The concept of schools for wayward children is probably well out of date by now. Not the concept, but the wording. Wayward, or the descriptor given to difficult to control or predictable children because of their unusual behavior... IOW, your basic teens whose parents no longer want them around either because they are too difficult or too inconvenient. That approach still exists, but even this show rolled back the clock a bit to avoid present-day mores and issues.

[3 stars] The concept of schools for wayward children is probably well out of date by now. Not the concept, but the wording. Wayward, or the descriptor given to difficult to control or predictable children because of their unusual behavior... IOW, your basic teens whose parents no longer want the

Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs) delivers again with this dark and twisted tale of a father and small-town corruption. OK, Tulsa may not be exactly small-town, but he emphasizes that feel. If you know Jim Thompson or any of his work, you'll recognize the intention and sensibility. This series not only uses Thompson as a jumping off point, but structures and colors the tale with his grimy sense of the world right up to the finale, but with Harjo's own twists (watch through the credits).

[3.5 stars] Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs) delivers again with this dark and twisted tale of a father and small-town corruption. OK, Tulsa may not be exactly small-town, but he emphasizes that feel. If you know Jim Thompson or any of his work, you'll recognize the intention and sensibility. Thi

Giving this reboot to Matt Shakman (WandaVision) was a great choice. His willingness to reconsider stories and to match presentation to the sensibility make all the difference in this latest Marvel reboot. It's also a great example of how to use the multiverse in a way that makes a story feel new rather than just a retread or end-run around earlier, bad choices.

[3.5 stars] Giving this reboot to Matt Shakman (WandaVision) was a great choice. His willingness to reconsider stories and to match presentation to the sensibility make all the difference in this latest Marvel reboot. It's also a great example of how to use the multiverse in a way that makes a st

Hedda Gabler is endlessly reinterpreted by actors much like Hamlet. We don't hear about it as much as it's, well, about a woman. And she's not particularly sympathetic either. But she is fascinating. Hedda is defiantly intelligent, desperately bored, and demonstrably alone despite being surrounded by admirers and detractors. She's been interpreted as a femme fatale, a tragic figure, a sociopath, a bored housewife, and endlessly other characters.

[3 stars] Hedda Gabler is endlessly reinterpreted by actors much like Hamlet. We don't hear about it as much as it's, well, about a woman. And she's not particularly sympathetic either. But she is fascinating. Hedda is defiantly intelligent, desperately bored, and demonstrably alone despite being

Looking for something that is quietly wonderful, but with some real meat on its bones? Look no further. Eva Victor, as writer, director, and star, has delivered a disarmingly honest look at, well, you'll just have to watch. In a clever script that is slightly out of chronological order we see the evolution and recovery of a young woman and her relationships.

[3 stars] Looking for something that is quietly wonderful, but with some real meat on its bones? Look no further. Eva Victor, as writer, director, and star, has delivered a disarmingly honest look at, well, you'll just have to watch. In a clever script that is slightly out of chronological order

Unlike the first and second series of Debora Cahn's latest West Wing energy show, this season focuses much more tightly on Keri Russell's (Cocaine Bear) character. But that didn't diminish the political intrigue and by-play that continues on from the previous storylines. However, you have to have a bit more trust this series than the previous. In fact, when it kicks off, you may well be worried; I know I was.

[3.5 stars] Unlike the first and second series of Debora Cahn's latest West Wing energy show, this season focuses much more tightly on Keri Russell's (Cocaine Bear) character. But that didn't diminish the political intrigue and by-play that continues on from the previous storylines. However, y

This is about what you'd have expected from this lumbering franchise. And that left it predictable to the point of painful at times. Despite some actual attempts to revitalize the exhausted tropes  by writer David Koepp (Black Bag) who provided better integrated humor and some fun action, it really is on its last mutated legs. I expected/hoped for more from Koepp, even if not from director Gareth Edwards (

[2.75 stars] This is about what you'd have expected from this lumbering franchise. And that left it predictable to the point of painful at times. Despite some actual attempts to revitalize the exhausted tropes  by writer David Koepp (Black Bag) who provided better integrated humor and some fun ac

After three seasons, Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) and David Weil's (Solos) series of planetary invasion has seemingly wrapped up. The writing improved slightly this round, but honestly not by much over the previous. Evil was still "E"vil, and issues that could and should have been resolved in moments get dragged out because characters refused to state the obvious to each other.

[3 stars] After three seasons, Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) and David Weil's (Solos) series of planetary invasion has seemingly wrapped up. The writing improved slightly this round, but honestly not by much over the previous. Evil was still "E"vil, and issues that could and should have bee

Brad Ingelsby (The Way Back) returns to the writer's chair to deliver another exploration of families navigating dark times as best they can. Some of these are bloodline families and some found/circumstantial, but the theme is strong and intentional. However, while it starts dark and navigates some very disturbing trails, it ends hopeful, if not without damage in its wake.

[3 stars] Brad Ingelsby (The Way Back) returns to the writer's chair to deliver another exploration of families navigating dark times as best they can. Some of these are bloodline families and some found/circumstantial, but the theme is strong and intentional. However, while it starts dark and na

There is nothing quite like getting to the end of a movie and being left speechless and thinking. Kathryn Bigelow's (Zero Dark Thirty) latest political and military thriller gives you a few moments to take a deep breath before it careens through an incredible (nearly) two hours of edging tension. What makes this particular look at nuclear threat different is it's deep humanity and interesting perspectives thanks to writer Noah Oppenheim (

[4 stars] There is nothing quite like getting to the end of a movie and being left speechless and thinking. Kathryn Bigelow's (Zero Dark Thirty) latest political and military thriller gives you a few moments to take a deep breath before it careens through an incredible (nearly) two hours of edgin

It's hard to do horror in a new way. And, to be honest, I wasn't that interested in this movie when it came out. Neither the trailers nor the marketing grabbed me. Their failure. That Weapons was the biggest surprise hit of the genre after Sinners this year is an indicator of just how well Zach Cregger managed to deliver. The movie starts off creepy but like a dark bedtime story.

[3.5 stars] It's hard to do horror in a new way. And, to be honest, I wasn't that interested in this movie when it came out. Neither the trailers nor the marketing grabbed me. Their failure. That Weapons was the biggest surprise hit of the genre after Sinners this year is an indicator of just how

Gen V, if you didn't find it in its inaugural season, parallels and enhances The Boys. It doesn't just dovetail into that story, but builds on it directly. However, there is at least one reason to watch this season beyond that aspect. Shortly before filming on the season was to begin, Chance Perdomo died suddenly in a motorcycle accident. It wasn't just a tragic loss of a talent, he was the lynchpin of the story and the writers had to go back and either recast the part or rework the whole plot of the series.

[3 stars] Gen V, if you didn't find it in its inaugural season, parallels and enhances The Boys. It doesn't just dovetail into that story, but builds on it directly. However, there is at least one reason to watch this season beyond that aspect. Shortly before filming on the season was to begin, C