Netflix’s original animated-series is a staple of artistic innovation. The creative teams’ choice to depict trauma through that of an animated horse is a testament to the program’s commitment to innovative storytelling and stunning art. Season four brings perhaps the most creatively stylized animation to modern television, while also incorporating design choices into their narratives. This critique is spoiler-packed, so please proceed with caution!
There is a positive side to fandom. It can bring people together rather than tear them apart. It can foster a legitimate and lasting sense of community, and help make the work itself more enjoyable, rather than less. And there’s one fandom that exemplifies this more than any other: That of 'Twin Peaks.'
Season 1 of Westworld was as engrossing an opening season as I've ever seen. The production was movie worthy, the acting was superb, and the world building was spectacular. It was a thoughtful season that presented large existential themes and a world where everything resided in the far more interesting and far more realistic grey area. Some of the twists and outcomes may have been telegraphed, but it was one hell of a ride to the end. Simply amazing.
I caught up on a lot of streaming shows during quarantine, but 'I'm Sorry' might have been the best one of all. It may have been mostly unknown but it's absolutely worth a catch up and worth being picked up by another network.
Riverdale is everything that shouldn't work together...working together in a way that is so wrong, yet oh so right. In a world where cable TV often seems like a wasteland littered with reboots and spin offs (and on occasion a totally original show), Riverdale is a uniquely original and totally welcome addition.
Season 1 was all about foundation building and they did a fantastic job of that and giving me a real reason to care about the characters and the story unfolding. I would like to see a bit more action in the next season but Season 1's incredible balance, great character development, and compelling story make this one of TV's most promising super hero shows yet.
The haters have spoken...well, more like Netflix has spoken. No more Miranda Sings and no more Haters Back Off, and that's a real shame because it was a truly unique show that championed the fact that it's alright for people to be their truly weird and gross selves.
Ash vs Evil Dead brings back all the gore, political incorrectness, and laughs you know and love from Evil Dead. While crafting it's own tone and great characters that elevate it past it's predecessors. Starz has a winner on it's hands. The King is back.
With Twin Peaks: the Return, David Lynch has once again proven himself to be the strange master of portraying the human experience. Let's look at three moments from the Return in which he perfectly captured the beauty, the darkness, and the bizarre.
Season 2 of Ash vs Evil Dead was full of all the crude humor and slapstick gore I loved so much about the first season. But outside of the core of Ash, Pablo, and Kelly there wasn't anybody really memorable that added much to the proceedings. In particular, the extremely weak main villain. But all in all, outside of a perplexing ending, it was another fun (albeit flawed) ride that couldn't quite reach the heights of Season 1.
The Good Place presents the topics it addresses in a way that is engaging and thought-provoking (end of the first season, hello!), and it proves that TV has the potential to at least cause us to ponder about ourselves, or even to transform us into better human beings - and that's a good thing.
After 2 years spent largely in limbo, the critically acclaimed show will wrap up this fall with a musical TV movie.
Jessica Jones is vastly different than any other super hero property out there so if you go into it with that mindset there a fairly interesting dramatic, pseudo-noir story being told here; along with answers to long running questions about her past and potential for future highly personal conflicts.
This season felt a bit off pacing wise (and not just due it's disjointed nature) and I didn't find myself clamoring for the next episode like I was in the first season, but it progressively got stronger towards the end with some great scenes and their best season finale yet, leaving me re-energized and excited to see what will unfold in Season 4.
Better Call Saul is without a doubt obscure, a bit flimsy, and idiosyncratic. The entire series has numerous complicated situations and provides deep insight into each characters' nuances. There will be a comparison with Breaking Bad in terms of plot and characters but Better Call Saul stands on its own with remarkable direction and writing by Vince Gilligan who is the creator of both series.
Season 2 of Preacher improves upon everything you loved about Season 1 and cranks the craziness up to an even greater level. It's as funny and as sharp as ever thanks to some phenomenal writing, acting, and dialogue that keeps things grounded even in a world as outlandish as this one. In short, Season 2 of Preacher is some of the best TV I've seen in the past 5 years and it's a show that everyone should be talking about.
This season is more enthralling, more cinematic, has more creatures from the ‘upside down’ dimension, and retains its spectacular visual effects, but the writing does leave some major plot holes and a certain amount of illogical circumstances. Hopefully in Season 3 they'll flesh out some of the newer character additions a bit.
For eons we have philosophized on the nature of the afterlife. Scholars have debated the existence of spiritual and dimensional realms and where we go after death. But what if you could live forever, the only fall back being you have to trade in your old body for a new one? This has become a reality In Richard K. Morgan’s Altered Carbon
Season 1 of Netflix and Marvel's The Punisher was a step back in the right direction for both companies. They managed to finish the story they started in Daredevil, introduce a great new character in Micro, and show a whole different side to The Punisher than we've ever seen before. However, I hope in Season 2 we get a lot more Punisher and a lot less Frank Castle and more action sequences that can match the high mark left from Season 2 of Daredevil.
Check out some of this past weeks most talked about and interesting film trailers like Chappaquiddick, Wild Wild Country, Flint Town, Marvel's Jessica Jones, Wreck-It Ralph 2, and more.
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