All Forms of Art

  Set in the turbulent 11th century, King & Conqueror takes us back to the years leading up to the Norman Conquest—a brutal and transformative moment in English history . It’s a time when kingship was fragile, loyalty could turn overnight, and religion was often wielded as a weapon.  If The Last Kingdom or Vikings gave us a taste of that world, this series digs even deeper into the grime, sweat, and blood of it. No Shiny Armor Knights  What immediately stands out is its commitment to realism . Unlike the polished armor and golden courts you might see in Game of Thrones or even Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven , here everyone looks dirty. Even the nobles—clothed in finery—carry the grit of their time.  You almost feel like you can smell the damp wood, the mud, and the unwashed bodies. It’s an atmosphere that feels closer to Robert Eggers’ The Northman than to Hollywood’s romanticized medieval epics. This harshness is both the show’s greatest strength and ...

  What happens when society’s most terrifying vulnerability—our digital infrastructure—suddenly collapses?  Netflix ’s political thriller Zero Day dares to explore exactly that. Starring Robert De Niro as former U.S. President George Mullen, alongside Angela Bassett , Lizzy Caplan , Jesse Plemons , and Dan Stevens , this six-part miniseries blends conspiracy, paranoia, and deeply human drama into a story that feels both timely and unsettling. A Premise That Feels Too Possible The series kicks off with a catastrophic cyberattack that leaves the nation in chaos. It’s not just thrilling entertainment—it’s frighteningly plausible. Watching events spiral out of control, you can’t help but ask yourself: could this actually happen? Twists That Keep You Guessing From backroom deals to sudden betrayals, Zero Day is packed with sharp turns. You might think you know where it’s going, but the finale delivers a conclusion that’s both surprising and thought-provoking. Jesse Plemo...

  While I found the pacing of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story slow and, at times, even boring, the show shines in one particular area: its psychological depth.  What kept me engaged wasn’t the storytelling rhythm, but the way it explored two very distinct and haunting personalities under the same roof. Two Sides of the Same Violence The series captures the sharp contrast between Lyle and Erik brilliantly. On one side, we see the volatile, angry, and violent brother—unpredictable but outwardly dominant, always ready to explode. On the other side, there is the insecure, fragile “mouse” of the family—timid, hesitant, almost paralyzed by fear.  Yet, what makes Erik compelling is that under the right conditions, even he can lash out violently, especially when pulled into the orbit of his more aggressive brother. The dynamic between them feels like a nightmare recipe: one commanding, the other submissive, but both carrying destructive potential. The Many Shape...

  When I sat down to watch Bombshell , I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy film. Not because it’s shocking or disturbing in a graphic way, but because it tackles a real-life story that’s deeply uncomfortable: the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News that brought down powerful CEO Roger Ailes. An Amazing Cast Directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph, Bombshell stars Charlize Theron (executive producer of Mindhunter ) as Megyn Kelly , Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson , and Margot Robbie as Kayla Pospisil (a fictional composite character meant to represent the experiences of many women at Fox). John Lithgow  (Churchill in The Crown ) plays Roger Ailes with unsettling conviction. The cast is stacked with talent, and the performances—especially Theron’s near-transformation into Kelly—are what keep the movie engaging. That said, I personally found the film kind of boring . It’s not a thriller, it’s not flashy, and it doesn’t always dig as deeply into the tox...

  Netflix’s Untamed (2025) is one of the streamer’s most striking original thrillers this year. Combining the intensity of a murder mystery with the breathtaking scenery of Yosemite National Park , the series delivers suspense, atmosphere, and a surprising sense of justice. What Is Untamed About? The story begins with a mysterious death on El Capitan, pulling National Park investigator Kyle Turner,  played by Eric Bana ( Dirty John ), into a complex web of secrets. Alongside fellow investigator Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), Turner must untangle lies, crimes, and personal demons while navigating the dangers of both nature and human corruption. Performances That Stand Out Eric Bana anchors Untamed with a raw, haunted performance, while Lily Santiago adds empathy and sharpness as Vasquez.  Veteran actor  Sam Neill (you may remember him from Jurassic Park ) brings warmth as Turner’s mentor.  Together, this cast gives the series both gravitas and emotiona...

Wednesday Season 2 lands with all the gothic flair that made the original binge-worthy —this time spotlighting even richer family dynamics and chilling new mysteries at Nevermore Academy. The first four episodes dropped on Netflix August 6, 2025 , with fans grudgingly waiting until September 3 for Part 2. Why It’s Still a Blast Jenna Ortega continues to shine as a morose sleuth grappling with her supernatural talents and unwanted hero status. Her sharp delivery and deadpan wit are as compelling as ever. Family ties get deeper attention —Pugsley’s arrival at school, Morticia’s campus involvement (with Catherine Zeta-Jones in flamboyant form), and intriguing new faces like Steve Buscemi as the oddball new principal elevate the ensemble. Atmosphere and aesthetic remain rich and inventive. Tim Burton’s return as director (including a delightfully eerie animated sequence) and the inclusion of ominous crows and haunting visuals continue to delight. Mystery hooks abound:...

  If a TV show can be both mesmerizing and agonizing to watch, The Handmaid’s Tale fits that description perfectly. Season 1 is a masterclass in storytelling, production quality, and emotional impact — but it’s not entertainment you consume lightly. It’s the kind of show that leaves you shaken, thinking about the world we live in long after the credits roll. An Uncomfortable Reflection of Today Set in the dystopian society of Gilead, The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's novel , imagines a theocratic dictatorship where women’s rights are stripped away in the name of morality and survival.  The frightening part is not just the fiction — it’s how familiar some of the themes feel. Watching, you can’t help but wonder: Are we heading toward a future like this? The show draws parallels to real-world issues: Public executions  are reminiscent of the hangings in countries like Iraq. Female genital mutilation , as seen in the storyline of Emily, played by...

  Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) Lena Dunham’s latest Netflix series Too Much arrives with a bold voice, an eccentric lead, and a lot of emotional baggage.  Created by Dunham and starring comedian Meg Stalter as the erratic, heartbroken New Yorker Jessica, the show attempts to blend offbeat comedy with a cross-cultural romance in London. Unfortunately, while the premise holds promise, the execution feels flat. A Rom-Com That Struggles to Engage From the first episode, Too Much sets itself up as a quirky, self-aware romantic comedy. Jessica, reeling from a breakup and an over-the-top life in New York, relocates to London and falls into a whirlwind connection with the reserved and emotionally withdrawn Felix (Will Sharpe). It’s a classic opposites-attract setup—but instead of sparking excitement, the pacing feels sluggish, and the story never quite takes off. As a viewer, I found it difficult to stay engaged. The stakes feel low, the emotional shifts abrupt, and while the dialogu...

  Netflix’s Titan: The OceanGate Disaster sets out to explore one of the most gripping and tragic technological failures in recent years, but instead delivers a surface-level narrative that feels more like a recap than a revelation.  With all the ingredients for a compelling, thought-provoking documentary — innovation, risk, tragedy, and human ambition — the final product fails to go deeper than the headlines we’ve already seen. A Story of Ambition — and Arrogance The central character of this documentary is Stockton Rush , the CEO of OceanGate , whose dream of pioneering deep-sea tourism ended in catastrophic failure. The film frames him as a man blinded by ambition, arrogance, and an unsettling disregard for safety standards.  While this character study could have provided a nuanced examination of human fallibility and exploration ethics, Titan instead relies on obvious conclusions and predictable tropes. There is little effort to explore the broader implications o...

  Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) If you're expecting Billie Eilish: Unfiltered to offer an intimate look into the life, artistry, or creative process of one of Gen Z’s most influential pop icons, prepare to be disappointed.  This so-called documentary barely scratches the surface, delivering little more than a dry, lifeless rundown of Billie Eilish 's discography, awards, and chart performances. At best, it's a glorified Wikipedia entry with background music. At worst, it’s a wasted hour of potential. Unfiltered? The documentary lacks narrative depth, personal insight, or any meaningful exploration of who Billie Eilish is beyond her resume. Rather than providing behind-the-scenes footage, raw interviews, or critical commentary, Unfiltered relies on a monotonous narrator reeling off her achievements like items on a grocery list. There are occasional quotes from Billie herself, but they’re so brief and context-free they feel like filler material. For a documentary claiming to be “u...

  In Netflix’s Raising Voices , there's a raw, emotionally charged moment when Alma confesses to her mom that something happened the night she disappeared — she was drunk, she had sex, and something didn’t feel right. It’s the kind of moment that many parents dread. But Alma’s mom handled it in a way that deserves attention. She didn’t panic. She didn’t judge. She didn’t lose control. Instead, she met her daughter halfway, which made all the difference. What Happened in the Scene? When Alma opened up to her mom, she wasn’t just confessing — she was testing the waters for safety. Could she trust her mom with the truth? Would she still be loved after saying something shameful, scary, or confusing? Her mom’s response wasn’t perfect — but it was real. She was concerned, but didn’t explode. She asked questions. She listened. She let the moment breathe. Why That Reaction Matters Technically, what Alma described can be considered sexual assault , given her level of intoxication. Bu...

  I Am: Celine Dion , the new Prime Video documentary, invites viewers behind the spotlight to meet the woman behind one of the most powerful voices in music.  It’s a story about talent, resilience, and suffering, all wrapped in a painfully honest narrative. Seeing the Woman, Not Just the Icon What I appreciated most about this documentary - and others like it - is how it strips away the glamour and gives us Celine as a human being—vulnerable, soft-spoken, and struggling.  For decades, we’ve seen her on massive stages, larger than life. But here, we meet the mother, the patient, the grieving widow, the woman fighting to live a life that once seemed destined for fairy tales. It’s powerful to witness that shift. An Intimate, Sometimes Painful Portrait The documentary doesn’t shy away from Celine’s battle with Stiff Person Syndrome , a rare and devastating neurological disorder. It’s heartbreaking to watch, especially knowing she still has so much love to give—to her au...

  Netflix's Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story is not just a true crime documentary — it’s a psychological deep dive into one of the most disturbing couples in British criminal history .  While the crimes are shocking, the nature of Fred and Rose’s relationship truly unsettles. Were they in love? Or was their bond something far darker? A Match Made in Hell From the moment Fred and Rose met, something clicked. But it wasn’t a love story — it was a dangerous connection built on control, abuse, and mutual cruelty.  The documentary shows us how they fed off each other’s darkest urges. It wasn’t about love in the traditional sense. It was about power, domination, and shared depravity. Can Psychopaths Feel Love? This is the big question. Can two people with such extreme psychological disorders really feel love? Some experts believe psychopaths can feel attachment, but not empathy — they might need someone, but not care for them in the way most of us understand....

  Punto Nemo , available on Amazon Prime, tries to be a suspenseful, thought-provoking series about environmental urgency. It wants to be deep. But instead of pulling viewers in, it leaves them stranded in shallow waters. The First Question: Is It Really That Bad? At first, I wasn’t sure. The opening episode was messy, yes — confusing timelines, a poorly explained plot, and a tone that couldn’t quite decide if it was thriller, sci-fi, or something else entirely. Still, something about it made me keep watching. It wasn’t good , but it wasn’t unwatchable . So what exactly was wrong? From Confused to Completely Absurd As the episodes progressed, the cracks widened. Once they arrive at a supposedly deserted island, you might recall Lost , but get ready to be disappointed. Storylines started to collapse under their own weight. Characters made strange decisions with no explanation. The plot, already unstable, spiraled into the realm of the ridiculous. By the final episodes, it becam...

  Coralie Fargeat's The Substance is a cinematic tour de force that melds grotesque body horror with a poignant exploration of identity, aging, and self-worth.  Anchored by Demi Moore's fearless performance , the film challenges viewers to confront society's obsession with youth and the lengths to which one might go to reclaim it. A Tale of Duality and Desperation Demi Moore portrays Elisabeth Sparkle, a former Hollywood star turned aerobics host, who faces obsolescence upon being dismissed on her 50th birthday.   In a desperate bid to regain her former glory, she turns to a mysterious substance that allows her to generate a younger, more "perfect" version of herself named Sue, played by Margaret Qualley ( Maid ).   This transformation sets off a harrowing cycle of identity swapping, with each woman allotted seven days in the real world before yielding to the other—a balance that becomes increasingly unsustainable.   Moore's Career-Defining Performance Moo...

  Raising Voices (original title: Ni Una Más ) is the kind of show that initially made me want to stop watching — and then made me glad I didn’t.  Based on the novel by Miguel Sáez Carral , this Spanish Netflix series explores teen life, sexual violence, and the power of speaking out. It's not always subtle, but it's effective.  At First, It Felt Like Too Much The first couple of episodes? Honestly, I didn’t love them. It felt like the writers were trying to cram every possible issue related to sexual assault into one high school. Revenge porn, harassment, grooming, slut-shaming, rape culture — all at once. It was overwhelming. I wasn’t sure where to focus. Instead of building empathy, it felt like the show was going for pure shock value. It was hard to care when everything was dialed up to 100. But then something clicked. Maybe That Chaos Was the Point That disorientation — not knowing exactly what’s wrong, just feeling that something is — turns out to be inten...

  Some movies entertain. Some movies challenge. And then there are movies like The Whale , that just wreck you . Directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Brendan Fraser in what is probably the most heartbreaking performance of his career, The Whale is not easy to watch—but it’s impossible to forget. Based on a play by Samuel D. Hunter (who also wrote the screenplay), the film tells the story of Charlie, a reclusive English teacher who is slowly eating himself to death. Fraser’s performance won him a long-overdue Academy Award for Best Actor, and honestly, it’s no mystery why. His portrayal of Charlie is raw, compassionate, and almost unbearably human. You don’t just watch him—you feel every second of his pain, his hope, his denial, and his deep, desperate love for a daughter he hasn’t seen in years. A Story That Hurts to Watch This might be one of the saddest films I’ve ever seen. It’s not simply sad in a sentimental, tearjerker kind of way—it’s sad in a profoundly existenti...

  There are TV shows, and then there are TV events . Lost , which premiered in 2004, was both — a bold leap into serialized storytelling that changed how we watch, discuss, and even expect television to be. Before Lost , most network shows played it safe. You could tune into an episode of CSI or ER mid-season and still follow the story. Lost didn’t play that game. It demanded attention, loyalty, rewatches, and — perhaps most of all — obsession. The Before and After In many ways, there’s a “before Lost ” and an “after Lost ” when it comes to TV storytelling. Before: mostly procedural, episodic, with mythologies relegated to sci-fi outliers like The X-Files . After: Heroes , Fringe , FlashForward , The Leftovers , Westworld — all shows that owe something to Lost 's serialized DNA. It wasn’t just the story — a plane crash, a mysterious island, and a group of strangers bound by fate — it was how Lost told it. Flashbacks (and later flash-forwards and flash-sideways), philosophical ...