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Previous Next It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air, so we decided to drop our newest list a day early. The Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Rom-Coms. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. COMING TO AMERICA “YES! F*** YOU TOO!” might be my favorite line delivery in any romantic comedy ever (tied with some lines from our #1). As funny as it is though, people often forget the romance storyline that is at the heart of Coming to America . It holds its own amongst the top-notch jokes while making the film an automatic “oh, hell yea” once you realize it qualifies for this category. So… OH, HELL YEA!!! THAT MOVIE GOOD!!! - Amarú 4. CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE Even putting my man-crush on Baby Goose aside, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a hilarious and honest look at romance from two perspectives: the young player who may have found “The One” and the heartbroken, middle-aged guy who never expected to be single again. Truth be told, I’ve been some version of both characters at different points in my life, and the situations, dialogue, and dynamic between Ryan Gosling and Steven Carell are so genuine and relatable that this movie just resonates with me on multiple levels. - Quentin 3. YOU'VE GOT MAIL This may be the lesser known of the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan rom-coms, but it's always been my favourite. Everything from the juxtaposition of the online relationship versus the personal one and the way both evolve to the undeniable chemistry these two actors share, it's a joy watching them push each other's buttons (all the while being in on the secret the characters aren't privy to). You can't help but root for them to get together, and that’s exactly what the best rom-coms set out to do. - Nick 2. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... As of this moment, there is no film in existence that more appropriately fits the definition of “rom-com” than When Harry Met Sally . When it comes to the gold standards of the rom-com formula, or the kinds of characters rom-coms typically possess, this movie stands above all others as the prototypical example…and for good reason. It’s funny, it’s romantic, and most importantly, it gave us the eternally iconic Meg Ryan diner scene. - Jacob 1. THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN With a premise as simple as a man in his middle years who has yet to experience sex, The 40-Year-Old Virgin could've been just another in a list of forgettable, sophomoric comedies. Instead, the movie takes a gentle approach to a topic that can be sensitive to those who relate, due largely to its stellar cast of Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and more. With a combination of strong performances from the lead actors and solid turns from the supporting players, even in bit roles, the film is cemented as one of the recent comedy classics, romantic or otherwise. - Darryl HONORABLE MENTIONS GROUNDHOG DAY 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU THE WEDDING SINGER MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 50 FIRST DATES Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2, 3 - Warner Bros; Photo 4 - Columbia Pictures; Photo 5 - Universal Pictures

UNDER THE BRIDGE Starring: Lily Gladstone, Riley Keough, Vritika Gupta, Chloe Guidry, Javon “Wanna” Walton, Izzy G, Archie Panjabi, Aiyana Goodfellow, and Ezra Faroque Khan Creator: Quinn Shephard QUENTIN I can’t remember the last time a show went from promising start to borderline unwatchable in the time that Under the Bridge does. Maybe it’s just me, but the more time I spent with the bitchy, white, teenage girls who refer to themselves as — huge eye-roll — the “Crip Mafia Cartel” while constantly bragging about how gangster they are and incessantly name-dropping John Gotti, the tougher it was to finish each episode. Just…So. Damn. Annoying. That said, if you can get past that, the acting and (true) mystery are decent enough to satisfy fans of shows cut from the same cloth as True Detective and The Killing .

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.