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THE PERFECT COUPLE Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Dakota Fanning, Jack Reynor, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Donna Lynne Champlin, Michael Beach, Ishaan Khattar, Sam Nivola, and Mia Isaac Creator: Jenna Lamia QUENTIN The latest in the recent trend of “Nicole Kidman plays an unhappy, rich white woman with secrets,” The Perfect Couple feels too much like other shows to stand on its own. If you’ve seen Big Little Lies or The White Lotus , you’ve already seen everything this series has to offer…and seen it done better. However, at only six episodes, it’s not a waste of time. The whodunnit is interesting enough, and while I wouldn’t call it twisty, there are enough well-timed revelations to reel you in despite the underdeveloped characters. Overall, it’s like a dime-store beach read — an instantly forgettable yet easily entertaining (and predictable) distraction.

YELLOWJACKETS: SEASON THREE Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress, Lauren Ambrose, Simone Kessell, Sophie Thatcher, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Courtney Eaton, Samantha Hanratty, Liv Hewson, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole, Sarah Desjardins, Kevin Alves, Elijah Wood, and Hilary Swank Creators: Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson PAIGE The third season of Yellowjackets is even darker, bloodier, and more intense than its last. With top tier performances from the ensemble and compelling plots, the series has moved beyond mere survival to dive deeper into the lasting impact the horrifying events have had on these characters and the past demons that are now catching up to haunt them. This season blends psychological horror with deep emotional insight, making it the most mind-bending and daring outing thus far. Although I still crave more answers, I am eating up this mystery. KATIE The third season of Yellowjackets is fantastic, but also the most inconsistent so far. Some of the writing decisions were questionable, and it felt like the writers forgot about some plots and character dynamics from previous seasons and were somewhat improvising. Nonetheless, it still boasts one of the strongest casts on TV, with my personal favourites being Sophie Thatcher and Melanie Lynskey. The story is still compelling too, with genuine scares and gore, intense emotional drama, and an anarchic sense of humour. I’m hoping that next season will address the inconsistencies, but it's still undeniably entertaining and has me looking forward to what comes next. Check out our reviews for Season Two HERE .

Previous Next November 27, 2024 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW It’s Thanksgiving, and while we at Bitesize Breakdown have so much to be thankful for, we won’t bore you with that. I mean, this is a movie and television website, right? So, in an effort to keep things relevant and on brand, we’re going to celebrate T.Hanksgiving instead, where we celebrate America’s Dad and cinematic icon Thomas Jeffrey Hanks. On the big screen, Hanks has been capturing our hearts and imaginations since his film debut in 1980’s He Knows You’re Alone all the way through this year’s Here . He stepped behind the camera twice to direct That Thing You Do! and Larry Crown e, and he has been credited as screenwriter on four separate projects. He has been nominated for six Oscars (winning for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump in back-to-back years) and 10 Golden Globes, including the esteemed Cecil B. DeMille award in 2020. And that’s just the start. He has also been awarded a slew of awards from organizations ranging from the popcorn-fun MTV Movie Awards to the well-respected Screen Actors Guild to the prestigious American Film Institute, including the AFI’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, not to mention the Critics Association and People’s Choice awards that are too numerous to list here. Suffice to say, he has pretty much done it all in film. But wait, there’s more… He also has been wowing us on the small screen since 1980, first appearing on The Love Boat before going on to star in two seasons of Bosom Buddies . He also appeared as a guest star in classic series such as Taxi , Happy Days , Family Ties , 30 Rock , The Simpsons , and Saturday Night Live , which he has hosted a whopping 10 times and appeared as a non-host guest star an additional 10 times. He has produced critically acclaimed miniseries such as John Adams , From the Earth to the Moon , and Band of Brothers , even writing and directing episodes of the latter two. He also directed an episode of Tales from the Crypt . All of this has led to him being nominated for 13 Emmys (winning seven). Again, he’s done it all — comedy, drama, animated, horror, documentary. And we’re not done yet! He is a Shakespearean-trained actor who has appeared on stage 12 times between 1977 and 2018, even being nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Lucky Guy in 2013. He has appeared in three music videos. He is known for his philanthropic endeavors and charitable donations, especially with veterans and the space program. He has been awarded a Kennedy Center Honors Medallion, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, and the French Legion of Honor, not to mention being made an honorary member of the U.S. Army Rangers Hall of Fame and an honorary citizen of Greece. Even off screen he has done it all! We could go on, mentioning that he has also written a book of short stories and a novel. Or that he, an avid typewriter collector, created an iOS app that emulates the experience of using a typewriter on your phone. Or that he’s an ordained minister. Or that he founded Hanx for the Troops, a coffee company that supports veterans and military families through a portion of its profits and various initiatives. Or that… You know what? You get it. The man is a national treasure beyond reproach. A man that has never even sniffed controversy, a rare thing these days. It’s with that last idea in mind that we want to give the man his due, and talk about the Hanks moments that we are most thankful for — T.Hankful, if you will. Happy (American) Thanksgiving from Bitesize Breakdown! YOU'VE GOT MAIL If I'm forced to pick just one Tom Hanks film to write about, it has to be my favourite rom-com, You've Got Mail . I know, a weird choice, right? Often viewed as the lesser collaboration with Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail is one of those films I can't help but stick with when I come across it while channel surfing (when we still did that). The reason it works as well as it does is two-fold. One, although our leads are oblivious to who they're communicating with, director Nora Ephron never conceals that from the audience, which allows everything to build to a wonderful crescendo when the secret is revealed. And two, Hanks and Ryan come with a chemistry that is somehow even stronger than their Sleepless in Seattle days. Hanks especially walks a tightrope between hero and villain, at times balancing drive, love, greed, and compassion. It's a subtly layered performance and among my favourites of his. — Nick FORREST GUMP The Hanks movie that I’m most grateful for not only won Best Picture, but also won Hanks his second Oscar: Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump . While I understand that some may find this movie to be controversial while claiming it hasn’t aged well, I can’t help but find myself so in love with the story that I always rewatch it. There are so many positive lessons that can be taken away from this uplighting film, whether it be staying optimistic, following your heart, or simply appreciating life. Its view of “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get” is so prominent and powerful, and through the snapshots of Gump’s (Hanks) life, that ideal makes for a heartwarming throughline that makes you feel like you can achieve greatness, no matter the limitations. It also stresses that being kind to one another goes a long way. It’s one of those rare films that delivers a message of hope, which is largely thanks to Hanks' extraordinary performance. Forrest Gump isn’t just my favorite Hanks’ film, it’s also my favorite Hanks’ performance. — Paige TOY STORY Tom Hanks’ iconic voicing of Woody the Cowboy in Toy Story defined his endearing persona for an entire generation whilst also solidifying his reputation as the most likeable actor in Hollywood. Woody captures the actor’s quintessential innocence and sincerity, boiling down his most charming characteristics into a perfect performance that created one of the most beloved animated characters ever. Toy Story was notably the first computer-generated animated feature film, introducing stylistically innovative graphics and movement, ultimately leading to one of the highest-grossing animated franchises of all time, and Hanks’ voice is an integral part of its enduring success and impact. Through his filmography, Hanks has demonstrated the capacity for a wide emotional range through extremely varied performances, and he uses that proven ability to deliver a vocal performance that is imbued with a sense of earnestness, humour, absurdity, and appropriate seriousness in such a heartwarming way that it’s relatable for children and adults alike. Hanks truly brings the toy to life. — Katie TOY STORY 4 BLOGXILLA INTERVIEW Shout out to Xilla Valentine for creating my absolute favorite Tom Hanks moment by arbitrarily giving both Hanks and his Toy Story co-star Tim Allen a black card. This gesture of generosity immediately puts Hanks in a focused state, while Allen goes from friendly to uncomfortable in 0.2 seconds. If you haven’t heard it, the interview proceeds to ask the pair, “what is the biggest debate in black culture?” This kicks off the first of 100 looks that Allen gives Hanks as he screams internally for help. Meanwhile, Hanks — without hesitation — chooses “Jay-Z vs. Nas.” Then, the icing on the cake… Valentine asks them what they would bid if they were playing spades, and both they and their partner have “4 and a possible.” If, at this very moment, you’re reading this and have no clue what I just said, you are, in fact, also Allen, who states, “I don’t have any idea what you guys just said… I just want to move on.” This prompts cookout regular, don’t-need-no-invite Mr. Hanks to 1). hit Allen with the Nick Young meme; 2). mention he was raised in Oakland, CA; 3). state that he prefers bid whist; and 4). completely leave his co-star behind to have the most natural black-ass conversation for the next 15 seconds. My goodness, watching America’s Dad thrive while Buzz Lightyear quietly sits as a deer in the headlights was a glorious, glorious thing to watch. — Amarú SAVING PRIVATE RYAN One of the things that makes Saving Private Ryan so fantastic is the historical accuracy, a surprising rarity in film, which I really appreciate as a retired Army guy. I was still in high school when the film came out, but Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Captain Miller set the baseline of what I believe down-to-earth military leadership should look like. He perfectly captures what it is to be a normal, flawed man with legitimate fears in the face of danger, while still overcoming said fears to be the effective combat leader that is needed. He lets some things slide, but he handles his stressors and those of his men with smart adeptness. The trueness of his character is remarkable. Plus, outside of The Matrix , Saving Private Ryan is my favorite theater-experienced film of all-time. On the big screen, the opening scene of pure, fog-of-war chaos puts you right into the film with absolutely superb and terrifying sound, as evidenced by its two Oscars for Sound and Sound Effects Editing, not to mention Oscars for Cinematography, Director, and Film Editing. It’s a modern masterpiece. Side note: since no one else mentioned it, Big is also the shiz! — Preston CAST AWAY Despite the absolute downfall of director Robert Zemeckis, I'll always point to 2003's Cast Away as his last banger. The simple but effective concept — a man stranded on a deserted island — is easy enough to grasp, but for it to work, you need a likeable actor that can bring unbridled humanity and pure rawness to the character because you need the audience to root for the guy beyond generic primal instinct. Enter Tom Hanks. Just from a basic human standpoint, watching an A-list actor as beloved as Hanks’ fight for survival is enough to catch your interest, but he brings so much humanity to Chuck Noland that every decision he makes, every emotional beat he feels, and every solitary moment gains an extra level of gravitas thanks to Hanks carrying them ably on his back. In a weird way, as much as I was rooting for his survival, I could watch Hanks on that island for hours on end. — Adriano AMERICA’S DAD Here’s the thing about Tom Hanks… despite all the fame, fortune, awards, movies, SNL appearances, and more, Hanks is a guy that I’d just love to grab a beer with. And more importantly, if the context and timing were right, I’m not entirely sure he’d decline the invitation. He’s just a regular guy who finds himself in the lofty position of being a megastar, so he chooses to use that power for good. Whether it’s crashing a random wedding (which he has done numerous times), returning a jogger’s ID he found in Central Park through a tweet, or joyously posing in photos with a “drunk” fan, Hanks is the rare A-Lister who uses his stature to engage with fans while poking fun at himself. The kind of guy who will star in a Carly Rae Jepsen music video just because. Or that will buy The White House a new coffee maker because they needed a new one, then replace it three more times when it broke. Or that will give a cab driver tickets and backstage passes to a Broadway show he was starring in because they had a fun interaction after being picked up. Or that will send a fan a typewriter as a gift, as well as scheduling a one-on-one get together, when the fan randomly gave him a sketchbook she had made of his films on a red carpet. Or, in 2020, that will send a letter and typewriter to an 8-year-old boy named Corona who was being bullied because of his name. Even the fact that he collects typewriters is down-to-earth. The list goes on… In one of my favorite exchanges, Hanks’ son — and I swear I’m not making this up — aspiring rapper Chet Haze explains the Drake/Kendrick Lamar beef to good ol’ dad via text (Haze shared screengrabs on X). Hanks’ responses are so wholesome and pure in a “this is a thing my kid and I can connect over. He’s interested, so I’m interested” way that it, alongside the examples mentioned above, endears you to the man in such a way that you probably felt genuine heartbreak and concern when Hanks was one of the first celebrities to announce he had COVID in March 2020. The closest he has ever come to “controversy” is when he told paparazzi to “back the fuck off” after they tripped his wife, Rita Wilson, almost causing her to fall to the ground. But still… that’s exactly what you would expect any salt-of-the-earth husband to do for his wife. And then, you could hear genuine remorse in the paparazzi’s apology. It was very much an “I’m not mad. I’m just disappointed” moment, with the paparazzi giving “being disappointed in me is so much worse than being mad at me” vibes. I mean, just think of how hard it must be to make the fucking paparazzi feel bad, yet Hanks did it. That’s America’s Dad Energy right there. — Quentin

THE TERMINAL LIST: DARK WOLF: SEASON ONE Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Tom Hopper, Dar Salim, Luke Hemsworth, Robert Wisdom, Rona-Lee Shimon, Shiraz Tzarfati, and Chris Pratt Creators: Jack Carr and David DiGilio QUENTIN Considering I didn’t care for The Terminal List (like, at all…see my review HERE ), I’m not entirely sure why I even tuned in for its prequel, Dark Wolf . I suppose I thought Taylor Kitsch would be better at the brooding badass than Chris Pratt, which, to be fair, he very much is; however, this series is so overly serious, even more serious than before. There is zero levity or excitement, and every character is so damn dour that it’s borderline depressing to watch. The plentiful action sequences and gunfights simply don’t crackle, which makes the generic Black Ops narrative all the more bland.

WANDAVISION Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Kathryn Hahn, Teyonah Parris, Randall Park, Josh Stamberg & Kat Dennings Creator: Jac Schaeffer QUENTIN Although slow to start, WandaVision is an ambitiously weird exploration of grief and trauma done in the distinctive style of the MCU. The sitcom setup, referencing everything from Bewitched to Modern Family , is perfect for Disney+'s first Marvel series, as it eases viewers into the drop-off from film budget to TV budget. That's not to say it feels cheap or that it features subpar writing or acting; those things are superb, but the effects aren't always up to film standards. That minor quibble aside, WandaVision is full of emotion, action, mystery, and several surprises - a bold start to Phase 4.

THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY: SEASON TWO Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Logan Kim, Zeljko Ivanek, Lisa Emery, Gaius Charles, Mahina Napoleon, Dascha Polanco, Keir Gilchrist Jasmin Walker, and Kim Coates Creator: Eli Jorne NICK Part of the reason I continued watching The Walking Dead and its spin-offs was the creation of characters I'm invested in. With Dead City , I find myself annoyed with these new additions more than anything else (save for Kim Coates' Bruegel). The mafia parallels and the introduction of Conscription are interesting, but much like Daryl Dixon , this doesn’t match the strong debut season. Having said that, this is much better than Dixon’s sophomore effort, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan remains infinitely watchable as Negan. I don’t know where this is going, but it feels time for these side series to converge back into one. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

BREEDERS: THE FINAL SEASON Starring: Martin Freeman, Daisy Haggard, Oscar Kennedy, Zoë Athena, Alun Armstrong, and Joanna Bacon Creators: Martin Freeman, Chris Addison, and Simon Blackwell QUENTIN In its fourth and final season (sadly, another great show ending this year), Breeders continues to be the best exploration of a multi-generational family on television, succeeding at being everything Modern Family wished it was. This year, we get another time jump, which means Paul (Martin Freeman) and Ally’s (Daisy Haggard) kids, who were grade-schoolers in Season One, are now on the verge of adulthood. This was the perfect approach for the final season, as it brings many of the series’ themes full circle, really driving home the point that “breeders” are how the whole darned human comedy keeps perpetuating itself. I’ll miss The Worsleys.

YELLOWJACKETS: SEASON TWO Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole, Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson, Kevin Alves, Simone Kessell, Lauren Ambrose, and Elijah Wood Creators: Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson PAIGE Season Two of Yellowjackets has lost some steam after such a spectacular first season, mostly by lacking the mystery that Season One told so well. At this point, I’m left much more invested in the teens’ storyline since that is where the power of the show is truly held. That said, even though this season ends with a thud, absent a real cliffhanger for our adult Yellowjackets, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Yellowjackets continues to be an intriguing show that flip-flops between past to present storylines. There is also no denying that the stacked, female-led cast all continue to deliver magnificent performances. ADRIANO Yellowjackets’ second season proves that, sometimes, more isn’t always better. The first season's high-octane insanity served the more contained narrative well, whereas here, it feels just a tad off-the-walls. The series is simply juggling too much. The younger Yellowjackets’ plotline remains the juice of the show, but the adult Yellowjackets’ story has lost me. That said, it’s mysterious when it wants to be, thrilling when it needs to be, and all-in-all, entertaining throughout; that ensemble can’t get any better either, so it’s still a worthwhile season of television, nonetheless.

THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HOLIDAY SPECIAL Starring: Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Chris Pratt, Kevin Bacon, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Sean Gunn, Maria Bakalova, and Michael Rooker Director: James Gunn AMARÚ Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista) are the perfect focal point for The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special because their wide-eyed, childlike ridiculousness brings all the heart you need to overlook the light human-trafficking occurring on screen. Only James Gunn could write and direct a plot to kidnap Kevin Bacon (playing himself), and make you feel the Christmas spirit the whole way through. He’s a master at tugging heartstrings in the unlikeliest of situations, and here is no different. This Holiday Special is weird and whimsical, and it will surprise you in more ways than one. JACOB The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special may overuse a few jokes here and there, but it’s still a rollicking good time, especially for fans of these characters. The story mostly revolves around Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista) attempting to kidnap Kevin Bacon (as himself), but it’s Klementieff who gets the acting spotlight for these 45 minutes. There are some pretty huge revelations that should maybe have been saved for one of the MCU’s feature films, but apart from that, this is a holiday special Disney can be proud of (sprinkled with a few fun cameos). QUENTIN Just so you know, I’m not a huge Christmas guy. Like, I enjoy the gift-giving aspect of it, but I don’t get into the pomp and circumstance of decorating a tree and the forced Hallmark-ness of it all. It’s just not my thing. That said, the MCU’s first Christmas special is a charmingly goofy delight. Sure, it’s slight, but everything about it comes together really well, especially as they manage to balance the heartwarming aspects with director James Gunn’s typical comedic shenanigans. Also, from a broader MCU perspective, Mantis (Pom Klementieff) finally becomes a fully fleshed-out character, and who doesn’t want more Yondu (Michael Rooker)? PAIGE Ho! Ho! Ho! The Guardians of the Galaxy are back with a cheerful holiday special that is the most heartwarming MCU entry thus far. It’s the merriest special that feels like an immediate holiday classic. I truly had a blast, and I believe this gem could put any grinch in the Christmas spirit. There are a ton of delightful and hilarious moments, led by the dynamic duo of Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff), delivering us the perfect holiday gift…Kevin Bacon (as himself)!

THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES: SEASON TWO Starring: Danny McBride, John Goodman, Adam Devine, Edi Patterson, Tony Cavalero, Cassidy Freeman, Skyler Gisondo, Walton Goggins, Gregory Alan Williams, Tim Baltz, Jennifer Nettles, Eric André, and Eric Roberts Creator: Danny McBride QUENTIN Mixing the dysfunctional family dynamics of Succession with the vulgar comedy of Eastbound & Down , The Righteous Gemstones is a hilarious takedown of those who preach the gospel while being absolutely terrible people. This season’s plot doesn’t always come together as perfectly as the first season’s, but this is a series built more on cast chemistry and raunchy banter than the actual story. And while it’s very much a Danny McBride vehicle, the entire ensemble complement each other flawlessly to create characters that are absurdly over the top yet still relatable. It remains one of the funniest shows on television.

THE FULL MONTY Starring: Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Talitha Wing, Paul Clayton, Lesley Sharp, Steve Huison, and Paul Barber Creators: Simon Beaufoy and Alice Nutter AMARÚ The Full Monty series suffers from banking on nostalgia that just isn’t there, dropping us in the middle of both old and new characters’ stories without preamble. It simply takes way too long to start caring for characters that are honestly very well-rounded. Mark Addy (Dave) is delightful in his return, and Talitha Wing (Destiny) is a captivating new cast member; however, storylines start and stop so unceremoniously that you don’t have time to sit with anyone. The cast is likable, the humor is charming, and the themes are relatable, but The Full Monty never catches enough momentum to fully get going.

Previous Next September 28, 2025 In a year where Warner Bros. has brought hit after hit, they have seemingly released another critical hit with One Battle After Another, an action-crime drama from the mind of Paul Thomas Anderson, featuring the talents of Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, Benecio Del Toro, and relative newcomer Chase Infiniti. Join Nick, Amarú, and Matt as they dive further into the twists and turns the story takes, the performances from this star-studded ensemble, and what this film could potentially do come awards season. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our Early Reactions, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!