SOMETHING VERY BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN Starring: Camila Morrone, Adam DiMarco, Zlatko Burić, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ted Levine, Jeff Wilbusch, Karla Crome, Gus Birney, and Sawyer Fraser Creator: Haley Z. Boston PAIGE Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen starts off strong with an eerie atmosphere and an intriguing mystery, but as it goes on it gradually loses its footing. Once an unexpected cursed twist occurs, it sends the story in a completely different direction, which honestly would’ve landed better if it had actually been set up and better developed. That said, Camila Morrone does deliver a standout performance as Rachel. But I’d be lying if the thin story didn’t leave me wondering if this concept would’ve been better suited as a movie. BODE Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen …and I wish that it didn’t take about eight episodes for it to occur. In this modern TV era, we’re inundated with shows that might’ve been better suited as movies, and this Netflix marital horror miniseries is a pretty solid example of this. It’s effectively dread-inducing when it counts, thanks to some imaginative camerawork, and it does build to a satisfyingly gory conclusion. But because of its series length, the pacing feels stretched out, which can lead to some notably uneven writing that takes away some of its impact. It’s decent as is, but shorter would’ve been better.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON: SEASON THREE Starring: Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, James Norton, Phia Saban, Sonoya Mizuno, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Abubakar Salim, Clinton Liberty, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Matthew Needham, Gayle Rankin, Tommy Flanagan, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Freddie Fox, and Harry Collett Creators: Ryan J. Condal and George R.R. Martin PAIGE Season Three of House of the Dragon delivers the perfect balance of thrilling dragon action, political intrigue, and compelling character drama, focusing on destiny and the pursuit of power to make it the darkest and most intense season yet. The writing this season is extremely sharp and gripping throughout, managing to keep the tension high and raise the stakes while also excelling in showcasing these characters’ internal conflicts. Plus, Emma D’Arcy delivers a commanding performance as Rhaenyra. If this season proved anything, it’s that no one is safe in this tragic story. ROBERT I have tried to be a Game of Thrones book reader, but I have failed in my attempts. I also know the third season of House of the Dragon was meant to showcase some epic wartime action from the stories that Season Two sorely lacked. Fortunately, it delivers in spades, especially with HBO spending the money to fill out the landscape with striking and realistic visuals. I do think some plotlines are stretched out much longer than they should have been for filler, but the acting is superb, the characters are compelling in their motivations, and, now, Season Four can be the gift that was promised. QUENTIN In my House of the Dragon : Season Two review, I mentioned being relieved that there were only two more seasons to hate-watch. With Season Three, I ended up somewhere worse than hate-watching: indifference. Outside of Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), we don’t spend enough time with any other character to truly be invested. Does anyone honestly care about Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), or Sir Ulf (Tom Bateman)? When you don’t care about most of the characters, none of the deaths, twists, or reveals leave an impact, which means you’re basically just sitting around waiting for the next cool-looking but substantively bereft battle scene. AMARÚ Shout out to Tommy Flanagan. He stepped into House of the Dragon : Season Three to remind everyone that the North remembers… and that the writers remembered why this show is so entertaining. They heard the complaints about Season Two and said, “is this what you want?” From jump, this season brings the twists, political gains, epic battles and deaths, all while paying off our patience from last year’s setup. In addition to Flanagan, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, and many of the ensemble deliver masterful performances that bring Game of Thrones back to prominence. KATIE House of the Dragon: Season Three wasn't a disappointment, but it was inconsistent and lacked momentum. It delivers stunning visuals, thrilling violence, and compelling action sequences, but I also couldn’t help but notice the long stretches of episodes where we move from place to place whilst people have isolated conversations with little impact, tension, or plot movement. Although Emma D’Arcy’s powerful performance as Rhaenyra is gripping, we don’t spend enough time with the supporting characters to care what happens to them, which negates the impact of the deaths and twists. Check out our reviews for Season Two HERE .

Previous Next October 29, 2024 WRITTEN BY: KATIE It’s no secret that horror is my favourite genre, so naturally, Halloween is my favourite holiday. From indie atmospheric chillers to the latest scraps offered by Blumhouse, I’m open to all of it, and I’m always excited to see what’s in store for me. This year, in particular, has been a great year for horror, boasting incredible films such as Late Night with the Devil, Stopmotion, Longlegs, In a Violent Nature, MaXXXine, Immaculate, Alien: Romulus, The Deliverance, The Weekend and Fréwaka , and many more! On top of that, there are still more highly anticipated releases coming and some hyped movies I’ve yet to get around to. Each of the films mentioned above unsettled me in a unique way, and some of them even kept me up at night. However, not everyone wants to be terrified, and some topics or imagery can completely negate someone’s enjoyment of a film. Whether it be a sensitivity to violence and gore, age restrictions on content for younger viewers, or just a general dislike of intense horror, those people shouldn’t be left out of the October fun. Not to worry, though! There remain many films that create a fun, spooky atmosphere without traumatising their audiences. So, in the spirit of Halloween for All, I’d like to take you through some films that are accessible to most audiences, be it younger viewers with an appetite for scares or adults in the mood for some low-stakes spooks. A lot of these films are amongst my childhood favourites, whilst a few from recent years have delighted me with their spookiness without venturing into full-blown horror. So, get comfy, grab some blankets, settle down with your autumnal spiced beverage of choice, and enjoy some of my favourite family-friendly frights. THE WITCHES (1990) The Witches is a film that I watched more times than I can count as a child, and it gives me a distinctively nostalgic feel every time I watch it, especially since I love Roald Dahl's books and his other film adaptations. The image of the witches shedding their disguises and the Grand High Witch’s (Anjelica Huston) grotesque transformation has always stuck with me, and the fear I had of the young Luke (Jasen Fisher) getting caught whilst hiding and watching them was almost unbearable. I can still see the close-up images of the congregation of witches, their faces twisted into contorted excitement as the Grand High Witch explains her devious plan to eradicate all the children in England. It’s not scary in a horror sense, but in a campy sense that is honest to the dark wit of the original book, built on theatrical costuming, excessive performances (including an iconic Huston), unsettling make-up, and Jim Henson’s incredible prosthetics and animatronics. THE HAUNTED MANSION (2003) Admittedly, The Haunted Mansion gave me nightmares when I first saw it at age five. Specifically, the part where Eddie Murphy quietly enters a dark, mysterious room and checks himself out in an ornate mirror, is startled by a lone crow, and then looks back at the mirror to discover his own decomposing face looking back at him. Still, I have a lot of great memories of watching this film countless times when I was younger — always on Halloween — making it a nostalgic favourite of mine. Re-watching it at age 25, the CGI is laughable and Murphy’s performance is even funnier, but the film stands up as a solid Halloween watch. With the lavish, cobweb-covered set design, hilarious cast of ghostly characters, and fun, cheesy family feel, I’m confident that the scary parts won't be too much for young viewers and will still entertain older viewers. CORPSE BRIDE (2005) I obviously needed to include at least one Tim Burton film on this list, so I’ve chosen another childhood favourite, Corpse Bride , which offers a gateway to body horror for young viewers through its dark visual humor and macabre but endearingly upbeat undead characters who are in various states of decomposition. It’s also romantic in a gothic way that I’ve always found enchanting, perfect for some lightly spooky viewing with real heart and a tender, emotional story. Plus, it simply looks beautiful with its meticulously crafted stop-motion animation, not to mention it features a joyously catchy score by Danny Elfman, as well as an iconic voice cast, including Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee, Johnny Depp, Emily Watson, Joanna Lumley, and Richard E. Grant. MONSTER HOUSE (2006) I have many fond memories of watching Monster House , and I think people of all ages can find something they love about this film. It encapsulates the nostalgic feel of 80s movies to create a cozy, autumnal vibe alongside a tense atmosphere, and with the formidable house and gorgeous cinematography that closely emulates real camera movements, the animation is incredibly imaginative. The terrifying old man, Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi), is delightfully mean-spirited, genuinely frightening me as a kid, and the way the house’s detailed cross-sections reflect parts of the human body is creative, compelling, and very creepy. The tragic story of Constance (Kathleen Turner) is heartbreaking, too. Yet, the film also has a touching story that explains why Nebbercracker is so hateful, and alongside the endearing trio of young characters, we learn about his genuinely sweet and emotional backstory. The dynamic between the children is charming, and they speak and act like children in a way that a lot of modern animated films seem to get wrong, exploring coming-of-age themes and childhood innocence authentically and satisfyingly. Plus, “Ohh…so it’s a girl house” is still one of the most hilarious lines ever. CORALINE (2009) Coraline is easily one of the best horror movies made for children, and although I’ve never understood the claim that it's too scary for young viewers, it is undoubtedly very unsettling and incorporates lots of creepy imagery. I, personally, think Coraline is one of the most effective introductions to scary-ish content for younger viewers without being too challenging due to its use of stop-motion animation, which adds physicality to the more harrowing scenes whilst offering enough distance to prevent it from becoming too scary. Thematically, Coraline speaks to universally relatable childhood experiences, from boredom and curiosity to feeling ignored by emotionally absent parents. Not only this, but the animation is spellbinding, using rich and juxtaposing colour pallets to highlight the differences between the worlds Coraline (Dakota Fanning) finds herself in whilst bringing the strange and inspired characters to life. A HAUNTING IN VENICE (2023) In my opinion, A Haunting in Venice is the best of Kenneth Branagh’s lavish Agatha Christie adaptations. I love its intoxicating gothic horror aesthetic (it’s dark AND you can actually see!) and the clear inspiration Branagh has drawn from the techniques of classic cinema, creating an old-fashioned yet extremely well-crafted and entertaining film. In my review when it was first released, I said “the film is perfect, if tame, viewing for the coming Halloween season: fun, silly, and spooky without ever being scary,” which I completely stand by. The film has a light sense of suspense and tension, with fleeting shadows, eerie fog, and a ghostly atmosphere, but it doesn’t have jump scares or intense horror. Plus, it has an incredible cast that includes Michelle Yeoh and, of course, Kenneth Branagh as his best version of Poirot.

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN: SEASON ONE Starring: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Margarita Levieva, Michael Gandolfini, Genneya Walton, Michael Gaston, Will Fitz, Mark Geller, Nikki M. James, Wilson Bethel, and Jon Bernthal Creator: Dario Scardapane, Matt Corman, and Chris Ord NICK There was apprehension about how violent and gritty Disney could make Daredevil: Born Again but by the conclusion of the first season, any doubts are washed away. This really does feel like a continuation of the beloved Netflix series (with an added MCU tie-in of course) and a return to form for Charlie Cox as a deeply conflicted Matt Murdock in an unraveling Hell’s Kitchen. Although it takes a little bit to fully settle in, by season's end it's clear there are zero limitations being put on showrunner Dario Scardapane and that's a very exciting place to be leading into Season Two. QUENTIN Born Again works well as a continuation of Netflix’s Daredevil and a soft MCU reboot for Daredevil/Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Kingpin/Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio). Thankfully, it maintains its predecessor’s dark, gritty, and violent tone instead of glossing it up to match Daredevil’s appearance in She-Hulk . That said, the series takes a minute to find its footing, and given the creative overhaul that went down mid-production, a few subplots feel Frankensteined together. Plus, this is more Lawyer Murdock’s and Mayor Fisk’s story than Vigilante Daredevil’s and Crime Boss Kingpin’s. Still, it’s very good, and is set up for an even better Season Two. AMARÚ I want to thank the Born Again showrunners for all the reshoots that had to happen to get these versions of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) into the MCU. Both characters are gritty and complicated, and this first season seamlessly blends the Netflix seasons’ tone into the universe on the strength of their shoulders. Focusing on the emotional layers of Murdock and Fisk’s intertwined lives creates such a deeply rich show that it doesn’t even need their better-known monikers to suck you in. So, when their alter egos do emerge, it’s that much more earned. Season Two can’t come soon enough. ROBERT As the MCU TV portfolio has been middling, at best, Born Again was intended to be the savior, and it does admirable work to convey its intentions to be different. While I appreciate the craftsmanship and the commitment to uber violence, I thought it was clearly uneven, and sometimes soulless as its first season played out its nine episodes. Unlike the Netflix iterations, which started its own universe, this feels like a cog in a greater machine. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio do impeccable work, especially together, but a clear vision seemed to be missing overall. Want to hear even more of our thoughts? Amarú and Nick join Matt to take A Bigger Bite out of Daredevil: Born Again: Season One HERE .

Previous Next November 21, 2024 WRITTEN BY: PRESTON As I began to think about my upcoming film-focused feature article, I went through my usual process. I checked the time of release and thought of topical ideas that might coincide in a meaningful way. I also checked with my fellow writers and editors to bounce ideas off them to make sure we are not duplicating efforts and scoured the internet for a potential recipe for success. As it turns out, we are on the cusp of the “Holiday Season,” which usually translates to merely “The Christmas Season.” Thanksgiving is surely implied, but it’s typically relegated to the sometimes tiring, family get-together that acts as the gateway to the more important Christmas, with New Year’s serving as the season’s depressing conclusion. In the metaphorical meal, Thanksgiving is the appetizer, Christmas is the entree, and New Year’s Eve is the dessert before we roll our way home in devastating regret with promises that we will do better for the foreseeable future. What? …I can’t be the only one! In any case, just like we aren’t going to put up Christmas lights until after Thanksgiving (right, neighbor Steve??!), we are also going to give Thanksgiving its proper due. Thankfully (no pun intended), the holiday season also conjures ideas of delicious meals, football, and family traditions surrounding specific food. As you probably already know, I will use any excuse to talk about, dream of, prepare, and eat tasty cuisine (check out my previous foodie article HERE ), so this is simply another way for me to express love for something I’m very thankful for. As for Thanksgiving, this year I suggested to my family that we step away from tradition for more of a multicultural spread. This was met with trepidation and was almost immediately shut down (love you, Mom). So, this year I will be frying another turkey and making all the other normal American fixins, which I do love. In the end, all that really matters is the spirit of the holiday and spending time around family while showing our love through food. However, that doesn’t preclude us from making our own melting pot of a dream Thanksgiving meal right here, and if we are going to make a delicious sundry of dishes, why not get some inspiration from our other great love…movies. So, let’s let go of the more traditional notions of the food requirements and have ourselves a fantastic day of culinary delights. Won’t you join me for a meal of film-featured dishes that are a must-include on our non-traditional, Thanksgiving menu? Let’s Eat! BRUNCH One of the difficulties with Thanksgiving is deciding when to start eating. I feel a constant push-pull emotion of when might be the earliest time to actually dig in while performing a calculus to determine what level of negative judgment I might receive from suggesting such a time. It’s a fine balance that we are going to throw completely out the window in our fantasy world of Thanksgiving bliss. Let’s immediately kick the party off with a breakfast classic: steak and eggs. We will take our inspiration from the best egg sandwich I have ever seen on screen, which comes from chef John Clasky (Adam Sandler) in Spanglish . The film is terrific, if not a little mid, but the egg sandwich is anything but, featuring bacon, lettuce, tomato, melty cheese, and a runny egg. Why not pair it with the medium-rare filet mignon eaten by Cypher (Joe Pantoliano) in The Matrix . His apathetic but hedonistic morals are perfectly aligned with our gluttonous spirit and celebration of food on this particular Thanksgiving Day. LUNCH Chef , starring Jon Favreau as Chef Carl Casper, is among my favorite films for foodies. The movie is essentially soft-core porn for my kind, and we could genuinely produce our entire menu from the meals featured in this movie alone. Instead, we will include only one of the many noshables he prepares: the grilled cheese. Cooked right on the plancha, the ooey-gooey and buttery delight features yellow cheddar, white cheddar, parmesan, and Gruyère cheeses on sourdough bread, providing one of several dream lunch fares. Our second option will be the burger from The Menu . Who knew that such a twisted film could show us one of the most delicious burgers I have ever seen prepared before my eyes. It is the simple and unpretentious joy that it brings to the chef de cuisine, Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), and the lucky recipient, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy), that makes my mouth water despite its relatively basic and straight-forward construct. For our final lunch option, we have Minny Jackson’s fried chicken, as featured in The Help . I’ve spent most of my life in the South, and I can’t imagine not including some southern soul food on our menu. After all, as Minny (Octavia Spencer) says, “frying chicken make you tend to feel better about life.” AFTERNOON SNACK Aspiring sumo wrestlers, competitive eaters, and hyper-grazers need to take it easy every now and then while still requiring eating just a little something. For the awkward portion of the day between lunch and dinner (as if this concept exists on Thanksgiving), we will prepare some lighter options. Ratatouille provides us with some delicious potato & leek soup from Remy’s (Patton Oswalt) and Alfred Linguini’s (Lou Romano) initial push into the professional culinary world that ultimately becomes the inspiration for their menu-to-be, as well as their eventual flagship dish for which the film is named. Second, we will include a little sushi. Perhaps it is the tension felt through the sharing of the meal in Snowpiercer , or the rarity of its serving, but even without starvation as a motivating factor, I still want the delectable sushi prepared for the train’s elite. Finally, I have to include the Taco Bell meal enjoyed by John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) and Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock) in Demolition Man . I am already a massive fan of Taco Bell since it was such a big part of my adolescence, but the bougie, fine-dining version featured in the film would provide the perfect snack option before we get hit with our fantastic supper. In case you were wondering, there is an actual restaurant based on the one our heroes dined in. So, this one doesn’t have to be fantasy, you can actually experience it. It’s still on my bucket list, as long as they don’t stiff me on Fire sauce… DINNER It’s time for the main event. For our pièce de résistance, we are bringing in the show-stopping Il Timpano from Big Night. The film stars Tony Shalhoub and real-life culinarian Stanley Tucci as brothers running an Italian restaurant. Il Timpano — a layered pasta with tomato sauce, roasted vegetables, and cheese covered in a crispy dough — is a sight to see, and I recommend at least watching a clip of it being made (bonus points for just watching the film, to be honest). After cutting a big slice, we are going to smother the carbo-loaded present in the rich, red gravy from Goodfellas . The process of slicing the garlic with a razor blade, as well as just the entire process of making the Italian sauce, made cooking so masculine to me as a child. It fueled my juvenile desire for the pursuit of everything food related. We aren’t stopping there, either. We are adding a little more protein with quail covered in a rich chocolate gravy with roasted asparagus, as seen in Chocolat . The birthday dinner of Judi Dench’s character, Armande Voizin, is beautiful to witness, and it really gets the old salivary glands going. Lastly, we are adding the entire mysterious and colorful spread that we see when Peter Pan (Robin Williams) starts to realize who he truly is in the wonderful film Hook . Bangarang! DESSERT Dessert will be simple. We will get the pulse racing with a light, suspenseful, and “not so terrible” strudel. Just don’t forget to “wait for the crème.” No matter how thrilling the meal we witness in Inglourious Basterds is, there is no denying how amazing the strudel looks. To top it off, we are going to wash it down with the five-dollar milkshake from Pulp Fiction . Now, normally, a vanilla shake is not my go to, but Vincent Vega (John Travolta) just sells it so well. LATE-NIGHT SNACK Sometimes, no matter what we did to ourselves earlier in the day, we still need a little something-something later in the night. I think it has something to do with our aggressive approach to existence and vigorous life essence (or it could be something to do with stomach-stretching proprioceptors). Either way, we need a delicious nightcap to complete our circle of shame. Here we will turn to the night food market delights from Crazy Rich Asians . As I’ve traveled to some of the more remote locations in the world, I have found late-night “street food” is often the best I’ve ever tasted. Soups, bowls of laksa curry, and savory treats on sticks are just the things we need to fill in all the cracks and ensure we have plenty of delicious leftover options for the next week or so. Photo Credits: Photo 1 – Colombia Pictures; Photo 2 – Warner Bros.; Photo 3 – Aldamisa Entertainment; Photo 4 – Searchlight Pictures; Photo 5 – Dreamworks pictures; Photo 6 – Walt Disney Pictures; Photo 7 – Opus Pictures; Photo 8 – Warner Bros.; Photo 9 – Rysher Entertainment; Photo 10 – Warner Bros.; Photo 11 – Miramax; Photo 12 – TriStar Pictures; Photo 13 – Universal Pictures; Photo 14 – Miramax; Photo 15 – Warner Bros.

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL: SEASON ONE Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, Úrsula Corberó, Chukwudi Iwuji, Khalid Abdalla, Lia Williams, Eleanor Matsuura, Sule Rimi, Ben Hall, Jonjo O’Neill, Nick Blood, and Charles Dance Creator: Ronan Bennett QUENTIN The latest in the recent trend of globe-trotting action shows, The Day of the Jackal is the best of the bunch. I admit personal bias in liking anything about assassins (my second favorite subgenre behind heists), but this adaptation and remake has it all. The performances, especially from Eddie Redmayne, drive the inherently suspenseful manhunt and gripping assassination-planning aspects while also providing depth to the private lives of both the hitman (Redmayne) and MI6 agent hunting him (Lashana Lynch). It’s an exciting throwback thriller that might be the best original series on Peacock, and I’m looking forward to the already greenlit second season.

Previous Next The holiday season is here and it's time to dive into those comfort films that give us the warm and fuzzies. So, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Heartwarming Films. 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. ROCKY The Best Picture winner of 1976, Rocky , is a lot of things: uplifting, exciting, funny, and as the list suggests, heartwarming. The main source of comfort for me is the title character himself. In spending time with Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), you get to see the world through his eyes, and his outlook makes me feel optimistic. Plus, every time I revisit the film, it's like catching up with an old friend. The character of Rocky has now been in a total of 8 films, and what endures is his attitude and charm. - JTE 4. FORREST GUMP To me, Forrest Gump is the most heartwarming film to ever grace the silver screen. It presents us with countless life lessons, whether it be appreciating the little things, not taking oneself too seriously, or knowing it’s okay to be an outsider. No matter who you are, you can take away something significant from this film because all of us can empathize and relate to this character through his experiences. It’s also the perfect movie for some soul searching because, at the end of the day, “life is like a box of chocolates…” - Paige 3. FIELD OF DREAMS Sports movies in general tend to be heartwarming, but Field of Dreams even more so than most. Featuring great performances from Kevin Costner and the late Ray Liotta, not to mention the beautiful score by James Horner, this 1989 classic still holds up today. It has even led to the creation of an actual MLB game at Field of Dreams ballpark next to the original location 30+ years later. Now that's a film that has left an impression. Also, that scene where Ray (Costner) gets to play catch with his father (Dwier Brown)? Waterfalls. - Nick 2. SCHOOL OF ROCK School Of Rock …rocks! It’s hard not to find Jack Black’s enthusiasm, as well as his character's infectious commitment to the art of rock & roll and, more importantly, to his students, endearing. The way the kids grow on ol’ Dewey Finn (Black) and how he teaches them to stick it to “The Man” will never fail to warm my heart. - Adriano 1. E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL Few films released in the modern era have a truly multi-generational audience and a legacy that endures past nostalgia, but Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial is one of them. It’s one of the most iconic films ever made, and it still holds up to this day in every way. The effects are great, the story is emotional without being overly saccharine, and it stays with you long after watching it. It’s a heartwarming tale you likely grew up with, and one that will be shared with generations to come. - Joseph HONORABLE MENTIONS WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY PADDINGTON 2 THE PRINCESS BRIDE MRS. DOUBTFIRE A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN Photo Credits: Photo 1 - United Artists; Photo 2, 4 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 3, 5 - Universal Pictures

THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Pollyanna McIntosh, Lesley-Ann Brandt, and Terry O'Quinn Creators: Scott M. Simple, Danai Gurira, and Andrew Lincoln NICK At its core, The Ones Who Live is a story of a man trying to find his way back home with his partner desperate to get him there. Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira make a welcome return as Rick Grimes and Michonne, respectively, with Gurira in particular doing perhaps her best work in the franchise. This series is a love story filled with dramatic moments, great emotional pay-offs, and yes, at times, some trademark The Walking Dead silliness… but although I've been high on the other recent spin-offs, this one just hits differently. Rick Grimes IS The Walking Dead , and this series just reaffirms that.

Previous Next January 23, 2025 WRITTEN BY: NICK AND QUENTIN It's time to talk about posters again (Check out last year's selections HERE ) and some of our favourites from the past year. However, we can't do that without also mentioning the disappointing trend of films simply using a still image slapped with a lazy title graphic. Or the still prominent floating heads aesthetic. But hey, at least we’re getting less of the blue and orange colour pairing... Movie posters can become iconic works of art and, oftentimes, just as memorable as the film they're promoting. It's part of the charm of the overall cinema-going experience and something we can't afford to lose. Thankfully, Nick and Quentin have come to show you that the art of the movie poster is not dead. With that in mind, what posters best elicited a curiosity in the movies they were advertising? What posters best encapsulated what their movies were about? What posters might be hanging on someone’s wall in 20 years? What posters are just damn cool to look at? To be clear, we are only talking about the quality of the poster, not the quality of the movie it represents. So, as such, we aren’t going to bore you with a write up about why we love and appreciate each poster. Just appreciate the art as we let the posters speak for themselves, just like the artists who created them intended. Also, as with last year, we are only listing official marketing materials. So, which one is your favourite?

3 BODY PROBLEM: SEASON ONE Starring: Jess Hong, Benedict Wong, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Alex Sharp, Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Zine Tseng, Rosalind Chao, Jonathan Pryce, Sea Shimooka, and Marlo Kelly Creators: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo QUENTIN Though certainly not without its flaws, 3 Body Problem is one of the better sci-fi series I’ve seen in some time. Let’s be honest, when you’re making ambitious and heady sci-fi that still needs to be accessible for regular (read: non-nerd) viewers, flaws are to be expected, but the ones found here are minor quibbles. Sure, some of the characters seem unnecessary (for now), and some melodramatic subplots just aren’t that interesting, but the core story of scientific problem solving to avert [spoiler redacted]…while also adeptly addressing themes of faith, science, religion, and humanity…kept me thoroughly engaged. I’m eager to see where Season Two goes. PAIGE Although 3 Body Problem sets itself apart from other sci-fi stories by emphasizing complex problem solving, this spectacle falls short in the most crucial area of the narrative — its characters. It struggles to strike a balance between its larger-than-life concepts and the characters with whom we are stuck going through this journey, with a few of the character-driven plots seemingly unrelated to the main themes of the show. Despite my enjoyment of the first half of the season, the latter half is more like set-up for what is to come next rather than an overall satisfying first season.

MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR: SEASON TWO Starring: Diamond White, Fred Tatasciore, Alfre Woodard, Libe Barer, Jermaine Fowler, Gary Anthony Williams, Sasheer Zamata, and Laurence Fishburne Creators: Jeffrey M. Howard, Kate Kondell, and Steve Loter AMARÚ I cannot express enough the excellence that is Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur . This show epitomizes why Guillermo del Toro champions animation while also proving that children’s programming can truly be age-proof. It’s vibrant, hilarious, and heartfelt, covering themes ranging from peer pressure to PTSD, and is bolstered by a brilliant voice-cast and a cavalcade of A-list guest stars deserving of such rich visual and musical storytelling. Dipping into action, comedy, coming-of-age, and even horror elements, Moon Girl’s second season is more than just a children’s cartoon. It’s the show you wish you had growing up, yet it still teaches life lessons today. No notes.

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.