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Buzz Feed
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Hidden-Gem TV Shows On Hulu
How To Die Alone (2024) How strange it must have felt to deliver an acceptance speech on behalf of a series that had just been canceled a few weeks prior. This was the case for Natasha Rothwell who, accepting the award for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series at the Indie Spirits, spoke of her time at the helm of the short-lived How To Die Alone with positivity and grace. (And a call to action for beta blockers to have "more beta blocking.") Best known for her supporting roles on Insecure and The White Lotus, Rothwell took a much more active creative role in this 30-minute Hulu comedy series, serving as both its creator and lead, Melissa, a JFK Airport employee whose brush with death causes her to finally prioritize love and happiness. Despite failing to reach wider audiences during its single-season run, it was an undeniable critical success. Watch it on Hulu. Reservation Dogs (2021–23) I recently mentioned Reservation Dogs in the context of shows that failed to get Emmy recognition until their very last season. And, while we'll never know what it was that finally tipped the scales during S3 (and secured not only an Outstanding Comedy Series nod, but a Lead Comedy Actor nod, too), what is clear is that this FX show has had an extremely passionate fanbase pushing for its success from the very beginning. Count the BuzzFeed Streaming Team among this fanbase. The series which follows four Indigenous teens from rural Oklahoma, who do odd jobs and commit petty crimes in hopes of one day being able to leave the reservation, was shouted out by Danica Creahan in 2021 as a show not enough people are watching and, again, as one of the best shows of 2021. Watch on Hulu. Casual (2015–18) You might know her best as the pesky HR rep following Deborah and Ava around on Hacks (or from her many perfectly calibrated supporting roles, which are too many to name) — but from 2015 to 2018, Michaela Watkins had center stage in the family comedy Casual. In it, she played Valerie, a recently divorced therapist and single mother who moves in with her younger (and crucially, single) brother (Tommy Dewey), the creator of a successful dating app. Her daughter (Tara Lynne Barr — who I will forever mix up with Emilia Jones) is wise beyond her years and has a dynamic with her mother that asks: What if Lorelai and Rory Gilmore but messier? Sneakily wise and acutely observed in its depiction of listlessness in your 30s, this is a show that you might want commit to. Watch it on Hulu. Bunheads (2012) Speaking of Rory and Lorelai, Amy Sherman-Pallidino (creator of Gilmore Girls) is unfortunately no stranger to a one-season cancellation. Long before Étoile on Amazon Prime Video, there was ABC Family's Bunheads — the network's answer to Glee, which proved to be a critical darling but a big swing and a miss where ratings were concerned. The series concluded after just 18, shaggy episodes — more than enough airtime to elicit some strong feelings about Sherman-Palidino's trademark fast-talking women at the show's center. Namely, Broadway legend Sutton Foster's Michelle Simms (my thoughts are largely positive, for the record), the series' lead, who is plucked from her life as an unhappy Las Vegas showgirl to work alongside her new mother-in-law at a ballet studio. No matter how you feel, this ranks among the ASP oeuvre; you'll agree with me when I say that, when it comes to comfort viewing, you can't do much better than it on Hulu. Devs (2020) Calling all Alex Garland heads. Maybe you're hot off a 28 Years Later watch, or saw Civil War and wondered what else Garland and Nick Offerman might be able to cook up together. Look no further than this eight-part limited series which stars Offerman as a tech-mogul CEO involved in a massive cover-up involving an engineer's missing boyfriend, and, of course, much bigger existential issues facing humanity. Allison Pill, playing the tech company's deputy, goes toe to toe with Offerman's Forest for the Creepiest Acting Award while Cailee Spaeny (also featured in Garland's Civil War) transforms into the young, male coding prodigy, Lyndon. A choice! This series is packed with big ideas and a Garland-y atmosphere that will suck you in — but I must confess that one of the main reasons to watch this is so you can fight about it with your friends. You're going to have strong feelings about it one way or another. Watch it on Hulu. Difficult People (2015–17) A whole decade before they took home the Best Leading Actor in a Musical Tony for Oh, Mary!, Cole Escola had a supporting but memorable role in Julie Klausner's comedy series, Difficult People. Some will remember it as that show about two deeply misanthropic, Jewish best friends (Klausner and Billy Eichner) living in New York. Others will remember it as the only show in history to feature Seth Meyers jerking off Eichner, and a cameo by Kathie Lee Gifford, in a single episode. Both are correct. Depending on your tolerance for unlikable protagonists, you might find this particular humor and worldview grating. But, regardless, I think you have to respect a show that delivers on its title — and for those raised on Seinfeld and Curb reruns, this should go down it on Hulu. Everything's Gonna Be Okay (2020–21) Featured in our roundup of shows that actually reflect what it's like to be queer today, this one-season, follow-up series from Josh Thomas (Please Like Me) is a breath of fresh air. Thomas is Nicholas, a neurotic, gay twentysomething who has just learned that his terminally ill father would like him to be the guardian to his two teenage half-sisters, one of which is on the autism spectrum. The rest of the series follows Nicholas as he builds the plane while flying it, so to speak. As Matthew Huff notes in our original guide, it's unusual to see a queer character — particularly of this age — represented as a "leader" or "provider." But that is exactly what we see here, with Nicholas doing his very best to keep some order in the family. Like Please Like Me, Thomas pulls off the impressive alchemy of mining life's darkest moments for "comfort watch" fodder. Watch it on Hulu. High Fidelity (2020) We almost had a Da'Vine Joy Randolph-centered Season 2 of High Fidelity and Holdovers fans know better than anyone that that's a big "L" for the culture. One of the most contested TV cancellations in recent memory was this gender-flipped TV adaptation of the classic film and book, which found its audience just a little too late. Zoë Kravitz reminded us all how underutilized she was in Big Little Lies while playing the dynamic, Brooklyn record store owner, "Rob" (Robyn), at its center. Here's to hoping we right these wrongs by nominating Kravitz for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in The it on Hulu. Top of the Lake (2013–17) So, you're having a hard time letting go of Handmaid's Tale? Tap into this eery cinematic universe from the mind of Jane Campion, also starring Elisabeth Moss. It's hard to believe that Top of the Lake, a two-season limited series starring Nicole Kidman and conceived of by one of our greatest filmmakers, needs any signal boosting at all — but here were are in the age of Peak TV. Your mileage may vary on China Girl, the follow-up season that critics largely regarded as disappointing and hollowed out, but its first season is a stone-cold masterpiece. In this atmospheric, New Zealand-set story, Moss plays Robin Griffin, a detective whose own story begins to come into focus as she investigates the pregnancy of a 12 year-old girl. Watch it on Hulu. Say Nothing (2024) "Urgent" is a word that can get overused in reviews of political thrillers of this nature — but with so many eery parallels to what we're seeing play out in Gaza today, it feels apt to describe Say Nothing this way. The FX limited series adapted from the Patrick Radden Keefe book of the same name is actually about The Troubles, specifically the abduction of a mother of 10 from her Belfast apartment in the '70s. But its examination of violence and radicalism ring true today. It will be interesting to see how Say Nothing fares on Emmy nomination morning. Despite receiving rave reviews, and what seemed to be promising interest and viewership at the time of its release, chatter around has seemingly died down in the months since. Could this be the result of its binge-drop rollout? Or the result of so many shows being dumped in the last month of Emmys eligibility? Who knows! But whatever happens, this is a series absolutely worth your it on Hulu. Vida (2018–20) If you've made it this far, you've probably recognized a pattern. A lot of the shows that have flown under the radar have centered characters that typically exist on the margins of society. That is certainly true for Vida, the GLAAD-winning Starz comedy that was canceled after three seasons. In it, two estranged Mexican-American sisters Emma (Mishel Prada) and Lyn (Melissa Barrera) return to their old East LA neighborhood to bury their mother and in the process uncover a handful of paradigm-shifting secrets. Including, of course, the revelation that their mother quietly married a woman. Interesting, especially considering she rejected Emma's own queer identity. The authentic storytelling and lived-in characters, which critics rallied behind during its run, can be largely attributed to its all-Latinx writer's room and almost entirely female crew. Watch it on Hulu. Stream all of these movies on Hulu.
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Anora' wins three Spirit Awards, including best film, and eyes Oscar success
'Anora' wins three Spirit Awards, including best film, and eyes Oscar success Show Caption Hide Caption 'Anora': Mikey Madison on why she's proud of 'vulnerable' final scene 'Anora' star Mikey Madison talks about the film's finale, in which she explores a range of emotions in a five-minute, single-shot car scene. SANTA MONICA, California − The past year has been "great for film, and a bad year for human life," host Aidy Bryant said to kick off the 40th Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. The awards show for movies made for less than $30 million is a famously laid-back affair ("White Lotus" star Walton Goggins rocked a sleeveless shirt) held in a giant tent off the Santa Monica Beach. But Saturday's winners are also vying for Oscar gold. With a little more than a week until the Academy Awards on March 2, the Indie Spirits honored writer and director Sean Baker's "Anora" with three major awards, including best feature, best director and best lead performance for star Mikey Madison. The drama about a Brooklyn sex worker (Madison) and her whirlwind affair with a Russian oligarch's son has gone from a Cinderella success story to Oscar frontrunner − with six Academy Award nominations, including best picture, best director for Baker, and best actress for Madison. Sign up for our Watch Party newsletter: We deliver the best movie and TV recommendations to your inbox. Accepting the best director's award, the self-confessed "indie film lifer" Baker gave an impassioned speech for independent films, which have taken a major financial hit amid declining DVD revenues. "We want complete artistic freedom and the freedom to cast who is right for the role, not who the studios want us to cast, considering box office value or how many followers they have on social media," Baker said. "This is for all the other indie film lifers who are holding on and fighting the good fight." Madison beat out Demi Moore ("The Substance") for the award, with both nominated for the best actress Oscar. Madison thanked Baker calling him "a wonderful friend and incredible Chihuahua owner. I'm so grateful that you came into my life," she said. Backstage, Madison deflected any attention about potential Oscar success. "I continuously go into these (award shows) not really expecting anything," said Madison. "I just am really grateful for the love that people have shown." Jesse Eisenberg thanks 'A Real Pain' producer Emma Stone Jesse Eisenberg won the best screenplay award for "A Real Pain," which he directed and starred in with Kieran Culkin. Eisenberg thanked producer Emma Stone. "She is definitely still the most famous person, yet also the most dedicated to encouraging me as a writer," Eisenberg said in his acceptance speech. "She's like my fairy godmother, and I am riding the coattails of her goodwill." Netflix's 'Baby Reindeer' wins three awards at Indie Spirits In the TV categories, FX's epic "Shōgun" won best scripted series, but "Baby Reindeer" dominated. The Netflix series about a struggling comedian stalked by an obsessed woman, grabbed three awards: Richard Gadd won best lead performance, Nava Mau won best supporting performance, and Jessica Gunning won best breakthrough performance. Gadd, who won three Emmys for the limited series (which won six Emmys), said the Indie Spirit win marked the end of his awards season. "It's been a real privilege these past six months," he said. "Coming from a small Scottish town and going on to being championed by the finest in Hollywood is absolutely crazy." The actor, who had been a struggling comedian before finding TV success, thanked the Spirit Awards. "I love how all the award shows are slightly different," said Gadd. "You've got the Emmys, and it's a big fancy thing. You've got the Golden Globes in the back of a hotel. And this is like an aircraft hangar on the beach. Any award that champions the underdog is absolutely right by me."
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spirit Awards: ‘How To Die Alone' Creator Natasha Rothwell Talks The Challenge Of Navigating 'Fairness' During 'A DEI Purge' And Celebrating Black Stories
Despite a recent cancellation for Hulu comedy series How To Die Alone, the celebrations will not stop for creator and actor Nathasa Rothwell. The series followed Mel (Rothwell) a Black, plus sized and perpetually broke JFK airport employee who's never been in love and forgotten how to dream, until an accidental death scare challenges her to ignite her passions. Earlier this month, Hulu terminated the series after one season. Rothwell, who won the Independent Spirit Award for ensemble cast in a new scripted series, spoke to Deadline ahead of the event on the Indie Spirits red carpet about the challenge of finding a new home for the series. 'Right now in Hollywood, there's a DEI purge of programs, positions and projects. And I feel it's unfortunate that How to Die Alone was not able to survive that. It was worthy by all merits. It was a critical success and we had the numbers and more importantly, we were centering marginalized voices. We had representation on the stage. And that representation is being honored tonight. So it's exciting to see the show get that recognition in spite of the circumstances.' More from Deadline Spirit Awards: 'The Penguin' Star Cristin Milioti Teases Potentially Working With 'The Batman' Star Zoë Kravtiz; "I Love Her. I Think We Could Really Get Into Some Real S-" 'The White Lotus' Season 3: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Premiere Recap And Q&A: Natasha Rothwell Explains Why Belinda Is In Thailand & Teases "Tensions" To Come In addition to the Indie Spirit win, the show also received two nominations at the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. Rothwell went on to talk about the importance of being Black and having resilience in the cutthroat industry. 'Nothing quite prepares you for these particular types of shenanigans than being a Black woman that walks through this world,' the writer-actor said. 'Fairness is not something that we're as familiar with in a lot of areas. So being disappointed, those are experiences that I've felt before, but none at this magnitude. I'm grateful for the Black love and support of people who've shown up and held me up in encouragement. It's just confidence in knowing that the work speaks for itself. And although its journey is not what I had anticipated, it exists and people can find it and the message will live on forever.' Rothwell's next project will see her team up with TikTok's Tareasa 'Reesa Teesa' who went viral for sharing her true story about the wild dissolution of her marriage in 50 part videos that ranged from five to 10 minutes. 'I have so much stuff in store. That's the other silver lining when you're in a writer's room and in production for a TV show, your bandwidth is narrowed. So for the time being, I am able to entertain a lot of other projects.' Best of Deadline 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Arrive On Max? 'The White Lotus' Season 3: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seven Siblings Survive Nazi Germany In Documentary ‘UnBroken'
It's quiet on the indie front. Oscar contenders linger in theaters ahead of the March 2 Academy Awards ceremony that will close the book on 2024. The Indie Spirits unspool tomorrow. The Berlinale, with prizes to be handed out Sunday — along with Sundance last month and SXSW next — are planting cinema's new crop of independents. Neon is out with horror The Monkey, which appears to be scaling the heights in wide release. is still on screens. A24's The Brutalist continues its run. More from Deadline 'The Monkey' Swings To Neon's Second-Best Previews Ever With $1.9M - Box Office 'Captain America: Brave New World' To Hold No. 1 With $30M+ As 'The Monkey' Looks To Swing $17M Opening - Box Office Preview Chinese Blockbuster 'Ne Zha 2' Takes North American Bow, Matthew Rankin On 'Universal Language', 20th Annual Oscar-Nominated Shorts - Specialty Preview Relative newcomer by Matthew Rankin, from Oscilloscope, expands to 24 screens from two last weekend, adding runs in the New York and Los Angeles area along with Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Austin. The Cannes audience award-winner grossed $51k its first week at two theaters. New in limited release: Greenwich Entertainment debuts documentary by first-time director Beth Lane at the Quad in NYC and at Laemmle Town Center in LA, and on demand. Seven siblings evade capture and death and ultimately escaped Nazi Germany following their mother's incarceration and murder at Auschwitz. After being hidden by a benevolent farmer, the children — Alfons, Senta, Ruth, Gertrude, Renee, Judith and Bela Weber — spent two years on their own in war-torn Germany. The director is the daughter of Bela, the youngest sibling. Emboldened by their father's mandate that they stay together the children fight through hunger, loneliness, rape, bombings and fear. But their journey culminates with a painful ultimatum. Separated from their father, they are told that they must declare themselves orphans to escape to a new life in America. This salvation would become what would finally tear them apart, not to be reunited for another 40 years. Premiered at the Heartland Film Festival in 2023 where it won Best Premiere Documentary Feature, going on to screen at Doc NYC and other festivals across the U.S. It won audience awards at RiverRun International Film Festival in North Carolina, Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in Iowa and Berkshire International Film Festival in Massachusetts. Magnolia Pictures/Magnet Releasing open TIFF-premiering action thriller on 17 screens including NYC's IFC Center and the Laemmle LA, and on demand. Inspired by real events, this is the story of the biggest and most spectacular heist in Danish history and the complex preparations by a team of ambitious and uncompromising criminals required to pull it off. In 2008, Kasper, a boxer with few chances left in life, is offered the opportunity to plan the robbery by its foreign initiators. At the risk of losing his family and everything that matters to him, he takes on the challenge in a bid to break all records. Directed by Frederik Louis Hviid, written by Anders Frithiof August. Starring Gustav Giese, Reda Kateb, Amanda Collin. Music Box Films' genre label Doppelgänger Releasing debuts home invasion horror by Mickey Keating. Produced by Joe Swanberg. A young woman arrives in the Chicago suburbs and begins to suspect that something terrible has happened to her missing cousin, but soon realizes that her greatest fears don't even begin to scratch the surface. Stars Vero Maynez and Colin on six screens including Alamo Drafthouse theaters in lower Manhattan, LA and Austin and the Music Box in Chicago. MORE Best of Deadline 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Arrive On Max? 'The White Lotus' Season 3: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
