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Laura Babiak

Laura Babiak

Observer

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‘No Good Deed’ Review: This House Has Good Bones—But a Big Crack in the Facade

The new Netflix series from 'Dead to Me' creator Liz Feldman is funny in fits and starts, but it gets weighed down by heavy subject matter.

12.12.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

Golden Globe Nominations: Surprises and Snubs to Kick Off Awards Season

'Emilia Pérez' racked up the second most Golden Globe nominations ever, Saoirse Ronan went unrecognized, and 'Squid Game' Season 2 earned a nod in...

09.12.2024 3

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld’ Review: A Stellar Supernatural Animated Series

Consistently funny, frequently moving and always bursting with color and creativity, Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld is a wonderful addition to the...

06.12.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘The Madness’ Review: Netflix Series Will Drive You Crazy

Look, there’s been a lot of bad television this year. I’ve had the (dis)honor of reviewing some of these shows, but none have stretched my...

28.11.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Review: Not Quite Killer TV, But Still a Thriller

It starts, naturally, with a body in the boot of a car. There’s no other way that Season 2 of the Irish tragicomedy Bad Sisters could begin, really,...

13.11.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

The 20th New York Comedy Festival: Big Laughs and Bright New Comedy Stars

With the doom and gloom of an election, a dodgy World Series and oncoming seasonal depression, New Yorkers need a laugh badly right now. Thankfully,...

05.11.2024 3

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘The Diplomat’ Season 2 Review: A Sophomore Slump, But Still A Passing Grade

The Diplomat is one of the few Netflix shows to really stick after its premiere, having already been renewed for a third season ahead of Season 2’s...

30.10.2024 20

Observer

Laura Babiak

Melissa Barrera Talks Scream Queen Status and Sweater Weather in ‘Your Monster’

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s the season of scary movies and all things horror. But jump scares and sequels aren’t all that await...

25.10.2024 5

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Rivals’ Review: The Brits Want You Hot and Bothered

There may be a bit of a learning curve for Americans when watching Rivals. An adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s “bonkbuster” book series of...

18.10.2024 4

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Disclaimer’ Review: Alfonso Cuarón’s Thriller Is Must-See TV

The new miniseries is pulpy and plot-packed, and it's sure to be your newest TV obsession.

09.10.2024 2

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘La Máquina’ Review: Boxing Series Throws a Lot of Punches That Don’t Land

Daddy issues, mommy issues, traumatic brain injury issues, international organized crime syndicate issues . . . Hulu’s first Spanish-language...

05.10.2024 9

Observer

Laura Babiak

2024 New York Film Festival Preview: The Best Movies & Biggest Events

It's the 62nd edition of NYFF, and the film festival has plenty to offer on screen and in-person.

24.09.2024 5

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Omni Loop’ Review: Sci-Fi Indie Offers Some Ham-Fisted Heart

This story about a woman with a black hole in her chest and time travel pills can be heavy-handed at times, but Mary-Louise Parker and Ayo Edebiri's...

18.09.2024 4

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’ Review: Too Broad to Make an Impact

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez has a lot of ideas about why the titular athlete’s life went the way it did, but that expansiveness is the...

17.09.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘KAOS’ Review: Netflix Series Makes Good on Greek Mythology

On one level, Netflix’s new series KAOS is Percy Jackson for adults; it makes Greek mythology contemporary, bringing it to life in a world not so...

29.08.2024 6

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Chimp Crazy’ Review: A Disturbing Docuseries From Director of ‘Tiger King’

Eric Goode's follow-up to 'Tiger King' provides a look into the disturbing world of chimp owners, centering on a salacious scandal that involved a...

19.08.2024 9

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Skincare’ Review: A Thriller That’s Only Skin Deep

With an introductory note that reads, “This is a fictional story inspired by true events,” Skincare seems like it may provide a vague take on a...

14.08.2024 7

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Bad Monkey’ Review: Apple’s Very Florida Crime Dramedy

Florida has been the site of a few ambitious-but-exhausting television shows this year, but thankfully Apple’s newest series Bad Monkey breaks the...

13.08.2024 9

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Time Bandits’ Review: A Fairly Fun Redux of an ‘80s Classic

It’s a world of remakes and reboots these days, from barn burner summer blockbusters like Twisters to the enduring success of the series Cobra Kai...

24.07.2024 9

Observer

Laura Babiak

Emmy Nominations: Surprises and Snubs for the 76th Emmy Awards

Television’s award season kicked off earlier today with the announcement of the nominees for the 76th Emmy Awards, honoring some of TV’s best and...

17.07.2024 3

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars’ And The Franchise’s Imperial Peak

Drag fans the world over got a special treat on July 15th thanks to the surprise announcement of RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars , the newest...

16.07.2024 4

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Sing Sing’ Review: A24’s Moving Film About the Power of Art Behind Bars

Prison has long been seen as fertile soil for drama, but no movie has engaged with that idea quite like Sing Sing. This isn’t a legal drama or an...

10.07.2024 100

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Fancy Dance’ Review: Lily Gladstone in Satisfying Indie Drama That Breaks Barriers

Like many an American independent film that made a splash at Sundance or SXSW, Fancy Dance is a satisfying drama that breaks barriers—even if it...

20.06.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Fantasmas’ Review: Julio Torres’ HBO Series Is Star-Studded, Weird And Wonderful

There’s no one in the entertainment industry quite like Julio Torres. The multi-hyphenate has been behind some memorable SNL skits, the Peabody...

05.06.2024 3

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Queenie’ Review: Hulu Show Captures The Epic Highs and Lows of Life In Your Twenties

In this post-Girls era of television, mid-20s-to-mid-30s women and their dramedies have really gained a foothold in the TV landscape, and Queenie...

04.06.2024 8

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Back to Black’ Review: You Know This Amy Winehouse Biopic Is No Good

The movie makes for an empty dedication to one of this century's greatest musical talents.

15.05.2024 80

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Bodkin’ Review: Netflix Crime Series Is Deathly Dull

This show about a trio of podcasters trying to tell a story about a cold case in Ireland doesn't inspire much confidence or conversation.

09.05.2024 20

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Challengers’ Review: Zendaya Serves Up a Psychosexual Tennis Flick

Loud, long, a little messy, and very sweaty, Challengers may not be as sexy as its explosive first trailer implied, but it’s still a hell of a...

23.04.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Under the Bridge’ Review: A Miniseries That Interrogates the True Crime Genre

Each episode of Hulu’s newest true crime adaptation Under the Bridge begins with a disclaimer: “Based on actual events. Certain elements have been...

17.04.2024 70

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘The Sympathizer’ Review: HBO’s Experimental Satire Takes Big Swings

If there’s one thing you can say about The Sympathizer, it’s that this show can hardly be described as just one thing. It’s a miniseries...

11.04.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Ripley’ Review: Netflix Noir Is The Year’s Best Show So Far

In a sea of mediocre family melodramas and slightly stale satires, Ripley rises to the top with style. This new adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s...

05.04.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Palm Royale’ Review: Apple’s Shiny, Starry Comedy is All Style, No Substance

Much like the vapid, ostentatious characters it revolves around, Palm Royale is a show with a shiny surface and very little depth underneath. This...

18.03.2024 7

Observer

Laura Babiak

What to Watch on Streaming This Week: March 15-21

It’s a week full of major projects, from the television return of some of the biggest names behind Game of Thrones to the streaming premiere of...

15.03.2024 6

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Apples Never Fall’ Review: Another Middling Mystery Melodrama

Just about halfway through Apples Never Fall the dysfunctional family at the center of the series gets described quite succinctly by a supporting...

14.03.2024 7

Observer

Laura Babiak

The Oscars 2024: Surprises, Snubs and Takeaways From the 96th Academy Awards

Hollywood’s biggest night has now come and gone, but there’s still plenty to discuss. From shocking last-second snubs to big wins and beautiful...

11.03.2024 60

Observer

Laura Babiak

What to Watch on Streaming This Week: March 8-14

From fantastical tales to true stories brought to life on screen, this week brings plenty of exciting movies to streaming. Plus, there are some great...

08.03.2024 9

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ Review: Pure Pulp Packed With Gory, Sexy Fun

Love Lies Bleeding is an exhilarating ride from beginning to end. Whether that’s because of its status as a tense crime thriller, its brutal...

07.03.2024 7

Observer

Laura Babiak

Where to Stream ‘Poor Things,’ ‘Napoleon,’ And Other Oscar Nominees

The 96th Academy Awards are rapidly approaching, which means you have a limited time to catch up on all of this year’s nominees. Luckily, just about...

04.03.2024 4

Observer

Laura Babiak

What’s Leaving Streaming This Month: March 2024

With the Academy Awards closing in and blockbuster season officially kicking off, March is the perfect month to enjoy quality movies big and small...

01.03.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

What to Watch on Streaming This Week: March 1-7

From Oscar-nominated dramas to delightfully funny new series, streaming is overflowing with quality content this week. Whether you want to see Adam...

01.03.2024 5

Observer

Laura Babiak

The 2024 Oscar Race: 96th Academy Awards Predictions and Analysis

From the expected winners to a few potential upsets, you can find your final awards season analysis here.

29.02.2024 30

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘The Regime’ Review: Kate Winslet Wows in HBO’s New Political Satire

A cutting political satire with a twisted romance at its center, The Regime makes for an enjoyably odd miniseries. In its best moments, the show feels...

27.02.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Review: Live-Action Adaptation Is Just OK

Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender isn’t the flop that many were expecting from a streamer with a string of failed ...

23.02.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

What to Watch on Streaming This Week: February 23-29

From a major Oscar winner to one of this year’s biggest awards snubs , this week is filled with some recent quality content. Plus, a fun new...

23.02.2024 20

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Bobi Wine: The People’s President’ Review: A Daring Document of Resistance

In 2017, African music star Bobi Wine decided to run for his local parliamentary seat and won; in 2023, he’s the face of Uganda’s National Unity...

16.02.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

What to Watch on Streaming This Week: February 16-22

From major Oscar nominees to a massive new Netflix series, this week boasts some exciting new titles across streaming. Action, thriller, musical...

16.02.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

Where to Watch 2024’s Oscar-Nominated Films (Part 1)

The 96th Academy Awards are just under a month away, and there’s no time like the present to catch up on all of your prestige movie watching....

13.02.2024 20

Observer

Laura Babiak

‘Such Brave Girls’ Review: Daddy Issues & Depression in a Darkly Funny Sitcom

In a television world full of comedy-dramas that are fun if not funny, Such Brave Girls is a refreshingly scrappy sitcom. The British import is...

09.02.2024 50

Observer

Laura Babiak

What to Watch on Streaming This Week: February 9-15

We’re just under a week out from Valentine’s Day, and streamers everywhere are taking note. The week is dominated by romances, dramatic and...

09.02.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

What’s Leaving Streaming This Month: February 2024

Whether you want surprisingly funny family dramas, international excellence, or a refresher on one of the decade’s biggest sci-fi franchises,...

03.02.2024 10

Observer

Laura Babiak

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