For the remainder of Episodes’ fourth season, any forward progress in the Helen Basch or Sean & Bev vs. The Network plotlines needs to be more than entertaining.
With the first episode of its fourth season, Episodes has hit the reset button and brought many of the elements that made the show work well in its first couple seasons.
Led by a fantastic Michael Keaton, Birdman is a deeply thoughtful and darkly hilarious meta dissection of egotism that satirizes the entertainment business with a compelling visual style that is all its own.
Though far from perfect, Alex Ross Perry’s new comedy, Listen Up Philip, has a distinct visual style and a biting commentary on the narcissistic mindset of creative people, making it a very enjoyable watch.
Immersive and occasionally incoherent, stoner mystery Inherent Vice is a bold step for filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson that unfortunately doesn’t match the brilliance of his earlier films.
Laggies is funny in parts, and features Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace-Moretz and Sam Rockwell in strong performances, but is mostly a familiar adult-in-adolescence comedy.
