In the past year, various series have premiered on broadcast television and streaming platforms with LGBTQ characters and diverse casts. While there is still progress going forward, as every single major studio had failing, poor, or insufficient ratings for LGBTQ-inclusive films in 2019, according to the recent Studio Responsibility Index released by GLAAD, there were […]
Tag: Netflix
Cleopatra in Space Review
The mythology and history of Cleopatra, pharaoh of Egypt, has often been a topic in popular culture, from Hollywood films, webcomics like Everywhere and Nowhere, and mature animated series such as Clone High. This year, a new show, titled Cleopatra in Space, tapped into those myths and stories and began streaming on NBCUniversal’s new streaming […]
The Top Ten TV Shows of 2020
2020 is finally on its way out (and not a moment too soon for anyone), which means it’s time for that time honored holiday tradition: Critics’ Top Ten Lists! As we all spent more time on our sofas watching TV this year than any of us thought we would, I suspect many of you will […]
Big Mouth Season Four (Spoiler-Filled) Review
Once again, Big Mouth managed to explore the good, the bad, and the very ugly aspects of adolescence, this time with a healthy dose of meta commentary (which only served to make the show even more enjoyable). Yes, the series is crass. Yes, it’s certainly not for everyone. But boy does it hit on the […]
Emily in Paris Season One Review
Emily in Paris is the latest show by Darren Star, the creator of shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place and Sex and the City. As the title suggests his latest show follows a woman called Emily in Paris. Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) is a Chicago based social media manager who gets an unexpected job […]
The Crown Season Four (Spoiler-Free) Review
As I’m sure you are aware, The Crown is a series based on historical events. In the case of season four, the series covers events that occurred between roughly 1979 and 1990. While I will refrain from discussing specific elements of the season’s plot, there will be some elements that it’s impossible to refrain from […]
No Time to Die to Streaming: An Analysis
The COVID pandemic continues to have an impact on the film industry. The latest piece of news that has broken was as reports that MGM explored the possibility of selling No Time to Die to either Apple TV+ or Netflix. This was shocking news because a major studio would consider selling one of their biggest tentpoles […]
The Queen’s Gambit (Spoiler-Free) Review
As I heard the rapturous reviews for Netflix’s new limited series The Queen’s Gambit (adapted from the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis) rolling out this past week, I’ll admit I wasn’t completely sold. A series about a female chess prodigy in the 1960s? Really? I mean, it’s chess. Not exactly a […]
The Haunting of Bly Manor (Spoiler-Filled) Review
Spoiler Warning: This review presumes that you have finished the entire season of The Haunting of Bly Manor (and, while it won’t get into the plot specifics, you should have seen The Haunting of Hill House as well). I will discuss specific plot points up to and including the finale. So, if you haven’t finished […]
Pop Culture Maniacs Podcast Episode Three: The COVID Effect on Film and TV
Kieran Freemantle and Jean Henegan discuss the effects of COVID on the film and TV industries.