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THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER: SEASON ONE Starring: Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Lloyd Owen, Nazanin Boniadi, Robert Aramayo, and Owain Arthur Creators: Patrick McKay, John D. Payne AMARÚ The Rings of Power is a lesson in patience. It masterfully weaves multiple storylines together, but in following four separate plotlines, it takes a bit too long to reach a payoff. But dammit, what a payoff! For some, that slow burn may feel boring (*cough* Q *cough*) or overwrought, but for me, it brought tension to the slowly unraveling mysteries and created connections to captivating characters (especially Owain Arthur’s Durin). It even generated catharsis once the explosive climax begins tying things together in the gripping final episodes. It returned me to the beauty of Middle Earth, and I can’t wait to go back. QUENTIN While beautiful to look at…and make no mistake, it is breathtakingly gorgeous…if you aren’t already a diehard Ringer, The Rings of Power is boring as hell. The disparate storylines are just far too unwieldy and slow-moving to hold the general fan’s interest. Honestly, I still can’t tell you what the series is even “about.” The unlikable characters (especially Galadriel (Morfydd Clark)) are given weak characterizations too, and the acting comes off as wooden (though, that could be due to the bland Tolkien dialogue they are forced to deliver). As visually stunning as it may be, I can’t believe Amazon backed up the truck for this. JACOB Amazon’s The Rings of Power may not invoke the same emotion as The Lord of the Rings films from which it draws inspiration, but it’s an impressive piece of work nonetheless. Lavishly produced with one hell of a pilot, Season One immediately induces a sense of wonder and majesty in the viewer. As the story continues, there are admittedly a few awkwardly paced episodes, and for only having eight episodes total, that’s not ideal for a debut season. That said, the performances and dialogue all work well enough even then. I’ll watch Season Two, for sure.

Previous Next With Remembrance/Veterans Day having just passed, along with the recent release of All Quiet on the Western Front, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Military Films. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. A FEW GOOD MEN “You can’t handle the truth” because A Few Good Men is still one of the best military movies ever made. The whole cast, especially Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise, give outstanding performances in this courtroom drama that is surrounding the death of a Marine at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. It has a beautifully written script by Aaron Sorkin brought to life by director Rob Reiner, who is able to capture the sentimental state of these characters perfectly. You can’t go wrong with watching this film on Veteran’s day, or any other day for that matter. - Paige 4. 1917 Sam Mendes’ 1917 may not be the greatest war film ever made, but it is, without question, one of the most accomplished WWI stories on the silver screen thus far. Besides the total immersion brought on by Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins’ one-shot approach, the film’s two lead performances are appropriately devoid of star power as well, allowing the audience to see past the performer and into the character. Even the VFX are great. The biggest thing, however, that separates this movie from the rest is its incredible Thomas Newman score. - Jacob 3. DUNKIRK To this day, Dunkirk is still one of the best cinema experiences I have ever had. The sound design was remarkable, truly immersing you in the battles on land, air, and sea. Director Christopher Nolan did a fantastic job at crafting an anxiety ridden film that thrust you into the horrors of war. - Joseph 2. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS Arguably director Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece (at least according to him), there had never been a movie like Inglorious Basterds , nor has it been touched since. Featuring amazingly iconic performances, tension-filled scenes, and darkly humorous writing, Basterds is a singular movie that may never be replicated - Amarú 1. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN In Saving Private Ryan , director Steven Spielberg crafted a war movie masterpiece on the back of a terrific screenplay, a documentary-style approach, an outstanding cast, and a religiously-adhered-to authenticity. The 30-minute opening scene at Omaha Beach remains an unparalleled depiction of old-world combat, and what follows is a tribute to the heroism, sacrifices, and camaraderie often associated with those who wear the uniform. This film paved the way for movies like Dunkirk and 1917 . - Quentin HONORABLE MENTIONS APOCALYPSE NOW HACKSAW RIDGE THE HURT LOCKER ZERO DARK THIRTY THE DEER HUNTER Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Columbia Pictures; Photo 2, 3, 4 - Universal Pictures; Photo 5 - Dreamworks Pictures

Previous Next July 30, 2025 Disney is returning to the world of Zootopia with the long-awaited sequel to their 2016 hit. Amarú is back with his reaction for the first official trailer of Zootopia 2 , starring Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Idris Elba, plus newcomers Ke Huy Quan & Quinta Brunson. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channlel for all of our latest video content including our Early Reactions, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

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.

MYTHIC QUEST: SEASON FOUR Starring: Rob McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, Imani Hakim, Jessie Ennis, and Naomi Ekperigin Creators: Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney QUENTIN Shows like Mythic Quest get tougher to review with each passing season, especially in 100 words, because not much changes from year to year. The characters are established, the brand of humor is set, and the series just is what it is at this point. Nothing I say will drive you to watch if you haven’t already, just like nothing I say will turn you off if you’re already a fan. So, given that, Mythic Quest remains a funny (if not laugh-out-loud) workplace comedy built on tremendous cast chemistry and increasingly mature and heartfelt character dynamics. I mean, after four seasons…if you know, you know. Check out our reviews for Season Three HERE .

LOVE & DEATH Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, Lily Rabe, Patrick Fugit, Krysten Ritter, Tom Pelphrey, Elizabeth Marvel, and Keir Gilchrist Creator: David E. Kelley QUENTIN Objectively speaking, Love & Death is a decent true crime series that is held together by several solid performances, especially from Elizabeth Olsen; however, for me, it has the same problem as White House Plumbers . I just watched Hulu’s Candy , which is about the same murder and starring Jessica Biel, last year, so this series is nothing more than a redundant rehash. Comparatively, they are of about the same quality, with one doing a few things better than the other and vice versa, but, if you saw Candy , there is no reason to watch Love & Death . If you haven’t seen Candy , pick your poison. PAIGE Love & Death is just a dry and dull paint-by-numbers type of crime show, and it’s so straightforward that I can’t picture it cracking the interests of many. This true crime drama just doesn’t bring anything new to the table with its storytelling, especially considering that Hulu already told this tale with Candy . Yeah, Elizabeth Olsen gives life to her character, Candy Montgomery, but I can’t help but feel that it’s time to put this case to rest. ADRIANO I don’t know everything about the Candy Montgomery (Elizabeth Olsen) story, but I know it’s much more complicated than the surface level, one-sided, and sympathetic approach that Love & Death took. It is hard for me to call this show bad, and it did pique my interest more in the second half of the season, but the lens through which this show is presented does not give the subject the nuance it requires. Olsen and the rest of the cast are great, and it’s well-put together; I just wasn’t engaged enough to care.

Previous Next July 2, 2025 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW Another July, another opportunity to see if the first half of our cinematic year lived up to our early expectations. Looking back at our list HERE , there were some great gems that turned out to be better than expected (Q was surprised by Companion , but saw the greatness of 28 Years Later coming), some series that far exceeded expectations (shout-out to Nick on his The Pitt pick, and Adriano for knowing the Sinners hype was going to come to fruition), and some picks that, let’s just say, were more disappointing (let’s not shout-out that Captain America: Brave New World hope). That’s usually how it works when looking ahead to movies that you may not even have a trailer for yet. That said, the Bitesize Crew is back at it again, focusing on the releases we are awaiting on most to finish out the year. Now, let’s get to the rules. We’re only focusing on the second half of 2025, so to be eligible, the entry must have a confirmed release date between July 1st and December 31st, 2025. The reason for this is that there are several films and series expected to release for the rest of the year, but as we’ve seen in the past, we can never really know when something will actually drop. Having this rule makes for more accurate selections while also avoiding repetitive lists in the future. So, from Summer Blockbusters to Oscar hopefuls, here is what we are most anticipating for the second half of 2025, in order of release date. Are any of these on your list? What are you excited about? SUPERMAN (July 11th) Batman notwithstanding, I’ve never really been a DC guy. The biggest reason has always been because I’ve never felt much connection with the number two hero on their roster. The good Superman movies are okay, but with his OP (overpowered) capabilities, I couldn’t feel the stakes or find anything overly interesting about his stories. However, if there is one person who can take a comic book storyline you’d never expect to be interesting, and inject life, humanity, and humor into it with heartbreaking honesty, it’s James Gunn. I’ve been intrigued by all of his choices as the new head of DC Studios, and what solidified this newfound fervor was the opening “discussion” between Clark (David Corenswet) and Lois (Rachel Brosnahan) in the first official Superman trailer. Since then, I have been hyped to see what exciting energy Gunn is going to bring to turn arguably the stiffest superhero into a fully layered character. If he pulls it off, Gunn may go down as one of the most important figures in comic-book movie history. At least in my book. - Amarú THE NAKED GUN (August 1st) If there's one genre that has suffered the most in recent years, it's laugh-out-loud comedies. Sure there've been a couple memorable ones ( Joy Ride , Palm Springs ), but the success stories have been rare. Even rarer is the subgenre of spoof comedy, and there's nothing better than The Naked Gun . Sadly, Leslie Neilsen is no longer with us, but we've got Liam Neeson taking over the mantle as Frank Drebin Jr. If you have any hesitation about this casting, you clearly haven't seen Neeson in Life's Too Short or Atlanta . The man is capable of comedy gold. No doubt it's going to be difficult to reach the heights of the Nielsen films, but if the trailer is any sign, the return to silly comedy and visual gags shows director Akiva Schaffer is certainly aiming for just that. - Nick WEAPONS (August 8th) It’s always bold to put a full paragraph of voiceover from the trailer onto the poster, but for Weapons , it just adds to the tantalizing mystery. I enjoyed Barbarian thoroughly, so this follow-up for director Zach Cregger has to be considered a must-see. With Josh Brolin headlining alongside actress-of-the-moment Julia Garner and a more than solid supporting cast that includes Benedict Wong and Alden Ehrenreich, it doesn’t need more hype. Anytime you can make a group of children, who are already scary to begin with, even creepier, you have to know you are in for something that will chill you to the bone, and what better time for chills than in the dog days of summer. - Robert THE TOXIC AVENGER (August 29th) I have no connection to the 1980s cult original, but I have been told its weirdness is something to behold. Due to its extreme nature as an unrated, violent film, this reboot has been in limbo for two years after premiering at Fantastic Fest in 2023. Those R-rated descriptors are but a tractor beam for me, sucking me in without remorse. I am aware Brothers wasn’t for everyone, but anything Peter Dinklage wants to headline I will support, and director Macon Blair helmed the vastly underrated I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore with Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood. With Wood finding his way as a creep alongside Dinklage in this project, all I have to say is “rise up for the mutant janitors!” - Robert THE CONJURING: LAST RITES (September 5th) The second half of 2025 is a great time for horror movie sequels, but I’m most excited for The Conjuring: Last Rites . I love The Conjuring films. Some are better than others, and they've never quite reached the heights of the incredible first installment, but each film is distinct, compelling, full of jump scares, and driven by horror genre favourites Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s fantastic performances as the infamous demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Wilson and Farmiga will return for the last time, embarking on their final case together in The Conjuring Universe: the Smurl haunting. The trailer leads me to suspect this could be the scariest, most unsettling film in the franchise for some time, and although I’m reluctant to say goodbye to Ed and Lorraine Warren, I’m excited to see what Last Rites has in store for me. - Katie DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE (September 12th) I said I wasn’t a DC guy. Marvel, on the other hand… all day, every day! If you are like me, you know exactly where I’m going with this. Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau). 2013. Iron Man 3 . When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) lay next to Happy in his hospital bed and told the nurse to put on Downton Abbey because Happy thinks “it’s elegant”, I felt seen. Now, it’s definitely going to be hard to watch the third entry in my favorite not-so-guilty pleasure without the best there ever was, Dame Maggie Smith. But there is still so much cattiness, drama, elegance, and characters to love in this ever growing world of British royalty. The most interesting part of continuing this story has always been watching how the Crawleys navigate the advances of modernity over time, and with new times come new challenges, new marriages, new love triangles, and new characters (to the films at least). I’m geeked as hell to see how the upstairs and downstairs leads Downton into the “future.” - Amarú HIM (September 19th) What are you willing to sacrifice in the quest for greatness? This is a question that’s been at the forefront of many films. There Will Be Blood , Whiplash , and Black Swan , happen to be three examples which are considered some of the greatest films to come out of the 21st century (as reinforced by the recent New York Times list). It’s probably way too soon to say if Him , produced by Jordan Peele, and directed by Justin Tipping in his first studio effort, will be as capital-G great as those aforementioned films, but after that trailer took me by surprise, I’m certainly excited to find out. It’s already one thing to put a psychological twist on this question (like Black Swan did), but to intertwine it with the world of football (one of America’s favourite pastimes) makes things more intriguing, as sports feel like relatively untapped territory in the horror genre. Add in Marlon Wayans giving what looks like his most electrifying dramatic performance since Requiem for a Dream , and I couldn’t be more fascinated to see the end result. - Bode ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (September 26th) Truth be told, I’m a little conflicted about One Battle After Another . On one hand, Leonardo DiCaprio is an actor whose movies I will watch sight unseen. I don’t care what it’s about, I’m there. My level of anticipation mostly rests on that fact alone. I’m also a huge Benicio del Toro fan. Once you sprinkle those two with some of Sean Penn’s surly gravitas and Regina Hall’s sassy magic, you’ve got real potential for something great, at least on the performance side. On the other hand, I haven’t truly enjoyed a Paul Thomas Anderson movie since 2002’s Punch Drunk Love . Hell, I haven’t full-on loved one since Magnolia . So, what wins out? The boring pretentiousness that has turned me off so many of the director’s recent efforts, or the fact that DiCaprio never misses. I’m hoping for the latter, and the fact that Battle is being advertised as a black comedy action movie — a rare genre for Leo — I’m anticipating something special from him, and thus, a return to form for PTA. - Quentin FRANKENSTEIN (November) I've been lucky enough to work on a couple Guillermo del Toro films, including Frankenstein , and the one constant with the director is the thought and care that go into his projects. He is like no one else I've seen on set with the way his passion pours out of him. Considering he's been angling for Frankenstein for nearly 20 years, this may be his most impassioned creation to date. This world was made for him, and as Robert Eggers' Nosferatu showed, there's an audience for these gothic retellings. With his spellbinding visuals and a killer cast headlined by Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and newly christened scream queen Mia Goth, there's a genuine chance this could become the auteur's greatest film to date. - Nick THE RUNNING MAN (November 7th) Edgar Wright is, without question, one of my absolute favourite filmmakers. I've deeply loved everything he's made. Hell, I'm probably the biggest defender of Last Night in Soho on this planet. Just him making another film at all is enough to get me hyped, but with The Running Man , I find myself counting down the minutes until this comes out. Yes, there is the action adaptation from the 80s with Arnold Schwarzenegger, but instead of directly rebooting that (which would be enough for me honestly), Edgar Wright seems to be adapting Stephen King's novel with his own signature stylized genre approach, starring none other than Glen Powell in the lead role amongst a killer ensemble, including Michael Cera, Katy O'Brian, Josh Brolin, Jayme Lawson, Emilia Jones, and Colman Domingo. I'm such a sucker for anything Edgar Wright does, but the subject matter he's approaching is so fascinating that I need to know what his stamp on it will look like. - Adriano SISU 2 (November 21st) In 2023, I attended the Toronto International Film Festival, my first festival as accredited press. On the second evening, still riding high on the experience of it all, I saw Sisu , a Finnish action thriller that had no poster, no trailer, and no known actors. My only connection was that I kinda-sorta knew director Jalmari Helander because of Rare Exports . It was a total dart throw, especially for a midnight showing after a long day of movie-going, but hot damn! It was an out of nowhere bullseye! Marrying the sensibilities of John Wick , Captain America , and Quentin Tarantino, it was a fresh, violent, and most importantly, fun take on “kill the Nazis” movies. A few months ago, Helander casually announced, out of nowhere (at least for me), that Sisu 2 would drop this fall. If it’s anything like the original (which I gave 4.5 reels ), especially considering it’s being driven by double the budget (still only $13 million) and new cast additions Stephen Lang and Richard Brake, I already know this will be one of the most fun action experiences of the year. - Quentin WICKED: FOR GOOD (November 21st) I’m not a fan of the Wicked stage show, so going into the first part of Wicked , my expectations were not high, especially amongst all of the negative press the film seemed to be receiving at the time. However, these alleged issues did not impact my enjoyment, as I tried and failed to resist Wicked ’s intoxicating charm. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are amazing performers who shine as bright as each other, and their compelling dynamic is a big contributor to my excitement for Wicked: For Good . The first one established their past and the world they live in, and I can't wait to see their relationship explored further amongst the difficult circumstances they’ve been plunged into, alongside what I am sure will be incredible musical set pieces. - Katie AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (December 19th) “Never bet against James Cameron” has been a general saying for as long as he’s been putting out movies, but it felt especially prophetic after Avatar ’s long-awaited follow-up, The Way of Water . The film went on to be one of 2022’s biggest films after over a decade of folks declaring that the moment for this series has passed. Anyone who saw the last film would know that Cameron hasn’t lost his touch in terms of delivering the gargantuan spectacle and sweeping emotionality that audiences expect from his blockbusters. These films are accentuated by his willingness to further push the boundaries of what’s possible with the moving image. From his utilization of 3D, which remains game-changing, to capturing the action (under and above water) at a higher frame rate (60FPS in this case, a feature which bugged some viewers, but which I found absolutely transcendent). All of this makes me excited to see how he expands the world of Pandora with Fire and Ash , especially since Cameron has previously teased that it’ll be darker than the previous two entries. As long as Payakan survives whatever chaos is planned, I’m perfectly okay with that. - Bode MARTY SUPREME (December 25th) After Uncut Gems frankly blew me away in 2019, I've been waiting to see what the Safdie Brothers will give us next. The two directors have decided to work separately for their next projects, with Benny Safdie releasing The Smashing Machine later this year. While that film does excite me, Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme sounds like I'm about to have the time of my life. Starring Timothée Chalamet, the movie is said to center around a ping-pong player named Marty Mauser as he is in “pursuit of greatness.” The film reteams Josh Safdie with editor/co-writer Ronald Bronstein and cinematographer Darius Khondji from Uncut Gems , which is exciting in and of itself, so I’m expecting similar mayhem. But, with the film being described as a cross-country comedy, and possibly a mix of Catch Me If You Can and The Wolf of Wall Street , I'm beyond excited to see what insanity Josh Safdie has cooked up for us. - Adriano

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY: SEASON THREE Starring: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, and William Stanford Davis Creator: Quinta Brunson AMARÚ It’s official - three seasons of damn near perfection makes Abbott Elementary a bonafide, all-time classic sitcom. Season Three clearly had a bigger budget (all them damn cameos) and bigger aspirations, but none of it dimmed the intimate and hilarious synergy that the cast has with each other, that creator Quinta Brunson has with a pen, or that the entire crew has with their dedication to highlighting the U.S. education system. Every year, each member of the excellent ensemble helps the series evolve to an even more unique cast of characters that doesn’t have one weak link. All this greatness combines to make comedic TV royalty. KATIE I only recently discovered Abbott Elementary , and to my surprise, finished watching the first two seasons just in time for the release of the third. After the first, I knew it was something special, but Season Three has made me love the unique characters and their hilarious dynamics even more. It takes the finest parts of my favourite sitcoms and updates them to 2024 in the best way possible, with a faultless cast and exceptional writing, whilst highlighting pertinent issues with the American education system. I don’t have one bad word to say about this show, and I cannot wait for the next season! ADRIANO Abbott Elementary will be considered a sitcom staple in time, I'm sure of it. Three seasons in, and it's just as funny, charming, and sincere as it's ever been. The show has consistent laughs and character growth from the lovable ensemble that just make the show so watchable. On top of that, although it wasn't my favourite aspect of the season, the idea to shift the series’ flow by making Janine (Quinta Brunson) work at the school district was a fascinating change of pace. Abbott Elementary could never end and I'd be happy.

SUCCESSION: THE FINAL SEASON Starring: Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Brian Cox, Matthew Macfadyen, Nicholas Braun, and Alan Ruck Creator: Jesse Armstrong PAIGE Succession will go down in history as one of the greatest HBO shows of all time. Season Four felt unforeseeable yet entirely inescapable, coming full circle and leaving the Roy children exactly where they started. This journey has allowed the Roy family to become some of the most compelling and well-rounded characters to grace our television screens, which is all due to the series’ remarkable writing, incredible direction, and phenomenal performances. I’m going to miss witnessing the triumphs and falls of this toxic-ass family, but what more can I say besides “fuck off…”; go watch this series if you haven’t already done so! ADRIANO Succession ’s final season cemented what was already clear: it will go down as one of the best shows ever made. Show creator Jesse Armstrong’s final outing allowed for his themes of greed, generational trauma, and living up to your families’ legacy to finish in a way that feels not only good, but right. The twists and turns are more shocking than ever, and the ensemble is just as snarky as you remember. Personally, I’m still reeling from the finale’s explosive twist, and it’s a show whose impact will stay with me for years to come.

CULPRITS: SEASON ONE Starring: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Gemma Arterton, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Niamh Algar, Kamel El Basha, Tara Abboud, Karl Collins, Vincent Riotta, Amara Karan, Tom Mothersdale, Mark Field, and Laura Morgan Creator: J Blakeson QUENTIN The heist genre is maybe the most fun genre out there, and probably one of the hardest to truly mess up. With Culprits , series creator/writer/occasional director J Blakeson benefits from these two ideals because when it finally gets to heisting, it’s a fast-paced, violent, action-packed show. The problem is that it takes half the season to get there, and the early episodes, which lean heavily into a “before-and-after” storytelling structure, are a bit of a slog because the constant time-jumping kills the narrative momentum. Still, as a whole, if you can make it through the uneven start, there is enough stylized Reservoir Dogs -inspired goodness to entertain.

THE PITT: SEASON ONE Starring: Noah Wyle, Patrick Ball, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Gerran Howell, Isa Briones, Tracy Ifeachor, Shabana Azeez, Supriya Ganesh, Katherine LaNasa, Alexandra Metz, Krystel Mcneil, Shawn Hatosy, and Michael Hyatt Creator: R. Scott Gemmill NICK As someone who has watched a fair share of medical dramas, I think The Pitt is the most realistic one I’ve seen. It never relies on the romantic or soap opera theatrics of series like Grey’s Anatomy to make for a more exciting story, instead using the real-time format to achieve it organically. The perennially underrated Noah Wyle leads a balanced cast that manages to both leave their mark individually and enhance the overall story. With a healthy dose of hope, humour, and heartbreak, The Pitt raises the bar for what a medical series can be.

GEN V: SEASON TWO Starring: Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, Hamish Linklater, Sean Patrick Thomas, Asa Germann, and Ethan Slater Creators: Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg, and Craig Rosenberg AMARÚ Gen V : Season Two is as unapologetic, gory, and politically charged as any season of The Boys , maybe even more. It naturally builds out the world to continue this universe’s story well past its predecessor’s series finale. But I can’t help but feel there is something missing. Colliding multiple storylines with cameos (albeit good ones), action pieces, and a moving season-long tribute to Chance Perdomo makes for some great reveals, but the series moves through each so fast that the youth-centered themes and cast performances don’t feel as intelligent. It does give us a career-best Hamish Linklater performance, though, and left me entertained with this crazy show. PAIGE First and foremost, Gen V : Season Two does a beautiful and respectful job of honoring the late Chance Perdomo, who passed away before this season was filmed. The impact he left on both the characters and the cast is felt throughout each episode. Secondly, this season confidently stands apart on its own merit by going full throttle and building upon the majority of its characters’ developments. It introduces one of the best villains in the franchise, and furthers the overall story for this universe. Somehow, this is even more fucked up than its predecessor, and yet it has so much bloody heart. QUENTIN If you’re a loyalist to franchise IP — the type of person who still considers every spinoff of The Walking Dead to be appointment viewing — Gen V delivers enough of The Boys ’ satire, gore, violence, dark humor, and superhero action to scratch your itch, especially as the parent series prepares to enter its final season. That said, all the fun aspects that are carried over from the core show are nothing more than wrapping paper for CW-style melodrama between characters that lack charisma. It’s like an R-rated Arrowverse, and although it remains provocative, I’m not sure I care enough to stick around once The Boys ends. NICK With Jaz Sinclair’s Marie Moreau being the clear focal point of Gen V going forward, this season needed to improve upon her character, which it does in both the writing and Sinclair’s performance. Helping with that evolution is having a truly intimidating villain (something many superhero stories struggle with), played by a never better Hamish Linklater. Above all else, though, this entire season is a tribute to the late Chance Perdomo, and it is a touching one. I’m not sure there's much road left for this story after The Boys concludes with its fifth season, but Season Two was a nice step up. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .