ATLANTA: SEASON THREE Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz Creator: Donald Glover AMARÚ Bruh, Atlanta is wild. The turns from absurd to thought-provoking to gut-busting to insightful will leave you in awe, especially when such genius can often happen before the episodes’ title credits. Each of the show’s main quartet (Donald Glover, Zazie Beetz, Brian Tyree Henry, and LaKeith Stanfield) is so different, yet they somehow mesh so incredibly well together that they make a beautifully chaotic puzzle of creativity. To say they’re in their bag is an absolute understatement. Season Three takes the brilliance of the previous seasons and elevates every aspect to new heights. P.S. THERE ARE ALSO BRILLIANT SHOWS WITHIN THE SHOW. JUST. GO. WATCH!!! QUENTIN With seemingly no desire to rest on its laurels, Atlanta reinvents itself in its third season. It’s as hilarious, incisive, and surreal as ever, but instead of focusing on the main characters’ hood struggles, Atlanta becomes a quasi-anthology series that mixes episodes about the now successful Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) navigating Europe with completely unrelated non-sequitur short films. Despite lacking a season-long storyline, each engrossing episode ranges from great to flat-out brilliant. My only real complaint is that the season wasn’t longer. It continues to be one of the best shows on television, and I’ll be sad to see it end next season. PAIGE You can take the gang out of Atlanta, but you can’t take the Atlanta out of the gang. After a long hiatus, we journey off to Europe for a weird, wild ride with Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) and his crew, as well as experience some one-off stories along the way. Despite the unique swings this season takes, the show delivers its richest storytelling about black America in the episodes not centered on the main cast, yet, at the same time, I wish we had been able to spend more time with the central characters after such a long time away from them. ADRIANO Atlanta is, without question, one of my all-time favorite shows, which is why I’m a little conflicted on this season. On one hand, the humour and surrealness are back in full swing, and its use of comedy to tackle important issues is brilliant. But on the other hand, the season's decision to sideline its main cast in exchange for Jordan Peele-esque short stories under the Atlanta umbrella, four of which didn’t have the main cast at all, was a little disappointing. It’s not that those episodes are bad, but I wanted to see more of the great central characters after waiting four years.

OBI-WAN KENOBI Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, James Earl Jones, Vivien Lyra Blair, Moses Ingram, Rupert Friend, Indira Varma, Kumail Nanjiani, Joel Edgerton, and O’Shea Jackson Jr. NICK Disney's Star Wars has a habit of going in too many directions, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is no different. The side stories have varying levels of success, but we’re here for the Obi-Wan Kenobi/Darth Vader showdown. Thankfully, they deliver on that tenfold. Ewan McGregor steps back into Kenobi’s robes like time stood still, telling the understated, tragic story of his character, while Vader (voiced by a rejuvenated James Earl Jones) is even more brutal and menacing here than in Rogue One . The series provides some of the darkest moments in Star Wars history, and that finale? One of the best scenes of the Disney era. PAIGE This may not be the Obi-Wan Kenobi series some viewers were looking for, but Ewan McGregor excels at bringing back the iconic Jedi master. It manages to harness nostalgia for the prequels and the original trilogy, even if it’s not the best Star Wars series. But I must say, The Force was not strong with the writing team. The series is at its best when it focuses on Kenobi (McGregor) and Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen, James Earl Jones), but overall, it felt drawn out. It all comes together in satisfyingly in the end, but it would have worked better as a film. QUENTIN Here’s the thing about Obi-Wan Kenobi : if you’re a diehard Star Wars fan whose objectivity is clouded by The Force and nostalgia, you’ll love this series (I say that without judgment. I get it, just ask Nic Cage). However, for the rest of us, this series is wholly unnecessary. You don’t gain a greater understanding of Obi-Wan and the story has absolutely zero stakes. On top of that, the acting is mediocre, and the dialogue is worse. And I’m sorry, but Young Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) is super annoying. Admittedly, there is some all-time great Star Wars imagery to be found, so there is that. AMARÚ Barring silly contrivances (really, a branch?), Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the best pieces of Star Wars content since Rogue One . Ewan McGregor is at his best here, especially when alongside other beloved characters. Vivien Lyra Blair channels Carrie Fisher’s passionate fervor as young Leia, and Hayden Christensen delivers a redemptive performance, combining Vader’s savagery with Anakin’s impetuousness to confirm his GOAT villain status. The show flourishes in these interactions, whether during Leia’s poignant conversations or Vader’s intense action sequences, allowing McGregor to bring more depth to Obi-Wan. This is the Star Wars that every trilogy generation fell in love with.

Previous Next September 7, 2022 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW With The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the D23 Expo, taking place this weekend, there has been a lot of speculation that Marvel Studios will finally announce the cast for the MCU's highly anticipated Fantastic Four film (releasing Nov. 8, 2024). Before that happens, we decided to have each writer Fantasy Cast their own Fantastic Four. The only rule was that the actors chosen couldn’t have been in any previous MCU films. Let’s see if any our picks make the final cut this weekend! William Jackson Harper - Reed Richards Lily James - Sue Storm Glenn Powell - Johnny Storm Alan Ritchson - Ben Grimm We have now been through three movies and two iterations of the Fantastic Four since 2005, and while some stars have emerged from these at-the-time up-and-coming actors (Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller), we have yet to get a cohesive group that allows the story to build momentum off of their dynamic. So, when making my fan cast, I not only wanted to have actors who truly fit their roles (I mean, Alan Ritchson’s depiction of Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is basically The Thing), but I also wanted it to feel like these characters really KNEW each other and encapsulated their relationships. Johnny and Ben really need to piss each other off. Sue and Reed should pull Paula Abdul-levels of opposites attract. Ben should be a permanent fixture at Reed’s back. Sue has to put Johnny in his place. These four actors seem perfect for their individual roles but can also make their costars' lights shine brighter. That’s what the MCU’s Fantastic Four needs to be, a sum that is greater than their fantastic individual parts. - Amarú Dev Patel - Reed Richards Britt Lower - Sue Storm Mike Faist - Johnny Storm Bill Skarsgård - Ben Grimm Without much in the way of comic knowledge or background, the team I have assembled for the rebirth of the Fantastic Four comes not from wish fulfilment or in-depth personal passions, but from my own experiences as a movie lover and critic for the past ten years. In my eyes, one can always cast these roles as part of a singular project, but all MCU fans know by now that Kevin Feige likes to keep these guys around for a long time. To that end, these selections are not merely reflective of or inspired by where each actor has been, but where they have the potential to go. We’ll almost surely be with these actors for the long haul, so whether the team is youthful or aged, growth is of the essence. And I truly believe that the group of actors I’ve selected will not only grow as performers by embodying these characters, but also grow closer as a team through this journey. - Jacob Penn Badgley - Reed Richards Alicia Vikander - Sue Storm Dacre Montgomery - Johnny Storm O’Shea Jackson Jr. - Ben Grimm The MCU is set to deliver one of its biggest tentpole films to date with Marvel's First Family, Fantastic Four , in 2024. With rumors swirling and speculations popping up everywhere over the past few years, including my choice of Penn Badgley as Mr. Fantastic, we all need to put into perspective who would actually be the perfect fit for this team. Let’s be honest, this isn't the first time that a movie has been made with these characters where the casting looked good on paper, but we need choices that will solidify this iconic team. While not being a superhero guru, I do believe my choices score a Perfect 10 at bringing a certain nuance and classic feel to the big screen. Ultimately, the final decision will come from Kevin Feige, but I feel that he has earned our trust thus far. That said, Mr. Feige, if you ever need another casting director, call me because, damn, my choices are smoking hot. - Paige Henry Cavill - Reed Richards Kristen Bell - Sue Storm John Boyega - Johnny Storm Pablo Schrieber - Ben Grimm I didn’t grow up a big comic guy, so, for better or worse, my Fantastic Four has largely been the Ioan Gruffudd-led team. That said, I expect Kevin Feige to reinvent and increase the importance of the MCU's edition. With the two leaders of the previous phases (Iron Man and Captain America) now departed, the stage is set for Reed Richards to step into that role and be a focal point moving forward. Over 29 films, the MCU has done its fair share of big-name casting (some great actors were lost to early and less significant roles), and they need to nail it with Reed in both scale and performance. This team is made to be a team. I think the chemistry between the four could be off the charts, finally giving the Fantastic Four the movie they deserve. - Nick Justin Theroux - Reed Richards Samara Weaving - Sue Storm Taron Egerton - Johnny Storm Ben Foster - Ben Grimm When it comes to dream casting, I’m always looking for actors who capture the complete essence of the characters being discussed. So, for Marvel’s First Family, that means using more than just Tim Story’s two mediocre movies from the early 2000s and Josh Trank’s 2015 disaster as reference points. I’m taking the comics, cartoons, movies, video games, action figures, and all that lore into account. Also, while I’m not opposed to race-swapping, my very simple brain will almost always cast people that look like the characters I’ve grown up with for 40 years, which is why I have the only all-white cast. Get mad at me for not embracing diversity if you want to, but it’s hard to argue with the team I came up with. - Quentin Darren Criss - Reed Richards Simone Ashley - Sue Storm Avan Jogia - Johnny Storm Gus Kenworthy - Ben Grimm I hoped to achieve something a little different with my list. Truth be told, the Fantastic Four has never interested me much, so I think the most exciting thing to do would be casting relative unknowns in hopes of making them household names while giving Marvel’s First Family a modern update. Considering their previous iterations, my primary concern was Sue and Johnny Storm. Sue has been woefully underused, while Chris Evans’ portrayal as Johnny still remains memorable. Because of that, I felt actors who were able to stand on their own and bring a different energy needed to be cast in those parts. The same goes for Reed Richards and Ben Grimm, but because I find both them both deeply uninteresting. This is why I think the MCU needs to swing for the fences to bring a young, unique, and diverse cast to shake things up. - Joseph Jamie Dornan - Reed Richards Evan Rachel Wood - Sue Storm LaKeith Stanfield - Johnny Storm Trevante Rhoades - Ben Grimm Past iterations of the Fantastic Four have been, how you say, not ideal. So, when assembling my dream team, I wanted to retain the good qualities of the early 2000s cast and nothing from Fant4stic . Some actors I chose because of their physical similarities, on top of just thinking that they would be a great fit. I also wanted to mix in potentially interesting interpretations, which made this exercise a lot more fun. Most importantly, when I put together this team, I wanted it to be actors that I can actually see in the role. I could have easily thought “Oh, I love Anya Taylor-Joy, so she should be Sue Storm,” but she just doesn’t feel right for the character. These are all actors I love but also can realistically see them in the role, wearing the iconic blue uniforms and nailing it. - Adriano

Previous Next April 10, 2024 WRITTEN BY: KATIE In September of last year, Netflix posted their final DVDs to customers as their mail-based service came to an end. With just under one million people estimated to still be subscribed to the DVD mail service, it wasn't losing money as much as it simply was not making enough. Marc Randolph, Netflix’s co-founder and former CEO, commented that they “knew DVDs would go away” and the move was a “transitory step” for the company. Netflix’s DVD service offered films that are either very hard to find physical copies of or are completely unavailable via streaming, and a lot of people were left disappointed. This service was never available in the UK, but our most closely related version of the service, Lovefilm, was discontinued far earlier in 2017 after Amazon announced a decreased demand for discs as many customers turned to streaming services. Its closure also left many users disgruntled. Whilst I rarely watch films that are only accessible on DVD, I’ve noticed some surprising films are unavailable for me to stream in the UK, such as Eraserhead (1977) and Near Dark (1987). What’s more, I learned recently that 28 Days Later (2002) is, for the time being, unavailable to watch on any streaming platforms after the ownership rights for the independently financed film were passed from Disney to Sony. After an intense bidding war, Sony won the rights to a two-part sequel of the original film, and it disappeared from streaming services for legal reasons. Although Sony likely will re-issue a digital copy of the film at some point, the whole scenario got me thinking about how difficult it is becoming to easily access physical copies of certain films, particularly classic or older films. I find it disconcerting that, as it becomes harder to find affordable DVDs, access to films is increasingly dependent on companies who care more about profits and bonuses. Whilst I see the value in streaming services and digital content - it is convenient, easy, and offers nothing if not choice - I do not believe it should restrict access to or replace physical media. Although Blu-ray and DVD sales have decreased, it doesn’t mean millions of people aren't still buying physical media. If anything, I am anticipating a resurgence in the popularity and appreciation of physical media, as people come to understand the issues associated with relying on streaming services. Cards on the table, I love physical media, so this may not be the most balanced account. I don’t own hundreds of DVDs or anything, but I do invest now and again in a Blu-ray or an extended edition of a film I love, or hint, quite unsubtly, that they would make great gifts on birthdays or Christmas. I enjoy having access to my favourite films without googling where to find them or worrying about quality that's dependent on my Wi-Fi, not to mention the artistic value of additional content and bonus features. I also like the idea of my money benefiting the filmmakers in a fairer, more effective way than streaming allows for. As such, I would like to advocate for the many positive aspects of buying, renting, and generally ensuring wide access to physical media, especially in comparison to a future dominated by streaming services, and highlight the reasons why it is important to preserve. PHYSICAL MEDIA ENSURES YOU TRULY OWN A FILM If you purchase a film digitally, you only own the right to stream it via that streaming service for as long as they retain the distribution rights to said film. Whilst streaming services promise that you can watch whatever you want, whenever and wherever you want, a film that you have bought at full price can be removed from your possession due to loss of rights and other negotiations. What’s more, streamers like Netflix and Disney+ routinely remove their content without warning. This means that not only could you lose access to your favourite films and TV shows without knowing, but you’ll have to pay an additional subscription if you want to watch them on the streaming service where they’re available. Paying for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+, etc. in order to access all the films and TV you want to watch is simply unaffordable. Additionally, streaming services have been known to edit or censor content, so streaming-exclusive content can be changed, leaving no record of its original cut. There have already been many instances of streamers editing potentially offensive jokes out of sitcoms or making those episodes unavailable. So, physical media is a way to ensure you have an unchangeable version of that content. IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS BETTER Streaming is reliant on the quality of your internet access. I personally always have issues when streaming, finding that dark colours are always pixelated, fading colours don’t render properly, and varying Wi-Fi speeds impact the sound, which is of poorer quality regardless. Even though some streaming services support 4K or HDR, you need high-quality, very consistent internet, not to mention zero bandwidth limitations, to get the best results. Even then, it's not perfect. However, DVDs and Blu-rays reflect how the film was intended to look, with a lot of effort going into their high-quality production. Of course, physical media deteriorates over time, but when well looked after this won't happen for many, many years. CONTENT VS. CURATION This is incredibly subjective, but I believe that going out of your way to find a film specifically after you made note of it from a positive review, or because it was recommended to you, is a rewarding experience. It’s personal. On the other hand, navigating streaming services feels like social media, with everything compartmentalised into inpersonal categories or being recommended by an unknowable algorithm. In my view, this way of consuming film and TV is one of the biggest contributors to the view that everything is “content,” and it hurts the visibility of smaller productions that can fade into the vast digital libraries. Not only this, but again, streaming-exclusive films can be deleted from these platforms, quietly removed and their existence lost to audiences without a physical copy. However, with physical media, those films or TV shows would have a place to be discovered and re-discovered. PHYSICAL MEDIA SUPPORTS FILMMAKERS Before the prevalence of streaming services, physical media generated huge revenue and was more effective in supporting filmmakers in the long-term. Now, the profitability of a film on streaming is heavily reliant on being successful in the first few days of release, or it risks being lost in the shuffle of options without the promise of the revenue of physical sales. Recently, Matt Damon in his appearance on Hot Ones spoke on the issue, commenting “DVD was a huge part of our business” and “the movies that we used to make, you could afford to not make all of your money when it played in the theatre because you knew you had the DVD coming behind the release.” He believes a lack of physical media has “changed the type of movies we could make,” which is hard to deny when looking at the type and quality of films that dominate most streaming services. This sentiment also has been reflected by others in the industry, especially Christopher Nolan, who similarly has spoken on the fleeting nature of films on streaming services, which especially negatively impacts “filmmakers who want their films to have a life beyond…whatever their initial release is.” This speaks to the issue of viewing film and TV as disposable content, resulting in a contemporary cinematic landscape that is risk-averse and lacking in the theatrical release of mid-budget films, mostly notably romantic comedies and dramas, and films that aren't associated with IP or a franchise. Relying on popular IP and foregoing the extra costs associated with a theatrical release is generally safer for studios, and since more content means more money, there is an abundance of very average film and TV. In my view, there is an obvious difference between the quality of theatrical releases vs streaming-only releases, and watching a film in the cinema will always be superior to home viewing. It’s a shame to withhold the opportunity to experience a film in the most immersive way possible, or decide that some films are undeserving of a theatrical release. I, personally, will continue to invest in physical media, for all the reasons stated above, as well as the sentimental value that my small collection holds for me. Whilst I do not dislike or discourage streaming services, I believe it's important to preserve physical media in an increasingly digital world and an industry that's driven by prioritising profits over art. Photo Credits: Photo 1 - CNN; Photo 2, 4 - A24; Photo 3 - USA Today

MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN: SEASON TWO Starring: Jeremy Renner, Dianne Wiest, Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley, Nishi Munshi, and Aidan Gillen Creators: Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon QUENTIN In typical Taylor Sheridan fashion, Mayor of Kingstown has one great storyline and three unnecessary ones. The A-plot, about rival gang leaders trying to re-establish order in an uneasy alliance with police, is very compelling, especially with the dynamic between Mike and Crip leader Bunny (Jeremy Renner and Tobi Bamtefa, respectively) carrying the series through its best moments. However, the three severely underwritten subplots about Mike’s mom (Dianne Wiest), a fugitive crime lord (Aidan Gillen), and a hooker-in-distress (Emma Laird) are distracting filler that bogs everything down. If this show returns…a big IF given Renner’s injuries…it needs a much tighter focus to take the next step.

MAN ON FIRE: SEASON ONE Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Billie Boullet, Billy Blanco Jr., Alice Braga, Bobby Cannavale, Scoot McNairy, and Iago Xavier Creator: Kyle Killen AMARÚ You know, Netflix should really learn to trust its audience, because the only thing saving Man On Fire ’s probably-network-mandated, pedestrian and repetitive storytelling from sinking an otherwise solid show is Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s excellent performance. His deep melancholy mixed with sheer determination has shades of the bad-ass that was Denzel Washington in the 2004 movie, but his subtlety and underlying rage differentiates him enough to make it his own. This, plus a breakout role from Brazilian actor Iago Xavier, carries the strong action and interesting enough story beats to make up for the uninspiring execution.

Previous Next It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air, so we decided to drop our newest list a day early. The Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Rom-Coms. 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. COMING TO AMERICA “YES! F*** YOU TOO!” might be my favorite line delivery in any romantic comedy ever (tied with some lines from our #1). As funny as it is though, people often forget the romance storyline that is at the heart of Coming to America . It holds its own amongst the top-notch jokes while making the film an automatic “oh, hell yea” once you realize it qualifies for this category. So… OH, HELL YEA!!! THAT MOVIE GOOD!!! - Amarú 4. CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE Even putting my man-crush on Baby Goose aside, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a hilarious and honest look at romance from two perspectives: the young player who may have found “The One” and the heartbroken, middle-aged guy who never expected to be single again. Truth be told, I’ve been some version of both characters at different points in my life, and the situations, dialogue, and dynamic between Ryan Gosling and Steven Carell are so genuine and relatable that this movie just resonates with me on multiple levels. - Quentin 3. YOU'VE GOT MAIL This may be the lesser known of the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan rom-coms, but it's always been my favourite. Everything from the juxtaposition of the online relationship versus the personal one and the way both evolve to the undeniable chemistry these two actors share, it's a joy watching them push each other's buttons (all the while being in on the secret the characters aren't privy to). You can't help but root for them to get together, and that’s exactly what the best rom-coms set out to do. - Nick 2. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... As of this moment, there is no film in existence that more appropriately fits the definition of “rom-com” than When Harry Met Sally . When it comes to the gold standards of the rom-com formula, or the kinds of characters rom-coms typically possess, this movie stands above all others as the prototypical example…and for good reason. It’s funny, it’s romantic, and most importantly, it gave us the eternally iconic Meg Ryan diner scene. - Jacob 1. THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN With a premise as simple as a man in his middle years who has yet to experience sex, The 40-Year-Old Virgin could've been just another in a list of forgettable, sophomoric comedies. Instead, the movie takes a gentle approach to a topic that can be sensitive to those who relate, due largely to its stellar cast of Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and more. With a combination of strong performances from the lead actors and solid turns from the supporting players, even in bit roles, the film is cemented as one of the recent comedy classics, romantic or otherwise. - Darryl HONORABLE MENTIONS GROUNDHOG DAY 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU THE WEDDING SINGER MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 50 FIRST DATES Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2, 3 - Warner Bros; Photo 4 - Columbia Pictures; Photo 5 - Universal Pictures

THE LAST OF US: SEASON TWO Starring: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, and Kaitlyn Dever Creators: Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin ADRIANO The Last of Us will always have a shadow over it from the excellent games it adapts from. Like the first season, this sophomore offering is at its best when it branches out from the source material, not just with its horror, but the characters that the showrunners clearly care about. Unfortunately, this season's ripped-from-the-game moments feel too much like cheap imitations that (not always, but often) lessen the impact. Plus, the decision to end it where it does is a little confusing to me. This season is still quite good, but it is a very clear downgrade. KATIE I don’t know if it's because I haven't played the games or because Season One was so good, but this season of The Last of Us was disappointing. Ellie has undergone some kind of age regression, acting petulant and immature compared to her younger self from the first season, reflected in the writing and not Bella Ramsey’s performance. The hair and makeup disrupt the immersion too, as everyone looks so good, and apart from a couple of episodes, the characters don’t behave as if they’re living amid a zombie apocalypse. There are some fantastic set pieces, but I was underwhelmed, overall. AMARÚ The Last Of Us' s second season confirmed what was already established at the end of Season One: it’s one of the best shows on television, it’s one of the best video-game adaptations ever, and it’s one of the best shows to balance multiple genres, from zombie to dystopian to character study. What I was not expecting to find out this season was how damn great of an actress Isabela Merced is proving herself to be. Her charisma steals every second of screen time, with an absolute magnetism that outshines Bella Ramsey's and Pedro Pascal’s powerhouse performances. Well fucking done, Ms. Dora the Explorer. ROBERT After finishing Season Two of The Last of Us , I realized it was a season of swings: some that connected while others whiffed entirely. Those swings were both from stringently following the source material and straying from it for creative purposes. When the plot diverges for story reasons, it feels hollow; when done for building emotional tension, it’s mostly successful, leaving me shaken. I do not believe all the storytelling devices from the game are translatable to the show, which makes the finale especially jarring. That will likely carry over to Season Three, so I remain cautious about the present and future. QUENTIN In my review of Season One, I called The Last of Us a “good show” but a “retread” of The Walking Dead . Season Two has doubled down to diminished returns. It doesn’t help that so much of this season is undercooked, which is especially noticeable through disjointed time jumps, revelations, and pacing. The conflict between WLF, FEDRA, and the Scars — the backdrop of everything — is confusing, lessening any impact we are supposed to gain from Ellie and Dina’s (Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced) journey. There are some great scenes and performances, but for this person unfamiliar with the game, Us just isn’t that “good” anymore. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

QUIET ON SET: THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS TV Starring: Drake Bell, Giovonnie Samuels, Bryan Hearne, Alexa Nikolas, Kyle Sullivan, and Soledad O'Brien Creators: Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz KATIE Quiet on Set is a damning and heartbreaking documentary that examines the dark side of creating Nickelodeon’s most popular hit shows, particularly Dan Schneider’s reign as the TV studio’s most successful and influential showrunner. It’s a difficult but eye-opening watch, presenting a comprehensive account of the exploitation, rampant misogyny, flagrant breach of child labour laws, and terrible abuse of all kinds that occurred on a regular basis. At the same time, It’s important that these former child stars have a platform to share their experiences, and it will undoubtedly have an impact on the safety and well-being of young actors going forward. NICK When compared to the EXCELLENT We Need to Talk About Cosby , Quiet on Set isn’t as well done. However, it does expose what went on behind the scenes at Nickelodeon and the actions of Dan Schneider. As a kid who grew up watching these shows, it’s crazy how much went over my head, and this series brings that to light. The big knock comes from missing some of the big names you’d want to hear from, which hurts a lot of the content not surrounding Drake Bell's story, a horrifying story in its own right.

JACK RYAN: SEASON THREE Starring: John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Betty Gabriel, James Cosmo, Peter Guinness, Nina Hoss, and Alexej Manvelov Creators: Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland QUENTIN I think Jack Ryan ’s third season might be the series’ best and most action-packed season yet. That said, I honestly don’t remember anything about the first two seasons, so maybe take those statements with a grain of salt. In all likelihood, this season will ultimately prove just as forgettable, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an engaging enough espionage show for the short time I spent with it. I also appreciated the small nods to Jack Ryan’s movie adventures, including The Sum of All Fears and The Hunt for Red October . I might as well stick around for the fourth and final season.

THE RECRUIT: SEASON ONE Starring: Noah Centineo, Laura Haddock, Aarti Mann, Fivel Stewart, Daniel Quincy Annoh, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Colton Dunn, Kristian Bruun, and Kaylah Zander Creator: Alexi Hawley QUENTIN Netflix’s The Recruit , which, sadly, is not based on the 2003 movie starring Colin Farrell and Al Pacino, is nothing special, but it has enough goofy charm to keep you clicking the “next episode” button. Noah Centineo’s easy-going affability makes him easy to root for even as he fails upward in increasingly absurd situations (people who work in DC will find it laughably ridiculous). Overall, it’s like a light-hearted Jack Ryan for twentysomethings, and is a show that I will probably return to next season (it ends on an intriguing cliffhanger). That said, I wouldn’t miss it if it ends up getting canceled either.

PRIMO Starring: Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Christina Vidal, Carlos Santos, Henri Esteve, Johnny Rey Diaz, Jonathan Medina, and Efrain Villa Creator: Shea Serrano AMARÚ If you follow Shea Serrano on Twitter or have read any of his “(And Other Things)” books, then you know his writing makes you feel like part of the family. With a combination of family wholesomeness (and crudeness), pop-culture savvy, and nerdy geekdom, he has created a giant ball of feel-good foolishness with Primo . Its perfect blend of comedy and coming-of-age storylines will resonate with anyone who has ever had to grow up, ever. Watch one scene with Rafa (Ignacio Diaz-Silverio), his mom (Christina Vidal), and his swarm of uncles (Carlos Santos, Henri Esteve, Johnny Rey Diaz, Jonathan Medina, Efrain Villa), and you’ll want to be family forever.