Previous Next As we approach 2025 and the end of the 21st century’s first quarter, we wanted to look back to see which actors, actresses, directors, and movies have stood the test of time. With that in mind, for the rest of the year, the Bitesize Top Five will be giving a consensus view on what we think are the Bests of everything since 2000. We are only looking at work released since January 1, 2000, so don’t get mad because your favourites of the 90s didn’t make it. As always, each writer ranks his or her top 15 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. STEVEN SPIELBERG One of the most decorated, successful, and influential directors of all time, Steven Spielberg has been a blockbuster legend for more than 50 years. Yet, he continues to produce both critical and commercial successes that resonate with audiences everywhere, having been nominated for four Best Director Oscars since 2006 (not to mention directing two Best Picture nominees that he himself wasn’t nominated for as director). Spielberg’s filmography is unmatched, combining masterful storytelling, incredible cinematography, and emotional narratives with a personal touch. The director has proven he thrives in any genre, creating countless enduring classics, including some of my favourite films. Spielberg operates in a league of his own, with an evolving style that spans generations, and is undoubtedly one of the most famous and impressive filmmakers of our time. - Katie 4. QUENTIN TARANTINO If you were to ask me who the one director is that will guarantee my seat in the theater on opening day, it would have to be Quentin Tarantino. His gritty style is never timid, and the dialogue (which he often writes) and scene-building inevitably leads to the most historical and memorable moments in film. His appearances in his films, reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock, give fans the little “easter egg” we yearn for, while his usage of unconventional narratives and heroes guarantees your undivided attention and fan-like devotion forever. He has directed no film rated less than a seven-out-of-ten on IMDb since the turn of the century, and he undoubtedly deserves one of our coveted top spots! - Preston 3. DENIS VILLENEUVE After bursting into the mainstream with Prisoners in 2013, Denis Villeneuve has gone on to prove himself time and time again. He’s solidified himself as one of this generation's most consistent filmmakers, providing audiences with everything from psychological horror movies to challenging sci-fi epics. His recent success with the Dune franchise, in particular, has launched him to superstardom…and for good reason. Dune is one of the best showcases of his talent for combining stunning compositions with complex, multi-faceted narratives. With a body of work as outstanding as Villeneuve’s, it’d be a crime not to put him on our list. - Caleb 2. CHRISTOPHER NOLAN I don’t believe there is another director on this list who has put out as consistent, as original, and as well-known a filmography without a complete miss as Christopher Nolan. He is the event director that has carried Steven Spielberg’s mantle of “King of Blockbusters” into the new century, and he’s done it with movies that stick with you long after their runtime because of his intricate attention to detail, superb writing, and epic storytelling spectacle. Salute to my favorite director working today, who created my favorite movie of all time. I’ll let you figure out which of his classics that is. - Amarú 1. MARTIN SCORSESE What more is there to say about Martin Scorsese? When your output from the '60s to the '90s is as legendary as his is, the expectations will automatically be high. Yet, he began the century with hit after hit with Gangs of New York , The Aviator , and The Departed (the film that finally won him an Oscar), which showed his sensibilities had no sign of slowing down. Then he branched out with Shutter Island and Hugo before returning to the crime genre with The Wolf of Wall Street, proving he still had it in him. However, in my opinion, his recent, slowed-down, and more introspective output of Silence , The Irishman , and Killers of the Flower Moon rank amongst his best. Scorsese's widely agreed to be one of, if not the , best to ever do it, and you don't have to look too far as to why that is. - Adriano HONORABLE MENTIONS DAVID FINCHER EDGAR WRIGHT GUILLERMO DEL TORO THE COEN BROTHERS SOFIA COPPOLA Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Academy Awards; Photo 2, 5 - Getty Images; Photo 3 - Associated Press; Photo 4 - Reuters

FROM: SEASON FOUR Starring: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, Ricky He, Chloe Van Landschoot, Pegah Ghafoori, Corteon Moore, Hannah Cheramy, Simon Webster, Avery Konrad, Elizabeth Moy, Robert Joy, Samantha Brown, Angela Moore, Kaelen Ohm, A.J. Simmons, Nathan D. Simmons, and Julia Doyle Creator: John Griffin QUENTIN In its penultimate season, From — perhaps the most underappreciated series on television, especially for horror fans — has started breaking the glass on providing answers. Yes, like Lost , with which it shares significant DNA, many answers present new questions, but the story continues to propel forward with a confidence that suggests series creator and head writer John Griffin and showrunner Jeff Pinkner know exactly where all the mysteries and lore are headed. Also, thankfully, From hasn’t shied away from killing characters as the end nears, adding the palpable stakes often lacking in other series *cough*StrangerThings *cough*. If you still haven’t watched, you have time before the final season! Check out our reviews for Season Three HERE .

SHINING VALE: SEASON ONE Starring: Courteney Cox, Greg Kinnear, Gus Birney, Dylan Gage, Merrin Dungey, and Mira Sorvino Created by: Jeff Astrof and Sharon Horgan QUENTIN The thing about Shining Vale , an alleged horror comedy, is that it’s not particularly funny or scary. At best, it’s mildly amusing with a hint of subtle spookiness. It seems to think having Courteney Cox curse a lot is all you need to get laughs (which, to be fair, works more than it should). That said, the story, which is clearly influenced by The Shining (I’m sure the series title is no coincidence), is just intriguing enough to keep you watching. And with only 30-minute episodes, it works as a quick and pleasant distraction when you have a bit of time to kill.

GRIMSBURG: SEASON ONE Starring: Jon Hamm, Rachel Dratch, Erinn Hayes, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Alan Tudyk Creators: Catlan McClelland and Matthew Schlissel QUENTIN Grimsburg is by no means the next great animated classic, but if you’re the type of person who still enjoys Family Guy reruns, there is enough here to make for an entertaining 30-minute time killer. In fact, Grimsburg plays a lot like Family Guy mixed with Criminal Minds . Each episode revolves around a murder case, and the jokes, cutaway gags, and pop culture references come at a fast and furious clip, so much so that episodes might get better upon a rewatch. It’s a silly yet solid parody of crime procedurals, and though it may feel overly familiar, it’s a good series for casual watching.

Previous Next March 27, 2024 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW One of the many things the pandemic took from us was the ability to see movies in a theatre. It was something many people took for granted, and even now, the industry is still trying to get back on its feet as it contends with new options that fall in favour of things like convenience, on-the-go watching, and not having to pay insane concession prices. Still, while the theatrical experience is no doubt something in need of refreshment (something Caleb examined HERE ), it also is something that cannot be fully replicated at home. There's something inherently personal about sharing a first-time experience with a group of people you'll likely never even say a word to. You gather with shared love, then you experience that love together with unspoken acknowledgement. Whether it's for shock & awe, tearjerkers, technical marvels, or blood-curdling scares, it's an experience everyone inside that room won't soon forget. For a couple of hours, you and a group of strangers from all walks of life are connected as one. Isn’t that beautiful? So, with that in mind, let’s talk about some of our most memorable theatrical experiences. Who knows? We may have even shared a few together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4PMoTT9dxc When Jackass: The Movie released in 2002, I was one of only seven students of color in my entire 7th grade class. That context sets up how hilarious it was for my brother, sister, and me to watch “The Burglars” scene in a packed Ohio theater. Everyone in the theater cackled once Bam Margera and Johnny Knoxville fell through the office ceiling... but then, the lone black prank victim in the scene got up, ran across the office, and SPRINTED down the street non-stop while his white counterparts stared at the burglars in awe. The three of us kept laughing deep from our souls while every other (white) theatergoer stared at us wondering, “why are you still laughing?” from their unknowing eyes. Look, being black in America is a uniquely joyful experience, and this one will forever be imprinted in my brain. If you know, you know. - Amarú One of the most memorable and moving movie-going experiences I’ve ever had was when I was just a wee padawan. In 1999, before the release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace , Lucasfilm re-released Star Wars: A New Hope in theaters. At the time, I had no idea my life would change forever. I remember the day like it was yesterday. My aunt had called my mom to ask if I could skip school and go to the movies with her. I remember just being happy that I got to skip school, but I wasn’t prepared for what was to come next. Once the opening scroll began, and the words “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” appeared on the big screen, that was it. A flame ignited inside me, and my love for all movies, but specifically Star Wars , was born. Fast forward 25 years: I have two Star Wars tattoos and a bunch of Star Wars memorabilia, and I make it a point to be there opening night for every new franchise entry. - Paige https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZMKMoPpVAo The trailers for Godzilla (2014) were shrouded in secrecy, so when I sat down to watch the reboot in theaters, I had no idea what Godzilla was going to look like. As a massive Godzilla fan, this was equal parts exciting and excruciating, but I’ll never forget watching his reveal for the first time. After teasing the monster throughout the first act, Godzilla’s massive foot finally crashes down outside the Honolulu airport. The theater fell dead silent as the camera moved upwards, slowly revealing this new Godzilla in all his glory. It was everything I could have hoped for. He looked pitch perfect. As Godzilla let out his iconic roar, I knew that the king of the monsters was finally back. - Caleb On Barbenheimer weekend, I saw Barbie at my favourite local cinema. They encouraged everyone to dress up as Barbie, offering free drinks to anyone who participated. This resulted in a multitude of people, including myself and my boyfriend, clad in pink and sparkles greeting each other with an excited “Hi Barbie!” The thing is, on the whole, British cinema audiences are generally quiet and polite, which is how I like it. However, on this occasion, with the joyful atmosphere, I loved hearing everyone around me shamelessly cheer and cry. I had never experienced such a sense of community and spirited atmosphere in a cinema audience. - Katie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f35nmDjc60 From Pulp Fiction to Snakes on a Plane , Samuel L. Jackson’s voice looms large when thinking back on his movies, but none made a bigger impact on me than when my brother, a good friend, and I saw Deep Blue Sea . SLJ was undoubtedly the biggest name amongst the Thomas Janes and Saffron Burrows of the cast. So, by the time the sharks had bitten off Stellan Skarsgård’s arm and trapped the survivors under water and rubble, we were ready for SLJ’s rousing speech when his character finally yelled “ENOUGH!” They weren’t going to fight each other anymore. They were going to pull together, and they were going to “OH SHIT THEY ATE HIM!! A FUCKING SHARK ATE HIM!!!” We jumped full-out of our seats laughing at the randomness that had happened. I’m laughing now just thinking about it. I’m so glad there wasn’t social media back then to spoil that viscerally funny WTF theater moment. - Amarú When I was 17 years old, my friends and I decided to sneak in to see a new, original, R-rated comedy from a debut filmmaker, The Coup frontman, Boots Riley. Since seeing it, Sorry to Bother You has continued to be one of my absolute favourite films, partially because I was able to experience it with an audience. Watching the originality and chaos, and laughing along with my friends, was just too much fun. However, the highlight of that experience was (if you haven't seen Sorry to Bother You , stop reading now) the big reveal of the horse-people, which caused a variety of reactions from the audience: laughter, shock, fear, and confusion…all at the same time. That shock and awe drove us to the end, as we couldn't stop laughing at it; when it comes to comedy, there's not much more one can ask for in a theatrical experience. - Adriano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My8kfz_Ddqg I’ve seen excellent twists before, including from filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, but I’d never seen a twist that retroactively created a cinematic universe… until Split . Picture this: a great film is coming to a close with everyone on a high, but just before the closing title card hits, a subtle music cue begins. The theater starts to murmur a little as a smattering of the audience realizes that it’s the theme from Unbreakable . Personally, I recognized the music, but couldn’t quite place it. Then the camera pans through a diner as a news story about The Horde plays, which leads to a customer recalling “the crazy guy in the wheelchair from 15 years ago.” He had a “funny name” that she can’t recall. At this point, a larger portion of the audience gasped as they (and myself) made the connection. Finally, the pan ends on the man at the end of the counter. “Mr. Glass,” he says, as you realize it’s Bruce Willis’ David Dunn. Fade to black, uproarious applause. It was a moment made for the theater, and it was exceptionally executed in a way that led to an audible crescendo of anticipation. Unforgettable. - Nick The year was 1999, and the literary titan that you read before you was an English-class-ditching-skateboarder who had just entered his final formative high school year. At that time, a little-known director by the name of M. Night Shyamalan was about to break through with his third movie, The Sixth Sense . One of my best friends had already seen the film, and he was super excited about it. As he raved, I rushed to interrupt him. “Don’t spoil anything becau…” Then he said it. ”Bruce Willis is dead the whole time!!” Maybe the biggest surprise ending in all of film history, and I knew the whole time! This little tale has entered my back pocket as a story trumper whenever spoilers are discussed and, as things often do, recalling a thing that once made me angry will now always make me smile. Isn’t that how life goes? R.I.P. Gian Carlos. - Preston https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOFGL7-qmqs When I sat down to watch Arrival for the first time, I wasn't expecting it to blow my mind - but it did just that. Without giving too much away, Arrival ’s big twist is so ingeniously interwoven into the fabric of the story that it managed to catch me off guard despite staring me in the face the entire time. It flipped the entire movie on its head, and immediately made me rethink everything I thought I knew about the story. Once I finally clued-in to what was actually happening, I remember gasping so loud that my buddy actually had to shush me. It's probably not my finest theater-going moment, but it was certainly one of the most memorable. - Caleb You had to be there in 2003 when countless lines of people waiting to see The Matrix Revolutions snaked outside theater doors across the country. There is one line, in particular, I remember, and I shudder thinking about it as I write this. As my family and I were leaving the movie…as we walked by a long row of people waiting to get in…one unnamed family member says, fairly loudly, “well, we all knew Neo had to die.” You could hear the imaginary record scratching as everyone in line yelled “NOOOOO!!” This person calmly spoiled the biggest movie of the decade for those poor, unfortunate souls. I never walked so fast and so far away from a person in my life. To this day, that person says those in line shouldn’t have been listening to our conversation, and I just shake my head in disbelief. - Amarú As a movie fan who grew up before the internet became ubiquitous, I’d spend time reading movie magazines about the almost-fantasy world of Hollywood. To me, there was one Hollywood staple that seemed too prestigious, glamourous, and most importantly, unattainable for a fat, mulleted kid from Kentucky: The Red Carpet. But you know what? Apparently not. Through luck, timing, and a modicum of not-so-hard work, I became accredited press for Toronto International Film Festival in 2022. Somehow, I’d done it. I made it to the thing I’d read about long ago. But first, if I may digress, attending a film festival as press is an unforgettable experience. Was I one of the first people in the world to see the 7x Oscar-nominated The Fabelmans , with director Steven Spielberg and the cast in attendance? Mmhmm. Did a stunning Kate Hudson make the “I see you” hand gesture to me at the Glass Onion world premiere? Fuck yeah, she did. Did I awkwardly meet Finn Wolfhard at a urinal? Yep. But that all pales in comparison to the Red Carpet because that is where I met NICOLAS. FUCKING! CAGE!! I asked questions, I shook his hand, I peed a little. Honestly, the rest is kind of a blur since I blacked out like Will Ferrell’s character in Old School , but I can’t help but think about the young Kentucky fatty with the Camaro Cut. What would he say knowing that, someday, he’d be on the Red Carpet with nothing but a cell phone, sandwiched between the elaborate camera setups of Variety and Al-Jazeera, rubbing elbows with the stars? Then, what would he say knowing he’d get to do it again at Berlin? And Venice? And soon, Cannes? That Tons O’ Fun with the Kentucky Waterfall is living his best movie life these days. - Quentin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bfJ3lnjN4U Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first film I ever saw in IMAX. I was 17 years old, I went with my boyfriend to the IMAX in Leicester Square on Boxing Day, and I was so excited to see the iconic screen I had heard so much about. We bought overpriced popcorn, found our seats, and I was overwhelmed by the scale of it. Plus, I loved the film. The action was captivating, the effects were fantastic, and I loved the darker, more grounded approach the film took to the Star Wars universe. But the best thing was the emotional final scene, which was breathtaking to watch for the first time on the biggest screen I had ever experienced. - Katie In case you didn't know, Quentin Tarantino is my all-time favorite director. He is one of those filmmakers whose style and storytelling are so unique and bold that I always find myself in literal awe when watching his films. So, when I found out he had his own movie theater, New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, where he plans the film program and only projects movies on actual film, I dreamt that maybe one day I could see something there. I had to fulfill this desire, but I couldn't simply watch just any movie — I had to see a movie written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The emotion I get when I watch his films at home was multiplied just by approaching the box office window, prepared to buy a ticket for Reservoir Dogs , his directorial debut. This small, retro cinema has an atmosphere and style straight out of a Tarantino film, a perfect pairing for the small and retro Reservoir Dogs , and I will forever treasure the experience. - Paige https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyrhikYaRrk Another movie memory comes from my senior year of high school (maybe my love of film had something to do with the last couple of years of high school note to discuss with therapist ). Funds-shortage was always a problem, so when I wasn’t going to what we called the “dollar movies'' (old films played at the mall theater), I was really splurging. Thankfully, one of those splurge sessions led me to see The Matrix . As a wanna-be tough guy and philosopher beset by an age-defining existential crisis, this industry-revolutionizing film could not have come at a more appropriate time. One of my favorite bands at the time happened to be Rage Against the Machine, and when that final scene hits, whew! The guitar riff on “Wake Up” starts to play as Keanu Reeves walks out of the phone booth, looks around at the sad souls still trapped in the matrix, and then…WHAT?! Is he flying?! Queue Zack De La Rocha. Freaking goosebumps every time! - Preston This past December, TIFF held a month-long program that showed classic and contemporary films on 70mm print. It was my mission to watch the entire program, and while I wasn't successful, I still seized the opportunity to see Boogie Nights , Lawrence of Arabia , and West Side Story . However, the crown jewel of the program, in my opinion, was Stanley Kubrick's influential 1968 masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey . Seeing it not only on the big screen, but also on print, was magical. I'd already seen and loved the film, but something about watching the film's colours, ideas, and enthralling final act on one of my favourite theatre screens in Ontario, on a style of film that allows for all the detail to be seen even clearer…I don't see myself ever forgetting such an experience. - Adriano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQd1-4tqymo Inception is my favorite movie of all time, so, naturally, I watched it four times in the theater. The last time was the best, though. I excitedly re-lived Paris exploding in Ariadne’s (Elliot Page) mind. I was still mesmerized at Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) floating around in that awesome hallway fight scene. I happily uttered “you mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling” alongside Eames (Tom Hardy). I still got emotional when Hans Zimmer’s “Time” boomed alongside the emotional catharsis that Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) felt walking through that airport. I was already planning my fifth theater-watch as Mal’s (Marion Cotillard) totem started spinning. However, when the screen went to black, keeping the totem’s fate forever a secret, an older black woman said, very loudly for all to hear, “oh HEEEELLLL NAW.” Yep. Nothing was going to beat that. I never watched Inception in theaters again. - Amarú Media Credits: Media 1, 9 - Paramount Pictures; Media 2, 8, 12 - Walt Disney Studios; Media 3, 5, 10, 14, 16 - Warner Bros. Pictures; Media 4 - Kelly Bagwe; Media 6 - Annapurna Pictures; Media 7 - Universal Pictures; Media 13 - New Beverly Cinema; Media 15 - MGM Studios

LANDMAN: SEASON TWO Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Demi Moore, Andy Garcia, Sam Elliott, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, Kayla Wallace, Mark Collie, and James Jordan Creators: Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace QUENTIN Much like how my enjoyment of Tulsa King is tied to simply basking in Sylvester Stallone’s unbridled charisma, my enjoyment of Landman is tied to basking in Billy Bob Thornton’s roughneck swagger. It’s not nearly as silly as King , but it has many of the same issues that plague most of Taylor Sheridan’s shows. There are way too many characters, resulting in momentum-halting subplots, and while admittedly better here than in some of his other offerings, Sheridan seemingly still thinks all women are some combination of sexy, dumb, crazy, and victim. Still, Billy Bob keeps me coming back because he’s that damn watchable. Sam Elliott helps too. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

UNTAMED: SEASON ONE Starring: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Lily Santiago, Rosemarie DeWitt, Wilson Bethel, William Smillie, Raoul Max Trujillo, Josh Randall, and Ezra Franky Creators: Mark L. Smith, Elle Smith KATIE Despite its title, Untamed is incredibly subdued. It makes no effort to move away from tropes, following Eric Bana’s gruff cop/detective character with a tragic past, whose drinking problem, no-nonsense demeanour, and unwillingness to work with others make him no less capable at his job. The plot is slightly convoluted and very predictable, and aside from gorgeous scenes of mountains and sweeping forests, it is exceedingly boring. Unfortunately, what stood out most to me is the lack of tension. From the sense of mystery to what is supposed to be the climactic reveal, there’s no excitement or suspense. QUENTIN The problem with the recent glut of moody crime series like Untamed is that they are all trying to replicate True Detective . Or Ozark . Or Mare of Easttown . Or most Taylor Sheridan shows. However, you need more than the algorithm-driven formula of “tortured vibes + grumpy alcoholic sheriff x recognizable stars” to make a good series. In this case, the mystery is almost an irrelevant afterthought to the relentless onslaught of convoluted subplots exploring the various traumas of every single protagonist. It makes for an admittedly decently acted series that doesn't deliver much more than gloominess, unimpactful twists, a predictable ending, and beautiful landscapes.

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY Starring: Brie Larson, Lewis Pullman, Aja Naomi King, Stephanie Koenig, Kevin Sussman, and Alice Halsey Creator: Lee Eisenberg PAIGE The highly anticipated adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry has arrived, and it’s a charming series that transports its audience back to the 1950s, touching on themes of sexism in the workplace, racism, and one seeking a connection to something or someone. Although it exploits these themes in a fluff-piece manner, which makes it feel a little generic at times, that doesn’t take away from the lovely story being displayed on screen. Brie Larson, who portrays Elizabeth Zott, delivers a powerhouse performance that should allow women from all over to feel liberated enough to follow their hopes and dreams.

ARCHER: INTO THE COLD Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Judy Greer, Chris Parnell, Aisha Tyler, Amber Nash, Adam Reed, Lucky Yates, Natalie Dew, and Christian Slater Creator: Adam Reed QUENTIN In October, I called Archer ’s final season “a fitting exit” that failed to explore the series ending with deep introspection. Unbeknownst to me at the time, showrunner Adam Reed had a trick up his sleeve with Into the Cold , a grand finale movie (or is it just three episodes?). This may sound repetitive, but this action-packed final mission with the gang is even more of a fitting ending. It does everything the final season did to bring these characters full circle while also providing the genuine closure, growth, and retrospection one would expect in an ending. It’s the proper send-off that was missing from Season 14. KATIE Into the Cold is an even more satisfying ending to Archer than the season finale. It’s fast-paced, hilarious, and full of both action and heart. We get to see each character of the main ensemble, as well as some other familiar faces, at their best in this final, crazy mission, with an ending that made perfect sense and provided closure whilst allowing them all to live on in their own ways. Overall, this is a fitting celebration of one of TV's best comedies, and I’m hopeful that we haven't seen the last of the gang. Long live Sterling Archer!

HIS DARK MATERIALS: SEASON THREE Starring: Dafne Keen, James McAvoy, Amir Wilson, Ruth Wilson, Kit Connor, Will Keen, Simone Kirby, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jamie Ward, and Jade Anouka Creator: Jack Thorne AMARÚ His Dark Material s’ final season is ambitious to a fault. The ideas are grand, the worlds are vast, and performances from the likes of James McAvoy (Asriel) and Ruth Wilson (Marisa) are large enough to fill them. But they aren’t the only characters we follow in this labyrinthian finale. Eight episodes simply was not enough to wrap up multiple storylines weaved within its intricate mix of religious and science-fiction based lore, leading to questions being answered too quickly and problems solved too neatly. These final episodes, while thrilling, would have felt more organic if granted an extra season to breathe.

CHIEF OF WAR Starring: Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Luciane Buchanan, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikaleʻo, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Siaosi Fonua, Cliff Curtis, Benjamin Hoetjes, and Erroll Shand Creators: Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett QUENTIN Chief of War is a gorgeously shot miniseries that clearly wants to be Hawaiian Shōgun ; however, despite the luscious landscapes, authentic production design, and a committed performance from Jason Momoa, the story is too overstuffed with underwritten characters and subplots to do them all justice. It certainly has excellent moments, notably the two-episode premiere and final battle, but in between is rushed plotting and laggy pacing. I respect that Momoa — who created, co-wrote, and produced the series — wants to honor Hawaii’s history and his underrepresented heritage, but I wonder if Chief of War would’ve been better as a movie, even if that meant omitting some factual details. KATIE Chief of War is a solidly entertaining miniseries, unique in its focus on Hawaiian history and indigenous voices. Creator, co-writer, and producer Jason Momoa brings this undertold story to the screen in an authentic, epic way, evidently with a lot of care, and I was excited to watch something in the Hawaiian language. It also has some well-choreographed fight scenes with gnarly violence. I did find that it struggled to carry the weight of all its characters and subplots. Yet and still, the cast is fantastic, and it's beautifully shot with impressive production design that reflects the care that went into it.

STEAL: SEASON ONE Starring: Sophie Turner, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Archie Madekwe, Jonathan Slinger, Andrew Howard, and Andrew Koji Creator: Sotiris Nikias QUENTIN Steal ’s first episode is a compelling hour of television that ends with a great setup for the rest of the season while also delivering Die Hard vibes. Sadly, it can’t sustain the initial feelings of intrigue, suspense, and urgency through its six episodes. The performances are fine but unremarkable, though you may be easily annoyed by the dumb decisions made by the characters. But the bigger issue is that it simply fizzles out after such a strong start, which isn’t helped by the standard British dryness, resulting in a series that becomes less and less engaging with each passing hour, right up until the humdrum finale. BODE I’m usually a sucker for a good heist story (especially if it’s British), so Prime Video’s six-part series Steal had my attention from the moment it began. That never wavered for the first three episodes, thanks to some compelling twists, high-wire suspense, and a refreshingly messy lead turn from Sophie Turner. But from that point on, creator Sotiris Nikitas starts to needlessly overstuff the central conspiracy at play. Because of this, narrative threads are unresolved, its character development suffers, and the final big reveal only left me with more questions than answers. Strong start, frustrating finish.