Minority Mindset

The final season of The Strain has earned a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, solidifying its place as a potentially groundbreaking horror series for network television. While the show had a strong start with its first two seasons, the third dipped in quality. However, showrunner Carlton Cuse (known for Lost and Jack Ryan) successfully brought it back on track with Season 4. Adapted from the novel trilogy by Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan (The Town), The Strain benefited from having a complete story to tell, allowing it to avoid the common pitfalls of many current horror shows – like inconsistent writing or switching to a completely new story each season.

If realized, the team-up would mark a bold creative departure for both filmmakers.

The show Criminal Minds often features well-known guest stars, and several big names are joining the cast for the next season, including Justin Kirk, Clark Gregg, Jeri Ryan, Rob Yang, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Paul F. Tompkins. Interestingly, Tompkins and Brown both previously worked with Criminal Minds star Paget Brewster on the show Community. It’s a fun connection to look out for when Criminal Minds: Evolution starts streaming on Paramount+ on May 28th.

Okay, let me tell you, watching Alex Cooper pair Diet Coke with Panda Express white rice was… a choice. And honestly, it left me with so many questions. Is this some regional comfort food I’m unaware of? Beyond both being darkly colored, does Diet Coke even go with soy sauce? And the most basic thing: wouldn’t pouring a cold soda on rice just… make it cold? As someone who remembers Alex’s Disney Channel days, I expected more rigorous questioning! Seriously, this whole segment felt like a missed opportunity – we could’ve had a show about a secret chef, but instead… this. Just saying.

Jude isn’t one to simply dwell on the problems of his country. He’s a playful and inventive filmmaker, constantly working on new projects. His films, like the darkly comedic Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World, cleverly address important issues with a mischievous sense of humor that masks a genuine frustration. While Kontinental ’25 continues his tradition of sharp social commentary, it’s different from his earlier comedies, which relied on bold experimentation. This new film was shot entirely on an iPhone, often featuring two characters in long, unbroken conversations that openly discuss Romania’s challenges. The iPhone’s low-quality look is noticeable, but it also highlights how quickly Jude can transform his immediate anger into a finished film, giving viewers a raw and unfiltered look at his perspective.

HBO’s The Pitt continues to be a hit with viewers, consistently ranking among the platform’s most popular shows since its second season launched on January 8, 2026. Praised as “TV’s best medical show,” the series – led by Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch and his team – has been renewed for a third season, with the announcement coming as season 2 began streaming.

It’s particularly disappointing when truly outstanding films that met all the requirements are overlooked for nominations. The Oscars have missed some incredible anime movies, and while an Oscar isn’t necessary to validate a great film, recognition from the Academy feels important when a movie is groundbreaking, significantly impacts popular culture, or ranks among the best films of its year – regardless of animation style.