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Previous Next July 17, 2023 WRITTEN BY: NICK, QUENTIN, AND PAIGE Way back in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic and armed with nothing but an Instagram account, Bitesize Breakdown (then known as Bitesize Review) was granted official press credentials to its first international film festival: Fantasia, which Quentin Tarantino called the "the most important and prestigious genre film festival” in North America. That year, Quentin (Bitesize Quentin, not Tarantino) and Nick reviewed 12 feature films, including still-hidden gems Dinner in America and The Mortuary Collection , and 24 short films, including Finn Wolfhard’s directorial debut. In some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago, obviously considering the COVID of it all, but also in terms of how far we have come. This year alone, Bitesize has had (or will have) people on the ground for Sundance Film Festival, Berlinale, Toronto International Film Festival, Venice International Film Festival, and (likely) New York Film Festival. As they say, we’ve come a long way, baby! The thing is, despite whatever else may come for Bitesize, Fantasia International Film Festival will always hold a special place in our hearts, and this year…our fourth year covering the festival…Quentin and Nick are joined by Paige, Bitesize’s resident horror fanatic, to cover as many of the Fantasia offerings as possible. Only time will tell how much of the film slate we actually have time for, but the six films mentioned below are the ones we are the most excited about, including a Nic Cage movie, a new A24 joint, and buzzy titles from both Cannes and Sundance Film festivals. Fantasia runs from July 20th to August 9th, 2023, so stay tuned for more coverage of the festival that James Gunn called “one of [his] very favorite film festivals in the world.” TALK TO ME Starring: Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji, and Miranda Otto Directors: Danny and Michael Philippou With 2022 being a killer year for horror films, this year seems to have teetered away from the genre a bit. That said, Talk to Me has been getting rave reviews since it premiered at Sundance earlier this year, and it looks to be possibly the best horror film of 2023. That’s why this Australian horror film is my most anticipated film to come out of Fantasia this year. Plus, it’s worth mentioning that A24 already swooped up distribution rights, so you know they have high hopes for it. It could easily become the next great cult classic horror film, in line with It Follows , Paranormal Activity , and The Blair Witch Project . First time directors Danny and Michael Philippou have grabbed my attention, leaving me intrigued and terrified to hold someone’s hand. - Paige LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP Starring: Georgina Campbell, Nick Blood, and Wai Ching Ho Director: Teresa Sutherland Following her breakout performance in last year's nightmare hit Barbarian , Georgina Campbell tries her hand at the genre once again with Lovely, Dark, and Deep . The story follows a recently hired park ranger who begins to deal with horrific happenings in the woods following some bizarre disappearances. If that isn't enough to grab your interest, it's the feature directorial debut of Teresa Sutherland, who is notably one of the writers of Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass . Promoted as a psychological fever dream, I have no doubt this film will, at the very least, be memorable. Let’s see if Campbell has another horror hit on her hands. - Nick SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL Starring: Nicolas Cage, Joel Kinnaman, and Kaiwi Lyman Director: Yuval Adler Considering it stars Nic Cage, not to mention that I just named it as runner-up to Most Anticipated Movie for the rest of 2023 (go check out that article HERE ), it should come as no surprise that Sympathy for the Devil is at the top of my list of festival offerings. If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, Cage looks to be having an absolute ball playing The Passenger, an armed and stylishly dressed wildman who seems intent on terrorizing The Driver (the perpetually underrated Joel Kinnaman), a seeming everyman trying to get to the hospital to witness the birth of his child. Tense cat-and-mouse shenanigans are afoot! Do I think I already know the ending? Yep. But if Cage gon’ Cage, do I care? Absolutely not. - Quentin APORIA Starring: Judy Greer, Edi Gathegi, Faithe Herman, and Payman Maadi Director: Jared Moshe Aporia , starring Judy Greer, comes from the mind of director Jared Moshe, who wrote and directed the A24 western The Ballad of Lefty Brown . Moshe has decided to hang up his cowboy hat and switch gears with this risky sci-fi film that will look at whether time can really heal all wounds. The film follows Sophie (Greer), a woman struggling to juggle debilitating grief, her job, and a family. However, when a friend of her late husband gives her the opportunity to literally turn back time, she finds herself grappling with an impossible choice that could have unexpected consequences. Needless to say, this time-traveling film with ethical stakes has me very curious. - Paige VINCENT MUST DIE Starring: Karim Leklou and Vimala Pons Director: Stéphan Castang There’s something poetic about a film that tells you the plot right in the title. Enter Vincent Must Die . This French film feels like a cross between The Purge and a video game, especially given the basic expectation of presumably watching a bunch of people attempt to kill Vincent (Karim Leklou). The unknown of it all raises so many different questions. Does Vincent deserve to die? Is he a good man? Are the reasons behind his pursuit personal or supernatural in nature? This is a film that breeds curiosity (apparently, it even has a tinge of romance involved), which is usually a good sign. With comparisons to Shaun of the Dead and some good buzz coming out of Cannes Film Festival, this is definitely a Fantasia highlight for me. - Nick ONYX THE FORTUITOUS AND THE TALISMAN OF SOULS Starring: Andrew Bowser, Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Myrin Arden, T.C. Carson, Melanie Chandra, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Ralph Ineson, and Rivkah Reyes Director: Andrew Bowser Full disclosure: I know almost nothing about this movie or those involved aside from what the press materials provided by the festival told me. That said, those materials make a hell of a case. This wonderfully titled movie is about Marcus (Andrew Bowser), a wannabe Satanist and man-child calling himself “Onyx the Fortuitous.” He still lives with his parental units, and he has a dead-end job at Marty’s Meat Hut. Salvation from the drudgery of his life arrives in the form of an invitation from occult master Bartok the Great (Jeffrey Combs), who promises to lead him and others in rituals that will “renew” them as disciples of the ancient god Abaddon. That synopsis? Choice. Plus, Bloody Disgusting called it “an infectious Saturday Morning Cartoon of a comedy-horror movie” …and just look at that poster! I’m sold. - Quentin

YOU: SEASON FIVE Starring: Penn Badgley, Charlotte Ritchie, Griffin Matthews, Anna Camp, Madeline Brewer, and Frankie DeMaio Creators: Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble QUENTIN With its fifth and final season, Netflix’s You delivers its best offering since Season Two. The fun, almost self-aware campiness pairs perfectly with the genuinely surprising twists and turns, all of which is held together by Penn Badgley’s terrific performance and even more captivating inner monologue (Anna Camp is great in a dual role, too). The showrunners also weave in relevant commentary on the internet’s romanticizing of Joe Goldberg (Badgley), gaslighting, and how influencer culture can sway public opinion. I won’t say it’s a perfect final season of television because there are some pacing issues, but it works perfectly for You ’s brand of addictive non-prestige prestige. ROBERT The final season of You sees protagonist Joe (Penn Badgley) returned to New York after jaunts in California and Europe, but it seems as if he couldn’t really go home again, not like in the first season. After so many deaths and changes of identities, the raindrops dodged in Season Five and the construct of how Joe manages his elusiveness is too far-fetched. Even within the single episodes, we see Joe go from master criminal, ala Walter White, to boneheaded, overly emotional loser and back again. If you like callbacks and Easter eggs, you will be delighted, but you will also find no rooting interest in any character by You ’s conclusion. Check out our reviews for Season Four HERE .

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS: SEASON ONE Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur, Hannah Love Lanier, Michael Kelly, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman Creator: Taylor Sheridan PRESTON At season’s end, I was less concerned about the abuses suffered by Cruz Manuelos (the character) than those enacted upon Laysla De Oliveira (the real-life actor) because of the role that was written for her. Against the backdrop of a star-studded crew who perform as expected, it felt particularly tragic that she should be flip-flopping between the over-the-top Marine and clever CIA operative. Lamentably, Lioness ’ own bemused purpose vacillates between the dark, politically charged House of Cards and The Unit ’s focus on the tier one special operations community; both of which tower over this most recent Taylor Sheridan creation. QUENTIN Even as a fan of series creator Taylor Sheridan, I’ve long noted that writing female characters is not his strong suit. So, with Lioness , a Homeland -style series that revolves around TWO women (Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira), Sheridan’s shortcomings are doubly noticeable. Plus, and it’s hard to tell if it’s De Oliveira’s acting ability or her simply trying to save a poorly written character, but she’s overbearing in her attempts to portray a badass, never-say-quit Marine who doesn’t take shit from anyone. Overall, it's derivative, cheesy, unnecessarily melodramatic, and proof that Sheridan, who is the writer/creator of seven active series, is doing way too much.

THE FOUR SEASONS Starring: Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, Steve Carell, Will Forte, Kerri Kenney, Marco Calvani, Erika Henningsen, and Julia Lester Creators: Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield AMARÚ It’s not often a television show delivers exactly what it advertises, but I guess it's easier to do when you have Colman Domingo, Tina Fey, Will Forte, and Steve Carell performing at peak levels. The Four Seasons is a mixture of Why Did I Get Married? and Couples Retreat , if both were hilarious and authentically written. The comedy and drama are well-balanced, the ensemble is entertaining, and the messy story keeps you locked in, popcorn in hand, ready for the next gossip-worthy episode. Shout out to Kerri Kenney and Marco Calvani for wonderfully rounding out this genuinely heartfelt show about love, friendship, and communication. QUENTIN Despite the comedic talent involved, The Four Seasons probably isn’t as funny as you’re expecting it to be. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a perfectly serviceable and moderately enjoyable series, especially given the immensely watchable actors on screen and short episode runtimes (around 30 minutes each). However, it keeps things relatively grounded, which mostly results in a show that will have you quietly thinking “that’s funny” to yourself instead of actually laughing out loud. It’s like Grown Ups , but with adults in their mid-50s dealing with things like midlife crises, divorce, medical procedures, and long-term marriages that have slipped into a comfortable malaise. NICK The Four Seasons reminds me a lot of another Tina Fey comedy, This is Where I Leave You , a film that focuses on how we deal with difficult situations and relationships as an adult. I always really enjoyed that film, and I really enjoyed this series. It’s relatable, funny, and most importantly, authentic. Sure, it can be sweet and fulfilling, but it can also be cruel and painful, just like life. The entire cast is great, but it’s their dynamic together that’s the heart of this series, and it's what kept me fully engaged in this year long journey. We need more content like this.

TIRES: SEASON ONE Starring: Shane Gillis, Steve Gerben, Chris O'Connor, Kilah Fox, and Stavros Halkias Creators: Shane Gillis, John McKeever, and Steve Gerben QUENTIN Although Tires possesses some shabby charm and a couple of mildly chuckle-worthy lines, I can’t imagine anyone but the staunchest of Shane Gillis fans finding this series worth their time. Even me, someone who thinks Gillis' Netflix special Beautiful Dogs is hilarious, found this series somewhat lazy and tedious. It's not a great sign when, at only six 20-minute episodes, it barely functions as serviceable background noise. It’s not that it’s terrible, it just feels like it was given minimal effort, which eventually makes you wonder why you’re making the effort to watch if the crew didn’t make the effort when putting it together.

Previous Next May 14, 2025 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW One of the things we are proud of at Bitesize Breakdown is the personality and individuality of our writing staff. With that in mind, we thought we'd take a moment to give you an opportunity to know the writers behind the avatars. So... Dear readers, Meet the Crew! NICK (He/Him) Birth Year: 1991 Location: Toronto, Ontario Favourite Film: Back to the Future (1985) X: https://x.com/nickvandinther With a background in acting and a love of film from a young age ( Star Wars was my introduction to the medium), I've always been eager to talk about the latest releases. As my shelves overflowed with DVDs (I prioritized space for movies over clothing), I came to the realization that I loved watching and discussing film and television more than most. Looking to continue that conversation, I brought my thoughts to social media where I began to find like-minded individuals, ultimately leading to the creation of Bitesize Breakdown. Coming from the performance side of things, that's where my focus tends to be because I believe a good performance is much more likely to make up for a lacklustre film than vice-versa. However, I try to base my reviews on a combination of personal enjoyment and technical acumen. A ton of work goes into these projects from top to bottom, so that’s why I’ll never feature “Worst Of” lists or celebrate a film’s failure. I enter all films wanting to love them, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. AMARÚ (He/Him) Birth Year: 1988 Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Favourite Film: Inception (2010) X: https://x.com/knick888221 Whatup, family - it’s ya boy, Amarú Moses. I’m a teacher by day and a movie lover by… life. Growing up, the Mosi (yes, Mosi) family weekend outings always meant a trip to the movies. From watching The Lion King and Pulp Fiction in the theaters at the ripe age of six to becoming a competitor on the biggest professional movie trivia league Movie Trivia Schmoedown , movies have had an everlasting presence in my life. I’m originally from New York (die hard Knick fan here), lived in seven cities in five states by the time I graduated college (GO BEARS!!!!), and moved to Charlotte in 2017. In 2020, I became the second writer for a little start-up review website called Bitesize Breakdown, so while I may not be the oldest person here, you can consider me an OG. I’m a geek by nature, but I'm a fan of all movie genres… except Musicals… mostly. You can usually catch me hosting One Gotta Stay , still playing online movie trivia, or getting hyphy watching Blindspotting for the fifty-millionth time. Whatever it is, if it has to do with my free time, it probably has a movie attached to it. QUENTIN (He/Him) Birth Year: 1981 Location Stuttgart, Germany Favourite Film: The Big Lebowski (1998) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quentin.lester Like a lot of kids growing up, Quentin had a crush on his b abysitter. His babysitter? Movies. From Columbia House memberships to Blockbuster Nights to spending the whole day theater-hopping with his cousin, movies always provided the escape a quiet kid from Kentucky needed. Nearly four decades later, Q’s crush has turned into a full-blown love affair, and he has come to believe that there is a difference between “movies” and “films.” As a result, he applies both an analytic and consumeristic eye to his reviews, equally judging artistic merits as much as pure entertainment value, while trying to remain objective and credible in his takes on movies, film, and television. That said, he loves a good heist, Nic Cage, superheroes, and considers the Rewatchability Quotient one of the most important factors in his ratings. Meanwhile, he will almost always skip Wes Anderson, musicals, found footage movies, and anything that looks too saccharine. A childless, pants-hating veteran… Q is well-traveled, cynical, tattooed, anti-physical media, and can often be found drinking bourbon at a bar with a new best friend he just met. You may think he’s overly harsh in his reviews, but he will abide your disagreement because “that's just, like, your opinion, man." KATIE (She/Her) Birth Year: 1999 Location: Exeter, Devon Favourite Film: Ratatouille (2007) X: https://x.com/katiemaybone I’m Katie, and I love cinema. Films have always played an important role in my life, with some of my earliest memories being of the Warner Bros. Studio just down the road from where I grew up. I’m in awe of the creative efforts that go into crafting a film, which made me an avid cinema goer at a young age. Whilst I’m varied in my viewing, with my favourite films ranging from the faultless masterpiece that is Ratatouille to The Shining , horror has a special place in my heart. From renting The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity DVDs when I was probably a bit too young through to present day, I’ve always been fascinated with the genre. During my time in university, I discovered I much preferred writing about films than making them. I also developed a passion for the intersection of horror and feminist film theory, focusing largely on female-authored horror cinema. My approach to reviews is based equally on how I connect emotionally and personally with a film or series, as much as it is on artistic merit and technical aspects. That being said, I have a soft spot for Florence Pugh, horror films, and anything food related. BODE (He/Him) Birth Year: 1995 Location: Ajax, Ontario Favourite Film: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982) X: https://x.com/bodesulaiman I share the same birthday as Steven Spielberg. Obviously, a lot of people do, but I doubt they use it as a way to introduce themselves like I have. That’s because Spielberg is the reason I got into film in the first place. It’s the joy and melancholy of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial that made an indelible mark on me as a child, sparking a fascination with the power of the moving image as a medium, a fascination that continues to grow the more I watch (no matter what genre) and the older I get (because we’re not getting any younger). Even in the not-so-great moments of my life, I’ve found solace in it. It’s how I’ve made friends. It’s how I’ve bonded with family. It’s how I’m able to make some sense of my place in the world. I’ve always been eager to share my opinions about the latest releases or the canonical classics to anyone who cares to listen, and getting to do so for an outlet such as Bitesize Breakdown is exciting. I couldn’t be happier to be part of the team! ADRIANO (He/Him) Birth Year: 2001 Location: Aurora, Ontario Favourite Film: Network (1976) X: https://x.com/AdriCaporusso For as long as I can remember, film and television have been a major part of my life. When I was 9 years old, I fell in love with the comedies of the 2000s. Films such as Superbad , Step Brothers , and Dodgeball first ignited that flame, and it only got bigger as I grew older and saw films from the likes of Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Stanley Kubrick. Although I had an acting stint in high school, and briefly performed stand-up comedy at Open Mics in 2019, filmmaking and writing became a passion and dream of mine. I spent most of my days in my house just watching movies, old and new, constantly fascinated at the craft and storytelling. As a result, I find myself with an uncomfortable knowledge about the Oscars and Emmys, knowledge that has turned me into an awards pundit. A staunch lover of physical media, film and television has consumed my life for better and for worse, and because of that, I’ll always be somewhat optimistic about a film, whether it deserves it or not. ROBERT (He/Him) Birth Year: 1988 Location: Dallas, Texas Favourite Film: Pulp Fiction (1994) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.castner.714 Can there be anything worse for a Pittsburgh native and sports fan than to end up in a place like Dallas? (Rhetorical question: the answer is no.) Fortunately, I found life rafts to buoy me under such conditions with my wife and child, who are the world to me. From a movie perspective, I found solace in the silver screen as a means of escapism, as I’m sure most people do. I have always been fascinated with how worlds are concocted and how much of an event going to see a movie can be. From Titanic to Avengers: Endgame , I love the communal aspect and being part of the zeitgeist through something I adore. Once COVID happened, I looked for another outlet, finding online movie trivia. Suddenly, I could lean into my competitiveness by using the one thing that has held up over the years: my memory. Also, I was embraced by my peers and made a ton of great friends along the way. I developed into a geek-movie advocate, but fire up a good comedy ( Superbad , Step Brothers , Pineapple Express ) and I’m in heaven dancing with the Backstreet Boys. PAIGE (She/Her) Birth Year: 1993 Location: Brockton, Massachusetts Favourite Film: Scream (1996) X: https://x.com/frontpaigenews9 For those who don’t know me, my name is Paige Frabetti, aka “The Boston Badass” from Movie Trivia Schmoedown . For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a huge fan of cinema. It all started with the original Star Wars trilogy, which took me to a galaxy far, far away. I love that film can be an escape from the real world, sucking viewers into make-believe worlds that allow the audience to leave all their worries behind. I also love finding a character or story that I can relate to, helping me to feel seen in this world, which influences how I rate series and movies… can I connect to it and be entertained by it? I also share a huge passion for physical media as I own way too many Blu-rays to even count. Lastly, the other Bitesize writers will tell you I’m the resident horror and A24 fanatic, but I’m also a die-hard Quentin Tarantino fan, a lover of coming-of-age films, and, if you can't tell from some of my tattoos, I’m still a Star Wars nerd.

WONDLA: SEASON TWO Starring: Jeanine Mason, Teri Hatcher, Brad Garrett, Gary Anthony Williams, D.C. Douglas, John Kim, Ana Villafañe, and Alan Tudyk Creator: Bobs Gannaway AMARÚ While Wondla Season One had a good mix of family-friendly television and adult-themed stakes, Season Two leans a little too heavily on the family-friendly early on. The first season established its commitment to darker themes presented to kids in an intelligent and thought-provoking way, and while this season provides some authentic scares and thrills as the mystery unravels, especially in later episodes, early conflicts are much more easily resolved. But stick through those early growing pains, because even though it takes some time to quell Q’s previous Paw Patrol comments, by the end, Wondla proves that its commitment is steady. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

EXPATS Starring: Nicole Kidman, Sarayu Blue, Ji-young Yoo, Brian Tee, Tiana Gowen, Bodhi del Rosario, Ruby Ruiz, Amelyn Pardenilla, and Jack Huston Creator: Lulu Wang ADRIANO I've been waiting since 2019 for Lulu Wang's follow-up to her excellent feature debut, The Farewell , and I am delighted to say that her new Prime series Expats does not disappoint. Although it’s certainly slight in its approach to modern-day womanhood, Wang allows the performances and writing to breathe every step of the way. It's a nuanced show in all the right ways, and it leaves the viewers with a dark sense of realism in nearly every frame. Episode Five alone makes its slow-burn nature a worthwhile experience.

THE CONTINENTAL Starring: Colin Woodell, Mel Gibson, Jeremy Bobb, Mishel Prada, Ben Robson, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Nhung Kate, Jessica Allain, Ayomide Adegun, and Peter Greene Creator: Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons QUENTIN To me, the most fascinating story aspect about the John Wick franchise is the lore behind The High Table and the underground network of assassins, and while The Continental certainly delivers more of that, it is severely hindered by its television budget. Aside from Mel Gibson, who still has a magnetic screen presence despite what you think of him as a person, the acting (and writing) is suspect, and the NYC sets look like they are recycled from old network sitcoms. Still, with only three (albeit lengthy) episodes, a killer soundtrack, and the John Wick meets 70s noir sensibilities, it’s worth checking in to The Continental . PRESTON I may be impatient with my criticisms, as many of my gripes revolve around the gaps in the characters’ stories, which could be filled in with several more seasons or by simply extending this inexplicably brief offering. But I also found that the hard-hitting realism was dampened by cheesy one-liners, cliché monologues, and B-movie-esque fight sequences. My own imagination for a different plot line probably let me down the most, though, and despite it starting off slowly, the show still won me over in the end. It is John Wick -land after all, with a compelling setting and a kick-ass soundtrack!

THE LAST OF US: SEASON ONE Starring: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey Creators: Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin AMARÚ HBO’s The Last of Us is a brilliant adaptation that validates many gamers’ claim that it’s the greatest video game ever made. Writer/creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann knew exactly when to adapt faithfully and when to stray, including this season’s sparsity of cordycep zombies. Forfeiting that overarching threat allowed the layered characters and excellent pacing to generate the show’s ominous tone. Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie) are outstanding together, and the supporting cast elevates their story’s gripping intensity. Every action scene, every quiet moment, and every second of this season is utilized to perfection. JACOB It cannot be overstated the degree to which HBO’s The Last of Us will likely go down as the greatest video game adaptation ever put on screen, but when your show is this stellar, that description is more than apt. The most stunning thing about it isn’t the production value, pitch perfect performances from Pedro Pascal and especially Bella Ramsey, or even its ace supporting cast; it’s in how the series adapts the game, knowing when to leave things out, weave things in, and add entire story beats to further enhance the narrative. I cannot emphasize enough how well they did. QUENTIN In a vacuum, The Last of Us is a good show, maybe even a great one; however, it’s very similar to The Walking Dead (TWD ). The same themes of survival, family-by-circumstance, and “mankind is the real monster” are prevalent, and as someone who begrudgingly hate-watched TWD for a few seasons before finally giving up around Season Eight, The Last of Us is just more typical zombie tropes. Although the acting is great, Episode Three is profound, and there are effective emotional and suspenseful beats throughout, it still feels like a retread of something I had already found tiresome (even if it is an overall improvement). PAIGE HBO has once again delivered the golden standard for television because, hot damn!, The Last of Us is a masterpiece in tense storytelling, world-building, and character development. This show just got better and better each week. Sure, it took some liberties, but it made just the right amount of changes to keep the story fresh while also remaining true to its beloved source material. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey completely embodied and breathed new life into their characters while delivering A+ performances. What else can I truly say besides this series has to be one of the greatest video game adaptations ever done! ADRIANO Even by the standards of it being an amazing adaptation of the video game, The Last Of Us ’s first season is an astonishing season of television. The violence and action you’d typically see in a zombie survival story is mostly cast aside in exchange for a story of humanity and how it reacts to a world where death looms at every corner. This approach is anchored flawlessly by the performances of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, and the world-building and emotional depth is crafted to perfection, creating what is sure to wind up being one of the year's most captivating watches.

DYING FOR SEX Starring: Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney, and Esco Jouley Creators: Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock QUENTIN Although there are some jarring tonal shifts between sex romp and heavy cancer drama, Michelle Williams’ (typically) terrific performance holds Dying for Sex together to make for a humorously moving exploration of sexual discovery, friendship, and going out on one’s own terms. Admittedly, it’s possible those tonal shifts were more noticeable to me as I watched the eight, 30-minute episodes in a single sitting, as well as the fact that I very recently lost my mother to cancer, meaning the heavier bits probably hit me a little harder than most. Still, this is an affecting miniseries that works as a female-driven companion to 2011’s 50/50 .

PLATONIC: SEASON ONE Starring: Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Luke Macfarlane, Tre Hale, Carla Gallo, and Andrew Lopez Creators: Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco NICK When people talk about modern day comedic actresses, they often omit Rose Byrne, and I've never understood why. In Platonic , Byrne reignites the on-screen chemistry she shared with Seth Rogen in the Neighbors franchise, picking up right where they left off. The series refreshingly puts a spotlight on adult friendships and the evolution of them, without relying heavily on the "will they?,won't they?" of it all. It struggles to maintain early momentum, and it can be a little too quippy at times, but Platonic has enough charm within to make for a fun watch. AMARÚ I really wanted to laugh more during Platonic ’s first couple of episodes because Rose Byrne (Sylvia) and Seth Rogen (Will) are both so charming. They have a natural chemistry that, when it clicks, makes the show laugh-out-loud funny; however, it takes half the season to get to that point, so I did nothing more than politely chuckle for four or five episodes. Luckily, there is a sincerity that carried me through the slow comedic start, so when the laughs eventually catch up to the show’s heart, it becomes thoroughly entertaining. I just wish it didn’t take so long to get there. QUENTIN Platonic is a show divided against itself. Depending on where you are in life, you’ll be taken by either Seth Rogen’s typical schtick or Sylvia’s (Rose Byrne) arc as a mother going through a mid-life crisis, but probably not both. Similarly, the humor flips between great Apatow-style improv and awkward cringe. When it hits the things I relate to, it’s great; during the other parts, I was somewhat disengaged. That said, Byrne and Rogen have terrific chemistry, and it’s not a bad show at all. It’s just trying to reach too wide of a demographic, so there are some inconsistencies in the viewing experience. ADRIANO Platonic , while not technically a rom-com, certainly has the charming vibes of one, probably due to the fact that director Nicholas Stoller brings his sensibilities to this damn entertaining show. At the heart of it is Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen, whose chemistry is hard to take your eyes off of as they guide the show into something much more worthwhile. I can’t say I laughed hysterically, but I was fascinated by the show’s commentary on modern gender dynamics, which made for a welcoming series.