The Stop Button

Daredevil: Born Again (2025) s01e01 “Episode 1” D: Aaron Moorhead. S: Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Nikki M. James, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, Ayelet Zurer. After making some big cast changes and punting some other decisions down the line, the show gets going with D’Onofrio returning to New York to run for mayor. A more battle-scarred than usual Cox isn’t thrilled at the news and tries to suss out D’Onofrio’s true intentions. Some season setup, some series setup, and some good acting. Nice.

Daredevil: Born Again (2025) s01e02 “Episode 2” D: Michael Cuesta. S: Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Nikki M. James, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, Ayelet Zurer. For its first “normal” episode, BORN AGAIN immediately introduces a trial-of-the-week format… only to reveal a conspiracy, which will need multiple parts. Well played. While Cox is lawyering, Fisk is busy trying to play nice with the cops and estranged wife Zurer. Some surprises, some contrivances, and some lovely acting. Cox and D’Onofrio are real good.

Paradise (2025) s01e01 “Wildcat Is Down” D: John Requa. S: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV, James Marsden, Jon Beavers. Brown’s the Secret Service Agent in Charge (or whatever) of ex-president Marsden. The episode opens with Brown discovering Marsden dead, with flashbacks setting up the ground situation. Mystery and surprises, along with a big finale reveal; Brown’s so good and so in command of the show, it weathers everything. Including Marden’s limp prez.

Paradise (2025) s01e02 “Sinatra” D: John Requa. S: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Aliyah Mastin, James Marsden, Krys Marshall. Lots more flashbacks–this time to Nicholson’s specific tragedy and character motivation–juxtaposed against fall out affecting Brown’s plans to investigate. Shahi shows up for a scene or two (plus flashback duty) as the town shrink who’ll probably end up helping Brown, but not this episode–they’re still setting up the underground town stuff. Brown puts it over mid.

Paradise (2025) s01e03 “The Architect of Social Well-Being” D: Gandja Monteiro. S: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi. There’s a bunch of Krys Marshall’s investigation (weird they’re only paying her guest star money) and Nicholson’s undue influence on it. Then Brown and Shahi go on a walking meet-cute around town, only it’s mostly flashbacks of Brown and his dad (Glynn Turman!). Maybe if Nicholson weren’t so one note and the town tour had been a tour.

Severance (2022) s02e05 “Trojan’s Horse” [2025] D: Sam Donovan. S: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, John Turturro. The season passes the halfway point with almost everything leftover from last season’s cliffhanger resolved. There are some more surprise reveals, some unexpected (and expected) character developments, and fantastic acting from the entire cast. Tillman and Lower get the best material, but Scott and Cherry are also very good. It’s an office bickering episode, with mysterious and rewarding stakes.

Severance (2022) s02e06 “Attila” [2025] D: Uta Briesewitz. S: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, John Turturro, Christopher Walken. Rather good episode–even if Briesewitz’s direction is… a bit extra. And not even with all the “sharing vessels” (this episode is very horny), just everything. It’ll eventually lead to some obvious tropes, but it’s a fine ride there. Great performances from Lower, Tillman, Cherry, and Scott. Turturro and Walken are “back,” but it’s something else. Lots afoot.

Severance (2022) s02e07 “Chikhai Bardo” [2025] D: Jessica Lee Gagné. S: Adam Scott, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, Dichen Lachman, Robby Benson. Surprise, Lachman is the main character. She gets a great showcase as a recovering but unconscious Scott remembers the way they were. Entirely coincidentally, Lachman’s thinking about it too, as she goes about a hellish, And mysterious existence. But their backstory is mid and reductive; plus, Scott’s flashback performance is off. Exquisitely directed, just an average mythology reveal script.

The 39 Steps (1935) D: Alfred Hitchcock. S: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim. Early Hitchcock spy thriller has a good first half as average man-in-a-plot Donat flees London for Scotland, complete with good chemistry opposite spy Mannheim. Then Carroll comes in as the actual love interest, and the film stumbles and the pacing never recovers. Fine Scotland visuals only help so much. Even the decent finale is clunkily constructed.

The Bad Sleep Well (1960) D: Akira Kurosawa. S: Toshirō Mifune, Masayuki Mori, Kamatari Fujiwara. Kurosawa in prime form–an office-politics thriller starts with a twenty-minute wedding scene. Mifune’s protagonist isn’t even revealed for another twenty. The film builds through impossible situations with unexpected tenderness and playfulness. There’s a loose HAMLET framework, which never overwhelms the corruption storylines. Kurosawa and Mifune are also a lot more tender than HAMLET. It’s a great one.

Best Defense (1984) D: Willard Huyck. S: Dudley Moore, Eddie Murphy, Kate Capshaw, George Dzundza, Helen Shaver, Peter Michael Goetz, David Rasche. Abysmal military-industrial complex comedy about goof-off engineer Moore putzing around with spies and trade secrets while trying not to get laid off again. The film tested so poorly they added Murphy (commanding Moore’s tank in the field) to salvage it. Murphy’s not funny, but he’s fine. Rasche’s hilarious. The rest’s terrible, notably Moore (and the script).

Boogie Nights (1997) D: Paul Thomas Anderson. S: Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore. Dazzling technical achievement follows Wahlberg’s rise and fall in ’70s porn industry. The first half’s upbeat comedy gives way to brutal second half, with Anderson torturing his dimwitted characters until they sweat humanity. Incredible ensemble with standouts in Reynolds, Don Cheadle, and Thomas Jane. Almost too well-made for its own good–NIGHTS works despite its formula constraints.

Citizen Kane (1941) D: Orson Welles. S: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore. Structurally brilliant and emotionally devastating Welles masterpiece about a newspaper tycoon’s rise and fall. KANE’s melodramatic framework conceals subtle moments between stellar performers (Welles, obviously, but also Comingore, Cotten, and everyone). The newsreel opening, disorienting timeline, and withheld conclusion demand engagement. Welles crafts an unsentimental film about a sentimental subject, with impeccable technicals like Gregg Toland’s photography.

Dune (2021) D: Denis Villeneuve. S: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgård, Josh Brolin, Zendaya. The Frank Herbert novel gets the mega-epic adaptation (complete with splitting it into two parts) but outside the magnificent production design, there’s not much to DUNE. Chalamet rarely gets to lead the movie, with director Villeneuve instead relying on his dream sequences to promise character development. Skarsgård’s great as the odious villain; otherwise, it’s by the numbers prestige.

Dune: Part Two (2024) D: Denis Villeneuve. S: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Stellan Skarsgård. Some better acting this entry, but a worse screenplay (by director Villeneuve and PART ONE scripter Jon Spaihts) takes out any substantial gains. Villeneuve hasn’t got any (good) new tricks left for this entry (the black-and-white sequence is sad more than anything else). Who knows, maybe they should’ve just trusted Chalamet to lead his own messiah movie…

The Golden Child (1986) D: Michael Ritchie. S: Eddie Murphy, Charles Dance, Charlotte Lewis, J.L. Reate, Victor Wong, Randall “Tex” Cobb, James Hong. Terrible Murphy vehicle curbs the language at PG-13, gives him a chemistry-free romance with Lewis, and leverages his likability way too much. Murphy can’t make up for CHILD’s mind-bending choices, like demons. And make-up villains. It’s almost a curiosity given the flexes, but it’s also awful. It’s an attempted family-friendly movie about child sacrifice.

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) D: Barry Jenkins. S: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, Michael Beach, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Beautiful, rending adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel. James is recently imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Pregnant girlfriend Layne and her family work to get him free. Layne’s narration provides a structure, with flashbacks revealing James and Layne’s love story. Breathtaking, layered, patient work from Jenkins, Layne, James, and King (as Layne’s mom). It’s a splendid, devastating film.

King Kong (1933) D: Ernest B. Schoedsack. S: Robert Armstrong, Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Victor Wong, James Flavin, Sam Hardy. Adventurist director Armstrong picks up down-and-out actress Wray for the chance of a lifetime in his next picture… which will co-star a giant ape on an island lost to time. The groundbreaking stop motion effects still astonish. The film never forces sympathy for Kong but does create the space. Even the hasty New York finale works.

The Lady Vanishes (1938) D: Alfred Hitchcock. S: Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas, May Whitty. Early Hitchcock mixes comedy, mystery, and action (in roughly that order) and delivers the purest entertainment. On a European train, where Lockwood tries to find mysteriously missing fellow passenger Whitty. Pretty soon Redgrave’s involved–he and Lockwood have excellent chemistry–and Lukas also figures in. Lukas is particularly fantastic here. It’s an outstanding picture. A technical delight as well. Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford’s cricket-obsessed passengers return in NIGHT TRAIN TO MUNICH.

Shock Corridor (1963) D: Samuel Fuller. S: Peter Breck, Constance Towers, Gene Evans, James Best, Hari Rhodes. Provocative noir tracking reporter Breck’s adventures after committing himself to a mental hospital to solve a murder. Uneven but often brilliant exposé of American social issues–especially Rhodes’s spellbinding performance as a Black student driven mad. The second act procedural soars, while the problematic premise and rushed conclusion disappoint. Fuller’s ambition exceeds his execution, but it’s outstanding work.

The Third Man (1949) D: Carol Reed. S: Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Orson Welles. Post-WWII noir masterpiece follows hapless American Cotten through occupied Vienna searching for old friend Welles. Phenomenal work from Reed–breathtaking, stark expressionist visuals throughout. When Welles finally arrives–otherworldly and magnetic–the film shifts into both thriller and profound anti-war statement. Every technical is superlative, including Anton Karas’s haunting zither music. THIRD MAN’s a perfect motion picture.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) D: John Huston. S: Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Sam Jaffe, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore, John McIntire, Marc Lawrence. Beautifully directed look at a caper unfolding, with newly paroled planner Jaffe trying to put a team together. Hayden’s the ostensible protagonist but not really. Strongest performances are Jaffe, Whitmore, and Lawrence. The third act turns into a moralizing copaganda flex, as Huston condemns the low morale character of criminals (and those who consort with them). Shits the bed. Lots.

Dazed and Confused (1993) D: Richard Linklater. S: Jason London, Matthew McConaughey, Wiley Wiggins, Anthony Rapp, Ben Affleck, Marissa Ribisi, Michelle Burke. Linklater’s last-day-of-school nostalgia piece follows star quarterback London (who’d rather hang with stoners) and incoming freshman Wiggins. Large cast delivers charm but little depth; McConaughey’s creepy twentysomething stands out. Good period design and soundtrack paper over thin characterization. Worse, Linklater’s more invested in that script than his direction, leaving solid performers (Rapp, Ribisi, Burke) stranded.

Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) D: John McTiernan. S: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Irons, Larry Bryggman, Graham Greene, Anthony Peck, Nicholas Wyman. Terrorist with familiar last name Irons sends now NYC cop again, on-the-skids Willis on a riddle-solving chase, with civilian Jackson along for the ride. Fantastic direction from McTiernan; Willis and Jackson sell their buddy rapport despite thin material. Outstanding technicals. Irons relishes the villainy and a strong cast overall (particularly Bryggman). The tacked-on ending stinks, though.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) D: Jonathan Goldstein. S: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant, Regé-Jean Page, Chloe Coleman. Epic, fun, and funny (but never silly) “adaptation” of the role playing game doesn’t require foreknowledge. It still has nods and gags and Easter eggs, but the story is the thing. Pine’s a rogue trying to get back to his daughter, Rodriguez is his warrior bud; they’ve got to quest it. Delightful performances and a strong script sell it.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) D: Tim Story. S: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, Doug Jones, Laurence Fishburne. Vast improvement over the first FOUR, this one’s a superhero wedding comedy with apocalyptic stakes. The FOUR’s clicked– especially Gruffudd and Alba–making even the cartoon action work. Director Story handles the effects better; Jones & Fishburne’s Silver Surfer impresses. McMahon’s Doom feels tacked on, though, and Beau Garrett’s weak. Mostly it’s just fun spending time with the family now.

The Heat (2013) D: Paul Feig. S: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Demián Bichir, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport, Jane Curtin, Thomas F. Wilson. Uptight FBI agent Bullock’s got to work with profane Boston cop McCarthy on a case. Conflict ensues. McCarthy dominates every scene while Bullock struggles through a basic character arc about not being (so) uptight. Fine direction from Feig; the plot’s just framing for McCarthy’s comedy. Sadly, the strong supporting cast (Wilson, Curtin, Wayans) is wasted. McCarthy’s hilarious.

The Mole People (1956) D: Virgil W. Vogel. S: John Agar, Cynthia Patrick, Hugh Beaumont, Alan Napier, Nestor Paiva, Phil Chambers, Rodd Redwing. ’50s Universal sci-fi about archaeologists Agar and Beaumont discovering underground civilization. Agar’s obnoxious, Beaumont’s patient; Paiva steals the show. Strong first half (with exceptional black and white photography). Second half stumbles thanks mostly to Napier’s weak villain. Vogel’s technically solid direction can’t overcome the too chatty script. Great music, though, and Patrick’s game as the love interest.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Mystery of the White Room (1939) D: Otis Garrett. S: Bruce Cabot, Helen Mack, Joan Woodbury, Constance Worth, Thomas E. Jackson, Roland Drew, Frank Reicher. Tedious–at under an hour–murder mystery set at a hospital. Jackson’s the cop who suspects top-billed Cabot. Cabot and Mack are an item, which keeps her around but with nothing to do. Drew is terrible as the twerp suck-up surgeon. It’s very low budget and the direction’s not creative with it. Reicher’s a delight, however.

Secret of the Blue Room (1933) D: Kurt Neumann. S: Lionel Atwill, Gloria Stuart, Paul Lukas, Edward Arnold, Onslow Stevens, William Janney, Elizabeth Patterson. Creaky “thriller” about Stuart’s three suitors each spending a night in her family castle’s BLUE ROOM. Oh, and it’s haunted. Also in the suspect pool is Atwill as Stuart’s secretive father. Some good direction helps, but until Arnold shows up towards the end, it’s lethargic. Maybe have any of the red herrings be interesting. Long even for an hour.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) D: Joseph Sargent. S: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Héctor Elizondo, Earl Hindman, James Broderick, Jerry Stiller. Perfectly cut, tightly wound thriller about a rag-tag group of terrorists taking over a New York City subway train. Shaw’s the boss and brains, Balsam’s the ex-motorman grinding an ax, Elizondo’s the psychopath, and Hindman’s the doofus. PELHAM barely spends any time with the hostages, instead focusing on transit cop Matthau’s procedural end of things. It’s outstanding.

Underworld (1937) D: Oscar Micheaux. S: Bee Freeman, Sol Johnson, ‘Slick’ Chester, Ethel Moses, Oscar Polk, Lorenzo Tucker, Dotty Saulter. Con man Chester brings well-to-do college student Johnson up to Chicago for summer break, planning on fleecing him fast. But then Johnson falls for Freeman, who’s married to gangster Polk, while romancing and supporting Chester. If only Johnson could meet a nice girl like Moses… Fine low budget filmmaking from Micheaux, with Freeman a strong proto-fatale.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e05 “Darkest Hour / Wake Thy Power” D: Rachel Goldberg. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza. The episode does a big death and a couple twist reveals, but it’s a tad slight. The gang gets to Hahn’s trial and the show rushes it with a ouija board bit. And the rush seems to be so they can move the narrative’s perspective between characters. Only… kind of not? LuPone’s great. Hahn’s got bad material.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e06 “Familiar by Thy Side” D: Gandja Monteiro. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza. Locke’s secret origin reveals all the ties to WANDAVISION and some to the rest of the series so far. And it’s a good episode, except where it lands in the series. Episode six feels a tad long to get around to the stakes… not to mention the character development reset. Locke’s real good and an awesome returning player.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e07 “Death’s Hand in Mine” D: Jac Schaeffer. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza. LuPone gets her spotlight episode amid all the reveals happening with Locke. It’s a beautifully directed episode, wonderfully acted, and feels very much like a Hail Mary victory lap. The show’s not sure it’s getting away with it. None of the groundwork for LuPone’s adventures here compare to what they do now. Even the effects work seems better.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e08 “Follow Me My Friend / To Glory at the End” D: Gandja Monteiro. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza. The last five minutes, when Locke pretends he’s been leading the show the whole time, those five minutes are a disaster. But most of the episode is this weird misfire with Hahn, Locke, and Zamata reaching the end of the Road. Plaza’s there, too, post-her big reveal. None of the performances click, which hurts it the most.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e09 “Maiden Mother Crone” D: Gandja Monteiro. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza. The grand finale answers all questions but not the most important–what performance did they think Hahn was going to give and why didn’t she? For her secret origin flashback, she entirely phones it in. The present day conclusion is for a show they didn’t do. It’s a bewildering shrug of a finish. Poorly directed, too.

The Rig (2023) s02e05 “Episode 5” [2025] D: Alex Holmes. S: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Martin Compston, Rochenda Sandall, Owen Teale, Abraham Popoola. They spend the whole episode resolving the cliffhanger, which works out fairly well. It’d be better if the geography were more involved, but it’s a fine cat and mouse chase. Then there’s land stuff with Teale and Alice Krige discovering common purpose. For an Amazon “backdoor” second season it’s actually working out rather well.

The Rig (2023) s02e06 “Episode 6” [2025] D: Alex Holmes. S: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Martin Compston, Rochenda Sandall, Owen Teale, Abraham Popoola. Okay finale really wants to be THE ABYSS, with some pointlessly self-indulgent shots given the budget. It does give Hampshire her easy best episode of the season and it’s nothing special, she just gets to have some character development. It’s packed, too. The pacing is excellent; though they did need the happy gay couple to smooch.

Severance (2022) s02e01 “Hello, Ms. Cobel” [2025] D: Ben Stiller. S: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, Sarah Bock, Bob Balaban. Scott returns to the office to find almost everything different, and only mysterious answers to what’s happened since last season’s cliffhanger finale. There are coworkers missing, some new coworkers, some promotions, and pop culture references. And too much CGI. It’s manipulative and might show the season’s whole hand, but it’s still pretty good. Cherry and Tillman rock on.

Severance (2022) s02e02 “Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig” [2025] D: Sam Donovan. S: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, John Turturro. Now it’s the outies’ story since the season one cliffhanger. Some surprises, which may or may not pay off, they’re playing it very close all of a sudden. We meet Lower’s other half for the first time. Pins in that. All the acting’s good or great, with Tillman and Arquette in particular fire. It’s getting a better footing.

Severance (2022) s02e03 “Who Is Alive?” [2025] D: Ben Stiller. S: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, John Turturro. Some of the show seems to be going back to the first season’s outstanding threads–with some genuine narrative surprises–while Season Two business spins its wheels. The show keeps introducing incongruous details, without ever addressing the unresolved ones; it’s in danger of folding in on itself with intentional inconsistencies. Some excellent acting; it’s solid but just.

Severance (2022) s02e04 “Woe’s Hollow” [2025] D: Ben Stiller. S: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Sarah Bock, John Turturro, Christopher Walken. Is punting a big cliffhanger going to be a “SEVERANCE?” Perhaps (they do it again here). The gang wakes up outside on a tundra. They will get an explanation, which raises unanswered (and sometimes unaddressed) questions. But they do deal with one of the season two subplots, not letting it go stale. Great Turturro and Tillman performances.

Silo (2023) s02e10 “Into the Fire” [2025] D: Bert. S: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae, Steve Zahn. There’s a lot of good acting. And what should be Ferguson’s best scenes, if the script weren’t so banal. Everything comes to a head and so on, nothing goes unresolved (except stuff for next season). It’s all very neat, and also shows the effects of never flexing against constraints. Zahn does not break out (sadly); Robbins maybe next season?

Bridge of Spies (2015) D: Steven Spielberg. S: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda, Sebastian Koch, Austin Stowell, Billy Magnussen. Milquetoast, profoundly problematically jingoistic “thriller” about successful attorney Hanks defending an accused Soviet spy (Rylance). The storytelling (despite a Coen Brothers rewrite) is hackneyed and bland. It’s visually bland, too; all super high contrast and CGI-y. The Thomas Newman score… well, I’m glad it’s not John Williams. Hanks is good, Rylance is great, everyone else is just there.

Cunk on Life (2024) D: Al Campbell. S: Diane Morgan. Morgan’s indomitable interviewer Philomena Cunk returns for another special, this time contemplating the big question–human existence. Given there’s no real imperative for the contemplation (there’s a good ChatGPT gag), it’s just a showcase of Morgan’s deliveries of the absurdist f*ckwit history. There are some excellent laughs, even if none of the interview segements stand out.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) D: Chuck Russell. S: Patricia Arquette, Heather Langenkamp, Craig Wasson, Robert Englund, Ken Sagoes, Rodney Eastman, Jennifer Rubin. For the third NIGHTMARE, Langenkamp and John Saxon return from the original, with the former now a hotshot dream research grad student (less said about Saxon the better). She’s trying to help the latest teens Englund’s hunting; they’re all under psychologist Wasson’s care. Excellent effects, okay enough direction, and some solid performances (not Langenkamp or Wasson) get it through.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) D: Renny Harlin. S: Robert Englund, Rodney Eastman, Danny Hassel, Andras Jones, Tuesday Knight, Ken Sagoes, Lisa Wilcox. Englund inexplicably returns from the dead the hunt down the teens who escaped last movie. Knight is in for Patricia Arquette and is terrible. Otherwise, the cast is likable and able if not talented. Some excellent direction from Harlan at times, even better special effects. It’s as good as NIGHTMARE gets. Fantastic pacing too.

A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989) D: Stephen Hopkins. S: Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, Erika Anderson, Valorie Armstrong, Kelly Jo Minter, Danny Hassel. Direct follow-up to the previous entry has Wilcox returning, only looking more like a different character from the last one. She can’t help but dream Englund back from the dead for another sequel. Creatively bankrupt is mean but not inaccurate. The special effects seem a tad too staid and budget. The cast’s not terrible just kind of silly.

Paddington (2014) D: Paul King. S: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Nicole Kidman, Julie Walters. Constantly entertaining adaptation of Michael Bond’s children’s book character. Whishaw does a fine job voicing the talking Peruvian bear trying to find a home in London, pursued by evil Kidman, and crashing with Bonneville and Hawkins’s family. It gets short towards the end, but it’s always charming and usually a delight. Some great cameos and bit players, too.

Saturday Night (2024) D: Jason Reitman. S: Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris, Willem Dafoe. Not quite real time recounting of the first SATURDAY NIGHT (LIVE). Brash, passionate young producer LaBelle has to contend with hostile network fogies and squares, temperamental cast members, and a particular marital arrangement. All in 90 minutes (ish). All the performances are excellent plus, particularly Sennott, O’Brien, Morris, and Smith. LaBelle’s a superb lead. Wonderful direction and production too.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) D: Merlin Crossingham. S: Ben Whitehead, Reece Shearsmith, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Diane Morgan, Adjoa Andoh, Lenny Henry. Nick Park’s dynamic duo returns for a tightly paced (shall we say, reasonably budgeted) feature, with a thirty-year legacyquel to their second outing, THE WRONG TROUSERS. Evil penguin Feathers McGraw is plotting his revenge. Wallace invents a third wheel, aggravating Gromit but getting things underway. There are some nice laughs, good action scenes; a convivial, constrained outing.

The Rig (2023) s02e01 “Episode 1” [2025] D: John Strickland. S: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Martin Compston, Rochenda Sandall, Owen Teale, Abraham Popoola, Nikhil Parmar. Last season’s cliffhanger resolves real quick when it turns out they’re just on another RIG. By the end of the episode, Hampshire and Glen are commanding another undersea mission (anyone seen the ABYSS), while their bosses deceive them. The finale’s incredibly tense, which makes up for the narrative recycling and the acting being a little bland.

The Rig (2023) s02e02 “Episode 2” [2025] D: John Strickland. S: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Martin Compston, Rochenda Sandall, Owen Teale, Abraham Popoola, Nikhil Parmar. Is Mark Addy good here, or is he bad and just so unpleasant as a villain, it’s effective. And they don’t waste any time with conspiracy subplots, the good guys are already discovering them. Hampshire does get the short end of the stick here, however. Silly ladies in the oil industry. But they’re in good shape so far.

The Rig (2023) s02e03 “Episode 3” [2025] D: John Strickland. S: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Martin Compston, Rochenda Sandall, Owen Teale, Abraham Popoola, Nikhil Parmar. Intrigue continues on land and sea (Teale and Sandall have the best episode, content-wise), and the season two cast members–Alice Krige, Ross Anderson, Johannes Roaldsen Fürst–are all doing fine acting work. Sadly, Compston gets the most for the original cast and he’s (as ever) beyond flat. Top-billed Hampshire and Glen are barely in it.

The Rig (2023) s02e04 “Episode 4” [2025] D: Alex Holmes. S: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Martin Compston, Rochenda Sandall, Owen Teale, Abraham Popoola, Nikhil Parmar. It’s a solid episode but the intrigue involving new season two regular Alice Krige–getting outmaneuvered by a nepo-baby, hopefully a feint because otherwise RIG’s got a catastrophic misogyny problem–just showcases how they should’ve started her in season one. Too little, too late, also amid much more concerning turns of event. Probably Glen’s best episode this season.

Shrinking (2023) s02e11 “The Drugs Don’t Work” [2024] D: Randall Keenan Winston. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller. Turns out Tennie does have more subplot, we just don’t get to see it. It comes up during Ford’s part of the episode, which goes by way too fast. Williams has a deck-chair arranging plot point or two, but mostly it’s Segel being upset. And it requires some basic dramatics; neither Segel nor the show can manage them.

Shrinking (2023) s02e12 “The Last Thanksgiving” [2024] D: Bill Lawrence. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller. If I’ve sat through a more manipulative television episode, it’s been a while. It’s Thanksgiving and everyone’s going to learn… nothing. They skip the big scene the season’s been promising (can’t expect Segel to act, after all). Williams’s plot is a big diss. Ford does get a great scene. Also, Apple’s appropriation of the mental health tag is gross.

Silo (2023) s02e09 “The Safeguard” [2025] D: Bert. S: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae. Despite some concerning flashbacks, Ferguson’s solo b half of the episode (quarter of the episode?) is quite good. Nice resolve for the Zahn arc, even if he’s just an extended guest star of the week. The main silo plots are talky and stalled, but then there’s a big cliffhanger reveal, promising something more interesting for next week’s season finale.

Doctor Who (2024) s00e05 “Joy to the World” D: Alex Pillai. S: Ncuti Gatwa, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Aris, Joel Fry, Peter Benedict, Julia Watson. Ultimately disappointing Christmas special has Gatwa stumbling into a hotel mystery. Complicating factors is the hotel being a time travel tourism location so there are plenty of trips to various periods (always at Christmas). Ostensibly mooning over departed companion Millie Gibson, Gatwa tries out Coughlan, de Whaley, and Fry, with varying results. The third-ish act sinks it.

Shrinking (2023) s02e06 “In a Lonely Place” [2024] D: Randall Keenan Winston. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller. Better–mostly because guest star Brett Goldstein keeps up with Maxwell in their big scene, and it’s a lot. But still on very shaky ground as far as schmaltzy. As some of the outstanding personal conflicts are solved (thanks to talk therapy), we get hints at forthcoming ones. Segel’s such a limp noodle opposite Ford, too. His timing’s broken.

Shrinking (2023) s02e07 “Get in the Sea” [2024] D: Randall Keenan Winston. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller, Ted McGinley. As painfully foreshadowed, the shits start hitting the fan. It leads to McGinley’s first real scene on the show ever and… well, it’s unsuccessful. But two multi-episode crises resolve with hugs and whatnot. Actually, it’s like fifty-fifty. Also, people unironically wear jean jackets in the show. Maybe it wouldn’t be so shallow if they weren’t healthcare professionals.

Shrinking (2023) s02e08 “Last Drink” [2024] D: James Ponsoldt. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller, Ted McGinley. Well, McGinley gets to have a pretty good episode even with a thin script because they’re relying on Segel to act and he hasn’t got it in him. Maxwell continues to be the show’s easy best performance, though Ford gets a few moments to shine as well; at least SHRINKING appreciates when he’s funny. But it’s afterschool special obvious.

Shrinking (2023) s02e09 “Full Grown Dude Face” [2024] D: Anu Valia. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller. The show remembers it’s a comedy so there are actual laughs. Maxwell and Ford continue their inglorious competence–Williams isn’t bad she’s just lost, ditto Tennie–but there are some actual bad performances. Especially with the comedy flexing. Though Segel didn’t bump his head on his action calling, which is a pleasant turn. Zero stakes.

Shrinking (2023) s02e10 “Changing Patterns” [2024] D: James Ponsoldt. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller, Ted McGinley. How’s the show going completely post-reality? Less than zero stakes (it’s literally just looping back to plot lines on hold), but still some decent and better performances. Until the soft cliffhanger, Segel’s doing fairly well. Because he’s either the butt of the joke or better than new guest star love interest Cobie Smulders. It’s too often exasperating.

Silo (2023) s02e07 “The Dive” [2024] D: Michael Dinner. S: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae, Steve Zahn. In addition to other disappointments, SILO is also not Zahn’s renaissance so he and Ferguson doing little but bickering for their art is tiring. The political machinations and such with Robbins and Common are fine. Uche continues to have nothing to do and excelling. Some actual plot surprises keeps things moving. It’s a very weird season. Ferguson’s barely around.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) D: Stephan Elliott. S: Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp, Bill Hunter, Sarah Chadwick, June Marie Bennett, Rebel Penfold-Russell. Popular Sydney drag queen Weaving up and takes a gig in the middle of nowhere, then invites Pearce and Stamp (playing a trans woman) along for the company (and gig). The often bickering trio makes the trek across the desert, far outside their less dangerous comfort zone. Funny, warm, sad, scary; excellent handily performances carry the uneven third act.

Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (2023) D: Christopher Berkeley. S: David Giuntoli, Patrick Fabian, John DiMaggio, Karan Brar, Navid Negahban, Darin De Paul, Emily O’Brien. The gorgeous production design alone could carry this animated Batman adaptation, set in the Roaring Twenties and has the Caped Crusader battling Lovecraftian horrors. The third act is an objection lesson in committing too much to the bit. The rest is a disturbing delight. Giuntoli is quite good as Batman here, though that third act does him dirty.

Black Christmas (2019) D: Sophia Takal. S: Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue, Brittany O’Grady, Caleb Eberhardt, Cary Elwes, Simon Mead. Sort of remake, sort of occasional homage has sorority sisters again, but this time it’s all about the frat boys being creeps, rapists, and murderers. The first hour is basically just a zero humor SCREAM riff, getting worse as it goes. Good thing director Takal’s got a killer finale (no pun). It’s a long wait for the pay-off.

The Dark Crystal (1982) D: Frank Oz. S: Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Brian Meehl. Beautifully puppeteering can’t make up for the rest of this deeply weird, entirely unpleasant fantasy picture. Two elves have to save their desolate planet from the gross vulture-men. There’s torture, and “essence-sucking.” Henson and Oz aren’t up to the directing tasks either. But the David Odell screenplay is the real villain. It’s just awful.

It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2003) D: Kirk R. Thatcher. S: Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Eric Jacobson, David Arquette, Joan Cusack, Whoopi Goldberg. Lackluster outing ends up being MUPPETS IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, but doesn’t have enough story for it so instead does a bunch of very contemporary references. Though it’s the best MOULIN ROUGE has ever been. Cusack and Arquette are bad as the main humans, but it’s really the writing and (lack of) budget. Some good laughs, of course.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) D: Brian Henson. S: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Don Austen. Delightful adaptation focuses on Caine as Scrooge; he just happens to be Scrooge in Muppet world. He’s utterly fantastic opposite the magic unfolding around him. Great writing, great songs (by Paul Williams), and a particularly good outing for Gonzo and Rizzo as the narrators. Henson’s strong direction also helps. Funny, dad, and scary at all the right moments.

Muppet Treasure Island (1996) D: Brian Henson. S: Tim Curry, Kevin Bishop, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Kevin Clash, Bill Barretta. Superb production design and imaginative “Muppet-izing” make up for some second-act meanderings in this adaptation of the Stevenson adventure classic. And while Curry’s fine as Long John Silver, he’s far from transcendent. Lots of good Muppet gags, and the eventual love song montage helps put it over. Make sure to hang out for the credits.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e04 “If I Can’t Reach You / Let My Song Teach You” D: Rachel Goldberg. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza. Fantastic performances make up for the “oh, another escape room” nature of the episode (and, perhaps, show?). It’s Ahn’s episode but it’s also where Plaza comes back in. Lots of charged banter between Plaza and Hahn. The enthusiasm makes up for the occasionally too obvious budget limitations. And LuPone’s just a delight, too.

Shrinking (2023) s02e02 “I Love Pain” [2024] D: Randall Keenan Winston. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller, Ted McGinley. Given how the stakes from last episode’s cliffhanger evaporate in this one almost immediately… Well, it actually does work but it’s kind of annoying. This episode ends with a much better sad montage. Lots of good acting, especially Ford and Williams. Even Segel is better than usual, maybe because someone calls him on his bullshit for once.

Shrinking (2023) s02e03 “Psychological Something-ism” [2024] D: Zach Braff. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller. Well, Segel getting called on his bullshit lasted all of one episode and now they’re back to his bullshit actually being okay with everyone. Not Williams, but only because they’re using it for banter. And giving affect incapable Miller an emotive arc is a miss. Maxwell and Ford easily do the best in an iffy episode.

Shrinking (2023) s02e04 “Made You Look” [2024] D: Zach Braff. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller. Schmaltzy to the point sincerity doesn’t even matter anymore is certainly something to behold. They’re setting everything up for big dramatic confrontations and so on (even having Ford expound over a montage), so it’s all intentional. But it’s also lost all grip on reality so the stakes are toast. Even Maxwell falls victim to it. It’s desperately empathetic.

Shrinking (2023) s02e05 “Honesty Era” [2024] D: Jamie Babbit. S: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller. The schmaltz continues. Even as Segel gets called out again, all his amends are schmaltz. Without any stakes–Maxwell is still keeping her secrets, which ought to be the show, but is instead ignored–it’s hard to care. Worse, things are getting tied up, seemingly prematurely. It’s disappointing and unsurprising. Ford is still a delight. Ditto Williams.

Silo (2023) s02e05 “Descent” [2024] D: Bert. S: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Chinaza Uche, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Steve Zahn. It’s a chase episode (which is a good way to follow-up last week’s big mistaken swing, like hold your best performers in the light, SILO). Anyway. The framed fugitives are trying to get back to the basement, lots of surprises as Common and Robbins (who’s just getting better) pursue. Also, low bar, but Glen’s best-ever SILO performance.

Silo (2023) s02e06 “Barricades” [2024] D: Michael Dinner. S: Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Rick Gomez, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner. More political drama, with Robbins and Common both starting to lose their grips, possibly because they’re relying on the wrong people. Lots of it is Uche deal-making so he can do the right thing. Then all the plotting of the mechanical workers, who might be ready to start the revolution. Also they might not.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e08 “Upper Decks” [2024] D: Bob Suarez. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Dawnn Lewis, Gillian Vigman, Jerry O’Connell, Fred Tatasciore, Ben Rodgers. The bridge crew gets a spotlight episode to show off their A tier Starfleet adventures, and it’s a lot of fun. Maybe they should have done one a season or something. There’s an engineering issue, boring artsy endeavors, an invasion, and adorable space cows. Plus action, gore, and romance. It’s all over too soon.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e09 “Fissure Quest” [2024] D: Brandon Williams. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Fred Tatasciore, Gabrielle Ruiz. Fantastic start to the finale, with an alternate universe adventure featuring Quaid and Newsome trying to stop the villain creating interdimensional rifts. They play it as a straight episode focused on the new crew, who are all alternate-universe versions of familiar TREK franchise characters. Lots of delight; lots of fun; the big swing tying it all together lands.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e10 “The New Next Generation (2)” [2024] D: Megan Lloyd. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Fred Tatasciore. Unfortunately, after the banger setup and a solid first act, LOWER DECKS lurches into spacedock for its finale. No actual onscreen character development for Newsome and Quaid, Cordero’s got an obnoxious last subplot, and Wells is a bit of a punchline. There are some cute nods, and the pacing’s outstanding. No fan service cameos, either; they’d be too enthusiastic.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e10 “The Promotion” [2024] D: Kyle Newacheck. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Tim Heidecker, Andy Assaf. Some solid laughs for the penultimate SHADOWS, which wraps up the season’s two subplots. There’s some inkling of a setup, but nothing about it screams finale-building. Still, nothing about the subplot resolutions required them to run the whole season, especially not since they’re acting like the resolve does enough character development for Novak and Guillén. It does not.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e11 “The Finale” [2024] D: Yana Gorskaya. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal, Andy Assaf. Just okay finish has some moments, and some good moments for the cast (though, actually, everyone but Berry who seems bored). But they introduce a bunch of things they could’ve used to better frame the season. Like, really obvious stuff. And some of the credited guest stars… don’t seem to be in the episode. One super cute gag, though.

Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021) D: Sam Liu. S: David Giuntoli, Mark Dacascos, Kelly Hu, Michael Jai White, James Hong, Jamie Chung, Chris Cox. Kickass animated Batman feature set in the 1970s, in a groovy, butt-kicking karate picture. It’s a team effort with Bats (Giuntoli, who’s fine) just a cog as he reunites with his (albeit mystical) dojo friends. Dacascos is Richard Dragon, Hu is Lady Shiva, White is Bronze Tiger. Hu’s legit great, Dasascos is solid, too. Fantastic action choreography.

Black Christmas (2006) Unrated Version D: Glen Morgan. S: Katie Cassidy, Kristen Cloke, Andrea Martin, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, Michelle Trachtenberg, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Lacey Chabert. Atrocious remake has less than nothing going for it even after the big twists turn out to be incest, cannibalism, and misogyny. The gore’s terrible too, because Morgan’s a bad director and writer. The acting’s something awful too, with “lead” Cassidy and Martin coming out best. Choke, Winstead, and Trachenburg are profoundly bad. Avoid this CHRISTMAS.

Fantastic Four (2015) D: Josh Trank. S: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson. Abysmal adaptation offers nothing but bad performances, worse writing, and reminders of other movies one could be watching. Jordan does the best in the main cast. Teller’s terrible, Mara’s bad, Nelson’s literally chewing, and Cathey… poor Cathey. Bell’s awful too but why wouldn’t he be? It’s so incompetent it’s not even embarrassing. And there’s something funny about the music.

The King (2019) D: David Michôd. S: Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Tom Glynn-Carney, Robert Pattinson, Ben Mendelsohn, Andrew Havill. Epic-sized telling of Prince Hal’s transformation into King Henry V. Chalamet’s a solid lead; Edgerton (who co-wrote with director Michôd, so presumably intentionally) steals the show as Falstaff. Everything’s fine until the reveal-heavy finale when Harris (as another advisor) can’t get away with being so slight. Mendelsohn’s awesome in his bit. Nicholas Britell’s music’s awesome, too.

Kneecap (2024) D: Rich Peppiatt. S: Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí, Josie Walker, Jessica Reynolds, Simone Kirby, Michael Fassbender. Pretty good “origin” story of Irish-language hip-hop trio, KNEECAP. The film’s fast and loose with the historicity of the sometimes fantastical events, and the third act’s a disaster, but the group’s sympathetic. Albeit not the best actors. But then there’s Fassbender in a bit part; he and Walker carry all the gravitas. Great photography, too (Ryan Kernaghan).

Man Push Cart (2006) D: Ramin Bahrani. S: Ahmad Razvi, Leticia Dolera, Charles Daniel Sandoval, Ali Reza, Farooq ‘Duke’ Muhammad, Panicker Upendran, Arun Lal. Rending tale of NYC breakfast cart vendor Razvi, who’s hustling to make as many bucks as possible, and how dangerous vulnerability can be in that situation. Writer, director, and editor Bahrani relies a little to heavily on melodrama (assuming DV can cover it; not with some of these actors), but Razvi’s so absurdly good it all works out.

They Cloned Tyrone (2023) D: Juel Taylor. S: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris, Kiefer Sutherland, David Alan Grier, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tamberla Perry. Outstanding, exquisitely crafted semi-satire about Boyega, Foxx, and Parris’s unlikely trio finding themselves in the middle of a government conspiracy. There’s a moody, grainy seventies vibe, which director Taylor also brings to the sci-fi action. Taylor’s clanging genres–Blaxploitation and “urban”–for sparks, but everything’s character-driven. The leads are fantastic (and the occasional cameo’s always solid).

A Very Missing Person (1972) D: Russ Mayberry. S: Eve Arden, James Gregory, Julie Newmar, Ray Danton, Dennis Rucker, Pat Morita, Skye Aubrey. TV movie updating of the Hildegarde Withers franchise has Arden in the lead, tracking down an heiress who’s fallen in with some hippies. But are they sketchy yacht captain Danton’s hippies? It’s slight to be sure, but Arden’s got great timing with the one-liners. Gregory plays her cop pal, except (young) blond charmer Rucker drives her around everywhere.

Rivals (2024) s01e01 “Episode 1” D: Elliot Hegarty. S: David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, Claire Rushbrook. Little bit too horny British period (1986) show (airing on Disney+!) about nouveau riche Tennant’s rivalry (get it) with old money Hassell. Tennant’s a commercial TV producer, Hassell’s an MP. Turner is the newest addition to the neighborhood, a ringer for Tennant’s network. It’s well-produced, well-acted, just… a British prestige trash soap. Great eighties soundtrack, though.

Silo (2023) s02e04 “The Harmonium” [2024] D: Aric Avelino. S: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae, Tanya Moodie. Either SILO has something special in store, or it’s already peaked. The episode punts featured guest star Steve Zahn to get rid of the most dynamic actor on the show. Badly, too. They do a bad job of it. Some of the problem is Avelino’s direction, but everyone’s lost in a bad, protracted script. Except Uche; he’s doing fine.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e05 “Star Base 80?!” [2024] D: Bob Suarez. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Fred Tatasciore. Newsome doesn’t want to return to the crappy starbase where she was wrongfully exiled a season or two ago, but the ship needs repairs. Upon arrival, she clashes with the station commander (Nicole Byer). It’s a good, weird, really full episode (lots of lore). Lewis and O’Connell have a great subplot together, which DECKS didn’t do often enough.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e06 “Of Gods and Angles” [2024] D: Brandon Williams. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Gillian Vigman, Jerry O’Connell. Okay episode has Newsome mentoring a troublesome ensign (guest star Saba Homayoon) who’s descended from the TOS demigods. There’s a diplomatic thing to mess up and a whole mystery. Probably seemed better on paper. It’s funny but Homayoon’s not interesting. Quaid’s still on his alt-universe subplot, which has some highs but is also slight for final season arc.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e07 “Fully Dilated” [2024] D: Megan Lloyd. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Fred Tatasciore. Brent Spiner guest stars (as Data, obviously) and spends the episode counseling Wells, who’s convinced she’s in a competition with Vulcan science pal Gabrielle Ruiz. They’re stranded on an away mission; Newsome spends her time trying to live undercover stranded away party life to the fullest, with mixed results. Lots of (good) tawdry jokes to cover the rush.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e07 “March Madness” [2024] D: Yana Gorskaya. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Anthony Atamanuik, Tim Heidecker. Proksch goes to work with Guillén to help him establish an identity while Berry and Novak try to save neighbor Atamanuik from a demon. Of course, that demon happens to be March Madness (when do SHADOWS creators think these episode air). Lots of great laughs in both plot lines, with Demetriou getting a particularly great recurring bit.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e08 “P.I. Undercover: New York” [2024] D: Kyle Newacheck. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Anthony Atamanuik, Andy Assaf. Novak and Berry try to foil a police procedural shooting in front of the house while Proksch and Demetriou go to his friend’s house for an uncomfortable dinner. Zach Woods guest stars as the friend, and Kim Quindlen plays his wife. Kevin Pollak plays the TV detective. It’s a weird, successful mashing of plots, often very funny.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e09 “Come Out and Play” [2024] D: DJ Stipsen. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal, Doug Jones. Anticlimactic to the point of self-parody as the gang finds themselves again on the run from all the other vampires in the world. This time it’s not even a mistake. The stakes (no pun) are all over the place, the script feels like it’s crossing (yes pun) off outstanding business… The show’s coasting with this one. Two more.

FROM (2022) s03e09 “Revelations: Chapter One” [2024] D: Jack Bender. S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, Ricky He. Penultimate episode of the season and the cliffhanger reveal is something from last season, unaddressed until now. Or it’s new. It’s impossible to tell without paying too much attention… or binging. Everyone tries being extra nice to one another this episode, which is a vibe. Maybe if cartoonishly annoying Pegah Ghafoori weren’t the one in danger, it’d work better.

FROM (2022) s03e10 “Revelations: Chapter Two” [2024] D: Jack Bender. S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, Ricky He. They go all in on the mythology explanations–and whether or not Perrineau is going to (possibly pointlessly) sacrifice his humanity for Pegah Ghafoori. It’s probably Avery Konrad’s best performance in the entire series. While the reveals are quick, they also pretty much explain or imply everything to date, right before the season finale ends on a big “twist.”

Silo (2023) s02e01 “The Engineer” [2024] D: Michael Dinner. S: Rebecca Ferguson, Harriet Walter, Amelie Child-Villiers. Eventually incredible tense season premiere sets up a second silo for Ferguson to explore. Since she’s mostly silent, there are lots of flashbacks to her childhood. Kid version Child-Villiers is fine, playing better off Walter than Ferguson usually did. Things get very good about halfway through then the cliffhanger is a little too basic.

Silo (2023) s02e02 “Order” [2024] D: Michael Dinner. S: Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Rick Gomez, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae. All last season it seemed weird judge Tanya Moodie didn’t figure in more. Now she’s figuring in, with Robbins going to her for help (see, should’ve been Susan Sarandon). The episode’s all about what happens in the regular SILO during last episode. Decent–some of Robbins best acting on the show, ditto Common and Walter.

Silo (2023) s02e03 “Solo” [2024] D: Michael Dinner. S: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Chinaza Uche, Tim Robbins, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Steve Zahn. Wait, is SILO finally going to deliver Steve Zahn his part? The episode’s often middling, too busy split between “back home” and Ferguson and Zahn bonding. There’s some real good acting (Tanya Moodie’s delivering), but some of it drags. Especially Robbins mulling and Common brooding. Then the finish sets Zahn up for something bigger… and I’m here for it?

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e03 “The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel” [2024] D: Brandon Williams. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Gabrielle Ruiz. Amusing but just okay episode about Newsome breaking up with thought-she-was-already-ex Lauren Lapkus. But it’s unnecessary character development. Meanwhile, Quaid is convinced O’Connell is going to get him maimed (intentionally) on an undercover mission. So lots of silliness for Quaid. Then the supporting cast, you know, supports. Nice plot reveals at the end.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e04 “A Farewell to Farms” [2024] D: Megan Lloyd. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Jon Curry. Strange and good episode set on the Klingon homeworld with returning guest Curry. He’s a disgraced ex-captain, now booze farmer with his goofy brother. Until Newsome and Quaid show up with a proposition. Then back on the ship, there’s a standard, amusing subplot about snooty avian aliens being obnoxious to the crew. Klingon stuff’s real good.

Tulsa King (2022) s02e09 “Triad” [2024] D: Craig Zisk. S: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Vincent Piazza, Annabella Sciorra, Dana Delany. KING takes care of business, GODFATHER-style, and… it’s no loss Stallone didn’t get to do GODFATHER TRE. (Well, maybe 3D). It’s a short episode, with some pseudo-big developments but also no more stakes because everyone’s all in on the diverse (not inclusive) mob. Then there’s a strange, earnest attempt at sincere empathy. But it’s still a miss.

Tulsa King (2022) s02e10 “Reconstruction” [2024] D: Craig Zisk. S: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Annabella Sciorra, Domenick Lombardozzi, Garrett Hedlund. After a facile wrap of outstanding business with a series of bows (including a hilarious scene where Hedlund talks about not being able to act, which seems cruel), the show sets up next season. Apparently ripping off FAST AND THE FURIOUS (no joke). It’s a dismal, inglorious shark jumping (with Stallone getting a cowriting credit). A dismally bad program.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e06 “Laszlo’s Father” [2024] D: Yana Gorskaya. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal, Andy Assaf. Proksch goes to work with Guillén to help him establish an identity while Berry and Novak try to save neighbor Anthony Atamanuik from a demon. Of course, that demon happens to be March Madness (when do SHADOWS creators think these episode air). Lots of great laughs in both plot lines, with Demetriou getting a particularly great recurring bit.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e07 “March Madness” [2024] D: Yana Gorskaya. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Anthony Atamanuik, Andy Assaf. Novak and Berry try to foil a police procedural shooting in front of the house while Proksch and Demetriou go to his friend’s house for an uncomfortable dinner. Zach Woods guest stars as the friend, and Kim Quindlen plays his wife. Kevin Pollak plays the TV detective (maybe uncredited?). It’s a weird, successful mashing of plots, often very funny.

The Crazies (1973) D: George A. Romero. S: Lane Carroll, Will MacMillan, Harold Wayne Jones, Lynn Lowry, Lloyd Hollar, Richard Liberty, Richard France. Inventive low budget action thriller about a virus outbreak in a small town, specifically when the army arrives to clamp things down. Only a couple performances are, you know, good (Hollar and Harry Spillman as the officers), but many are “Romero good.” Jones, in particular. The first half has a great Vietnam commentary, which sadly slips in the second.

The Fantastic Four (1994) D: Oley Sassone. S: Alex Hyde-White, Jay Underwood, Rebecca Staab, Michael Bailey Smith, Ian Trigger, Joseph Culp, Carl Ciarfalio. Creatively vapid, infamously unreleased Roger Corman-produced adaptation of Marvel Comics’s “First Family.” Way too low budget, with–at best–flat performances. At worst… Culp, who somehow manages to be beneath the material. The leads–Hyde-White, Staab, Smith, Underwood–each try in their own way. Smith’d be most successful if Ciarfalio weren’t atrocious as the rocky alter ego.

House (1977) D: Nobuhiko Obayashi. S: Kimiko Ikegami, Kumiko Ohba, Ai Matsubara, Miki Jinbo, Eriko Tanaka, Masayo Miyako, Yôko Minamida. Incredibly weird horror film about seven high school girls going to the country to vacation with lead Ikegami’s aunt. Minamida plays the aunt, who has an identical cat to the one Ikegami finds in the first act. Bad things pick the girls off one by one; Matsubara and Jinbo (both amateur actors) give standout performances. Wild, wild stuff.

Hundreds of Beavers (2024) D: Mike Cheslik. S: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves, Doug Mancheski, Wes Tank, Luis Rico. Exceptionally weird mix of cartoon absurdity, silent film homage, and (presumably) superlative technicals. Tews (who also co-wrote and co-produced) is a wilderness guy (in the past, not the present) who decides to become a trapper, partially to impress fetching Graves. If only the hundreds of (human-sized) beavers would be more accommodating… BEAVERS is a singular experience.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three (2024) D: Jeff Wamester. S: Jensen Ackles, Darren Criss, Corey Stoll, Gideon Adlon, Troy Baker, Matt Bomer, Alexandra Daddario. So they bring in Stoll for the finale (as the Lex Luthor who’s going to betray humanity to the bad guy), and he’s a complete waste of a performance. Nothing goes right, starting with the atrocious animation. Also: good grief Daddario’s a terrible Lois Lane. Matt Ryan: say no next time; hashtag dignity. The “cameos” stink, too.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Two (2024) D: Jeff Wamester. S: Jensen Ackles, Darren Criss, Meg Donnelly, Stana Katic, Jonathan Adams, Geoffrey Arend, Aldis Hodge. The first half, recounting how Supergirl (Donnelly) figured into PART ONE, and setting up villain Arend, is surprisingly okay. Adams’s stodgy super-being is more fun playing foster dad. And Arend’s story seems like it’s building to something. No payoff here, however. The whole thing goes to pot once it remembers it’s CRISIS. Way too much Batman, too.

Talk to Me (2023) D: Michael Philippou. S: Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio. Well-acted teen horror picture (though the teen stuff doesn’t end up mattering much) eventually collapses under its own obfuscation. And insipidness. Doesn’t help the directors are entirely one-note either. Sad Wilde discovers she might be able to commune with her dead mom, never thinking about the consequences. No character development for her! (Or anyone, for that matter).

FROM (2022) s03e06 “Scar Tissue” [2024] D: Alexandra La Roche. S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Scott McCord, Ricky He, Corteon Moore. It’s one of the better (if not best) FROM bridging episodes. Considering it’s an extension of last episode’s bridging episode… though this episode does have a couple solid reveals. It also has Moreno and Bailey arguing too much, Perrineau almost entirely in support of other subplots, and guest star Robert Joy apparently not betraying McCord (I’m still worried).

FROM (2022) s03e07 “These Fragile Lives” [2024] D: Bruce McDonald. S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, Scott McCord, Ricky He, Pegah Ghafoori, Corteon Moore. New regular Samantha Brown gets her big episode as she’s freaking out realizing she’s trapped in a nightmare. And she’s godawful. FROM’s bad acting has been improving, but Brown’s back at the “fire your agent” levels of miscasting. Or just inability. Hurts the episode a lot. Otherwise, lots of subplot water treading, presumably for two episodes from now.

FROM (2022) s03e08 “Thresholds” [2024] D: Bruce McDonald. S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, Pegah Ghafoori. Guest star Robert Joy has maybe the best line of the show ever: he asks Bailey why he just had to sit through a useless scene and why doesn’t Bailey do the right thing for once. Preach, brother. McCord has a bad (mythology) episode. Not his fault, rather the reveal. Otherwise, third treading water in a row?

Only Murders in the Building (2021) s04e10 “My Best Friend’s Wedding” [2024] D: Jamie Babbit. S: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Meryl Streep, Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria. Good season finale sets up things for next time–with Short running around worried fiancée Streep will be the murder victim (he’s realized they always have a murder in the finale). There’s not much in the way of character development for anyone but Short and even then it ends up being slight. But he and Martin have some delightful moments.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e01 “Dos Cerritos” [2024] D: Megan Lloyd. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Gabrielle Ruiz. As Wells tries keeping her (green, it’s important) Orion pirates in check–i.e. not killing but still plundering so Wells might get to go back to Starfleet–the gang recovers from her not being around. And then they run into an alternate reality version of themselves because of TREK science. Real good episode for Newsome in particular.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) s05e02 “Shades of Green” [2024] D: Bob Suarez. S: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Gabrielle Ruiz. The gang’s all keeping busy, paired off for their adventures (or intentional lack thereof). Except all the plots except Wells’s are slight. Well meaning and earnest but slight. Wells has a solar sail race to save her pirate empire. After promising big thrills… well, there aren’t many. And all the plots are just about people not communicating.

Tulsa King (2022) s02e07 “Life Support” [2024] D: Kevin Dowling. S: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Vincent Piazza, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delany. After immediately swerving from last episode’s cliffhanger, the show finally literizes Will’s idolatry of Stallone. But doesn’t really do anything with it. Will gets his toughest acting assignment and comes up short. Meanwhile, Stallone’s better than he has been the rest of the season. Something’s happened. This show could probably get another two episodes off one explosion.

Tulsa King (2022) s02e08 “Under New Management” [2024] D: Kevin Dowling. S: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delany. Casella has hit his breaking point with things falling apart around him, which gives him his biggest episode ever. And he’s terrible at it. The episode keeps trying various genre standards and coming up short. Frank Grillo’s really good, though. He’s speaking nothing words and he’s still good. Ditto Lombardozzi. Stallone looks strangely put out half the time, too.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e03 “Sleep Hypnosis” [2024] D: Yana Gorskaya. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal, Doug Jones. The season rights itself with a done-in-one about the housemates fighting over Guillén’s old living quarters. Proksch discovers you can sleep hypnotize people, leading to hijinks. None of the other season plots come into play, which would be more concerning if the episode weren’t so funny. Nice guest spot from Jones. Also a good Novak showcase.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e04 “The Railroad” [2024] D: Kyle Newacheck. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Anthony Atamanuik, Andy Assaf. The Monster (Assaf) returns, this time figuring into both Berry and Proksch’s storyline again. They’ve got to convince neighbor Atamanuik they work at a railroad. Meanwhile, it’s office politics for Guillén, Demetriou, and Novak. Guillén’s supposed to fire Novak, Demetriou’s sick of being unappreciated. The best “season plotlines” episode of the season so far.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e05 “Nandor’s Army” [2024] D: Yana Gorskaya. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Doug Jones. Hilarious homage to APOCALYPSE NOW (because why not) has Novak going full Brando. It only gets better once Proksch realizes what’s going on and gets in on it, too. Lots and lots of deep cuts (not just to war movies, either). Then Berry and Demetriou get to bond and bicker. Guillén’s arc still feels soft, but the episode’s killer.

Alien: Romulus (2024) D: Fede Álvarez. S: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu, Daniel Betts. Nearly okay ALIEN mid-equel (after ALIEN 1, before ALIENS, but tied into PROMETHEUS) eventually collapses under too much unironic “homage.” If lead Spaeny were better, someone might be able to hold it up. Fearn and Wu are particularly bad, though. Jonsson’s good as the android. Some excellent special effects and an outstanding score from Benjamin Wallfisch.

The Dead Pool (1988) D: Buddy Van Horn. S: Clint Eastwood, Patricia Clarkson, Liam Neeson, Evan C. Kim, Jim Carrey, David Hunt, Michael Currie. Painfully pedestrian final DIRTY HARRY has Eastwood bickering with reporter Clarkson while murders keep happening on horror film director Neeson’s set. Neeson’s terrible (his shifting accent’s something), but otherwise no one’s bad. It’s just a lousy script, particularly for Clarkson. The Lalo Schfrin score disappoints, Van Horn’s direction’s barely competent, and it’s too slight. Like it’s a TV show pilot.

House by the River (1950) D: Fritz Lang. S: Louis Hayward, Jane Wyatt, Lee Bowman, Dorothy Patrick, Ann Shoemaker, Jody Gilbert, Sarah Padden. Excellent Gothic thriller about lech Hayward convincing brother Bowman to help him cover up a crime. Except when the going gets tough, Hayward thinks maybe of selling brother down the RIVER. Wyatt plays Hayward’s suffering wife, who has an unrequited love subplot with Bowman. Hayward’s fantastic as he sheds layer after layer of humanity. Great direction from Lang.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One (2024) D: Jeff Wamester. S: Matt Bomer, Jensen Ackles, Darren Criss, Meg Donnelly, Stana Katic, Jimmi Simpson, Zachary Quinto. Animated adaptation of foundational DC Comics crossover centers on the Flash (played by Bomer). If Bomer weren’t so bland, it’d be a bit better. But the way-too-cheap animation would still do it in. Still: Kevin Riepl’s music is good, and there is some solid logic to the plot structure. It’s all just badly executed.

Making Mr. Right (1987) D: Susan Seidelman. S: John Malkovich, Ann Magnuson, Glenne Headly, Ben Masters, Laurie Metcalf, Polly Bergen, Hart Bochner. After boyfriend (and star client) Masters disappoints, PR wunderkind Magnuson moves on to Malkovich’s space exploration android. Built in Malkovich’s image. The android quickly falls in love with Magnuson. Hijinks ensue, including with Headly as Magnuson’s best friend, and Metcalf as (the human) Malkovich’s “love” “interest.” Malkovich, Magnuson, and Headly are great. Often real funny, but third act misses.

Mute Witness (1995) D: Anthony Waller. S: Marina Zudina, Fay Ripley, Evan Richards, Igor Volkov, Sergei Karlenkov, Alec Guinness, Oleg Yankovskiy. Excellent thriller about gore FX artist Zudina witnessing a murder on set. She’s mute, which leads to some perilous situations (in addition to the general thriller perilous situations). Writer and director Waller’s got a great sense of humor. Zudina is outstanding, as is Yankovskiy–the only cop who believes her. Strong by the second act then keeps rising.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) D: Ronald Neame. S: Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens, Pamela Franklin, Celia Johnson, Gordon Jackson, Diane Grayson, Jane Carr. Fascinating, albeit patriarchal examination of early 1930s Edinburgh school teacher Smith. Her uncompromising, narcissism-fueled, self-imposed dedication to her girls threatens to turn her into Dr. Frankenstein. Watching Smith weave the character is always devastating. Neame makes some very good (and very bad) choices. The teen actors try hard but often come up short. Probably more Neame’s fault.

The Devil’s Hour (2022) s02e01 “DI Chambers” [2024] D: Johnny Allan. S: Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Benjamin Chivers. Given season one was a timey-wimey, multiverse of madness, it’s a little weird to see season two start with a straightforward detective procedural for Raine and Patel. Things do start getting strange and Capaldi does eventually figure in, but it takes almost the entire episode to even hint at what’s coming. We’ll see what comes.

The Devil’s Hour (2022) s02e02 “Red Lines” [2024] D: Johnny Allan. S: Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Benjamin Chivers. Profoundly confusing approach has Raine living in two realities, one a direct sequel to season one, the other a sequel to last episode. Except there’s a jump ahead in both universes to allow for cheap narrative reveals. It’s a bewildering episode, and still entirely unclear what the season is going to be doing. Capaldi’s delightful as ever, obviously.

The Devil’s Hour (2022) s02e03 “Something Beginning with D” [2024] D: Shaun James Grant. S: Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Benjamin Chivers. Turns out some of the drag this season has been Patel. He’s around but far less, barely with Raine, who does better without him. Though the show’s obviously missing the inciting incident for Raine’s “awakening” to the multiverse. Chivers all of a sudden has a subplot for it. Plus Capaldi gets to be charming, which is always nice.

The Devil’s Hour (2022) s02e04 “Far Away” [2024] D: Shaun James Grant. S: Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Benjamin Chivers. Some genuine surprises–and a nice arc for Patel–often because it doesn’t seem like they’ve only got one episode left. At first, it seems like they’re going to introduce an entirely new, important character, but it’s just a red herring. In other words, it could be messier with this very messy show. Can’t wait for the finale….

The Devil’s Hour (2022) s02e05 “Birth of a Tragedy” [2024] D: Johnny Allan. S: Jessica Raine, Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Benjamin Chivers. Outstanding finale manages to fit in the teensiest bits of series mythology (for the season one into two bingers) while delivering a fine thriller. In hindsight, it ends up being a rather thankless part for Raine, who got multiple character development arcs in circles. And Patel emerges practically the protagonist. Still very messy, but a worthwhile unravel.

FROM (2022) s03e05 “The Light of Day” [2024] D: Alexandra La Roche. S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Scott McCord, Ricky He, Chloe Van Landschoot. The townsfolk are confused why Moreno’s back (and why she didn’t bring help with her); they take it out on Perrineau. Then the episode becomes an object lesson on common sense and measured planning. Meanwhile, McCloud is trying to avoid guest star Robert Joy (his dad, come to town forty years late). Nothing really happens, but it’s fine FROM.

Only Murders in the Building (2021) s04e09 “Escape from Planet Klongo” [2024] D: Jamie Babbit. S: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Jane Lynch, Jin Ha, Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd. Penultimate–but doesn’t feel like it considering all the character development twists and turns in what was at one point a spoof of procedurals–episode features whiskey, A-list guest stars, and secrets. The trio has a series of eventually soulful awkward events, leading to a fantastic third act. Also turns out… Gomez might be playing a Pynchon protagonist.

Tulsa King (2022) s02e06 “Navigator” [2024] D: David Semel. S: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Vincent Piazza, Tatiana Zappardino, Garrett Hedlund. After threatening something finally happening maybe five times this episode, something finally happens at the cliffhanger. Sure, it’s a season and three episodes late or whatever, but something. Most of the episode involves Stallone sitting down with guest star Frank Grillo for mob talk. HEAT it ain’t. The rest is keeping the other subplots warm. Until the end, anyway.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e01 “The Return of Jerry” [2024] D: Kyle Newacheck. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal, Michael Patrick O’Brien. SHADOWS kicks off its last season introducing a long lost resident of the house no one ever mentioned until now, played by O’Brien. After a reunion with the vampires, O’Brien starts wondering why they aren’t trying to conquer the world anymore. A reused season one plot. And Guillén has sort of moved out. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, just okay.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) s06e02 “Headhunting” [2024] D: Kyle Newacheck. S: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Tim Heidecker, Andy Assaf. After promising a Berry and Proksch team-up, their plot way too quickly shuffles Berry off. It might be fine except the show’s doing a FRANKENSTEIN bit (who?), and so they’re making a monster. The monster’s not funny; sinks the episode. Demetriou and Novak messing with Guillén at his “day” job is more successful overall, just not initially hilarious.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e02 “Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate” D: Jac Schaeffer. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone, David Payton, Debra Jo Rupp. Oh, so the show’s going to be about a misfit coven of witches risking life and limb to get their magical powers back? In what feels like the actual pilot, Hahn and Locke form the coven, trying to outrace bad guys after Hahn. Hahn’s great, LuPone’s delightful, everyone’s solid plus. Maybe now the show will get started.

Agatha All Along (2024) s01e03 “Through Many Miles / Of Tricks and Trials” D: Rachel Goldberg. S: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone, Debra Jo Rupp. A strange episode–it’s not a good episode for Hahn; she’s the butt of the joke more often than not–but it’s a rather good episode. The rest of the coven–Zamata, Ahn, Lupone, Rupp–get one good showcase or another. Locke’s still support but growing. And it’s the easy best episode. Goldberg’s direction is excellent.

FROM (2022) s03e04 “There and Back Again” [2024] D: . S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, Ricky He. While there are a couple surprises this episode–including a mythology one–it’s mostly just water treading. Moreno is almost back to town, but the normies won’t listen to her about the monsters. And, McCord’s decided it’s time to learn his origin story. Plus Perrineau is trying to do intel for his offensive. A few moments, but eh, padding.

Only Murders in the Building (2021) s04e07 “Valley of the Dolls” [2024] D: Robert Pulcini. S: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Michael Cyril Creighton, Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria. Fantastic episode has the trio hiding out in the burbs with guest star Melissa McCarthy. Gomez is trying to work on the case while Short is imploding his romance with Streep and Martin’s being obtuse. Great episode for Short, and McCarthy’s outstanding. The movie stars also get some solid “helping” material. And Creighton, of course. Real good stuff.

Only Murders in the Building (2021) s04e08 “Lifeboat” [2024] D: Robert Pulcini. S: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Richard Kind. Maybe the strongest “movie-themed” episode of the season, with guest star Griffin Dunne revealing the prime suspects’ origin stories. All while the actors crash the trio’s investigation, leading to some great classic Martin physical humor. And Galifianakis gets a strong subplot to work through. Funny but with more range. Dunne’s real good. Excellent cliffhanger. Darn good show.

Shrinking (2023) s02e01 “Jimmying” [2024] D: Randall Keenan Winston. S: Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, Christa Miller, Harrison Ford, Ted McGinley. Very season premiere season premiere sets up most of the regulars and recurring characters’ new plots. Everyone but Segel remains a delight while he saps the energy. Especially given where his season appears to be headed. Ford holds it all together effortlessly with Williams keeping things afloat on her side. It’s charming enough, just a tad mechanical.

Slow Horses (2022) s04e06 “Hello Goodbye” [2024] D: Adam Randall. S: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Hugo Weaving, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar. I was a dirty bird–HORSES is just fine. And by fine, excellent. Transcendent. Completely delivering on all its moves, even the exaggerated ones. Weaving is still terrible, however. Wonder why Tommy Lee Jones didn’t want to do it. Anyway. Stellar finish. It’s the action. It’s just so well executed. The timing is impeccable.

Tulsa King (2022) s02e05 “Tilting at Windmills” [2024] D: David Semel. S: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Tatiana Zappardino, Annabella Sciorra, Garrett Hedlund. It’s a truly bad episode in many parts, including Stallone complaining about the woke schools (in Oklahoma, sure, Jan). But there’s also bad Neal McDonough, resentfully bored Starr, and Will continuing to lack character. Sciorra has some fun, though. The big action sequence is awful, and not just because the accompanying song stinks. At least it’s a short episode.

The Adventures of Tintin (2011) D: Steven Spielberg. S: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Daniel Mays, Gad Elmaleh. Precious (rather than exquisite) adaptation of the Hergé comic. It’s CGI on top of motion capture, which apparently causes composite problems. But it’s computers so just fix it. Also, the character designs might be a dealbreaker. Craig’s ineffectual as the villain, Bell gets upstaged by the dog, Serkis is an absolute delight. The third act’s just too dang boring.

Local Hero (1983) D: Bill Forsyth. S: Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson, Fulton Mackay, Peter Capaldi, Jennifer Black, Jenny Seagrove. Often charming, gentle fish-out-of-water comedy about American oil up-and-comer Riegert going to Scotland to buy up a town. Throw in Lancaster as the eccentric CEO and a town of lovable, idiosyncratic Scots, and it’s a movie. At least until the third act when writer-director Forsyth runs out of ideas. Gorgeous Chris Menges photography.

The Rundown (2003) D: Peter Berg. S: Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Rosario Dawson, Christopher Walken, Ewen Bremner, Jon Gries, Ernie Reyes Jr.. Occasionally amusing but profoundly poorly directed action picture mixing ROMANCING THE STONE and MIDNIGHT RUN. Johnson’s a leg-breaking bounty hunter, Scott’s an amateur archeologist lost in the Brazillian jungle. Walkan’s the villain, Dawson’s Scott’s local lady friend (no, Dawson doesn’t maintain her accent), and Bremner’s cashing the quirky Scottish check. Terrible CGI. Also, Harry Gregson-Williams’s score’s awful.

The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat (2024) D: Tina Mabry. S: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, Uzo Aduba, Mekhi Phifer, Kyanna Simone Simpson, Tati Gabrielle, Abigail Achiri. Wonderfully acted best friends forever tearjerker about Ellis-Taylor, Lathan, and Aduba. The younger versions–Simpson, Gabrielle, Achiri–get the initial spotlight (Simpson’s awesome) to set up future reveals and such. Though with many buried ledes, which often provide some really good comedy drama scenes. Nice direction, well-paced script, and some particularly good editing.

Thelma (2024) D: Josh Margolin. S: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Malcolm McDowell, Nicole Byer. Delightful comedy thriller about scammed nonagenarian grandma Squibb who decides she’s righting wrongs. Much to the dismay of listless grandson Hechinger, who’s supposed to be keeping an eye on her. Along the way, Squibb teams up with old friend Roundtree. Squibb’s great, she and Roundtree are terrific together, and the script’s got more moments than not.

Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite (1939) D: Noel M. Smith. S: Jane Wyman, Allen Jenkins, Tom Kennedy, Sheila Bromley, Joe Cunningham, Eddie Marr, Edgar Dearing. Lackluster final TORCHY picture has new leads–Wyman and Jenkins–and a script rehashing bits from previous entries. Wyman’s better than everything else, but she and Jenkins have zero chemistry (appropriate since he’s old enough to be her dad). They’re trying to catch gangster Marr through his moll, Bromley. Kennedy’s still fun. Smith’s direction is rather bad, too.

The Verdict (1982) D: Sidney Lumet. S: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O’Shea, Roxanne Hart, Joe Seneca. Peerless character study in legal drama trappings about alcoholic hasbeen lawyer Newman rediscovering his humanity. He’s got a case he just needs settle to score, only he goes up against super-lawyer Mason. Newman’s enthralling; he and director Lumet create one hell of a motion picture. Mason’s superb. Everyone’s superb. Fantastic performances. Great direction from Lumet. Exceptional all around.

American Gothic (1995) s01e22 “Requiem” [1996] D: Lou Antonio. S: Gary Cole, Lucas Black, Paige Turco, Brenda Bakke, Sarah Paulson, Nick Searcy, John Mese. Busy but bland finale has Black breaking bad. Bakke’s trying to encourage it, Turco snd Searcy are trying to stop it. Black’s not very good as the problem child variant. Paulsen gets the biggest diss? The women all get bad endings but Paulsen’s is particularly thankless. GOTHIC creator Shaun Cassidy scripted this finish; feels like he wasn’t watching anymore.

FROM (2022) s03e03 “Mouse Trap” [2024] D: . S: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Scott McCord, Ricky He. Things go from bad to worse (as usual), except this time it’s also because Pegah Ghafoori gets a subplot. She hasn’t improved any. Guest star Robert Joy is still a delight (as far as things go) but his arc with Moreno clunks out. It’s a bridging episode (or a treading water one), and reasonably compelling. Most of the time.

Grantchester (2014) s09e07 “Episode 7” [2024] D: . S: Robson Green, Al Weaver, Tessa Peake-Jones, Kacey Ainsworth. Best episode for Ainsworth in ages. She gets to puzzle through her season subplot with Peake-Jones (who isn’t getting one of her own). Meanwhile, Nair has his first murder case related to his personal life, and Weaver’s getting sick of whatever woo Dimsdale has going on. It’s a good episode, but hurried. And too full of plot.

Grantchester (2014) s09e08 “Episode 8” [2024] D: . S: Robson Green, Al Weaver, Tessa Peake-Jones, Kacey Ainsworth. Turns out everything in the season is connected and there’s a threat lurking. An obvious one, but still; there’s a full on action sequence (as far as GRANTCHESTER goes), with some real stakes. There’s a little too much whinging from some quarters, but it’s a nice enough season finale. Nair and Green have easily found their buddy vibe.

Only Murders in the Building (2021) s04e06 “Blow-Up” [2024] D: Jessica Yu. S: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Michael Cyril Creighton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Zach Galifianakis, Richard Kind. Major investigation developments–eventually–this episode but until then it’s a concept episode. The directors of the ONLY MURDERS movie in the show do a found footage thing, with some narrative tricks to contextualize it. There are some good moments, but only Short and Creighton really thrive in the format. As a concept, it makes sense. Just doesn’t play.

Slow Horses (2022) s04e05 “Grave Danger” [2024] D: Adam Randall. S: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, Hugo Weaving, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar. All the concerning plot developments hinted last episode return here in stereo. And Weaving (who seems like he’s going to get better but does not) is just a supervillain international terrorist. It’s SLOW HORSES VS. SPECTRE. Lots of it is excellent, including Lowden getting some animation from Ruth Bradley (too knowingly playing her character’s bad job decision?). Asterisked good.

Tulsa King (2022) s02e04 “Heroes and Villains” [2024] D: Joshua Marston. S: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Tatiana Zappardino, Annabella Sciorra, Garrett Hedlund. As usual, lots going on with little going on. Stallone’s got a great scene where he has too many pot edibles, someone thinks Starr hasn’t gotten to look unenthusiastic about being in the show enough lately, and guest star Frank Grillo plots his revenge. And other season villain Neal McDonough goes cartoonish, which doesn’t fit the vibe.