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HALO: SEASON ONE Starring: Pablo Schreiber, Shabana Azmi, Natascha McElhone, Bokeem Woodbine, Natasha Culzac, Olive Gray, Yerin Ha, Bentley Kalu, Kate Kennedy, Charlie Murphy, Danny Sapani, and Jen Taylor Creators: Steve Kane and Kyle Killen QUENTIN With established mythology and Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief, Halo had a lot of potential. However, it’s mostly undone by an air of cheapness that prevented me from getting wrapped up in it. Honestly, it feels like something from late-90s syndication (think early Stargate SG-1 ). I hope this makes sense, but the sets look like manufactured sets, not lived-in worlds…like, it was very obvious I was watching a television show, y’know? Schreiber is solid in the role at times, but it’s also hard to take him seriously because his costume is so cumbersome (and plastic-looking) that it affects how he walks. Ultimately, another mediocre video game adaption. AMARÚ Halo ’s first couple of episodes are reminiscent of 90s action films like Demolition Man : a fast-paced, action packed good time. But as the story evolves, the drama and mystery reach beyond what any video game property is expected to be. The political intrigue, dramatic storylines, and great performances are given as much care as the intense action and intricate sci-fi. Pablo Schreiber and Natascha McElhone are particularly engaging, while Bokeem Woodbine sustains the cool Sly & Arnie-like vibe. Halo deftly balances drama, action, sci-fi, and thriller elements to become one of the surprise series of 2022.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bitesize Breakdown features film & series reviews, interviews, rankings, and more from a diverse, global collective of entertainment writers! ABOUT US Bitesize Breakdown is a diverse, global collective of writers that seek to escape the negative connotations associated with the term “critic.” We believe that popular blockbusters are just as important to the conversation as the festival darlings routinely fawned over during awards season. With that in mind, we strive to write for the everyday film fans who spend their hard-earned money at the theater. Our wide-ranging backgrounds allow us to provide multiple perspectives for each and every film & series, and we keep our spoiler-free reviews at around 100 words each to help you make an informed decision in an easily digestible way. Additionally, we feature in-depth interviews, analysis, and much more, making Bitesize Breakdown your destination for film & series insight. THE BITESIZE CREW NICK AMARÚ QUENTIN PAIGE ADRIANO KATIE BODE ROBERT Write For Us!

Previous Next July 16, 2025 WRITTEN BY: NICK, QUENTIN, AND BODE I know we say this every year, but the Fantasia International Film Festival will forever be important to Bitesize Breakdown. It was the first festival to grant us press credentials, and as such, we will proudly cover it as long as we can. A favourite of directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Mike Flanagan, and Mr. DC himself, James Gunn, Fantasia (located in Montréal, Quebec, Canada) is the largest genre festival in North America. It has supplied us with great hidden gems such as Hundreds of Beavers , Dinner in America , Skinamarink , and The Mortuary Collection , and in 2025 we're bound to unearth some more. This year, one of our newest writers, Bode, will be joining Nick and Quentin as the trio tackle as many films as they can, with a selection of the titles they're most anticipating listed below. The 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival runs from July 16th to August 3rd, so make sure to check out our site and socials for all our thoughts on what we get to check out this year. FIXED Long one of my favourite animators, Genndy Tartakovsky has made an indelible mark with his unique style, often emphasizing visual storytelling and exaggeration through shows such as Dexter’s Laboratory , Samurai Jack , Star Wars: Clone Wars , and Primal . And while the wildly successful Hotel Transylvania movies aren’t necessarily as acclaimed as his television output, his bold features manage to shine just as well in those films. I always look forward to anything he makes, and his latest feature Fixed - set to close out Fantasia - is no exception to that. Over a decade in the making, this R-rated comedy about a dog’s night out before he gets neutered promises plenty of raunch, plenty of heart, and plenty of striking 2D animation. - Bode GOOD BOY Unlike most people, the idea of “good movie dog” doesn’t mean much to me. Truth be told, I don’t even like dogs (cats are better, fight me). Dogs are all the worst aspects of toddlers — stinky, self-imposed chore-makers that do little else but eat, be loud, and shit on the floor. I’ll pass. That said, I’m always up for a good ghost story, even more so when it comes with a unique angle. A haunted-house thriller told from the perspective of a dog is about as unique as it gets. I’m picturing something like Steven Soderbergh’s Presence mixed with…uh…I don’t know, Beethoven , maybe? Turner & Hooch ? Whatever it ends up being, it’s apparently “one of the best horror films of the year.” Couple that with buzz that it is, at the very least, “one of the most talked-about genre films of 2025,” and sure, I’ll toss Good Boy a bone. — Quentin LURKER One of the most buzzed-about films to come out of Sundance this year, Alex Russell’s directorial debut Lurker heads to Fantasia hoping to keep that buzz going. Dubbed by its earliest reviews as a “Gen-Z All About Eve ,” the film explores the parasitic relationship between a clothing store clerk (Théodore Pellerin) and an emerging pop star (Archie Madekwe). There’s definitely no shortage of media that examines the rabid desire for fame or the power dynamics between artists and fans. But these are still pretty potent topics, especially considering that we live in a landscape that has been dominated - and in some ways, reshaped - by social media. I’m very interested in seeing how Russell (a writer on Beef and The Bear ) tackles them, and whether his observations are sharp ones. It also helps that the cast is full of promising young actors, as well as the musical talents of record producer Kenny Beats, who makes his feature film scoring debut. I’m especially intrigued to hear what eclectic compositions he cooks up for this. - Bode REDUX REDUX When perusing the offerings at a film festival, especially one like Fantasia that boasts mostly low-budget genre indie movies, one tends to skim the program for exciting key words. The small bit I’ve read about Redux Redux has too many of those interest-piquing keywords to ignore. Early reactions out of SXSW 2025 called it a “multiverse exploration…about vengeance” and a “breathlessly intense cat-and-mouse thriller.” On top of that, it’s written and directed by the Peabody award-winning and Emmy-nominated writers of American Vandal (which I loved) and Cobra Kai (which I enjoyed until I didn’t). Lastly, with a description boasting “deliverance by any kind of weapon, every kind of weapon,” all while being evocative of mid-80s James Cameron, including big bursts of action, shoot-outs, and car chases…I mean, if you’re going on little more than keywords, this one has it all. — Quentin TERRESTRIAL When I'm going into a film relatively blind, I try to find something familiar, whether it be an actor or a director, that gives me some sense of what I may be getting into. For Terrestrial , the name which caught my attention was Steve Pink. You may know Steve Pink as the director of the Hot Tub Time Machine films, but he's also written the screenplays for two of John Cusack's biggest hits, Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity . His latest looks to be a new direction, as Terrestrial has been labeled as both a dark comedy and a sci-fi thriller. Following a struggling writer (played by Jermaine Fowler) and a potential descent into madness, it's the dark aspect that intrigues me most, as this sounds like a character study that Fowler can really sink his teeth into. - Nick TOGETHER “Wait. Dave Franco and Alison Brie (both best known as comedic actors) are the leads in an upcoming body horror?” That was my initial reaction when I first heard buzz from Together coming out of the latest Sundance Film Festival. Whether it's the positive feedback, the unsettling promotional material, or just the film's ominous concept of a codependent couple encountering a supernatural being that transforms both their love and their flesh, I've been anticipating Together ever since. For a film like this to work, the chemistry needs to be on point. So, casting an actual married couple in Franco and Brie only adds another layer to what I assume will be an emotionally devastating and spine-tingling body horror that'll make you want to look away more than once. I can't wait. - Nick

Previous Next March 7, 2023 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW Presenting our 2nd annual Bitesize Awards with updated categories! Similar to the Bitesize Top Five, each writer ranked their Top 10 selections for each awards category. Those lists were then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points were tallied up, we had our nominations. Finally, we voted on each award. BREAKOUT ARTIST *WINNER* AUSTIN BUTLER ( ELVIS ) There were a lot of great nominees for Breakout Star in 2022, but you need only to look at the Oscars to see who is at the top of everyone’s list. Truthfully, Austin Butler had never been on my radar, and it wasn't until seeing Elvis that I realized I had seen him before in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood… . Before seeing Elvis , the draw in my eyes was director Baz Luhrmann, but by the time the credits rolled, I knew I had seen the birth of a new movie star. Butler's captivating performance grabs you and never lets go. - JTE MIA GOTH ( X/PEARL ) 2022 was a great year for horror, and I feel like Mia Goth is a huge reason for it. She absolutely killed it in dual roles in X, as well as in the starring role of Pearl . While she may have had past work, X and Pearl have shown that not only is she a new scream queen, she’s a star. Her talent is on full display through her multiple roles, but I feel it’s in Pearl where she truly shines. Her madness and pain is able to radiate through her smiles and dance numbers. - Joseph JENNA ORTEGA ( THE FALLOUT/SCREAM/X ) Wednesday Addams…I mean, Jenna Ortega…took 2022 by storm with numerous killer performances (pun intended). She established herself as a modern-day scream queen with Scream , X , and Studio 666 , but she also displayed impressive range in the school shooting drama The Fallout , which quietly premiered on HBO Max. Ortega is the next hot thing with a bright future, and she’ll be dominating the big and small screen for many years to come. - Paige GABRIEL LABELLE ( THE FABELMANS ) In The Fabelmans , one can see the makings of an excellent young actor who’s poised to have an amazing career. Confident, funny, cold, and extremely vulnerable at times, Gabriel LaBelle is the movie’s brightest spot. With his easygoing charm, it’s easy for audiences to immediately latch onto him as he portrays Sammy Fabelman, the Steven Spielberg stand-in for the story. While not as strong in some of the film’s more emotional scenes, specifically those with his parents, LaBelle still manages to provide an overall impressive performance. - Darryl AMBER MIDTHUNDER ( PREY ) I had seen Amber Midthunder here and there before, especially sticking out in FX’s Legion , but because of Prey , the rest of the world now knows how much of a badass she is. She is an action star through and through, in the vein of Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, and just like those women, she can act her ass off too. I can’t wait to see more of Ms. Midthunder’s acting chops or her ass-kicking abilities. - Amarú HIDDEN GEM *WINNER* CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH There was a point in time where I thought Cha Cha Real Smooth was going to be the most well-known indie darling of 2022. However, after about a month, not many people (outside of one Boston Badass you may know) had heard of Cooper Raiff’s heartwarming movie. If you get a chance, go put a big smile on your face by watching this Apple original. Two hops this time!! - Amarú EMERGENCY Emergency is one of the few dramedies that actually stays a dramedy throughout the majority of its runtime as it explores police brutality and the disproportionate response to enforcement as it relates to African Americans. College kids Sean (RJ Cyler) and Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) know this all too well as they attempt to seek help for the white woman they found passed out in their house. Cyler and Watkins have outstanding chemistry playing the comic relief and straight man, respectively, and with excellent direction from Carey Williams, Emergency is a movie worth seeking out on Amazon Prime. - Darryl MAD GOD Have you ever wanted to see the universe begin and end in nightmarish cycles? Well, then, let me introduce you to Mad God . It’s a beautiful, horrific nightmare that is so visually stunning that, despite its strangeness, it feels easy enough to follow. It’s the most daring film of the year since it strays from a traditional narrative structure and contains virtually no dialogue, yet it commands your attention throughout. It’s an oddball film that features striking imagery and is loaded with themes. - Joseph THE OUTFIT It’s possible that living in Germany has skewed my view since The Outfit was advertised everywhere here, but I’m very surprised this even qualified as a Hidden Gem. However, seemingly almost no one in the U.S. saw this great mystery crime thriller. Either way, it features a terrific performance from perpetually underrated Mark Rylance, a classically old-school score, and fantastic production design. In my review, I called it Reservoir Dogs in the style of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy , and I really can’t come up with a better way to sell it to you. - Quentin AFTERSUN Aftersun is one of many wins in a year filled with wins for A24. Making just over $3 million at the box office despite being amongst the most critically acclaimed movies of the year, Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut is a slow film that rewards the audience's patience with a tender and remarkable story of a father/daughter relationship filled with love but with an inherent darkness beneath the surface. I hope this film gains more life in the future. - Adriano BEST MUSIC *WINNER* THE BATMAN No other score of 2022 fits the mood of its story quite like The Batman ’s. Thanks to Michael Giacchino’s brooding melodies, an extra layer of grime is added to the fictional city already famous for its inhospitality. Weaving together the various leitmotifs to create a story where all of our characters are interconnected and integral to the mystery, the music does its share of heavy lifting in influencing the viewer's emotions. Highlighted by a pulse-pounding chase sequence in the second act that makes for one of the year's best action set pieces, Michael Giacchino has provided a near perfect musical composition. - Darryl BABYLON Last year, I focused this award more on soundtrack than score because I believe it can be the unsung hero of many films. However, there was no tracklist of music that stuck with me more this year than Justin Hurwitz's score for Babylon . It takes you through a range of emotions, and its pairing with this underrated film is pitch perfect. I even switched my alarm tone to “Manny's Song” to really get me up and at 'em in the morning. I have no doubt this is the best score of 2022, and since this is the film's only Bitesize Award nomination, let me also state that Babylon was also one of the year's best films. - Nick ELVIS Hubba, hubba…Austin Butler truly brings Elvis Presley’s voice to life in this audacious biopic. You can’t help falling in love with the film's countless musical performances, which feature many of the legend’s biggest hits, and they will certainly get you on your feet, singing and swinging your hips. The soundtrack will transport you back to the days when The King of Rock n’ Roll took the music world by storm. So, thank you, Baz Luhrmann. Thank you very much for bringing Elvis’ tunes to the big screen. - Paige WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY When it comes to musical biopics, you just know that they will feature a great soundtrack. I mean, if the artist is good enough to warrant a biopic, then they must have some great hits. Weird is no exception. Covering everything from “My Bologna” to “Amish Paradise,” it runs through the parody hitmakers’ early catalogue, delivering head bops, nostalgia, and laughs along the way. The score from Budapest Scoring Orchestra isn’t bad either. - Quentin NOPE Director Jordan Peele’s latest is one hell of a ride, and his third collaboration with composer Michael Abels only adds to its success. Abels’ score takes what could be described as typical horror/sci-fi music and blends it with a western twang befitting the horse ranch setting of the movie. The result is a score that haunts at some points while it excites in the next. It’s fantastic. - Adriano IN ALL SERIOUSNESS AWARD *WINNER* THE FABELMANS Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans may not look like an especially brave or challenging piece of art on its surface, but I’d argue that its marketing did it an injustice in representation. The story, a noticeably personal one for maybe the greatest filmmaker ever, is quite a bit thornier than one might expect. Its drama is not elevated by the idea of falling in love with filmmaking, but with falling out of love with almost everything except that. In many contexts, this is sure to become one of Spielberg’s most underrated pieces. - Jacob THE WHALE The resurgence of Brendan Fraser was prominent in the lead up to The Whale , so much so that I began to expect the performance was being overhyped. It genuinely is not. This feels like one of those roles that couldn't have been done by anyone else thanks to Fraser's ability to garner such empathy through this heart-breaking performance. It's not just Fraser, though. Hong Chau also is terrific, while Samantha Morton leaves a lasting impression with limited screen time too. Darren Aronofsky crafted a well-told and tragic story that was more than enough to make my eyes water. One of the best dramas of the year. - Nick ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT All Quiet on the Western Front is often lauded as one of the best anti-war stories ever told, and this adaptation gives credence to that accolade. It’s an unflinching and intense film that puts the horrors of war in your face and throws you right into the action. More importantly though, are the scenes away from our main characters on the battlefield, like when Daniel Bruhl’s character is trying to speak politics and stop the war. It shows just how needless war can be. It’s a fantastic drama that deserves all the appreciation. - Joseph TÁR Tár heralds a staggering return to form for director Todd Field, as well as possibly the best work of Cate Blanchett’s career. From the first frame to the final, Blanchett captivates the audience, delivering a performance that is multifaceted and demonstrative of her wide-ranging acumen as an actress. At just under three hours, the film feels its length, but that runtime is necessary to provide the full scope of the downfall of a person who is at the very top of her game. It’s a must watch for any fan of original, expertly crafted, character-driven films. - Darryl THE NORTHMAN The Northman is epic, raw, and one of the best movies of the year. Robert Egger’s latest is an impeccably crafted revenge saga that takes us through the world of viking mythology as we follow Amleth’s (played by a breathtaking Alexander Skarsgård) quest to avenge his father. It’s one of the most memorable films that came out this year, and one struck a primal nerve in me. - Adriano LAUGH OUT LOUD AWARD *WINNER* THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT Meta films aren't for everybody, but let me just say this... I love them! When done right, a meta film can feel like a film made just for you, and as someone who grew up in the age of Nic Cage, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent tapped into that feeling. This film rewards you for every Nic Cage film you’ve ever seen, from Face/Off to Guarding Tess . Thankfully, Cage is not alone on this adventure. Pedro Pascal co-stars, and together, they give birth to what may be the best onscreen bromance in over a decade. - JTE GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY After the hit that was Knives Out , expectations were high for Benoit Blanc’s (Daniel Craig) next mystery, and regardless of what you were anticipating, I don’t think anyone thought this sequel would be as funny as it is. Laugh-out-loud moments are delivered from the entire cast, especially Kate Hudson and Craig (and let’s not forget slacker Derol (Noah Segan)), while the mystery is every bit as engrossing as its predecessor’s. Although I wouldn’t necessarily classify Glass Onion as a “comedy,” there is no denying that it is one of the year’s funniest movies. - Quentin THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN Martin McDonagh could make movies until the end of time, and I’d be happy about it. His brand of dark comedy is back, and although it’s maybe a little more subdued than usual, it’s still absolutely hysterical. This movie intends to make you feel bad, but it does so with vast amounts of laughter and humor, all delivered by a hilarious ensemble that executes flawlessly. - Adriano WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY Weird Al has made me laugh my entire life. I also grew up alongside Daniel Radcliffe, watching (loving) him as Harry Potter well into my adolescence. Put those two things together, and you get the funniest movie I watched all year. Radcliffe confirms his penchant for post-The-Boy-Who-Lived quirk, and he was the perfect medium through which to channel the soundtrack of our musical musings for the past three decades. Weird is easily the movie to make me literally LOL the most this year , and the number of audible chuckles in the second place finisher isn’t close. - Amarú TRIANGLE OF SADNESS In an era of filmmaking that's focused on wealth inequality and the condemnation of those who would hoard everything for themselves ( Hustlers , Parasite , The Menu , etc.), Triangle of Sadness will go down as possibly one of the most absurdly direct. A searing lampoon of the upper crust of society, writer/director Ruben Ostlund holds nothing back. A fair warning for those weak of stomach, though: this film contains bodily fluids aplenty. With a cast of actors that seem to be game for almost anything, Triangle of Sadness definitely hits the mark on what it sets out to do. - Darryl ADRENALINE AWARD *WINNER* TOP GUN: MAVERICK In 2022, many great films were released and many great action sequences were shot, but none could quite contend with the power of Top Gun: Maverick as a pure shot-of-adrenaline experience. Beginning with the stellar Darkstar opener, following that with one of the best aerial training sequences ever put to screen, then riding that wave all the way to the multi-part, action-packed final act, there is simply no stopping this film’s momentum once it starts. We all felt the need for speed with this one. - Jacob PREY Prey is a smartly crafted film that recontextualizes the relationship between the hunter and the hunted. The decision to set a Predator story in 1700s uncolonized America is a brilliant one, allowing the audience to engage in a familiar tale in an unfamiliar setting. Respect is given to First Nation members too, and at no point are they a cartoonish characterization or exaggeration of themselves. A culture known for having to hunt for survival being pitted against a pop culture icon famous for hunting humans is an idea rife with creative possibilities, and director Dan Trachtenberg and writer Patrick Aison squeeze that potential for every drop. - Darryl EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE Everything Everywhere All at Once is so many things in one. There is drama, there is comedy, but above all else, it's a shot of adrenaline. You're on the edge of your seat throughout, right alongside Evelyn’s (Michelle Yeoh) complete unawareness of what's going to happen next as she cycles through different multiverses. Plus, Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan both have some of the most crisp fight scenes to come out this past year. There is a reason this is heralded as one of the best movies of 2022. - Nick THE BATMAN The Batman was, hands down, the best superhero film of 2022, and it will get your adrenaline pumping with its nonstop and realistic action beats. Director Matt Reeves managed to make a David Fincher-like Batman film that’s raw and not afraid to get down and dirty. In fact, this dark and intense take on the masked crusader is honestly the first Batman film to actually show off The Dark Knight’s detective skills. You’ll be gripping the edge of your seat throughout the entire film, and looking to fight crime once the credits roll. - Paige RRR The snowballing word-of-mouth for RRR just kept getting bigger and bigger as summer moved into autumn, so I finally had to watch this epic, all-out, ball-of-infectious energy of a film. The movie matched the hype, and it’s just gonna keep growing. There may be multiple genres floating around in its 3-hour runtime, but nothing gets you out of your seat like the explosions, wildlife, and annihilation of the British Empire. And, yes, I’m including the “Naatu-Naatu” dance-off as one of my favorite action scenes of the year. - Amarú NIGHTMARE AWARD *WINNER* BARBARIAN In today's world of social media and entertainment news, it's hard to find a film that can genuinely surprise you. Barbarian pulled off this rare feat, making it the must-see horror film of 2022. Writer/director Zach Cregger also reminded people of how much fun a horror film can be when it's a communal experience. Some of the best horror films ever play with the audiences’ expectations, and Barbarian is a roller-coaster ride that plays with genre tropes to keep you on your toes until the very end. - JTE NOPE I don’t care what anyone says, thinks, or tells their friends: Director Jordan Peele is 3-for-3 in his film career, and you can’t tell me otherwise. The chills, the images, the acting performances, and all things Gordy make Nope one of the creepiest and most exceptional horror movies of the year. It’s nothing like his previous two entries, but Nope confirms that Jordan Peele is an event director of must-see movies that you can buy a ticket for sight unseen. He even made this horror-hater change his tone on the genre, so maybe now I’m just a horror-disliker?… is that a word? - Amarú THE MENU When I walked into The Menu at TIFF, I only knew that it was a take down of the haute cuisine and fine dining establishment. What I did not know or expect was that it would be a tension-escalating tale of Eat the Rich judgments filled with dark surprises, claustrophobic ambiance, blood, and dread. The ensemble cast is better than I could have imagined too, especially Ralph Fiennes, who manages to convey uneasy humor and subtle menace as he leads us through twists and turns with each thunderous clap. - Quentin PEARL Director Ti West delivered horror fans one hell of an unexpected surprise last year with the bloody origin story of X ’s villain, Pearl . The best way to describe this film is a horrifying and bizarre fever dream that allows Mia Goth to give a profound, no-strings-attached performance. Pearl may not be as gory as its predecessor, but it’s more about a mind unraveling from reality, which can be even more terrifying. - Paige X Pearl may have gotten all the talk of 2022, but X was director Ti West's film that stuck with me most. It features great performances across the board (Mia Goth and Jenna Ortega deservingly got the headlines, but I think Martin Henderson also was crucial), and it does a wonderful job of transporting the viewer to the 1970s. There's such a chill and cool vibe to this film that makes it that much more of a contrast when things start to go off the rails. If Ti West nails MaXXXine , the third entry in the Pearl franchise, he will have created one of the all-time great horror trilogies…and that doesn't exist without X . - Nick BEST ENSEMBLE *WINNER* GLASS ONION Not only is Rian Johnson one of the best writer/directors working today, the man also knows how to build out an amazing cast. Just like its predecessor, Knives Out , Glass Onion showcases an outstanding array of talent from its cast of A-listers, which includes Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., and Kathryn Hahn. Johnson just knows how to strike gold with these whodunit ensembles. This group helps elevate the film, allowing it to be more entertaining from start to finish. He was even able to get four former Oscar nominees to appear in this film. Can you name all four? - Paige THE WOMAN KING If there is one film this year that the Oscars snubbed, it's The Woman King . First off, it's a wonderfully directed feature by Gina Prince-Bythewood. However, the cast is the real story here, as the film is anchored by four powerhouse performances from Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, and John Boyega. All of them deserved nominations as they do excellent work, both individually and as an ensemble. In fact, it's among the best work I've seen from all four actors, and I expect the film to grow in adoration in the coming years. - Nick EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE A film’s story can only be taken as seriously or have as much of an effect as its performers can allow, and Everything Everywhere All at Once not only has the performers most up to the task, they’re all at the top of their game. Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis reach new heights, while Stephanie Hsu breaks into the all-time pantheon of stylistic villainy; however, it’s Ke Huy Quan’s near-constant display of range – emotional and physical – that’s the capstone and not-so-secret weapon of power. - Jacob THE BATMAN In the age of Comic Book Movies, casting can make or break a film. Fans will argue every choice, even before seeing the movie, because fanboys have a passionate opinion on who should play who (or, more often, who shouldn’t play who). That said, with The Batman , almost every piece of casting news was met with optimism. Even the most controversial choice of Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne was raved about once the film hit screens. Director Matt Reeves simply cast the best actors for the roles, even if they didn't meet the physical constraints of the characters (just look at Colin Farrell as The Penguin). All in all, this ensemble is prestigious from top to bottom. - JTE THE MENU The Menu is so smartly written that even with a powerhouse ensemble cast, everyone manages to make an impression. It shows the quality of the writing and direction, but also the actors, each of whom bring their own unique reactions to the events that occur on screen. Every performer has their moment, and their ability to play off of each other in a way that creates a sense of authenticity is remarkable. It’s easy to hate this collection of disgustingly rich characters, but they’re just so much fun to watch because of the performers. Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes may be the starring roles, but they’re really just the glue that holds together all the fantastic performances. - Joseph BEST ANIMATED PICTURE *WINNER* GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO We’ve seen this tale time and time again, but Guillermo del Toro and his team were able to bring something new to the table. With astonishingly rich stop-motion animation, this beautifully crafted gem allows del Toro to bring his unique style to the forefront while also appreciating the lore of the classic story. I honestly feel kinda bad for all the other animated films in 2022 because Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio steam rolls over all of them, and this magical film will most definitely be taking home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. - Paige TURNING RED Turning Red is a big move for Pixar as it deals with the complexities of adolescence in a fun and insightful way while also acknowledging some tough realities. The characters are wonderfully written, as are the themes regarding generational differences and the expectations of parents on their children. On top of that, the colors and visual styles are unique and fresh, injecting Pixar’s portfolio with a new look by taking inspiration from various anime. Overall, it’s fun, fresh, intense, smart, and an incredibly impressive film for a directorial debut. Thank you for making this amazing and personal story, Domee Shi. - Joseph PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH Never in my wildest imagination would I have guessed that I would be saying this about a sequel to a Shrek spinoff, but Puss In Boots: The Last Wish is quite special. The animation is so striking and hard to look away from that it gives the whole thing a crackling energy that compliments the comedy and adventure on screen. Meanwhile, the fact that it has something poignant to say about death and mortality is very gutsy for a family film, but it all works somehow. This was a pleasant surprise. - Adriano MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON I stand by my decision last year to automatically put this as one of the most heartwarming movies of all time, and that decision keeps looking better every single day. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is the ray of sunshine in this dark world that, even in its sadness, lets us appreciate the small beauties of life. It is joy personified, hope encapsulated, ingenuity epitomized, and… I could just keep going but I only have 100 or so words to rave about this dope-ass anthropomorphic exoskeleton (yeah, I looked up the definition of “shell” because Marcel deserves that respect). - Amarú CHIP 'N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS I grew up in the 90s, and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers was definitely in my rotation of Saturday morning cartoons. When I heard they were making a new film that would go straight to Disney+, I can't say that I was excited, even if it was directed by Akiva Schaffer of Lonely Island fame. In the end, my reservations were foolish because what we got is, in my opinion, the best combination of animated & live action since Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The jokes work on multiple levels, making the film a blast for both adults and kids alike. - JTE BEST DIRECTOR *WINNER* DANIELS ( EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE ) Everything Everywhere All at Once pushes the envelope in terms of inventiveness and creativity. The main strength of the film, and in Daniels’ storytelling, is the focus on the main issue: a dysfunctional family. Regardless of the nonsense they throw at the audience, from our characters portrayed as rocks to a world where everyone has hot dogs for fingers, the story always reverts to the Wangs and their interconnected struggles. Be it the makeup that Stephanie Hsu’s Joy is decked out in or her outlandish costume designs, the level of detail that went into creating all aspects of this film reveals how well thought out and meticulous Daniels and their crew are. - Darryl MARTIN MCDONAGH ( THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN ) To balance the story of a platonic break-up against the backdrop of a far-off civil war requires not only delicate balance, but perfect precision in achieving said balance. Few directors – if any – were able to achieve as much as Martin McDonagh did with The Banshees of Inisherin . It’s McDonagh’s direction that lends the film its tragic pathos, leading us to understand that none of this had to happen in either the macro and micro sense, and it’s his writing that allows his direction to be so bold as to say “but it will happen anyway.” - Jacob JORDAN PEELE ( NOPE ) Full disclosure, I enjoyed, but did not love, Nope . That said, there is no denying what Jordan Peele, with the help of cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, was able to pull off behind the camera. Did you know that all those night scenes were actually shot in the super bright sunlight of the California desert? That’s wild. On top of that, Peele was also able to deliver thrilling spectacle, tense set pieces, frightening imagery, and, really, just an all-around visually beautiful movie that evokes every last ounce of supernatural vibe that you’d want from a movie like this. - Quentin JOSEPH KOSINSKI ( TOP GUN: MAVERICK ) Imagine you were tasked to helm the years-later sequel to a beloved film starring arguably the biggest star in the world. This is exactly what Joseph Kosinski had to tackle when he agreed to direct Top Gun: Maverick . Not only did Kosinski meet those sky-high expectations, but he did what most directors only dream of... he surpassed them. In a world of CGI and special effects, Kosinski proved that groundbreaking direction and storytelling is still the best effect of them all. From beginning to end, you won’t find a better made film this year than Top Gun: Maverick . - JTE STEVEN SPIELBERG ( THE FABELMANS ) With The Fabelmans being semi-autobiographical for Steven Spielberg, you knew there was going to be a little extra heart put into it. That much is evident on screen, and Spielberg mines his previous work for different sensibilities (such as the childlike wonder of E.T. ) to tell his story. This was his life, so you know he was heavily involved in each scene and character choice, including Paul Dano and Michelle Williams' portrayal of his parents. However, the best part of the film is the star-making turn he pulled out of Gabriel LaBelle. The Fabelmans may be Steven Spielberg's story as told through fictional characters, but it's among his most honest films. - Nick BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS *WINNER* STEPHANIE HSU ( EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE ) Of all the awards this year, Supporting Actress has the most stacked nominee list, and nothing exemplifies that more than the fact that I’m ranking someone…ANYONE…higher than the Queen Mother, Angela Bassett. But dammit, Stephanie Hsu reached into the depths of my soul with her multi-character role to make me cry, laugh, yell, cheer, and stare in awe. She was the crux that made Everything Everywhere All at Once’ s weirdness so mesmerizing, as her confidence oozed off the screen throughout the gamut of emotions she displayed. It was a beautiful sight to behold. - Amarú ANGELA BASSETT ( BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER ) Both Black Panther films are a tier above the rest of the MCU, but the amazing throne room scene in Wakanda Forever is a prime example of what award-worthy acting is. Angela Bassett gives a thesis of a speech that tells you everything you need to know about Queen Ramonda, everything she stands for, and everything she fears. It’s heart-wrenching. Bassett makes you feel every word with her powerful delivery, and her performance shows just how tremendous she is as an actress. - Joseph KERRY CONDON ( THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN ) Kerry Condon is The Banshees of Inisherin 's true ace in the hole, bringing incredible nuance to her role. In delivering a remarkable performance that is filled with fierceness and vulnerability, you realize that she is so much more than just the peacemaker between the quarreling friends. She is a fully realized character with her own aspirations. With a performance as brilliant and subtle as this one, I see a few Oscars in her future. - Paige DOLLY DE LEON ( TRIANGLE OF SADNESS ) Perhaps just on the outside of the Oscar nominee pool this year, Dolly de Leon immediately steals Triangle of Sadness right out from under itself the second her true power is realized. Although the film is a true ensemble piece with no actual lead, Dolly de Leon is the captain of the ship, steering us through the third act to an ending that brilliantly demonstrates what the ultimate costs of capital-based societies turn out to be. - Jacob JANELLE MONAE ( GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY ) I'll be honest, outside of her supporting role in the Oscar-winning film Moonlight , I hadn't seen much of Janelle Monáe's acting skills on display. When she was announced for Rian Johnson's follow-up to Knives Out , I didn't give it much thought. So, to say I walked out of the theater impressed would be an understatement. In a cast full of A-listers and impressive talent, it was Monáe who left the most lasting impression. I'll say it now: She'll win an Oscar in the next decade because she is that talented as an actress. - JTE BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR *WINNER* KE HUY QUAN ( EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE ) Ke Huy Quan’s comeback performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once is amongst the best and most infectious performances you’ll see all year. It’s hard to look at the character's optimism and not root for him, or feel for him when he’s at low points. I mean, just the way he’s able to constantly switch between alternate versions of the same character, sometimes on a dime, is very impressive to watch. - Adriano BRIAN TYREE HENRY ( CAUSEWAY ) I didn't love Bullet Train , but, man, was Brian Tyree Henry entertaining. However, this award is for his underseen turn in the subtle Apple gem Causeway . This doesn't feel like the sort of film that usually gets recognized since it's not flashy, but it is note perfect. Henry and Jennifer Lawrence (at the best she's been in years) go one-on-one here, but it’s Henry who comes out the strongest. The humanity he brings to James is evident in every scene, which ultimately leads to a couple heartbreaking moments. He's past his breakout moment, but his work here proves that he is ready for more leading man roles. - Nick BRENDAN GLEESON ( THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN ) There are only a few actors that, when they show up in a film, you know you're going to get a great performance from, no matter the quality of the overall project. Brendan Gleeson is one of those actors. Once again teaming with filmmaker Martin McDonagh and Colin Farrell, Gleeson gives yet another Oscar-worthy performance. The fact is, when you pair Gleeson's acting skills with the rich writing from McDonagh, it's a match made in heaven, and with The Banshees of Inisherin being a true two-hander, Gleeson matches Farrell scene for scene. - JTE BARRY KEOGHAN ( THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN ) Hidden behind the star power of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, the awards pedigree of director Martin McDonagh, and the buzz of Kerry Condon, there is Barry Keoghan, who quietly gives awards-season juggernaut The Banshees of Inisherin ’s best performance. He brings tragedy and comedy, optimism and despair. But most of all, he navigates his character’s devastating arc with truth and authenticity. - Quentin MARK RYLANCE ( BONES AND ALL ) Stranger Danger is the best way to describe Mark Rylance’s role of Sully in Bones and All . His character is someone you’d never want to come across in real life because of how outright creepy he is. What Rylance is able to bring to this performance is bloody terrifying, and he nearly steals the whole movie any time he’s on screen. He’s that good! I’m truly baffled that his performance didn’t get eaten up by all the award shows this season. - Paige BEST ACTRESS *WINNER* MICHELLE YEOH ( EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE ) In Everything Everywhere All at Once , Michelle Yeoh delivers a performance that encompasses EVERYTHING we can be in life. In a film that is filled with insanity, Yeoh is able to carry it all on her shoulders with ease, giving us one of the best performances of the year while making it appear effortless. She showcases a diverse range of emotions, as she has to make you believe that she is not only a wife, a mother, and a laundromat owner, but also a multiverse traveler that, at one point, has flippin’ hot dogs for fingers. The actress fully immersed herself in her character, and despite all the madness on display , Yeoh grounds this crazy, complex role in a very honest and nuanced way. - Paige CATE BLANCHETT ( TÁR ) From Tár ’s first announcement teaser, one could understand that Cate Blanchett had reached a new level of power as composer-conductor Lydia Tár. In fact, so thorough is her embodiment of the character (and so brilliantly is she written) that many first-time viewers actually believed Tár to be a real person. One doesn’t get there without true investment, and while a great screenplay can do a lot, true investment comes, first and foremost, from the actor. - Jacob DANIELLE DEADWYLER ( TILL ) Quite possibly the most underrated performance of 2022, Danielle Deadwyler gives the type of performance that the Oscars were made for. The way she emotes is captivating, hiding tears behind smiles, covering fear with displays of strength. The film itself is a respectful endeavor overall, but the truth is that Till is great because Danielle Deadwyler is great in it. - Joseph MIA GOTH ( PEARL ) Mia Goth continued her streak of exceptional female horror performances with her turn as the titular character in Pearl . What initially comes off as semi-parody, leaning heavily into the old-timey southern accent, Goth slowly transforms her character into a beast of a woman whose failing dreams push her to the edge. Honestly, just Google “Pearl Mia Goth 8 minute monologue” and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. - Adriano MICHELLE WILLIAMS ( THE FABELMANS ) While The Fabelmans had great performances across the board, the only one that stuck with me after leaving the theater was that of Michelle Williams. Although the movie didn’t deliver the story I wanted, her performance is heartbreaking as a woman just trying to do right by her children and herself at the same time. It’s layered, deep, and vibrant yet nuanced. She absolutely crushes it. - Quentin BEST ACTOR *WINNER* AUSTIN BUTLER ( ELVIS ) In transforming himself into a real person…nay, an icon…who was larger than life in every sense of the word, Austin Butler is transcendent in Elvis . He gives an exuberant performance that is both rousing and heartbreaking, even doing his own singing and immersing himself so deeply that he may have permanently altered his own speaking voice. Watching Butler perform as The King made me feel what all those fans in the 50s and 60s must have felt when they saw him live. Go watch the side-by-sides of Butler and Elvis on Youtube to see what I’m talking about. It’s a career- and star-making performance. - Quentin BRENDAN FRASER ( THE WHALE ) I don’t know what I can say about Brendan Fraser’s performance in The Whale that hasn’t already been said in dozens of articles. Even if you remove the context of his comeback and everything that has happened to him, it’s still such a mesmerizing and empathetic performance. Even as a lifelong fan of Fraser, I had no idea he was capable of this power. From the jarring physical transformation to the small movements he does with his eyes, it’s a truly wonderful performance. - Adriano COLIN FARRELL ( THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN ) Early last year, we compiled our “Top Five Actors Never Nominated for an Oscar,” and to no one’s surprise, Colin Farrell topped the list. I'm glad to report that not only is this no longer the case with his Oscar nod for The Banshees of Inisherin , but this isn't a legacy nomination either. Working with director Martin McDonagh for the third time, Farrell excels as the lovable and simplistic Pádraic. His mix of comedy and heart is infectious, and it's a genuine thrill to see him finally get his long overdue nomination. - Nick RALPH FIENNES ( THE MENU ) There are few performances in 2022 that matched actor to character more perfectly than Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik in The Menu. He is absolutely captivating as the central mastermind behind the film's psychological warfare, controlling the numerous moving parts and interesting characters with just a look or a whisper. Fiennes is the focal point that grounds The Menu ’s intense chaos, with his mere presence taking a stranglehold on your attention every second he’s on screen. - Amarú DANIEL KALUUYA ( NOPE ) One day, we as a society will look back on Jordan Peele’s Nope and wonder how we all undervalued it to such a degree, and chiefly, how one of its lead performers slipped under the whole awards radar apparatus. Academy Award Winner (lest we forget) Daniel Kaluuya is as sharp here as he has ever been, his eyes more expressive than perhaps any leading man of his generation. Without saying a word, we know what he thinks, how he feels, and what he anticipates next; under the stellar direction of Jordan Peele, Kaluuya has never been better. - Jacob BEST PICTURE *WINNER* EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE Many say that cinema is dead, that Hollywood has no more original stories to tell; Everything Everywhere All at Once blows that critique out of the water. It’s hard to condense my thoughts to so few words because this film evoked so many emotions within me. The story is fantastic, the effects are great, the humor is on point, and the message is just so powerful. It’s an important and touching film that demonstrates the best in filmmaking. It’s worthy of the title “Best Picture.” - Joseph TOP GUN: MAVERICK As a kid who grew up on Top Gun and as an adult who has seen a long string of disappointing legacy sequels, I was preparing for the worst with Maverick . However, from the first trailer, I was sold, and my expectations only continued to rise the closer we got to its release date. Then, I saw it; it was better than anything I could have imagined. It’s full of heart, drama, action, humor, and some of the best set pieces I’ve seen in years. It’s genuinely better than it has any right to be. Following two years of COVID and mostly streaming releases, Maverick is the movie that reminded me of the magic of going to the cinema. If that doesn’t qualify as “Best Picture” material, I don’t know what does. - Quentin THE MENU TIFF was fantastic this year. I had the pleasure of seeing films like The Whale , The Fabelmans , The Woman King , and The Banshees of Inisherin , all of which I loved. But the film that topped my list was The Menu . My favorite horror film of the year featured a tremendous cast, headlined by an enthralling Ralph Fiennes, and just a genuinely good story. It shocked me, surprised me, and above all, entertained me. From the subtleties of Anya Taylor-Joy's Margot to the ridiculousness of Nicholas Hoult's Tyler…and each dish featured on the menu itself…this film is just plain delicious. - Nick THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN The Banshees of Inisherin is far and away director Martin McDonagh’s best film to date. Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, together for the first time since 2008’s In Bruges , the pair pick up right where they left off: a delicious mix of warmhearted friendship and constant annoyance that can only come with being longtime friends. Farrell and Gleeson both bring their A-game, with Farrell giving the performance of his career. Bleak, shocking, and at times, hysterically funny, T he Banshees of Inisherin proves Martin McDonagh is one of cinema’s most underrated working directors. - Darryl GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO Guillermo del Toro is truly one of today’s best and most inspired filmmakers, and his take on Pinocchio is a masterpiece. Even through the stop-motion animation, his visual eye is as present as ever, plus the voice acting is terrific. But what is beyond impressive is the fact that he was able to take a story we’ve seen so, so, sooo many times before and update it in ways that are both necessary and refreshing while still retaining the same themes as the source material. I was a blubbering mess by the end of this true work of art. - Adriano Photo Credits: Photo 1, 3, 14 - Warner Bros; Photo 2 - Apple TV+; Photo 4 - Universal Pictures; Photo 5 - Lionsgate; Photo 6 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 7 - 20th Century Studios; Photo 8, 9 - Netflix; Photo 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 - A24

Previous Next October 5, 2023 WRITTEN BY: JACOB As is the case every year, there are plenty of Oscar-worthy films in 2023 that have either come out too early in the year or are bound to get lost in the shuffle as more things release and overtake their status. Rather than doing a traditional Oscar predictions piece, I thought I would simply provide a list of films that may end up competing in significant categories: things to watch, things to keep an eye out for, and things we all might be underestimating come awards time. I’ll only be discussing the more high-profile work that has come to bear, whether out of word-of-mouth, fall festival hype, or marketing strength, but let’s get started… THE CONTENDERS SO FAR BARBIE Greta Gerwig’s smash hit, Barbie , became more than a sensation at the global box office, it remains an outright phenomenon. The highest-grossing film of 2023 to date and Warner Bros. highest-grossing film ever, the pink-soaked pop examination of female agency, dreams, and the patriarchy as run by horses is one of the year’s best films outright, boasting the critical and audience acclaim to prove it. Warner Bros. has opted to run the film through the Original Screenplay category, which does give it a better shot at the win, but it may prove a challenge when it comes to overtaking another contender a bit further down the list. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Greta Gerwig), Best Actress (Margot Robbie), Best Supporting Actor (Ryan Gosling), Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Original Song, Best Original Screenplay OPPENHEIMER On the other half of the “Barbenheimer” hype-wave lies one of director Christopher Nolan’s most accomplished works to date, and perhaps his most fully realized outside of Dunkirk in 2017. All-but-certain to finally net the acclaimed filmmaker the coveted Best Director Oscar he certainly deserves, Oppenheimer is more than a simple biopic of a controversial yet titanic historical figure. It is also an examination of the consequences of creation – how it slips out of the creator’s control, the devastating effects it can have, and whether mankind could ever be trusted not to destroy itself given the chance. Marvelous in nearly every way, this visionary achievement stands on the strength of its technical prowess (though that’s not all it has going for it). Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Supporting Actress (Emily Blunt), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound PAST LIVES You may not have known it given all the space Barbie and Oppenheimer occupied over the summer’s box office, but there was at least one quietly devastating indie released this summer in the form of Celine Song’s beautifully rendered love story Past Lives . Debuting at Sundance and later rolled out by A24 over the last weeks of June, Song’s saga of longing and grieving, not to mention the catharsis present within both, is a delicate ballet on the thinnest tightrope of emotion. Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro are as enrapturing as any three characters have ever been in a film like this, thanks in no small part to Song’s brilliant screenplay. It may not have the cultural status of some other summer films, but don’t count this one out of the Oscar race by any measure. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Celine Song), Best Actress (Greta Lee), Best Supporting Actor (John Magaro), Best Original Screenplay SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE While I’m not as convinced as some others that this film is going to be competing in the Best Picture category (the superhero and animation biases may be fading, but they still exist), that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a worthy inclusion, and it certainly doesn’t mean that it won’t be competing beyond Animated Feature. The sequel to one of the most revolutionary animated films ever made once again ups the ante to deliver the most visually stunning Spider-Man movie yet (as well as, much like its predecessor, one of the best ever put to screen, full stop). It’s chock full of heart, humor, terrific voice performances, ace writing, and incredible sound & music. Even at 140 minutes, it’s one of the most rewatchable animated and superhero films ever made, and in my book at least, one of the best films of the year.. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score, Best Sound STILL TO COME ANATOMY OF A FALL Directed by Justine Triet to great acclaim out of Cannes and Toronto International Film Festivals, this international thriller has garnered quite a bit of attention for its script and the performance of lead actress Sandra Hüller. Time will tell if that’s enough to boost Triet’s Best Director odds (especially given the lack of female directing nominations in recent years), but with France opting to submit The Taste of Things for International Feature instead, it only has the big categories to fight in. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Justine Triet), Best Actress (Sandra Hüller), Best Original Screenplay THE COLOR PURPLE Given that no one has seen The Color Purple yet, determining whether it will compete for awards (and for how many) can be especially tricky. That said, a Christmas Day release for a reimagining of one of movie history’s most famous stories, one that is also an adaptation of the Broadway musical based on that story, is nothing to sneeze at. Given the trailer, I’m willing to bet this one goes pretty far. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Blitz Bazawule), Best Actress (Fantasia Barrino), Best Supporting Actress (x2) (Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson), Best Supporting Actor (Colman Domingo), Best Costume Design, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Original Song, Best Sound THE HOLDOVERS Word-of-mouth on The Holdovers has been incredibly strong, with many claiming it’s Alexander Payne’s best film in years. At the very least, it looks like a uniquely lensed experience with the heart of a great 70s dramedy, and it’s good to see Paul Giamatti back in fighting form as a movie actor. Count me in. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Alexander Payne), Best Actor (Paul Giamatti), Best Supporting Actress (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON Director Martin Scorsese returns to the silver screen for his sixth collaboration with lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who this time is boosted by mostly former but frequent Scorsese muse Robert De Niro in the supporting chair. Add in a potential Oscar- winning turn from Lily Gladstone, plus the presences of Jesse Plemons and newly minted Best Actor winner Brendan Fraser, and that’s one hell of an ensemble. Word on this one after its Cannes premiere was extremely high. Personally, I’ve recently been reading Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, and let me tell you… even at pushing four hours, this thing is going to pack a wallop. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Martin Scorsese), Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Actress (Lily Gladstone), Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound MAESTRO At long last, Bradley Cooper returns to direct himself and Carey Mulligan (whose star has never shone brighter) in a biopic about the great Leonard Bernstein. While word on this one is that Cooper’s directorial effort may not be enough to snuff out the competition, his performance is on another level, which is saying something considering his pedigree in that department. Beyond that, the film has a solid team on its production side, which could give it exactly the boost it needs come awards time. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Bradley Cooper), Best Actress (Carey Mulligan), Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound ORIGIN Love it or hate it, Ava DuVernay’s Origin came out of nowhere and has seemed to garner quite the fanbase following its debut at Venice Film Festival. That said, it’s still too soon to tell exactly how many awards this one could compete for, so I’m keeping it to the ones that would be most likely for now, should it turn out to be stronger than expected. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Ava DuVernay), Best Actress (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Best Adapted Screenplay SALTBURN Oh, Emerald Fennell, you poor director. The mixed reviews on Saltburn give me pause as to just how well it can actually do when the going gets rough, but it seems to be staying in the consciousness of awards voters all the same. There’s a lot that individual nominations can do when put together, and even if this one can’t crack the Best Picture field (which it has not yet given up on), it’s sure to compete in some lower categories. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Actor (Barry Keoghan), Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Original Screenplay POOR THINGS The buzz on Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things is through the roof, to the point where it’s widely anticipated that Emma Stone could very well win her second Oscar for her performance. Pair that with its Golden Lion win in Venice, and it’s pretty much guaranteed to at least appear in the Best Picture category, and is likely to be a major contender across the board, even going so far as to perhaps overperform in nominations alone. Just how likely it is to win other categories (apart from Stone) will depend on what it ultimately competes against, but make no mistake, it’s competing. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Yorgos Lanthimos), Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Supporting Actor (x2) (Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay THE ZONE OF INTEREST Sight unseen, I believe The Zone of Interest will be a much larger topic of conversation in the Best Picture race once released. From what I understand about it, this Holocaust-set story is a shaking one, which could make voting for it hard to stomach but easy to believe in. The directorial skills of Jonathan Glazer are sure to carry it through to a significant number of nominations. Best Shot(s): Best Picture, Best Director (Jonathan Glazer), Best International Feature, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound OTHER POSSIBLE CONTENDERS - AIR - AMERICAN FICTION - THE BIKERIDERS - FERRARI - THE KILLER - PRISCILLA - RUSTIN

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