When truth elevates drama

Emer Heatley and Matthew Macfadyen in Stonehouse. Photo: courtesy ITV

As much as fiction can reveal about the human condition, the account of a true story — especially one inspired by an uncommon situation — can have deeper impact by virtue of v... Read More

Joe Cole in The Ipcress File. Photo: Courtesy AMC NETWORKS

Television

A revised ‘File’ worth investigating

By Michael Snyder

The latest batch of sequels and prequels and remakes have reached screens big and small, as the movie and television industries continue to eagerly finance the tried and true — ... Read More

Ibrahim Koma, David Tennant and Leonie Benesch star in PBS's Around the World in Eighty Days. Photo: Courtesy of © Slim 80 Days - Federation Entertainment - Peu Communications - ZDF - Be-FILMS - RTBF (Télévision belge)– 2021 / PBS.org

Television

Globetrotting adventurers and cold cases heat up the video hearth

By Michael Snyder

We’re in the middle of a perfect winter storm when it comes to the entertainment industry. Television viewing habits irrevocably changed with the expansion and proliferation of ... Read More

Brian Cox and Sarah Snook in Succession. Photo: Hunter Graeme/HBO; courtesy Warner media

Television

Brawl in the family

Family sitcoms have come a long way since Ozzie and Harriet

By Michael Snyder

There’s a certain synchronicity to having the third season of Succession, the scathing satire of an obscenely wealthy clan headed by a domineering media mogul, roll out on HBO a... Read More

Aaron Tveit and Cecily Strong in Schmigadoon! now streaming on Apple TV Plus. Photo: courtesy Apple TV Plus

Television

Situation comedies meet merry melodies

By Michael Snyder

It’s no exaggeration to say that we could use some laughs in times like these — in fact, anytime at all. Beyond the ostensible healing power of laughter, there’s also the we... Read More

Jenna Coleman and Tahar Rahim in The Serpent. PHOTO: Courtesy of Netflix

Television

Better crimes and punishments

British and European police procedurals offer more intrigue

By Michael Snyder

The superb BBC miniseries The Serpent, which recently made its way to Netflix, reminded me that I’m pretty particular when it comes to TV shows about lawbreakers and the law enf... Read More

Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany in Wandavision.Photo: Marvel studios

Television

Portals to adventure in time and space

By Michael Snyder

In times of strife, people thirst for escapism. That’s as good a reason as any to explain the current proliferation of science fiction and fantasy movies and television. One nee... Read More

Television

A good time for television tranquilizers

By Michael Snyder

Now more than ever, a little escapism goes a long way to ease the stress that’s become a default setting for many of us. And if you can find a TV series or movie that generates ... Read More

Television

The empress and the stranger

By Michael Snyder

Despite current production suspensions and slowdowns that have caused some of our go-to network and cable TV programs to shorten their seasons or postpone their upcoming returns, ... Read More

Television

Must-stream video

From showbiz comedy to crime drama

By Michael Snyder

It’s no longer a surprise to learn that a friend who you think might have ghosted you, fallen off the grid, or — oh no! — been kidnapped has instead become entranced by some ... Read More

Television

All hail the princess and the commander in chief

By Michael Snyder

Call me eclectic when it comes to storytelling. No matter the genre, if it’s done well, I’m interested. That leads me to high-quality entertainment in some unexpected places. F... Read More

Television

Dark passage, dark night

By Michael Snyder

It’s fair to assume that most wired-in people have at least one or two favorite primetime television shows that demand a weekly watch. I’ve heard the phrase “appointment TV�... Read More

Television

Binge-worthy television for wintertime

By Michael Snyder

Even sunny California suffers inclement winter weather, inspiring us to spend more evenings in cozy surroundings — like in front of our video screens, rather than venturing out t... Read More

Television

Sifting through the fall television season

By Michael Snyder

Are viewers suffering from narrative fatigue due to the unprecedented year-round increase in television programming since we entered the era of streaming video content? Maybe, but ... Read More

Television

Welcome to the age of video overload: Here’s what’s worth watching

By Michael Snyder

As mass media became increasingly massive during the past five decades, some pundit or scholar developed the concept of “information overload.” One might imagine a poor unfortu... Read More