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Previous Next August 28, 2024 WRITTEN BY: ADRIANO The fall film festival season is here, with Venice, Telluride, Toronto (TIFF), and New York (NYFF) either currently underway or on the horizon. At first glance, the lineups appear to be a stark improvement over last year's overall slate, featuring plenty of much-buzzed-about films that’ll tell us which films to look out for this upcoming award season, as well as which films might be there simply to entertain for the rest of the year and beyond. With Venice having already begun, firing the season’s opening shot, let’s talk about the films I believe will be the most talked about this fall. Please note that I will only be discussing films having their world premieres at one of the four major fall film festivals — meaning, while premieres from Cannes or other pre-fall film festival titles certainly will have a major role this festival season, including Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine as Light , Coralie Fargeat's The Substance , Mohammad Rasolof's The Seed of the Sacred Fig , Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez , and most notably, Sean Baker's Palme d'Or-winning Anora , they will not be discussed here. Without further ado, it’s festin’ time! THE BRUTALIST (Venice, TIFF, NYFF) At first glance, The Brutalist seems like an Oscar bait movie. Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, it is about a holocaust survivor immigrating to America to live "the American dream." Yawn, right? Well, let's now factor in that this movie is directed and co-written by Brady Corbet. Corbet is anything but traditional, and this film chronicles Brody's character over 30 years of his life, so I imagine it'll feature plenty of Corbet's unique approaches to filmmaking. There is no doubt in my mind that this movie will be one of the buzziest movies of the season, especially given that it has a headlining 215-minute runtime and, at least at Venice and TIFF, will be shown on 70mm print. For those who are willing to take the long trek, my best guess is that this will be a worthwhile journey. CONCLAVE (Telluride, TIFF) Fresh off his multi-Oscar-winning film All Quiet on the Western Front , director Edward Berger returns with Conclave , a political thriller starring Ralph Fiennes as a Cardinal tasked with selecting the next Pope. Based on an acclaimed novel of the same name, Conclave's source material is said to be a suspenseful page-turner. Obviously, time will tell how it's adapted, but the trailer does make it seem like Berger's cinematic sensibilities lend themselves to a thrilling experience. Plus, with Fiennes acting alongside the likes of Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, Conclave could be a crowd hit and one of the festival season's most thrilling ventures. THE END (Telluride, TIFF) The End might be my personally most anticipated film of the festival season. This is the feature debut of Joshua Oppenheimer, the director of The Act of Killing , generally regarded as one of the greatest documentaries of modern times due to its cinematic approach and big ideas. Now, we get his first narrative feature, a golden-era-style musical about a wealthy family who seemingly caused the end of the world, starring Tilda Swinton, George MacKay, Michael Shannon, and Moses Ingram. I envision this film being an eat-the-rich movie delivering a scathing commentary on one percenters, but given that this is a musical, I really just want to know what Oppenheimer has up his sleeves. HARD TRUTHS (TIFF, NYFF) One of my favourite filmmakers, Mike Leigh, returns with Hard Truths . Starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, TIFF's website describes the film as a "challenging but ultimately compassionate look at modern family life," and "a psychologically rich ensemble film that only Leigh can cultivate." Now, admittedly, that's pretty vague. However, I don't think Mike Leigh has ever shown signs of slowing down. Many were mixed on Peterloo (I liked it a lot), but in terms of his post-2010s output, Mr. Turner and Another Year are pure Mike Leigh excellence. With Hard Truths looking to be another sobering and smartly written family drama, I couldn't ask for much more from the man. JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX (Venice) Arguably, the elephant in the room this festival season is Joker: Folie á Deux , which will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor and premiere at Venice. Unlike Joker , it seems to be stopping there, which makes some sense. Joker 's initial festival run was simply the best thing that could've happened for the film, winning the Golden Lion at Venice, garnering major Oscar buzz for Joaquin Phoenix (who wound up winning Best Actor), and generating obscene amounts of chatter. Now, since that time, Joker has (in my opinion, of course) not aged well, as most people now agree that it's a brilliantly made but pretty empty movie. Enter Joker: Folie á Deux . A film that, even for someone who doesn't love Joker , has me intrigued. I’m intrigued by how Lady Gaga will portray my favourite comic book character, Harley Quinn. I’m intrigued by the musical aspects. I’m intrigued by the interesting turns the trailer seems to suggest. I don't know what Joker: Folie á Deux will wind up being, but I'll be waiting to find out. MARIA (Venice, Telluride, NYFF) Director Pablo Larraín is always exciting. I’m not saying he always sticks the landing, mind you, but he's always interesting. Wherever you stand, you have to admit that Jackie and Spencer are two of the most creative and daring biopics we've gotten in the past decade. I love both deeply, so I cannot wait to watch him cap off the pseudo-trilogy with Maria . Starring Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Calla in her final years, written by Spencer writer Steven Knight, I can only imagine what discourse is waiting under the bleachers this time around. Larraín's sensibilities are always very engaging in their approach to the historical tragedies at the centre of it all, and if nothing else, he gets great performances. I'm so excited to see what Jolie pulls off. NIGHTBITCH (TIFF) What I imagine will be one of the most talked about movies of this season, Nightbitch has my interest piqued to wild levels. I don't know much about the source material, but what I do know is that Marielle Heller, director of the incredible Can You Ever Forgive Me? , wrote and directed this film about a woman convinced she's turning into a dog. I don't know what that entails, but I'm certainly intrigued to see what Heller does with such a bizarre concept. The movie stars Amy Adams in a role that has already won her the Performer Award at TIFF, so I cannot wait for that performance. Nightbitch could lean into the comedy of the situation, or it could lean into the craziness of the concept. Or both. I don't know. All I know right now is I can't wait. QUEER (Venice, TIFF, NYFF) For those like me, who absolutely love Challengers and are achingly waiting for what director Luca Guadagnino does next, luckily, we barely had to wait at all. His new film, Queer , written by Justin Kuritzkes, reteaming with Guadagnino after Challengers , is based on a well-reviewed book of the same name by William Burroughs. Set in the 1940s, Daniel Craig plays a man named William Lee, a heroin addict who becomes infatuated with a younger man, played by Drew Starkey. Craig has been my prediction to win Best Actor since the beginning of the year, and whether or not that becomes a reality, I imagine the performance will be unlike anything we've ever seen from him. While the plot does seem dour, I imagine Guadagnino's sensibilities will come through in beautiful ways. I really cannot wait to experience this one. THE ROOM NEXT DOOR (Venice, TIFF, NYFF) The great Pedro Almodóvar is back with his first English language film, The Room Next Door . Starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, Almodóvar's latest tells the story of a resentful rift between a mother and a daughter. Based on his past work, I imagine we'll get your typical Almodóvar fair of soapy character drama and incredible lead performances to compliment Almodóvar's excellent writing. Given that this is his first film in English, combined with the fact that he's already a big-name director with a star-studded cast hitting nearly all the major festivals, there is no doubt in my mind that this will end up as one of the season’s most buzzed about. SATURDAY NIGHT (Telluride, TIFF) Fun fact about me: I did plenty of research into the 60s-90s era of comedy in high school, and one of the things I am most knowledgeable about is Saturday Night Live 's inception. So, when I heard about Saturday Night , I was ecstatic. Director Jason Reitman may not be the most consistent, but given who his father is, he's a really good choice to anchor this story. Set 90 minutes before Saturday Night Live 's first show, the film stars Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels struggling to get his, and the show's, shit together before they hit the air. Featuring a stacked ensemble cast including Rachel Sennott, Cooper Hoffman, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, and J.K. Simmons, the trailer makes the movie seem less like the slightly funny biopic I was expecting and more of a high-octane comedy-thriller, which couldn't possibly make me more hyped.

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

TED Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Max Burkholder, Alaina Ubach, Scott Grimes, and Giorgia Whigham Creator: Seth MacFarlane NICK Much like he is in the films, Ted, the character, is funny. Ted , the show, however, is a bit more of a mixed bag. Playing like a hybrid of the film series and live-action Family Guy (but with less bite), the lack of consistent laughs are accentuated with the longer runtimes. At 22 minutes, these episodes could have been more succinct, with more frequent laughs, but there are entries upwards of 50 minutes here, which only shines a spotlight on the mediocre (and annoyingly New England) supporting characters. Ted has its laughs, but just isn’t able to hit like the films do. QUENTIN Though not without moments of slight amusement, Ted isn’t a prequel that is necessary viewing, even for franchise fans. It’s basically juvenile Family Guy -humor (not to mention the carbon-copy musical transitions) mixed with the sentimentality of cheap-looking, TGIF-era sitcoms, except with overlong episodes ranging from 34 to 51 minutes. Ted - and only Ted (Seth MacFarlane) - delivers enough improvisational-style observations to elicit a few chuckles, but the rest of the characters land somewhere between “well-intentioned, but bland” (Blair, played by Giorgia Whigham) and “annoying New England caricature” (Matty, played by Scott Grimes). That said, I didn’t hate it, but I certainly don’t need a second season.

ARCHER: THE FINAL SEASON Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Judy Greer, Chris Parnell, Aisha Tyler, Amber Nash, Adam Reed, Lucky Yates, and Natalie Dew Creator: Adam Reed QUENTIN After 14 seasons and multiple reinventions (some great, some less so), Archer has finally come to an end, and it does so by going back to basics. Returning to the original idea of a group of degenerate spies doing a new mission each week, it feels more like classic Archer than it has in many seasons. Although Season 14(!) never comes across like a final season overall, there are moments of slight introspective (and hilarious) closure, even if the series isn’t the type to fully explore them with any depth. All in all, a fitting exit from the Danger Zone for a modern-day animated classic. KATIE The final series of Archer goes back to the show’s original formula, and it is all the better for it. Although I appreciate the creative directions the show took at some points, it’s at its strongest when it’s driven by insane missions and the chemistry between the main cast. The addition of a new character refreshes the dynamics and enables the other characters to be their most authentic and morally ambiguous selves in a way that reminds me of earlier seasons. I’m sad Archer is ending, but the final season is emblematic of all the things I love most about it.

Previous Next September 3, 2025 If you liked the zombie episodes of What If? then Marvel is here with an early Christmas present. Join Amarú as he reacts to the first trailer for Marvel Zombies , a four-part series that brings back some MCU legends like Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Olsen to voice their characters. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channlel for all of our latest video content including our Early Reactions, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

THE LOWDOWN: SEASON ONE Starring: Ethan Hawke, Keith David, Kaniehtiio Horn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Kyle MacLachlan, Scott Shepherd, Macon Blair, Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, Killer Mike, Cody Lightning, Rafael Casal, Paul Sparks, Peter Dinklage, Graham Greene, Tisha Campbell, and Michael Hitchcock Creator: Sterlin Harjo QUENTIN Though not perfect, mostly due to a central mystery that often falls to the wayside, The Lowdown still works extremely well as a shaggy dog story, effortlessly coasting on a blend of dingy neo-noir vibes that recall Thomas Pynchon, Elmore Leonard, and The Coen Brothers. There are full-throated homages to Inherent Vice , Jackie Brown , and The Big Lebowski (among others), all of which are convincingly brought home by Ethan Hawke’s lived-in performance. The parade of quirky side characters — played by talents ranging from Killer Mike to Peter Dinklage — and the terrific 70s Americana soundtrack only add to the pulpy fun. ROBERT FX has a successful history of producing compelling crime comedies, starting with the underseen Terriers through the prolonged run of Fargo . The Lowdown is the latest, worthy addition to the portfolio, with Ethan Hawke channeling his best combination of The Dude mixed with Fletch as our protagonist investigator. He must deal with power hungry politicians, Southern Belle femme fatales, and encroaching step-parents as he struggles to prove that the truth matters above all else. The acting is superb, the soundtrack is intoxicating, and the visual tapestry of Oklahoman urban griminess adjacent to prairie stillness is striking. Forget it, Jake, it’s chicken-fried Chinatown . AMARÚ Ethan Hawke is having a helluva year playing charming sad sacks, but instead of the mesmerizingly sad lyricist in Blue Moon , he exemplifies the words that Killer Mike so eloquently put together in episode one of The Lowdown : “A white man who cares, the saddest of the bunch.” The show mirrors his character’s wild brand of sadness. Flawed, unpredictable, funny yet mind-blowingly confounding, socially charged, and chaotic, all of which makes for both an entertaining and cautionary tale. Hawke, alongside a star-studded “that person” cast, delivers on a tumultuously fun first season.

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BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER: SEASON ONE Starring: Hamish Linklater, Diedrich Bader, Jason Watkins, Krystal Joy Brown, Eric Morgan Stuart, Gary Anthony Williams, John DiMaggio, Michelle C. Bonilla, and Cedric Yarbrough Creators: Bob Kane and Bruce Timm AMARÚ Batman: Caped Crusader runs the risk of being nothing more than another rehash of Bruce Wayne’s vigilante origins, but the deference appointed to his rogues gallery and associates makes this a fresh approach to familiar material. Plus, leaning hard on Gotham’s darker side of criminality, corruption, and crazy helps to make the more campy aspects of its script feel right at home within the show’s noir setting. Crusader is a true showcase of DC’s number one detective, excellently balancing the dangerous stakes, existential dialogue, hard-nosed characters, and deep roster that makes Batman so compelling. QUENTIN For my money, Batman: The Animated Series is the best on-screen representation of The Dark Knight, and although Caped Crusader doesn’t carry the torch quite as well as X-Men ’97 did for X-Men: The Animated Series , it gets more than enough right by successfully blending nostalgia with fresh ideas. The hard-boiled, dark-noir approach to rich storytelling and the 1940s art deco design work perfectly to capture the old-school Detective Comics vibe, and there are several interesting twists on Batman’s mythos to prevent it from feeling like yet another rehash. Overall, a worthy and atmospheric successor to Bruce Timm’s 90s classic. Now, give us Joker, please.

Previous Next December 16, 2024 WRITTEN BY: AMARÚ Every awards season, there are tons of articles that wax poetic about the best all-time performances, and it’s pretty easy to point to actors giving rousing speeches, heartbreaking monologues, and epic transformations. However, there is a group of performers who have shaped our movie- and television-watching lives that never seem to get the same recognition. From Vincent Price doing the creepiest voice-overs to legends like James Earl Jones and Mark Hamill bringing our favorite villains to life, voice-actors have delivered some of the most iconic and memorable performances while still flying under the radar. In fact, it wasn’t until Andy Serkis dawned the mo-cap suit as Caesar in Matt Reeves’ Planet of the Apes Trilogy that we’ve collectively considered voice-over work as award worthy. Many critics associations have been recently recognizing breakthrough vocal performances in both animation and mixed media, but I don’t think that’s enough for these unsung Hollywood heroes. You’ve heard their voices all your life, but there’s a good chance you wouldn’t know their names or their faces if they were standing right next to you. So, to prevent any awkward “I know that voice” interactions in public — while giving them even the slightest bit of shine that I can — I’m here to honor some of my favorite voice actors of my lifetime. THOSE YOU SHOULD KNOW KEITH DAVID “It is the nature of humans to fear what they do not understand.” - Goliath ( Gargoyles ) There is no chance that you’ve ever watched a movie, played a video game, enjoyed a cartoon, or gone an entire year without somehow hearing the deeply sultry voice of David. Everything about him oozes cool, from his walk to his devilish smirk to his always dressed-to-a-tee fits. That’s how he’s able to go toe-to-toe with superstars like Kurt Russell in The Thing . However, it’s his voice that enters deep into your soul and stays there well past his screen time. If you need a powerful entity, whether it’s the noble leader of the Gargoyles , Goliath; the slick-tongued Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog ; or the mysterious and mighty Arbiter from the Halo video game series; there isn’t anyone better. The man has over 300 voice credits in every genre of entertainment you could think of, and for very good reason. One word from his lips and you already know the scene has been stolen from whoever you think is leading the show. Other Notable Credits : The Cat ( Coraline ); Spawn ( Spawn ); Apollo ( Hercules ) HANK AZARIA “Thank you, come again.” – Apu Nahasapeemapetilon ( The Simpsons ) Even if you decide to lambast his most famous role in The Simpsons , over half the citizens of Springfield owes their existence to Azaria’s biting tongue. Even in his live-action roles, there’s something missing if Azaria isn’t putting on a voice to go with his multitude of animated expressions. His smarmy pitch is perfect for any bully, outcast, smart-ass, or sassy diva, and that’s why his voice is a staple for the longest running American animated television show. His many, yellow-skinned characters’ voices have filled my childhood, your childhood, and your children’s childhood for 764 episodes and counting. You want a beer at Moe’s, ask Hank. You want Chief Wiggum to be as unhelpful as possible, ask Hank. You want a fact-check from the Comic Book Guy, ask Hank. Other Notable Credits : Eddie Brock/Venom ( Spider-Man: The Animated Series ); Abraham Lincoln ( Night at The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian ) PATRICK WARBURTON “Squeaky, uh, squeak, squeaker, squeakin’.” – Kronk ( The Emperor’s New Groove ) Loud, brash, and boastful, Warburton is what I imagine Bruce Campbell’s voice to sound like if I had never heard Campbell speak before. There’s an air of hilarious arrogance in his voice that perfectly fits your favorite oblivious airhead. Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove is a quote waiting to happen, Family Guy ’s wheelchaired hot-head, Joe Swanson, is ready to blow at any minute, and you can automatically hear the exclamation of disgust from the meme that is his Bee Movie character, Ken. And, of course, he was the only choice to properly star as the live-action version of the world’s most unaware superhero, The Tick. Shit, I thought he was the original voice in the first place. Other Notable Credits : Brock Samson ( The Venture Bros. ); Agamemnon ( Mr. Peabody & Sherman ) THOSE YOU MAY KNOW TARA STRONG “I was protected by the Monks of Azarath.” – Raven ( Teen Titans Go! ) With 665 credits to her name, Strong has been a staple in cartoon voice acting for at least three generations. Over the last 25 years, she has provided the iconic voices behind the likes of Timmy Turner ( The Fairly Oddparents ), Bubbles ( The Powerpuff Girls ), Raven ( Teen Titans Go! ), and, more recently, Miss Minutes ( Loki ). All that is to say that she has put her name alongside legends like Christin Cavanaugh, E.G. Daily, Nancy Cartwright, and June Foray as arguably the most famous voice actress of all time. Notable Credits : Dil Pickles ( Rugrats ); Barbara Gordon/Batgirl ( Batman: The Animated Series ); Harley Quinn (2011-present, multiple appearances) STEVE BLUM “Whatever happens, happens.” – Spike Spiegel ( Cowboy Bebop ) Even though he has played in two of the most well-known geek sandboxes as Wolverine (numerous times, most notably in Wolverine and the X-Men ) and Zeb in Star Wars: Rebels , Blum will forever be linked to the icon that is Spike Spiegel ( Cowboy Bebop ). His voice is as memorable as Bebop ’s jazzy-ass intro music and has been used in a multitude of video games, anime dubs, and several hip-hop albums (thanks, Logic!). After racking up 882 credits over a 45-year career, Blum doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Other Notable Credits : Kyogai ( Demon Slayer ); Orochimaru ( Naruto ); Amon ( The Legend of Korra ) TOM KENNY “I’m Ready… I’m Ready… I’m Ready.” – SpongeBob SquarePants ( SpongeBob SquarePants ) Between the laugh, the high-pitched voice, and the slight hint of mischievousness, there might not be a more recognizable voice on this list than that of SpongeBob SquarePants himself. Yes, he also has the misfortune of voicing two of the most annoying characters in Transformers history (Wheelie & Skids), but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t perfect for the job. Years and years of voicing the yellow and porous invertebrate has not doomed him to a life of typecasting, as he’s also done work in Batman: Caped Crusader, Rick & Morty , and hundreds (800 to be precise) of other credits. But that pineapple under the sea has treated him well. Other Notable Credits : Nute Gunray ( Star Wars: The Clone Wars) ; Ice King ( Adventure Time ) CREE SUMMER “That’s the final nail in the coffee!!!” – Susie Carmichael ( Rugrats ) Currently killing it as librarian Ms. Inez in Abbott Elementary , Summer is the light behind the voice of the fiercest, most passionate little girls of the 80s & 90s. From the overbearing Elmyra on Tiny Toon Adventures to the warrior princess Kida in Atlantis: The Lost Empire , Summer has inspired young women for decades. However, none has reached more hearts and minds than that of Susie Carmichael, Rugrats ’ independent, intelligent, compassionate, and all-around badass toddler bold enough to put Angelica (Cheryl Chase) in her place. Hail to queen Cree and all the powerful women she will voice from now until forever (also, shout out to Freddie from A Different World ). Other Notable Credits : Cleo ( Clifford the Big Red Dog ); Bunny Star ( The Patrick Star Show ) THOSE I WISH YOU KNEW KEVIN MICHAEL RICHARDSON "This puny mortal will be no problem. I'll crush him with one blow." – Goro ( Mortal Kombat ) My introduction to Richardson was the short-lived UPN comedy Homeboys in Outer Space , so finding out he is the voice of damn near every deep-timbred, evil-laired, all-mighty entity that I’ve ever watched has always made me laugh hysterically. In all seriousness, though, he is the only person I’d put up there with Keith David in terms of room-filling voices. He’s done Shredder ( Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ), he’s done Goro ( Mortal Kombat ), he’s done Joker ( The Batman ), and he's done Deebo ( Friday: The Animated Series ). Dammit, man… he’s even done Morgan Freeman ( The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius )! You name it, he's probably done it, and most likely done it with the depth of a thousand caverns. Other Notable Credits : Captain Gantu ( Lilo & Stitch ); Heihachi ( Soulcaliber II ) JOHN DIMAGGIO “Bite my shiny metal ass!” – Bender Bending Rodriguez ( Futurama ) There have been plenty of movies and television shows over the past ten years where there’s a smarmy character with a lowkey Jersey accent doing some sort of shady business, and nine times out of ten, when I say “that’s gotta be DiMaggio, right?”, the end credits prove me right. DiMaggio is the name I expect to pop up in every new animated anything I see nowadays, and I am absolutely flabbergasted when he doesn’t appear. His ability to maneuver his voice just slightly enough to not immediately recognize it every time is a testament to how versatile a voice artist he is, especially considering his more than 450 credits — many of which occur in the most notable of franchises ever, from TMNT to Justice League to Scooby-Doo , not to mention his most famous voice by far, Bender from Futurama . Other Notable Credits : Bullock ( Batman: Caped Crusader ); King Zog ( Disenchantment ) PHIL LAMARR “50 years have passed. But I do not age.” – Samurai Jack ( Samurai Jack ) A lot of things have gone well since LaMarr had his head blown off by Vincent Vega (John Travolta) in the back of that car in Pulp Fiction . Alongside the other two gentlemen in this section, LaMarr is a constant presence in what feels like 75% of the voicework of this century by either voicing supporting characters in Bojack Horseman (Professor Thistlethorpe) and Futurama (Hermes Conrad) or being the absolute essence of wisdom and guidance as the title character in Samurai Jack . LaMarr is the calm to whatever storm you choose to bring to your vocal performances, and he has helped bring weight to voice-over ensembles in over 450 credits. I guess that work with Tarantino really prepared him to stand out amongst a crowd. Other Notable Credits : John Stewart/Green Lantern ( Justice League & Justice League Unlimited ); Virgil Hawkins/Static ( Static Shock )

Previous Next April 6, 2025

Previous Next The Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Actors Never Nominated for an Oscar. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 actors in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. OSCAR ISAAC Oscar Isaac has developed the uncanny ability to both inhabit his characters entirely and remain as much a movie star presence as anyone ever has. Not only has Isaac’s incredible run of performances displayed a range worthy of an Oscar nomination, he’s also in the best position to win one sooner than most of his peers. - Jacob 4. ALAN RICKMAN Though most recently known for playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise (a magnificent arc over eight films), Alan Rickman’s wide range as an actor only served as proof of his immense talent. From action (Die Hard ) to rom-coms (Love, Actually ), Rickman more than proved himself as an actor who refused to be typecast. Never recognized for an Oscar, his untimely passing will serve as a reminder of the great talent we lost and the unfortunate lack of formal recognition for it. - Jasmine 3. JIM CARREY It’s not shocking that Jim Carrey’s legendary comedic persona in films such as Dumb & Dumber and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective weren’t in any Oscar conversations. However, it’s his dramatic work in films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Truman Show that makes it genuinely baffling that the Academy has yet to give this iconic actor any recognition. - Adriano 2. JOHN GOODMAN Let’s talk range: Goodman has been brilliant in comedy, drama, horror, and family classics. He can be menacing or lovable, serious or funny. He is, simply put, one of the greatest supporting actors of all time, and it’s a travesty that he doesn’t have a nomination to his name, especially with all-time-great-character Walter Sobchak (The Big Lebowski ) on his resume. That character that can get you a toe but no love from the Academy? Fucking amateurs… - Quentin 1. COLIN FARRELL As much as he has turned heads recently with his performance as Penguin in The Batman , Colin Farrell has been giving transformative performances for decades. He’s done everything from comedy (Horrible Bosses, In Bruges ) to horror/thriller (Fright Night, Phone Booth ) to drama (The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Lobster ). And he rarely misses. He may be on this list now, but it's hard to believe he won't be recognized for his work in the coming years. - Nick HONORABLE MENTIONS EMILY BLUNT EWAN MCGREGOR JAMIE LEE CURTIS ANDY SERKIS STEVE BUSCEMI Photo Credits: Photo 1 - A24; Photo 2, 4 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 3 - Universal Pictures; Photo 5 - Touchstone Pictures

Previous Next July 4, 2024 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW Welp, we’ve made it. Another six months of reviews, Top 5s, and feature articles from your favourite movie and television website is in the books. If you recall, back in January, we shared a list of movies we were most looking forward to over the first half of 2024 (refresh your memory HERE ). For the most part, all our choices turned out to be at least watchable, if not an instant classic. In fact, Argylle probably was the only total stinker of the lot. We also had one choice, the John Wick -spinoff Ballerina , pushed to 2025, which, as we explained at the time, is exactly why we’ve decided to do these lists every six months. We want to avoid listing movies that end up delayed for months or even years, and the further out you are from a release date, the harder it is to know just how “confirmed” that release date actually is. So, given that, we’re running it back and only focusing on our most anticipated films for the second half of 2024. To be eligible, the movie must have a confirmed release date between July 1st and December 31st. This makes for more accurate selections while also avoiding repetitive lists in the future. So… no need to belabor the point any further. By now, you should understand what we’re doing here. Are any of these on your list? What are you most excited about? Let us know on X (formerly known as Twitter) HERE . MAXXXINE (July 5th) I'm a huge fan of director Ti West's earlier movies in this series ( Pearl and X) , so words cannot describe how thrilled I am to see his latest film, MaXXXine . It is hands down my most anticipated movie of the year. With its 1980s Hollywood slasher vibes, I knew once I saw the first trailer that this would be right up my alley, especially if the rumors are true that it’s the horror equivalent of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood . Everyone knows how I feel about QT! I cannot fully express how eager I am to watch Mia Goth, one of our modern-day scream queens, kill it once more. - Paige LONGLEGS (July 12th) Yeah, yeah — another day, another Nic Cage recommendation from good ol’ Q. Here’s the thing, though… Cage does something in Longlegs that he has never done: go full horror villain as a serial killer. Aren’t you at least a little curious, if not downright excited, to see what Cage might do with a character in line with The Silence of the Lambs ’ Buffalo Bill? While I admit the following could be my downfall by setting unreasonably high expectations, early reactions have been tremendous, calling it “one of the best films of the year, hands down,” “the most terrifying horror movie of 2024,” “the scariest film of the decade,” and, quite simply, “a masterpiece.” Even putting the Cage of it all aside, this is definitely a movie I need to see. - Quentin SING SING (July 12th) I’ve been hearing about this wonderful Colman Domingo film for damn near a year now, and I cannot wait to finally see it (I may cry if my local theater isn’t showing it opening weekend). After his Oscar-nominated role in Rustin , word is that Sing Sing should give Domingo another nomination (and possible win). However, unlike last year’s general consensus that he outshined a fairly run-of-the-mill film, this one supposedly lives up to, and maybe even surpasses, his performance. Add in some possible Best Supporting Actor buzz for Clarence Maclin, and Sing Sing could take a swing at my favorite movie of the year - Amarú TWISTERS (July 19th) I’ve seen 1996's Twister a lot. Not because I think it’s a masterpiece, or even because I love the film, but because it re-ran on TBS constantly when I was growing up. It’s good, but I never wanted or needed a sequel. Almost 30 years later, enter Glen Powell. His name changes everything as he has quickly shot up the ranks of Hollywood star power, making this sequel much more interesting. Plus, he’s joined by other up-and-comers Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos. Beyond the cast, with the advancement in technology since the previous film, the special effects have the potential to be absolutely bonkers. Much like how dinosaurs are mainly exclusive to the Jurassic Park franchise, tornados are a seldom utilized film device that hasn’t been overdone in mainstream movies ( Sharknado does not count), so there's a big opportunity for innovation here. Add in the perfect summertime release date, and this should be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. - Nick DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (July 26th) There was no way that this movie wasn’t going to be on this list. The entirety of the MCU fandom has been waiting for this film ever since Endgame ’s final credits rolled and since Disney acquired the film rights to the X-Men, hoping to get answers to many of the questions Phases Four and Five have left us wondering. When will Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrive in the universe? Who will he bring with him? Will Hugh Jackman ever see the screen with Reynolds? Can this pair “save” the Multiverse Saga? All of those questions can and may be answered with this film, but all I’m looking for is a good-ass time. With Reynolds, Jackman, and director Shawn Levy at the helm, I have no doubts that they will deliver on it all. - Amarú CUCKOO (August 9th) Continuing a stacked summer of horror, Cuckoo is a horror-thriller, written and directed by Tilman Singer, that I am very much looking forward to. The film stars Hunter Schafer, who was one of the best parts of Euphoria , so I’m very excited to see her first lead role in a feature film. On top of that, there is Dan Stevens, who has never failed to impress me in any role I’ve seen him in, not to mention Gemma Chan and Jessica Henwick. The trailer looks bonkers, promising fast-paced, high-tension, bloody entertainment, with an intriguing and unnerving concept that I can't wait to delve into. - Katie BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (September 6th) Sometimes you are going about your day, running errands maybe, and a passerby might say something like, “Hey, I love your shirt” or “Your beard makes me wish I was a Viking.” You didn’t think you needed it, but you are renewed with a sudden surge of energy. That’s how a second Beetlejuice feels! No matter the historical terror of sequel sadness, I am still extremely optimistic as Tim Burton takes the reins once again and stylizes the new film in the same way as its excellent predecessor. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reclaim their previous roles alongside the appropriately cast Jenna Ortega and a slew of other stars that should carry the torch along quite nicely. - Preston WOLFS ( September 20th) There are few actors I consider bonafide “movie stars,” by which I mean more than just celebrated thespians or front-page celebrities. I mean no-shit, Old Hollywood-style, glitz-and-glamor-having, capital-M, capital-S “Movie Stars.” Near the top of that short list are George Clooney and Brad Pitt. So, when you throw the real-life best buds into a movie together, especially considering that they haven't been working all that often recently (since 2015, Clooney and Pitt have only given us five lead performances each, though Pitt also has had a few supporting roles), I’m going to take notice. Their natural chemistry and star-power alone is worth the price of admission, but with underrated director Jon Watts at the helm, this black action-comedy about rival, “lone wolf” mob fixers forced to work together is sure to be a blast. - Quentin JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX (October 4th) Contrary to my previous pick’s predecessor, I did love 2019’s Joker . I think it was yet another chance for Joaquin Phoenix — one of the greatest actors of our time — to flex his skills, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to Arthur Fleck’s (Phoenix) continued descent into madness. As for my anticipation for the rest of the film, that's due to the unknown. The idea of a pseudo-musical has the potential to be very interesting, but also may not work at all. Sure, Lady Gaga was very good in A Star is Born , but she hasn’t impressed me in anything else. Unlike Twisters , I don’t think this one is a slam dunk, but I know I’ll be seated in the theatre as soon as I’m able, watching it all unfold. - Nick ANORA (October 18th) Regardless of what little I knew about Sean Baker's upcoming film Anora , I was already looking forward to it because I find him to be such a fascinating and intriguing filmmaker. Hot off its Palme d'Or win at the Cannes Film Festival, I am now more excited than ever. This screwball dramedy is said to be his best-looking movie to date, which is saying a lot considering how beautifully shot his previous films are. I can’t wait to be re-captivated by Baker's specialty of delicately telling stories about sex workers, especially since its lead actress, Mikey Madison, is being deemed a "star in the making." - Paige SMILE 2 (October 18th) After the surprising box office success of his feature debut Smile (which was originally slated for a streaming-only release), director Parker Finn returns for its follow-up, Smile 2 . Smile was one of my favourite films of 2022, with its simple, effective, and deeply creepy concept, not to mention the fantastic performances that drive it, so I cannot wait to see what can be done with a bigger budget and a new cast. I’m especially interested to see Naomi Scott’s pop star character and the tour setting that was revealed in the trailer, and how the character’s fame will be used both as part of the story and in conjunction with the smiley scares. - Katie GLADIATOR II (November 22nd) Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Djimon Hounsou, and Barry Keoghan. Even if you are like me and have a hard time putting names to faces, I can assure you that cast list…*in my best Valley Girl accent*…is, like, really good. Ridley Scott, one of my top 10 best directors of all-time, revisits the gladiator pit once more to give us what is sure to be another classic. With the original being one of those films that I watch over and over when the Netflix scroll gets to be too much, it’s a no-brainer that I’m stoked for a sequel. - Preston NIGHTBITCH (December 6th) It's been a second since we've seen Marielle Heller's direction grace the screen, having last been blessed with 2019's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood . So, suffice it to say, I'll be there day one for Nightbitch , a horror-comedy starring Amy Adams as a mother whose life takes a turn in the most bizarre way as she suspects she's slowly morphing into a dog. Anyone who knows me knows I like a movie that takes swings, and I'm truly excited to see what Heller does with this source material. But I'm also really excited to see what Amy Adams does with this role that has already won her a TIFF Tribute Award. I cannot wait to check this one out at the festival this year. - Adriano NOSFERATU (December 25th) Where are all my Eggers freaks at? After The Witch , The Lighthouse , and The Northman , Robert Eggers is without a doubt my favourite new-age filmmaker. His bold commitment to mythology, uncomfortable terror, and attention to detail is truly unmatched, and based on the magnificent first trailer for Nosferatu , it looks like that remains unchanged. A project Eggers has wanted to make since 2015, I cannot begin to imagine what terrifying imagery and production values he has in store for us this time around. Tackling the great vampire Count Orlok (played by Bill Skarsgård) with such a stacked cast, I'm more than ready to never sleep again. - Adriano