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TED LASSO: SEASON THREE Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Phil Dunster, Nick Mohammed, Juno Temple, Toheeb Jimoh, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, Cristo Fernàndez, Moe Jeudy-Lamour, Jeremy Swift, James Lance, and Anthony Head Creators: Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly NICK From the outset, Ted Lasso has been a fantastic show. That said, its third season is certainly its weakest as it just doesn't flow the same as previous seasons. Some characters are focused on too heavily (Keeley (Juno Temple)) while others are ignored for large portions (Sam (Toheeb Jimoh)), and come the finale, everything feels like it is rushed to conclusion. Now, while it may not reach the heights of last season, it still has the heart and wit it’s known for, which is aided by stand-out performances from Hannah Waddingham, Anthony Head, and Phil Dunster. The television landscape will undoubtedly be dimmer without Ted Lasso . AMARÚ When a TV show’s “down” season is better than most other shows, you know you’re dealing with an all-time great, and Season Three solidified that for Ted Lasso . Things that would make most shows feel bloated resulted in greater development for multiple characters this season. Things that would make most shows feel muddled and aimless resulted in build-up for Lasso’s strongest end to any of its seasons. Something that started as a hilariously joyful feel-good comedy is now an insightful (yet still hilariously joyful) examination of grief and mental health. Ted Lasso is one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. That’s not up for debate. PAIGE The final season of this beloved series sadly crumbles under the pressure, even if its heart is in the right place. Season Three of Ted Lasso lost belief in itself, and it abandoned the majority of its strengths and stories from previous seasons for longer episodes and disjointed storylines. At its core, the show works best when it sticks to its original intentions, which this season simply lacked. Despite this being its weakest outing, the AFC Richmond Greyhounds still managed to put a smile on my face every week, and I’m hoping for a few spin-offs. JACOB Even with an emotionally poignant finale in play, the unfortunate truth is that Ted Lasso ’s third (and final?) season is certainly its weakest. From its indecision and slight indifference as to what to do with Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) to Colin’s (Billy Harris) mishandled coming out story to many episodes’ overly bloated runtimes, a series of misfires turned the series from an optimistic comedy into a somewhat saccharine prestige drama. The characters themselves remain quite fun to watch, but even this season’s best moments seem to be tied to us having known them from the previous two seasons rather connecting with them this time around. QUENTIN In the closing moments of Ted Lasso ’s series finale, Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) says “it’s not about me, it never was,” a sentiment that perfectly embodies this season. In having more (and longer) episodes, Lasso becomes more of an ensemble show, focused on the whole of Richmond. Sure, it’s predictable and mostly trades season-long narratives for episodic moments, but every character gets a few chances to shine. Despite the shift in plotting, the series still maintains the same level of heartfelt emotion, non-cloying optimism, and dynamic character interactions and development as before. Overall, it has been a tremendous three seasons, and I’m eager for both hinted-at spinoffs. ADRIANO Ted Lasso’s final season is the series’ worst; however, to be fair, the bar was super high. That said, it juggles far too much, and despite the episodes’ extended runtimes, it isn’t enough to make most characters’ arcs not feel rushed or abandoned. The ones that are done well (Billy Harris’ Colin, Phil Dunster’s Jamie) are satisfying and feel like typical Ted Lasso , though. Ultimately, the charm is there, and there are moments in the latter half of the season that reminded me why I fell in love with the show in the first place, but it was still a disappointment. I will miss it, regardless.

PARADISE: SEASON ONE Starring: Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Krys Marshall, Jon Beavers, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Charlie Evans, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV, and Gerald McRaney Creator: Dan Fogelman NICK Paradise , which proves itself to be more than meets the eye thanks to a twist in the opening episode, is the political conspiracy thriller that finally gives Sterling K. Brown a leading role. It fits him like a glove, too. Brown leads an intricate story that will keep you guessing while having you on the edge of your seat as the details unfold. There are times the story can get a little messy with all of its moving parts, but for pure entertainment value, it never lost me. Paradise has all the tools to become a hit, and hopefully it's just the beginning of Brown’s ascent. QUENTIN Paradise is a show that has the potential to fall apart if you scrutinize it too hard, but the twists and turns are so fun, even in their predictability, that you just want to sit back and enjoy the ride. It helps that the performances, especially from Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden, are so damn engaging, drawing you further into the conspiracy through well-developed characters and well-earned emotional beats. Plus, superficial things like terrific needle drops (both the original versions and their moody covers) and prominent Kentucky Wildcat references add enough window dressing to help create a winner in my eyes.

THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS Starring: Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, and Melissa De Sousa Creators: Malcolm D. Lee and Dayna Lynne North AMARÚ The Best Man: The Final Chapters feels like going back home. What started as a top tier 90s rom-com before continuing as a highly underrated 2010s Christmas film concludes, more than two decades later, as a streaming-service limited series, and it returns like only two years have passed, not 20. Being one of the best romance franchises ever doesn’t protect the series from predictable genre tropes, but the chemistry, performances, and soul on display cover for any missteps the story may take. Honestly, the decades of Black Excellence on screen shines through the brightest…and that was everything.

Previous May 19, 2025 Next A BITESIZE CHAT WITH KATE MARA In her career, Kate Mara has gone from the streets of Washington D.C. in House of Cards to the vacuums of outer space in The Martian . Now, she's taking on her toughest role yet: Tim Robinson's wife. I got the chance to catch-up with Mara and chat about her performance as Tami in Andrew DeYoung’s absurdist comedy Friendship . BB: In this film you offer such an effective deadpan delivery, especially in contrast to Tim Robinson's very exaggerated humour. Was that difficult to work off of or did his zaniness help with your performance? KM:  *laughs* No, it wasn't difficult, it was such a joy, just such a unique experience! I've never been in a movie like this. Really, it was all there in the script. It's not like there was tons of improv or anything to be surprised by, but every take Tim does is so different, every take. So, you just never know what you're gonna get, which is so fun. It's so fun to be able to be reacting to somebody in that way; keeps you on your toes. And he's so clever and interesting. It was just a really fun role to play. BB: Since you mentioned improv, I know you said there wasn't a lot, but… KM:  I should say there wasn't a lot in my scenes. Maybe there was for Tim and Paul. I actually don't know, cause I wasn't there for those. But the script was so strong, and a lot of it was there already. But I will say that our director (Andrew DeYoung) always sort of kept it going for like a little bit longer... like when the scene would end, he'd always keep it rolling just a little bit longer to see what would happen. And obviously there were definitely moments that were added and stuff like that, but for the most part it was very much there already, which is so nice. BB: Now, obviously the movie is very funny, but with your character Tami, we get glimpses of the fact that she survived cancer, hints about a difficult relationship with her father, and she's seemingly in an unhappy marriage. There’s clearly a tragic nature to her so how much of that played into the performance, even in the sillier moments? KM:  Yeah, there’s so much. There are a lot of layers to the character and what she sort of has been through up until this moment and what they've been through. They've been together a long time. So there was a lot of story there that happened before this moment in their lives, which is always really useful to have all of these elements that you get to play with. Our director said at the beginning, before we started filming, “I want to film it like it's The Master , like it's like a drama.” And he really did, which is why it's so uniquely weird and hysterical. BB: Certainly, and for a movie where the main focus is mostly on male insecurity and male friendships, I'm curious, when you were reading the script, where did you see your character fit into all that? What stood out to you? KM:  I mean, the reason I wanted to do it is cause it's just a very different tone than anything I've ever been a part of. I felt like doing a comedy would definitely be a challenge, and it was, in specific ways, just cause I've never been in that world before. And working with such great comedians like Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, it's very intimidating being in that world when you're not used to that environment. So, that's why I wanted to do it. And I thought Tami was a really fun role. She's got things in there that are subtly, for an actor, really fun to play with. BB: She really holds everything together. But, before I go, I have to ask: What on earth do you think happened to Tami in that sewer? KM:  *laughs* That is up to your imagination as an audience member. I love that we don't really ever tell you. That's the beauty of it, it could be whatever you think it is. BB: Alright, I tried. *laughs* Well, it was nice meeting you today and best of luck on the film! KM:  Thank you. Nice to meet you! Make sure to check out Friendship now in theatres. Interview conducted on May 9th, 2024 by Adriano Caporusso.

Previous Next With the upcoming releases of Teen Wolf: The Movie and Luther: The Fallen Sun, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Movies Based on A TV Series. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. THE NAKED GUN You can't make a list of great comedic characters without including Frank Drebin. Still among the funniest films ever made, The Naked Gun (and its sequels) is spoof done right. Although the original series was quickly cancelled, Leslie Neilsen's timing and wit were enough to give Drebin a second life on the big screen. Luckily, the feature was much more sharply written, and it gave Neilsen a chance to put on a comedic masterclass. Four decades later, and this one is still good for a laugh. - Nick 4. 21 JUMP STREET I love a film that knows it shouldn’t exist yet justifies itself at the same time. That’s exactly what 21 Jump Street is. A film that is more than aware of its own absurdity and how unoriginal it is, the result is still something wholly unique, funny, and heartfelt. It's a staple of 2010s comedies and a worthy adaptation. - Adriano 3. THE FUGITIVE There's not much I have to say about The Fugitive as an adaptation (I never watched the show it's based on), but hot damn, if it doesn't still get the job done every time. Harrison Ford carries the role admirably to be sure, but the true star is Tommy Lee Jones and his note-perfect one-liners. I miss when mid-budget movies like this were a dime a dozen and could be both nominated for and even win Oscars. - Jacob 2. STAR TREK Since its days as a television series, Star Trek has been perennially in the cultural zeitgeist, proven to be one of the most influential shows on the air. Pitched as "a wagon train to the stars," the original series was meant to show hope for an idealized future, one where mankind has shed its foibles in the name of progress. As a film series, while the results have been uneven, movies like Wrath of Khan , Undiscovered Country , and the 2009 reboot remain shining beacons of science fiction, giving fans unforgettable characters to be cherished through the generations. - Darryl 1. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE It says a lot when each individual team member's top list includes almost every movie from a singular franchise (I’ll bet you two slow-motion doves you can guess which one didn’t make it). But, honestly, Mission: Impossible may be one of the most consistent franchises in movie history. It doesn’t just rely on the crazy stunts and insane action, but casts well-acted ensembles and builds memorable worlds that get grander (and arguably better) with every film. While I’m personally partial to M:I3 due to Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s scary brilliance, I can’t wait to see if Dead Reckoning usurps that crown. - Amarú HONORABLE MENTIONS SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM WAYNE'S WORLD THE ADDAMS FAMILY Photo Credits: Photo 1, 4, 5 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2 - Columbia Pictures, Photo 3 - Warner Bros

THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY: SEASON ONE Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Gaius Charles, Mahina Napoleon, Zeljko Ivanek, Karina Ortiz, Jonathan Higginbotham, and Logan Kim Creator: Eli Jorné NICK Dead City feels different than the other The Walking Dead spin-offs, thanks to showrunner Eli Jorné’s darkened tone and its shooting style. Instead of just picking up where things left off, the series succeeds by having a central conflict that forces Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) to work together. This leaves all the feelings they harbour for one another to bubble under the surface to create a ton of tension throughout. Not to mention it lets Cohan - and Morgan especially - showcase their character portrayals at their best. Dead City has reignited this franchise and shows there’s still more story to tell.

THIS IS US: THE FINAL SEASON Starring: Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chrissy Metz, Chris Sullivan, Justin Hartley, Jon Huertas, Milo Ventimiglia, Eris Baker, Faithe Herman, Caitlin Thompson, Lyric Ross, Asante Blackk, Griffin Dunne, Chris Geere, Jennifer Morrison, Hannah Zeile, Niles Fitch, Logan Shroyer, Parker Bates, Mackenzie Hancsicsak, and Lonnie Chavis Creator: Dan Fogelman NICK The best series are the ones with a clear endpoint, as many multi-season shows go well past their expiry date. This Is Us has embraced that mindset since the beginning with its timeline-jumping teases to its finale, which has allowed the viewer to attempt piecing things together. It’s been a wonderful puzzle to try to solve and watch come together, and its final season solidifies it as one of the best family dramas television has seen. This final outing should garner Mandy Moore her first Emmy nomination, and although This Is Us goes out on a high, I’m going to miss spending time with these characters.

ANDOR: SEASON ONE Starring: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgård, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, Genevieve O’Reilly, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau, and Andy Serkis Creator: Tony Gilroy AMARÚ It isn’t an exaggeration to say that every second of Andor is tense. Whether watching an action-packed heist or three people in a room conversing, your breath halts in anticipation for the next word, the next scene, the next step towards the rebellion. Creator Tony Gilroy crafted a riveting powder-keg of piercing dialogue that produces chill-inducing moments from actors acting their asses off. The cast has no weak links, the writing is top-notch, and the story made me forget about hokey religions, ancient weapons, and Obi-Wan , a Jedi show I genuinely thought was some of the best Star Wars this century. Man, was I wrong. PAIGE Even as a huge fan of Rogue One , Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) isn’t the reason I love that film, so I had my concerns about him getting his own series, especially after the first few episodes proved to be boring. But, boy, did it pick up and get me hooked! I felt like I was part of the fight against the Empire with every tense and gritty moment. Creator Tony Gilroy gives a masterclass in storytelling, as he does an outstanding job bringing the uprising of the rebellion to life. This show ended up being, hands down, the most compelling Star Wars show thus far. ADRIANO Just when I thought I was done with Star Wars , Andor pulled me back in. Its slow-moving nature isn’t going to be everybody's thing, but I can’t remember the last time this franchise had me so captivated. No lightsabers, no force, no Skywalkers…yet I was gripped from Episode One to the mesmerizing season finale. While Andy Serkis steals the show, Diego Luna is one hell of an engaging lead, and the dialogue and layered storylines are written perfectly. Star Wars or not, this is just riveting TV at its finest. QUENTIN As a person who is dispassionate about Star Wars (there is more bad Star Wars than good Star Wars ), I had minimal interest in a prequel about a one-off character from an average movie. As I struggled through the first three (slow) episodes, I felt my opinion being validated. However, Episode Four really turns it around, becoming an appealingly dark and gritty sci-fi series that aspires to be more than just another toy commercial by featuring excellent performances and a Skywalker-free story that is complex and layered (rarities for the franchise). It’s almost Blade Runner -esque, and maybe my favorite thing from the galaxy far, far away.

THE WOMAN IN THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE GIRL IN THE WINDOW Starring: Kristen Bell, Michael Ealy, Tom Riley, Mary Holland, Cameron Britton, and Samsara Leela Yett Creators: Hugh Davidson, Larry Dorf, and Rachel Ramras QUENTIN Aside from a few scenes (including an over-the-top sex scene that is as bonkers as it is raunchy), The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window seems to think parody is simply doing a purposely “bad,” Lifetime-version of this type of story, which isn’t the same as skillfully skewering it. Frankly, the show is never as clever as its title, and the pseudo-serious approach ruins an idea rife with comedic potential. That said, Kristen Bell is always watchable, and fans of cheesy movies-of-the-week might get enough enjoyment to make the 4-hour binge watch worthwhile. JOSEPH Kristen Bell is lovable and charismatic enough to make anything watchable, even The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window . This comedy offers little in terms of humor, with the title being the funniest part, but it is entertaining. The story is a clever satire of the “missing woman” genre, and it’s convoluted enough to keep you engaged in the mystery. Still, it feels like more could have been done to make it either funnier or darker, but instead it rests comfortably in between.

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.

WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS Starring: Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Lena Headey, Domhnall Gleeson, Judy Greer, Kim Coates, Gary Cole, Rich Sommer, and Toby Huss Creators: Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck ADRIANO White House Plumbers could have been great. An interesting look at the Watergate scandal could make for some engaging TV, but between talented actors seemingly forgetting how to act (I’m looking at you, Woody Harrelson) and really rough character work, the incompetency of this show is on full display. Ultimately, though, what really sinks the series is the tone. The creators clearly were aiming for a Veep meets Succession tone that they were incapable of pulling off, which made the show a cringey and laborious experience to sit through weekly. All in all, just a whole lot of wasted opportunities. QUENTIN After having watched Starz’ Gaslit last year, I wasn’t entirely sure that I needed another star-studded miniseries about Watergate, but I decided to give it a go based on the talent involved and HBO’s reputation. This was a mistake. I understand that the true story has an inherent stranger-than-fiction quality, but the approach taken here is almost one of pure farce over satire. Imagine The Nice Guys meets the Coen Bros’ The Ladykillers , but in a cringey, try-way-too-hard kinda way. The humor just doesn’t land, which creates a tone that undermines the historical facts. It’s only five episodes, but they are genuinely hard to watch.

Previous Next March 27, 2024 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW One of the many things the pandemic took from us was the ability to see movies in a theatre. It was something many people took for granted, and even now, the industry is still trying to get back on its feet as it contends with new options that fall in favour of things like convenience, on-the-go watching, and not having to pay insane concession prices. Still, while the theatrical experience is no doubt something in need of refreshment (something Caleb examined HERE ), it also is something that cannot be fully replicated at home. There's something inherently personal about sharing a first-time experience with a group of people you'll likely never even say a word to. You gather with shared love, then you experience that love together with unspoken acknowledgement. Whether it's for shock & awe, tearjerkers, technical marvels, or blood-curdling scares, it's an experience everyone inside that room won't soon forget. For a couple of hours, you and a group of strangers from all walks of life are connected as one. Isn’t that beautiful? So, with that in mind, let’s talk about some of our most memorable theatrical experiences. Who knows? We may have even shared a few together. When Jackass: The Movie released in 2002, I was one of only seven students of color in my entire 7th grade class. That context sets up how hilarious it was for my brother, sister, and me to watch “The Burglars” scene in a packed Ohio theater. Everyone in the theater cackled once Bam Margera and Johnny Knoxville fell through the office ceiling... but then, the lone black prank victim in the scene got up, ran across the office, and SPRINTED down the street non-stop while his white counterparts stared at the burglars in awe. The three of us kept laughing deep from our souls while every other (white) theatergoer stared at us wondering, “why are you still laughing?” from their unknowing eyes. Look, being black in America is a uniquely joyful experience, and this one will forever be imprinted in my brain. If you know, you know. - Amarú One of the most memorable and moving movie-going experiences I’ve ever had was when I was just a wee padawan. In 1999, before the release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace , Lucasfilm re-released Star Wars: A New Hope in theaters. At the time, I had no idea my life would change forever. I remember the day like it was yesterday. My aunt had called my mom to ask if I could skip school and go to the movies with her. I remember just being happy that I got to skip school, but I wasn’t prepared for what was to come next. Once the opening scroll began, and the words “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” appeared on the big screen, that was it. A flame ignited inside me, and my love for all movies, but specifically Star Wars , was born. Fast forward 25 years: I have two Star Wars tattoos and a bunch of Star Wars memorabilia, and I make it a point to be there opening night for every new franchise entry. - Paige The trailers for Godzilla (2014) were shrouded in secrecy, so when I sat down to watch the reboot in theaters, I had no idea what Godzilla was going to look like. As a massive Godzilla fan, this was equal parts exciting and excruciating, but I’ll never forget watching his reveal for the first time. After teasing the monster throughout the first act, Godzilla’s massive foot finally crashes down outside the Honolulu airport. The theater fell dead silent as the camera moved upwards, slowly revealing this new Godzilla in all his glory. It was everything I could have hoped for. He looked pitch perfect. As Godzilla let out his iconic roar, I knew that the king of the monsters was finally back. - Caleb On Barbenheimer weekend, I saw Barbie at my favourite local cinema. They encouraged everyone to dress up as Barbie, offering free drinks to anyone who participated. This resulted in a multitude of people, including myself and my boyfriend, clad in pink and sparkles greeting each other with an excited “Hi Barbie!” The thing is, on the whole, British cinema audiences are generally quiet and polite, which is how I like it. However, on this occasion, with the joyful atmosphere, I loved hearing everyone around me shamelessly cheer and cry. I had never experienced such a sense of community and spirited atmosphere in a cinema audience. - Katie From Pulp Fiction to Snakes on a Plane , Samuel L. Jackson’s voice looms large when thinking back on his movies, but none made a bigger impact on me than when my brother, a good friend, and I saw Deep Blue Sea . SLJ was undoubtedly the biggest name amongst the Thomas Janes and Saffron Burrows of the cast. So, by the time the sharks had bitten off Stellan Skarsgård’s arm and trapped the survivors under water and rubble, we were ready for SLJ’s rousing speech when his character finally yelled “ENOUGH!” They weren’t going to fight each other anymore. They were going to pull together, and they were going to “OH SHIT THEY ATE HIM!! A FUCKING SHARK ATE HIM!!!” We jumped full-out of our seats laughing at the randomness that had happened. I’m laughing now just thinking about it. I’m so glad there wasn’t social media back then to spoil that viscerally funny WTF theater moment. - Amarú When I was 17 years old, my friends and I decided to sneak in to see a new, original, R-rated comedy from a debut filmmaker, The Coup frontman, Boots Riley. Since seeing it, Sorry to Bother You has continued to be one of my absolute favourite films, partially because I was able to experience it with an audience. Watching the originality and chaos, and laughing along with my friends, was just too much fun. However, the highlight of that experience was (if you haven't seen Sorry to Bother You , stop reading now) the big reveal of the horse-people, which caused a variety of reactions from the audience: laughter, shock, fear, and confusion…all at the same time. That shock and awe drove us to the end, as we couldn't stop laughing at it; when it comes to comedy, there's not much more one can ask for in a theatrical experience. - Adriano I’ve seen excellent twists before, including from filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, but I’d never seen a twist that retroactively created a cinematic universe… until Split . Picture this: a great film is coming to a close with everyone on a high, but just before the closing title card hits, a subtle music cue begins. The theater starts to murmur a little as a smattering of the audience realizes that it’s the theme from Unbreakable . Personally, I recognized the music, but couldn’t quite place it. Then the camera pans through a diner as a news story about The Horde plays, which leads to a customer recalling “the crazy guy in the wheelchair from 15 years ago.” He had a “funny name” that she can’t recall. At this point, a larger portion of the audience gasped as they (and myself) made the connection. Finally, the pan ends on the man at the end of the counter. “Mr. Glass,” he says, as you realize it’s Bruce Willis’ David Dunn. Fade to black, uproarious applause. It was a moment made for the theater, and it was exceptionally executed in a way that led to an audible crescendo of anticipation. Unforgettable. - Nick The year was 1999, and the literary titan that you read before you was an English-class-ditching-skateboarder who had just entered his final formative high school year. At that time, a little-known director by the name of M. Night Shyamalan was about to break through with his third movie, The Sixth Sense . One of my best friends had already seen the film, and he was super excited about it. As he raved, I rushed to interrupt him. “Don’t spoil anything becau…” Then he said it. ”Bruce Willis is dead the whole time!!” Maybe the biggest surprise ending in all of film history, and I knew the whole time! This little tale has entered my back pocket as a story trumper whenever spoilers are discussed and, as things often do, recalling a thing that once made me angry will now always make me smile. Isn’t that how life goes? R.I.P. Gian Carlos. - Preston When I sat down to watch Arrival for the first time, I wasn't expecting it to blow my mind - but it did just that. Without giving too much away, Arrival ’s big twist is so ingeniously interwoven into the fabric of the story that it managed to catch me off guard despite staring me in the face the entire time. It flipped the entire movie on its head, and immediately made me rethink everything I thought I knew about the story. Once I finally clued-in to what was actually happening, I remember gasping so loud that my buddy actually had to shush me. It's probably not my finest theater-going moment, but it was certainly one of the most memorable. - Caleb You had to be there in 2003 when countless lines of people waiting to see The Matrix Revolutions snaked outside theater doors across the country. There is one line, in particular, I remember, and I shudder thinking about it as I write this. As my family and I were leaving the movie…as we walked by a long row of people waiting to get in…one unnamed family member says, fairly loudly, “well, we all knew Neo had to die.” You could hear the imaginary record scratching as everyone in line yelled “NOOOOO!!” This person calmly spoiled the biggest movie of the decade for those poor, unfortunate souls. I never walked so fast and so far away from a person in my life. To this day, that person says those in line shouldn’t have been listening to our conversation, and I just shake my head in disbelief. - Amarú As a movie fan who grew up before the internet became ubiquitous, I’d spend time reading movie magazines about the almost-fantasy world of Hollywood. To me, there was one Hollywood staple that seemed too prestigious, glamourous, and most importantly, unattainable for a fat, mulleted kid from Kentucky: The Red Carpet. But you know what? Apparently not. Through luck, timing, and a modicum of not-so-hard work, I became accredited press for Toronto International Film Festival in 2022. Somehow, I’d done it. I made it to the thing I’d read about long ago. But first, if I may digress, attending a film festival as press is an unforgettable experience. Was I one of the first people in the world to see the 7x Oscar-nominated The Fabelmans , with director Steven Spielberg and the cast in attendance? Mmhmm. Did a stunning Kate Hudson make the “I see you” hand gesture to me at the Glass Onion world premiere? Fuck yeah, she did. Did I awkwardly meet Finn Wolfhard at a urinal? Yep. But that all pales in comparison to the Red Carpet because that is where I met NICOLAS. FUCKING! CAGE!! I asked questions, I shook his hand, I peed a little. Honestly, the rest is kind of a blur since I blacked out like Will Ferrell’s character in Old School , but I can’t help but think about the young Kentucky fatty with the Camaro Cut. What would he say knowing that, someday, he’d be on the Red Carpet with nothing but a cell phone, sandwiched between the elaborate camera setups of Variety and Al-Jazeera, rubbing elbows with the stars? Then, what would he say knowing he’d get to do it again at Berlin? And Venice? And soon, Cannes? That Tons O’ Fun with the Kentucky Waterfall is living his best movie life these days. - Quentin Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first film I ever saw in IMAX. I was 17 years old, I went with my boyfriend to the IMAX in Leicester Square on Boxing Day, and I was so excited to see the iconic screen I had heard so much about. We bought overpriced popcorn, found our seats, and I was overwhelmed by the scale of it. Plus, I loved the film. The action was captivating, the effects were fantastic, and I loved the darker, more grounded approach the film took to the Star Wars universe. But the best thing was the emotional final scene, which was breathtaking to watch for the first time on the biggest screen I had ever experienced. - Katie In case you didn't know, Quentin Tarantino is my all-time favorite director. He is one of those filmmakers whose style and storytelling are so unique and bold that I always find myself in literal awe when watching his films. So, when I found out he had his own movie theater, New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, where he plans the film program and only projects movies on actual film, I dreamt that maybe one day I could see something there. I had to fulfill this desire, but I couldn't simply watch just any movie — I had to see a movie written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The emotion I get when I watch his films at home was multiplied just by approaching the box office window, prepared to buy a ticket for Reservoir Dogs , his directorial debut. This small, retro cinema has an atmosphere and style straight out of a Tarantino film, a perfect pairing for the small and retro Reservoir Dogs , and I will forever treasure the experience. - Paige Another movie memory comes from my senior year of high school (maybe my love of film had something to do with the last couple of years of high school note to discuss with therapist ). Funds-shortage was always a problem, so when I wasn’t going to what we called the “dollar movies'' (old films played at the mall theater), I was really splurging. Thankfully, one of those splurge sessions led me to see The Matrix . As a wanna-be tough guy and philosopher beset by an age-defining existential crisis, this industry-revolutionizing film could not have come at a more appropriate time. One of my favorite bands at the time happened to be Rage Against the Machine, and when that final scene hits, whew! The guitar riff on “Wake Up” starts to play as Keanu Reeves walks out of the phone booth, looks around at the sad souls still trapped in the matrix, and then…WHAT?! Is he flying?! Queue Zack De La Rocha. Freaking goosebumps every time! - Preston This past December, TIFF held a month-long program that showed classic and contemporary films on 70mm print. It was my mission to watch the entire program, and while I wasn't successful, I still seized the opportunity to see Boogie Nights , Lawrence of Arabia , and West Side Story . However, the crown jewel of the program, in my opinion, was Stanley Kubrick's influential 1968 masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey . Seeing it not only on the big screen, but also on print, was magical. I'd already seen and loved the film, but something about watching the film's colours, ideas, and enthralling final act on one of my favourite theatre screens in Ontario, on a style of film that allows for all the detail to be seen even clearer…I don't see myself ever forgetting such an experience. - Adriano Inception is my favorite movie of all time, so, naturally, I watched it four times in the theater. The last time was the best, though. I excitedly re-lived Paris exploding in Ariadne’s (Elliot Page) mind. I was still mesmerized at Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) floating around in that awesome hallway fight scene. I happily uttered “you mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling” alongside Eames (Tom Hardy). I still got emotional when Hans Zimmer’s “Time” boomed alongside the emotional catharsis that Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) felt walking through that airport. I was already planning my fifth theater-watch as Mal’s (Marion Cotillard) totem started spinning. However, when the screen went to black, keeping the totem’s fate forever a secret, an older black woman said, very loudly for all to hear, “oh HEEEELLLL NAW.” Yep. Nothing was going to beat that. I never watched Inception in theaters again. - Amarú Media Credits: Media 1, 9 - Paramount Pictures; Media 2, 8, 12 - Walt Disney Studios; Media 3, 5, 10, 14, 16 - Warner Bros. Pictures; Media 4 - Kelly Bagwe; Media 6 - Annapurna Pictures; Media 7 - Universal Pictures; Media 13 - New Beverly Cinema; Media 15 - MGM Studios