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Winter TV Roundup, Week 5

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As we reached the end of January, we hit a lull in the tide of new programming. With the Super Bowl and the Olympics on deck, some of the flood is waiting for the end of February and into March. But, still, we’re getting new series. So, which of these new series is worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Wednesdays: Riot Women, Wednesdays on BritBox (Premiered January 14) About : A little late to the party here, as this series has been on a couple weeks. It follows a group of lonely, middle-aged women in England who find an outlet and a future by forming a punk band. The music isn’t bad here, and the stories, while cliché, will tug at your heartstrings. It’s not as easy to find the show, unless you subscribe to this British content streamer. But if you do, and if you’re looking for a series with a blend of drama and humor, this will hit t...
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Best Picture Nominees: F1

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The Academy Awards are coming on March 15. We got the final list of nominees on January 22, and between now and the awards I'll be looking at the 10 Best Picture nominees and their chances of winning an award. F1 Starring : Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Barden Director : Joseph Kosinski Total Nominations : 4 Nominated For : Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound About : This is the first of the 10 nominees I'm looking at in part because being nominated, especially in the Best Picture field, is the win. This was a good film. It was one of my favorites from 2025, but it's not a serious contender in the Best Picture race. It got four total nominations, which is solid, but it's likely not a favorite in any category. If I had to project its best chance at a win, I think it comes in Best Sound. The sound mixing and design in the film was incredible. But I would not be shocked to see it go home empty-handed. Still, you have to appre...
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2016 Rewind: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

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It's hard to believe, but 2016 was 10 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2016 that are turning 10 in 2026. Today, it's a film from the Snyderverse. Martha Kent : Be their hero, Clark. Be their angel, be their monument, be anything they need you to be... or be none of it. You don't owe this world a thing. You never did. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Starring : Henry Cavil, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, and Jesse Eisenberg Director: Zack Snyder About: This was supposed to be a sequel to Man of Steel , but it's really a prequel to The Justice League . Either way, it's a controversial film. There are some defenders, myself among them, and plenty of haters. But I guess I should qualify my defense. The theatrical version is a disappointing film. The director's cut is actually one of my favorite films from the Snyderverse. There are cuts made that are maddening in the theatrical version,...
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AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 94

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Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. No. 94: The Jazz Singer (1927) Original List Ranking : 90 Starring: Al Jolson and May McAvoy Director: Alan Crosland About : This is the third film in a row that didn't make the list when we got to the anniversary in 2007. This one wasn't ranked nearly as high, clocking in at 90 on the original list. I have it in about the same position. This one is another film where you have to appreciate the landmark nature of what it means in to the history of film in addition to the problematic nature of the story. It includes a performer who plies his craft in blackface, which made sense at the time but is wildly inappropriate in 2026. Still, the film is nearly 100...
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AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 95

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Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films. No. 95: From Here to Eternity (1953) Original List Ranking : 52 Starring : Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Donna Reed, and Deborah Kerr Director : Fred Zinneman About : This is another of the films on this list that didn't make the updated list in 2007. This one is more popular and more iconic than some that didn't make the list again, but it still has quite a following. It is a classic for the cast, the period, and some of the iconic scenes, specifically the beach makeout session that looks cool in theory and probably inspired decades worth of unsatisfied people trying to recreate it. It was also a wildly successful film, winning eight Ac...
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Upcoming Releases--February, 2026

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We've made it to February. It's the second month of the year, which brings with it some anticipated films for the first part of 2026. What of these new films stand out? Let's dive in. Friday, February 6: Dracula (Theaters): This is writer/director Luc Besson's take on the story. Caleb Landry Jones is in the lead. It looks unique, at least. Solo Mio (Theaters): February also brings the romantic season. This one features Kevin James as a man looking for love in Europe. It's a date night movie. The Strangers: Chapter 3 (Theaters) : This brings this chapter of The Strangers to a close. Mercifully it's ending. If you liked the first two, dive in. If not, you can skip this. Whistle (Theaters): This is the latest from Shudder/IFC, which is getting a release in theaters. It features Dafne Keen and Nick Frost. It looks like it might be a solid horror film. Scarlet (Theaters): This animated film is an anime-style film that got a limited release in 2025. Now, it's...
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Now Playing

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This weekend saw a big deep freeze over a majority of the country. Unfortunately, the quality of films might not have warmed your heart much. Still, there are new options to check out. Below are my takes on the new films in theaters this weekend. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734. Atropia (Theaters) Starring : Alia Shawkat and Callum Turner Synopsis : Do you ever wonder how soldiers prepare for combat? How do they get a feel for what a place and people will be like? How do they prepare for scenarios they might see in the field? The new film Atropia takes a look at that preparation process. At least, that’s part of its aim. The film transports viewers back to 2006 and focuses on a U.S. base in the California desert that is used to simulate real-world combat scenarios. It’s set up as a fake country, but the look and feel match locations where our troops will go. There, a team of actors and soldiers play out these scenarios for trai...
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