Previous Next September 2, 2024 WRITTEN BY: KATIE I got to thinking about the notion of perfect films recently when I started making a real effort to catch up on some great films that, for no other reason than my own oversight, I had never seen. These films are not of any particular genre, and I cannot articulate why I waited so long to watch them, but they’re the classics generally agreed upon to be amongst the greatest films in the history of cinema. For example, until this year — and I am slightly ashamed to say it — I had not seen 2001: A Space Odyssey , The Godfather , or There Will Be Blood , among other films that make film fans gasp when you admit to having not seen them. That said, whilst I’ve been enjoying this experience immensely, I’ve noticed that many film books and online sources are repeatedly populated by the same titles when discussing “perfect” films. They also don’t pay much attention to genre films, family films, horror, animation, or comedies, and they tend to lack films focusing on women and female experiences. Admittedly, it’s hard to determine what constitutes a “perfect” film, and there are countless elements to take into account when considering if a film should be deemed flawless. Obviously, opinions of any art are totally subjective and personal, but I feel that when it comes to films, the ones that are considered perfect are those that are generally agreed upon by the largest contingent of groupthink, which can lead to a circular and self-fulfilling prophecy. To me, though, a perfect film is one that… · Resonates on an emotional level · Is visually engaging · Has a memorable score and/or music · Has enduring themes in a story that has wide appeal · Reveals or relates to something about the human experience With that in mind, I’d like to guide you through some films that I, personally, believe to be perfect based on the criteria above. Despite these films deserving such recognition, they usually are not the first ones mentioned when discussing the greatest films ever. For what it’s worth, I’m avoiding the films that often first come to mind in the public consciousness in these conversations, instead using my own subjectivity to highlight films that may not be considered as prestigious as the roundly agreed upon films you find populating most “Greatest of All Time” lists despite being just as good. This is not an exhaustive list, mind you (I do not have the word count for that), and yes, it leans a tad more recent, but it features shining examples, nonetheless. RATATOUILLE (2007) Ratatouille is my favourite film. It’s a true masterpiece, and everything about it is flawless. The voice acting is pitch perfect, the story is emotional and engaging, the visuals are exceptionally detailed, and it meticulously captures every element of a bustling kitchen, from the mouth-watering food to every pot, pan, and utensil. The world that it builds is immersive, making you want to crawl inside its warmth and stay there forever, and the time and attention that went into the film is obvious in every glowing city light and fleeting reflection off the Seine. The unique concept that drives the film lends itself wonderfully to the slap-stick comedy, yet the story at the centre of the film is grounded and humble, especially for a family film. The notion that “anyone can cook” is inspiring, and it can apply to every profession, passion, and pursuit while speaking to the power of perseverance in achieving what you want from life. I could speak about Ratatouille forever, and I believe it more than justifies itself as a perfect film. THE BABADOOK (2014) The Babadook is the true definition of horror with heart, and it utilises the genre to its fullest capacity with its visceral exploration of grief, motherhood, and trauma. One of the reasons The Babadook is so impressive is that it rides on the audience’s ability to empathise with the protagonist, Amelia (Essie Davis), who is both the victim and the monster. The film thoughtfully engages with Amelia’s trauma, never indulging in patriarchal tropes of motherhood whilst also having us fear her and her decisions at the right times. The same goes for her son Samuel (Noah Wiseman). He’s incredibly annoying, but the film also makes us feel sorry for him, desperately hoping for his well-being. It helps that the casting is flawless. Wiseman gives one of the best child performances I’ve ever seen, and Davis is captivating and terrifying. The film drags you along for Amelia’s terrifying ordeal, and genuinely keeps you guessing by convincingly blurring the lines between reality and figments of the character’s imaginations. Plus, the character design is simple yet uniquely creepy and original, conjuring up childhood fears of something lurking in the darkest corner of your bedroom. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, the message is universal, showing that although grief never truly goes away, we can face it head on and deal with it little by little. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015) Mad Max: Fury Road might be the best action film ever made (to me at least). The entire film is a perfectly calculated piece of pure non-stop adrenaline, but it doesn't lack substance or emotional engagement, keeping you on the edge of your seat for each and every moment. Every element of the film is distinct, impressive, and memorable, including the exhilarating soundtrack, cinematography, world-building, set design, stunt work, incredible action sequences, and vibrant colours that jump off the screen. The action doesn’t become repetitive either, gripping you in every moment, with not a single shot feeling out of place. Although it may seem overwhelming at times, you can simply focus on any part of any scene to see how deliberate it all is. The practical effects set it apart and contribute to its singular quality, and the mayhem taking place on the screen feels tangible, making you believe the carnage is actually happening. What’s more, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron are fantastic in their roles, managing to convey tremendous amounts of emotion through their eyes and subtle facial movements alone. THE WITCH (2015) The Witch is one of my favourite horror films, and one of the few that is just as impactful no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Robert Eggers’ feature debut quickly establishes a dark, immersive mood before topping it with rising, paranoid tension; an eerie, discordant score; and a sense of historical authenticity that makes it feel like something evil is woven into the fabric of the film. Exploring ideas of Christianity and fears of witchcraft, it explores how the strict moralistic constraints of the time, which mostly concern women, are used against the family to make them turn against each other. All of this is framed by cinematography that emphasises the family’s isolation and heightens the effects of every sound and movement. The performances are also formidable, with a cast including Kate Dickie, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Ralph Ineson, who each shine in their roles and make the period language sound natural. Furthermore, the ending is bonkers and surprising, yet also feels like the most fitting ending for this chilling story. PETITE MAMAN (2021) Céline Sciamma’s beautiful film Petite Maman is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, exploring the simple notion that your parents also were children once, with their own unique childhood experiences, fears, and dreams. The film follows the young Nelly (Josephine Sanz), the eight-year-old daughter of Marion (Nina Meurisse), whose mother has just passed away. They travel to Marion’s childhood home to clear out her mother’s belongings, and Nelly meets another girl her age in the woods behind the home. The new friend looks remarkably like her, and they begin a beautiful friendship. The film has a fairytale-like quality that captures the childhood experience in a way that is magical yet realist, and the world it creates is quiet, understated, and mysterious. Some of its impact lies in the fact that it doesn’t rationalise or explain the fantastical situations that happen but leaves them open for each individual's interpretation. At only 72 minutes, the film breezes by but completely secures the audience’s perspective with the young protagonists, familiarising us with their private, intimate world.

THREE PINES: SEASON ONE Starring: Alfred Molina, Rossif Sutherland, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Tantoo Cardinal, Clare Coulter, Sarah Booth, Anna Tierney, and Roberta Battaglia Creator: Emilia di Girolamo QUENTIN If you enjoy low-stakes crime procedurals, Three Pines is about as mild as you can get. Alfred Molina is engaging in the lead, but he isn’t asked to do much, while the cases themselves never conjure much intrigue. I will say that the season structure adds a nice change of pace to an overcrowded genre. The eight-episode season is essentially four, two-hour movies, with each episode pairing featuring a different case while an overarching, season-long investigation happens in the background. It’s not essential viewing (think Murder, She Wrote meets a dime store paperback), but it’s better than watching Law & Order reruns for the umpteenth time.

Previous Next July 10, 2024 WRITTEN BY: NICK, QUENTIN, AND PAIGE Let's get this out of the way: In our infancy, Fantasia was the first festival to give us press credentials, so it will always hold special meaning. That said, it is far from the only reason we religiously cover it. Revered by notable directors such as James Gunn and Guillermo del Toro, Fantasia is the biggest genre festival in North America. Located in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, the festival is often viewed as a launching pad for many an unknown talent due to its focus on lower-budget, independent filmmaking and fearlessness in presenting innovative ideas and themes. This year's iteration features a wide range of buzzy titles, from the Hunter Schafer-led Cuckoo (one of Katie’s most anticipated of 2024’s second half, read about it HERE ) to the latest from Steven Kostanski (director of Bitesize favourite Psycho Goreman ). As with every year, there will be a bunch of titles featured, and we look forward to catching as many as we can with our remote access. That said, here is a look at some of the movies Nick, Quentin, and Paige are personally anticipating once the festival begins. The Fantasia International Film Festival runs from July 18th to August 3rd this year, so make sure to check our site and socials for all our thoughts on what this year's entries have to offer. AZRAEL When it comes to festivals, existing buzz and name recognition go a long way. For Azrael , which has played a few festivals already, there is quite a bit to go on. The two quotes that most caught my eye, though, are “an inventive and exciting blend of folk and survival horror” and “a thrilling sprint…that had me riveted.” On top of that, there is some notable talent involved. You’ve got Samara Weaving, who should need no introduction; director E.L. Katz (cult classic Cheap Thrills ); and writer Simon Barrett ( You’re Next , The Guest , Godzilla x Kong ). Mix all that together in a dialogue-free movie described as Fury Road meets Evil Dead meets Apocalypto , and this could be an intensely wild ride. The fact that Azrael won Audience Awards for Best Feature, Best Actress (Weaving), and Best FX at Panic Fest 2024 only furthers that hope. - Quentin THE BEAST WITHIN Jon Snow…I mean, Kit Harington…will be joining a pack of direwolves in the upcoming creature feature The Beast Within . This new horror film appears to be more than meets the eye, with the story, told through the perspective of a 10-year-old girl, aiming to be more than just a straightforward werewolf thriller. I'm curious to see what horrific family trauma is depicted in this feature film from Alexander J. Farrel because I'm already gripping the edge of my seat just from the movie's eerie and gothic trailer. Plus, I’m a sucker for werewolf movies, so I’m hoping for a gnarly transformation scene. - Paige DARK MATCH My anticipation for Dark Match is a little different than my second choice because it’s not one of the bigger titles this year. What it is, however, is set in the world of pro wrestling, which always makes for a fun world to play in. Not much is known about the film except it seems to follow a group of indie wrestlers who are hired for a gig within a cult. The cult leader in question? Current AEW wrestler and WWE legend Chris Jericho. Considering this comes from the director of cult classic WolfCop , I expect there to be a delightful mix of over-the-top action and camp, and that’s exactly that kind of film made for a festival like Fantasia. It should be a good time. - Nick FRANKIE FREAKO The only thing I need to know about Frankie Freako is that it’s from writer/director Steven Kostanski, who also wrote and directed one of the most underrated movies of the last decade in Psycho Goreman . In this follow-up to that cult classic, Kostanski “taps into the nostalgia of Saturday morning cartoons, the charm of old-school puppetry, and gonzo comedy,” harkening back to the likes of Ghoulies , The Puppetmaster franchise, Gremlins , and The Garbage Pail Kids Movie . If Frankie Freako pays loving tribute to those movies in the way that Psycho Goreman paid loving tribute to Little Monsters , Mac & Me , and The Monster Squad , I think we’ll have another gem of a cult classic on our hands. - Quentin SHELBY OAKS YouTube has proven to be quite the starting point. Logan Paul is a WWE wrestler, King Bach has amassed quite the IMDB resume, and now Chris Stuckman is a director. The latest widely known YouTuber to branch beyond that space brings his directorial debut and passion project to Fantasia. After a record-shattering Kickstarter campaign and the backing of executive producer Mike Flanagan, Shelby Oaks is one of the more anticipated films this year. The film follows the sudden disappearance of a group of paranormal podcasters, and one of the members’ sisters’ frantic search to find out what happened. The found-footage format isn’t among my favourites, but I’m willing to give this one a shot just to see what Chris Stuckman has to offer behind the lens. - Nick TIMESTALKER After her directorial debut Prevenge , Alice Lowe is back with what seems to be an even more ambitious film in Timestalker . A reincarnation romantic comedy with time travel? Sign me up! Timestalker is presented as a hopeless romantic’s journey through time as she keeps falling for the wrong guy over and over again. This concept sounds fascinating and ridiculous. It reminds me of the 2024’s The Beast , which I quite enjoyed, but with a much lighter tone to it. What can I say? I’m a fan of toxic spins on typical romantic clichés, so I am very much on board to see where this journey takes me. - Paige Photo Credits: Fantasia International Film Festival

Previous Next September 7, 2025 It’s been 19 years since Denzel Washington last acted in a Spike Lee directed film, and the last time they did (Inside Man ) it was one of Spike’s most acclaimed Joints. Now they return for their fifth collaboration, Highest 2 Lowest , a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic film, High and Low . Standing toe to toe with Denzel are Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky in this love letter to New York City, hate letter to Boston, and all around bombastic crime story from one of the most unabashed and unique visionaries of our time. Join Amarú, Nick, and Shak as they discuss the comparisons to the original, the action, that score, and a surprise standout performance. 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!

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

FULL CIRCLE Starring: Zazie Beetz, Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, Dennis Quaid, Jharrel Jerome, Gerald Jones, Sheyi Cole, CCH Pounder, Jim Gaffigan, William Sadler, Happy Anderson, Ethan Stoddard, Adia, Phaldut Sharma, Lucian Zanes, Jarod Lindsey, Suzanne Savoy, Kareem Savinon, and Rachel Annette Helson Creator: Ed Solomon QUENTIN I get why Steven Soderbergh is one of those directors that always gets the benefit of the doubt, but the truth is, I haven’t fully enjoyed anything he has made since 2018’s Logan Lucky , a stretch of seven movies and one series. With his latest series, Full Circle , the streak stays alive. The ensemble cast does good work, but with three semi-connected but disparate storylines and a sprawling set of characters, it gets confusing real quick while also lacking a compelling narrative. Plus, the direction is lifeless, and the tone is bone dry - a wild thing to say about the man who directed Ocean’s Eleven .

Previous Next March 14, 2026 With the Oscars coming up, we're once again going to launch an episode for each film the Academy Awards have nominated for Best Picture. Each day leading to the ceremony, we will release an episode, and we’re up to the Netflix release, Train Dreams ! Using his “perpetually sad eyes,” Joel Edgerton brings us the world of Train Dreams ; an epic across time, both visually and structurally. To talk about it, the Bitesize crew has enlisted the Champs on Film: Adam Collins & Marisol McKee to discuss the film’s beauty, its narration, and its performances before the Oscars this coming Sunday. 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!

DARK SIDE OF THE RING: SEASON FOUR Starring: Chris Jericho Creators: Evan Husney and Jason Eisener NICK Now in its fourth season, Dark Side of the Ring is - for my money - the best docuseries running. Vice acknowledged this by expanding into other "Dark Sides," but without the passion that creators Jason Eisener and Evan Husney have for pro-wrestling, they just lack something. Although this season may be its weakest, it's clear the well hasn't run dry as each Dark Side episode is engaging. *Stefon voice* This season has everything: sex, drugs, clowns, grave robbing, contract disputes, murder confessions, car crashes, and Bam Bam Bigelow. I can't stress this enough... DON'T BYPASS THIS SERIES BECAUSE YOU AREN'T A WRESTLING FAN. QUENTIN It’s hard for me to review episodic anthologies because I tend to say the same thing over and over, “some episodes were good, some were bad.” That said, as a guy who was a diehard wrestling fan in the 80s and 90s (R.I.P. Razor Ramon), Dark Side of the Ring knows the way to Q’s heart, using nostalgia to teach him something. And even for those who don’t have the foundational knowledge of, say, The Rockers, the episode “The World According to Marty Jannetty” is just wild. After four seasons, this series continues to provide behind-the-scenes history as colorful as the personalities in the squared circle.

MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED: SEASON ONE Starring: Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Charlie Hall, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Nola Wallace, and Dolly De Leon Creator: David J. Rosen QUENTIN Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed wasn’t on my radar at all, so maybe that’s why I found it to be so enjoyable. With zero expectations (I didn’t even watch the trailer), I was able to just let the twisty narrative wash over me, leading to unexpected moments of surprise. Tatiana Maslany, who I’m more familiar with based on reputation than having actually seen her work, carries the show on her back, creating a character that is fiercely intelligent, understandingly frazzled, darkly funny, and genuinely relatable, which helps ground the constantly escalating chaos. With dark crime vibes reminiscent of Barry , Season Two is certainly on my radar now.

THE WHEEL OF TIME: SEASON ONE Starring: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Josha Stradowski, Marcus Rutherford, Barney Harris, Kate Fleetwood, Priyanka Bose, Hammed Animashaun, Sophie Okonedo, and Kae Alexander Creator: Rafe Judkins QUENTIN Another day, another network trying to recapture that Games of Thrones magic. Whether it’s the “been there-done that” feeling following so many fantasy shows in recent years or that Wheel of Time simply isn’t very good, I’d lean towards the latter. It’s a lot of dense exposition being spouted by a myriad of characters so thinly drawn and lacking in charisma that I honestly can’t remember their names. I never felt invested in any of it. Maybe those who read the books, which I haven’t, will get more out of it. The cinematography (but not the CGI) was pretty, though.

GEORGE & TAMMY Starring: Jessica Chastain, Michael Shannon, Steve Zahn, Walton Goggins, Kelly McCormack, Katy Mixon, and David Wilson Barnes Creator: Abe Sylvia QUENTIN I was raised on George Jones’ music, so, admittedly, George & Tammy probably had to do far less lifting to get me on board than for others. I also admit that it felt a tad too short at only six episodes, certainly leaving many explosive stories on the cutting room floor. That said, I was immediately hooked. Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon are both excellent as Country Music’s King and Queen, even doing their own singing (especially impressive for Shannon, as Jones’ voice was so distinctive). All in all, and personal bias recognized, one of the best and most underrated shows of 2022.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: SEASON FOUR Starring: Aidan Gallagher, Elliot Page, Robert Sheehan, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Ritu Arya, Justin H. Min, Emmy Raver-Lampman, and Colm Feore Creator: Steve Blackman PAIGE You will enjoy the final season of The Umbrella Academy if you watch it for the Hargreeves siblings antics. However, given the season's overall story and character choices made throughout, it's difficult for me to reconcile where the series ends. With the number of episodes reduced from ten to six, there is simply too much going on and not enough time to develop everything adequately. I found the whole plot to be rushed and lacking a satisfying resolution. Maybe I would have been more forgiving of the season's weaker moments if the finale had been more rewarding, but we'll never know.