Streaming Review: "Pen15" (Hulu) Ends With Season Two

By: Christopher James

"Pen15" comes to a close with the seven episode batch that was released Friday, December 3rd.Saying goodbye to Pen15 feels a lot like writing a long note in a friend’s yearbook at the end of eighth grade. There are lots of laughs, lots of tears and you are full of complicated emotions that you don’t fully know how to process. In just two (actually three) seasons, Pen15 perfectly encapsulated the isolating growing pains of middle school, both in terms of navigating changes in social dynamics and one’s own body.

Does it stick its landing in the final seven episodes, now available on Hulu?

Click to read more ...

Emmy Category Analysis: Is a 'Ted Lasso' Win Inevitable?

 The Film Experience Team has been analyzing the major Emmy categories...

Of the eight Comedy Series nominees, this is the first nomination in this category for six shows.By: Christopher James

Is it really all sewn up for Ted Lasso? The charming comedy about an American football coach recruited to coach “football” (aka soccer) in the U.K. broke the record for most nominations by a freshman series. In total, it earned an astounding 20 nominations, including Series, Actor, two Supporting Actress slots, four Supporting Actor slots, three Directing slots and two Writing slots. Can anyone stop the eternally optimistic Ted Lasso?

There are seven other series that are hoping to put up a good fight. Realistically though, only two freshmen series pose an actual challenge (and no, I’m not referring to Emily in Paris). HBO Max’s Hacks and The Flight Attendant hope to pull off an upset. Will they be able to muster up enough votes? Let’s take a look at the nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series and find out...

Click to read more ...

Team Experience Emmy Reactions

Hope y'all aren't done talking about the Emmy nods yet. Abe, Cláudio, Juan Carlos, Chris and myself got together to share our reactions to Tuesday's Emmy nominations. From our disappointments about the snubs (sorry about Small Axe, Cláudio) to our individual joys (Carlos remains the world's biggest Handmaid's Tale fan) and our suggestions about how to improve the system (I explain why ranked ballots are the only way to go in the conversation).

Have a watch and share your own reactions, now that the dust has settled.

• Which snubs are still irritating you? 
• Which shows will you know be watching to see what the big deal is? 
• Who do you think will win the hot-hot-hot miniseries category?
• Who are you rooting for? 

Emmy Watch: Which Newcomer Will Win Best Comedy Actress?

Our team is breaking down the top contenders in all the major Emmy races and highlighting some of our favorites over the next few weeks. Today, we’re looking at Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

All hail the summer of Jean Smart!

By: Christopher James

The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series race is going to get a shakeup. There are no previous winners who are eligible this year. Additionally, only one nominee from last year could return, as all other previous nominees are on hiatus or had their series end. Luckily, there are many buzzy new shows led by talented women who could fill this vacuum and make this once again a very competitive category. There’s also the potential for plenty of surprises from new streaming players and old network stalwarts.

So which new players can break in this year? Can shows that have been on for multiple seasons finally have a shot in this shortlist?

Click to read more ...

Borderlinks

• Deadline Master and Commander (2003) is finally getting a sequel... or rather a prequel based on an earlier book so new actors will be in the Crowe/Bettany roles
• Vanity Fair an interview with screenwriter Michael Waldron who is helping to shape Marvel's Phase 4
• The Guardian profiles After Love director Aleem Khan. We really want to see this film. The mother role sounds like a great part for undervalued and excellent Joanna Scanlon

More after the jump including Billy Magnussen, Borderlands, Cruella, Dick Van Dyke, The Conjuring franchise, and rumors about The Color Purple movie musical...

Click to read more ...