HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART II Starring: Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, and Mel Brooks Creator: Mel Brooks QUENTIN I haven’t seen Mel Brooks’ History of the World: Part I in maybe 25 years, and while I remember finding it funny, I admit that I was a fairly non-discerning teenager. However, to the discerning adult that I have become, Part II is aggressively unfunny, which is wild given the A-listers that show up. Like any anthology, it can be hit and miss, but even the relative “hits” (a generous term) barely elicit a chuckle, not to mention the skits are oddly repetitive. It’s easy to see why Hulu quietly dumped all eight episodes of this poor man’s Saturday Night Live over four consecutive weekdays. NICK You know that face you make when you give a matter-of-fact smirk, as if to say “ah, I got that reference”? That’s about the best reaction History of the World: Part II got out of me, and it didn’t come frequently. The idea for many of these skits is clever, but that initial cleverness seldom translates into laughs. I'd question whether maybe this just wasn’t for me, but I grew up a fan of shows like Mad TV , and this is barely even a comparison. In fact, this falls much closer to the brutally unfunny Mad TV revival from 2016. ADRIANO As a massive fan of Mel Brooks and History Of The World: Part I , my hype was through the roof when I found out about History Of The World: Part II , and it did not disappoint… for the most part. When it attempts modern references, it falls a little flat, and the meta humor ranges from really funny to a little too on the nose. Still, the vast majority of the series is exactly what I wanted: a bunch of hilariously silly history lessons with a funny cast of characters and cameos. It’s a hard show not to be delighted by. PAIGE While it took over 40 years to receive a follow-up to History of the World: Part I , I’m here to report that this over-the-top sequel is a mixed bag. Fans of Mel Brooks and the movie will definitely have some chuckles here and there, but even with a stacked cast of comedians, History of the World: Part II falls flat due to its bad dad jokes and feeling tedious AF. The only thing this series has going for it besides its fun cameos is its runtime. The 30-minute sketches only work as well as they do because they feel like they are designed as SNL meets Drunk History skits.

Previous Next December 27, 2023 WRITTEN BY: AMARÚ This time of year is one that all school teachers simultaneously dread and love. We dread those last few exhausting days before winter break; standing in class, yelling at children, multiple mental countdowns ticking closer and closer to freedom, Christmas, the New Year, and my birthday (I take Cash App gifts if you’re wondering). And we love what those countdowns lead to: sleeping in, peace and quiet, and real adult interaction. For me, winter break often entails as much movie watching as possible. But no matter how much I try to avoid the classroom on my days off, I can’t help but think about it in some capacity, especially when I watch films with fictional counterparts doing my actual full-time job. Some of these films I initially experienced as a child, and some were first time watches after I began teaching, and, boy, I can tell you that being on the other side of the desk has changed the way I watch these cinematic educators. I’m constantly pointing at the screen, either smiling at something that is all too familiar, or yelling “BULLSHIT” at things that would never, EVER happen, which got me thinking. How realistic are these movie teachers, really? With that in mind, I decided to take my classroom expertise to rate the accuracy of five of my favorite educators throughout film history. This is by no means a ranking. I’m just trying to shed a little light on whether those influential speeches from some of your favorite movie teachers might actually happen in real life. Side note: if the educator is based on a real-life person, you won’t find them on this list. So, I won’t be speaking on the chain-locking Coach Carter or Joe Clark (Lean on Me ), nor the inspirational Jaime Escalante (Stand and Deliver ) or LouAnne Johnson (Dangerous Minds ). But fake teachers are fair game. First up… NAME: MISS JENNIFER HONEY (EMBETH DAVITZ) MOVIE: MATILDA GRADE LEVEL: FIRST GRADE TEACHER ACCURACY: 50% Now, as much as I’d like to believe that teachers are magic, that, of course, is the biggest knock against the enchanting first grade teacher, Jennifer Honey. On one hand, she has a “deep, dark secret” that she doesn’t let affect her teaching practice. That’s just about every single teacher I know, leaving a completely different lifestyle at the door every morning when they walk into the school. On the other hand, if real-life teachers had magical powers, they would use them every chance they could to get kids to stay in their seat, catch flying objects in mid-air, and maybe, just maybe, cause a tiny slip or tumble of the troublemakers when their fourth redirection of the class period has made no difference. That’s probably why Ms. Honey has such a slight, whispering demeanor in class, and why all her first graders are quietly waiting on her every single word: her students KNOW. BETTER… All jokes aside, elementary school teachers are angels walking amongst us, and the non-magical half of Ms. Honey is a damn accurate representation of the best of them, except, based on what side of town she’s teaching, she would not be able to tell an adult that “maybe [they] shouldn’t be a parent,” no matter how well intentioned. But then again, maybe she could… MAGIC. POWERS. NAME: DETECTIVE JOHN KIMBLE (ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER) MOVIE: KINDERGARTEN COP GRADE LEVEL: C’MON SON… IT’S IN THE MOVIE TITLE ACCURACY: 1000% The apprehensive looks, the nervous breathing while listening to kids say the darndest things, the “SHUUUUUUUUUT UUUUUUUUUPPP!!!”… everything about substitute kindergarten teacher/undercover police detective John Kimble is accurate. All the way, totally truthful, one thousand percent accurate. When you walk into a classroom filled with energy-ridden five-year-olds thinking that you have everything under control, when, in fact, you have absolutely no idea what’s coming, all hell will indeed break loose. One day in an unkempt kindergarten class would make the best of us run away, yell at the top of our lungs, then subsequently lie down exclaiming “they’re horrible” to anyone who will listen. This is the movie I’d show to all those people that want to say something bad about the teaching profession. Spend one day in our shoes, and you’ll see just how hard it actually is. Still, if you care, you bring your true self, and you actually prepare, you’ll learn to love the little brats. Not me, though… again, elementary school teachers are angels. I’ll stick to my middle school devils. NAME: DEWEY FINN (JACK BLACK) MOVIE: SCHOOL OF ROCK GRADE LEVEL: FIFTH GRADE ACCURACY: 15% This man would have been fired in 2.5 seconds. I know there’s a teacher shortage, but you’re forgetting two important words when it comes to that: public school. Dewey Finn was substituting in a fifth-grade prep school class that cost $15,000 a year to attend. There is no way he’s getting away with a tenth of what he tried to pull off. First of all, the principal would have walked him right back out the door once he mentioned giving kids “a little smack” or leaving early because he had “stuff to do.” Secondly, telling a kid to shut up, sleeping in front of kids who want to learn, and then teaching them about “the man” would have gotten him tattled on real quick. I’ve never taught at an actual prep school, but I’ve taught similar demographics, and I got sent to the principal’s office the second I said the smallest off-color comment trying to be funny (don’t ask). Kids will tell on you quickly, and Dewey Finn would have gotten 15 parent complaints to the school about his “lessons” before he could even get a chance to become the awesome mentor he eventually became to those musical munchkins. That’s the only reason he isn’t at 0%. Real-life music teachers around the world really are that cool, and all good teachers can steer a child’s life towards greatness just like he did. Dewey Finn may not be an accurate representation of teaching, but he is an accurate representation of awesomeness. NAME: JOHN KEATING (ROBIN WILLIAMS) MOVIE: DEAD POETS SOCIETY GRADE LEVEL: HIGH SCHOOL ACCURACY: 95% Speaking of awesomeness, allow me to re-introduce the masterful John “O Captain, My Captain” Keating. Think back to that one teacher that changed your being, riveted you with their lessons, made you laugh out loud, and had you ready to run through walls. If you had that luxury, then you knew a John Keating. He is what Dewey Finn would be if Finn lesson planned…or prepared…or just knew what the hell he was doing. Teachers are hired to teach academic subjects, but in reality, they teach children how to be human beings and how to become their own individual person. No matter the subject, teachers who teach with passion and preparation reach their students at their cores. That’s what John Keating did. He treated his students like adults who were getting ready to enter the world. His combination of truth, intelligence, leadership, and expertise is what all teachers aspire to be when they first step into the classroom. Now, whether that passion is still palpable after years and years of cost-cutting, parent complaints, disrespectful students, government interference, and administrative neglect is a whole other question. Luckily, the 5% I’m taking off his accuracy is a good thing because there is no way in the world that any school nowadays is firing a teacher that is that damn good at his job. NAME: SISTER MARY CLARENCE (WHOOPI GOLDBERG) MOVIE: SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT GRADE LEVEL: HIGH SCHOOL ACCURACY: 100% If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention. If you don’t believe that’s a black momma teacher quote that’s just as relevant now as it was 30 years ago when Sister Mary Clarence told it to her rough-around-the-edges classroom, then you haven’t stepped foot inside a public school classroom, maybe ever. Every low-income public school has kids who have great potential but will try your last nerve. Every low-income public school has a black momma in their building (probably more than one). Even in 1992, it was highly understood that you only get one time to try that black momma’s nerve before she’s on your neck. On your neck with love, but on your neck, nonetheless. About 30 minutes into Sister Act 2 , after taking one too many doses of disrespect from her music class, Sister Mary Clarence walks into her room and reads every single student head to toe, laying down the law, and letting them know that her class is no longer one that can be slept through. And if they didn’t like that, they could take their F’s and walk right out the door. This scene, and the entire film, is an excellent display of how teachers can be authoritative yet respectful, strict yet welcoming, funny yet forceful, demanding yet loving. But more importantly, Sister Mary Clarence, like many great Black, female teachers, did everything with an aura that resonated belief in her students. So even when she was cursing them out without using profanity, her kids believed in the potential she saw in them. This unwavering belief of black women is the most accurate movie representation of teaching I can think of because, not only did I experience this as a student, but I also watched it not two weeks ago as a teacher. There’s a Sister Mary Clarence who probably teaches a child you care about this very school year, and you better be happy she does. There’s only one other instance in film that is as accurate a representation of teacher life as Whoopi is in that scene, and that is where I will leave you. Happy Holidays everyone! Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Sony Pictures Releasing; Photo 2 - Universal Pictures; Photo 3, 5 - Walt Disney Studios; Photo 4 - Paramount Pictures

Previous Next October 31, 2023 WRITTEN BY: PAIGE While horror movie sequels are often guaranteed in this day and age, especially when a film is a box office success, what about those underrated and under-appreciated gems that fail to move past the initial offering? The fan favorites that never get the sequels (or prequels) they deserve to continue their stories and overall world building? More so than any other genre, horror sequels come in all different shapes and sizes, be it through shared universes, legacy sequels, or requels. But even with so many horror movies getting sequels across a variety of approaches, plenty of titles have been overlooked. So, I’ve come up with a list of personal favorites that I feel deserve a second go ‘round, along with ideas of what I’d love to see happen with these particular titles. NIGHTBREED (1990) Clive Barker’s Nightbreed , which is based on a novella he wrote titled Cabal , was initially planned as a trilogy, but unfortunately, the planned sequels never got to see the light of day. Yes, this film is a wee bit cheesy and is definitely a mess, but it’s got such killer creature designs that I’d love to see more of it. This horror fantasy may not have been critically loved, but you’ve got to admire the scope of what Barker tried to accomplish here. If nothing else, the story warrants more attention just from what it accomplished with its world building. Plus, it frustratingly ends on a cliffhanger. With a film that is 33 years old, the obvious answer of what we need is a legacy sequel! Bring us back to the world of the Nightbreed, continuing what was started. With a proper fix to the overall story and a better script, it could be really fun to revisit these creatures and build on the lore. I actually think that by bringing this story back to the modern day, audiences would sympathize with the monsters a lot more this time around, which is what Barker wanted. If recent things like The Walking Dead and District 9 have taught us anything, it’s that audiences likely would better understand what Barker was getting at, mainly that mankind is the true monster. Plus, if you make it a story about “monster” outsiders simply trying to build a new home for themselves, there are some very obvious and timely parallels that could be made to immigration. Otherwise, just bring Danny Elfman back for the score and keep the title simple… Nightbreed 2 . FREDDY VS. JASON (2003) It has been 20 years since we got to witness one of the most iconic face-offs in horror history, and while Freddy vs. Jason was not critically acclaimed, there is no denying that this campy horror flick was epic as hell and killed at the box office. We got to see a legendary showdown between two of the greatest slashers in movie history while also watching them do what they do best, which is, of course, haunting, slicing, and dicing their victims. However, could another mashup of the A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th franchise work? Since the ending of Freddy vs. Jason is left open ended, the answer is…of course, it could work. We are left with so many possibilities for where the story could go next, and let’s be honest, it’s not like these franchises’ sequels ever rested on logic or necessity. Plus, I think I’ve got the perfect direction of where to take it… Since both franchises have been in shambles for several years now, there has been no push for these characters to return on the big screen. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Give me the ultimate slasher movie, one-upping Freddy vs. Jason with a sequel where they team up to face off against some of the other classic horror villains. Yep, I’m talking about Pinhead and Michael Myers in the craziest ring of them all, HELL. Why not bring all these different fandoms together to create one of the most chaotic horror movies of all time, featuring a team of virtually unstoppable killers against another team of virtually unstoppable killers, all of them doing what they do best…killing! Now, the reality of it is that we’d need a studio willing to buy the rights to all these characters, or beg the studios to work together to make the nightmare Freddy and Jason vs. Pinhead and Michael come true. It seems worth the effort to try. BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON (2006) Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is probably the most underrated flick on this list. As moviegoers and horror fans, we haven’t really gotten many great slasher villains in recent decades, so it was a pleasant surprise when we received this gem in 2006. Behind the Mask takes a unique approach to the slasher genre creating a mockumentary about an aspiring serial killer. Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel) allows a documentary crew to follow him as he plans to commit his first act as a serial killer, which is just mind boggling to me but also such a brilliant way to learn the ins and outs of what drives these people and their planning process. Now, do we need a continuation of Leslie Vernon’s story? No, because if you’ve seen the film, you know our killer’s fate. What we do need, however, is a series of anthology films, each one following a different aspiring killer. Call me crazy, but I think this could really grab the slasher-loving audience, resulting in something that horror fans would look forward to every year. The title is already set up for it, anyway: Behind the Mask: [insert serial killer name ]. TRICK ‘R TREAT (2007) Trick ’r Treat was a little-seen hidden gem that has become a major staple during the Halloween season. While there have been rumors circling for many years that director Michael Dougherty would make a sequel to this anthology, there hasn’t been any movement except for a recent announcement from Dougherty that it is “inching along.” With that said, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands, declaring that Sam, the trick-or-treating demon in orange footie pajamas and a burlap sack over his head, needs to return for another round of scares! Since the anthology format allows for a wide variety of stories to be told, here is what I’m thinking to make a sequel really fascinating. We continue to have Sam as our connective tissue throughout the different stories being told, but each story focuses on a different holiday, such as Christmas, Easter, and Valentine’s Day. This approach also could bring out the possibility of introducing new terrifying characters that make up Sam’s gang, like a devilish elf, a creepy Easter Bunny, or a crazy Cupid. Just think of all the possibilities that this terrifying gang could get into in the sequel, Trick ’r Trick: Holidaze . THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2011) The Cabin in the Woods has become a modern horror classic, so how the hell did we never get more of this story? The satirical horror flick was critically acclaimed, a commercial success, and it seems to be one of the most memorable horror comedies of all time; so, the question remains… does this story warrant more movies? The answer is YES! While some may think a second The Cabin in the Woods may not have the same impact as the original since we already know the twist, let’s not forget that said twist actually leads to more questions that need answering. With that in mind, my thought is that we don’t need a sequel , we need a prequel. (NOTE: mild spoilers ahead) To me (and given the ending), a prequel makes the most logistical sense. Perhaps it depicts one of the first rituals? I’m only assuming that the rituals would have become more complicated as time went on, and showing how we figured out how to please the Gods would be an interesting way to see how the rituals have evolved over time. At the same time, it would allow us to dive deeper into “The Ancient Ones,” explaining why we need to satisfy them through sacrifice in the first place. Why do they need, or even want , this? The evolution of it all could be a very intriguing take in Knocking Down the Cabin . I’m so in. IT FOLLOWS (2014) It Follows is perhaps my favorite movie on this list, and one that I think deserves more love and appreciation. While this gem stands so tall on its own, I can’t help but want more because, man… I fucking love this movie. It leaves me begging for more. With The Entity being a metaphor for the paranoia around contracting an STD, there is so much more you can do to explore this idea. “Why did it all start? Why won’t it stop?” are just a couple of the questions I can’t get out of my head. In an effort to get answers to these questions and more, the perfect approach to continuing the story of The Entity is to craft the flick as a movie that is both a prequel and sequel. What does that mean exactly? Let me explain… move the story forward by telling the story backwards. While that may sound confusing as hell, I promise you it’s a genius way of furthering this kind of story. Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. This is the exact approach that film series took, and it was such a brilliant way to flesh out the history of the world the movies are set in while also furthering the story at the same time. So, in present day, Jay (the highly underrated Maika Monroe returning in the lead role) is trying to understand The Entity, tracking down how it started so that she can stop it from continuing. In the flashbacks, we get to witness how, why, and where The Entity came to be. Interweave these timelines to create additional depth and understanding as Jay transitions from victim to hero, with all the great commentary that comes with that. And I already have the perfect title: Follow It. Photo Credits: Photo 1 - 20th Century Studios; Photo 2 - New Line Cinema; Photo 3 - Anchor Bay Entertainment; Photo 4 - Warner Bros. Pictures; Photo 5 - Lionsgate

Previous Next July 26, 2025 The Fantastic Four are back on the big screen (for the third time), and the Bitesize crew has come together to discuss whether the MCU’s swing at Marvel's first family actually works this time. Join Matt, Amarú, and Nick as they’re joined by special guest Jeannine “The Machine” Brice to discuss what worked and what didn’t for Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), The Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), The Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our interviews, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

Previous May 18, 2026 Next A BITESIZE CHAT WITH NICOLE BAZUIN & ANDREA WERHUN Director Nicole Bazuin and Andrea Werhun join Nick to talk about their film, Modern Whore . The pair discuss the process of adapting their book to the screen, the Sean Baker connection, and the steps needed to end the stigma surrounding sex work. Make sure to check out Modern Whore now on digital. Interview conducted on May 14th, 2026 by Nick van Dinther.

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 January 21, 2026 WRITTEN BY: AMARÚ With awards season reaching its peak with Oscar nominations tomorrow (January 22nd), I’ve recently had the same conversation surrounding Sinners several times. It has come up in a wide-ranging variety of movie communities, from random comment sections of comedians and writers who are die-hard movie fans to online movie trivia leagues to the Bitesize crew. Much like the “it’s Die Hard on a…” conversation (hereafter called the Die Hard Theorem) that has perpetuated since the classic’s 1988 release, I keep being told that Sinners is not very original because it’s a Southern period-piece version of From Dusk till Dawn . While I have strong feelings about that claim, it got me thinking about what even makes an original Hollywood movie nowadays. Between more than 100 years of movies and television, directors taking influence from the auteurs they watched growing up, and the unlimited pool of books and short-form literature from the entire history of mankind that have inspired billions of on-screen stories, how is it possible to come up with a truly original screenplay? Obviously, there are original movies that clearly follow the same plot points as earlier films, like the “fact” that The Fast and the Furious is street-racing Point Break , or that Avatar is Dances with Wolves in space. While those films are technically original movies with original characters, I agree they adhere firmly to the Die Hard Theorem. No, Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) and Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) have never been characters in previous stories, but you can’t tell me that their names in a previous life weren’t Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) and Bohdi (Patrick Swayze). Let’s run it down… when a young law enforcement officer (O’Conner/Utah) goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of criminal thieves (truck hi-jackers/bank robbers), he enters the world of an extreme sport (street racing/surfing), ultimately drawn into both the culture and the gang leader’s (Dom/Bodhi) charismatic orbit. Due to complicated relationships with both the gang leader and a love interest that is close with said leader (Jordana Brewster as Mia, Dom’s sister/Lori Petty as Tyler, Bodhi’s ex), the young agent eventually allows the gang leader to get away (O’Connor gives Toretto his keys/Utah shoots his gun in the air), allowing them to chase their ultimate high (a 10-second car/the 50-year storm). The order of events may happen differently, and the character personalities may be slightly altered, but when the details of two movies’ plot match up in so many places, it’s hard to call the latter-released film a wholly original one. There also are genre movies that don’t have the same exact narrative, but the similarities are more than noticeable. Nobody and John Wick are both bad-ass revenge films that have retired assassins being pulled back into their old ways because they couldn’t let being disrespected go without reminding the offenders who the fuck they were messing with. Bad Boys and Rush Hour are both buddy-cop comedies that pair opposing personalities who love one another, get into action-heavy shenanigans that bother their superiors, and eventually foil the criminal enterprises of foreign-born criminal masterminds. And, naturally, there are the actual movies that created the Die Hard Theorem. Speed is Die Hard on a bus, Air Force One is Die Hard on a plane, Under Siege is Die Hard on a battleship, Con Air is Die Hard on a different plane, and so on. All of these are lone (or damn near lone) every-man heroes who battle criminals and terrorists within a confined location. While it’s understandable to question whether these films are wholly original projects due to their adherence to the Theorem, my stance is that they fall in the “influenced by” category of movies that feature original ideas while following the popular tropes that make genre films so entertaining to watch. Tropes are tropes for a reason. Yes, they make films more predictable and cookie-cutter, but they are tried-and-true outlines that audiences want to see because they have proven to make us laugh, scream, or sit up in anticipation of seeing how these new characters are going to attack a well-known scenario. In the real world, multiple people with completely different personalities work the same kind of jobs and face the same kind of conflicts. I promise you that my wife and I, who are both in the same year of teaching at the same school in similarly unique departments that have a similarly separated student population from general education students, are nowhere NEAR the same kind of teacher. We have unique approaches to the conflicts that arise in our classrooms, and these genre films have similarly unique qualities when going through their seemingly similar missions. The charmingly stoic Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves, again) is not the philosophically aloof Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is not the forcefully grumpy President of the United States James Marshall (Harrison Ford) is definitely not the wise-cracking John McClane (Bruce Willis). There are enough differences between the heroes, villains, set-pieces, side characters, and resolutions of trope-filled genre films that, although they are spiritually connected to other films within the genre, they are still original projects that have a collection of details unique to them. I say all that to say that I believe movies like Sinners prove that claims stating they are “the most original film since…” are not being hyperbolic. It’s in the details. These unique stories come from very talented people who clearly wear their influences on their sleeve, but those influences don’t flesh out specific plot and character dynamics. From Dusk till Dawn is one of the first films I thought of when I saw Sinners ’ trailer, and when I saw the movie for the first time, Dawn’ s influence was clear as both films have two brothers with some link to criminality who must fight vampires in a single location during a surprising third act genre flip (assuming you watched the movie blind). Sure, themes of faith and redemption lie in both films, but “brothers” and “surprise vampires” is as far as the similarities go. If you want to present generalizations about the themes and overall ideas these films tackle, of course you can find similarities. For example, someone presented me with an excerpt from online entertainment blog Just N Life’s in-depth comparison of the two films to assert their points that Sinners is essentially the Southern version of Dawn (full article HERE ): “ Faith and redemption are key themes in both films…by comparing Sinners and From Dusk till Dawn, it is clear that both films use supernatural horror to explore the human experience. They highlight both external threats and internal demons… The characters in both films grapple with complex familial ties, moral dilemmas, and the tension between survival and ideological beliefs .” That’s just a fraction of the thematic similarities that article points out. Here is the thing, though… I recently watched the entire The Conjuring Universe, and I can apply those same faith and redemption themes to the Mullins (Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto) in Annabelle: Creation ; that same supernaturally charged human experience to the Warrens (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga); and those external threats and internal demons to Annabelle Comes Home and The Nun. In fact, the tensions between survival and ideological beliefs, and the rest of that article’s unmentioned parallels, are up and down the entire franchise. When have you heard Ed & Lorraine Warren being compared to the Smokestack Twins (Michael B. Jordan)? You haven’t, because themes, tones, and big-picture ideas are shared amongst most films in the same genre. You can go down any rabbit hole of universal statements to rightly claim these films are structurally connected, but you must dig into the details to uncover the difference between inspiring similarity and an unoriginal copy-and-paste job. So, let’s do that… Dawn takes place at the modern-day Texas-Mexico border, with its setting, music, and overall vibe being influenced by southwestern cowboy and Mexican cultures. This setting is perfect for the Gecko Brothers (George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino) to set forth on their high-stakes escape from the law as they take a family hostage and seek refuge in an unexpectedly not-so-friendly entertainment establishment. Sinners , on the other hand, is a 1930s Southern character piece deeply rooted in blues music culture and the African American experience in a racist society. That experience is why the Twins are not actively escaping the law. They are looking to settle down in their hometown, not run from it. There are no hostages. They aren’t visiting a random entertainment establishment. They are bringing their community together to start their own in order to protect it from their oppressors. Everything about how the sets of brothers get from one genre to the vampire-horror third-act switch is in opposition. Admittedly, there is one detail that both sets of brothers share: their father was abusive, and one of them had to kill their dad for their mutual survival. It’s one of the few areas where the Dawn influence goes deeper than the surface, but even then, Sinners ’ director Ryan Coogler leaves the means of the patricide unknown while Papa Gecko’s death is revealed to be by fire. People want to say that the Geckos and the Twins have similar features, but let’s break down how those claims don’t hold water: Claim: Both sets of brothers are criminals trying to escape from their past. Counter: Neither Smoke nor Stack are known to be rapists, and they don’t murder any innocents on screen. They left Chicago to return home after conning the mob. Seth and Richie Gecko, however, are running from the law to avoid capture while committing atrocities on screen. Claim: Both sets of brothers have one “bad seed” and one “calmer” brother, and the one more prone to evil gets turned into a vampire. Counter: While the Geckos have that clear demarcation, which one of the Twins is actually more prone to evil? Answer me this… which twin shoots a human in the film? Who threatened to kill their cousin for following their dream? It damn sure wasn’t the boisterous Stack. It was the calm, seemingly more reasonable Smoke who did all the uncaring shit. I haven’t even mentioned how we get much deeper into the Twins’ familial history, love lives, and community ties than we do the Geckos. It’s those kinds of detailed differences that put Sinners’ brothers and vampire tropes on a whole different level than Dawn ’s. Name me a vampire in Dawn with as much character, depth, swagger, and empathetic motivations as Jack O’Connell’s Remmick. Again, you can’t, because Sinners ’ director Ryan Coogler took the influence he got from Dawn director Robert Rodriguez and said, “I’m going to elevate the hell out of this.” I could keep going on how the deep dives into music, ancestry, religion, spirituality, race and so many other things make Sinners so much more than From Dusk till Dawn in the Jim Crow era, but that would turn this article into a proper thesis. Sorry, but I have a word count, so I’ll just leave you with this: Sinners does not fit the Die Hard Theorem in any way, shape, or form. If you think otherwise, you can do two things. One, look up the 1986 Grace Jones film Vamp and accept that From Dusk till Dawn is just Vamp with criminals. Second, I am currently an online movie debate champion in two different online movie trivia leagues and my DMs are open… come at me.

Previous Next March 2, 2023 WRITTEN BY: NICK AND QUENTIN With the Oscars approaching and everyone focusing on 2022’s Best in Film, Nick & Quentin wanted to take a second to highlight 2022’s Best in Television. While some of these were massive successes, others flew under the radar. Either way, all are worth checking out. BLACK BIRD Taron Egerton is one of the most exciting young actors working today. The charisma he shows as a leading man can't be denied, and you get to see that here as he adds another wrinkle to his range. This tight, six-episode series is succinct, well-written, and expertly cast. Beyond Egerton, it features a chilling performance from Paul Walter Hauser (the standout of the series in his best work to date), and a heartbreaking Ray Liotta in what turned out to be one of his final roles. This is just solid storytelling from beginning to end, which is becoming the norm for Apple TV+ programming. - Nick Black Bird is currently streaming on Apple TV+. PEACEMAKER While some will say we have reached the point of superhero fatigue, Peacemaker is the perfect example of how the superhero genre can be used to tell character-driven stories. Yes, there is still a “save the world” dynamic, but it’s also the interesting exploration of a lonely man who just wants acceptance. John Cena delivers hilarious raunch and surprising nuance in his best performance yet, while Freddie Stroma steals nearly every scene as the oddly sweet sociopath Vigilante. And let’s not forget that banger of a theme song. If Peacemaker , which came from the mind of James Gunn, is any indication, the DCEU is in good hands going forward. - Quentin Season One of Peacemaker is currently streaming on HBO Max (US) and Crave (CAN). Although it has been renewed for Season Two on HBO Max, a return date is currently unknown. REBOOT What if we did a meta-comedy series about former sitcom stars featuring the guy from Key & Peele , the guy from Austin & Ally , the girl from Arrested Development , and the guy from Jackass ? Well, they did, and it really worked. Reboot is like watching a network sitcom minus the censorship. It never goes so far that it loses its mirroring of the classic sitcom stylings before it, but it also feels like it’s made for adults and not “the whole family,” though it is wrapped up in a nice family story carried by Paul Reiser as a man past his time. Unfortunately, Hulu canceled this series despite solid ratings, but it is being shopped to other networks. I hope it’s picked back up because I’d love to see these characters again. - Nick Season One of Reboot is currently streaming on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (International). Season Two is currently in search of a new network. REACHER On paper, Reacher isn’t anything special. A brilliant investigator, who likes to work alone, trying to solve a murder; this describes everything from Bosch to most of Bruce Willis’ work in the 90s. However, Alan Ritchson, whose charisma is only matched by his hulking frame, makes this series much more than that. You can’t help but to root for the guy, and you’ll find yourself grinning ear-to-ear as he uses his brain and his muscles to crack both the case and skulls. - Quentin Season One of Reacher is currently streaming on Prime Video. Season Two will premiere in the summer of 2023 on Prime Video. TULSA KING For a while, Sylvester Stallone was doing three things: returning to his famous characters of the 80s, forgettable action flicks, and The Expendables franchise, which feels like a mix of the first two things. Enter Tulsa King . This series gives Stallone a chance to play a more toned down badass with an entirely new character, and the results are great. It’s not a show that is afraid to get serious, but it understands the need for levity too. It also has a better script than anything he has starred in over the past 20 years that wasn’t part of the Rocky franchise. - Nick Season One of Tulsa King is currently streaming on Paramount+. Although it has been renewed for Season Two on Paramount+, a return date is currently unknown. INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Have you ever checked out a show with an aloof, “eh, why not?” mindset, not really expecting much? Interview with the Vampire was one such show for me in 2022. Other than the 1994 film, I don’t have much connection to this story or anything author Anne Rice has done. However, I was immediately hooked by the lush production design, gothic atmosphere, and tremendous performance of Sam Reid as Lestat (though Jacob Anderson and Eric Bogosian are also quite good). This series is the start of AMC’s Immortal Universe, an interconnected franchise of gothic horror series based on Anne Rice’s novels, and one can only hope they are all as good as this one. - Quentin Season One of Interview with the Vampire is currently streaming on AMC+. Although it has been renewed for Season Two on AMC, a return date is currently unknown. OUTER RANGE After the finale of its first season, it was just plain cruel for Prime Video to delay the announcement of Season Two for as long as it did. The storytelling is a slow burn, but it’s well worth it as it provides numerous interesting directions to take the series. Most importantly, with the aspect of the dueling families, it was able to stay grounded despite being a series with clear sci-fi roots. Beyond the storytelling, the series features a great ensemble led by Josh Brolin but without a weak link in the bunch, with a special shout out to Will Patton, who does typically great work. - Nick Season One of Outer Range is currently streaming on Prime Video. Although it has been renewed for Season Two on Prime Video, a return date is currently unknown. WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY Even as a person who couldn’t care less about the NBA, let alone the NBA from before I was born, Winning Time won me over on the strength of its impeccable casting (from both the actual talent and the looking-the-part perspective) and its groovy ‘70s vibe. I’ve always found the inner workings of a sports franchise’s front office interesting, so when you add all those elements together, then film them with a pseudo-documentary realism (including fourth wall breaks), you get a show that I was eager to return to every week. The fact that this intended miniseries was given a second season should tell you just how good it was. - Quentin Season One of Winning Time is currently streaming on HBO Max (US) and Crave (CAN). Season Two will premiere in the second half of 2023 on HBO Max. THE OLD MAN Jeff Bridges was an old man, but now he’s THE old man. In all seriousness, this show is a blast. Bridges’ Dan Chase battles his way through attackers while not hiding how his age has affected him, and John Lithgow’s Harold Harper drops F-bombs with such vitriol you’d think his last name was L. Jackson. There are even a few intriguing mysteries sprinkled in, especially surrounding the whereabouts of Chase’s daughter, not to mention it has the distinction of having one of the best pilots of 2022. Season One of The Old Man is currently streaming on FX. Although it has been renewed for Season Two on FX, a return date is currently unknown. THE OFFER Truth be told, a lot of people shit on The Offer (57% on Rotten Tomatoes), and I cannot for the life of me figure out why. Maybe it’s because it deigned to revisit the behind-the-scenes drama of unassailable cinematic classic The Godfather , I don’t know. What I do know is that The Offer combines old Hollywood legend with an interesting mob angle, then drops it in the hands of a more than capable cast. Almost all involved do nice work, but Matthew Goode as famed producer Robert Evans is pitch perfect. Plus, it makes you want to rewatch The Godfather , which is never a bad thing. - Quentin The Offer is currently streaming on Paramount+. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY Every year, there is a series I champion and promote to everyone I know as a must-see, and this was that series for 2022. The direction by W. Kamau Bell is perfect in the way he balances the legacy and importance of Bill Cosby to both black culture and comedy before jolting you with the contrast of his victims’ stories. It’s one of the best art v. artist examples I’ve seen, and every interview subject adds something to the piece. I warn you, though, this is not an easy watch. It is, however, an important one. If you haven’t seen this series yet, do yourself a favour and make the time to watch it. - Nick We Need to Talk About Cosby is now streaming on HBO Max (US) and Crave (CAN). THE BEAR In hindsight, The Bear is probably the surprise hit of 2022’s television season: a quiet, out-of-nowhere dramedy with no real stars, 30-minute episodes, and a gritty indie vibe. There was almost no marketing for this show, yet word-of-mouth carried it to being one of the most talked about and acclaimed series of the year. I mean, it inspired an entire generation to start dropping “Yes, Chef” in random conversation. On top of that, it’s the most authentic representation of working in a blue-collar kitchen that I have ever seen. It’s stressful, funny, heartfelt, and, most importantly, utterly fantastic. - Quentin Season One of The Bear is currently streaming on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (CAN). Season Two will premiere in early summer of 2023 on Hulu. WE OWN THIS CITY This series initially made headlines because it came from David Simon, who is best known for creating The Wire . It was the performance of Jon Bernthal that really roped me in, however. The man just exudes charisma, and he gets to display it in all his glory here. This true story about the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force spans 20+ years over six episodes, and spotlights the corruption within the police force. It has been a problem for a long time, and it’s something we certainly haven’t heard the last of yet. - Nick We Own This City is currently streaming on HBO Max (US) and Crave (CAN). FROM For years, networks have been trying to recapture the magic of Lost , so much so that “the next Lost ” has become kind of a laughable death knell since no one has been able to do it successfully. Enter From , a series about a town that mysteriously traps anyone who enters while also being plagued by supernatural creatures that only come out at night. This series boasts incredible world building, legit scares, subtle gore, and, most importantly, a compelling mystery that seemingly has no easy answers. The next Lost has finally arrived. - Quentin Season One of From is currently streaming on MGM+, formerly known as Epix, (US) and Paramount+ (International). Season Two will premiere April 23rd, 2023, on MGM+. A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY I had never seen the documentary about the unbelievable true story this series is based on, so some of the story’s twists likely affected me more than for those who had. But even if you know what you’re in for, you’ll likely be content with this adaptation. Jake Lacy is just so uncomfortably manipulative as kidnapper Robert Birchtold as he uses his charm to get away with his evil deeds. It’s just an excellent performance. Meanwhile, Colin Hanks and Anna Paquin play the naïve parents to a T. It’s a story that feels too outlandish to be real, but it’s true, all of it, and that may be the craziest thing of all. - Nick A Friend of the Family is currently streaming on Peacock. HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Let’s be honest: House of the Dragon was fighting an uphill battle when it premiered. It had to contend with the hype of “good” Game of Thrones , the bad taste of Thrones ’ final season, and Prime Video dropping a competing (and tremendously expensive) fantasy show, The Rings of Power , at the same time. Given all that, the fact that Dragon works at all is a minor miracle. Admittedly, it’s mostly doing heavy lifting for future seasons, especially with the somewhat confusing time jumps, but there is no denying that the excellent casting, production design, castle intrigue, and “anyone can die” vibe of Thrones’ earlier seasons is back in full force. - Quentin Season One of House of the Dragon is currently streaming on HBO Max (US) and Crave (CAN). Season Two will premiere on HBO in 2024. OBI-WAN KENOBI One of the first films I remember watching as a child is Star Wars: A New Hope , so when they announced The Phantom Menace , I excitedly went to the theatre on opening night (months shy of my eighth birthday) and was blown away. Now, I don’t have that same opinion as an adult, but those characters are special to me. So, watching Ewan McGregor return to the robes of Obi-Wan Kenobi for this series was supremely satisfying. Plus, there is darkness here that Star Wars first introduced to live action with Rogue One . We get to see Darth Vader at his most ruthless while exploring the relationship between Anakin (Hayden Christensen) and Kenobi more in depth. The series doesn’t quite reach the heights of The Mandalorian , but it features some of the best scenes in Star Wars history, and I would welcome a second season. - Nick Obi-Wan Kenobi is currently streaming on Disney+. ANDOR Here’s the tea: whether you’re willing to admit it or not, Star Wars is not a great franchise. Sure, its few highs are very high, but it’s mostly a series of mediocre (or worse…much, much worse) lows. That said, please place Andor on the peak of that high pile. Despite a slow start, it’s a layered story of rebellion and the birth of a hero, presented with the grit and grime that a story like this deserves. And you know the best part? No Skywalkers, no Force, no lightsabers. Just tales of political intrigue, heists, prison breaks, and espionage told through rich writing, complex characters, and terrific casting. The fact that it happens to be Star Wars -affiliated is almost irrelevant. - Quentin Season One of Andor is currently streaming on Disney+. Season Two will premiere on Disney+ in 2024. PAM & TOMMY It would have been so easy for this series to fall into parody, but since Sebastian Stan and Lily James took their jobs so seriously, this really worked. The pair gives arguably the two most entertaining performances of the year, and James’ transformation into Pamela Anderson is mesmerizing. It’s a travesty she didn’t get any Emmy hardware for her performance. The angle of telling the story from the POV of the man who stole the sex tape (Seth Rogen) and the intricate workings of everything that came after was also a very good call. A nice mix of laughs and absurdity in this one. Pam & Tommy is currently streaming on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (International). GEORGE & TAMMY Admittedly, mileage may vary on this one, but, if like me, you grew up on country music, George Jones is a musical legend. And, if like me, you are a sucker for musician biopics, especially for artists whose music you are very familiar with, this series is a must watch for fans of The Possum, even if it’s more Tammy’s (Jessica Chastain) story than George’s (Michael Shannon). It’s an incredibly bingeable watch at only six episodes, yet I could have watched several more hours of this hard-living love story. Plus, the music. Both Chastain and Shannon do their own singing and absolutely nail it. Lastly, I’ve been playing George Jones on repeat since the finale. If that’s not a lasting and immediate impact, I don’t know what is. George & Tammy is currently streaming on Showtime (US) and Crave (Canada).

Previous Next August 16, 2023 WRITTEN BY: NICK With the announcement at San Diego Comic-Con that The Walking Dead content is not going anywhere anytime soon, and with Season One of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon coming next month, I decided it was a great time to look back at the 22 seasons of The Walking Dead Universe thus far. After going through The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Tales of the Walking Dead, and The Walking Dead: Dead City (yes, I’ve watched them all), I realized the best way to write this piece was to shout-out some of the characters (some fondly, some not so fondly) that have graced the screen. This is a retrospective, so be aware, there will be spoilers! BEST PERFORMANCE : LENNIE JAMES AS MORGAN JONES ( The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead ) The characters in this world go through a lot, but no one has had to endure a more heartbreaking path than Morgan Jones. He lost a son, a wife, and himself, only to leave his original group in the flagship series, join the first spinoff, and have the losses continue to pile up. Along the way, this man has gone from saviour (literal saviour, not Negan's (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) group) to basket case to pacifist to badass, and it only works because of the performance of James. Although the writing hasn’t always been on point for Morgan, James has been at the top of his game every episode. He’s the unsung hero of this franchise, and even in weaker seasons like the most recent of Fear the Walking Dead , the stories focused on him are always the most powerful. HONOURABLE MENTION: JON BERNTHAL AS SHANE WALSH ( The Walking Dead) MOST DESERVING OF A SPINOFF : JUDITH GRIMES - CAILEY FLEMING ( The Walking Dead ) The Walking Dead: World Beyond was a bit of a misfire as it basically told a worse version of the Telltale (video) Games series, which, let me just say, it's a travesty we never got Clementine on the TV side of things. However, the idea of children having to grow up in this world is intriguing. What’s more intriguing, however, is how they’d live as adults having this be the only life they’ve ever known. Enter Judith Grimes. Cailey Fleming gave a great portrayal of the child once known as “Little Ass Kicker,” but with no cure in sight thus far, jumping 15+ years into the future to see the state of things through the eyes of another Grimes would be both on brand for the series and an interesting addition to the franchise. HONOURABLE MENTION: HEATH - COREY HAWKINS ( The Walking Dead ) BEST CHARACTER ARC : CAROL PELETIER - MELISSA MCBRIDE ( The Walking Dead ) Even outside of The Walking Dead , is there any other series with a character arc as dramatic as Carol’s? Starting as a meek and silenced mother in an abusive relationship, most wouldn’t have expected her to make it out of Season One alive. However, after the loss of her daughter, a switch is flipped, and Carol makes it adamantly clear she’s a survivor. She’s one of the only characters willing to make the hard decisions, and she shows a level of composure and resourcefulness to make the most of any situation. She may have started as an afterthought, but by the finale, it’s clear that Carol was easily one of the most crucial characters of the series’ run. HONOURABLE MENTION: ALYCIA CLARKE - ALYCIA DEBNAM- CAREY ( Fear the Walking Dead ) PERSONAL FAVOURITE : RICK GRIMES - ANDREW LINCOLN ( The Walking Dead ) Rick Grimes is the ultimate family man. Whether you agree with him or not, his intentions were always clear. He did it for Lori (Sarah Wayne Calles). He did it for Carl (Chandler Riggs). He did it for Judith. Did he cross the line? Absolutely. Did he make the wrong choices? You betcha. But these mistakes and the trial-and-error of his character shone a light on his humanity and made it easy to put yourself in his shoes. "What would you do if you were in the Zombie apocalypse?" It's a question we've all asked ourselves, and one that Rick Grimes answers (both positively and negatively) in a multitude of scenarios. HONOURABLE MENTION: HERSHEL GREENE - SCOTT WILSON ( The Walking Dead ) BEST GUEST STAR : JOHN CARROL LYNCH AS EASTMAN ( The Walking Dead ) Morgan’s pacifist persona may not have been a fan favourite, but the episode where he learned of these new ways definitely is; that is thanks to his mentor, Eastman. In a world engulfed by darkness, Eastman approaches things with a level of hope and optimism rarely seen at this point in the apocalypse. With his mantra that all life is precious, he teaches a lost and hopeless Morgan these ways, as well as a pretty badass way to use a stick as a weapon. Unfortunately, it takes sacrificing himself to cause Morgan to adapt to these beliefs, but for the short time that Eastman was around, he made quite the impression. HONOURABLE MENTION: MICHAEL RAYMOND-JAMES AS DAVE ( The Walking Dead ) OVERSTAYED THEIR WELCOME : EUGENE PORTER - JOSH MCDERMITT ( The Walking Dead ) Ah yes, the scientist that had the cure. Introduced in Season Four of the main series, Eugene was precious cargo as he had vital information on how to stop the walkers and turn the world back to normal… except he didn’t. The reveal that Eugene was a liar deflated the whole story and character. After that, he just adopted the weasel role of the series. He was constantly in need of rescue due to his lack of street smarts, and he was selfish to the point of putting members of the group at risk multiple times, even going so far as to join The Saviors. He’s eventually redeemed later in the series, but the character just never had legs to continue past a season or two, let alone the series run he was given. HONOURABLE MENTION: CARL GRIMES - CHANDLER RIGGS ( The Walking Dead ) GONE TOO SOON : JOHN DORIE - GARRET DILLAHUNT ( Fear the Walking Dead ) To those who bailed on Fear the Walking Dead after a lackluster first two seasons, you missed out on a great third season based in Mexico, as well as the introduction of one of the best characters of that series, Garret Dillahunt’s John Dorie. Dorie is a former cop like Rick Grimes, but the two could not be more different. John is a gentle man searching for June aka Laura/Naomi (Jenna Elfman), the woman he loves who ran away from him early in the apocalypse. His pursuit and their reconciliation is the best love story told in The Walking Dead Universe, and like many love stories, it ends in tragedy with Dorie’s death being one of the most heartbreaking in the franchise. HONOURABLE MENTION: NOAH - TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS ( The Walking Dead ) THEY REALLY DROPPED THE BALL ON : PAUL "JESUS" ROVIA - TOM PAYNE ( The Walking Dead ) Back in Season Six of The Walking Dead , Rick and Daryl (Norman Reedus) happened upon a man who displayed probably the best hand-to-hand combat skills seen in the franchise. Jesus was a highly anticipated character from the comics, and he debuted with a bang… but that was really it. This cool, new, ninja-like character was relegated to second-in-command of the Hilltop community, and his physical attributes were rarely taken advantage of. Yes, his death was impactful, but more so because of the Whisperer revelation. Aside from that, it was more a matter of mourning what could have been over what was. HONOURABLE MENTION: HOPE - ALEXA MANSOUR ( The Walking Dead: World Beyond ) BEST VILLAIN : NEGAN - JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN ( The Walking Dead / Dead City ) In the history of television, there have not been many character introductions quite like that of Negan. In a span of 15 minutes, he debuted and instantly struck true fear into the heart of Rick's group, dispatching two of them in vicious fashion. What makes his character even more interesting is the question of whether or not he's truly a villain. The evolution he goes through is one of malice and sympathy, with the hope of redemption, and whether he's the villain or the anti-hero, he always uses traits of both to complete his objective. It's what makes Negan one of the most interesting The Walking Dead characters of all, and what makes Dead City work so well. Plus, let's not forget his dialogue and Morgan's delivery of it... *chef's kiss* HONOURABLE MENTION: PHILIP "THE GOVERNOR" BLAKE - DAVID MORRISEY ( The Walking Dead ) Photo Credits: AMC

Previous Next May 14, 2026 After the mild success of the 2021 reboot, Mortal Kombat , arguably the greatest fighting video game franchise of all time, is back with a proper sequel, Mortal Kombat II . How does Karl Urban fare as Johnny Cage? Does the tournament elevate the action? And Cole Young? We're still talking about Cole Young?! Join Nick, Amarú, Robert, and Kolby Mac as they discuss the return of your favourite characters and some new in the latest entry into the Mortal Kombat film franchise. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our interviews, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

Previous Next March 6, 2026 Pixar’s latest animated feature, Hoppers , is now in theatres and is receiving buzz as one of the studio’s most outlandish, hilarious, and experimental animated features to date. Did it swing too big, or did the wild takes hit just right? Join Matt, Nick, Shak, and Adriano as they talk about Pixar’s response to both The Wild Robot and Avatar at the same time. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our interviews, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

Previous Next January 10, 2024 WRITTEN BY: CALEB I went to the movies a lot last year… like a lot , a lot. In the past few months, the theatre has even begun to feel like my home away from home. I’ve always loved going to the movies, but you know what? The more I go, the more I think there is some room for improvement. So, how can we make it better? Below, I’ve compiled my own little wish list to outline some of the things I’d like to see theatres either add or enhance upon this year. Bear in mind, these are highly personal wants that are based on my specific experiences with theatres in Ontario, so this won’t be a universal list by any means. For those outside of Canada, especially if you live in a big city, there is a chance that your local theatres may have already granted some of my wishes (lucky you!). So, with that said, let's skip any further delay and hop right into my 2024 movie theatre wish-list! Bring On the Throwbacks: One thing I’d really like to see more of is some good old-fashioned throwback screenings. I remember around my 15th birthday, Universal did a big re-release of Jurassic Park . Getting to watch that movie in a packed theatre was an absolute delight simply because having a chance to experience one of my all-time favourite films on the big screen for the first time was a dream come true. Now, this isn’t saying that I want every theatre to be filled with older movies. I obviously want new releases to have their time in the spotlight as well, but I think it’d be fun to have “Throwback Thursdays” or something similar. I know this isn’t unheard of (some small theatres and Cineplex locations already screen older movies on occasion), but I’d like to see it become more frequent. It would be especially cool if they were discounted, or if people got to vote for the movies online. Imagine walking into your local cinema to watch Gremlins , Back to the Future , or 2001: A Space Odyssey on the big screen. It would be a blast! Movie Marathons: Jumping off my last point about classics, how about we bring back movie marathons too? Do you know how many stories I had to hear growing up about people going to watch a Star Wars marathon before The Phantom Menace , or a Harry Potter marathon leading up to The Deathly Hallows ? I was too young to make it through one of those at the time, but I’m a grown man now, and I want to go to a marathon! I want to claim proudly that I sat through all nine Planet of the Apes movies before making it to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes . Imagine how fun it would’ve been to watch a Spider-Man marathon before No Way Home . I would’ve been first in line! Unfortunately, it seems like movie marathons are becoming a thing of the past, or at least they are where I live. I’ve seen a few here and there for Star Wars and the MCU, but even those are usually relegated to specific theatres, most of which are outside of Canada. I can understand how the average person might not want to sit through seven or eight movies in a row, but I still think it’d be fun to have a few special events for the die-hard fans. Keep Catering To The AV Crowd: Let's talk about IMAX. No matter what anyone says… no matter how great your dad claims his surround sound is… there is absolutely no better way to watch a movie than in an IMAX theatre. The massive wall-to-wall screen, the crystal-clear laser projection, the near-deafening Dolby Atmos soundscape… it’s what cinematic dreams are made of. Getting a chance to see Oppenheimer in 70mm was one of the best theatre-going experiences I’ve had in a long time. It’s been announced that Dune: Part 2 will be getting a 70mm IMAX release as well, and you can bet your ass that I’ll be there opening night. All that is to say that I really like when theatres cater to the geeky, tech-y, film-kid part of my brain, and I hope to have a lot more experiences like that in 2024. This past July, Cineplex announced that it is adding five new IMAX systems across Canadian theatres, which is great news but not nearly enough. I’d really like to see theatres continue to focus on higher quality projection and sound, while moving further away from gimmicks like 3D glasses and moving seats. All that tacky nonsense just distracts from the experience. If you really want to make a movie-going experience better, make the screen bigger and the speakers louder. More Sneak Preview Screenings: Getting to see movies early is awesome! Pre-screenings just feel mysterious and exclusive, like you’re part of some secret club. When everyone else is talking about that hot new movie, you get to be the cool dude who confidently states “oh yeah… I saw it already.” They’re also great because they allow new films to get some much-needed word of mouth before their wide releases. I got to see a few sneak preview screenings this year, like Talk to Me and TMNT: Mutant Mayhem , but they still are relatively rare. Preview screenings spark fan engagement, they sell well, they’re great for publicity, and they’re just plain cool. Let’s do more of them in 2024. Create Better Subscription Models: If there is one trend that seems to be sticking around for good, it’s the subscription model. There is a subscription for damn near everything at this point: music, books, fitness, video games…you can even get food subscription plans now. Personally, I would love for theatres to hop on board and give movie fans some better options. Currently, I pay about $11 a month for Cineplex’s “Cineclub” membership. It gives me one complimentary movie, 20% off concessions, and two discounted “member-priced” tickets per showing. It’s a pretty good deal, honestly, but why not take it further? Imagine if you could pay somewhere closer to $30 a month and get unlimited screenings. That’d be amazing, and I’d pay it in a heartbeat. Hell, based on the number of movies I see in a month, I’d probably pay upwards of $40, especially if they began throwing IMAX or AVX screenings into the equation. Subscription models dominate almost every other form of media consumption, and for good reason. They give you a lot of bang for your buck, and they’re convenient. The average person might be hesitant to buy a $15 movie ticket, but if they had a subscription, they could be a lot less selective about what they choose to see. More people would go to the movies, and therefore, more people would buy concessions. Viewers are happy, theatres are happy. Sounds like a good idea to me. Bring Back Proper Theatre Etiquette: Instead of ending this article on something that I think theatres need to address, I’m going to end it on something I think we, as a society, need to address. This may be my biggest wish, actually. Frankly, we all need to learn how to behave in theatres again. I understand that the modern world is one of constant noise and distraction, but we should be able to make it through a movie without bothering the people around us. Look, I get it, I also have a really hard time sitting still and watching a TV show without pulling out my phone. I’m no stranger to TikTok brain-rot, so I know how hard it can be to pay attention to one thing for more than ten seconds. Still though, let's not make our short attention spans everyone else's problem. Movies aren’t free, and people pay good money to watch them. In 2024, I want us all to start arriving on time, turning our phones off, sitting still, and most importantly, keeping silent. If I could point to one thing that has ruined a lot of my theatre-going experiences this year, it would have to be the rowdy crowds. I think it’s absolutely crucial that movie-fans continue to support their local theatres, but it’s a whole lot harder to do that when inconsiderate audience members ruin the experience. Honestly, all I really want out of my 2024 theatres is a little bit of peace and quiet so I can enjoy the show. Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Warner Bros.; Photo 2 - Associated Press; Photo 3 - IMAX; Photo 4 - Sony Pictures Releasing; Photo 6 - Mashable