Andrew Bloom, Author at The Spool | The Spool

Andrew Bloom, Author at The Spool

What Prodigy’s future says about Star Trek’s future

The modern era of Star Trek may be dying down, but the Netflix-hosted season of this kids-oriented spinoff charts exciting new frontiers.

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Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 sees the series die as it lived: in good company

By: Andrew Bloom

The series’ last batch of episodes comes with all the ups and downs fans have come to expect over the past five seasons.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ends its run with style and profundity

By: Andrew Bloom

The colorful banter and big laughs abound, and so does a deeper story about the characters’ challenges and what they mean to one another. NOW STREAMING: Powered by JustWatch When a show enters its final season, it has an opportunity to decide what it really wants to say. And what The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel wants ... The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ends its run with style and profundity

Unraveling pop-culture one thread at a time

The Spool is an irreverent, informative source for film and television coverage, focused on diverse, thoughtful opinions that seek out a greater understanding of the media we love.

A Rugrats Chanukah was a light in the darkness for young Jewish children

The rare Jewish holiday special was a bastion of representation that still resonates today.

Star Trek: Prodigy’s returns to show the power of Starfleet’s ideals, even for pretenders and hopefuls

By: Andrew Bloom

As Dal, Gwyn, and Janeway set course for a new set of adventures aboard the Protostar, the series invokes the past to brighten the kids’ futures.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 3 finale embraces the power of community over technology

By: Andrew Bloom

Everything’s bigger in this showdown between the Lower Deckers’ California class ships and the flashy new automated Texas class vessels.

The Better Call Saul series finale was the last chance to save Jimmy McGill’s soul

By: Andrew Bloom

The show’s final hour gives its protagonist one more opportunity to seal his fate or pull back from the brink.

Better Call Saul lets Cinnabon Gene pull off one last thrilling heist

By: Andrew Bloom

The firmest glimpse of the future yet delivers tons of fun and a moment of truth for Saul.

Cabaret at 50: Spectacle can’t hide horror forever

Bob Fosse's adaptation of the dying days of Weimar musical remains both gorgeous and haunting a half century on.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Recovers from a Tough Ending and Finds a New Beginning in Season 4

By: Andrew Bloom

The series’ craft remains impeccable as it charts a new course for Midge and Susie.

Astrid & Lilly Save the World is familiar teen horror but deserves its chance to slay

By: Andrew Bloom

Syfy's new series is a shaky retread of Buffy in its early eps, but shows signs of promise.

“No Way Home” is the ultimate vindication of Spider-Man on the big screen

How Marvel's latest cuts through the MCU trappings to deliver one of Spidey's most personal stories yet.

Star Trek: Discovery starts to find its footing in season 4

By: Andrew Bloom

The series finally feels confident and focused as it sets off on another journey.

Star Trek: Prodigy brings new blood to a familiar franchise

By: Andrew Bloom

The beloved franchise branches out towards a younger audience in this spirited new Paramount+ series.

Foundation is solid enough to build upon in its early stretch

By: Andrew Bloom

Apple TV+’s latest sci-fi series is a glossy, gorgeous-looking adaptation of the Isaac Asimov novels, which nonetheless struggles to find humanity among its big ideas. NOW STREAMING: Powered by JustWatch Foundation is big. It is glossy. It is grand in scale and epic in tone. Worlds upon worlds, filled with trillions of people, hang in ... Foundation is solid enough to build upon in its early stretch

The secret ingredient in Star Trek: Lower Decks is love

The animated series, now in its second season, pays homage while also poking gentle fun at its predecessors.

The Loki finale: a god of mischief & a deal with the Devil

By: Andrew Bloom

The Disney+ series concludes (for now) on a mindbending cliffhanger that asks: what do you do when you no longer have glorious purpose?

A.I. Artificial Intelligence and the love that makes a real boy

At 20, the Stanley Kubrick Steven Spielberg science-fiction collaboration "A.I." remains a moving, haunting study of the human heart.

Filmmaker of the Month

In “Apocalypse Now,” Coppola’s souls turn away in the fog of war

Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious war epic Apocalypse Now depicts a bloody, dark night of the soul for the American mythos.

“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” flies steady but lacks heat

By: Andrew Bloom

It remains to be seen if Marvel's latest TV spinoff can capture audiences' attention as well as its predecessor.

“Star Trek Discovery” Season 3 Episode 12 Recap: “Die Hard” in space

By: Andrew Bloom

Action movie antics and rescue missions ensue upon the Emerald Chain's invasion.

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