The Changeling is a big ol’ mess. It’s a mishmash of genres, moving from romance to horror to fantasy, and on top of that, the pacing is piss-poor with many questions left unanswered. The first few episodes move really slowly before finally breaking fully into the story around midseason; however, it then has two straight Stanfield-free bottle episodes that completely kill the momentum. It was a laborious watch in a binge, and I really can’t imagine anyone staying with this series on a week-to-week basis. AMARÚ Malcolm Barrett is such an underrated actor. He’s consistently hilarious while carrying dramatic weight in every word he says. He’s also the only thing I cared about in The Changeling , a puzzling mystery that has weird (read: stupid) people saying weird things that ultimately DO NOT unravel the weirdly sinister happenings while moving at a maddeningly uninteresting pace. This show reiterated my pure nonchalance towards horror, and it had me repeatedly asking, “what dafuq is going on?” to things that couldn’t hold my interest. So… Malcolm Barrett. Look him up, say, “ohhh yea, that guy,” and watch other things he’s in.

THAT '90S SHOW: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON Starring: Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Reyn Doi, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Sam Morelos, Andrea Anders, Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, and Don Stark Creators: Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Gregg Mettler PAIGE PART ONE Even though it’s still not as good as its predecessor, “Part Two” of That ‘90s Show is significantly better than “Part One.” This might be because I've become slightly more invested in the characters, but I would be lying if I said Red and Kitty (Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp) don’t still steal the show. However, the series also is beginning to give its new cast more opportunities to shine instead of relying on cameos from the original cast. Above all else, it's starting to incorporate the best elements of That ‘70s Show , which means being heavily dependent on its opulent decade nostalgia. PART TWO After three “parts,” I'm beginning to warm up to That ‘90s Show . This latest batch of episodes is unquestionably the best installment so far, even though I still don't think it quite measures up to That ‘70s Show . The comedy in the show is beginning to click, the dynamic within the gang is developing, and it's becoming more adept at encapsulating the vibe of the 1990s. Plus, having Laura Prepon, aka Hot Donna, direct every episode this season helped the series find its footing, I think. Overall, “Part Three” is a simple yet entertaining sitcom worth binging. NICK PART ONE Maybe it's because I didn't grow up watching That '70s Show …and therefore, don't hold it sacred…but I enjoy this series. Not only that, I find the first half of Season Two (aka Part Two) an improvement over Season One. The characters are more fleshed out, Red and Kitty (Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp) aren't overused, and the era-specific cameos are a lot of fun. It’s far from perfect, but it gives me that throwback sitcom feel (which has become a rarity), and it’s made me chuckle on multiple occasions. That’s all I’m really looking for from a series like this. PART TWO Unlike many series reboots, That ‘90s Show has reached a point where it no longer relies on its original cast. I’ve actually become more invested in the stories of these teenagers than their ‘70s counterparts – particularly Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), who is becoming the clear highlight – which is all this show could have hoped for. It's even begun to make better use of the decade, as it follows up the Lisa Loeb scene from Part One with an homage to the cartoon Doug , along with other ‘90s callbacks. For a throwback sitcom (which we don’t get much of nowadays), you can’t ask much more.

Previous Next Some of you may not know this, but Denzel Washington began his illustrious career as a television star on St. Elsewhere. So, with The Equalizer 3 coming out this month, we figured we'd rank some of the biggest names to make the jump from TV to the silver screen. For inclusion on this list, the actor in question had to have a regular role on a series prior to hitting it big as a movie star. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 actors 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. GEORGE CLOONEY After Michael J. Fox (a travesty he didn't make this list), there is really only one other actor who truly conquered both mediums: George Clooney. His Emmy-nominated role as Doug Ross in 109 episodes of ER may be his most notable, but he also featured heavily in Roseanne , The Facts of Life , and numerous other series. This makes it all the more impressive that he's become one of the true movie stars of my generation. You have the Ocean's franchise, Up in the Air , Syriana , Gravity , and many, many others. Plus, being maybe the most charming man in Hollywood on top of that? No brainer. - Nick 4. ROBIN WILLIAMS As someone I consider to be one of the two most entertaining people in Hollywood history (the other was recently in They Cloned Tyrone ), it’s no surprise that Robin Williams is on this list. Damn near anything you ask him to do, he’s doing it at 100%. It’s not that he transitioned from TV’s Mork to the funniest of movie stars, but that he also transitioned from stand-up comic to TV star to comedic film actor to dramatic film actor to voice actor to put-him-in-anything-and-he-will-be-the-best-at-everything actor. We miss you, big guy. Saying a big ol’ “toodalooooo” for ya! - Amarú 3. TOM HANKS If A Man Called Otto proved anything, it was that Tom Hanks’ movie star power has no chance of waning any time soon, at least not by any significant measure. From his beginnings on Bosom Buddies to his numerous SNL hosting stints to his “America’s Dad” film persona, Hanks’ cinematic everyman quality makes him infinitely compelling to watch, and he remains one of the increasingly few faces in American movies that can drive box office success without needing the superhero bump to do so. - Jacob 2. WILL SMITH Controversy aside, Will Smith is undoubtedly one of the biggest movie stars in the world. From big budget franchises like Men in Black and Bad Boys , to fan favourites like Independence Day and I Am Legend , to Oscar-caliber roles in Pursuit of Happyness and King Richard (which won him his first Academy Award), Smith has dominated the film industry for decades. And yet, for me, I will always remember him most for portraying a loose version of himself in one of my favourite sitcoms of all time, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air , a show that turned him from a rapper to superstar. - Adriano 1. LEONARDO DICAPRIO You’d be forgiven if you didn’t realize Leonardo DiCaprio, arguably the best actor working today, started his career as an early 90s sitcom star. First, in Parenthood , a series based on the 1989 film that was cancelled after one season, and second, the final season of Growing Pains . However, you won’t be forgiven for thinking anyone else belongs at the top of this list. Leo has been nominated for six Oscars, six BAFTAs, and 13 Golden Globes during a 32-year film career that has seen him make the transition from no-name TV actor to bonafide movie star, all while avoiding the dreaded Child Actor Curse. And at just 48 years old, who knows what else he may accomplish? - Quentin HONORABLE MENTIONS DENZEL WASHINGTON RYAN GOSLING EDDIE MURPHY JIM CARREY MARGOT ROBBIE Photo Credits: Photo 1, 4 - NBC; Photo 2, 3, 5 - ABC

RUNNING POINT: SEASON ONE Starring: Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Brenda Song, Chet Hanks, Toby Sandeman, Jay Ellis, Max Greenfield, and Justin Theroux Creators: Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen QUENTIN Although not as good as Ted Lasso , Running Point delivers enough of the same funny heartfelt vibes to make for a worthy replacement to that modern classic. It can, admittedly, get a little too “Girlbossy” at times, but Kate Hudson is just so damn delightful that it’s never a cringy distraction, especially as she bounces off the excellent supporting cast. Some of the subplots are a little undercooked, but that’s to be expected with a workplace ensemble comedy. Fans of Lasso , basketball, and movies like Draft Day should definitely check it out. I only wish they had the rights to use real NBA teams. NICK With the sports connection, there's bound to be comparisons between Running Point and Ted Lasso , but there shouldn't be. The Kate Hudson-led basketball comedy is crasser, less wholesome, and disinterested in tackling serious issues in a meaningful manner. But that's just not the type of series this is. This is more of a classic sitcom, featuring the positive (laughs, boisterous characters) and the negative (predictability, framework episodes) aspects you'd expect. That said, it’s a breezy watch, and Hudson is great. In the world of prestige television, it’s nice to watch an easy sitcom, and Running Point certainly satisfies that itch.

THE DIPLOMAT: SEASON THREE Starring: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, Ato Essandoh, Allison Janney, and Bradley Whitford Creator: Debora Cahn QUENTIN All due respect to The Gentlemen and Bridgerton , but in its third season, The Diplomat has further cemented itself as Netflix’s best ongoing original series and the service’s most bingeable offering since You . While I wish this season had focused more on Kate’s (an award-worthy Keri Russell) professional role rather than her marriage to Hal (an equally terrific Rufus Sewell), the two are so intertwined that it never feels like two disparate storylines. The organic connective tissue on that front — coupled with breakneck pacing, palpable stakes, and stellar supporting performances — make for a political drama where the characters are just as compelling as the twisty plot. Check out our reviews for Season Two HERE .

FROM: SEASON THREE Starring: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, Ricky He, Chloe Van Landschoot, Pegah Ghafoori, Corteon Moore, Hannah Cheramy, Simon Webster, Avery Konrad, Elizabeth Moy, Robert Joy, and Samantha Brown Creator: John Griffin QUENTIN After a second season that felt like it was spinning its wheels a bit too much, From : Season Three is a return to form, at least through the first four episodes that were provided to critics. The writers are starting to answer questions and provide a clear path ahead instead of simply piling mysteries on top of more mysteries. The performances are on par with previous seasons (both good and bad), with Harold Perrineau shouldering much of the emotional weight, and the horror elements, as well as the overall town setting, are becoming more developed. Much to my delight, From has rebounded from the sophomore slump.

BEACON 23: SEASON ONE Starring: Lena Headey, Stephan James, Natasha Mumba, and Marnie McPhail Creator: Zak Penn QUENTIN As far as sci-fi shows go, Beacon 23 isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever seen, but its slow burn, uninteresting characters, single setting, and meandering storyline don’t give viewers any reason to be invested. Maybe it’s all world-building for the seasons to come (Seasons One and Two were filmed back-to-back), but if everyone checks out before you get to those Season Two payoffs, what’s the point? It’s possible that the most dedicated sci-fans out there will have the patience to sit through the so-far-empty mythology and poorly developed exposition, but I’m not that dude. Instead, I’d watch Silo , based on a book from the same author.

CHAD POWERS: SEASON TWO Starring: Glen Powell, Steve Zahn, Perry Mattfeld, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Wynn Everett, Clayne Crawford, Quentin Phair, and Colton Ryan Creators: Glen Powell and Michael Waldron NICK Although it retains its dumb humour, Season Two of Chad Powers leans more into the relationships of its characters, and it's better off for it. Although I wasn't the biggest fan of Season One, it clearly did well in establishing these characters because I didn't realize how much I'd enjoy their return. This season, the focus is less on being an outright comedy as it tries to find the balance of being an edgier Ted Lasso while still keeping some of its more ridiculous moments. It’s a tonal shift that may not work for everyone, but I think it’s on the right track. ROBERT The dumbness of Chad Powers ’ first season knew no bounds in my estimation. Somehow, in Season Two, as the conspiracy widened and the lines were drawn between those trying to keep Chad’s (Glen Powell) secret and those trying to expose it, the show found reliable footing. Now that some time has been spent with these characters, the show can explore deeper wells of motivation. There are interesting concepts about identity and the nature of relationships (even if they’re always transactional in some way) that ascribed an undergirding of meaning Season One lacked. This prestigious tone is a mask I’m glad Chad Powers decided to wear. QUENTIN With the setup of its skit-like premise out of the way, Chad Powers ’ second season is given room to maneuver into a more self-assured and layered character study. The jokes still aren’t of the laugh-out-loud variety, but since the story goes deeper with its examination of identity — through increasingly dramatic thriller vibes — the laughs feel far less forced than in Season One. Of course, Power s’ ridiculousness is only believable because Glen Powell is fully committed to the series’ brand of goofy seriousness (or is it serious goofiness?). Plus, at barely three hours total, the season ends before you start overthinking the irrationality of it all. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

Previous Next Summer is here so we're bringing you a two-part series of the greatest Summer Blockbusters of all time. Finally, we look at the best the 21st Century has to offer as the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Summer Blockbusters of the 21st Century. Due to the scope of this list, we narrowed it down to films that were released within the summer window and were a top five box office draw in their year of release. Each writer ranks their 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. SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE I take full umbrage against anyone who disparages this as just “half a movie” because it ends on a cliffhanger. Yes, we still have to finish Miles’ (Shameik Moore) story, but Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) gets a full blown arc that not only raises her character, but supplements that of Earth-42’s Spider-Man (Miles, for those who are asking). So any claims of flaws are misguided when it comes to story, and obviously any claims of nothing less than perfection in the visuals, action, characters, and voice-acting are utterly preposterous. This is the Empire Strikes Back of comic-book movies, the Two Towers of superhero films, and if you haven’t caught my drift, barring how well Beyond The Spider-Verse lands, this is the best film in what will hopefully be the greatest trilogy of all time. Any thoughts other than that can get lost in one of The Spot’s (Jason Schwartzman)… spots. - Amarú 4. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL Given that it was based on a children’s amusement park ride and was a movie about pirates — a rarely profitable on-screen subject — The Curse of the Black Pearl was a gamble that turned out to be lightning in a bottle, featuring all the elements of a perfect summer popcorn movie. You’ve got extremely fun supernatural and action-adventure elements. You’ve got the type of tremendous production design usually reserved for prestige dramas. You’ve got hilarity amongst the many quotable one-liners and just the right amount of scenery chewing. You’ve got an iconic score that evokes the perfect swashbuckling vibe. You’ve got young hotties Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley in peak hottie form. And most of all, you’ve got a committed (and Oscar-nominated) Johnny Depp, who absolutely understood the assignment for the type of movie he was in. Five Oscar nominations, $650 million in box office returns, and being the third highest grossing movie of 2003 only cement Black Pearl as one of the best summer blockbusters of all time, not just the 21st century. Savvy? — Quentin 3. SPIDER-MAN 2 Last year, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Columbia Pictures, Sony re-released all eight live-action Spider-Man films in theatres every Monday from April until June in an event known as “Spider-Mondays”. Being the Spidey fan I am, I took advantage. But real talk, I only went for the Sam Raimi movies. The opportunity to re-watch his trilogy on the big screen was too big to miss, especially since they’re some of my favourite comic book movies of all time. The 2002 original is the ideal version of an origin story, and as messy as the third instalment is, I’d argue time has been kinder to it than some of the MCU entries people swear are superior. But as much as I love both, there’s no denying that Spider-Man 2 is the peak. It’s a perfect blend of high-octane action, naturalistic drama, sweeping romance, and the occasional dash of horror (the *extremely* Raimi hospital scene scared me silly as a kid). I laugh each time that Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) slaps the gold coin out of the bank teller’s hand in the middle of Doc Ock’s (Alfred Molina) robbery. I cry each time the train passengers swear to keep Peter’s (Tobey Maguire) identity a secret, out of awe for his heroism. I sing along to Dashboard Confessional’s “Vindicated ” any time I let the credits play. Obviously, there’s been a ton of superhero movies in the two decades since its release. Some have been as big. Others have been much bigger. But I’d argue none are as perfect. - Bode 2. TOY STORY 3 Quick little story: I was nine when Toy Story 3 came out (I don't know if that ages me or the exact opposite), and my parents told me we could go see it if I was good at the dentist. As someone who loved Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) my whole childhood, I was just happy to see them on a movie screen at that age. Watching the film as an adult, I now realize the emotional devastation that those talking toys can conjure up with their metaphor for parenthood and growing up, hitting harder the older I get, but that fond memory of watching it for the first time right before school ended was something else. A perfect end to a historic franchise (or at least it would've been), and a fun and beautiful movie that I believe is Pixar's best. - Adriano 1. THE DARK KNIGHT The first time I saw The Dark Knight was quite the indelible theater experience for my growing cinema fandom; I had loved movies before, but sitting down for that thrill ride was formative, despite how old I was at the time. From the opening heist to the action set pieces in Hong Kong and on the Bat Bike, there is no shortage of moments that force you to widen your eyes and truly appreciate the scale of movie-making accomplishment. Over time, I have seen through the spectacle and drilled down to some inconsistencies with plot and dialogue, but that doesn’t take away from where this sits on the pantheon of summer blockbusters and comic book movies. Christopher Nolan is a master of making the fantastical seem tangible and giving an auteur sensibility to the most well-known of IP, and it culminates with The Dark Knight as a real-life magic trick. - Robert HONORABLE MENTIONS TOP GUN: MAVERICK IRON MAN CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR SHREK THE AVENGERS

Previous Next With the upcoming releases of Teen Wolf: The Movie and Luther: The Fallen Sun, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Movies Based on A TV 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. THE NAKED GUN You can't make a list of great comedic characters without including Frank Drebin. Still among the funniest films ever made, The Naked Gun (and its sequels) is spoof done right. Although the original series was quickly cancelled, Leslie Neilsen's timing and wit were enough to give Drebin a second life on the big screen. Luckily, the feature was much more sharply written, and it gave Neilsen a chance to put on a comedic masterclass. Four decades later, and this one is still good for a laugh. - Nick 4. 21 JUMP STREET I love a film that knows it shouldn’t exist yet justifies itself at the same time. That’s exactly what 21 Jump Street is. A film that is more than aware of its own absurdity and how unoriginal it is, the result is still something wholly unique, funny, and heartfelt. It's a staple of 2010s comedies and a worthy adaptation. - Adriano 3. THE FUGITIVE There's not much I have to say about The Fugitive as an adaptation (I never watched the show it's based on), but hot damn, if it doesn't still get the job done every time. Harrison Ford carries the role admirably to be sure, but the true star is Tommy Lee Jones and his note-perfect one-liners. I miss when mid-budget movies like this were a dime a dozen and could be both nominated for and even win Oscars. - Jacob 2. STAR TREK Since its days as a television series, Star Trek has been perennially in the cultural zeitgeist, proven to be one of the most influential shows on the air. Pitched as "a wagon train to the stars," the original series was meant to show hope for an idealized future, one where mankind has shed its foibles in the name of progress. As a film series, while the results have been uneven, movies like Wrath of Khan , Undiscovered Country , and the 2009 reboot remain shining beacons of science fiction, giving fans unforgettable characters to be cherished through the generations. - Darryl 1. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE It says a lot when each individual team member's top list includes almost every movie from a singular franchise (I’ll bet you two slow-motion doves you can guess which one didn’t make it). But, honestly, Mission: Impossible may be one of the most consistent franchises in movie history. It doesn’t just rely on the crazy stunts and insane action, but casts well-acted ensembles and builds memorable worlds that get grander (and arguably better) with every film. While I’m personally partial to M:I3 due to Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s scary brilliance, I can’t wait to see if Dead Reckoning usurps that crown. - Amarú HONORABLE MENTIONS SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM WAYNE'S WORLD THE ADDAMS FAMILY Photo Credits: Photo 1, 4, 5 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2 - Columbia Pictures, Photo 3 - Warner Bros