Platform
In ‘Ziam’, It’s Muay Thai vs. the Dead, But the Surface-Level Pleasures Are All You’re Getting
Even if it wasn’t my job, I’d still find myself watching a movie like Ziam. As played out as zombies might be these days, the...
Netflix’s ‘Building the Band’ Has a Brilliant Twist—And One Big Flaw
As someone who grew up in the early 2000s with a music-obsessed mother who introduced me to various music reality TV series, such as Pop...
‘The Buccaneers’ Season 2 Cycles Through A Lot Of Plot In Episode 4
To give credit where it’s due, I didn’t expect The Buccaneers to rocket through Season 2’s overarching plot the way it does in Episode 4.
‘Stick’ Finally Introduces Timothy Olyphant In Episode 8, And It Was Worth the Wait
I knew this already, but Stick is a nice reminder that nobody plays smug better than Timothy Olyphant.
The Crowd Work Conundrum: Are Comedians Funnier When They Don’t Write Material?
Nate Jackson: Super Funny is a very good special by all the usual standards, but it’s fascinating in one specific, new-ish way. Bookended by perfectly funny...
‘Nate Jackson: Super Funny’ Had Me In Tears For Good Reasons
I’m ashamed to say that I know of Nate Jackson through TikTok, a platform that’s a hotbed for comedians to promote their best work, thanks...
Invite Only: Fan-Casting The Craziest Project X Party Ever
If you’re old enough to have been a teenager in 2012 or thereabouts, you no doubt remember Project X, a teen comedy based on a...
‘Trainwreck: The Real Project X’ Is An Impressive Example Of How To Make A Wild Party Painfully Boring
Netflix’s run of recent Trainwreck specials has been a mixed bag, wavering wildly in tone to the extent that it’s often unclear whether you’re supposed...
‘Smoke’ Focuses On Michelle In Episode 3, Leaving Proper Examination Of Its Best Twist For Later
Jurnee Smollett is very good in Episode 3 of Smoke, which I think is important to point out, since I spent most of it being disappointed that more attention wasn’t being paid to Dave.
‘Murderbot’ Goes All-Action In Episode 9, And The Simplicity Helps It
Murderbot is a weird show. I’m pretty sure I’ve said that before, but it’s worth reiterating, since even this deep into the season – Episode 9 is the penultimate outing – I’m still not sure what works best about it.
‘Heads of State’ Is A Knowingly Stupid Throwback And Is All the Better For It
As a self-important critic, I’m very much a champion of films being Very Serious works of illuminating art intended to expand our horizons and fundamentally...
‘The Old Guard 2’ Is The Awkward Middle Child Nobody Likes
I never thought The Old Guard was as good as everyone else seemed to. It was fine, don’t get me wrong. It had kinetic hand-to-hand...
‘The Buccaneers’ Season 2, Episode 3 Recap – The Truth Is Out, and So Is Nan
Love is a complicated thing, and The Buccaneers is struggling to keep track of it in Season 2.
‘Ironheart’ Ending Explained – A Long-Awaited Villain Debut Caps Off An Interestingly Flawed Season
And just like that, it’s over. Feels weird, doesn’t it? Ironheart debuted with the first three episodes, and the ending arrives just a week later....
‘Stick’ Episode 7 Recap – A Beautiful Examination Of Grief and Honesty (With Some Pacing Issues)
Grief isn't an emotion you feel; it's a prison you live inside. Sometimes it feels like home.
‘Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers’ Review – Serious, Mature Documentary Filmmaking
Over the years, Netflix has earned a deserved reputation for sensationalism. You need only have a quick browse through the true-crime thumbnails to see some...
‘Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel’ Review – A Story Of Spiralling Narcissism That Saves Its Horrors For the End
You never quite know where you stand with these Trainwreck documentaries. You’ve got the ones that are explicitly about very serious events, like a deadly...
‘Shark Whisperer’ Review – Jaw(s)-Dropping Visuals Obscure A Muddled Point
There will always be a market, one presumes, for people who get dangerously close to apex predators. It’s a hook that has entertained viewers forever,...