In the pantheon of episode endings, this one was a doozie. From Teen Shauna finally stepping into the role of, well, leader, to threaten the other Yellowjackets into voting to convict Coach Ben to the revelation that Adult Lottie is dead, that’s a pretty visceral one-two punch to close out the episode. This was also […]
Severance – Chikhai Bardo Review
If anyone was harboring any illusions about just how utterly fucked up Lumon is, I’m hoping this episode was enough to disavow you of them. Because Jesus Christ, that was horrific to watch. Seeing Lumon torturing Gemma – and that’s what it is, torture – over the course of years? That’s horrific. It’s fun to […]
“The King is the crime!”: Commoners, royalty, and animated depictions of monarchy
Over forty-four years ago, on September 3, 1980, the series finale of the now-classic Rose of Versailles, entitled “Adieu, My Beloved Oscar,” aired on Japanese television. It depicted revolutionary leader Louis Saint-Just telling an assembly of Frenchmen, in 1792, that “the King’s own existence is itself an unforgivable crime” and “The King is the crime!” […]
Cleaner Review
Cleaner feels like a relic from a bygone era. The many comparisons it’s received to Die Hard are debatable, although the marketing is certainly inviting them. To be fair, their cores are the same: an action-thriller in the style of an airport novel about an unassuming person thrust into a dangerous situation whose skills and […]
License to Be Killed: James Bond at Amazon
The James Bond franchise has experienced a seismic change with the announcement that Barbara Broccoli has given up creative control to Amazon. The franchise has gone from being a personal legacy for the Broccolis to being a part of a corporate entity. The news has been received badly by Bond fans, including myself. There are […]
Captain America: Brave New World Review
Captain America enters a brave new world with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) taking on the mantle of the shield-wielding hero. Sam Wilson operates as Captain America for the American government, partaking in clandestine missions. Sam stops a black market deal in Oaxaca, Mexico, which results in him saving an international treaty and the hero getting […]
The Monkey Review
The Monkey is a darkly comic offering from the pantheon of Stephen King adaptations. This film is the follow-up of Osgood Perkins’ sleeper hit, Longlegs. In 1999 twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn (Christian Convery/Theo James) find a toy monkey amongst their father’s possessions. When the boys use The Monkey people they know die and […]
Yellowjackets – Them’s the Breaks Review
Well, that was a hell of an episode, right? This is the first installment that really feels like the story is taking a step forward – in both the past and present – with our characters starting to move beyond their set patterns of the past seasons and step into the future. And it’s always […]
Severance – Atilla Review
Well, that was a heck of a lot to pack into a single episode. From the much-anticipated meeting between Burt, Irving, and Fields to the continued reintegration of Mark’s Innie and Outie lives, this, for my money, is the episode in season two where things really start kicking into high gear from a story perspective. […]
A Thousand Blows Review
A Thousand Blows, the latest British historical drama from Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders), ostensibly tells the story of the Forty Elephants, an all-female London crime-syndicate who specialize in shoplifting but are aiming for a larger score. I say ostensibly because that is only one portion of the overstuffed story being told, with the other segment […]