The Old Guard Offers a Fresh Take on the Superhero Genre, Balancing Kinetic Action with Robust Characterization
Netflix’s The Old Guard is a good example of high concept movies done right. Although recent attempts such as The Gemini Man have fallen short, The Old Guard manages to build and deliver a narrative around the story’s central premise,…
Netflix’s Japan Sinks: 2020 is an Ambitious (and Flawed) Effort at Depicting Tragedy on an Enormous Scale
Japan Sinks: 2020 is director Masaaki Yuasa’s second Netflix original, after 2018’s Devilman Crybaby. The only similarity the two share is that there are a lot of deaths involved, but Japan Sinks: 2020 is more focused on the struggles of…
Harley Quinn is Still a Fun Ride in Season Two, Fleshing Out Characters in Longer Storylines
In season two, Harley Quinn gets to set up and explore season long plot threads, taking full advantage of the new status quo set up at the end of the first season. Gotham is in a state of anarchy, with…
Gulabo Sitabo is A Social Satire of Upsmanship between a Landlord and Tenant Vying for a Old Dilapidated Mansion
It’s hard to identify Amitabh Bachchan under the layers of makeup and prosthetics he is wearing as the ornery Mirza. Still, he commands a presence that persists despite his advanced age, as his character vies for a 100 year old…
Bulbbul Mixes Folklore with Reality, Painting a Painful Narrative of Revenge
In Bulbbul, director Anvita Dutt evokes classic tales like Chokher Bali by Rabindranath Tagore and Saheb Bibi Aur Gulam to create a sweet yet pained narrative about the loss of innocence and what that means for oppressed women. Produced by…
Dark Delivers a Poignant Finale in Season Three, Neatly Wrapping Up the Time Travel Narrative
With a strong fanbase, Dark showrunners Baran Bo Oder and Jantje Friese may have been tempted to stretch the show out as long as they could have. Thankfully, they chose to go out in good form, and the end result…
Normal People is an Exercise in Honest, Powerful Intimacy, Showcasing How Love Helps You Become a Better Person
I feel at a disadvantage writing about Hulu’s Normal People, as I haven’t read Sally Rooney’s book of the same name. Rooney is often credited as a quintessential millennial writer, whose approach to romance is, in her own words, “is…
Space Force Fails to Stick the Landing in First Season, Despite a Stellar Cast
On paper, Space Force looks like a no brainer. Steve Carell reuniting with The Office co-creator Greg Daniels to create another workplace comedy sounds like a solid idea. The execution, unfortunately, leaves a lot to be desired. Mark Naird (Steve…
The Great Puts a Sardonic Spin on History, Portraying a Young Queen’s Rise to Power Amidst Chaos and Court Politics
Despite its lavish environments, The Great makes it clear that it’s the farthest thing from historically accurate. It tells the story of Catherine’s arrival to Russia and eventual coup by her 20th birthday. In reality, Catherine arrived in Russia when…
Betaal Repurposes the 1857 Indian Mutiny as A Zombie Story
Red Chillies Entertainment's first offering for Netflix, Bard of Blood, was a plodding, mediocre affair that failed to impress. Its second show, Betaal, takes on a different genre, mixing in political commentary with a puppy zombie threat. Created by Patrick…
