Baby Reindeer

“Baby Reindeer” is one of the most honest and raw pieces of television I have seen in a while. This show’s premise just comes off as brave and I have to give props to Richard Gadd for putting himself out there for the world to see like this. The show is frequently very tense and uncomfortable, but it is undeniably very well-made and one that will stick with me. The performances in the show are great and the pacing is very solid, making the show easy to binge and watch quickly. Overall, it is a great new mini-series that deserves the hype it’s been getting and is a worthwhile experience.

4.5/5 STARS

Image: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a60658813/baby-reindeer-netflix-true-story-richard-gadd/

Shōgun

“Shōgun” is FX’s latest original series that makes a big impact. The show just immersed me in its dark yet beautiful world and I really enjoyed how everything looked. The story is intensely dramatic and at every turn I felt engaged. I do feel like the series might have been just a tad bit overhyped because of how much high praise it has been getting, but I still think it is very good, even though some episodes are a bit on the slower side. Overall, it is a really cool show if you are interested in samurai culture, and tells a solid story with an awesome visual aesthetic.

4/5 STARS

Image: https://www.thewrap.com/shogun-release-date-time-episodes-schedule/

Under the Waves

A lot of “Under the Waves” has a very slick vibe that is moody and interesting. The story is fascinating and I wanted to learn more and more about the main character. What really brings down the quality of the game are the last two missions. The level design is particularly bad for one of those missions and it becomes a tedious exercise to get through them. This is a shame because I actually liked a lot of the other sections of the game and think the exploration and gameplay are relaxed and enjoyable otherwise. Overall, it is an okay game with some very solid moments, but strongly hindered by its more frustrating sequences.

3/5 STARS

Image: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/under-the-waves-submarine-c88c1e

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

Jumping right into the “Dying Light” series with this game, I can appreciate what this game was going for. I did not finish it because horror games are a bit much for me personally and I just want to take a pause from this kind of experience. I think the parkour element is cool and the world the game creates feels alive. Overall, I may decide to get back into this game after playing the first one when I feel ready for a horror series, if ever.

3.5/5 STARS

Image: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dying-light-2-nvidia-dlss-ray-tracing/

Immortals Fenyx Rising

I have put a solid chunk of time into “Immortals Fenyx Rising.” I think I am going to take a break from the game for a bit, but I think it is a really solid open-world adventure game. There is a lot to explore and the missions are fun and can be challenging for those seeking a difficult experience. I do feel the game can become a bit repetitive with what I have played so far, but it is fast and entertaining too. Overall, it’s a cool game that I can see myself coming back to in the future.

4/5 STARS

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortals_Fenyx_Rising

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV

“Quiet on Set” is a documentary that has taken the world by storm this week. After preparing myself for it, I decided to watch it. This documentary exposes a lot of heartbreaking and tragic things that happened during the Nickelodeon era I grew up with, along with many others. It is not a pleasant watch, but it is a well-made doc that gets its points across well, and I hope raises awareness about a lot of topics relating to child actors. Overall, I hope this increased awareness of these horrible stories does something positive for the child actors of the future, and I think everyone should definitely check this out as it is an important thing to know about, especially for people who are around my age.

4/5 STARS

Image: https://nypost.com/2024/03/18/entertainment/nickelodeons-dan-schneider-breaks-silence-on-quiet-on-set-claims/

God of War: Ragnarök

“God of War: Ragnarök” is a stunning follow-up to an already great game. This game takes the incredible combat from the previous game and makes it better and more exciting. The story is also great as it raises the stakes and is more engaging all the way through until its exhilarating finale. I do think the puzzles in the game can be a bit tedious at times, but I think the action and other elements of the game make up for it. Overall, it is a must-play game for any PS5 owner and I think the franchise still has some exciting places to go in the years to come.

4.5/5 STARS

Image: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10001850

Akaash Singh: Gaslit

I have watched many clips of Akaash Singh doing stand up as well as the competition special he put on YouTube a while back. It was great to see a full-length set from the comedian and I think he has a lot of genuine points and social commentary that are relatable and fun. I think the special is pretty funny and think he has the potential to be a great comedian down the line. Overall, I want to see more comedy like this where it’s completely unfiltered and funny, but ultimately coming from an authentic place.

3.5/5 STARS

Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_HqJyq2SYU&ab_channel=AkaashSingh

Shane Gillis: Live in Austin

I saw Shane Gillis’ Netflix special just last year, and it was really my introduction to his comedy. I found this older special on YouTube and honestly think he will be a comedian I seek out in the future. He is really funny and his delivery feels so casual and relaxed but always ends up with a solid laugh. Overall, if you’re a new fan of his, this special from 2021 is a lot of fun and available to watch easily online and I would recommend it.

4/5 STARS

Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zKUpf1Vx0vs&ab_channel=GillyandKeeves

One Day (2024)

I will start this review by saying that I have once seen the 2011 movie version of “One Day” but I have never read the book. Regardless, I went into this miniseries with some familiarity of the premise and storytelling gimmick, but fuzzy on the details of what was about to happen. This show is outstanding in every way and I think the story is engaging I found myself hooked from the very first episode. The two leads do a great job portraying the characters and they are portrayed as flawed and real. I think every episode being a year later keeps the pace and story of the show really fast and keeps me invested. I think this show is a great example of how a TV series format can work really well for previous book adaptations, as it allows more time to get to know the characters. The show really brings things home for me with its final episode, which had me so emotionally moved that I was in tears for a majority of it, and that really proves how heartfelt and beautiful the story is when it comes together. Overall, it is a miniseries that sets the bar high for television in 2024 and despite it being a sad story, it is also one full of hope and optimism that I think everyone should experience.

5/5 STARS

Image: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/one-day-netflix-cast-plot-trailer