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5 Best Episodes of Netflix’s Sci-Fi Show “Black Mirror”

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Written by Shannon McGrew

Last week, I found myself under the weather with a pretty nasty cold.  Being forced to rest is not something I do often, so I took this as an opportunity to catch up on some movies and start a series that I kept being told to watch titled “Black Mirror.” At the time I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but as soon as the first episode ended I knew I wanted more.  In the three days I was sick, I binge watched all three seasons of “Black Mirror” and proclaimed for all to hear that it was one of the best shows I’ve watched…EVER.  As I tried to detox from my binge, I decided that I wanted to share all that I had experienced with those of you out there who are not familiar with the show or have not yet had the opportunity to watch it. The best way to do that, I decided, was to share my top 5 favorite episodes from the series.  For those not familiar with “Black Mirror” it’s reminiscent of shows like “The Twilight Zone”, each episode being a stand alone episode, that deals with the rapid advancement of technology and the paranoia it can bring in today’s modern society.  So without further ado, here are my top 5 favorite episodes of “Black Mirror”!

#5: “San Junipero” – Season 3, Episode 4

Synopsis:  In a seaside town in 1987, a shy young woman and an outgoing party girl strike up a powerful bond that seems to defy the laws of space and time. 

Thoughts:  I know I know, this is everybody’s favorite episode.  When I first started watching “Black Mirror” friends told me to get ready for an episode titled “San Junipero” because it would be a soul crushing one.  I think because so many people hyped it up, it didn’t have the same effect as “Be Right Back” (you’ll read about that one further down the list) did for me, but nevertheless, this is still an outstanding episode with incredible performances by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis.  It’s hard to explain much without giving away the entire episode, but the overall theme deals with love and death and how technology can bring those two things together if we want.  As much as people felt like they got punched in the guy by the story that was unfolding, and believe me, it’s a tear-jerker, I think that in the end this episode inspires hope in people who maybe, just maybe, someday we will have the chance to see those we love again.

#4: “White Christmas” – Holiday Special

Synopsis:  In a mysterious and remote snowy outpost, Matt and Potter share an interesting Christmas meal together, swapping creepy tales of their earlier lives in the outside world. 

Thoughts:  Out of all the episodes I watched, this one kept me guessing till the very end and it’s an episode I consider to have some of the best writing for a storyline ever.  It’s start with a simple premise, two men on a snowy outpost, sharing a Christmas meal while telling their stories from the past.  What makes this episode SO good is the believable relationship that is forming between the two main actors, Matt (Jon Hamm) and Potter (Rafe Spall).  As time goes on, you begin to realize how intricate and detailed these stories are and how they are intertwined together.  You eventually get to a point where you can’t help but get lost in their sorrows, and though it’s apparent that they aren’t necessarily “good” guys, you can’t help but root for them.  Then all of a sudden, everything gets turned upside down and you see the real motive behind one of the characters, which changes the whole dynamic of the episode. I found myself relatively happy with the eventual outcomes after the shock wore off, mostly for one character in particular.  If this episode showed us anything, it’s how sneaky and cold technology can be when retrieving information from someone.

#3: “Be Right Back” – Season 2, Episode 1

Synopsis:  After losing her husband in a car crash, a grieving woman uses a computer software that allows you to “talk” to the deceased.

Thoughts:  I like feeling things when watching shows or movies; for example, the feeling of being scared or surprised, even sad sometimes.  However, what I absolutely hate to happen is crying.  I’m sure that says a lot about me as a person, but it’s true, I don’t like to cry when I can help it.   When going into this episode, I didn’t think much of it and that was where my downfall was.  I made myself vulnerable and in doing so I allowed myself to feel an emotion that I typically keep wrapped up and hidden within myself.  This was a tough one to watch especially if you have ever lost a loved one. Imagine that our technology was so advanced that we had the opportunity to see/hear/talk/touch that person we lost. How far would you go to experience that and would the pay off be worth it?  It’s a subject that a lot of us, especially myself, have thought about.  However, bringing that person back, as a shell of their former self, may not be as beneficial as one may think and this episode does a terrific job of showing just how heartbreaking it can be.

#2: “Nosedive” – Season 3, Episode 1

Synopsis:  In a future entirely controlled by how people evaluate others on social media, a girl is trying to keep her “score” high while preparing for her oldest childhood friend’s wedding. 

Thoughts:  If there was an episode that spoke to the heart of the millennial generation, this would be it.  The majority of us are constantly feeling the need to be validated by how many likes we receive on social media and we’ve allowed that tool to be the basis of how we evaluate our self-worth.  I loved that this episode showed the viewer the high points and the very low points of letting something so minuscule dictate one’s happiness. Out of the entire series, I personally believe this is the episode that shows how detached we are from true human interaction on a daily basis.  It’s a sobering reality and one that reminds us that we shouldn’t take advantage of those in our lives who are willing to be true to themselves, regardless of what their social media likes are.  Our worth, our love, and our reason for being here should never be dictated by social media, or anyone, ever.

#1: “The Entire History of You” – Season 1 Episode 3

Synopsis:  In the near future, everyone has access to a memory implant that records everything they do, see and hear – a sort of Sky Plus for the brain.  You need never forget a face again – but is that always a good thing? 

Thoughts:  I love LOVE love this episode.  I don’t know exactly what it was about it that resonated with me, but regardless it did.  To me, I think the writing was perfect, the acting superb, and the storyline cohesive and interesting.  Imagine for a minute, that you had the opportunity to record EVERYTHING and with the push of a button you can fast forward and rewind encounters and experiences within your life.  It sounds amazing at first, until you realize you could spend hours obsessing over the body language and laughter of your loved one.  Then you start to question them and if they are doing more than meets the eye.  If they are, are you willing to handle the consequences it could bring upon you and your family? This episode does a great job of handling both the pro’s and con’s of this technologically advanced system while also showing us the horrifying consequences it can bring about.  Out of all the episodes I’ve watched (which was all of them obviously), this is the one that stuck with me the most.  Sometimes the advancement of technology isn’t always for the best.

In the end, these are my opinions, and my opinions only.  “Black Mirror” has so many great episodes that delve into real world scenarios and social issues that it was truly hard to narrow down 5 of them.  If you have a favorite one, let us know as I would love to hear what each of your favorite episodes were.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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