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THE WILDS: SEASON TWO Starring: Rachel Griffiths, Sarah Pidgeon, Mia Healey, Sophia Ali, Erana James, Shannon Berry, Reign Edwards, Jenna Clause, Alex Fitzalan, Reed Shannon, Aidan Laprete, Nicholas Coombe, Charles Alexander, Zack Calderon, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Tanner Ray Rook, David Sullivan, and Troy Winbush. Creator: Sarah Streicher PAIGE The first season of The Wilds was one of the greatest surprises of 2020. I loved the coming-of-age story built on astonishing performances from the “Dawn of Eve” group; However, for Season Two, the show shifts the focus from the girls to the boys while doing absolutely nothing unique with them. Why!?! The addition of “Twilight of Adam” crammed too much underdeveloped story into this season, which left me wanting more. That said, with the way things are left in the finale, I can’t wait to see what the showrunners have in store for us. Give me Season Three now!

AMERICAN BORN CHINESE: SEASON ONE Starring: Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Yann Yann Yeo, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Ke Huy Quan, Jimmy Liu, and Sydney Taylor Creator: Kelvin Yu AMARÚ American Born Chinese probably would deliver on some great themes and nice ideas if it didn’t spread itself thin trying to be so many shows at once. It’s a coming-of-age drama whose uniquely charming characters can’t cover its crude writing and stiff delivery. It’s also a martial arts soap opera whose great fight choreography can’t cover its corny dramatics. Lastly, it’s a commentary on minority representation in Hollywood whose satire is way too heavy-handed. There’s merit to be found somewhere in this show, but it too often gets lost trying to aimlessly put it all together. QUENTIN While the first episode shows a lot of promise, mixing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings with a less cringy Ms. Marvel (which makes sense since Destin Daniel Cretton directed both it and Shang-Chi ), it increasingly becomes more of a tween series as it goes along. Each episode feels cheaper than the one before, especially with the extremely rough CGI, and its Disneyfied YA-ness becomes too much to bear. I have no doubt young teens, especially those of Chinese descent, will be enamored with this show…I probably would have been 30 years ago…but for an adult, it’s lacking despite the impressive, Oscar-winning cast.

WONDLA: SEASON ONE Starring: Jeanine Mason, Teri Hatcher, Brad Garrett, Gary Anthony Williams, Chiké Okonkwo, D.C. Douglas, and Alan Tudyk Creator: Bobs Gannaway AMARÚ It’s really cool that kids’ programming can be as intriguing and complex as WondLa . There’s plenty about it that is meant for children - the animation and tone of its voice-actors most heavily - but these surface-level aspects are vehicles to give younger audiences access to action and suspense that are often reserved for more mature sci-fi thrillers. There is a fast-paced balance of adolescent set-pieces, adult themes, and universal humor that makes WondLa a series that families can enjoy with their ever-curious children of every age. It also worked for this grown-ass child right here. QUENTIN Look, I’m a 43-year-old childless man. I know that WondLa isn’t made for me. Honestly, I only gave it a shot because Apple gave us a screener and it was there. That said, for what it is, it's…not terrible? It skews young – like verging on Paw Patrol -young at times – but there are occasional bursts of attractive animation, not to mention a Silo -style mystery, that kept me interested enough to watch the next episode until *poof* I had finished the season. I’m not exactly recommending it for childless adults, but if you have kids and want something to watch with them that isn’t mind-numbing, this fits the bill.

WHAT IF...?: SEASON THREE Starring: Jeffrey Wright AMARÚ What If…? : Season Three had me in the first half, not gonna lie. They chose silliness up front because they knew the heavy was coming in the latter half. It doesn’t reach “Supreme Strange” levels, but the last four episodes do make up for a downright boring and uneventful start. As a whole, I enjoyed six of the eight final episodes to varying degrees, with the final four being solid stories, both as one-offs and connective tissue. Overall, I leave the series with one prevailing thought: 2016's Agent Carter was given the biggest shaft and Hayley Atwell deserved better. QUENTIN Marvel’s What If…? has always felt like a series that lacked enthusiasm from its creators — something they were forced to do rather than something they were genuinely interested in doing. I mean, the premise is rich with amazing opportunity, yet the writers almost always pick the most uninteresting branch realities to explore. Season Three is the worst transgressor of this crime as it dives into randomness like Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) in Hollywood, and Howard the Duck (Seth Green) marrying Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). Honestly, it was a struggle to watch. After three seasons of diminishing returns, I’m not sad it’s ending.

GEN V: SEASON ONE Starring: Jaz Sinclair, Chance Perdomo, Lizze Broadway, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, Asa Germann, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Shelley Conn Creators: Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg, and Craig Rosenberg ADRIANO Gen V is as great and captivating as The Boys , certainly boasting the same tone that the fans love while crafting its own personality in the process. What I admire about it most, though, is that the creators know The Boys isn't excellent because of the blood and depravity, but because of the smart writing and the layered character development built around the world-building. With that, Gen V mostly ditches the parent show’s political commentary to remain focused on its complicated yet tragic characters. It's annoying that it's essential viewing for The Boys , but on its own, it's one hell of a spinoff. AMARÚ The best spinoffs can stand on their own while still building upon the shared universe. When it comes to Gen V , the cast and crew knew exactly how to add to The Boys canon without feeling like a pointless imitation. Gen V is as brutal, funny, and scathingly critical of society as its parent show, holding a mirror to the ugly side effects of Gen Z’s propensity for likes, clicks, and follows, while using shockingly well-rounded archetype characters to create compellingly intelligent storytelling. It takes the conflicts of CW staples, adds R-rated superhero set-pieces, and somehow manages to flip them into something uniquely refreshing. QUENTIN I’m torn on Gen V . On one hand, I give it credit for finding enough separation from The Boys to stand on its own, even as it features the same levels of violence, raunch, and subversiveness. On the other hand, aside from Emma/Cricket (Lizze Broadway), I’m not invested in any of the characters, and the social commentary, while apt, concerns Gen Z anxieties that I either don’t relate to or find interesting. Ultimately, this is an R-rated CW show, and the darker tone doesn’t always save the young adult storylines. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s not near as good as The Boys . PAIGE What makes this spin-off work so well is that, while it very much exists within the same universe as The Boys , it stands very tall on its own and it won’t confuse viewers who haven’t caught up with the original series. With that said, Gen V manages to be just as chaotic and bloody as its predecessor while throwing its own spin on things. It does a fantastic job of introducing us to these new and intriguing young supes that we can all somehow relate to one way or another. Overall, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next semester at Godolkin University! NICK Gen V ’s biggest hurdle was going to be maintaining the essence of The Boys while avoiding the pitfalls teen series fall into (the CW effect). As far as that goes, it clears that bar with ease. It’s just as edgy, violent, and vulgar as The Boys , albeit with less interesting characters. There are a few, mainly Emma (Lizze Broadway) and Jordan (London Thor), but the rest of the cast fail to stand out on their own in spite of their unique powers. Yes, this can be remedied with a deeper dive in Season Two, but doing so earlier would have enhanced the series’ opening season.

NIGHT SKY: SEASON ONE Starring: J.K. Simmons, Sissy Spacek, Chai Hansen, Adam Bartley, Julieta Zylberberg, Rocío Hernández, Kiah McKirnan, Beth Lacke, Stephen Louis Grush, Cass Buggé, and Sonya Walger Creator: Holden Miller QUENTIN Although nowhere near as grandiose, Night Sky reminds me of Westworld in ways that aren’t exactly complimentary. Both feature great performances and a slow burn mystery that strings you along with the tiniest breadcrumbs of intrigue. However, when it finally comes time for the payoff, they deny you the answers you sorely desire, all while having the audacity to end on a super interesting cliffhanger. It’s very frustrating. Maybe Night Sky is the type of show that needed Season One to lay the boring groundwork for the actual story to come in Season Two; Either way, much like my feelings about Westworld , burn me once…

DIGMAN!: SEASON ONE Starring: Andy Samberg, Mitra Jouhari, Tim Robinson, Guz Khan, Dale Soules, Melissa Fumero, and Tim Meadows Creators: Neil Campbell and Andy Samberg QUENTIN Even though it boasts several things that are right up my alley, including an exaggerated Indiana Jones meets National Treasure storyline and Andy Samberg reviving his “In the Cage with Nic Cage” impression, Digman! is a complete misfire. As the exclamation point in the title would suggest, the series operates on the wavelength of “louder is funnier,” which is almost never the case. The animation is eye-catching enough and there are some notable guest stars, but in terms of laughs, Digman! can’t even hold a candle to the mediocrity that is modern-day Family Guy despite the mile-a-minute jokes. Maybe it’s good if you’re on edibles?

THE BEAR: SEASON FOUR Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Ricky Staffieri, Corey Hendrix, and Oliver Platt Creator: Christopher Storer QUENTIN After the disappointing third season, The Bear returns to form with a renewed focus and time-driven narrative that creates a greater feeling of cohesion. The performances are as awards-worthy as they ever were, but the exploration of family — chosen and otherwise — and the consequences of one’s choices, especially in the face of trauma, humanizes the characters in ways that were often attempted unsuccessfully last season. Despite a Season Five renewal, it feels as though this could be the beginning of the end for Carmy (Jeremy Allen White). Or maybe it’s a terrific reset for the character. Either way, welcome back to one of television’s best shows. AMARÚ It’s nice to be with family again. Season Three’s experiment was artistic, but unquestionably disappointing, so getting back to The Bear ’s basics is a refreshing return to greatness. This isn’t a retread though, aside from great actors continuing to act their asses off. While the first two seasons were absolute chaos for the viewer to witness, Season Four calms down the hectic cacophony, utilizing director Christopher Storer’s perfectly maneuvered close-ups and zoom-ins to bring us inside the train wreck. This season is more personal, with Ayo Edebiri’s Sydney benefiting the most, yet the entire ensemble shines because of this beautifully balanced and emotional 10 episodes. ROBERT While there was a quality dip, I never thought it was significant enough to consider Season Three of The Bear a failure. That being said, you can tell there was a recommitment in Season Four to get off the singular focus of restaurant success and keep the characters' relationships, as it relates to their shared workplace, as this season’s crux. I was particularly taken with the message that no matter our life experiences, we are connected and more alike than we would ever care to admit. The writing, the acting, the production design, and the heart of The Bear can never be replicated, as it’s as close to real therapy as we can get in superb entertainment. Check out our reviews for Season Three HERE .

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

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

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

SIDE QUEST: SEASON ONE Starring: Derek Waters, Anna Konkle, Shalita Grant, Rome Flynn, William Stanford Davis, Bria Henderson, Ramon Reed, Leonard Robinson, Gary Kraus, Annamarie Kasper, Esai Morales, Asjha Cooper, Van Crosby, Melanie Brook, Alice Wen, David Andrew Calvillo, Justin Jarzombek, and Dash McCloud Creators: Ashly Burch, John Harris, and Katie McElhenney QUENTIN For fans of Mythic Quest , especially the terrific bottle episodes “A Dark Quiet Death” and “Backstory!,” the perfectly titled Side Quest is a delightful miniseries that expands on the humor and themes of the mothership series without being overly reliant on it. With a four-episode anthology approach, some episodes are better than others, which is to be expected, but none are so much better or worse that a clear winner or loser emerge. Frankly, it's a testament to Mythic 's world-building and writing that Side is so endearingly effective on the whole. Fans of the original series won't be disappointed, except maybe by the super short season.