Reviews

In Episode 9 of Loot Season 2, the show takes a more serious tone with emotional swells, payoffs, and downbeat drama. The episode revolves around Isaac and Sofia, who are both struggling with their pasts and the future. Isaac decides to pursue music as a career, which alarms Sofia, who dismisses it as a midlife crisis. This highlights the fundamental differences between them, as they would never drop their entire lives for music. Grace, who helped attract billionaire donors to Space For Everyone, returns to work at the Wells Foundation, but his success is short-lived. John, on the cusp of launching his rocket, Molly-1, publicly implies that he and Molly are back together. However, most Space For Everyone donors hate John, leading some to refuse to work with Molly. Molly-1 explodes during takeoff, possibly killing John. However, he reveals to Molly that he orchestrated the disaster to try and win her back, choosing a moment when Molly has just had a personal realization that she's in love with someone else. This episode serves as a reminder that Loot is one of the better comedy shows airing right now and deserves more respect than it gets. In "Mood Vibrations," Molly and Arthur are forced to spend quality time together, but are distracted by their phones. The finale promises to bring them closer. Howard's attempts at running a wrestling league go wrong, with no hotdogs, speedos, or a double-booked venue. Nicholas is on hand for logistical backup, but Howard is defeated. He wants to cancel the event, but Nicholas refuses. Howard and Nicholas main event the show themselves, putting on a fun match with the Wells Foundation crew. Nicholas shows a softer side to himself and is a true friend to Howard. The payoff is that they have put too much effort in and will never forgive themselves.

In Loot Season 2 Episode 8, the Wells Foundation team brainstorms ways to raise money for the "Space for Everyone" project. Sofia proposes a list of billionaires to ask for donations, including Grace, an old friend of Molly's who is newly divorced. Grace agrees to give the foundation $11 billion, but Molly struggles to accept it. She spends time with Grace in Iceland, while Sofia returns to work. Howard helps Nicholas learn Korean for an audition but goes too far when he suggests they go on a trip to Korea together. This disheartens Nicholas, who feels like he's not Korean enough. When Howard learns this, he promises to be there for him. Molly struggles to get through to Grace, but she shares her experiences following her divorce and how she discovered she could lead people and make a better world. Grace calls into the foundation with the pledge to give them all her money, and other billionaires also want to contribute. Sofia has to hand the money to Molly, as she was right to be there for Grace. The plot of the season progresses in a significant and meaningful way, with Molly finding a more joyful life in helping others rather than spending her money on meaningless frills. In "Loot" Season 2 Episode 8, Molly and Sofia's meeting with Grace reveals a mirror image of Molly's previous difficulties following her divorce. Grace is in a cycle of self-destruction, using drugs, alcohol, and reckless behavior to soothe her agony. Molly decides to get to know Grace personally instead of taking the money. She stays longer in Iceland to help Grace, while Sofia goes back to work. Molly's choice to travel with Grace to Iceland reflects her awareness of Grace's need for a confidant during her turbulent downward spiral. However, Grace's misery is worsened by her downward spiral, which ends with the party DJ rejecting her. Molly's use of alcohol as a coping strategy reflects Grace's difficulties and highlights their mutual suffering. Sofia struggles after learning about Arthur's relationship with Willa, forcing her to address Arthur's boundary concerns. Sofia sets up a public show of affection with Isaac to express her discomfort, challenging Arthur's assumptions and emphasizing the importance of having boundaries. The episode explores empathy, individual limits, and the complexity of interpersonal relationships as characters work through personal challenges and consider the nature of closeness and connection. Nicholas confides in Howard about his problem with cultural identification and how he feels cut off from both his Asian background and his American culture. Howard highlights Nicholas's story as representative of many immigrants navigating cultural assimilation in America while demonstrating empathy and providing support and understanding.

In Loot Season 2 Episode 7, Molly's growing attraction to Arthur is confirmed when she meets him in his boxers. She confides in Nicholas, who suggests hosting a work retreat to grow closer. Molly proposes a retreat at her palace in Dubai, which Sofia agrees on. However, her confidence takes a hit when she meets Willa, who has been dating Arthur for a few weeks. Molly tries to change the retreat to show her down-to-earth nature, but everyone except Arthur is upset when they learn they will be going to a cabin in the San Bernadino Mountains instead of Dubai. Sofia and Howard bond over the fire while sharing tales of their childhood friendships. Nicholas sets up a meal for Molly and Arthur, and they have a great time together. However, Molly becomes angry when Arthur brings up Willa and how happy she made him. She drives off in a rage and hits a naked Rhonda, who has been skinny-dipping. Rhonda and Molly end up okay, but Molly decides to focus on herself and her work. The next day, she tells Sofia she wants to do "Space for Everyone" across the country, but Sofia stops her with the statement that she doesn't have enough money. This is a departure from Loot's previous vagueness about Molly's wealth, as it now matters for the "Space for Everyone" project. While the drama of the episode was enjoyable, there was no attempt to provide a strong secondary plotline. Instead, the focus should be on Howard and Sofia's conversations. The episode begins with Molly accidentally walking into a hidden bathroom at work where Arthur is changing, leading to awkwardness between the two. Molly admits her feelings for Arthur to Nicholas, who tells her that Arthur confessed his feelings for her while in Corsica. Nicholas proposes a work retreat for them to figure out their feelings about each other. Molly and the team, including Sofia, are excited to go to Dubai, but soon discover that Arthur may not be as available as they had hoped. The rest of the episode is a standard rom-com-style series of events where Molly acts jealous of Willa, projecting her feelings onto everyone else. This is uncomfortable and cringey, but Maya Rudolph chooses her moments of vulnerability to make Molly still happy. After meeting Willa, Molly spirals and looks up Willa's Instagram account, believing she can't compete with her down-to-earth nature-loving friend. Nicholas convinces Molly that she's not out of the running for Arthur. Molly decides to change her work trip from Dubai to a cabin in San Bernardino, California instead of Dubai. She speculates that Arthur might want someone more laid back, so she decides to stay in San Bernardino instead. Ainsley is the only one not present for this information, and the rest of the episode is spent stuck at the Dubai airport. Sofia and Howard bond over the change in plans from Dubai to a cabin, as they both had terrible camp experiences as kids and aren't keen to relive it. They try to find reception to distract themselves on their phones, but are unsuccessful. Howard mentions building a fire, which he actually does.

In Loot Season 2 Episode 6, Sofia attends work in casual wear for the first time, despite having slept over at Isaac's and forgetting to bring a change of clothes. The team teases her about their relationship getting serious, but she insists on keeping it casual. Isaac offers to buy her a ticket to the Hollywood Bowl, but she tells him this isn't working. Molly participates as a model in LA Fashion Week, themed "Women Who Rule," but starts feeling her age and losing confidence. Nicholas offers to put her through an intense beauty regimen to make her feel younger and beautiful again. However, the regimen involves TikTok dances and headstands, which Molly can't handle. She takes a supplement, which is mostly herbal, and Arthur arrives at the show wearing the same outfit as the security guards. Molly is incredibly high during the show, and she has to be escorted off stage and taken to the hospital. The same model who offered her the pill ends up there as well, and when asked to be in one of her videos, Molly refuses. When Sofia returns home, Isaac doesn't realize they have broken up, but they go inside together. Michaela Jae Rodriguez plays Sofia's freak out about commitment, and the chemistry between her and O-T Fagbenle is lovely. Molly's arc is hard to get invested in, except for Maya Rudolph. It seems that Loot has lost its anti-billionaire focus when Nicholas reminds Molly she has billions to spend on her beauty regimen, and nobody blinks an eye. "Loot" follows Molly Novak, a philanthropist who faces a divorce and finds herself in a world of wealth and instability. After receiving a $87 billion settlement, she finds purpose through her philanthropic foundation. Molly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, reconnecting with society and immersing herself in philanthropy. The second season has been popular, and viewers eagerly anticipate the next installment. On "The Cup" morning show, Molly Novak suffers a loss and struggles to express her devotion to her homeless project. Speculation about her relationship with Isaac and Sofia's relationship is also prevalent, with coworkers questioning the depth of their connection. The show promises to be a thrilling ride as Molly navigates her newfound sense of fulfillment.

Loot Season 2 Episode 5 begins on Molly's birthday, which she no longer celebrates due to last year's fiasco. After receiving an unwanted gift from John, Molly decides it's time to sell her megayacht to Swedish billionaire Emil. Arthur helps her go over the paperwork and they spend time together at the mall, where Molly experiences nostalgia from a time before she was rich. Arthur reminisces about his past, including getting in trouble with an officer. Molly buys the mall to keep the people there in work and renovate it. Meanwhile, others prepare for fieldwork for the Space for Everyone hotel, and Sofia organizes a competition to get signatures for the project. Nicholas and Howard encounter a wronged ex of Nicholas' and another ex at a juice bar. Howard encourages Nicholas to apologize to those he has wronged, leading to growth as a person. When everyone reunites, Molly decides to do something for her birthday, and Nicholas proposes Mariah Carey live in Vegas. Arthur can't join because he has to pick up his daughter, but he gets Molly an engraved picture frame from the mall. Molly is smitten with the nice guy, and they are pretty precious together. The picture frame from Arthur symbolizes that it's time to simplify Molly's life and chase after what's truly good. Although not a deep message, it makes for enjoyable storytelling. Loot Season 2 Episode 5 is a warm and moving episode that showcases the evolving relationship between Molly and Arthur. The episode, "Mally's," is a reminder of the Season 1 finale and allows Molly to spend the rest of the episode with Arthur. Arthur accompanies Molly to meet with a Swedish billionaire named Emil, who is purchasing her superyacht. Emil's assistant, Bjarke, is twelve years old, and they spend time in the local mall. The episode showcases the earnest character development between Molly and Arthur, as they see how Molly's wealth has isolated her from normality and how much she misses everyday things. Arthur, in his bumbling way, represents these things. Both characters are clearly into each other, but Molly is warmest about Arthur when she sees him helping an old lady. Molly lies about the time Emil is taking to sign the contract as an excuse to spend more time with Arthur. They continue to mess around in the mall until they are taken into the back room by security, presumably for a stern telling off. Fortunately, when you're a billionaire, these things don't really apply. Molly buys the mall instead, and Arthur suggests calling it "Mally's," the title of the episode.

In Loot Season 2 Episode 4, Molly's horniness causes Sofia to advise her to forget about swearing off men for casual sex. Molly resolves to recenter herself at a retreat to conquer her desire, but her desire gets out of hand when handsome actor Benjamin Bratt arrives. Howard and Arthur audition people for the role of the Heel in their new wrestling league, but each person feels too mean. Ainsley struggles with her own problems, such as making a seating chart for her wedding. After a phone call from Nicholas, Howard and Arthur realize that Nicholas is the perfect Heel for their league. Molly and Benjamin get kicked out for sneaking around at the retreat, leading to a one-night stand. Molly returns to work happier and less horny, much to Sofia's relief. The episode has charming moments, but the focus on Molly's current journey is colder. The question remains: will we ever refocus on the "Space for Everyone" project? What is Molly doing to give away her billions if she's comfortable spending money on an expensive retreat? And why is Sofia, the moral paragon of the show, less concerned about Molly's getting laid than the show's critique of one-percenters? Sofia, a observant and honest friend, finds her billionaire partner Molly horny and unable to water a single herb without her drooling over him. Molly's recent search history, revealed at a team meeting, forces Sofia to take action. She admits to her boss that Molly is horny and feels weird, and suggests she go to a bar for sex. Molly appreciates Sofia's hyping of her melons but is not one to just have a one-night stand. Instead, she has booked a meditation retreat at a Malibu wellness center to refocus and re-center herself after her first relationship post-divorce ended in disaster. The retreat is a low bar, as there was water involved, making it a low bar for Molly's cravings. The episode of Loot and Loot is a strong example of the writing on the show. The story revolves around Molly, a character who has been burned twice in a row and is hesitant to put herself out there. The episode uses the Jean-Pierre fiasco to develop Molly's character, highlighting her reluctance to put herself out there and her fear of getting hurt in a relationship again. Molly attends a retreat where she is paired up with Benjamin Bratt, a single, hottest version of Benjamin Bratt. He tells Molly he is a fan of her charity work and sometimes works out to her Silver Moon Summit speech. Molly struggles to sit down correctly after this, and they are instructed to face each other and touch each other's hearts while maintaining eye contact. This episode showcases Loot's ability to add layers to a character while also providing a hilarious plot. Overall, the episode showcases the strength of the writing on Loot.

In Loot Season 2 Episode 3, Molly is excited to see Nicholas in his upcoming play, "Vengeance Falls," and invites his parents to attend as a surprise. Nicholas is embarrassed by his conservative parents' support and tries to explain that he has a great relationship with them. Molly believes that if Nicholas puts in the work like she does, he could have a more open relationship with them. To prove to Nicholas that she can be alone, Molly gives him and the rest of the staff the day off. Sofia tries to get Howard to finish a presentation for the "Space for Everyone" project, but is distracted when he receives a notification of a Taylor Swift concert. Howard tries to prove that Sofia is a Swiftie, but she denies it. He even makes a presentation to prove Sofia is a fan, showing that she asked off work the same day as the concert. Sofia admits she is a Swiftie and that she made up her great aunt to be taken seriously. Howard understands and promises not to tell anyone, and they fangirl together over theories about the music. Back at Molly's place, the billionaire is doing a good job at being alone, but she gets into bed and the smoke alarm starts beeping. After an intense battle with it, she fails to take out its batteries and decides to put it in her panic room, but it locks behind her, leaving her trapped inside. In "Vengeance Falls," Nicholas, who is alerted when the panic room locks, helps Molly out of her room. Molly is embarrassed about her inability to do anything alone, but Nicholas encourages her. She apologizes for giving him advice about his parents, but he admits she wasn't entirely wrong. The episode ends with Nicholas showing up at his parents' place, asking them out for dinner and sharing a commercial he booked. This episode is the most wittily written and delivered of Loot so far, allowing it to function more simply as a classic sitcom episode with likable characters who go through funny escapades and learn life lessons. Ron Funches is endearing as Howard, while Maya Rudolph's fight against her smoke detector is both absurd and relatable. The ending between Nicholas and his parents is sweet and shows that, despite Molly's unreasonable expectations, small steps can be made to build bridges.

In Loot Season 2 Episode 2, Molly and Nicholas watch Clueless and compare Molly to Cher. Molly wants to swear off men, while Cher wants to help her friends out with love. They meet with architect Issac at a hotel for the Space for Everyone project, but they both butt heads. Molly arranges a meeting between them, and they hit it off great. Molly gives Sofia his number, but she sends him embarrassing texts, which he ignores. When Molly uses her security detail to track down Isaac at a bar, Sofia confronts him. Arthur learns about Howard's financial difficulties and suggests selling some of his assets. Howard sets up a stand at a wrestling match to sell his memorabilia, but Arthur offers to invest so Howard can start a wrestling league for his wrestling heroes. At the bar, Sofia finds herself in the middle of a memorial birthday party for a friend of Isaac's who had passed away. Isaac finds the situation amusing and asks her out again, and she agrees. Molly is happy for Sofia, but as she watches the end of Clueless, she feels lonely. The storyline is strong, with comparisons to Clueless being apt and watching Michaela Jae Rodriguez fight falling for someone. It also continues Molly's inner war of wanting to come out from the shadow of her ex, which makes sense as she wants to swear off men.

In Loot Season 2 Episode 1, Molly Wells is not living up to her promise to donate her money to the foundation's Alameda Street Project, which was canceled by the city. She and Sofia must find another way to help unhoused people or risk losing her credibility. Molly also faces interference from her ex-husband John, who believes they are meant to be together after having sex in Corsica. Molly insists that John needs space right now. Howard and Nicholas intervene in Arthur's life at work, seeing his new leather bracelet as a midlife crisis or a cry for help after losing Molly to John in Corsica. Sofia finds a solution in Noah Hope-Devore, a former billionaire who funneled his money into Hope 2.0, a philanthropy platform designed to find the most statistically optimal way to save lives. They set up a meeting with him, and Molly agrees to invest 120 billion dollars into Noah's model. Molly fears that if she can't do it, she will only be known for being rich guy's ex-wife. After talking with Arthur, she feels better about her mistake. Later, Molly discovers Howard has secretly been living in her guest house, and when he notes her lack of space, she pitches her idea to Sofia, "Space for Everyone." When the foundation announces the new initiative, people praise Molly, but John releases a video announcing he will be leading the Novak Aeronautics team into space, thanks Molly for inspiring him. Loot Season 2 revolves around Molly's personal journey and her financial struggles, providing most of the show's commentary. Despite its strong premise, the show's humor has not improved since last season, turning serious topics into cloying ones. Despite this, the show continues to poke fun at Molly, holding her accountable as a billionaire. While there is room for improvement in tact and wit in satirizing the rich, the show's future remains hopeful. Overall, the show's strong premise and continued poking fun of Molly make it a worthwhile watch.

Concert movies are a common way for artists to monetize events, but the quality of the music and the live performance show are crucial factors in making an exceptional concert film. Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball, filmed live at Dodgers Stadium in California with over 52,000 monsters in attendance, represents multiple eras of her music in a visually striking love letter to her extensive catalogue. The film features seamless editing, trippy visuals, projection, strobing lights, flashy pyrotechnics, and intricate dance moves, making it one of Gaga's best ever performances. The concert splits into four distinct acts, topped off by a jaw-dropping finale. While some staples may be absent, Chromatica Ball gets an awful lot right about what a dream Gaga setlist would be, including some deeper cuts. The full catwalk, constantly changing set, and multiple costume changes add an extra burst of pizazz. Bizarre interludes for Chromatica carry us over into different elements of the show, with visuals onscreen melding with the images, such as effects during "Telephone." Gaga's flawless vocals are paired with masterful stage design, and the stage itself is a constantly moving tapestry of beauty. Big, booming instrumentals each have their moment to shine, with "Babylon" serving as an iconic, gold-tinged highlight. In summary, Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball is an epic concert that showcases her diverse musical eras and the power of her live performance show. Fans can now enjoy a front row ticket to her most ambitious show yet, thanks to Gaga herself. Gaga's variety show, Gaga Chromatica Ball, is a captivating performance that showcases her greatest hits. She effortlessly transitions from high-energy fun to inspirational themes, and her piano performances are particularly impressive. Gaga's ability to incorporate her true feelings without making them into a pep talk is evident, as she encourages the audience to celebrate their pride and makes "Born This Way" a major part of the show. Her personality is filtered through every frame, creating a deeply touching portrait of Mother Monster without requiring talking head interviews. The show falls within the realm of a concert movie, leaving viewers feeling as if they were in the room with the thousands of other Monsters. While it is unclear how strongly people will connect to this, those with a casual interest in Gaga's sound or persona are likely to be watching. A concert movie is about giving back to the warm, accepting masses that have loved Gaga since the beginning. The show leaves a lasting impression on the audience, whether they are wiping away tears from emotional ballads or singing along to the lyrics from the comfort of their living room.

Exclusively On Max May 28. 2024.

Disney's animated output has been a predictable laze in recent years, with a focus on mass market appeal and sequels. However, the release of Raya and the Last Dragon serves as a reminder of Disney's ability to transport audiences to a beautifully crafted universe and tell fresh stories. The film follows Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), a young girl who lives in the fragmented world of Kumandra, split into different warring clans after the evil Druun led to the sacrifice of the dragons they had once lived peacefully alongside. Years later, Raya finds herself on a dangerous quest to bring everyone together with the help of the last dragon Sisu (Awkwafina). Set in a fictionalized version of south-east Asia, the voice cast is almost entirely of actors of Asian descent. The film's diversity sells, but its positioning of a female lead is an unfortunate misstep. Raya is the driving force behind the action-led plot and is focused on her family, mission, and friendship with Sisu. Tran's steeliness is well-matched with Awkwafina's goofy comedy, and their buddy comedy back-and-forth is funny without bordering on the "this one's for the adults" smugness that can often seep into post-Shrek animation. The intricate and immersive world of Raya and the Druun is visually escapist Disney films, with the design of the dragons feeling a little cheap in comparison to everything else. The script, from Crazy Rich Asians screenwriter Adele Lim and playwright Qui Nguyen, aims to offer simple life lessons along with the adventure, urging unity over division. Raya and the Last Dragon is a charming, sweet-natured YA-leaning adventure that serves as proof that Disney needs to focus on moving forward rather than continuing to look back. The film tells the story of Raya, who has long heard the stories of the last dragon from her father Benja. The dragons united their forces into a stone, and one named Sisu used it to stop the pending apocalypse. She sacrificed herself in the process, although rumors persist that she survived. The stone resides with Benja and Raya's people when the film begins, but the other clans steal it, break it into pieces, and scatter it across the land. Years later, Raya goes on a quest to find Sisu and the fragments of the stone, trying to bring her people back together and fulfill her father's vision of loyalty. Along the way, they are chased by the princess of a clan seeking full power named Namaari. Along the way, they encounter several memorable supporting characters, including the gregarious Boun, one-eyed Tong, and even a "con baby," a kid who uses her cuteness as an alley con artist. All of these lively characters were impacted by the stone's fragmentation, and they form an unforgettable core in this old-fashioned adventure movie that recalls everything from Indiana Jones to "Princess Mononoke." "Raya and the Last Dragon" is a unique and unforgettable film that explores themes of fallibility and courage, blending mythology with its own past, present, and future. Despite the closure of theaters in recent years, many films have been overlooked, but "Raya and the Last Dragon" is a unique and memorable experience that will undoubtedly find its audience. The film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit, making it a must-watch for fans of history.

Emily Blunt's performance in Netflix's Pain Hustlers is a rare lead role, as she is not chased by aliens or forced to banter with Dwayne Johnson. Blunt's magnetism is both blessing and curse for director David Yates, as it gives the film a pulse it doesn't deserve or always know what to do with. The film follows Liza, a quick-thinking single mom who resorts to body over brain to make a buck and takes a job at a strip club to make ends meet. She meets Pete, a miscast Chris Evans, who suggests she take a job back at the startup. To his surprise, she excels at the role, pushing rival sales reps out of the way and insisting herself into the lives of doctors she's trying to seduce into prescribing her pain-killing medication containing fentanyl.

The movie is mostly involving, shocking us with the gnarly details of an American system that puts far too much control over people's wellbeing in the hands of those who care very little about it. Blunt makes for a captivating Erin Brockovich-lite, sauntering into doctor's offices flaunting her figure to those who underestimate her intelligence and showing off her rarely flexed muscle for comedy. However, director David Yates is no Soderbergh, and the film never moves with the same confidence as she does. The Netflix version of the film looks as cheap and flat as a Kissing Booth sequel, a surreal discordance when compared to Blunt's radiance. The film's excess of it all as the good fortune skyrockets is too shoddy-looking for us to feel any secondhand thrill. Yates's decision to splice janky black-and-white interviews with the characters is also an unforgivably bad one, an attempt at style that only shows what little the film has. The movie "Pain Hustlers" follows the decline of a pharmaceutical company and its subsequent decline, with the script by Wells Tower being written with a heavy hand. The film's scale of the opioid epidemic is horrifying, but it lacks the necessary jaw-drop and heft that could have been contained in the book. Blunt remains committed to the end, but the pleasure of seeing her on screen is replaced with the pain of another undeserving project. The film begins with a staged black and white documentary, where Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) explains his shock and disappointment that Liza would betray him. Liza begins as a mystery woman with a GED education who brought down an empire. Wells Tower's congested screenplay concerns the desperation Liza feels as she and her daughter Phoebe are evicted from her sister's garage and Phoebe is battling seizures from a lethal medical condition. They move to a motel with potential future episodes. Liza needs a break when Pete appears at her strip club and they begin to talk. Pete offers her a job, promising her six figures in her bank account before the end of the year. Pete works for a floundering pharmaceutical startup founded by Jack Neel (Andy Garcia), selling fentanyl, a drug they promise isn't addictive and works better and quicker than usual pain relief for cancer patients.

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 is the conclusion to last year's highly anticipated film, Kill Bill. The film follows the Bride (Uma Thurman) as she tries to dispose of the last three members on her revenge list: Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), Budd (Michael Madsen), and Bill (David Carradine). Tarantino had promised that Vol. 2 would be more of the classic Tarantino style with slick dialogue, pop culture references, and bad-ass characters, but it may be his most talky film to date. Carradine's Bill is revealed in the flesh at the beginning of Vol. 2, making him less intimidating than in Vol. 1. While Carradine is effective in the role, he lacks the flair for Tarantino's dialogue delivery mastered by Sam Jackson, John Travolta, and Michael Madsen. Warren Beatty, originally cast as Bill, might have done better with the part. Michael Madsen's character Budd is also revealed in greater detail in Vol. 2, but the problem with Budd is the character himself. He seems little more than a washed up hick, and his training from his past is never displayed in the film. The fight scene between Elle Driver and The Bride is the film's shining moment, and Tarantino has once again proven his skill for fight sequences. In the two volumes of Bill, Tarantino has crafted some of the most exciting and fresh action since John Woo's Hong Kong cinema work of the late Eighties. The film Vol. 2 has a slow pacing, more reminiscent of Tarantino's Jackie Brown than Vol. 1. The first half of the film is primarily about backstory, with scenes about The Bride, Bill, and Elle Driver. The film could have been cut down to speed up the pace. On a second viewing, the film moved quicker, but many scenes seemed unnecessarily lengthy. Both films feature sequences that could be easily lost, especially Vol. 2. Tarantino could have combined the two into one incredible revenge epic, but it is not necessary to cut the films in two. While longer films result in less showings per day and lower box office take, a three-hour version could have been more spectacular and audiences would have made time for it. Three-hour films have been successful in the past, including the soppy boat thingamagig at the top of the all-time box office list. Quentin, if you happen to read this, could you consider a re-cut Kill Bill film combining, rearranging, and reordering the entire film into one tight three-hour film?

"Kill Bill, Volume 1" showcases Quentin Tarantino's mastery of martial arts techniques, resembling a virtuoso violinist racing through "Flight of the Bumble Bee" or an accordion prodigy setting a speed record for "Lady of Spain." The movie's story is a distillation of the universe of martial arts movies, elevated to a trancelike mastery of the material. Tarantino's story engine is revenge, with the opening scene where Bill kills all members of a bridal party and leaves The Bride (Uma Thurman) for dead. She survives in a coma and is awakened by a mosquito's buzz, reminding us of Manny Farber's definition of the auteur theory.

The Bride is no Emily Dickinson, but she reverses her paralysis in her legs by "focusing." She vows vengeance on the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, and as "Volume 1" concludes, she is about half-finished. She wipes out Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), Kill Bill: Vol 1 , is a film by Tarantino, features a blend of black and white, slo-mo, and bleeped names for effect. The animated sequence, which takes us to Tokyo and introduces O-Ren, is sneaky and allows Tarantino to deal with material that might seem too real in live action. The scene deals with a Mafia kingpin's pedophilia, which works well in animated long shots but would get the movie an NC-17 in live action. Before arriving in Tokyo, The Bride obtains a sword from retired Hattori Hanzo, who is hesitant to use it. Later, the sword must face Go Yubari, O-Ren's teenage bodyguard and a major in medieval studies, who uses the mace and chain as her weapon. Thurman wears a costume identical to Bruce Lee's from his last film, which is not intended as coincidence or impersonation. The Hannah character whistles the theme from "Twisted Nerve" (1968), which could be a leakage between parallel universes in the movies. Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), Budd (Michael Madsen), and Bill (David Carradine). The movie is all storytelling and no story, with motivations having no psychological depth or resonance. The characters consist of their characteristics, suggesting a parallel universe where all of this makes sense in the same way that a superhero's origin story makes sense. In a sequence where The Bride single-handedly wipes out O-Ren and her entire team, including the Crazy 88 Fighters, we are reminded of Neo fighting the clones of Agent Smith in "The Matrix Reloaded," except the Crazy 88 Fighters are individual human beings. The Bride wins because she kills everybody without getting killed herself, and as far as the martial arts genre is concerned, it might as well be the heroine. All major characters except Bill are women, with the men being emasculated right out of the picture.

'Zapped' is a movie that reevaluates the world of cinema and makes viewers question whether it truly deserves a half-star rating. The premise of the movie, 'Girl has a smartphone app which lets her voice-command males', should have been abandoned and the idea should have been sent back to the porn studio. The movie's lack of realism and unrealistic portrayal of the characters makes it difficult to enjoy. The male-love interest calls the heroine'smartphone', as she has a smartphone. He also hangs out in a replica 60's diner with the chess team or sits in class in a leather jacket and sunglasses. In another scene, the two leads meet in a park and share perspectives on 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. The movie makes viewers feel bad and stupid for giving their time to it, making them feel bad and stupid for having given their time to it. 'Zapped' is not just a bad movie, but a bad one on every level. Cthulhu have mercy on us all. Zapped is a story about teenager Zoey Stevens, a perfectionist and skilled dancer who finds herself in a new house and school with a loud stepfather and three accident-prone stepbrothers. Zoey struggles with her new environment and the boys at her school. When she discovers a dog training app on her phone, she uses it to control boys' behavior and creates change. Her love interest, Jackson, and her dance nemesis, Taylor, stand out as perfect for her. The film follows the antics and misadventures of these unique circumstances, with Zoey's best friend Rachel highlighting the genre's shortcomings. The movie is highly polished and well-acted, with comedic moments from Zoey's best friend Rachel. Zoey reflects on her behavior and questions whether it is the best choice to manipulate others, especially her family and the dance crew she is directing. Taylor challenges her in unexpected ways, but Zoey sees the power of motivation coming from their heart. When she chooses to accept people as they are, she integrates herself more fully into their lives, leading to success for everyone involved. The movie is based on Leslie Margolis' popular book Boys are Dogs and follows Zoey's journey as she navigates her new environment and the challenges she faces.

Netflix's "Thelma the Unicorn" is a humorous animated feature adaptation of the 2015 children's book by Aaron Blabey. The film follows a female pony, Thelma, who disguises herself as a magical creature to pursue musical stardom. The adaptation marks the animated feature debut for co-directors Jared Hess and Lynn Wang, who received an Oscar nomination for their handcrafted animated short "Ninety-Five Senses" about a Death Row inmate. Thelma betrays herself and those who truly know her, making it a far cry from the universe where humans coexist with talking animals. The film is a departure from the traditional animated series genre. "Thelma the Unicorn" is a computer-animated film directed by Brittany Howard and starring Otis and Reggie. The film tells the story of Thelma, a mischievous and mischievous animal who works at a farm with her bandmates Otis and Reggie. The Rusty Buckets, a band that has failed to qualify for a major music festival, becomes a sensation when Thelma transforms into a glittery pink fake unicorn. Viral video footage convinces unscrupulous manager Vic Diamond (Jemaine Clement), who seeks to transform Thelma into his next success. The film also leans towards a cynical parody of the music industry, with scenes involving Nikki Narwhal (Ally Dixon) and Vic discussing the perils of the business. Once signed with Vic, Thelma enters into a fabricated romance with a famous horse, and there's even a jab at artificial intelligence when a computer writes an idiotic hit single about cud. The visuals of "Thelma the Unicorn" are uninspired, with most human characters appearing as if they could be plugged into a "Despicable Me" movie without anyone noticing. The animals could walk on stage in "Sing" as if they had always belonged there. However, the Hess duo interject bizarre humor into their screenplay via background characters, giving us a glimpse into their inner lives. The collection of tangential moments rings more memorable than the core narrative and its obvious message. Although not as offbeat as last year's "Leo," "Thelma the Unicorn" has enough gutsy flourishes to redeem it.

"Unfrosted" is a live action leading film directed by Jerry Seinfeld, featuring Bob Cabana as a fictional cereal flack who revolutionizes the breakfast industry. The film is based on the real-life life of William Post, who helped create Pop-Tarts. Seinfeld portrays the launch of a mylar-wrapped, shelf-stable, heatable pastry as a technological innovation on the scale of the space race and the Manhattan Project. The film is as estranged from the facts as Pop-Tarts are from genuine fruit. Battle Creek, Michigan, was ground zero of a Cold War rivalry between Kellogg's and General Foods to sell a breakfast that broke free from the need for a bowl and spoon. General Foods' owner Marjorie Post (Amy Schumer) enlists Nikita Khrushchev (Dean Norris) in her cause, while the dimwitted head of Kellogg's allows his company to align with President John F. Kennedy (Bill Burr), Chef Boy Ardee (Bobby Moynihan), the celebrity fitness guru Jack LaLanne (James Marsden), and the early computer Univac (who acts up in ways that recall Bing's sexually charged A. I. chatbot). The film takes an even darker turn with the entrance of a vengeful milkman (Christian Slater) and a threatening figure named El Sucre (Felix Solis), who realizes millions of dollars hinge on access to his addictive white powder. "Unfrosted" is a delightful film with a touch of morbidity, following a publicity stunt where an anthropomorphic Pop-Tart cooked and served itself to the Kansas State Wildcats. The film features Snap, Crackle, and Pop performing ceremonial duties. The jokes are fast-paced, and the running time is filled with goofy detours, such as Tony the Tiger's rebellion. The scene stealer is child actor Eleanor Sweeney, who makes her debut as an opinionated taste tester. The film is filled with memorable moments and a memorable experience for viewers. "Unfrosted: The Pop-Tarts Story" is a film that explores the rivalry between breakfast cereal giants Kellogg's and Post, who compete in a processed food company's version of the space race. The film is set in 1963 and is directed, produced, co-wrote the script, and stars Jerry Seinfeld as the lead actor. The film is set in 1963 and is set in a time when cereal giants Kellogg's and Post are engaged in a space race to produce a revolutionary new breakfast treat. The film also criticizes foods, consumer products, and graphic design elements it references. The elf mascots of Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Snap, Crackle, and Pop, become overworked actors who wear costumes and play bagpipes at the funeral of a man who died testing the Pop-Tart. After the man's coffin is lowered into the earth, Kellogg's Corn Flakes rooster mascots pour boxes of cornflakes into the grave site. The film's hackery level is so high that the great Thurl Ravenscroft, who did voice-over work in recording studios, is turned into a petty, embittered, run-down, Shakespeare-trained Brit who hates his usefulness as a copyrighted character and worries that no one respects him as an artist. "Unfrosted" is available for free viewing on a streaming platform with thousands more, making it a critic-proof, artistry-proof, and audience-proof movie.

In Episode 7 of City on Fire, Sam is captivated by William's rock band but more intrigued by Nicky than frontrunner William. As she emerges from the crowd, police storm Nicky's hideout, finding evidence such as bomb tests and a secret lab next to it. Detectives McFadden and Parsa discuss this while letting the pigeons out of their cages. As they wait for Nicky's gang to make their move, Charlie shows up to see Sam and spills his truth to her. He believes she's a good person and plans to turn himself into the cops and reveal everything he knows. He also wants to say goodbye as he doesn't know when he will be back. Will introduces himself and has a proper conversation with the kids. Regan admits that she's glad she didn't ditch motherhood altogether, but William knows about her child, Regan, who gave up her semester abroad to Italy and drove to Buffalo for adoption after initially going crazy and psychotic about her inability to have an abortion. Charlie falls asleep by Sam's side and is forced to scramble for cover when the nurse shows up in the morning. Keith arrives and begins speaking to Sam, holding her hand. When Charlie notices him, he surprises him with a birthday surprise, which also gets the pair talking about Amory, "the demon brother." Charlie and his father, Farsa, are arrested after a fight over a bomb designed for a building. They are later reunited with their father and Parsa, who reveals that Nicky is motivated by money and being paid by Amory to burn down buildings in Liberty Heights. Amory's plans to acquire the land were made easier by hiring Nicky to burn down the entire neighborhood. This allowed him to apply for a Blight Decree, expropriating the land and selling it back at a low price.

Keith shows up, as he has overheard the whole thing and is not in lock-up or being interrogated. Regan also mentions that Keith is Amory's "bagman" and was told to ferry an envelope downtown for Amory in exchange for keeping Keith's secret. A bomb threat is called against Hamilton-Sweeney, and Amory is forced to evacuate. However, he skips away before everyone else, just as an arrest warrant comes in for Amory himself. Amory rides with Charlie, who tells him to stay in the car. As Charlie chases after SG, William and others catch up to Amory Gould, who is on the rooftop. His bodyguard gets involved and stabs William, prompting everyone to be too concerned with his wellbeing to stop Amory. As the episode closes out, Charlie tries to talk SG out of blowing up the building, but Sewer Girl reveals that it is down on the window washer outside. Charlie takes a leap of faith, trying to get the bomb, leading to a massive blackout and a massive blackout. The whodunit becomes less of a whodunit, as it becomes increasingly clear that Amory Gould is responsible for the shooting of Sam. He manages to escape after a big montage up on the rooftop.

In Episode 6 of City on Fire, William sinks in the water, but he survives long enough to swim to shore and take a boat to save himself. Mercer is desperate to find William, and when Bruno is taken out of the burning apartment, detectives Parsa and McFadden confirm it's an arson attack. Nicky locks himself in his room and refuses to talk to anyone. Charlie heads in, despite warnings from the crew. Amory shows up to see Regan and Mercer, but he asks suspicious questions. When he gets nowhere, Amory calls Nicky, who is indisposed due to his drinking. McFaddem believes Amory is the link and they should investigate him. With Sam's life in the balance and William missing, the Chief reluctantly allows the detectives to get a warrant and investigate him. Keith tries to play the big man with Mercer by not exposing their kids to William, but he's not in any position to make such demands. Regan and Mercer know precisely where William is, as his family has their own island off the mainland. Flashbacks reveal the past of William and Regan, hints at a company merger, and Amory's extortion of executives. William has connections with Jacob, who knows about Amory's sleaziness. He set up Regan with a young man at a party, forcing himself on her in the name of "having a good time." However, Regan and William fell out during the same night, and William lost a place on the board. The sexual encounter had consequences, including Regan having a secret baby and Amory having a file on everyone, including Nicky, who has pyromania and was recommended to join the "LH Project". Before William can tell everyone, Mercer and Regan reveal the news about Bruno and they embrace. Detective Parsa learns the horrific truth about the explosives stolen from Sam's father, which could take down an entire city block. Nicky plans to take down Amory, while McFadden checks the video footage from the party. She notices that Amory was missing during the time Sam was shot in the park, and believes he may be responsible. Charlie decides not to follow Nicky anymore, realizing he is insane and wants to blow stuff up with his huge bomb. He slips out from the hideout, chased by Sol, and tells the police that the group is making a bomb. This episode sheds more light on the past, including Regan's secret baby, Amory's details, and the police investigation. However, there is still no mention of proper search in the park, despite the six episodes into the show.

In Episode 5 of City on Fire, Charlie and Sam walk through New York streets, sparking attraction. They almost hold hands before snuck into Sam's "happy place" within the school's photography suite. They work together to develop Sam's photos and broach the subject of Nicky, whom Sam seems to have "a lot to learn from." Detective Parsa questions Keith in the station over his suspicious activity with Sam, who lies to the police about being home alone that night when Sam was shot. Keith has motive to kill and is pulled up over this by McFadden. The chief breaks up the interview, allowing Keith to go. Outside the station, Keith thanks Amory before they mention the gun that has gone missing. Keith also brings up Sol and the others that beat him, deciding to leave without striking a deal. Charlie wanders back into the hideout, where he claims to be clearing his head while getting the camera roll developed. Sewer Girl is not easily fooled by Charlie's story, and she reveals that she is playing him for intel. Nicky finds the receipt for the camera developing center while Charlie is having a shower, giving him incentive to head out. William continues to do his artwork, while Keith and Regan sit with Will, who admits taking the gun for himself and sending the message to Regan. Keith finds the gun and throws it in the river, with Regan next to him. William heads to the Hamilton-Sweeney building wearing a suit, where he greets Amory. There's no love lost between them, but it turns head when he shows up. In Amory's office, William admits he doesn't care about the company but wants to find out what happened to Sam. He promises it will be Amory's mugshot in the papers and warns him before they part ways. Out front, Nicky and the rest of the gang start a big protest to rile up the crowd, repeating the phrase "knowledge is power," which is Nicky's revenge for Amory firing them. Nicky receives a call from Amory, confirming that William is on their boat and may prove their connection together. They chase after a footchase on the subway train, where McFadden catches up with William and confides in her. They slip away from the cop and run away to the dock. William and Nicky are together on the boat, with Nicky holding a gun and deciding to go for a walk together. Charlie heads to the photo center, but realizes that three photographs are missing. A worker confirms that Nicky has been there, and he was slipped a couple hundred bucks to see the pictures. William's mural is burned, and the gallery goes up in smoke. Mercer is shocked to see this happen. Charlie sneaks into the photography area at school and sees pictures of Nicky outside a burning building, where someone died inside. One of those pictures includes Sam and Nicky together. City on Fire continues to drag, adding redundant scenes and a lack of interest in the story. The potential for the show is there, but it squanders it in favor of a slow, lackadaisical, and disappointing story. Despite the potential, the show seems like a long shot at improving the episodes.

In Episode 4 of City on Fire, Sam and Charlie are out buying presents for Christmas. Sam picks up a subjective book about cucks, while Charlie shows jealousy towards her. In the present, Charlie hands out flyers for the team but is spooked when he notices Wanted posters with his name on. William is detained downtown and asks Detective Parsa to help solve the case of who shot Sam. Parsa agrees to drop William's charges in exchange for helping solve the case. Regan is called into work due to an incriminating fax that could change everything. She rings Keith, who is constantly trying to check on Sam. Keith is brought too much attention to himself, and when Regan realizes the laptop is missing the L key, it matches the keystrokes from the letter reading "He's 1ying to you." It seems that Will, who knows about the affair, is the one who knows about the affair.

William becomes obsessed with Sam's shooting and believes he is the key to figuring everything out. Mercer tries to talk some sense into him, but he has none. Charlie is also looking into Sam's shooting and questions Sam's camera and whether there could be a connection there. Nicky is acting suspiciously, dodging Charlie's questions and heading out to meet Amory. Unbeknownst to them, William actually happens to be following. It turns out Nicky is working with Amory, who is orchestrating these fires for some reason. When Nicky brings up Sam being shot, Amory says "If I shot someone, they'd be dead." Keith finds himself in trouble when Sol shows up at the cinema and beats him down. He takes away Keith's wallet and watch, telling him they've been fired and have no way of paying the bills. At the office, Regan looks at the fax from the Mayor and intends to go to Amory. The Hamilton-Sweeney Group's application for a Blight Decree has been suspended, and Regan phones her father to try and find a solution. Detective Parsa visits Regan's office to inquire about her divorce and Keith's affair, but Amory stops them and refuses to speak without a lawyer. Amory is involved in many honeypots, including Keith's affair. Charlie finds Sam's old cuck book and decodes a message that reads "look behind the horse" and finds a camera roll stashed there. He runs away, while Nicky tells the group about a new plan to get revenge on Amory. As the episode ends, Keith tries to explain himself to his son, but Detective Parsa arrives at the door. City on Fire returns, and there is no investigation into Charlie or the crime scene. The writing of the show is consistently bad, with no redeeming characters except for Mercer. Everyone else is unlikable and caricatures. The overall idea is good, but it would have worked better as a streamlined movie. The ending might be enough to entice viewers back next week, but it is becoming a hard sell.

The writing in City on Fire is amazing and this episode exemplifies this. Charlie is shocked by the band's explosives production, and Farsi claims they have no physical evidence despite nearby trousers, urine, and potential CCTV cameras. The subplots are mundane and do not push the narrative forward. The financial case with the big company and the drama involving William are dragged out and could have been cut down in time. The episode only needed 55 minutes for the drip-fed information at the end. The mystery of what happened to Sam is enough to keep viewers coming back for more, but City on Fire needs to step it up a gear to keep viewers glued to the mystery until the very end. In episode 3, Sam, a club member, is interviewed by Detective Parsa about her love for music and her frequent appearances at shows. The bouncer reveals that she was with a "young dude" the night in question, who he assumes is the one with the urinated trousers. Charlie, who wakes up with a numb jaw after a knockout blow, arrives from the basement to find Sam and seek help. He shares the news of Sam being shot, with Mercer standing over her. Sam is left with a bullet in her head and blood everywhere, and he pleads with the band for help. Nicky, who has lost his father in the North Tower, sympathizes with Charlie and decides to help Charlie. Charlie feels guilty for not being there for Sam and helping him. Nicky uses religion to help Charlie repent, but it's a ploy to use Charlie to do their dirty work, such as moving the band's gear and switching rehearsal spaces. Regan wakes up in a grumpy mood, learning that someone leaked the pretrial arraignment to the press. Amory claims her father needs to focus on his health, and Regan's father agrees. Mercer urges Regan to give William an intervention, but she's also called to an emergency board meeting. Regan must choose between her dad and brother, and she bids farewell to Amory. Farsi tells Sam's father that he's working on the case and trying to get to the bottom of what happened. Charlie is invited to the rooftop where everyone toasts for Sam, claiming they're doing this for her. Charlie is kept in the dark, but he claims he's all in on whatever they're doing. The intervention goes ahead that night, with William returning home high on drugs. William lashes out at Regan and their father, calling them both cowards. However, William is unconvinced and decides to bail on everyone, picking up his drugs and leaving. Flashbacks reveal Keith and Sam's past, including their hookup in Sam's dorm room. Keith's independent inquiries attempt to find out what happened to Sam, despite being informed of a girl in a coma earlier. Regan arrives late to the board meeting, where Amory is appointed interim chair until a suitable replacement is found. Regan is unhappy with Amory's actions, as it seems like a major coup. Charlie heads out with the gang and discovers a bomb, despite knowing they have been blowing up buildings. Amory knows the truth and insinuates that he is responsible for Sam's death. Keith meets Amory in the park, seeking information about the girl in a coma.

City on Fire returns with an episode that raises questions about potential murder and the possibility of a big accident. The handgun found just after the scenes involving the dead bird suggests someone may have accidentally hit Sam. The police's incrimination at the crime scene raises questions about who could be responsible for the incident. The police didn't find the trousers, which are located next to the bridge, and they didn't do DNA or check the ground for footprints and bodily fluids. The show's success depends on how well the mystery plays out and whether it excels or falls flat on its face. The show's future depends on how well the mystery unfolds and whether it succeeds or falls flat. In episode 2 of City on Fire, Charlie and Sam celebrate New Year's with their father, who makes fireworks for a living. Sam's father has a hatred for New Year's and the Fourth of July, but blames it on his own issues rather than Sam's mother's departure. During the celebration, Sam tries to talk to Charlie, but she steers away from the topic. They head to a club where Sol works, where Charlie helps Sam shower and looks after her. Charlie kisses Sam, expressing his love for her, but she is not asleep. When Charlie raises his head to the heavens, a tear falls from Sam's face. Regan is struggling with her father's wire fraud arrest, which could lead to financial losses. Mercer confronts William about the heroin, claiming that 90% of the incident was police racism, while the other 10% was heroin. William is nonchalant, blaming Mercer for the situation. William walks out, smacking Mercer and hurting his shoulder. Mercer struggles to hold it together, and William apologizes for his toxic relationship. Regan discovers a dead blue turaco bird on the floor, possibly escaping from the Bronx Zoo. Regan drops off the kids to Keith, feeling unhappy with Amory for backslapping the company. The detectives investigate Sam's place at the residency, based on her music preferences. Parsa dismisses an old handgun found by the bridge, claiming it's the wrong model. Charlie is arrested for snooping while Sol and the gang test makeshift explosives in a bathtub. Parsa goes hunting in the park after-hours, finding Charlie's discarded trousers, which contain the flyer for the band. On New Year's Eve in 2002, Samantha brings Charlie to a party where Ex Nihilo and its followers gather to celebrate. Charlie takes Samantha, who is high on mushrooms, downstairs to get a shower. Nicky, a pseudo-rebel, plans to burn the city to the ground and take back what's theirs. They are unaware of their actions and see others living peacefully as a way to cope. Charlie kisses Samantha and tells her he loves her. Samantha is admitted to a hospital, and a scan of her skull reveals a bullet inside. Charlie prays for Samantha, while Regan's son Will returns home without her knowing. Samantha sends a voicemail to Alan, a member of the Hamilton-Sweeney legal team, asking for help related to her father's arraignment. Detective McFadden meets Samantha's father at the hospital, while Detective Parsa is with Mercer in the interrogation room. Mercer tells him he met Samantha at a party hosted by his roommate's family, the Hamilton-Sweeney family. He then follows a sound from the park, finds Samantha, and calls the cops. Parsa takes Mercer's phone number and address and tells him not to leave the city.

Charlie's involvement in the crime is contrived and sloppy, with a sloppy way of getting involved. The situation with Mercer is also niggling, as he seems to be meticulous. These issues indicate potential future writing. The mystery has many twists, and the verdict on its fate is still uncertain. The characters are a mixed bag, and there's a lot going on, leaving room for further twists. With two episodes released today, it's hopeful that answers will be provided in the follow-up. In the first episode of City on Fire, Mercer, a man, calls for police assistance after a girl named Samantha is found lying on the ground with blood on her face. A boy named Charlie, who is at therapy, shares a flashback about meeting Samantha and a time when they went to a record store together. They share a moment of interest, where Charlie shares that his father died last year and he has been attending therapy since. Sam brightens Charlie's day by giving him her "zine" and announcing that he will be her new project. The couple continues to hang out, trying cigarettes for the first time and buying new threads. Dr. Altschul believes that he is using Sam as a shield against the hard reality of facing his father's death. Meanwhile, Regan receives a message from a girl stating that he is 1lying to her, which she finds unsettling. Regan confronts her partner Keith, who claims it was her fault, leading her to move out. In the hallway, Regan encounters Mercer, who is a narcicisstic artist and estranged brother of Regan. William, William's partner, gives him a new iMac, which he uses for his artistic endeavors. William and Sol, along with Sam and other rebels, plan to reunite the band on the Fourth of July. Regan's husband, Keith, is delusional and believes therapy can fix their problems. However, there is no solution, and Keith's lover, Samantha, is worried about something bad happening. Keith warns Sam to stay away, but she is more concerned about something else that could potentially blow up. On the Fourth of July, Charlie and Sam head to see the band at a club. Sam, frazzled and struggling to hold it together, abandons him and leaves, claiming she needs to do something and will return in an hour. In the episode, Keith waits for Keith, but he decides to continue driving. Regan and Mercer meet at a soiree, and Regan is drunk and a mess. She goes to the rooftop to relieve stress, believing it will help numb the pain. Mercer confesses to Regan about his true feelings for William, but isn't sure if it's reciprocated. They get on well and coanfide in each other. Charlie is in the club with Sam's crew, but they learn he knows Sam. They leave him with Nicky, the frontrunner for the band, who encourages him to do coke. William shows up just before he sniffs a line. Sam goes into the park, where she's confronted by someone. A couple of bangs echo up to the rooftop, and Mercer realizes it's gunshots. Regan shrugs it off, claiming it's fireworks. Regan introduces him to Amory Gould, who reveals Regan's father is about to get arrested for wire fraud. Mercer is also in an uncomfortable position when he hears someone sobbing and calling for help in the park. He sees Sam in a pool of her own blood, so he calls the cops for help. Charlie shows up and sees Sam on the floor, urinates himself, and urinates himself. As the feds show, he races off, ditching his trousers and throwing them in the bushes nearby. Unfortunately, Mercer is arrested as the suit jacket he was wearing sports drugs inside.