Previous Next With the release of The Woman King, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Badass Women in Film. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 characters 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. SARAH CONNOR (TERMINATOR FRANCHISE) When you think of “badass” characters, Sarah Connor comes to mind almost instantly. From being the final girl in The Terminator to a woman teetering on the edge of sanity in Judgment Day , Linda Hamilton brought this character to life with unmatched energy. While outside of the first two films there hasn’t been the same level of success (critically or financially), the fact that the franchise has continued trying to reinvent and reintroduce the character shows how important she is. There’s even an underrated television show focusing on her. She is tougher and more interesting than most other male badasses, and one of the most layered and complex female action heroes of all time. - Joseph 4. LEIA ORGANA (STAR WARS FRANCHISE) I’m a huge Star Wars fan, so of course I would have the iconic Princess-turned-General Leia Organa listed here! Portrayed by the late, great Carrie Fisher, Leia is the most badass woman in the galaxy far, far away. Not only is she royalty, but she’s one of the greatest leaders of the Rebel Alliance. She’s a feisty woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and take charge, making her a fearless leader that I’ve admired since I was a little girl. There will never be another heroic badass like her in this or any other galaxy. - Paige 3. IMPERATOR FURIOSA (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD) Imperator Furiosa could have been a simple hardened warrior, but with her disability, her incredible fighting spirit, and her deeply felt emotions, she becomes a hero. To have Charlize Theron be the true lead of Mad Max: Fury Road 's stellar ensemble was an inspired choice by director George Miller, and her absolute ferocity is exhilarating to witness. She is, without doubt, one of the most badass female characters of all time. - Jacob 2. BEATRIX KIDDO (KILL BILL FRANCHISE) In Kill Bill , director Quentin Tarantino and star Uma Thurman created the ultimate female badass in a world full of female badasses by getting to the heart of the old adage "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." The Bride (Thurman) violently tears through former assassins, Yakuza bosses, hit squads, and endless henchmen with martial arts, a samurai sword, and a relatable sense of purpose to exact her revenge. She's the definition of a badass, female or otherwise. - Quentin 1. ELLEN RIPLEY (ALIEN FRANCHISE) Over the course of three movies (technically four, but TECHNICALLY, TECHNICALLY that isn’t Ripley in Alien: Resurrection ), Ellen Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) story arc delivers arguably the most well-rounded, fleshed-out character in movie history. She checks every “badass” box: action star, alien killer, mech suit-wearer, mother, leader, martyr, survivor, and all-around woman you don’t wanna mess with. Even her clone is more badass than most characters who only have one body. - Amarú HONORABLE MENTIONS LAURIE STRODE (HALLOWEEN FRANCHISE) RITA VRATASKI (THE EDGE OF TOMORROW) HIT GIRL (KICK-ASS FRANCHISE) CLARICE STARLING (HANNIBAL FRANCHISE) PALOMA (NO TIME TO DIE) Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2 - Disney; Photo 3 - Warner Bros; Photo 4 - Miramax Films; Photo 5 - 20th Century Studios

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS: SEASON FIVE Starring: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal Creator: Jemaine Clement QUENTIN It’s wild that, after five seasons, I think that a mockumentary is one of the funniest, and overall best, shows on television. Believe it or not, I usually hate this format (The Office is terrible, fight me), but the characters, performances, writing, and level of genuine emotion that grounds the mystical absurdity of What We Do in the Shadows is flat out tremendous. In this season specifically, the interpersonal dynamics between my sweet, secretive boy Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) and the vampires is both touching and hilarious. Plus, no cast on television can deliver a one-liner like this one can. Season Five is maybe the best yet. KATIE The latest season of What We Do in the Shadows delivers exactly what I would expect from one of the best comedy series on TV. It’s consistently funny, hilariously macabre, and displays the show’s overall enduring charm. The amazing cast has an electric chemistry and comfortable familiarity, and before every episode, I was excited to see their latest shenanigans. Although I love the gore, absurdity, and Laszlo’s (Matt Berry) many unique pronunciations, the character’s emotional bonds are the beating (or not) heart of this show. ADRIANO It’s rare that a comedy series can continue its trajectory for five whole seasons, but that’s exactly what What We Do in the Shadows has accomplished. It continues to be as funny and clever as it has always been, but with new wacky situations to put our cast of characters through. Even with a major turning point in the plot, the show never once slows its momentum, all while evolving the characters in the process. If the show keeps going at the pace it’s currently at, then I don’t ever want this show to die.

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. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS One cannot discuss the greatest dramas of the 21st century without mentioning the gem Inglourious Basterds . Even writer-director Quentin Tarantino ends his amazing film with the final line "I think this just might be my masterpiece," which is 100% him talking about his work on the movie. For all movie lovers, Inglourious Basterds is essential viewing because it's incredibly engaging with shock value, dramatic moments, suspense, and humorous beats. Plus, the screenplay is razor-sharp, Tarantino's directing is superb, and its ensemble pulls off fantastic performances. As a die-hard Tarantino fan, I not only think this is his best movie to date, but one of the best films ever. - Paige 4. WHIPLASH Whiplash is a film that, regardless of someone’s taste or preferences, I’ll always recommend. Damien Chazelle’s intense, ambitious, and riotously entertaining film explores the limits an artist is willing to push themselves to achieve greatness, and infuses it with an adrenaline-fuelled nervous energy that simultaneously paralyses you while keeping your heart racing. Chazelle uses drum solos as nerve-shredding dramatic set pieces and riveting dialogue to keep you on the edge of your seat, completely immersing you in the volatile relationship between student and mentor. The cast also is faultless, and J.K. Simmons’ pitch-perfect performance as the formidable Terence Fletcher is one of my favourites in any film. - Katie 3. PARASITE Recency bias is looking less and less likely with every passing year for director Bong Joon Ho’s thrilling epic Parasite . Even before the massive twist that slapped everyone in the face, this tense game of class warfare had you at the edge of your seat wondering how the Kim family might pull off their long con. But that twist does happen, and the seat to which you were grasping onto is now a thing of the past. The Oscars confirmed that everything from the writing, directing, and pacing were best of 2019, but the ensemble (especially Song Kang-ho’s harrowing patriarchal turn) also matches that greatness. This is an instant classic whose hype as one of the best of this century is more than warranted. - Amarú 2. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the kind of film that you watch while just being grateful that it exists. A romance mixed with science fiction, not to mention some psychological thriller thrown in, it is a breathtaking, brilliant, and thought-provoking masterwork about our perception of love and connection to others. Everything from Jim Carrey’s and Kate Winslet's heartbreaking performances to Michel Gondry's direction that elicits incredible shots and demonstrates nuance to the Oscar-winning script that is still analyzed and talked about today, everything about Eternal Sunshine is iconic. While some have tried to varying degrees of success to replicate this lightning in a bottle, it will forever be one of a kind. - Adriano 1. THE DEPARTED The Departed is almost hard to classify as a drama because of the intensity within each scene and the heart-racing anxiety it induces. Director Martin Scorsese uses an absolute all-star cast to wind up a plot that is teaming with twists, turns, and tension. The best films coax the viewer into the situation playing out in front of them, and The Departed is the epitome of such a temptress. Who can you trust? Who am I rooting for? What the hell just happened?! These are exactly the kinds of questions you yearn to be asking during a great film of this ilk. Throw in some Boston accents, gang play, complicated romance, humor, undercover police work, murder, Jack Nicholson’s special kind of crazy, with a sprinkle of American patriotism, and you have a recipe for something truly fantastic. - Preston HONORABLE MENTIONS CATCH ME IF YOU CAN ARRIVAL ALMOST FAMOUS LA LA LAND CHILDREN OF MEN

UPLOAD: SEASON TWO Starring: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Zainab Johnson, Allegra Edwards, Kevin Bigley, Owen Daniels, Andrea Rosen, Josh Banday, Paulo Costanzo, and William B. Davis Creator: Greg Daniels NICK I hope Upload isn’t forgotten due to the production delays of the past two years because it’s a sneaky good show. The second season picks up right where we left off, continuing its mystery plot and providing some neat twists and turns in only seven episodes. The visual effects are tremendous in this “afterlife comedy,” but it’s the chemistry between stars Robbie Amell and Andy Allo that really shines. The knock on this season is the aforementioned length. It feels far too short and ends with an unsatisfying cliffhanger that leaves things feeling unfinished. I needed more. QUENTIN In its second season, Upload has a major sophomore slump. It’s like the writers didn’t really know what to do after all the fun world building of season one, so they tried a little bit of everything. There are plotlines revolving around a murder conspiracy, a “will they, won’t they” romance, a quasi-villainous girlfriend, inner-office dynamics, corporate espionage, and a commentary on the 1%, none of which are explored all that well. It’s a lot of narrative threads for the series’ seven short episodes (about 3.5 total hours). Honestly, the whole affair just feels like setup for an assumed season three. JOSEPH Despite a great concept, the first season of Upload left a little to be desired. Thankfully, the second season changes that by adding some much needed depth to the world. The societal metaphors and existential questions are in full swing, and with that, comes a greater layer of comedy as well. Unfortunately, there are two interesting storylines that this season never commits to, so the final episode leaves you wanting more since it feels unfinished. Though a substantial improvement, season two of Upload still has some issues; let’s hope next season gets even better.

THE GIRL FROM PLAINVILLE Starring: Elle Fanning, Chloë Sevigny, Cara Buono, Kai Lennox, Colton Ryan, and Norbert Leo Butz Creators: Liz Hannah and Patrick Macmanus QUENTIN Despite being based on a layered true story and featuring great performances from Elle Fanning and Chloë Sevigny, The Girl from Plainville fails to explore Michelle Carter’s (Fanning) actions any deeper than surface level. Perhaps it’s by design in not wanting to sensationalize or pick sides in the case, but the series only hints at the “why” of it all. It seems content with being a Wikipedia-level overview of events, which, admittedly, is probably more respectful to the involved parties, but it doesn’t necessarily make for excellent television drama. That’s not to say the series isn’t worth your time. It just feels a little sterile.

Previous Next August 11, 2023 WRITTEN BY: QUENTIN While I would love to attend Fantasia International Film Festival in person one day, the fact of the matter is that it just isn’t logistically easy or cheap to get to Montreal from Germany. So, for the fourth year in a row, I was forced to experience this great festival remotely. On one hand, it’s much easier to watch these movies from the comfort of my couch, usually sans pants, maybe with a beer in hand. On the other hand, not all festival offerings are available as a remote screener, which means I was unable to view a few titles I was really excited for, including Talk to Me and Late Night with the Devil . Plus, nothing beats the theatrical experience, especially at a film festival. That said, I still got to watch 19 movies, ranging from documentary to horror to absurdist comedy, so I don’t have much to complain about. As you know, we only post reviews when two or more writers have had their say, but with festivals, there is often a lack of overlap amongst the writers. We call those single review outliers “Solo Shots.” Below, you’ll read about several great movies that only I saw at this year’s festival; however, the movies that were seen by some combination of Quentin, Nick, and/or Paige can be found in the Film Reviews section of our site. As always, covering Fantasia was an absolute delight, and I look forward to the opportunity to do it again next year and beyond. Until then, enjoy Quentin’s Solo Shots from the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival! DEVILS Starring: Dae-hwan Oh, Dong-Yoon Jang, and Jae-ho Jang Director: Kim Jae-Hoon For my money, when I start looking at what non-English-speaking countries are doing in terms of content, no one comes close to South Korea in terms of consistency. Devils is the latest film to validate that opinion. This dark and twisty serial killer movie has several obvious comparatives, including Face/Off and Freaky , but despite the somewhat familiar body-swap plot, I was roped in from the start. Even through the subtitles, Dae-hwan Oh and Dong-Yoon Jang give terrific performances, and the level of suspense and tension created is palpable. I know subtitled movies aren’t for everyone, including me oftentimes, but this is one to check out. HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS Starring: Olivia Graves, Doug Mancheski, Luis Rico, Wes Tank, and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews Director: Mike Cheslick Hundreds of Beavers succeeds at everything it sets out to do in creating a live-action cartoon. The gags come a mile-a-minute, and the silent movie slapstick approach will certainly elicit some giggles. It genuinely feels like Charlie Chaplin meets Wile E. Coyote. The thing is… there is a reason that most of Chaplin’s “The Tramp” movies and classic Looney Tunes cartoons were rarely longer than maybe 10 minutes. There is little story, and once you’ve acclimated to the dialogue-free vibe, it’s diminishing returns. Beavers ‘ runtime is 108 long minutes. It gets tiresome quickly. However, if broken down into multiple shorts, there is little to complain about. THE PRIMEVALS Starring: Richard Joseph Paul, Juliet Mills, Leon Russom, Walker Brandt, Tai Thai, Robert Cornthwaite, and Kevin Mangold Director: David Allen The behind-the-scenes story of The Primevals is kind of incredible. Pre-production started in the 1960s, and a series of financial issues and, eventually, the death of its writer/director in 1999(!) made for a slow, winding journey. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense that it feels like a stop-motion tribute to King Kong (1933) and Land of the Lost (1974). All things considered, it works! Sure, it’s cheesy and it approaches so-bad-it’s-good territory, but for what it is and what it took to get here, I can’t be too hard on this future cult classic. Plus, Rondo Montana (Leon Russom) is an all-timer character name. TOUCH KINK Director: Todd Max Carey As a documentary, I suppose tOuch Kink does what it sets out to do by informing viewers about the world of BDSM and those who live the lifestyle while also dispelling some commonly held misconceptions. However, for a topic that has some inherent (sexy) fun baked in, this is a fairly tame affair. Sadly, none of the people interviewed are all that interesting, nor do they come off in a way that says they feel comfortable in front of a camera. Also, the piano-driven score is super cheesy. All in all, tOuch Kink carries the vibe of a workplace training video rather than feature documentary. MAD FATE Starring: Ka Tung Lam, Lok Man Yeung, Charm Man Chan, Ting Yip Ng, and Wing-Sze Ng Director: Soi Cheang Mad Fate boasts excellent cinematography and a layered story that I wanted to be engaged in, functioning as part murder mystery and part examination of fate. However, and I admit that it could have been the subtitles, but this film struggled to hold my interest. This could 100% be a Q problem, but it’s a lot of mystic horoscope-driven dialogue, so because I had to read so much, it really took me out of the film’s vibe. That said, all the parts are there for something potentially great. I’d certainly be interested in an English-language remake, and this has David Fincher written all over it. FEMME Starring: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay Directors: Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping Although it doesn’t play out quite like I expected, particularly with its abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying ending, Femme is a taut little thriller that boasts tremendous performances from Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, who won Fantasia’s Outstanding Performance Award this year, and George MacKay. The direction and screenplay aren’t bad either (Sam H. Freeman & Ng Choon Ping won Best Director too), showing two characters as they walk the tightrope between violence and lust in a story that explores queer power dynamics and code-switching with unflinching nuance. I just wish the ending had a little more oomph to it because it really drags my rating down. SHIN KAMEN RIDER Starring: Tasuku Emoto, Minami Hamabe, and Sôsuke Ikematsu Director: Hideaki Anno While I’ve been notionally aware of Japanese tokusatsu, I’ve never experienced it in feature length movie form. And although Shin Kamen Rider certainly captures the vibe of the genre, it doesn’t work for me because I don’t have nostalgia for it. Rider is purposely campy, coming off as a mix between 1990s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and live-action Marvel shows from the 70s. But imagine showing someone Power Rangers now, in 2023, for the first time. It won’t hold up. That’s the problem with Rider ; without a baked-in familiarity and love for the source material, it’s tough to get on board with this level of cheese. #MANHOLE Starring: Yûto Nakajima, Nao, and Kento Nagayama Director: Kazuyoshi Kumakiri If you’re a fan of movies like Buried , which is to say single-location thrillers, #Manhole is for you. The tension built by the mystery of where exactly Shunsuke (Yûto Nakajima) is and how he may have ended up there is only trumped by the escalating madness that unfolds as the story moves along. I will say, given that the film hinges on Shunsuke reading texts and social media (hence the hashtag in the title), which were subtitled to English for me, it’s hard to know if I missed any additional nuance, but for the dark story given to me, I couldn’t have asked for much more. Photo Credits: Fantasia International Film Festival

Previous Next November 29, 2023 WRITTEN BY: NICK AND QUENTIN Canceled. It's a word that has haunted television watchers for years. You get into a series, watch it for multiple seasons, and become invested in the characters just to have the rug pulled out from under you. But what about the good shows that never even get to that point? The series that are never given a chance to find their footing in spite of their cast and potential. Yes, these cancellations can happen due to poor ratings and low quality, but they can also be caused by lack of finances, behind-the-scenes turmoil, or a number of other varying reasons. "Canceled" has become synonymous with being “bad,” and that's just not always the case. Below, Nick and Quentin spotlight some of their favourite "One Season Wonders," those series that left a lasting impression despite the networks pulling the plug too soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TSEMxvtY4E LIFE ON MARS (2008-2009) Synopsis: The story of New York City police detective Sam Tyler, who, after being struck by a car in 2008, regains consciousness in 1973. Based on the BAFTA-winning British show of the same name, the American remake of Life on Mars was lauded for its premise, acting, and accurate depiction of the ‘70s. Featuring a superb cast of Jason O’Mara, Academy Award Nominee Harvey Keitel, multi-Emmy Award Nominee Michael Imperioli, and Gretchen Mol, this series is a complex mishmash of genres, including thriller, mystery, sci-fi, and gritty police procedural. Sadly, the ambitious show was interrupted by a lengthy midseason hiatus, which was followed by a timeslot change. This caused ratings to plummet by nearly half, so naturally ABC canceled it. On the plus side, there is a silver lining. It was canceled early enough that producers had time to rewrite the planned season finale as a mostly satisfying series finale, leaving us with a terrific, 17-episode miniseries that functions as a testament to what might have been. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rJ64J-gSbY THE PASSAGE (2019) Synopsis: When a botched U.S. government experiment turns a group of death row inmates into highly infectious vampires, an orphan girl might be the only person able to stop the ensuing crisis. As someone who grew up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer , I had an affinity for vampires before the Twilight craze hit. After Buffy , though, the focus leaned too heavily into the romance side of things ( Moonlight , The Vampire Diaries , True Blood ) and away from the more innovative ideas. Then FOX debuted the underseen series The Passage . Based on the Justin Cronin series of novels, The Passage provided a new twist on the genre, led by the perpetually underrated Mark-Paul Gosselaar and relative newcomer Saniyya Sidney (who went on to play Venus Williams in King Richard ). The series, which focused on a government project gone wrong that opened the door for a potential apocalypse, was like a shot of adrenaline. The storytelling was deliberate and well paced, while the action-packed sequences FOX has always been known for were present as well. Although it was viewed positively by both fans and critics alike, the ratings weren’t there, leading to another much-too-soon cancellation for a Gosselaar series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEv22Q21OMg THE GOOD GUYS (2010) Synopsis: Washed-up detective Dan Stark teams up with young, by-the-book detective Jack Bailey in the police department's property crimes division. Their superior officer strives to keep them investigating seemingly minor crimes in order to keep the department out of trouble. Something of a mix between The Other Guys and The Nice Guys , The Good Guys soared on the comedic, against-type performance of multi-Emmy winning actor Bradley Whitford as Dan Stark, a washed-up, loose cannon cop who was hot shit in the 80s. The type of cop who relies on hunches, listens to Foghat, hides beer in his shampoo bottles, and uses his gun as a bottle opener. Whitford tackles the role with mustachioed aplomb. No disrespect to Colin Hanks, who plays the straight man incredibly well here, but this was Whitford’s series. On top of that, the basic intent of The Good Guys was a sort of satirical anti-thesis to the glut of CSI -inspired shows that still plague the airwaves today (there are running jokes about Stark not understanding “computer machines” and “smarty phones''), which, at the time, made it a fresh take on the cop procedural. The problem was that people just didn’t watch it since FOX aired it during the summer months - first on Mondays, then on Fridays, then on Saturdays. If you want your show to fail, that’s how you do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDt6Jr2kcr4 STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (2006) Synopsis: A behind-the-scenes look at a fictional sketch-comedy television show. While some of my entries for this article admittedly lean heavily on personal preference, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is the one I think most deserved continuation. Set behind the scenes of a Saturday Night Live -style program, the series had a stacked cast of TV mainstays (Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Sarah Paulson), interesting characters, and smart writing by one of the best to ever do it in Aaron Sorkin. The reason for its cancellation came down to poor timing. It was released alongside 30 Rock (another behind-the-scenes-of-an- SNL -style program, albeit a strict comedy), and it was decided there wasn’t room for such a similar series. Unfortunately, with all the talent involved, Studio 60 was the much more expensive venture, which led to its cancellation in spite of being a stronger ratings success than 30 Rock . Personally, I think the series was also undone by airing on network TV instead of a channel like HBO, where it would have been a better fit and likely could have had the success of another Sorkin series, The Newsroom . There’s no way to know if that’s the case, but it's been nice to see the series gain a bit of a second life following the death of Matthew Perry, as many are revisiting it as one of his best pieces of work, which it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWcFMt5M1Nc NO ORDINARY FAMILY (2010-2011) Synopsis: The story of the Powells, a typical American family living in Pacific Bay, California, whose members gain special powers after their plane crashes in the Amazon. Back when the MCU was just getting started, everyone was dipping their toes into the superhero pool, with many offerings being about generic heroes (i.e., not Marvel or DC). One such series was No Ordinary Family , which was essentially “live-action The Incredibles .” Family was generally well-received, with the San Francisco Chronicle saying, “there's lots of promise here, of drama, action, comedy, etc., all wrapped up in a family-friendly series.” The charming cast was led by Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz, but also featured a parade of people you’d recognize even if you don’t know their names. But for whatever reason, the audience didn’t latch on to it, with viewership dropping from 11 million to 3.5 million over the course of its 20 episodes. So, it’s not surprising that ABC canceled it within weeks of the season finale. The real shame is that it was maybe just ahead of its time because this series may have flourished if it premiered five years later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PfnmAV0eFM POWERLESS (2016) Synopsis: Follows the staff of an insurance company that specializes in products to protect defenseless bystanders from the collateral damage of superheroes and supervillains. Instead of going the CW route like many DC characters before it had, Powerless aired on NBC as the first DC Comics sitcom. It featured a charming ensemble cast, including Vanessa Hudgens in my personal favourite performance of hers, Danny Pudi coming off Community , and Alan Tudyk in a scene-stealing role as Van Wayne, Bruce’s cousin. Sadly, the series was marred by behind-the-scenes issues. The original pilot (shown at Comic-Con) was very well received, but after the creator left the project, it was largely re-shot as a shadow of what it was. The series did find its footing as it went on, but the early word of mouth was too much to overcome. At the height of the superhero craze, Powerless attempted to do something different within that universe, but all that’s left is its unrealized potential. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5HPcWebl5A MY OWN WORST ENEMY (2008) Synopsis: This drama follows a man with two identities: Henry Spivey, a mild-mannered family man, and Edward Albright, a covert operative who is trained to kill. Each identity is unaware of the other until the carefully constructed psychological wall between the two is breached. For a while, there was a running joke on the internet that you should never get too invested in a series starring Christian Slater. Between 2008-2015, Slater had three series canceled after one season (and a fourth that was canceled midway through Season Two). The first and best from this string of failures was My Own Worst Enemy . In what might be the most perfect example of a network not giving a series a fair shake, NBC canceled it after just four episodes despite critics calling it “smart and shrewdly funny” with a “charismatic” dual performance from Slater. The show also starred Bella Thorne, Taylor Lautner, Alfre Woodard, and James Cromwell, so a solid cast across the board, and its use of the “sleeper agent” idea to explore the duality of man and self-awareness was extremely clever. Sadly, the premise was just too complicated for your standard network television audience because the already-not-great ratings of the premiere dropped by almost half after four episodes. Then, once the cancellation was announced, viewers found little reason to continue devoting time to it despite featuring slick thrills, non-stop action, dark humor, and engaging twists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mda3sqFpPjg SON OF ZORN (2016) Synopsis: Animation and live-action collide when a cartoon Barbarian dad leaves his war-torn village to reconnect with his moody, non-animated teenage son in suburbia. A hybrid live-action/animated homage to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe , Son of Zorn was a fun weekly comedy. As an outsider, Jason Sudeikis’ real-life cartoon character (literally) Zorn brought forth tons of solid fish-out-of-water jokes as he would struggle with fitting in while the contrast between him and the Pleasantville -stylings of Tim Meadows’ Craig consistently provided laugh-out-loud moments. It’s as if Thor was funnier and had more teeth. Unfortunately, of my selections here, this is the cancellation I understand the most due to the limitations its rating provided. Were this a Netflix series with the ability to go all out, Son of Zorn could have been another of the great adult animated series. Instead, it failed, likely held back by network tv trappings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8fzC90joak THE TICK (2001) Synopsis: Following the adventures of a wide-eyed, 7-foot, 400-pound superhero with nigh-invulnerability, superhuman strength, super speed, and the battle cry of "Spoooooon!," The Tick is a surrealistic parody of superheroes. Based on the comic book of the same name, The Tick is one of three attempts to adapt the cult classic hero for television. However, for my money, this short, single season is the best of the bunch, mostly thanks to Patrick Warburton’s iconic and pitch-perfect performance as the childlike and optimistic character. On top of that, you’ve got a pilot directed by the acclaimed Barry Sonnenfeld, production design from multi-Oscar and multi-Emmy Award nominee Bo Welch, and Nestor Carbonell as series’ original creation Batmanuel, a hilarious Latino parody of Batman. Despite receiving praise from fans and critics alike for its inventiveness and clever humor (Sonnenfeld has called it the best thing he has ever directed), FOX completely mismanaged the series, pitting it against massive ratings grabbers like Survivor and NBC’s “Must See TV” lineup of Friends and Will & Grace , as well as seemingly not knowing how to promote it in general (or simply not wanting to because they didn’t own it and it had high production costs). Sadly, it was canceled after eight of the nine episodes aired, but you can still buy this surprisingly enduring series on Prime for under $8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCSqgSNmOOU TERRA NOVA (2011) Synopsis: In the year 2149, a large group of settlers leave the apocalyptic world they live in to time travel 85 million years into the past in an attempt to start a new civilization. Did the Jurassic World franchise leave a bad taste in your mouth? If so, go back and check out Terra Nova . One of the few dinosaur-centric projects to hit the small screen, it focused on a group of people who travel back to prehistoric times in an attempt to recolonize a human race facing extinction. Executive produced by none other than Steven Spielberg, Terra Nova featured the likes of Jason O’Mara (who has made this list twice!), Stephen Lang, Naomi Scott, and Shelley Conn in a thrilling dinosaur adventure with both the effects and unique plot needed to succeed. Unfortunately, the series was very uneven out of the gate, and though it hit its stride in the final episodes, it was too little, too late. It was promptly canceled due to low ratings and high costs. The path to Season Two renewed excitement in fans and critics alike, which even led to Netflix expressing interest in picking it up, but the high costs per episode were just too much to justify the renewal. Still, one worth searching out. Honorable Mentions: The Adventures of Brisco Country Jr., The Michael J. Fox Show, The Unusuals, Reboot Video Credits: Video 1, 5 - ABC; Photo 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 - FOX; Photo 4, 6, 7 - NBC

Previous Next October 22, 2025 WRITTEN BY: NICK Before I dive into my slate for this year's Toronto After Dark Film Festival, I want to take a second to acknowledge its founder, Adam Lopez. After a public and relentless battle with cancer, Adam passed away earlier this year. He was a man with a level of optimism rarely seen, and someone I always enjoyed speaking with as his energy was infectious. Although he's no longer with us, his spirit lives on through this festival and the newly christened Adam Lopez Audience Award. He will be missed. After a year-long hiatus, Toronto After Dark has returned with a collection of genre titles destined for Shudder, as well as offerings from the likes of Paramount Pictures and Lionsgate. Beyond its features, however, the festival boasts a range of short films from both Canadian and International creators. Although I love short films, I often find them difficult to review because of their brief runtimes. The fact that many aren't available outside of these festivals also makes it a bit less fun because there isn’t a real conversation to be had if I’m the only one who has seen them. That said, this year's standout was Meat Crayon , a film I would love to see turned into a feature at some point. But there was also Clown Song , which plays like an elaborate music video that keeps getting stuck in my head. Overall, I saw 18 shorts, and even though you may have never heard of some of them, they're worth seeking out once they land on YouTube (especially my Top 5). Without further ado, here's my ranking… 18. SEISMIC BRAIN IMPLOSION - Director: Alistair Quak 17. DID YOU KNOW THERE’S A BLACK HOLE IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR? - Director: Leonard Farr 16. CREEPING CHARLIE - Director: Briana Templeton 15. BATH BOMB - Director: Colin G. Cooper 14. GIANT SKELETON - Director: Austin Birtch 13. WINDOW TO THE SKIES - Director: Martin Berthiaume 12. SOMETHING BAD THAT HAPPENED IN MY PAST - Director: Mike Mildon 11. DAMSEL IN GEEKSTRESS - Director: Renaud Parra 10. FOR SALE - Director: Christopher Schrack 9. GHOST THEFT AUTO - Director: Kyle Dunbar 8. PIMPLE (BORBULHA) - Director: Fernando Alle 7. PANDORA, INC. - Director: Joe Lueben 6. STRIP MALL - Director: Andrew Appelle 5. CADABRA - Director: Tiffany Wice 4. LOUD - Director: Adam Azimov 3. OUTSIDE NOISE - Director: Ethan Evans 2. CLOWN SONG - Director: Brady Dowad 1. MEAT CRAYON - Director: Richard Rotter And now for the features… 4. HOLD THE FORT How far can a single run-on joke about Homeowners Associations (HOA) take a film? Just over an hour, apparently, as that happens to be the runtime of Hold the Fort . There are other jokes littered throughout, but the ridiculous premise surrounding an HOA is what carries this thing. It’s just old-fashioned, dumb humour that never tries to be anything more. There’s a bit of a disconnect with Chris Mayers’ portrayal of Lucas, and the budgetary limitations are obvious at times; however, for what it is, Hold the Fort is entertaining. Maybe not in the laugh-out-loud sense, but it made me snicker. It’s just… very, very stupid. 3. SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE Your enjoyment of Sisu: Road to Revenge will be based almost entirely on your ability to suspend disbelief because there are Fast & Furious -levels of ridiculousness here. The sequel strips away some of what made the first film work in exchange for cartoon violence that is uneven yet entertaining, even when it dips into feeling like a live action Looney Tunes episode. I thought the first film was fine, and this one is very similar. Stephen Lang's moustache-twirling villain is a highlight, but otherwise, there isn’t much that separates the two films. I certainly don’t need any more Sisu movies, but I’d watch. 2 . THIS IS NOT A TEST Much like The Walking Dead: World Beyond , This Is Not a Test looks at the zombie apocalypse through the eyes of adolescents. Thankfully, it doesn't pull any punches on the level of blood and guts while also tackling some surprisingly mature themes, but it does tend to feel like a YA film. That said, although it hits a bit of a lull at the midway point (it relies too heavily on melodrama), the characters pull it through. It's like Lord of the Flies but with the undead. If that sounds tonally uneven, it is. But it maintains entertainment value throughout. 1. PRIMATE With all due respect to the creative team, Primate is so much better than it has any right to be. Its influences are clear and prominent throughout the film, but it still offers something new to pair with the homages. There are horror hallmarks, including highly effective jump scares and gruesome kills, but there’s also a story about family and relationships that strengthens both the characters and the film’s foundation. If you’ve been underwhelmed by some of the more recent creature features ( Coyotes , Death of a Unicorn , Dangerous Animals ), Primate is exactly what the doctor ordered.

THE BEAR: SEASON THREE Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Ricky Staffieri, Corey Hendrix, and Oliver Platt Creator: Christopher Storer PRESTON I want to excuse this season like a mother would excuse her execrable child: “It’s not Timmy’s fault that he bit a teacher, he was just tired from his exhausting gaming marathon!” My best attempt is that Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) wins me over completely, the celebrity chef cameos are killer, and Neil Fak (Matty Matheson) provides much needed comic relief. Tragically though, the previously successful nonlinear structure becomes a regressive hindrance, the plotline goes nowhere fast, and the episodes are disjointed. Let’s hope this is all to whet the appetite for a redemptive Season Four. PAIGE Season Three of The Bear continues to do a fantastic job of blending the tranquility and mayhem that make this series so remarkable, even though this crop of episodes is missing a few appetizing ingredients. Frustratingly, nothing is resolved, leaving the story thinner than in its previous exquisite seasons, and each episode plays more like a collage of artistic images than a plot-driven narrative. Don’t get me wrong, the aura of the show is still there, and the performances are its best feature; however, it needs to beef itself back up to deliver what we loved about Seasons One and Two. QUENTIN Even though it boasts the same top-notch acting, celebrity cameos, and food porn that contributed to the first two seasons’ success, The Bear is starting to show some cracks in its storytelling (a point punctuated by an unsatisfying and lazy “to be continued” tag on the finale). For whatever reason, the show’s writers made this season almost entirely about character development, and in the process, sacrificed anything that resembles an actual narrative arc for the titular restaurant. Each episode is more like a character vignette, with a couple even feeling like filler. It’s not a terrible season by any means, but it’s a definite step backwards. ADRIANO It's with a heavy heart that I say I was underwhelmed with the third season of The Bear . After its pitch-perfect second season, the bar was always gonna be high for the follow-up. But while the performances are still top-notch, the energy is still kinetic, and more than any season, I was more into the creative filmmaking on display, I don't feel like anything was accomplished. At least for the first eight episodes, I felt like we were going in circles to arrive at no destination. A pretty disappointing third season to an otherwise outstanding show. AMARÚ Season Three of The Bear is one of transition. It’s as stressful, well-acted, frenetic, and funny (it’s a comedy right?) as the first two seasons, but the direction and plot structure takes those familiar vibes and presents them in a new, artistic, and swing-for-the-fences way. There’s less of a narrative thru-line, making this more of a stop-gap season between stories, and that doesn’t always translate as naturally to the show’s grounded history, but it emphasizes each character’s journey in a way that highlights the cast’s tremendous talent. The art-house approach may not work 100 percent, but I appreciate the attempt at something new. KATIE Season Three of The Bear, one of the greatest shows on TV, delves deep into the psyche and past of its protagonists, favouring character study over driving the narrative forward. This season took a more complex and abstract approach, with some episodes consisting of montages of beautiful food, creative editing, and compelling performances, and although this is definitely not a bad thing, it demands more patience and willingness to focus on the moment. I felt I got to know each character far more intimately, setting us up for hopefully a more productive next season, enhanced by all of this previous character development.

BLINDSPOTTING: SEASON TWO Starring: Jasmine Cephas Jones, Rafael Casal, Jaylen Barron, Atticus Woodward, Benjamin Earl Turner, Candace Nicholas-Lippman, and Helen Hunt Creators: Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal AMARÚ After two seasons and a movie, Blindspotting is a perfect three for three. The show isn’t objectively unflawed, but it builds on its strengths to create a more beautifully ambitious second season. The entire ensemble shines brighter without taking away from leads Jasmine Cephas Jones (Ashley) and Rafael Casal (Miles). The screenplay’s grounded blend of dramedy with powerful free-verse performative art realistically highlights the mental toll that being resilient has on families of the incarcerated. But what makes it perfect is that everything is rooted in Oakland’s cultural influence, as seen with the various “Yay Area'' cameos that only add to the show’s brilliance. Three. For. Three.

BAD MONKEY: SEASON ONE Starring: Vince Vaughn, Natalie Martinez, Meredith Hagner, Rob Delaney, Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Ronald Peet, John Ortiz, and L. Scott Caldwell Creator: Bill Lawrence QUENTIN One’s enjoyment of Bad Monkey will completely depend on how much one enjoys Tom Petty songs and Vince Vaughn’s schtick because that’s about all this show has to offer. Although they are technically (and too conveniently) connected, the way-too-many storylines are a convoluted mess. From episode to episode, it often feels like you are watching several different shows at once. On top of that, the vibe is extremely dated. It’s very reminiscent of the quirky, brightly colored shows of USA Network’s “Characters Welcome” era. That said, Vaughn is his typical fast-talking self, which, if nothing else, kept me coming back for each episode. ADRIANO Bad Monkey sees a return to form for Vince Vaughn's fast-talking comedy stylings, which I've been aching for. Sadly, the show around him is pretty messy. It's not bad, and it can be interesting; however, there's just a tad too much going on, and a lot of it struggled to keep my interest outside of Vaughn's storyline. Admittedly, the show looks nice, the overall ensemble bounces off Vaughn excellently, and the show's use of the Florida Keys is actually quite great. Ultimately, I wanted a fun “Vince Vaughn comedy” and I mostly got it, so I can't totally complain.

Previous Next July 10, 2023 WRITTEN BY: ADRIANO Emmy nominations are right around the corner, and things are much different this year because The Television Academy decided to shift its voting process from an unlimited ballot to a more simplified system that rewards passion. That change could make for a very different, and hopefully, much cleaner collection of nominees. Since I have a lot to cover, let’s jump right in! Without further ado, I present my predictions for the 75th Primetime Emmy Award nominees. The official nominees will be announced on July 12, 2023. DRAMA CATEGORIES This year, the drama categories are bound to be dominated by one show in particular: Succession . All but guaranteed to win the top prize, you could honestly predict Succession in every drama category (where eligible) and it would be valid. Brian Cox’ confounding placement in the Lead Actor category aside, you can make a solid case that just about every actor from the series deserves to win. After being awarded the top prize for its previous two seasons, not to mention that this season - its final season - was the series’ most critically acclaimed, make no mistake… Succession is going out with a bang! As for the non- Succession shows, place your bets on good years for Better Call Saul, The Last of Us , and The White Lotus , all of which are primed for nominations in Series and Acting. Next up, most likely, are Emmy darling The Crown and newcomer Andor , though maybe not as likely as the aforementioned shows due to the latter’s lack of popularity and the former’s mixed reception. That said, their performances at the winter awards point to a decent nomination haul. Other shows that could perform well and earn a nomination for the top prize are returning Emmy juggernauts Yellowjackets and The Handmaid’s Tale . Yellowjackets is primed for, at worst, an acting nomination for Melanie Lynskey, but, overall, it could suffer from this season’s more mixed reception relative to Season One. Similarly, Handmaid’s muted response this season could hurt the show. Another returning Emmy nominee is The Boys . While its early release date can be tough to overcome, its rising popularity, increased acclaim, political relevance, and recent uptick in buzz due to some stellar campaigning could push the show to several nominations. New shows like The Old Man could receive some acting nods, but possibly come up short of an Outstanding Drama Series nod due to a tepid response to the show overall. Lastly, you have House of the Dragon . Obviously, the Emmys have a soft spot for Game of Thrones , even awarding the show for its divisive final season, and Dragon was a mostly well-received and popular show. However, its performance at the guild awards makes me think the show’s hype has severely suffered since it has been off the air, and with HBO’s attention elsewhere, I have a feeling this spinoff might not impress the way one might think a Game of Thrones show would. Outstanding Drama Series: Succession The Last of Us The White Lotus Better Call Saul The Crown Andor Yellowjackets The Boys Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Kieran Culkin - Succession Bob Odenkirk - Better Call Saul Jeremy Strong - Succession Pedro Pascal - The Last of Us Diego Luna - Andor Jeff Bridges - The Old Man Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Sarah Snook - Succession Melanie Lynskey - Yellowjackets Bella Ramsey - The Last of Us Imelda Staunton - The Crown Emma D’Arcy - House of the Dragon Elisabeth Moss - The Handmaid’s Tale Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Matthew MacFadyen - Succession F. Murray Abraham - The White Lotus Alan Ruck - Succession Alexander Skarsgård - Succession Jonathan Pryce - The Crown Jonathan Banks - Better Call Saul Michael Imperioli - The White Lotus John Lithgow - The Old Man Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Jennifer Coolidge - The White Lotus Rhea Seehorn - Better Call Saul Aubrey Plaza - The White Lotus Elizabeth Debicki - The Crown Meghan Fahy - The White Lotus Carol Burnett - Better Call Saul J. Smith-Cameron - Succession Sabrina Impacciatore - The White Lotus Outstanding Direction for a Drama Series: Mark Mylod - “Connor’s Wedding,” Succession Peter Hoar - “Long, Long Time,” The Last Of Us Mike White - “Arrividerci,” The White Lotus Andrij Parekh - “America Decides,” Succession Benjamin Caron - “Rix Road,” Andor Anya Adams - “Burial,” Yellowjackets Peter Gould - “Saul Gone,” Better Call Saul Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Jesse Armstrong - “Connor’s Wedding,” Succession Mike White - “Arrividerci,” The White Lotus Craig Mazin - “Long, Long Time,” The Last Of Us Peter Gould - “Saul Gone,” Better Call Saul Peter Morgan - “Gunpowder,” The Crown Jessica Chou - “Herogasm,” The Boys Tony Gilroy - “Rix Road,” Andor COMEDY CATEGORIES There’s certainly a mustachioed elephant in the room in the comedy categories. There’s no doubt in my mind that the reigning back-to-back champion, Ted Lasso , is going to return to receive a handful of nominations. However, the final season's mixed reception amongst critics and audiences alike makes me think it could miss some key nominations, especially since something has come along that could end its streak. I’m talking about Abbott Elementary . Even more critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences than the series’ award-winning first season, Abbott Elementary swept the winter awards (granted, Ted Lasso wasn’t in the running), and in my opinion, is bound to overperform on nomination morning. I expect more acting nominations than it received last year (four), and it could possibly take the top prize. Returning Emmy favorites Barry and Only Murders in the Building are bound to hear their name called on July 12, although the latter’s early release date could result in missing out on some major nominations. A new show certain to receive attention is The Bear . With its second season airing recently to rave reviews, and Jeremy Allen White on a nice win streak for the role, I can’t imagine a world where The Bear doesn’t receive an Outstanding Comedy Series nomination. For the remaining three slots in Outstanding Comedy Series, you have returning favorites The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and What We Do in the Shadows . Both shows could suffer from the new voting system, especially a show like Shadows since it has spent its Emmy run on the bottom half of the lineup. As for Maisel , the show hit a rough patch in terms of its viewership, buzz is at an all-time low, and while its final season wasn’t bad per se, it certainly wasn’t what it once was. That said, it ended on such a high note that I suspect the three main players will once again get nominations, so it’s still very much in the hunt. As for the new shows in contention, Poker Face is a big question mark. Rian Johnson’s mystery series has many possibilities above the line, and it’s positioned to be Peacock’s first foray into the Emmy race. Shrinking also has what it takes to get in, and it’s a shoo-in for, at worst, a Supporting Actor nomination and possible win for Harrison Ford. That said, the show’s slighter nature may not be every voter's cup of tea. And finally, you have Wednesday , which wasn’t exactly critically acclaimed, but its popularity and cultural impact could be enough to garner some votes, especially with Netflix’ recent awards push. Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary Ted Lasso The Bear Barry Only Murders in the Building The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Shrinking What We Do in the Shadows Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeremy Allen White - The Bear Jason Sudeikis - Ted Lasso Bill Hader - Barry Steve Martin - Only Murders in the Building Jason Segel - Shrinking Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson - Abbott Elementary Jenna Ortega - Wednesday Rachel Brosnahan - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Natasha Lyonne - Poker Face Christina Applegate - Dead to Me Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Harrison Ford - Shrinking Brett Goldstein - Ted Lasso Tyler James Williams - Abbott Elementary Henry Winkler - Barry Anthony Carrigan - Barry Tony Shalhoub - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Chris Perfetti - Abbott Elementary Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Sheryl Lee Ralph - Abbott Elementary Hannah Waddingham - Ted Lasso Janelle James - Abbott Elementary Ayo Edebiri - The Bear Lisa Ann Walter - Abbott Elementary Alex Borstein - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Juno Temple - Ted Lasso Outstanding Direction in a Comedy Series: Bill Hader - “wow,” Barry Christopher Storer - “Review,” The Bear Declan Lowney - “So Long, Farewell,” Ted Lasso Randall Einhorn - “Teacher’s Conference,” Abbott Elementary Amy Sherman-Palladino - “Four Minutes,” The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Gail Mancuso - “That ‘90’s Pilot,” That ‘90s Show Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson - “Development Day,” Abbott Elementary Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, and Jason Sudeikis - “So Long, Farewell,” Ted Lasso Christopher Storer - “System,” The Bear Bill Hader - “wow,” Barry John Hoffman, Matteo Borghese, and Rob Turbovsky - “I Know Who Did It,” Only Murders In the Building Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein - “Coin Flip,” Shrinking Marika Sawyer - “Go Flip Yourself,” What We Do in the Shadows LIMITED CATEGORIES To be blunt, this collection of categories is rough. It’s just slim pickings, which is why if my predictions seem to resemble other predictions you’ve seen, it’s because there aren't a lot of realistic options to choose from. Nonetheless, there are three shows that I’m fairly confident will not only score a nomination for the top prize, but multiple acting, writing, and/or directing nods based on their performances at the winter awards and popularity: Beef, Black Bird , and Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story . Beyond those three, Daisy Jones & The Six and Fleishman is in Trouble seem like pretty safe bets, although one of these missing wouldn’t fully surprise me. Daisy Jones is a reasonably popular show, and it’s a very easy show for the average voter to get on board with, which could very well lead to multiple acting nominations. However, the show’s generally middling reviews could hold it back. As for Fleishman is in Trouble , reviews are glowing, but it never really took off. Plus, other than Claire Danes, none of the actors are seriously poised for a nomination. Still though, like I said above, there aren’t a lot of options otherwise. The most likely option aside from those mentioned thus far is George & Tammy. It was received well enough, and stars Jessica Chastain and (maybe) Michael Shannon will most certainly earn nods. The main hurdle this miniseries faces is that it came and went so quickly that I don’t know how many voters actually saw it or will go out of their way to vote for it. The only other options I’m really considering are The English, Love & Death, The Patient , and Welcome to Chippendales, and that is mostly because they might receive major acting nominations. Outstanding Limited Series: Black Bird Beef Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Fleishman is in Trouble Daisy Jones & The Six Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series: Ali Wong - Beef Jessica Chastain - George & Tammy Riley Keough - Daisy Jones & The Six Lizzy Caplan - Fleishman is in Trouble Elizabeth Olsen - Love & Death Rachel Weisz - Dead Ringers Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series: Evan Peters - Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Taron Egerton - Black Bird Steven Yeun - Beef Jesse Eisenberg - Fleishman is in Trouble Michael Shannon - George & Tammy Steve Carell - The Patient Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series: Niecy Nash-Betts - Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Claire Danes - Fleishman is in Trouble Camila Morrone - Daisy Jones & The Six Maria Bello - Beef Ashley Park - Beef Michael Learnerd - Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Nabiyah Be - Daisy Jones & The Six Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series: Paul Walter Hauser - Black Bird Richard Jenkins - Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Ray Liotta - Black Bird Young Mazino - Beef Joseph Lee - Beef Domhnall Gleeson - The Patient Rodney Burford Jr. - Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series: Michaël Roskam - “Pilot,” Black Bird Lee Sung Jin - “Figures Of Light,” Beef Paris Barclay - “Silenced,” Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton - “Me-Time,” Fleishman Is In Trouble Jake Schreier - “The Great Fabricator,” Beef Joe Chappelle - “The Place I Lie,” Black Bird Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series: Lee Sung Jin - “The Bird’s Don’t Sing, They Screech In Pain,” Beef Dennis Lehane - “The Place I Lie,” Black Bird Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan - “Bad Meat,” Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story David McMillan and Janet Mock - “Silenced,” Dahmer: Monster - The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Taffy Brodesser-Akner - “Me-Time,” Fleishman Is In Trouble Scott Neustadter - “Track 5: Fire,” Daisy Jones & The Six