In The Great, Tony McNamara proves that period pieces that pit conniving yet sympathetic women against tyrannical men can make for a kind of refreshingly cathartic entertainment.
Television
Television Review: “The Eddy” — Damien Chazelle and Jazz — Love/Hate or Hate/Love?
One of the show’s impressive accomplishments is that its creators managed to find musicians who could act.
Television Review: “Hollywood’ — A Satisfying Tinsel Town Fantasy
Maybe being quarantined for so long has taken its toll, but Hollywood satisfies well enough as a vibrant escape to glamorous parties filled with scheming executives and hot-to-trot actors on the make.
Television Review: Netflix’s Teen Comedy “Never Have I Ever” — Quirky to a Fault
Never Have I Ever suffers from an identity crisis: the show doesn’t want to face that it is just another Netflix teen comedy, albeit with its share of engaging moments.
Television Review: “Mrs. America” — The Battle Against Equal Rights for Women
Mrs. America is well written and beautifully acted (generally), but its real power stems less from its entertainment value than in how it reveals how little has changed for women since the ’70s.
WATCH CLOSELY: “Blood Sugar Rising” — Sweet Sorrow
Blood Sugar Rising deals with difficult subject matter, but steel yourself to view this engaging and educational look at a growing public health crisis.
Television Review: Growing Up “Insecure” — Season 4
In its 4th season, Insecure remains a hilarious look at the lives of black millennials growing up in Los Angeles.
Television Review: Marc Maron’s “End Times Fun” — Getting Creative About Extinction
One thing that gives Marc Maron’s comedy a certain punch is that he is an equal-opportunity crank.
WATCH CLOSELY: “Killing Eve” Season 3 — Still Suspenseful, But More Muddled
Killing Eve is as exciting and compelling as ever. But its narrative structure is becoming somewhat fractured and increasingly odd.
Television Review: Netflix’s “The English Game” — The Sport of Class Warfare
For those averse to sports, The English Game is focused more on attitudes and mores of the time than on the game itself.