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STRANGER THINGS: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Eduardo Franco, and Joseph Quinn Creators: The Duffer Brothers PAIGE PART ONE With Part One of Stranger Things ‘ fourth season, The Duffer Brothers set the stage for the darkest, scariest, and strangest season yet. In reflecting how far these characters and the audience have come, the tone is more mature while also keeping the elements that have made it Netflix’s best original series intact. Furthermore, the scope of the season is insane, with a reported price tag of $30 million per episode. It was worth every penny because this season is truly astonishing. It feels more like a cinematic experience than a TV series, and each episode will keep you on the edge of your seat. PART TWO Part Two marks the beginning of the end for Stranger Things , which is thrilling for both the characters and the fans. It’s truly one of the best seasons of television ever created, achieved by elevating the series’ greatest aspects through a more cinematic approach and more mature inspiration. It’s much closer to dark horror films like Poltergeist and A Nightmare on Elm Street than E.T. and The Goonies now. Given the episode runtimes, Netflix probably should have released the season weekly, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be glad you got stuck in the Upside Down again. QUENTIN PART ONE For multiple reasons, I was skeptical about Stranger Things ’ fourth season, and while it’s certainly not terrible, Part One just didn’t do it for me. There are four mostly unconnected storylines, but since they are working overtime to set up Part Two (and the final season), they are only interesting about half the time. It’s also a little distracting just how much the child actors have aged out of their characters. That said, this season is the best since Season One, and there are nearly six hours of story still to come. It’s possible that everything ties together nicely once all is said and done. PART TWO Being Part Two, it’s understandable that several of my issues with Part One have carried over to these final episodes. That said, the disparate storylines (unnecessary subplots and all) eventually come together in a way that mostly make sense, and the final showdown may be the best stretch of the entire series. However, judging the season as a whole, it just takes so long to get to the grand finale (not to mention the 40-minute epilogue) that the climactic impact of it is somewhat muted. Still, it’s a worthwhile, if imperfect, season, and I hope Metallica’s “Master of Puppets'' enjoys the same “Kate Bush bump.” AMARÚ PART ONE The long awaited fourth season of Stranger Things jumps right into the series’ major strength: lovable young stars with refined acting ability being comfortable in their roles. They carry this season through fairly commonplace coming-of-age, thriller, and horror storylines. It’s a much darker season, and show creators The Duffer Brothers bring that out with grander scale, story, and direction. The cast fills the growing world with charm and commitment, and while the episodes’ length are heavily felt if binge-watched, following the characters you love keeps your eyes glued to the screen. Now we wait expectantly for the final two episodes to arrive with Part Two. PART TWO In its fourth season, Stranger Things is the strongest it has ever been, arguably positioning itself to be one great season away from being the best Sci-Fi series of all time. It takes all the best parts of previous seasons and learns from their missteps. Breaking the season into two parts allows for the final two episodes (aka movies) to wrap up multiple storylines with extremely satisfying cohesion, concluding the penultimate season in an intense and emotional way. It also has one of the most badass guitar solos in recent memory, which mirrors the exhilaration evoked throughout the nine epic episodes. JACOB PART ONE Packed with story to the point of straining, the first part of Season Four of Stranger Things is nonetheless off to a great start. It’s unlikely anything surpasses the micro-miracle of Season One, but this batch of episodes does a lot to resurrect the good parts of the last two seasons, including re-introducing the Upside Down and Hawkins Lab as major players in the overall narrative. It can sometimes feel overwhelming with the epic runtimes and multiple story threads to follow, but the character work and performances are excellent, while the editing this time around may be the best it’s ever been. PART TWO Following the release of Part Two, I can confidently say that this season of Stranger Things is easily the best season since the first, a return to form for the show itself, and a huge triumph for Netflix. There is a lot of story to keep up with, which can make some episodes feel bloated, but on the whole, it’s excellently paced and brilliantly edited. The Amblin-style horror vibes are back in full-force, and nearly every character gets something interesting to do as the season finale ratchets up the tension for one final go-round. Bring on season 5!

I'M A VIRGO: SEASON ONE Starring: Jharrel Jerome, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Walton Goggins, Brett Gray, Kara Young, Allius Barnes, and Olivia Washington Creator: Boots Riley QUENTIN When it comes to I’m a Virgo , I’m a man divided. It’s outstanding in many ways, from the social satire to the brilliant racial commentary to the performances (Walton Goggins, especially) to its absurdist vibe. In moments, it’s remarkable and unlike anything else on television. However, as a complete series, it struggled to hold my attention at times. Truth be told, I could say the same about Boots Riley’s previous offering, Sorry to Bother You , so if you liked that film, you’ll probably enjoy this series too. Riley clearly has tremendous talent, but he needs to find a better balance between storytelling and his grand ideas. ADRIANO I’m a Virgo confirms what Sorry to Bother You already suggested: Boots Riley is one of our most unique auteurs. His imagination is allowed to run wild with this series, and his creativity and genius pour out of every frame. The satire isn’t too on the nose either while actually saying something interesting about race relations and capitalism. But, more importantly, there is a surprising amount of heart and depth that had me personally invested despite all the insanity, thanks in part to Jharrel Jerome’s performance. I hope Boots Riley can continue doing whatever he wants. AMARÚ Director Boots Riley is a wild cat who commits to telling uniquely interesting and poignant stories. His TV debut, I’m a Virgo , combines fantastical, political, and cultural sensibilities to illustrate how systems of power can prey on those who are underprivileged and different. But it also shows that different can be powerful. At times, it’s heartfelt and moving; at others, it’s weird and creepy. It’s a lot of things, all at once, and while not all of it works, it’s consistently Boots Riley, who, for better or worse, stays true to his artistry. JACOB As a huge fan of Boots Riley’s 2018 satire Sorry to Bother You , I have eagerly waited to see what he would do next. While his new series, I’m a Virgo , certainly exhibits the same audacity and creative energy that drove his last project, it more so flows through this one rather than powering it. That’s not to say it’s bad, but it does sometimes feel like it’s somewhat unfocused, which can make watching it feel like more of an obligation than an opportunity. I still enjoyed it in the moment, but the satire operates less successfully than before.

THE NIGHT AGENT: SEASON ONE Starring: Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Hong Chau, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Sarah Desjardins, Eve Harlow, Phoenix Raei, Enrique Murciano, and D.B. Woodside Creator: Shawn Ryan QUENTIN If you enjoy the dime-a-dozen political conspiracy thrillers that pop up on CBS every season, then you’ll probably enjoy Netflix’s The Night Agent . Network thrillers are always too broad and undemanding for me, and this one is no different. Sure, there is a convoluted and poorly explained conspiracy mystery, but all you really need to know is that there are bad guys chasing good guys for unknown and mostly unnecessary-to-the-plot reasons. There are car chases, gun fights, hidden hard drives, disgraced FBI agents, corrupt officials, moles, and, of course, twists!…you know, all the typical things. If that’s your thing, it’s fine, I guess.

GIRLS5EVA: SEASON TWO Starring: Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and Renée Elise Goldsberry Creator: Meredith Scardino QUENTIN Maybe it was the lockdown, but I thought Season One of Girls5Eva was an excellent skewering of the music industry and a funny commentary on getting older while still having dreams. Plus, it was filled with hilarious pop music bangers. I saw it as the show to finally fill the void left by 30 Rock . However, it completely loses me in Season Two. The jokes don’t seem quite as funny, and the songs are less banger-y. Also, some of the characters are just more annoying. It’s not a complete disaster, but it is a very disappointing sophomore slump. Oh well, Girls5Eva …we’ll always have COVID.

AMERICAN RUST Starring: Jeff Daniels, Maura Tierney, David Alvarez, Bill Camp, Julia Mayorga, Alex Neustaedter, Mark Pellegrino, and Rob Yang Creator: Dan Futterman QUENTIN Like Mare of Easttown before it, American Rust is yet another show trying to show the plight of a blue-collar community in America’s rust belt through the framing device of a murder investigation being conducted by a gruff sheriff with regrets. Except this one is poorly written and overly bleak. The cast does what it can, but it seems the only direction tossed their way was "Your character is miserable." Furthermore, the investigation doesn't have an interesting enough hook to matter, and it's often ignored for subplots about unionization and learning how to be homeless. It's an all-around gloomy bore.

ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING: SEASON TWO Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez Creators: John Hoffman and Steve Martin AMARÚ Season Two of Only Murders in the Building continues what it does best while also giving more depth to the main cast, especially Selena Gomez’s Mabel. Steve-Martin-Short (yes, I did it again) are as funny as ever, but aren’t shortchanged to make room for Mabel’s story. Similarly, the supporting cast isn’t sidelined for the main trio. In getting more from every character on screen, the mystery is actually more meaningful. And although there are some B-plots that don’t work as well, they don’t get enough screen time to be distracting. Residents of The Arconia better lookout because I’m ready for the next murder. QUENTIN In its second season, Only Murders in the Building features many of the things that made Season One a delight: excellent cast chemistry, an elegant score, and charming mockery. It also adds in a great self-aware meta component. That said, the story tries to do too much, with subplots that often don’t go anywhere. Generally speaking, those subplots prioritize character development over the murder mystery, which…it’s fine. Still, while I wouldn’t call it a sophomore slump, it wasn’t quite as good this season. Admittedly, that could have more to do with increased expectations after the surprising first season than an actual reduction in quality. ADRIANO Only Murders In The Building ’s second season features a lot of what made the first season so great. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez remain an absurdly entertaining trio, with Gomez especially getting more to do this season. Plus, the writing is still hilariously smart, featuring a good blend of character drama and a witty murder mystery. That said, while the actual reveal didn’t completely shock me, it worked just well enough. Quite frankly, I can’t wait for the next murder… I mean season.

STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH: SEASON ONE Starring: Dee Bradley Baker, Michelle Ang, and Rhea Perlman Creators: Jennifer Corbett and Dave Filoni JAMES The Bad Batch feels less like its own distinct tale and more like a retread of The Clone Wars and Rebels , minus the magic of either. It's fine if you just want more of "Star Wars czar" Dave Filoni's work, but it's a shame that the show doesn't explore its unique setting (the rise of the Galactic Empire) more deeply. Still, there are some riveting moments in season one and Dee Bradley Baker, as always, demonstrates his unbelievable voice talent in portraying the clones. The Bad Batch is still finding its footing and will hopefully succeed by season two.

Previous Next May 29, 2025

MUSCLES & MAYHEM: AN UNAUTHORIZED STORY OF AMERICAN GLADIATORS Starring: Danny Lee Clark, Lori Fetrick, Debbie Clark, Erika Andersch, Jim Starr, Michael M. Horton, Shirley Eson, Raye Hollitt, and Sha-Ri Pendleton Creators: Jared Hess and Tony Vainuku QUENTIN Admittedly, my review of this docuseries is probably 95% nostalgia driven because I grew up watching American Gladiators with my grandmother. I even had the action figures! That said, Muscles & Mayhem is a fun, if at times cheesy, exploration of the series’ path to broadcast, its out-of-nowhere popularity, and all the behind-the-scenes shenanigans (read: sex, drugs, and ‘roids). Best of all, with appearances from multiple Gladiators, it’s just neat to hear them dish rather candidly about who was doing what, to see what they look like nowadays, and to simply watch the vintage clips. If you were a fan, it’s a must watch.

THE ENGLISH Starring: Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer, Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Stephen Rea, and Valerie Pachner Creator: Hugo Blick QUENTIN If you just want to sit back and experience an old school western, complete with excellent performances, superb cinematography, and brutal “Cowboys & Indians” conflicts, The English will serve you well. That said, while everything comes together well enough in the end for you to get the gist, the journey of the story while you’re in it is borderline incoherent. It doesn’t ruin the show necessarily, but a lot of details get glossed over, enough to make you ponder “wait…what’s happening?” more than once. It's worth your time, but just know it works better as a vibe than a narrative, if that makes sense.

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.