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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
A very fun sequel
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a massive improvement over its predecessor, particularly in terms of ambition. The stakes are higher, the action sequences are grander, and even the humor feels considerably upped. As entertaining as he was in the original, Jim Carrey is given more freedom to flex his comedic muscles here, turning in a riotous performance that, in my opinion, ranks as one of his vintage characters. Ben Schwartz is endearing as ever in the titular role, and accompanied by some wonderful new additions. The connection between Sonic and Tails, voiced by the original Colleen O'Shaughnessey, is handled very nicely and leads to a couple surprisingly heart-tugging moments. Idris Elba also does a terrific job as Knuckles, and while there are similarities to Thor and Drax from the MCU, his take on the character really does shine regardless. Does everything work? Not really. The wedding subplot, though aided by Natasha Rothwell's frenzied reactions, is easily the weakest part of the movie. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter are the only actors who feel inferiorly utilized compared to the first film, with most of their dialogue used for spelling out nothing but saintly wisdom (although Tom punching the groom got a big laugh out of me). The plot itself is a bit unfocused at times, and I can't pretend like every single joke lands. However, with all that said, I still had a great time with this film. I'm not even much of a gamer, and I was completely won over by its zany comedy, creative action, and adventurous storytelling. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 may not be spotless, but it largely succeeds where it counts, and delivers an immensely fun viewing experience for its target audience.
Bob's Burgers: Fraud of the Dead: Zombie-Docu-Pocalypse (2023)
Super fun episode
"Fraud of the Dead: Zombie-docu-pocalypse" is a highly entertaining episode featuring a unique narrative structure. I was also impressed with how well the animation captured documentary-style camerawork. Its lesson of finding ways around limitations I thought was handled pretty nicely at the end. This is my new favorite episode of season fourteen so far. On top of delivering plenty of laughs, it captures the Halloween spirit without technically being centered around the holiday. I appreciate how even after fourteen seasons, Bob's Burgers is still experimenting with new ideas, and hasn't lost its core focus.
Bob's Burgers: Wharf, Me Worry? (2023)
A sweet episode with a refreshing lesson
"Wharf, Me Worry?" is an interesting episode that covers some timely themes with a refreshingly optimistic approach. One of my favorite aspects of Bob's Burgers is its ability to demonstrate the power and importance of never losing hope. While I can't pretend this episode is the funniest or most original the series has to offer, I do applaud how it acknowledges our world's problems in a way that doesn't feel too preachy or overwhelmingly negative. A lot of recent social satires have fallen into that trap, putting their messaging ahead of the story and characters. This episode remembers and retains its core focus, and balances out its darker suggestions with a fair amount of jokes and endearing moments. It also ends on a note that indicates how despite everything, we can always make things better. I feel like it would have been very easy for this episode to have fallen apart, but it really does stick the landing. It's nowhere near my favorite, but I have immense respect for it.
Bob's Burgers: The (Raccoon) King and I (2023)
A nice bit of fun
While not as edgy or hilarious as last week's episode, "The (Raccoon) King and I" is still a nice bit of fun. I especially liked Bob's storyline, which was brief yet charming and ended on a surprisingly inspiring note. Linda also got a handful of laughs as usual. Her and Teddy's earnestness in caring for Little King Trashmouth was both funny and kind of endearing. It was also nice to see Mr. Huggins make an appearance for the first time in a while. Louise and Gene's subplot was passable, albeit relatively underwhelming. The song "Gas in My Car" was ridiculously catchy and a great tune to cap the episode off with. On the whole, a decent episode.
Bob's Burgers: Bully-ieve It or Not (2023)
Decent-enough episode
"Bully-ieve It or Not" is an okay episode. Eric Bauza was a fine replacement as Jimmy Pesto. I could tell the difference, but it wasn't too distracting. I enjoyed Bob's subplot a little more than the main storyline with Zeke. Neither were bad, but I thought the resolution was handled better between Bob and Jimmy. Trev is also an underrated riot. The ending to the A story was a little too gross for me personally, but that didn't ruin much overall.
Favorite line:
Jimmy Jr.: "We've all done things we're not proud of. I used to tell Andy and Ollie that there was actually only one of them. It messed with them for weeks."
History of the World: Part II (2023)
The misses can be groan-worthy, but the hits pull it through just enough
As someone who has a soft spot for the original, I was pretty hyped to see the legendary Mel Brooks' latest project. I will admit, though, upon first watching the series from beginning to end, I was pretty disappointed. The biggest problem I had was that most of the sketches I just didn't think were especially humorous. It had an impressive lineup of actors, all of whom were clearly giving their all, but the material itself elicited very few laughs out of me. Recently, however, I decided to watch through each episode again to see if it was any better than I remembered it. I am glad to say, I actually had a pretty fun time with it this time around. History of the World, Part II is far from a perfect series. Many jokes fall flat, and can sometimes be legitimately groan-worthy. The highlights, however, manage to pull it through just enough. Some of my favorites include the recurring Civil War segment, Curb Your Judaism, and any skit featuring Ronny Chieng as Kublai Khan. In the end, despite its glaring flaws, I was ultimately won over by History of the World, Part II for its ambition, spontaneity and sense of nostalgia. While it may not be his finest work, the fact that Mel Brooks has continued to make viewers laugh after all these years is a tremendous accomplishment.
Rick and Morty: Air Force Wong (2023)
This is a wonderful episode
"Air Force Wong" is another fantastic, and uniquely touching episode that also contains plenty of laughs. It was nice to see Rick's therapy storyline from last season continue here. I'm glad the writers are actually trying to evolve him as a character by having him slowly lower his defenses, though not to an unrecognizable degree. This episode's trio of returning guest stars was stellar, with Keith David, Christina Hendricks and Susan Sarandon all bringing their A game. Hendricks in particular, much like her role as Cherie in Solar Opposites, brought a true sense of heart and weight as Unity. The ending to "Air Force Wong" hit me pretty hard emotionally, and a lot of that was carried through her performance. David's president is hilarious as ever, and Sarandon also delivered a few strong moments of insight. I was more emotionally invested with this episode than most others. I absolutely loved the character-driven stance it took in regards to its main topic, and the end result, for me anyway, was one of the show's more affecting half-hours.
Bob's Burgers: The Pickleorette (2023)
Classic Bob's Burgers-style comfort food
"The Pickleorette" is a pretty humorous episode. It was especially great to see Gayle return after her absence from season thirteen. I also loved Bob's little predicament throughout, which I won't give away, but it was honestly pretty adorable as well as hilarious. The only weak link for me was the board game plot, which wasn't bad or annoying. It just didn't feel like much was accomplished. Aside from that, "The Pickleorette" delivers an ample number of funny and endearing moments. It doesn't measure up to "The Amazing Rudy" in terms of heart, but I would argue that it does contain more laughs. It's a solid episode. Not the best, but just that good old-fashioned Bob's Burgers-style comfort food.
Only Murders in the Building: Opening Night (2023)
Season Three: A fantastic continuation of a wonderful series
When I first watched season three, I considered it my least favorite of the series. I still immensely enjoyed it, I just thought it fell a tad short of the previous two. The more I let it sit, however, this latest batch of episodes has slowly crept its way up to become my new favorite thus far. The chemistry between Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez remains irresistible as ever (despite sometimes getting sidetracked to make room for some new developments). Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd have proven to be some of the series' most riveting guest stars. Streep brings a sense of warmth and sincerity to her role, while also exhibiting some adept comedic timing and musical prowess. Rudd plays refreshingly against type, turning in a coarse, arrogant yet disarmingly layered performance. Matthew Broderick also delivers one of his funniest roles in years, playing a pedantic, fictionalized version of himself. There are one or two other characters I wished could have been given more of a spotlight, and the plot occasionally loses its concrete focus. With that said, the songs are wonderful, the writing continues to score a plethora of laughs, every cast member brings their A game, and the story amounts to a very solid payoff. Season three continues OMITB's incredible winning streak and has me very excited for what twists, turns and surprises lie ahead with the show.
Only Murders in the Building: Sitzprobe (2023)
Outstanding
"Sitzprobe" is easily my favorite episode this season so far, and one of the best of the entire series. It really does have it all: hilarious jokes, terrific acting, catchy songs and a surprising emotional punch. While her character has been gripping from the start, Meryl Streep is given expanded room to shine here as we discover more about her past. While Howard and Detective Williams got plenty of laughs as usual, the comedic highlight by far was Steve Martin's musical performance in the middle, which truly has to be seen to be believed. I've yet to dislike a single episode of OMITB, but this one felt a bit tighter and more focused than a couple others this season. The ending in particular has me ecstatic to see how this story will continue to unfold throughout the remaining two episodes.
Only Murders in the Building: CoBro (2023)
A solid installment with some terrific guest appearances
"CoBro" is one of the stronger episodes this season so far, thanks in large part to Matthew Broderick's hilarious guest appearance. His persnickety, self-deprecating performance led to some truly inspired comedic bits. It was also a wonderful surprise to see the legendary Mel Brooks make a cameo. While I did miss the infectious chemistry between Charles, Oliver and Mabel, it was interesting to see them bounce off other faces we haven't seen in a bit. Additionally, the ending has me very intrigued for where the story will lead in next week's episode. "CoBro" may not be OMITB's peak chapter, but it does feature more than enough laughs and fresh character pairings for me to highly recommend it.
Solar Opposites: The Unwanted Personification of Terry (2023)
Season 4: Funny, wholesome and wildly imaginative
I immensely enjoyed this season. Dan Stevens was a fine replacement as Korvo. He captured the character's personality, demeanor and attitude fairly well, and his distinctive voice helped Korvo stand out more from Rick Sanchez. Although I probably wouldn't place season four on the same tier as its direct predecessor, it contains far too many wonderful aspects to dismiss. The writing is still hilariously inventive, the characters are charming as ever, and both the Wall and Silvercops storylines remain thrillingly epic. Plus, the Solars really felt like a genuine family this time around. Jesse and Yumyulack have always been my favorite relationship in the show, and this season contains a few sweet moments of bonding between them. This batch of episodes is stuffed to the gills with gags, heart and references that range from Hanna-Barbera cartoons to Gerald's Game. I highly recommend it.
Only Murders in the Building: The White Room (2023)
VERY funny episode
"The White Room" is one of the more surreal chapters of OMITB, which Steve Martin utilizes to his comedic advantage. While nowhere near the deepest or most daring episode the series has to offer, I would argue that it is one of the more purely funny ones. That's not to say it doesn't move the mystery forward, it just isn't quite at the forefront. The core trio's chemistry is irresistible as ever and continues to score consistent laughs. Plus, it was nice to see Andrea Martin finally get a chance to shine here. The surprises, while not jaw-dropping, still raise questions that I'm very excited to have answered later this season. "The White Room" is another solid addition to OMITB's repertoire.
P. S. The only slight missed opportunity was that I wish this episode had included the song "White Room" by Cream. It's not essential. Just would've been neat.
Bob's Burgers: Amelia (2023)
An excellent capper to an excellent season
"Amelia" is a truly inspiring episode of Bob's Burgers. It contains what might be my favorite moment between Linda and Louise, and concludes with an incredibly poignant speech. I feel like when Loren Bouchard is involved with writing the script, you can usually expect a more personal and emotional story. "Amelia" is right up there with "The Plight Before Christmas" and "Some Like It Bot," as some of his finest work. I have a feeling this episode is going to resonate with a lot of people. It certainly did with me. On the whole, season thirteen was a fantastic year for Bob's Burgers filled with laughs, heart, and some new all-timers for the show.
Bob's Burgers: Mother Author Laser Pointer (2023)
Funny and heartwarming episode
"Mother Author Laser Pointer" is a very solid episode of Bob's Burgers. It features plenty of the show's signature humor while also telling a sweet story about accepting the inevitability of change. As someone who struggles with transitions myself, this episode resonated with me a fair deal. I like how you can apply its lesson to pretty much any adjustments in life. In addition, Mr. Frond has always been one of my favorite characters, and it was nice to finally see a full subplot centered around him this season. However, the true strength of this episode was Linda's storyline, both from a comedic and heartfelt perspective. In my opinion, this has been one of the more consistent years of Bob's Burgers, and I am immensely excited for the season finale next week.
Bob's Burgers: Radio No You Didn't (2023)
A new all-timer for Bob's Burgers
"Radio No You Didn't" is a stellar episode and one of this season's best by far. Engaging, heartfelt, and unlike anything the series has done before, this might be a new all-timer for Bob's Burgers. Although it maybe could have used one or two more laughs here and there, this episode more than makes up for it by injecting a surprising amount of suspense in some scenes and providing all the endearing warmth Bob's Burgers is known for throughout the rest. Cristin Milioti did an excellent job as Bob's grandmother Alice, vocally crafting a charming, three-dimensional character in her first ever appearance. This is a very high-tier episode. I can't recommend it more.
Bob's Burgers: Crab-solutely Fabulous (2023)
Delightful
"Crab-solutely Fabulous" is a very entertaining episode filled with charm and ample laughs. Not to mention a fun guest appearance by Jane Lynch. Every member of the Belcher family is so well-defined that simply watching them interact can make practically any setup entertaining. And to this episode's credit, its premise is actually pretty unique. I love how they incorporated the entire family at the end. Once again, even when nothing super emotional is being said, the way these characters work off each other conveys an endearing sense of warmth in nearly every episode, and this one's no exception. There's not much of a lesson, which I actually thought was kind of refreshing. Its primary focus is fun, plain and simple, and on that level, it does its job perfectly. I greatly enjoyed this episode, and I'm super excited for what the rest of this season has up its sleeve.
Bob's Burgers: Crows Encounters of the Bird Kind (2023)
An okay Tina episode, but a very fun Linda episode
"Crows Encounters of the Bird Kind" is one of those episodes where the subplot outshines the main plot. That's not to say Tina's storyline is bad by any means, as it does contain ample laughs and some decent moments between her and Bob. However, I was much more invested with Linda's "Dare-y Queen" B-plot this time around. I always love it when she's the wild card. I don't want to say Tina felt completely out of character in this episode, but her actions seemed more like things she would normally try to talk Louise out of doing. I know she can sometimes let her ambition cloud her judgement, but this still felt like a bit of a stretch. I personally thought this season's "These Boots Are Made for Stalking" was a much more satisfying and even emotional storyline that played directly to Tina's strengths as a character and even as a person. To me, this episode was a marginal step backwards, albeit not to an insulting degree. There is still a decent lesson gotten across, and enough laughs to make up for its shortcomings. However, the dare subplot is what really sold it for me. On the whole, still a good episode.
Bob's Burgers: What a (April) Fool Believes (2023)
Kevin Kline is a legend
"What a (April) Fool Believes" is a very entertaining episode. I tend to greatly enjoy episodes that prominently feature Calvin Fischoeder. Kevin Kline is an absolute treasure and infuses his role with so much wonderfully eccentric charm. It was also nice to see Zach Galifianakis return as Felix. The episode itself is full of laughs and the story actually took a few big swings throughout. This is definitely one of the mazier episodes of Bob's Burgers in my opinion. It was also nice to see some fun interactions between Bob and Louise. That's not to say their bond was the main focus, but it's always nice when the two of them are paired together. They really do have wonderful chemistry. Season thirteen has yet to disappoint me so far, and is shaping up to be one of my personal favorite years of the show. Here's hoping it can sustain its momentum and quality for the remaining episodes. Eight and a half stars for this one.
Bob's Burgers: These Boots Are Made for Stalking (2023)
One of Tina's finest episodes
"These Boots Are Made for Stalking" is one of my favorite episodes of this season so far. While it may not quite surmount "The Plight Before Christmas," its jokes, lesson, and heart were all handled incredibly well. The ending really does knock it out of the park, and I found myself laughing more frequently than the previous few episodes, all of which were still enjoyable. Tina's storyline allowed her to shine immensely as a character, both from a humorous and emotional standpoint. It's episodes like these that make me thankful Bob's Burgers is still on the air. The series really has maintained a consistent quality throughout its lengthy run, and this season is turning out to be one of my favorites. I cannot wait to see what the rest of it has in store.
Bob's Burgers: Stop! Or My Mom Will Sleuth! (2023)
Very fun episode
I really enjoyed "Stop! Or My Mom Will Sleuth!" Both the A and B plots were entertaining, and it was nice to see the first official musical number this season, even if it was relatively brief. The funniest part for me was probably when Bob entered Louise's room expecting a booby trap. Even though I did enjoy "Cheaty Cheaty Bang Bang" and "Oh Row You Didn't," "Stop! Or My Mom Will Sleuth!" felt more like classic Bob's Burgers to me. It's not an all-timer, but it does encompass all the humor, heart and endearing characters that fans of the show are looking for. What's not to enjoy? On the whole, I'd give this episode eight and a half stars.
Bob's Burgers: Oh Row You Didn't (2023)
Entertaining, but could have been better
"Oh Row You Didn't" is a cute and fun episode, even if it feels somewhat underwhelming as Bob's Burgers' 250th. Quincy Cox was a charming and memorable guest character, and the second one voiced by Rhys Darby on the show. I always perk up when he makes an appearance in anything. From A Series of Unfortunate Events to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Darby brings so much chipper energy to every role he plays. Aside from that, there isn't a ton that stands out about this episode. The message is fairly standard and I wouldn't say it's anywhere near the funniest the show has to offer. That's not at all to say there's no laughs to be had, I just wouldn't call it their best writing. I almost wish "The Plight Before Christmas" was the 250th episode. For what it is, though, "Oh Row You Didn't" is totally fine. Season thirteen has still yet to disappoint, and I'm very excited to see what's next.
Bob's Burgers: Cheaty Cheaty Bang Bang (2023)
Run of the mill, but still enjoyable
While it doesn't live up to its immediate predecessors, "Cheaty Cheaty Bang Bang" still contains enough signature Bob's Burgers humor to succeed as a beguiling, if somewhat run of the mill, episode. For me, the biggest laughs came from Bob, who spent most of the episode stressfully trying not to offend the heating engineer, and of course making a worse and worse impression before he even arrived. Also, Mr. Frond basically making Regular-Sized Rudy a human target at school was pretty hilarious. Although the lesson of cutting yourself some slack has been done before, I still thought they handled it pretty well here. In my opinion, season thirteen has yet to disappoint, and this episode continues its streak, despite not matching the same heights as "Show Mama from the Grave" or "The Plight Before Christmas."
Bob's Burgers: The Plight Before Christmas (2022)
A new Christmas classic
"The Plight Before Christmas" is an absolutely beautiful episode that encompasses all the finest aspects of Bob's Burgers. Without giving anything away, the last few minutes of this episode is the series at its most heart-tugging. I'm so glad creator Loren Bouchard wrote the teleplay for this episode. Much like "Some Like It Bot," you can tell extra love and care was put into it. I've been really enjoying season thirteen, but "The Plight Before Christmas" is on another level entirely. I'm strongly considering it as my new favorite episode of Bob's Burgers. It really does have it all: hilarious comedy, wonderful music, pretty animation, and some of the show's strongest emotion.
Bob's Burgers: Show Mama from the Grave (2022)
Really sweet episode
Season thirteen is on an absolute roll, and "Show Mama from the Grave" is one of its finer installments so far. While not quite the funniest episode this season, it might be the most wholesome one yet. Without giving too much away, it was nice to learn a couple more details about Bob's mother while still maintaining the mystery surrounding her character as well as her relationship with Bob. The ending made an interesting choice that I wasn't sure how to feel about at first. However, the more I thought about it, the more I've actually grown to respect it for providing just the right amount of emotion without overdoing it. In a way, keeping certain moments private, even from the viewer, makes it feel even more powerful. Although there were ample laughs sprinkled throughout, I wouldn't call them peak-Bob's Burgers writing. However, I don't think that's really what this episode was intended to be. "Show Mama from the Grave" is one of my favorites this season for its wholesomeness and sweet nature.