Starz Returns to Form With Brutal and Brilliant Spin-Off “Spartacus: House of Ashur”
A spin-off series that not only honors the legacy of its predecessor, but one that, at times, rivals it.
TV/Streaming
“Stranger Things” Sets Up Its Endgame with Quartet of New Episodes
While these four episodes stumble a bit in terms of pacing and urgency, especially early on, they end on such a satisfying, long-awaited note that fans who have literally grown up watching this show are unlikely to care.
Wong Kar-wai’s Gorgeous, Captivating “Blossoms Shanghai” Arrives on the Criterion Channel
Wong Kar-wai’s Blossoms Shanghai is finally here. It was worth the wait.
Ted Danson Goes Back to School in the Charming Second Season of Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside”
This is low-key, endearing, stress-free viewing at its best.
Amazon Prime’s “Malice” Will Only Make You Mad
When done well, we don’t mind irrational behavior and inconsistent characters in the name of thrilling twists. When done poorly, we get “Malice.”
“Landman” Might Be the Dumbest Fracking Show on TV
The show struggles to find new reserves to plumb and veers off in some crazy directions to do it.
Netflix’s “Last Samurai Standing” is One of the Best Action Shows of the Year
One of the best action TV dramas of this year.
Season Two of “Palm Royale” Succeeds by Embracing its Funny Side
Like its central characters, “Palm Royale” has matured in all the best ways.
HBO’s “The Seduction” Surprises without Sizzle
“The Seduction” is about vicious paybacks and the scandals of libertine life, but without visceral sexiness or savvy.
Vince Gilligan’s Riveting “Pluribus” Is the Television Event of the Year
It is mostly a one-woman show, run by a phenomenally sharp Seehorn.
NBC Mockumentary Sitcom “Stumble” is a Flipping Good Time
“Stumble” gets a high score, thanks to it mostly resisting easy/dumb jokes in favor of surprising and warm ones.
MGM+’s “Robin Hood” Dazzles With Its Craft, Yet Lacks the Allure to Justify Its Creation
Even when the plot falters, “Robin Hood” is a rare series that emulates its time period with ease with its visual and musical feats.
HBO’s Zennial Comedy “I Love LA” Lets Rachel Sennott Navigate Life, Love, and Influence
It’s a show for the self-obsessed, the image-centric, and the painfully irresponsible. In that respect, it might capture its setting and cohort perfectly.
“The Witcher” Changes Its Face and Loses Some Of Its Magic in Season 4
Season 4 continues the sprawl that has made “The Witcher” feel less like a gritty fantasy slash-em-up and more like homework.
Apple TV Sends Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson “Down Cemetery Road” in Stylish Fashion
This is powerfully entertaining stuff, filled with satisfying twists and turns.
Season 2 of Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This” Keeps the Formula With Some Improvements
There’s a reason so many love stories are about the initial courtship—it makes for good drama in a way the work of making relationships function just doesn’t.
HBO’s “IT: Welcome to Derry” Feels too Much Like a Sideshow in the Stephen King Circus
This vision of Derry too often feels like one of those Hollywood backlots: all the facades look right, but there’s nothing behind them.
In Mubi’s “Hal & Harper,” Cooper Raiff Has a Hard Time Growing Up
What elevates the show’s hazy presentation, though, is the performances of Reinhart and Ruffalo.
William Fichtner Transforms AMC’s “Talamasca” Into Something Worthwhile
A review of the new show set in Anne Rice’s universe, one stolen by a great character actor.
In the Third Season of “The Diplomat,” It’s All Upsides and Distances, Darling
It’s easy to see why “The Diplomat” is Emmy-nominated; this show deserves the praise.