Though quirky and headstrong, Emily’s character was not strong enough to overcome anything of substance or deliver a compelling story.
Consciously or unconsciously, the zeitgeist of living in a world with coronavirus could influence television and movies thematically. Anxiety, frustration due to long-lasting lockdowns, and resentment toward a government that has mishandled its response to the disease will have an impact on the way screenwriters everywhere see the world, and how they characterize it.
Amazon Prime’s "The Boys" (2019–) might be the most complicated yet simple show on television. The show is intricately plotted, yet straightforward and digestible. The show is fantastical and grounded, played straight and comically, all in a healthy balance. Balance is the operative term for the first three episodes of the series’ second season,which premiered on Sept. 4 on the streaming service. The show maintains an engaging ride throughout with only a few details that upset a solidly balanced opener to this next chapter.
To be more deliberate with my time and help diversify my literary world, I committed to only reading authors of color during my quarantine time and throughout 2020. I first read April Sinclair's“Coffee Will Make You Black” (1994) and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” (1965). Two very different books, but both so important to read. The first is a fictional story told from a young girl's point of view as she examines colorism and her own femininity and sexuality. Malcolm X’s autobiography paralyzed me with the knowledge that I did not actually know anything about this crucial and complex man before, and I am so glad that I was able to really learn about him now. I journeyed from Malcolm X to James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” (1963), a perfect follow-up to the autobiography as Baldwindiscusses Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam in this short nonfiction piece. Staying on the nonfiction side of things, I read “Between the World and Me” (2015), a striking and important letter written by a father to his son about holding on to his Black body. Ready for some fiction, I consumed “Kindred” (1979) by Octavia E. Butler and “A Mercy” (2008) by Toni Morrison both in a span of two days. Most recently, I have read “Girl, Woman, Other” (2019) by Bernardine Evaristo which was a simply stunning composition weaving together so many non-male Black lives and experiences into one complete and breathtaking story. Celeste Ng's“Little Fires Everywhere” (2017) is currently on my bedside table, along with “In the Castle of My Skin” (1953) by George Lamming and “On Beauty” (2005) by Zadie Smith.
This review contains spoilers.The first season of “The Mandalorian” (2019–), which ran from November 12 through December 27, had an astonishing cultural impact. I was completely and pleasantly surprised by the popularity and widespread appreciation for this show and its characters, especially ...
It's pretty fair to say that over the course of the last decade, television as a medium has changed forever. In fact, there have been so many waves of change, not to mention the absurd amount of content produced, that you could say that maybe three decades have been mashed into the 2010s. First ...
Over a month ago Disney+, Disney's new streaming service, sent everyone down a nostalgia rabbit hole when it put together a thread of all the content coming to their platform. Their upcoming supplemental original content seemed just as attractive, though.For "Star Wars" fans or Disney ...
The pilot episode of “His Dark Materials” (2019–), an HBO adaptation of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” novel trilogy (1995–2000), premiered on Nov. 4. Setting the tone for the exposition-heavy nature of the episode, several title cards precede the start of the action that explain ...
HBO knew what it was in for when adapting DC Comics' "Watchmen" (1986–87). Depending on who you ask, Zack Snyder's three-hour 2009 film adaptation is either genius or hot garbage, and the comic itself is revered by so many that showrunnerDamon Lindelof had to either live up to an ...
Turns out the Manic Pixie Dream Girl isn’t quite dead (or is she?). Hulu takes another stab at original content (okay, “The Handmaid’s Tale” was pretty good) in the young adult mystery “Looking for Alaska,” an eight-episode streaming miniseries that premiered on Oct. 18. Adapted from the ...
Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have a long list of successes. Shows like “Glee” (2009–2015), “American Horror Story” (2011–present), “Scream Queens” (2015–2016) and “Pose” (2018–present) are undoubtedly cultural touchstones. There’s variety in the duo’s work, but there’s ...
After an incredible first season, many wondered if there was any room to improve for HBO'sfamilydrama "Succession" (2018–). Following a Murdoch-like family dealing with personal and professional issues, it grabbed national and critical attention thanks to its sharp dialogue and impressive ...
Last Friday, Netflix dropped yet another original series, "Rilakkuma and Kaoru" (2019). However, this one bears little resemblance some of the streaming service’s other original programs. The show, created by Japanese stationery company San-X, is a delightfully whimsical program centered ...
This year was an absurd one for television. Thanks to streaming platforms, our seasonally-based conceptions of when shows should air have broken. Just when it felt like TV was dying down, it came back strong. As the year now draws to a close, it is time to rank the top five shows of 2018. Without ...
Content warning: This article mentions depression and suicide.On the fifth stop of their national tour, Rachel Bloom and her co-stars on The CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (2015–) brought the show’s witty songs and high energy to Medford Square. At the Chevalier Theatre, which Bloom playfully ...
Content Warning: This article mentions suicide and sexual violence.“13 Reasons Why” (2017) premiered on March 31 as Netflix’s newest television series. The show, based on Jay Asher’s young adult novel of the same name, follows the causes and effects of a teenager’s suicide.Clay Jensen (Dylan ...
If you’re a “Jane the Virgin” (2014 – present) fan who has continued watching the series after February’s season three, episode 10: congratulations. A shrine should be built in honor of your strength, compassion and ability to forgive. You are so patient and optimistic, you probably don’t ...
2016 was another immensely successful year for Netflix original series. The streaming service launched over two dozen new programs throughout the year, ranging from the smash hit “Stranger Things” to the buzzed-about biopic “The Crown.” On Dec. 16, 2016 while critics and bloggers were putting ...
With its recent renewal for a second season, "Stranger Things" (2016) is poised to join an already extensive lineup of formidable titles, including "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (2015-present), "Narcos" (2015-present), "BoJack Horseman" (2014-present) and ...
BBC America’s sci-fi thriller “Orphan Black” (2013 — present) returned last week with a stellar fourth season premiere, promising stronger episodes ahead after a mediocre third season.The episode, “The Collapse of Nature," transports viewers back in time to events before thefirst episode ...
