All Forms of Art

  When the Ordinary World Turns Hostile Marie NDiaye ’s My Heart Hemmed In begins like a domestic drama and slowly turns into a psychological nightmare.  Nadia, a teacher in Bordeaux, suddenly finds herself shunned by everyone — neighbors, coworkers, even her husband. She has no idea why, and neither do we. It’s a setup that feels almost Kafkaesque — think The Trial or The Metamorphosis — where the real horror isn’t monsters or ghosts, but society itself turning inexplicably against you. A Hall of Mirrors Like in Elena Ferrante’s The Days of Abandonment, NDiaye dives deep into a woman’s unraveling mind, showing how fear distorts perception until reality itself becomes unreliable. Nadia’s paranoia grows, her body reacts in strange ways, and the city around her feels charged with invisible hostility. Reading it feels like being caught between a dream and a panic attack — much like Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Unconsoled, where logic keeps slipping just out of reach. Language That...

  Katrina: Come Hell and High Water  is a powerful and eye-opening documentary. It’s not just emotional—it actually explains what really happened during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.  Watching the news twenty years ago, I never fully understood the scope of what was going on. This documentary puts all the pieces together. Media Manipulation and Misleading Narratives What struck me most was the manipulation of the narrative. The people were often portrayed as criminals instead of as desperate victims fighting for survival.  In my country, the news back then kept repeating how “desperate” those people were, but never explained the full context or how deeply they had been failed. Seeing the truth now is shocking. The Dome: A Scene of Desperation The “dome” part is terrifying. The way people were herded and treated felt inhuman — like cattle.  Once again, politics took priority over people’s lives. Moments of Humanity Amid Chaos One of the most memorable ...

  Netflix’s Turn of the Tide is back for a second season, and honestly — I liked it.  It’s definitely darker and more serious than the first one, and that works. The stakes feel higher, the world more dangerous, and the visuals — especially those Azorean backdrops — are stunning. It’s still worth watching. When Characters Start to Annoy That said, some of the characters are downright annoying this time around.  Take Joe — I love him, I really do — but the constant code-switching between Portuguese and English feels forced. It’s such a cliché at this point, especially with former emigrants trying to sound cool by mixing languages. It no longer adds realism; it just feels like a stylistic tic. Inspector Frias… Enough Already Then there’s Inspector Frias ( Maria João Bastos ). She’s supposed to bring tension and discipline to the chaos, but instead she often comes off as grating and one-dimensional.  Every scene with her feels like an interrogation we’ve alre...

  I’m three episodes into  The Countdown  when I saw an Instagram reel of Jensen Ackles saying it was canceled.  Can’t say I’m surprised. Honestly, Jensen was the reason I even pressed play — and I know I’m not alone. Most of us tuned in because of him. Without him, I doubt the show would’ve had much of a chance. And now that we did give it a chance… well, I’m not sure disappointed is the right word, but let’s just say it’s not the kind of show that leaves you counting down for the next episode. It’s just another cop show — and when you’re jumping into a genre that’s been done (and done well ) so many times, you can’t afford to be “just another one.” A Strong Start That Fizzles Fast The first episode actually starts strong. Milo Ventimiglia ( This is Us ) is murdered in an unbelievable scene. Even though the synopsis tells you it’s coming, the scene still catches you off guard. The way it’s shot, the pacing — it actually makes you jump a little. For a moment, ...

  Disaster shows are often about noise: explosions, chaos, CGI waves swallowing cities. La Palma , however, does something far rarer — it stays quiet enough for you to hear what really matters.  Yes, it’s about a volcano and a possible tsunami. But beneath the ash and water, it’s really about people: scientists, politicians, and families caught in a chain reaction of fear, responsibility, and love. The Real Fault Line: Science vs. Politics The scientific premise is both fascinating and unsettling — an eruption in La Palma that could trigger a mega-tsunami. Yet the show’s real eruption is human. It’s the friction between scientists who see danger coming and politicians who fear the consequences of acting too soon. That tension — knowledge versus power — drives the story forward. It’s messy, frustrating, and heartbreakingly believable. In this sense, La Palma feels closer to Chernobyl than San Andreas . It’s not about heroes outrunning the apocalypse, but about the par...

  Netflix’s Hostage is the latest political thriller to take the streaming stage, starring Suranne Jones as the UK Prime Minister and Julie Delpy as the French President. Over five intense episodes, it pulls viewers into a world of treachery, shifting loyalties, and impossible moral choices. Fast-paced, binge-worthy, and packed with tension, Hostage may not be flawless—but it’s the kind of series that makes you hit “next episode” without hesitation. Performances That Elevate the Story The greatest strength of Hostage is its cast. Suranne Jones commands the screen as PM Abigail Dalton, delivering a performance full of conviction, humanity, and steel.  Julie Delpy provides a perfect counterbalance as President Vivienne Toussaint, radiating poise and intellect. Themes: Duty vs. Family, Trust vs. Betrayal At the heart of Hostage lies the question: how much can one sacrifice for country without losing everything at home?  Dalton's husband (Ashley Thomas - Alonzo...

  Episode 4 of Gen V, season 2 ,  just dropped, and honestly—it left us with so many questions that waiting another week feels cruel. What’s really happening behind the scenes? Who (or what ) is Odessa? And that mysterious old man—friend or foe? Then there’s Dean Cipher. What’s his endgame? Are we actually watching Vought try to shape Marie into someone even more powerful than Homelander ? If so… haven’t they learned their lesson?  Is Cate Really Back in the Group? Cate ’s villain arc was running on fumes, so having her back with the gang feels refreshing.  She brings a needed spark—whether it’s humor, chaos, or just raw unpredictability. Her broken powers are awkwardly hilarious, and I can already see them being used for some comic relief throughout the season.  But let’s be real: is this reunion genuine, or are we being set up for another gut-punch twist? Where’s All the Hate Coming From? One thing T he Boys  universe does brilliantly is show how...

  Part 2 of Wednesday ’s second season really delivers where it matters most: the heart of the show.  Jenna Ortega continues to embody Wednesday with a sharp, dry brilliance, but what truly carries the season is the evolving friendship between Wednesday and Enid. Their bond is the emotional anchor of the story — heartfelt, funny, and at times heartbreaking. Watching the two of them grow closer while navigating Nevermore’s chaos is what kept me glued to the screen. Family Ties and Missed Opportunities The gothic aesthetic and atmosphere remain strong, and I appreciated the way the writers wove in pieces of Gomez and Morticia’s past. That integration added texture to the main plot and gave a deeper sense of the Addams family legacy.  Still, I couldn’t help but wish the rest of the family had more screen time — their presence always adds a spark, and I felt their absence. The Gaga Cameo On the downside, the much-hyped Lady Gaga cameo was underwhelming. There was a lot...

I wasn’t a huge fan of Gen V ’s first season . For me, it lived more on cameos and ties to The Boys than on its own merits. It often felt like an extended piece of world-building rather than a show that could stand on its own. Season 2, though, feels different. For the first time, Gen V is carving out its own identity. The storylines are more engaging, the stakes feel higher, and it’s not just hanging on the shadow of Homelander or Vought headlines.  The Highs and Lows of Performance That said, not everything works. The acting is uneven—some scenes land with the intended emotional weight, but others feel awkward enough that I wondered how they made it past editing.  On top of that, the show piles on so much interpersonal drama and mystery that it occasionally slips into Scooby-Doo territory: a gang of young heroes pulling at conspiratorial threads, but without enough grounding to keep every subplot compelling. A Thoughtful Tribute One aspect the show handles beautifull...

  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...