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Previous Next January 23, 2023 WRITTEN BY: PAIGE With several films in play this awards season, independent film studio A24 has established itself as one of the hottest production companies in Hollywood. Founded in 2012 by Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges, the company has since grown exponentially, branching out from film to produce award-winning television series like HBO’s Euphoria and Hulu’s Ramy , as well as stand-up comedy specials for Jerrod Carmichael and Ali Wong. With prominent hits and diverse films like Ex Machina , Hereditary , and Uncut Gems in recent years, the company has shown that it isn’t afraid to take risks and think outside the box. From its first film, the Charlie Sheen-starring A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III in 2013, to 2016’s Moonlight , which won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, A24 has shown that it is a powerhouse distributor that should be considered one of the best in the business. As an A24 admirer, I can honestly say that I have loved most everything I have seen from the studio, from its horror films to its indie dramas. Some of my favorites include Room , Green Room , Spring Breakers , Swiss Army Man , Lady Bird , and Locke . With releasing such unique, small-budget films, it has shown that it isn't afraid to be different, and that is what makes the studio stand out to me so much. In allowing itself and the people it works with the freedom to be creative, A24 has been able to attract some of the best directors, actors, and actresses working today. Alas, while I could ramble on all day about why I’ve become such a fan of the studio, we’re here to look at its 2022 release calendar and discuss why it may have been the company’s best year yet. Although A24 released particularly impressive slates in both 2017 and 2019, in my mind, 2022 has been, without question, its best year so far. With 20 total releases, I’ve decided to list the five that I believe to be must watches. Of note, you’ll notice that critical hits such as The Whale , Causeway , The Inspection , White Noise , and After Yang didn’t make the cut. That just goes to show you just how strong, deep, and varied A24’s slate was in 2022. AFTERSUN I may not be a parent, but I’ve battled depression, and this film shines an honest light on that inner turmoil by portraying a depressed father attempting to put on a brave face for his daughter even though he can feel it all melting away. As such, this film really hit me emotionally. Yeah, it may not be the most entertaining film of the year, but it doesn’t need to be because it’s much more than that. It has deep layers that explore the desire to preserve shared memories. Aftersun is a beautifully heartfelt film with charming performances from Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, and it’s the type of film that will make you rethink every interaction you've ever had with your parents. MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON I still can’t believe A24 actually got this film made, and it’s honestly everything I’d hoped it would be. Creators Dean Fleischer-Camp and Jenny Slate turning their early 2000s short film into a feature was something I didn’t know I needed until I got it. We all need a feel-good, heartwarming film to watch from time to time, and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is just that flick. It’s beautiful from the inside out, and one of the sweetest, most endearing movies of the year. It will remind you to appreciate all the little things in life, to smile more, and give you all the feels. I promise you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll smile from ear-to-ear throughout the entire film. BODIES BODIES BODIES You ever feel like a movie was made especially for you? That’s Bodies Bodies Bodies for me. It’s pretty much an Agatha Christie-inspired episode of Euphoria , which, y’all know, I love that show. It’s phenomenally written and directed, featuring a spectacular cast that nails each stereotype perfectly, especially Rachel Sennott, who is pure gold in this flick. This film will have you laughing your ass off at all the one-liners, its color palette is dope AF, and the soundtrack is bloody rad. I’m calling it now: this is an immediate cult classic that will be watched at every sleepover. X/PEARL Yes, I’m cheating a little bit here, but you can’t have one without the other. It’s rare that we get two films from a franchise released in the same calendar year, let alone with both featuring a killer performance from the underrated Mia Goth. We start off with X , a classic slasher focusing on a group of 1970s porn stars being murdered. Right off the bat, I knew I would love this film because the slasher genre is my jam. Then, we get thrown back to the early 1900s with the prequel Pearl , a character-driven, psychological horror movie that features a performance from Mia Goth deserving of all the awards. All in all, director Ti West gave us something special that you can’t deny, and this horror franchise is one that should be on your radar! EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE I don’t even know where to start when talking about this gem of a film, besides pointing out the obvious: it’s one of the best films of the year! Directing duo Daniels delivers one of the most bizarre and imaginative movies I’ve ever seen. It kicks ass while also being a heartwarming film with a powerful story. Everything Everywhere All at Once is packed with creative ideas, and the outstanding ensemble cast, led by Michelle Yeoh, executes each one so flipping well. If you haven’t seen this film yet, I don’t know what the hell you are doing with your life because you’re missing out on something brilliant. Overall, A24 blew me away in 2022! All these films rocked my socks off, and the five (okay, I cheated, six) films I recommended display just how diverse this film production company truly is. The list above includes a moving drama, heartfelt animation, a horror comedy, the start of an instant classic franchise, and an adrenaline-fueled sci-fi comedy. It really highlights just how impressive 2022 was for A24 when potential Best Picture nominee The Whale didn't even crack the Top FiveSix. And now that 2023 is here, I can’t wait to watch what’s coming next! Director Ti West will finish his Pearl trilogy with MaXXXine , starring modern-day scream queen Mia Goth; Ari Aster directs Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix in the surrealist comedy-horror Beau is Afraid ; and Jesse Eisenberg makes his directorial debut with the coming-of-age dramedy When You Finish Saving the World , starring Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard. A24 isn't slowing down and, given the growth we’ve seen in the last decade, I’m very excited to see what 2023 and beyond bring for the studio! Photo Credits: A24

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY Starring: Doug E. Doug, Godfrey, Marc Lamont Hill, Gloria Hendry, Chris Spencer, Michael Jai White, Lili Bernard, Roland Martin, and Joseph C. Phillips Director: W. Kamau Bell NICK We Need to Talk About Cosby is about so much more than the rise and fall of Bill Cosby. It’s about race, Cosby's tumultuous relationship with the black community, and the survivors. The subject matter is heavy, and director W. Kamau Bell pulls no punches by asking tough questions of the copious amount of interviewees featured. He looks back at the early signs of Cosby's transgressions weighed against the cultural impact the actor/comedian had, and, most importantly, allows these women a platform to tell their stories. It’s uncomfortable, important, and something everyone needs to see.

OBITUARY: SEASON ONE Starring: Siobhán Cullen, Michael Smiley, Ronan Raftery, Danielle Galligan, David Ganly, and Michael Hough Creator: Ray Lawlor QUENTIN Hulu’s new Irish import, Obituary , isn’t particularly necessary viewing, but if you have the right mindset and sensibilities (read: dark and quirky), there is some entertainment value to be found in this highly bingeable six-episode season. The obvious comparison is Dexter (but less self-serious), but it also has shades of After Life and the macabre humor of Wednesday , all while reminding you of just about every show you’ve seen featuring small towns filled with peculiar characters and hidden secrets. With chuckles, mystery, a delightful Siobhán Cullen, and plenty of soothing Irish accents, Obituary makes for a charming and breezy (if somewhat disposable) viewing experience.

FUBAR: SEASON ONE Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Travis Van Winkle, Jay Baruchel, Aparna Brielle, Andy Buckley, Fortune Feimster, Barbara Eve Harris, Gabriel Luna, and Fabiana Udenio Creator: Nick Santora NICK With the television landscape changing over the last few years, it’s no longer enough to just have huge movie stars like Harrison Ford or Sylvester Stallone lead your series. It needs to be good. Unfortunately, the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led FUBAR is merely fine, but nothing more. Like many Arnold blockbusters, FUBAR is a bunch of fun fluff…and there’s nothing wrong with that…but as the series goes on, even his presence isn’t enough to lift it beyond mediocrity. There are moments of humour and the father/daughter dynamic is good, but some oddly cast side characters and a lack of direction plunges this into forgettable territory. QUENTIN Do you remember the USA network’s “Characters Welcome” era? With shows like White Collar and Burn Notice being so weirdly glossy and brightly lit that they looked cheap and fake? FUBAR is like Netflix made a True Lies -ripoff in that style, and somehow lucked in to getting Arnold Schwarzenegger to star in it. All that is to say FUBAR is not very good. Even the Arnold-loving kid in me from the 80s lost interest about midway through. It’s not particularly funny, the action isn’t all that great, and there is a lot of make-sure-the-old-people-understand exposition. Hopefully, this…and, for the love of God, Fortune Feimster…won’t be back.

Previous August 1, 2024 Next A BITESIZE CHAT WITH X-MEN '97 DIRECTORS Directors Emi/Emmett Yonemura & Chase Conley have a chat with Amaru about the first season of X-Men '97 and how they brought the iconic comic-book characters back to the small screen after 30+ years. Make sure to check out X-Men '97 now on Disney Plus. Interview conducted on May 16th, 2024 by Amarú Moses. Photo Credits: Disney Plus

MARVEL'S MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR: SEASON ONE Starring: Diamond White, Fred Tatasciore, Alfre Woodard, Libe Barer, Sasheer Zamata, Gary Anthony Williams, Laurence Fishburne, and Jermaine Fowler Creators: Jeffrey M. Howard, Kate Kondell, and Steve Loter AMARÚ Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is a delightful series, with each episode progressively improving after a sweet and stylish, yet slightly overstuffed pilot. The subsequent 25-minute episode format packs beautiful animation, lovable characters, and humorous dialogue in tightly paced stories full of marvelous lessons for kids and childlike wonder for adults. The sonically imaginative soundtrack and visually stylish storytelling highlight a unique rogues gallery of characters that you want to visit with again and again. It’s been a while since a kid’s show has brought back that Saturday Morning Cartoon feeling, and I’m glad a new generation has a staple to watch on their weekend wake-ups.

ATLANTA: THE FINAL SEASON Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz Creator: Donald Glover AMARÚ Season Four of Atlanta cements it as one of the greatest series of all time. The unpredictably poignant writing makes every second a must see, and the main foursome’s screen presence continues to keep your eyes glued. But what really makes this final season shine is its return home. The deep connection to music culture, Southern culture, and Black culture has always been a strength, but the return to the city of Atlanta created some of the best episodes of the entire series. Kudos to The Glover Brothers and Hiro Murai for sending off Atlanta as weirdly down-home as it knows how. PAIGE What I’ve loved most about Atlanta is that it never intended to play by the rules, always doing its own thing. Donald Glover (a damn genius) and Co. did just that with the series’ fourth and final season, which brought the show back to its unique and brilliant roots. The stories told are so unpredictable that you never know what you are going to get in terms of tone and subject matter; that’s what made it such a fun and weird trip. I’m going to miss these characters dearly, and I’m bummed it’s over. QUENTIN Though a smidge weaker than its previous seasons, Atlanta ’s final go ‘round continues to deliver surreal, hilarious, and thoughtful takes on black culture while also wrapping up one of the best shows of (at least) the last decade. My only complaint is, while the final moments present an ambiguity that interestingly reframes the entire series, it feels tacked on. The ending works and is on brand, but it’s slightly unearned since they didn’t thread a setup throughout the season (it feels more like a season finale than a series finale). Then again, maybe I’m just sad and bitter because I’ll miss spending time with the characters. ADRIANO Part of me wishes it had ended on a more satisfying note, but Atlanta ended in true Atlanta fashion, and for one of my all-time favourite shows, that’s good enough for me. While it once again lacks a cohesive structure, it’s refreshing to get a season focused on the main cast after Season Three’s anthology approach. We get deeper dives into these characters, and I’ve never felt more attached even as they walk off into the sunset. The show once again brings brilliant surrealism with an effective satirical bite and intensity; there are no other shows like Atlanta , and that’s why I will miss it.

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE: SEASON TWO Starring: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Delainey Hayles, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman, and Ben Daniels Creator: Rolin Jones QUENTIN After two seasons, Interview with the Vampire remains one of the most beautiful shows on television, featuring a twisty, lavish, and gothic love story that one can’t help but to be invested in. That said, Season Two isn’t quite as good as Season One, almost exclusively because of the absence of Sam Reid’s Lestat, who is little more than a recurring guest character this season. However, with Season Three already greenlit, and the announcement that it will be based on The Vampire Lestat , the second book of Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles , the small complaint of not enough Reid seemingly will be remedied with haste.

SERVANT: SEASON FOUR Starring: Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free, and Rupert Grint Creators: Tony Basgallop and M. Night Shyamalan QUENTIN One universal complaint about M. Night Shyamalan’s body of work is his propensity to deliver bum endings after intriguingly terrific set ups, and Servant , which was meant to be six seasons before being culled down to four, is yet another victim. Truth be told, this series has become less and less interesting with each passing season, and this final group of episodes struggles to maintain momentum, answer questions proposed over the entire series’ run, or make the viewer care about the fact that this story is ending. It just fizzles out, like Shyamalan ultimately got bored with the series, which is fair because so did I.

POKER FACE: SEASON TWO Starring: Natasha Lyonne, Simon Helberg, Rhea Perlman, Patti Harrison, and Steve Buscemi Creator: Rian Johnson AMARÚ You know you really like a show when you can excuse some silly bullshit that Natasha Lyonne’s human lie detector Charlie could call out from a mile away. Not to say that Poker Face Season Two isn’t well written, but there are plenty of conveniences that if it weren’t for the lovable guest-stars-of-the-week’s chemistry with Lyonne, my eyes would live inside the top of my head. Fortunately for me, the exuberant atmosphere is undeniable, and I wouldn’t have my foolish, lighthearted, well-acted, Columbo -coated weekly murder mysteries any other way. ADRIANO I watched the last season of Poker Face week-to-week, and in that review, I noted that I feared a binge-watch could feel repetitive. Well, I put that theory to the test, and I'm happy to report I was wrong. Season Two of Poker Face almost leans into the cartoonish nature of a woman (Natasha Lyonne) running into so many murders hilariously, but what works best is that the show continues to find new ways to shock us with intriguing and well-plotted stories. It's an impressive feat that remains fun, and I can't imagine it ever overstaying its welcome. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

SECRET LEVEL: SEASON ONE Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, Laura Bailey, Heaven Hart, Keanu Reeves, Gabriel Luna, Ariana Greenblatt, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Elodie Young, Temuera Morrison, Michael Beach, Emily Swallow, and Claudia Doumit Creator: Tim Miller QUENTIN If you enjoy Love, Death & Robots , you should give Secret Level a chance, especially if you’re a big gamer. Both series come from Tim Miller, so the connective tissue is immediately obvious, with both featuring short, tremendously animated stories told in various worlds. Like most anthologies, some episodes are better than others, and a little more variety in the animation styles would have been nice, but with episodes that mostly run under 15 minutes, it’s not a huge time commitment. Those familiar with the games being referenced, ranging from Dungeons & Dragons to Pac-Man , likely will get even more from the series than I did.

DEAD RINGERS Starring: Rachel Weisz, Britne Oldford, Poppy Liu, Jennifer Ehle, and Michael Chernus Creator: Alice Birch QUENTIN Although Rachel Weisz is outstanding in dual roles (especially as Elliot), the narrative and pacing of Dead Ringers leaves a bit to be desired. Even at just six episodes, it’s too long. There are two subplots that are completely unnecessary (especially one about the twins’ maid), and a random non-linear offshoot that is more confusing than anything else. Still, Weisz, who is a shoo-in for an Emmy nomination (if not a win), keeps it engaging even if the destination is never as captivating as certain parts of the journey. Also, beware: the blood, graphic medical scenes, and talk of miscarriages could be triggering for some.