Streaming
Twisted Metal: Save me EV3L1N!
Based on a vehicular combat video game franchise of the same name from Sony Online Entertainment, Twisted Metal is a post-apocalyptic nightmare of survival with souped-up cars, modded guns, and crazed other raiders!
So meet the world as it currently is, a good old-fashioned sh*t-show. Awhile ago something big and nasty wiped out computers, and the internet, and then electricity, and civility was left in the dust as everyone began fighting everyone else for whatever was left. The cities that were left walled themselves off and left the bad element of society, the killers and thieves and misfits, all who didn’t fit in with the new societal norms were ousted and left to fend for themselves against other Mad Max-style marauders, with their own modded cars and guns.
Our protagonist is the Milkman, John Doe (Anthony Mackie), a man with a past he can’t remember and only a photo to remind him, who, as his handle suggests, makes delivery runs of needed supplies between various areas. He is effortlessly charming, cheerfully employs explosive countermeasures against other marauders in his beloved car EV3L1N, bombs epic 90’s nostalgia tunes from her speakers, and is somehow one of the more free people still alive in this post-apocalyptic world. The only thing is, John Doe is lonely, and has no place he calls Home. Then one day, John gets called in to meet the leader of New San Fracisco, Raven (Neve Campbell).
Life in this world of after-the-disaster is often about appearances, style over substance, and the song and dance Raven sells John Doe about giving him a Home in New San Fracisco, a place to belong amongst the not-at-all-subjugated denizens, with access to meat and sporting things like alive babies and OMGdude toilet paper, sounds very much too good to be true. Because it is. However, the trip all the way from New San Francisco to Chicago to pick up a package for Raven with a ten-day deadline, is right up the Milkmans alley, and it’s unlikely any other delivery man has the audacity to pull it off.
But the road to Chicago is fraught with peril, especially from the mad murderous clown known as Sweet Tooth that’s taken over the entirety of Vegas, as John Doe’s friend the Mapmaker Tommy (Lou Beatty Jr.) repeatedly warns.
In this post-apocalyptic world there will likely always be folk who want things to go back to order, with rules and laws and consequences, usually taking a bit too far and murderous in the process. Enter self-proclaimed Agent Stone (Thomas Hayden Church), the head lawman of this brave new world, determined to bring the full force of his version of the law down on the dregs of outcast society here beyond the walls of the cities. He has good old-fashioned executions after long pompous speeches about how he’s doing the new world a favor by cleaning it up, all under the putative protective banner of the badge, and recruits by means fair or foul other would-be ACAB acolytes. And the execution of a sibling pair of car thieves, one very Loud (Richard Cabral) and one dubbed Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) later, is the perfect example to leave as a message to other would-be lawbreakers.
Making the run from New San Francisco to Chicago is always better with a co-pilot, or would be if she spoke at all. Somehow Quiet and John Doe are thrown together for better or worse to make this run, John even naively thinks he can convince Raven to allow Quiet’s entrance into New San Francisco too, for helping him.
You wouldn’t think a killer psychotic clown would need a backstory, much less a semi-relatable one, but Sweet Tooth has one and it’s actually pretty good. The body actor for Sweet Tooth (Joe Seanoa) accompanied by the unexpected affable everyman drawl of Will Arnett for his voice, is a real treat, as he cheerfully lops off arms and heads, all while explaining about the need for closure with his various traumas, often suddenly and violently and all over the place. Despite his penchant for sudden ultra-violence, Sweet Tooth is actually what could be considered a good guy in this post-apocalyptic disaster of a world, where people will quite literally kill you over the last half-bag of doggie chow. Sweet Tooth cares about things like emotional scars and the need for entertainment and lauding your artists, often yes at the expense of several audience member lives, but you can’t make a fantastic omelette without beating the hell out of the eggs! And when Sweet Tooth comes across a down on his luck about to be killed by the supposed cops type of dude, the aptly named Stu (Mike Mitchell), who had so recently been betrayed by his pal Mike (Taj Vaughans), he takes Stu under his fiery wing!
Plenty of other interesting characters round out our after-world sh*t-show – Watts (Jamie Neumann) and Granny Dread (Peg O’Keef) of the convoy, and Watts’ old herbal hippie lover but still good with poisons Amber (Diany Rodriguez); the trophy-hungry crew of the Orange County Astral Burger, who oh so deserved the comeuppance they finally got; the “everything goes” haunt of Preacher (Jason Mantzoukas) and his ridiculous Holy Men; even the enigmatic Calypso, who clearly has a strained secret relationship with Raven and her ultimate agenda.
So, what now? It seems that Home, even with it’s toilet paper and meat and potential answers to John’s history to be found, is pretty boring if John is alone. That supposed practice run he did for Raven has soured him a bit on the whole Milkman life, and even if we’re all pretty sure he could absolutely kill the ultimate race Raven is demanding he run next, John has to be in charge of his own life now. Annnd of course that’s right about when family just has to show up, much to Quiet’s dismay!
Full of cheerful violence, casual cruelty between humans, epic bangin’ 90’s tunes, enough gleeful swearing to make a sailor stammer and a well-understood desire not just to survive but thrive, Twisted Metal is lit on fire on the Peacock channel now!
Streaming
Nigel Ng: The HAIYAA Special – A Bold Blend of Cultural Comedy and Crowd Work

Nigel Ng, widely recognized for his viral character Uncle Roger, steps into the spotlight with his debut stand-up special, The HAIYAA Special, now streaming on Hulu. Clocking in at approximately 73 minutes, this special showcases Ng’s transition from internet sensation to a formidable presence on the global comedy stage.
Filmed during his sold-out world tour, the special is a two-part performance that intertwines Ng’s personal anecdotes with his Uncle Roger persona. The first segment features Uncle Roger engaging in crowd work, delivering sharp roasts and playful jabs, while the latter half sees Ng shedding the character to share his experiences as a Malaysian immigrant in the UK. His observational humor touches on cultural nuances, food, and daily life, offering a blend of satire and sincerity.
The special has garnered mixed reviews. Some viewers appreciate Ng’s ability to balance humor with cultural commentary, noting that his delivery elicits genuine laughter. Others feel that the transition between his character and personal narratives could be more seamless, with some jokes not landing as intended.
Nigel Ng’s The HAIYAA Special is a commendable effort that highlights his versatility as a comedian. While there are moments that could benefit from tighter pacing and more cohesive transitions, the special offers a fresh perspective on cultural comedy.
Rating: 7/10
The HAIYAA Special is available for streaming on Hulu.
Streaming
Mashie magic and muscles

Director: Tomoya Tanaka
Writer: Yōsuke Kuroda
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Number of Seasons: 2
Season 1: 12 episodes (April 8, 2023 – July 1, 2023)
Season 2: 12 episodes (January 6, 2024 – March 30, 2024)
Total Episodes: 24
Episode Runtime: Approximately 23 minutes per episode
Main Cast:
Mash Burnedead: Voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi
Finn Ames: Voiced by Reiji Kawashima
Lance Crown: Voiced by Kaito Ishikawa
Dot Barrett: Voiced by Takuya Eguchi
Lemon Irvine: Voiced by Reina Ueda
Streaming Availability:
As of March 2025, “Mashle: Magic and Muscles” is available for streaming on Netflix. Viewers can access both seasons, totaling 24 episodes.
Overall Series Rating: 7.5/10
The series offers a refreshing take on the magical academy trope by introducing a protagonist who challenges societal norms through sheer physical prowess. While the humor and action sequences are commendable, some episodes exhibit repetitive themes. However, the show’s unique blend of parody and traditional shonen elements makes it an enjoyable watch.
“Mashle: Magic and Muscles” is an anime series that blends comedy, action, and fantasy, offering a unique twist on the magical academy genre. The series is set in a world where magic determines one’s status, but its protagonist, Mash Burnedead, possesses no magical abilities. Instead, he relies on his extraordinary physical strength to navigate challenges and aspire to become a Divine Visionary.
Season 1:
1. Mash Burnedead and the Body of the Gods
Rating: 8/10
Introduces Mash and his non-magical background. The episode sets the comedic tone, highlighting Mash’s obliviousness to societal norms.
2. Mash Burnedead and the Mysterious Maze
Rating: 7.5/10
Mash faces the academy’s entrance exam, showcasing his unconventional problem-solving methods and physical strength.
Streaming
BET on Netflix – A Bold, Gritty Drama That Strikes Deep

Genre: Drama / Crime / Psychological Thriller
Run Time: 8 episodes, 45-50 minutes each
Director: Marlon Taylor
Writer: Keisha Freeman
Studio: Revolve Pictures in association with Netflix Originals
Cast:
Kyla Pratt as Denise Carter
Lance Gross as Marcus Reed
Loretta Devine as Mama Joyce
Michael Ealy as Detective Caleb Burns
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BET (short for Bury Every Truth) is Netflix’s latest foray into dark psychological storytelling wrapped in the glitzy facade of urban elite life. Created by Keisha Freeman, this bold series weaves together mystery, trauma, and generational reckoning within a Black community navigating wealth, power, and silence.
The series follows Denise Carter (Kyla Pratt), a rising publicist in Atlanta’s entertainment scene, whose life is turned upside down when her estranged father is found dead under suspicious circumstances. As Denise digs deeper, she uncovers buried secrets that connect her family to a string of unsolved crimes going back two decades. Detective Caleb Burns (Michael Ealy), with demons of his own, becomes both ally and obstacle in her journey to the truth.
Loretta Devine shines with maternal steel, while Kyla Pratt delivers a career-best turn balancing vulnerability and grit. Atlanta is captured in both beauty and shadows, amplified by a chilling neo-soul score.
The show tackles heavy themes — mental health, generational trauma, and silence in communities of color — with sensitivity and power. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, BET flips the narrative. The slow-burn tension in the first half crescendos into a jaw-dropping finale. The pacing may be too deliberate for binge-watchers who crave immediate action. Secondary character arcs occasionally get sidelined in favor of the central mystery.
BET isn’t just a thriller — it’s a cultural reckoning. With strong writing, a committed cast, and a haunting story that sticks with you, the show proves that truth buried isn’t truth forgotten. It invites viewers to look beyond glamor and confront what we protect in silence.
Rating: 8.5/10
Watch it if you liked: Seven Seconds, When They See Us, Truth Be Told