Check out the previous year-end reviews.
The Top 12 of 2023:
The Last of Us (2023-)
Season 1 - 9 episodes (2023)
Watch The Last of Us on HBO Max
Created by: Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Anna Torv, Nick Offerman, Melanie Lynskey
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
Joel
and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they
live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers
on a trek across post-pandemic America.
Verdict
While
it's basically zombies, this series focuses on humans. Zombies just
provides a sense of dread throughout. Episodes show us the world,
dangers, and stakes. Each episode acts as chapter, ending on a great
note that's usually some kind of cliffhanger. Over the season we see two
characters begin to rely on each other. One of the best things about
this show is the world building. We see characters struggling to survive
and forcing their will on others. We see the protagonists team up and
square off. It shows us an abandoned world that feels accurate. The
world itself is one of my favorite parts. This season does emotional
story lines and great action scenes equally well. It's a great,
well-written season. I couldn't wait to watch each new episode.
Full Review
Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
Season 2 - 15 episodes (2007-08)
Season 3 - 13 episodes (2008-09)
Season 4 - 13 episodes (2009-10)
Season 5 - 13 episodes (2010-11)
Rent Friday Night Lights on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Peter Berg (developed for television by)
Inspired by: H.G. "Buzz" Bissinger's non-fiction book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream (1990)
Starring: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Aimee Teegarden, Brad Leland, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Derek Phillips, Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki, Gaius Charles, Scott Porter
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer
Plot
A drama that follows the lives of the Dillon Panthers, one of the nation's best high school football teams, and their head coach Eric Taylor.
Verdict
This is a show about relationships packaged in high school football. These are characters that we get to know. We root for them in spite of themselves. It's the characters that face the worst that we root for the most. At the center of it is Coach Taylor as he tries to teach and lead his team where every Friday night they'll face incredible competition, but what's most engrossing is what these characters face off the field. During this series, whether you play football or not, you'll want Taylor as your coach. This show does an excellent job developing characters. It keeps you engaged throughout. The series does shift in season four, and while it's still excellent, you're likely to miss the original cast in the last two seasons. Despite that, you won't be able to stop watching.
Full Review
Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
Season 6 - 13 episodes (2022) 
Buy Better Call Saul Season 6 on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, Giancarlo Esposito
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
Jimmy
McGill is a former grifter who is now a lawyer. He wants to do the
right thing, but at the same time, becoming a lawyer hasn't been the
dream he imagined.
Verdict
It's
the final season to a series that has been absolutely great from the
start. This show and this season are a master class in narrative story
telling. From the tension and anticipation to the payoffs and reveals,
this story is excellent. Each character's plight is completely gripping.
The acting is top notch. Each shot and every scene has a distinct
artistry to it. This show doesn't waste anything. Being the final season
there are a few cameos, but the show never goes too far. What a journey
this season, and the show as a whole, has been.
Full Review
Jury Duty (2023-)
Season 1 - 8 episodes (2023 April 16)
Watch Jury Duty on Amazon FreeVee
Created by: Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky
Starring: Ronald Gladden, James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger
Rated: 16+
Watch the trailer
Plot
It
follows the workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of
Ronald Gladden, a juror who is unaware the entire case is fake. Everyone
except him is an actor, and everything that happens is carefully
planned.
Verdict
It's
an ingenious concept, and this is absolutely hilarious. It's subtle
humor always just on the edge of being believable. That's what makes it
so much fun as we walk through an entire trial full of awkward moments
and intriguing characters. This guy is stuck in the middle trying to
solve a case. With each episode this gets just a bit sillier. An
absolutely amazing ending makes a great show that much better as the
truth is revealed and then Ronald gets to talk to the actors out of
character leading to many touching moments as well as revealing the
moments they almost broke character.
Full Review
Succession (2018-2023)
Season 4 - 10 episodes (2023)
Created by: Jesse Armstrong
Starring: Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, Matthew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck, Alexander Skarsgård
Rating: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
Logan Roy and his four children control one of the biggest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world. When the aging patriarch begins to step back from the company, the children contemplate what the future and company will hold for them.
Verdict
This is the final season to a show that has been nothing short of excellent. Each season we see this family try to scheme and scam their way to power despite how much they already have. This season does lose a little bit with less of the patriarch Logan Roy, but with less of him it's the children as always plotting against each other as they try and fail to be and live up to the reputation of their father. Since the first episode we've asked who will lead the company. This season promises to answer that question.
Full Review
The Bear (2022-)
Season 2 - 10 episodes (2023 June 22)
Watch The Bear Season 2 on Hulu
Created by: Christopher Storer
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce
Rating: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
A young chef from the fine dining world returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop.
Verdict
The
first seasons was amazing, and the second season doesn't skip a beat.
This trades one set of dramas for another, but the dialog is just as
sharp, the world still engrossing, and the character development fully
realized. Carmy and Sydney want to open a fine dining restaurant. The
obstacles are many, money is tight, and it's going to take everyone for
any hope of reaching their goal. This season is an absolute delight.
Full Review
The Wonder Years (2023)
Season 2 - 10 episodes (2023)
Buy The Wonder Years on Amazon Prime (paid link)
Created by: Saladin K. Patterson
Starring: Elisha Williams, Dulé Hill, Saycon Sengbloh, Laura Kariuki, Don Cheadle
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer
Plot
A man recalls his experiences growing up in Montgomery, Alabama during the late 1960s.
Verdict
It's a great show that captures a time period, but still feels completely relevant as it's about a kid growing up with his family. While we see the difficulties the family faces due to the time period, it's easy to relate to Dean as he faces triumph and disappointment while becoming a teenager. This is just as good as the first season, I just wish this season had more episodes The show does such a great job developing characters and episode arcs.
Full Review
What We Do in the Shadows (2019-)
Season 5 - 10 episodes (2023)
Rent What We Do in the Shadows on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Jemaine Clement
Starring: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
A look into the nightly lives of four vampires who have lived together on Staten Island for over a century.
Verdict
This
show excels at being utterly ridiculous while the characters are
completely earnest about their silly plights. It's my favorite kind of
humor, it isn't laugh out loud funny, but it's so clever. It's the type
of show you should watch episodes twice to see what you missed. This
season does a great job with a serialized story as secondary plots are
inserted into every episode. I eagerly awaited each episode, and this
show never once disappointed.
Full Review
Band of Brothers (2001)
Mini-series - 10 episodes (2001)
Created by: Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg
Based on: Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose
Directed by: Alex Kurtzman
Starring: Kirk Acevedo, Michael Cudlitz, Scott Grimes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Neal McDonough, David Schwimmer, Donnie Wahlberg, Colin Hanks, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bamber, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Graham, Tom Hardy, James McAvoy, Simon Pegg, Andrew Scott
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
The story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
Verdict
This isn't just a good show, it's amazing. It's the greatest season of television I've ever seen. From the story, characters, and inspiration, everything about this season is simply exhilarating. It's a depiction of war that shows the excitement, disappointment, destruction, and futility that's intrinsic. Over the season we get to know and care about these characters, and we fear for their safety. Throughout and especially when the season ends, we're touched by their bravery and sacrifice. The writing is impeccable, there are so many smart writing choices in each episode that lend to the narrative. The writers rose to the occasion of capturing a monumental event.
Full Review
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)
Mini-series - 8 episodes (2023)
Created by: Mike Flanagan
Starring: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, T'Nia Miller, Zach Gilford, Willa Fitzgerald, Michael Trucco, Katie Parker, Sauriyan Sapkota, Matt Biedel, Crystal Balint, Ruth Codd, Kyliegh Curran, Carl Lumbly, Mark Hamill
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
To secure their fortune and future, two ruthless siblings build a family dynasty that begins to crumble when their heirs mysteriously die one by one.
Verdict
I really enjoy Flanagan's work, and this is no exception. This exemplifies how adaptations must evolve for a new medium. The real world take of a pharmaceutical company and the direction that goes is excellent and timely. While you might can guess what's at play that doesn't diminish how entertaining this remains. I was engaged with each episode as this manages to add just enough depth to the characters. The final episode does a fine job of wrapping plot lines and ending an already great series on a strong note.
Full Review
Season 1 - 22 episodes (1999-2000)Season 2 - 22 episodes (2000-01)
Season 3 - 21 episodes (2001-02)
Season 4 - 23 episodes (2002-03)
Season 5 - 22 episodes (2003-04)
Season 6 - 22 episodes (2004-05)
Season 7 - 22 episodes (2005-06)
Rent The West Wing on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Aaron Sorkin
Starring: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Dulé Hill, Joshua Malina, Moira Kelly, Stockard Channing, Mary McCormack, Jimmy Smits, Alan Alda, Kristin Chenoweth
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer
Plot
Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.
Verdict
I enjoyed the show just as much if not more this time as I did when I first watched it years ago. It delves into politics through people and the actors are fantastic. It's certainly idealistic, but I appreciate that about the show. It always looks for the best path through every deadline as we explore real issues. Despite the often complex ideas, this also has a lot of humor, and that makes it feel authentic. It's such a fun show and I couldn't wait until I had a free moment to watch more.
Season 1 - 12 episodes (2023)
Created by: Joseph Bennett, Charles Huettner
Starring: Sunita Mani, Wunmi Mosaku, Alia Shawkat, Bob Stephenson
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
The animated series follows the crew of a damaged deep space freighter stranded on a beautiful but dangerous planet.
Verdict
This kept getting better with each episode. This world is mesmerizing and deadly as we follow three separate groups. Each group has a unique experience in this world, and none of them are good. We see them struggle to survive, but this planet is too much. The final episode ties everything together very well. This was a very good show and the ending makes it even better. While I wish the animation was more detailed, this does a great job of building the world and creating a compelling narrative.
Full Review
Thank you for your recommendations. You've watched so many movies and TV shows. Among this list, I downloaded The Bear on Hulu with Hulu downloaders and just watched it. Others may be watched later.
ReplyDeletethis is amazing list, thank you for your recommendation, hope you doing very well. keep it UP UP UP.
ReplyDelete