All articles tagged with #tv reviews
The article lists the top 10 TV episodes of 2025, highlighting a diverse range of genres and styles, from a baseball-themed episode of 'Abbott Elementary' to Spike Lee's powerful documentary on Hurricane Katrina, and includes standout moments from series like 'The Last of Us,' 'The Bear,' and 'King of the Hill,' showcasing both quiet brilliance and dramatic spectacle.
The article reviews the top TV shows of 2025 so far, highlighting a diverse array of genres including drama, comedy, crime, and fantasy, with notable series like Netflix's 'Adolescence,' 'A Cruel Love,' and 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan,' as well as innovative takes on superhero stories, family dramas, and satirical comedies, reflecting the rich landscape of contemporary television.
'Smoke' is a compelling true crime series on Apple TV+ that explores arson through the perspectives of an investigator and a detective, featuring strong performances, intriguing twists, and a dark, atmospheric tone. The show balances suspense, character depth, and dark humor, making it a satisfying watch despite some narrative stretches in later episodes.
"Dexter: Original Sin," a prequel to the popular series, struggles to offer fresh content, instead rehashing familiar storylines and characters from the original show. Set in 1991, it follows a young Dexter as he begins his career in the Miami police department, but fails to fill in significant gaps in his backstory. Despite new cast members like Christian Slater and Sarah Michelle Gellar, the series leans heavily on nostalgia and established lore, offering little innovation or depth.
"No Good Deed," a Netflix black comedy created by Liz Feldman, stars Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow as a couple trying to sell their Los Angeles villa amidst a backdrop of secrets and suspense. The show, which features a strong cast and setup, explores themes of real estate and personal history, though it sometimes relies too heavily on plot twists. Despite this, the series offers a satirical look at affluent yuppies and allows its lead actors to showcase their dramatic talents.
"No Good Deed," a Netflix series created by Liz Feldman, features Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano as a couple navigating grief, a failing marriage, and the chaotic Los Angeles real estate market. The show, reminiscent of Feldman's "Dead to Me," combines humor and pathos with a twist-filled narrative, though it sometimes struggles with overly clever storytelling. Despite its chaotic plot, strong performances by Kudrow and Romano anchor the series, offering perceptive insights into relationships and grief.
Disney+'s 'Dream Productions,' a spinoff of Pixar's 'Inside Out,' is a bland and forgettable series that lacks the emotional depth and psychological insight of its predecessors. Set between the two 'Inside Out' films, it follows the dream-producing studio responsible for Riley's dreams but fails to add meaningful content to the Pixar universe. Despite featuring voices like Maya Rudolph and Paula Pell, the series is criticized for its lack of engaging characters and its failure to connect with the original films' themes.
"Creature Commandos," an animated series marking the start of James Gunn's reboot of the DC Universe, debuts on Max with a playful and irreverent tone. The show, written by Gunn, features a team of non-human antiheroes led by the Bride, a resurrected corpse, and includes characters like G.I. Robot and Doctor Phosphorus. The series balances dark humor with moments of beauty, offering a fresh take on classic characters and setting the stage for future DCU projects. The first two episodes are now streaming on Max.
"Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" is a new Disney+ series that returns the franchise to its kid-friendly roots, featuring Jude Law in a charming role. Set between "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens," the show follows a group of children, led by Wim, who embark on an adventure after mistaking a grounded ship for a Jedi temple. The series, directed by notable filmmakers like Jon Watts and David Lowery, offers a nostalgic, light-hearted take on the "Star Wars" universe, focusing on childhood wonder rather than galactic stakes.
Taylor Sheridan's new series "Landman" on Paramount+ explores the oil industry in West Texas, featuring Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a fixer for M-Tex Oil. The show, co-created with Christian Wallace, offers a detailed portrayal of the oil fields, drawing comparisons to Sheridan's "Yellowstone" with its masculine bravado and conservative themes. While the series excels in depicting the oil industry's intricacies, it falters in its family drama elements, particularly with underdeveloped female characters. Despite some narrative gaps, "Landman" captivates with its authentic setting.
"Bad Sisters" Season 2, while not as intricate as its predecessor, remains an entertaining watch with its black comedy and strong familial chemistry. The new season, overseen by Sharon Horgan, shifts to a more linear narrative, lacking the dual timelines and complex plot of Season 1. Despite a less compelling central villain and a shorter runtime, new characters add energy, and the series continues to explore the Garvey sisters' chaotic dynamics. The first two episodes are now streaming on Apple TV+.
Apple TV+'s "Palm Royale" offers a stylish and star-studded satire set in late 1960s Florida, featuring Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, and Ricky Martin. While the show's eye-popping style and talented cast provide entertainment, the series lacks substance, with a narrative that struggles to find its focus and a plot that meanders through various genres without a clear direction. Despite its visually appealing aesthetic and strong performances, "Palm Royale" falls short in delivering a compelling and cohesive story.
Amazon's new seven-part horror-comedy/road-trip hybrid series "Swarm" stars Dominique Fishback as a young woman obsessed with a Beyoncé-esque pop star. Fishback's performance is scintillating, giving a performance that had me rewatching laugh-out-loud or heartbreaking beats. The show is audacious and provocative, but it goes after its satirical targets with a sledgehammer when just occasionally a precision tool might have been preferable. "Swarm" is unified by Fishback, notes of almost hallucinatory luridness, and a sound design punctuated in moments of high intensity by the underlying titular buzzing.