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THE BLACKLIST: SEASON NINE Starring: James Spader, Diego Klattenhoff, Harry Lennix, Hisham Tawfiq, Amir Arison, and Laura Sohn Creator: Jon Bokenkamp NICK With the departures of creator Jon Bokenkamp and star Megan Boone, the ninth season of The Blacklist was going to be an uphill climb. A series focused on the relationship between its two lead characters loses its purpose when one of those characters is no longer there. The new storyline threads and an unnecessary extension of Elizabeth Keene's (Boone) death don’t hold the weight of earlier seasons, and the “villain-of-the-week” gets tiresome. As much as James Spader (and the underrated supporting cast) give great performances, the sad realization is that this show doesn’t need to exist anymore.

CLIPPED Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Jacki Weaver, Ed O’Neill, Cleopatra Coleman, Kelly AuCoin, Richard Sommer, Harriet Sansom Harris, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Sheldon Bailey, and Austin Scott Creator: Gina Welch AMARÚ Improving with each episode, Clipped evolves from its saccharine, throw-as-much-information-at-the-screen-until-something-sticks start into a very entertaining and surprisingly effective series. While the performances are great, with Laurence Fishburne, Jacki Weaver, and Ed O’Neill leading the way, you can’t help but laugh at how much the actors playing NBA stars are not the people they’re portraying. Weirdly, this irreverence highlights the audacity of the Sterlings’ privilege, and creates an enjoyable tone of ridiculous disbelief that not only balances humor and sincerity, but also creates empathy for what those players must’ve been feeling. NICK It’s a bad time to be an old white man named Donald. Clipped is the most Ryan Murphy (non Ryan Murphy) show I've ever seen. It's got the exaggerated personalities, the soap opera elements, and that FX sheen. Also, like a Murphy series, Clipped thrives on its accurate casting. Laurence Fishburne and Ed O'Neill drive the show, but the supporting cast all come to play. I knew of Donald Sterling (O’Neill), but was unaware of the intricacies of his tenure with the Clippers or his relationship with his secretary (clear comparisons to the current Vince McMahon case). It’s a dramatization, sure, but it entertained me. QUENTIN Overall, Clipped is an entertaining show that features some fantastic performances. However, there is a tonal imbalance that prohibits it from being as great as HBO’s Winning Time . Half of the story is almost a comedy, taking a trashy tabloid approach to Don Sterling’s (Ed O’Neill) and V. Stiviano’s (Cleopatra Coleman) buffoonery. Meanwhile, it (rightfully) gets serious when it explores how this incident affected Doc Rivers (Laurence Fishburne) and the players (a scene between Fishburne and LaVar Burton, who is playing himself, is especially poignant). It’s still worth your time, but a little more consistency in the tone could have made Clipped great.

THE VEIL Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Yumna Marwan, Dali Benssalah, Josh Charles, and Thibault de Montalembert Creator: Steven Knight QUENTIN Have you ever noticed that British shows look a little less glossy than American shows? Coming from Peaky Blinders ’ creator Steven Knight, The Veil is like Homeland done in the British style. It’s a lot of the same shadowy spycraft, geopolitical dick-measuring, distrust, and so on…just grainer. At its center is Elisabeth Moss, who gives a respectable performance as an MI6 agent trying to determine whether a person of interest is an infamous ISIS commander. She, as well as Josh Charles and some typical espionage tropes, keep the show engaging enough, especially with only six episodes, even if the rushed writing leaves something to be desired.

THE MOSQUITO COAST: SEASON ONE Starring: Justin Theroux, Melissa George, Logan Polish, and Gabriel Bateman Creators: Tom Bissell and Neil Cross QUENTIN I can't say how The Mosquito Coast compares to the movie/book because I never saw/read it. However, as a show, it feels incomplete. It's suspenseful and engaging, but there is very little in the way of character development and nothing is really resolved. It also fails to give much backstory, only hinting at why this family is on the run. At only seven episodes, it could have used a couple more hours to flesh out the "why" of it all. That said, Justin Theroux is excellent in an endlessly watchable performance. Overall, it's good, but it could have been better.

THE AFTERPARTY: SEASON ONE Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoe Chao, Ike Barinholtz, Ben Schwartz, Ilana Glazer, Jamie Demetriou, and Dave Franco Created by Christopher Miller ADRIANO The Afterparty is just the best. I had so much fun watching this show that I couldn’t stop rewatching it. It’s so clever in its murder mystery storyline that I legitmately didn’t have a clue who the killer was going into the finale. The genre-hopping perspective is smartly done as well, showing not just how each person saw the night going, but also adding good character development along the way. Each character is played to comedic perfection by this great and hilarious ensemble too. I can’t believe just how hard I fell for this show. QUENTIN The Afterparty from Christopher Miller (of Lord & Miller) might end up being the surprise show of the year. It’s genuinely funny, but still manages to have an engaging and fairly unpredictable murder mystery at its center. Plus, each 30-min episode takes on a different genre, from rom-com to action to horror, which allows the great cast to play the same characters in several different ways. The highlight is the musical themed episode focused on Ben Schwartz’s character, but there really aren’t any weak links to be found.

THAT '90S SHOW: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON Starring: Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Reyn Doi, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Sam Morelos, Andrea Anders, Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, and Don Stark Creators: Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Gregg Mettler PAIGE PART ONE Even though it’s still not as good as its predecessor, “Part Two” of That ‘90s Show is significantly better than “Part One.” This might be because I've become slightly more invested in the characters, but I would be lying if I said Red and Kitty (Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp) don’t still steal the show. However, the series also is beginning to give its new cast more opportunities to shine instead of relying on cameos from the original cast. Above all else, it's starting to incorporate the best elements of That ‘70s Show , which means being heavily dependent on its opulent decade nostalgia. PART TWO After three “parts,” I'm beginning to warm up to That ‘90s Show . This latest batch of episodes is unquestionably the best installment so far, even though I still don't think it quite measures up to That ‘70s Show . The comedy in the show is beginning to click, the dynamic within the gang is developing, and it's becoming more adept at encapsulating the vibe of the 1990s. Plus, having Laura Prepon, aka Hot Donna, direct every episode this season helped the series find its footing, I think. Overall, “Part Three” is a simple yet entertaining sitcom worth binging. NICK PART ONE Maybe it's because I didn't grow up watching That '70s Show …and therefore, don't hold it sacred…but I enjoy this series. Not only that, I find the first half of Season Two (aka Part Two) an improvement over Season One. The characters are more fleshed out, Red and Kitty (Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp) aren't overused, and the era-specific cameos are a lot of fun. It’s far from perfect, but it gives me that throwback sitcom feel (which has become a rarity), and it’s made me chuckle on multiple occasions. That’s all I’m really looking for from a series like this. PART TWO Unlike many series reboots, That ‘90s Show has reached a point where it no longer relies on its original cast. I’ve actually become more invested in the stories of these teenagers than their ‘70s counterparts – particularly Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), who is becoming the clear highlight – which is all this show could have hoped for. It's even begun to make better use of the decade, as it follows up the Lisa Loeb scene from Part One with an homage to the cartoon Doug , along with other ‘90s callbacks. For a throwback sitcom (which we don’t get much of nowadays), you can’t ask much more.

Previous Next February 9, 2023 WRITTEN BY: ADRIANO The 2023 Sundance Film Festival has wrapped up, and this year, I had the pleasure of attending in person for the first time. There was quite an array of films premiering, from crowd-pleaser comedies to heavy character dramas, and while I only attended four days of the 11-day festival, I was still able to see a nice collection of films. Of course, there were a few movies I wish I had been able to see, like Shortcomings and The Persian Version but I was simply unable to due to time constraints. Still, with this being my first Sundance, I consider it a success. Park City, Utah, is a lovely place full of amazing people, and the experience I had is one I’ll never forget. I can’t wait to return next year! Below, you’ll find my official ranking of everything I was able to see at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival: 9. EILEEN It certainly says something about the quality of films I saw that my least favorite film is one that I don’t even dislike. I just don’t love it. Eileen initially captivated me with its central relationship, which is elevated by the chemistry between and performances of Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie. The pacing is a little rough, but it’s interesting enough, and it’s complemented with appealing cinematography and a score that I don’t think is getting enough attention. However, the third act takes one of the biggest left turns in recent memory. A single sentence is uttered, and the entire movie shifts completely – not to the point that it makes the movie bad, but it made me wonder, “then why did I watch the first two acts?” There are ways to go from tender to intense in an organic way, but this movie doesn’t pull it off. Starring: Thomasin McKenzie, Anne Hathaway, and Shea Whigham Director: William Oldroyd Release Date: TBD 8. MAGAZINE DREAMS Before I get into my issues with Magazine Dreams , let me get this out first: Jonathan Majors is fantastic. He alone is worth the price of admission because he’s so committed to the role of a broken man constantly pushing himself closer to the edge of his own sanity. He pulls it off in a way that’s mortifying while still managing to keep you on his side. The movie itself does a good job of making things uncomfortable yet entertaining, but unfortunately, it never rises to Majors’ level despite director Elijah Bynum setting a tone that feels like Taxi Driver meets Whiplash . The film’s main failing comes from the script. There are too many moments where Bynum was seemingly going for disturbing, yet they wound up being unintentionally funny. I also don’t think the results of all the bad hands dealt to Majors’ character were organic, so it had me questioning a lot of the extreme choices he made in the final act. Honestly, if it weren’t for Majors giving a career-best performance, I might’ve started laughing at a lot of the creative decisions. Still, let me reiterate: Majors made this a mostly worthwhile experience, but I left Magazine Dreams feeling like it’s a wash. Starring: Jonathan Majors, Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, Michael O’Hearn, Harrison Page, and Harriet Sansom Harris Director: Elijah Bynum Release Date: TBD 7. A THOUSAND AND ONE Now, we start getting to the good stuff! To be frank, I wasn’t planning to watch A Thousand and One simply because it wasn’t on my radar, so I went in completely blind. At the start, I was unimpressed, with thoughts of “oh boy” and “I’ve seen this before” crossing my mind. It also didn’t help that there are plenty of moments throughout where you can tell this is A.V. Rockwell’s directorial debut, especially with the editing choices. However, fairly quickly, I got much more emotionally invested in what was happening on screen, and by the end, I was devastated. Ultimately, this film rides on the shoulders of Teyana Taylor’s performance, and never once in the entire film does she miss a beat as a poor woman navigating obstacle after obstacle. There is a twist at the end that I thought was about to ruin everything, but Rockwell managed to turn it into one of the most powerful finales I could have asked for. Starring: Teyana Taylor, William Catlett, Josiah Cross, Aaron Kingsley Adetola, and Aven Courtney Director: A.V. Rockwell Release Date: March 31, 2023 6. CAT PERSON Cat Person is inevitably going to be divisive, but I come down on the positive side. I can certainly see where some criticisms are coming from because it does ultimately go off the rails while featuring some questionable editing choices. Still, I was quite into the anti-chemistry that Emilia Jones and Nicholas Braun have together. From the get-go, you just feel that these two characters do not belong together, which pushes itself to its logical conclusion in ways that are both nightmarish and very real. Since I didn’t read the short story this movie is based on, I can’t make comparative statements in that regard; however, the movie succeeds in examining modern relationships and how they are intertwined with toxic masculinity. It’s told in ways that are uncomfortably frightening in one moment and gut-busting hilarious in the next. It won’t work for everybody, but this has stuck with me ever since I saw it. Starring: Emilia Jones, Nicholas Braun, Geraldine Viswanathan, Hope Davis, Fred Melamed, and Isabella Rossellini Director: Susanna Fogel Release Date: TBD 5. THEATER CAMP If I’m being honest, I don’t have anything deep to say about Theater Camp . I just loved it, plain and simple. It’s a light-hearted film that only wants you to have a good time, which it definitely succeeds at. I was laughing constantly throughout the film, thanks not only to the funny writing, but also the cast. The kids especially are hysterical. That said, I was a theater kid growing up, so there are a lot of inside jokes for people like me. I would recommend this movie to everyone, though. Even the ending, which is so cheesy, really works to give a nice finale that tugs at the heartstrings. Overall, Theater Camp was amongst the most endearing films at the festival. Starring: Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Ayo Edebiri, Amy Sedaris, Caroline Aaron, Nathan Lee Graham, Owen Thiele, Alan Kim, Kyndra Sanchez, Luke Islam, Bailee Bonick, and Alexander Bello Director: Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman Release Date: TBD 4. JOYLAND The first film I saw at the festival was probably the toughest watch, and I mean that in all the best ways possible. Initially, I was in the headspace of “why am I watching this?” before it quickly reveals itself to be a harrowing character study of a trio of characters: Haider (played incredibly by Ali Junejo), his wife (a scene stealing Rasti Farooq), and his transgender boss & love interest (Alina Khan). The film explores queer identity in Pakistan as well as generational and cultural trauma. By the end, it punched me square in the gut thanks to the outstanding screenplay by Maggie Briggs and director Sam Sadiq. I also can’t forget to mention just how amazing the cinematography by Joe Saade is. Starring: Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, Salmaan Peerzada, Sohail Sameer, and Sania Saeed Director: Saim Sadiq Release Date: TBD 3. FLORA AND SON The final film I saw at Sundance was also my most anticipated of the festival. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. I’m a huge fan of director John Carney, and once again, he dives into the idea that music can heal broken relationships and yourself, albeit not in ways that exceed his previous efforts. That said, Flora and Son is still a lovely film with a really strong heart. By the end, I think I fell in love with Eve Hewson. She oozes so much charm and likability that even the crassest lines come off as endearing. The relationship between her character and her character’s son is definitely the highlight, starting initially as a toxic bond that eventually makes way for love in a way that only Carney is capable of pulling off. Starring: Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Orén Kinlan, and Jack Reynor Director: John Carney Release Date: TBD 2. RYE LANE Rye Lane is, far and away, the most unique film I saw at Sundance. The deceptively simple premise makes way for director Raine Allen Miller to create some of the most interesting directorial choices imaginable. It’s a movie filled to the brim with style and creativity, not to mention one hilarious cameo that I didn’t even pick up on until the second shot. By the way, did I mention that this is Allen Miller’s directorial debut? It’s tremendous. David Johnson and Vivian Oparah make for an endearing lead duo because their chemistry is as palpable as it is hilarious. This movie will make you laugh, not just because of the obvious jokes, but also the background gags, subtle jabs, and blink-and-you'll-miss-it references that Allen Miller placed throughout the film. Truly, it’s a delightful film that, if it wasn’t for one other film I saw, would’ve easily been my favorite of the festival. Starring: David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah Director: Raine Allen Miller Release Date: March 31, 2023 1. PAST LIVES I was lucky enough to be at the premiere for this film, and if it hadn’t been for the fact that I ran straight from this to Magazine Dreams , I would’ve joined in giving Past Lives the big standing ovation it deserves. I was genuinely blown away by the poignancy of this film. It tackles themes of cultural differences, but in a more personal way by examining how human beings seek connection to one another and handle fate. Absolute kudos to writer/director Celine Song on her breathtaking accomplishment here, as well as to the spectacular cast, led to perfection by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. The final scene between those two is something that I will not soon forget, and it struck such a nerve in me that I was both heartbroken and relieved at the same time. A perfect movie, truly. Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro Director: Celine Song Release Date: TBD Photo Credits: Sundance Film Festival

FARGO: SEASON FIVE Starring: Jon Hamm, Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joe Keery, David Rysdahl, Richa Moorjani, Sam Spruell, Sienna King, Dave Foley, Conrad Coates, and Lamorne Morris Creator: Noah Hawley QUENTIN After not loving its fourth season (I gave it a 2.5), Fargo is back with a vengeance, returning to all the things that made the first three seasons great: excellent characters, top-notch performances, and an engaging story that is equal parts violent, dramatic, suspenseful, absurd, and funny. Admittedly, some parts are unnecessary (Lamorne Morris’ character, for example), but the exploration of the power dynamics at play in America’s current culture, gender, and class war is extremely compelling and as relevant as ever. And it’s all carried by a terrific cadre of quirky side characters and subversive powerhouse performances from Jon Hamm and Juno Temple. PRESTON After watching Seasons Three and Four, I thought Fargo had peaked; however, Season Five brings it home as the closest offering to Seasons One and Two in terms of quality. Jon Hamm plays the bad guy so well that I hope the majority of his roles in the future will be villainous, while Juno Temple perfectly takes on the role of a sweet and unassuming, yet enigmatic, Midwesterner. The combination of writer/creator Noah Hawley’s genius, executive producers Joel and Ethan Coen’s unique humor and perspective, and a kick-ass cast operating against the backdrop of unbelievable but “true” events lead to solid entertainment.

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE: SEASON ONE Starring: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, Bailey Bass, and Assad Zaman Creator: Rolin Jones QUENTIN As a person who only knows the story from the 1994 movie (i.e., I haven't read the book), Interview with the Vampire works on almost all fronts, particularly as a less campy, grown-up version of True Blood . The performances (Sam Reid as Lestat, especially), lavish set design, and gothic atmosphere create a fun and engaging tale about love and immortality, while also exploring themes of race, sexuality, and certain power dynamics. There are a few moments when an episode might drag a bit, but it’s so beautifully put together, it’s hardly noticeable. It’s certainly one of the better new shows of 2022.

IRONHEART Starring: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Alden Ehrenreich, Lyric Ross, Manny Montana, Regan Aliyah, Matthew Elam, and Anji White Creator: Chinaka Hodge AMARÚ Ironheart feels like being back home, comfortably walking into an old neighborhood I haven’t visited in years. Led by a magnificent Dominique Thorne, the authentically heartfelt ensemble (especially surprise stand-out Lyric Ross) takes well-tread coming-of-age, crime drama tropes and gives them a refreshing energy that feeds your soul. Every time you think clunky plot points will dampen the light, another earnest interaction filled with heartbreak, joy, humor, and all of the above takes the story to surprisingly emotional places. Add in a pitch-perfectly cool Anthony Ramos, and an outstanding soundtrack, and I finished this six-episode season wanting to take a plate with me.

Previous Next With the merciful ending of Fear the Walking Dead and the highly anticipated Wonka coming later this month, we've decided to talk about prequels. The Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Prequel Films/Series. If the prequel spawned a series, we will only be counting the first entry. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 releases 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. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS As a big fan of the X-Men franchise, the idea of a reboot worried me a little since the new cast would have massive shoes to fill. Well, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender were more than up to the task as their interpretations of Charles Xavier (Professor X) and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) are terrific. There is a renewed focus on other mutants, as well as an incredibly risky decision not to have Wolverine re-cast as part of the core, and Matthew Vaughn's direction brings it all together to create a stylized and refreshed version of the X-Men. Unfortunately, Vaughn didn’t stick with the series and the follow-up films got progressively worse. It's a great “what if?” to wonder what may have happened had he never left. - Nick 4. RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Rise of the Planet of the Apes caught me off guard. I remember watching the trailer when I was younger and thinking, “Do we really need more Apes movies?” Yes... yes, we did. Together, Rise , Dawn , and War make up arguably the greatest prequel trilogy of all time. They expertly blend astonishing spectacle with an epic narrative, anchored by Andy Serkis' powerhouse mo-cap performance. Caesar (Serkis) is not only one of the greatest special effects ever brought to screen, he’s also an absolutely incredible protagonist. I never thought it was possible to care about a monkey this much. - Caleb 3. THE GODFATHER PART II The Godfather Part II not only gets a well-deserved spot on the Bitesize Top Five prequels list, but it also is considered one of the few sequels that is better than the original, and it quite justly occupies a space on every best films of all-time list! Francis Ford Coppola’s (director) and Mario Puzo’s (writer and producer) genius parallel storytelling shows similar-aged looks at Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) ever tightening grip on the family “business” while simultaneously giving a glimpse into his father’s, Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), creation of the family’s criminal enterprise. It is a multiple award-winning, iconic, and gritty gangster film with masterful cinematography, terrific acting, a score to die for…and, oh yeah, it happened to revolutionize filmmaking forever! - Preston 2. BETTER CALL SAUL It's a hard task to follow up Breaking Bad , one of the most respected and acclaimed shows in history, with a prequel about Walter White's lawyer. But somehow, creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould pulled off a show that is not only on the level of its predecessor, but some have even argued it's actually better than Breaking Bad . Better Call Saul mostly ditches the gritty, thriller aspects of Breaking Bad , instead going for a slower, more introspective black comedy character study of Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, played extraordinarily by Bob Odenkirk. There's simply too much pathos and too many layers of Better Call Saul to discuss in this piece, but for any fans of Breaking Bad , this is a perfect companion series, and even if you're not, it’s a powerful and entertaining ride all on its own. - Adriano 1. CASINO ROYALE Growing up, my introduction to James Bond was through Pierce Brosnan’s suave charm, over-the-top gadgetry (invisible cars!?), and fun campiness. So, when it was announced that the franchise reboot would be gritty like a Bourne movie and starring the much-less-suave Daniel Craig, I mostly shrugged. However, Casino Royale turned Bond into an actual person as opposed to the cartoon character he had become, making Daniel Craig a star and introducing American audiences to the terrific Mads Mikkelsen in the process. Lastly, as a five-film prequel series - the first run of Bond movies to be serialized - these movies provide character development, depth, emotion, and genuine closure on top of the usual gadgets, spy games, Bond villains, sexpots, and exhilarating set pieces. - Quentin HONORABLE MENTIONS STAR TREK (2009) ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY PEARL ANDOR PREY Photo Credits: Photo 1, 2 - 20th Century Studios; Photo 3 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 4 - AMC; Photo 5 - Sony Pictures Releasing

DAVE: SEASON THREE Starring: Dave Burd, Gata, Andrew Santino, Travis Bennett, and Christine Ko Creators: Dave Burd and Jeff Schaffer QUENTIN In its third season, Dave …essentially a white, Jewish Atlanta …finds its stride as an examination of fame, ambition, relationships, and self-worth. Honestly, it’s remarkable how far Lil Dicky has come from irreverent music videos on YouTube to creating a show with this much depth and nuance. Each character is so well developed and laid bare that you genuinely want them to succeed even as they trip over their own eccentricities and flaws. Add in rap bangers from the underrated lyricist and A-List guest stars (including an auto-tuned rapping Brad Pitt, who will certainly get an Emmy nod), and you’ve got the best show you’re probably not watching. ADRIANO Dave remains one of the most underrated shows on TV as Dave Burd, aka Lil Dicky, continues to examine fame and self-worth in an irreverent and raunchy way, this time in his pursuit of love. If the show’s gross-out sensibilities didn’t work for you in the past, I don’t see how they would work for you this time around either, but there’s something so profound about this show that made this season’s approach to modern relationships relatable and heartwarming. I strongly urge everyone to give this show a shot because this season is well worth the time investment.