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Author: Marshall Estes

“Tell Me Your Secrets” leaves its silliness all on the surface

Tell Me Your Secrets
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Amazon Prime’s latest series tries for gritty crime thriller, but ends up in unintentional camp territory.

Marshall Estes Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021

“The Queen of Black Magic” casts a stylish spell

The Queen of Black Magic
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Shudder’s remake of the 1981 cult horror focuses more on the titular queen’s victims, but is still a gory good time.

Marshall Estes Posted on January 26, 2021January 25, 2021

“Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer” charts a scary LA summer

Night Stalker
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Netflix’s latest true-crime docuseries expands its scope not just to the famed LA murderer, but the community he […]

Marshall Estes Posted on January 13, 2021January 13, 2021

“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” closes the book with an effective Part 4

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 4
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Netflix’s campy, grimy retelling of the teen witch tale reaches its end, dutifully sending off its characters before overstaying their welcome.

Marshall Estes Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020

“Safety” is a feel-good Clemson ad in the guise of a sports flick

Safety Clemson
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The university takes center stage in Disney+’s latest sports biopic, lacquering on sentimentality as much as it does team spirit.

Marshall Estes Posted on December 12, 2020December 13, 2020

“The Reagans” is as entertaining as it is damning

The Reagans
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Matt Tyrnauer’s docuseries is a swift, in-depth exploration of Ronald Reagan’s time in office and his family’s lasting impact.

Marshall Estes Posted on November 14, 2020November 14, 2020

“Jingle Jangle” is a joyous take on the Christmas movie

Jingle Jangle
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David E. Talbert’s holiday offering is a fresh mix of fantasy, adventure, and sci-fi, even if it’s not the evenest.

Marshall Estes Posted on November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

“The Undoing” is an intriguing drama about a rich family shaken by tragedy

The Undoing (HBO)
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David E. Kelley’s latest for HBO features Nicole Kidman in another excellent turn as a therapist who’s pulled into a murder investigation.

Marshall Estes Posted on October 20, 2020October 20, 2020

“Grand Army” portrays teens in a rare realistic light

Grand Army
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Netflix’s ensemble drama treats its young characters as authentic people instead of tiresome stereotypes.

Marshall Estes Posted on October 12, 2020October 11, 2020

“We Are Who We Are” is an aching exploration of Gen-Z identity

We Are Who We Are
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Luca Guadagnino turns to TV to tell a lilting, meditative story about the uncertainties of adolescence.

Marshall Estes Posted on September 13, 2020September 13, 2020

“Love Fraud” presents a tale as old as time

Love Fraud
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Showtime’s docuseries about a love ’em & leave ’em con artist looks good but suffers from a lack of focus.

Marshall Estes Posted on August 30, 2020August 29, 2020

“Five Bedrooms” is near-perfect comfort food TV

Five Bedrooms
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Peacock’s latest import, this time from Australia, is a charming twist on the ‘misfit friends living together’ story.

Marshall Estes Posted on August 10, 2020August 10, 2020

“Outcry” stifles its voice when it comes to the details

Outcry
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Pat Kondelis’ docuseries about a sexual assault allegation blends information with ambiguity but blurs over important information in the process.

Marshall Estes Posted on July 3, 2020July 25, 2020

“365 Days” is much more risible than risque

365 Days
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Barbara Białowąs & Tomasz Mandes’ erotic drama has a truly gross premise and oodles of bad acting to leave you hot and bothered—or just bothered.

Marshall Estes Posted on June 18, 2020July 2, 2020

“Tommaso” is the perfect cure for insomnia

Tommaso
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The only thing that saves Abel Ferrara’s autobiographical drama is a typically excellent performance by Willem Dafoe.

Marshall Estes Posted on June 4, 2020June 4, 2020

“Quiz” asks who wants to be a millionaire, and who will lie to get the prize

Quiz
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Stephen Frears’ new miniseries is a deft three episodes that shifts perspectives and plots with ease, even if it doesn’t completely pay off.

Marshall Estes Posted on May 30, 2020May 30, 2020

“How to Build a Girl” has as much depth as it does laughs

How to Build a Girl
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Coky Giedroyc’s adaptation of Caitlin Moran’s novel is a sharp comedy that gives Beanie Feldstein even more room to prove her talents.

Marshall Estes Posted on May 8, 2020May 8, 2020

How “Friday the 13th Part 2” introduced Jason in the flesh

Friday the 13th Part 2
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The first film to feature the horror icon in person, 1981’s sequel marks the franchise’s sway from Giallo-inspired mystery to Jason-centric mayhem.

Marshall Estes Posted on May 8, 2020May 10, 2020

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