The 2020s have been prime for Asian-made films and shows that explore the Asian-American experience in unique and captivating ways. Sean Wang’s Myspace-era dramedy feature “Dìdi” and Disney’s modern adaptation of “American Born Chinese” underlined the relatable identity struggles many underrepresented groups feel in America to get their share of the spotlight. Showrunner/creator Charles Yu’s … Read more
For those unfamiliar, a landman is the public-facing side of an oil company’s production team; their job is to secure leases and mineral rights for oil drilling. As Taylor Sheridan’s umpteenth show for Paramount Plus would have you believe, it’s a cutthroat job that involves, of all things, negotiating a land deal with a Mexican … Read more
A good adaptation is multi-dimensional. It requires a convergence of factors that causes audiences to nod in satisfaction. In “Cross,” the upcoming series based on the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson, the leading man, source material, and setting form a conspiracy–one that draws us into the shadowy spaces of both serial killers and the … Read more
Apple TV loves to spend oodles of money on prestigious sci-fi projects like “Dark Matter” and “Foundation,” but their best in this subgenre by some stretch is Graham Yost’s riveting “Silo.” The first season of this adaptation of the books by Hugh Howey played like a timely riff on philosophical sci-fi noirs like “Blade Runner,” … Read more
In 2021, it was astonishing to see that, out of all game franchises, “League of Legends” came out swinging as a pioneer to the current “great video game adaptation” boom via the Netflix animated series “Arcane.” Showrunners Christian Linke and Alex Yee successfully fleshed out a fluid steampunk world fueled by class themes, magic, and … Read more
Who is the Jackal? Is he a multimillionaire with a lavish estate who travels around the world? Is he a custodian who quite literally cleans up messes? Or is he simply a hired hand who also happens to be the world’s best sniper? As far as star Eddie Redmayne and the new series “The Day … Read more
HBO’s new “Like Water for Chocolate” is sumptuously shot. And it’s not just the costumes or the sets, although they are both clearly rendered with care. Gathered skirts, wide-brimmed hats, and lace-up black boots. Colonial archways and formal sitting rooms. What makes this show feel so rich is the cinematography, framing a kiss between the … Read more
It’s a tough time to be a fan of the political world in that it’s, well, basically on fire. And so it’s an interesting choice to drop the 6-episode second season of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated “The Diplomat” into the vitriolic stew that passes for international politics in late 2024. Someone must have decided that a season … Read more
It’s the time of year when even casual fans are looking for something spooky to watch, but where do you begin? Of course, all the streaming services have robust catalogs of some of the best that the horror genre has ever offered, but maybe you want to catch up with something from this year too? … Read more
In Apple TV+’s “Before,” protagonist Eli (Billy Crystal) tells his therapist that his life has “turned into a Dali painting.” A few hours prior to their meeting, the series established that Eli is quickly losing touch with reality. The pilot opens with a dream sequence where Eli falls into an empty indoor swimming pool, cracking … Read more