‘Succession’ Just Concluded, and Wow…That Was a Ride

Five years ago, HBO debuted the premiere of a new show that would captivate audiences with its complex characters, witty writing, and shocking plot twists. This was the first year I chose to watch it in expectation of the series’ fourth and final season. At first, I mildly enjoyed it, but after a while, after that first season’s finale, I was locked in. I knew I was watching a masterpiece in the making, and sure enough, it was.

The series concluded yesterday, and I was blown away by the series’ commitment to retaining the narrative that the Roys are horrible people. There were no redemption arcs, no heroic moments; this was a story about terrible people doing terrible things and dealing with the consequences of those actions. I loved that!

Succession is the type of show that can inspire essays; that’s how masterfully written it was from start to finish. Every decision, every minute detail, and seemingly insignificant action added to a powerful conclusion that felt both poignant and perfect.

There is so much I want to say, but doing so would take a while, so I’ll keep this brief.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

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‘Air’ Just Reminded Me Why Michael Jordan is the GOAT

It’s hard to imagine a world where Nike isn’t the most dominant sports brand globally, yet there was a time when that was the case. Air is the incredible true story of how a small running shoe company in Oregon took a chance on one young man and ultimately changed the trajectory of so many lives.

Oscar-winner Ben Affleck reminds us how great a filmmaker he is with this fantastic film that highlights the spirit of ingenuity and risk-taking. I found myself overwhelmed with joy as the film progressed, especially as it became clearer and clearer the genius of such a moment in American history.

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My Experience with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.’

I’ve been excited about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 since the first teaser was dropped. The trailer to which I’m referring painted a powerful picture. It was clear James Gunn would end his trilogy with a bang, and boy, did he.

Avengers: Infinity War was an MCU movie I’d thought would never be surpassed…and then I watched Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 today. I do not say this lightly when I tell you this is the best MCU film I’ve seen. Like the first Guardians, this movie grabs you instantly and never lets go. I gasped as soon as the Marvel Studios logo appeared on the screen. From thereon out, I knew I would be in for a ride.

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‘The Mandalorian’ Should’ve Ended With Season 2

I just finished watching the finale of The Mandalorian, and to say that I’m peeved is an understatement. The Mandalorian was a show that felt like it took itself seriously for the first two seasons. There was character development and fascinating storytelling, and the finales left you reeling in some capacity.

I knew this season’s finale was going to have troubles when I learned that it was going to be a relatively short runtime for a season finale, clocking in at forty-one minutes. With credits and the recap, that runtime boils closer to something you’d see from a Clone Wars episode. And sure enough, the finale feels as if it’s moving a million miles an hour to conclude a story that ultimately was as lackluster as they come.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

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‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Is a Masterclass in Action, But Is There Too Much of It?

The first John Wick came out nine years ago, and I’m pretty sure, at that time, no one expected that movie to go on to become its own franchise, but here we are. And let me tell you, John Wick: Chapter 4 is easily one of the greatest action movies of all time.

Chad Stahelski delivers a fourth film that, with a larger budget, is bigger and better than ever. The set pieces are dazzling, the action scenes are fantastically choreographed, and the music is enthralling, but most importantly, Keanu Reeves is just one of those guys. Seeing him perform these stunts is so exciting, as the story plays out so beautifully. But for the first time in this franchise, I think John Wick was outshined by his costars, a medley of fantastic actors who made this franchise just a little radder.

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ANNABELLE is Available Now!

Yes, it’s finally here, folks! I’ve just released my second (yes, my second!) short novel, and I can’t believe it. This is such an exciting moment for me. Having worked on this story for so long, for it to finally be available for all of you to read fills me with so much happiness.

Get yourself your very own digital copy here. Let me know what you think!

I thank you for reading and I hope you have a fantastic day.

I. Love. MOVIES!