Samantha James

Samantha James is the author and founder of The Chronicles of History, a site dedicated to history, archeology, historical fiction, literature, and book reviews. She also co-leads the History Group, a social community of 22,000+ buffs.
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Mary & George

A clever, dark and salacious historical drama that brings a much overlooked chapter of European history to vivid life. Mary & George is a richly drawn, rough and raunchy story about the quest for power – and survival – in 16th century England.

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Vikings Valhalla S2

An emotionally intense coming-of-age story underlies Vikings Valhalla, which tackles the tumultuous High Middle Ages and power shift across Europe with all the heroics, gore, and sex of its predecessor.

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It’s not HBO, it’s The Pitt: How streamers are embracing old TV network models  

“It’s not TV, it’s HBO.” Remember that old tagline? For nearly all of its history, broadcast television has been fighting against the perception that it’s subordinate to film as a storytelling medium. Television was just media for the masses, as opposed to the more erudite aficionados of cinema (who, by the way, poured into theaters

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Boyhood

Boyhood captures the importance of moments in time as people grow up and contests the idea that any singular moment is defining to your childhood. It’s a film filled with the full breadth of the emotions of childhood, conveying each one delicately to leave you reflecting on its many pensive conversations. 

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Why Andor is Luring in Non-Star Wars Fans

An edgier Star Wars prequel with a timely story about rebellion, Andor skips some of the more familiar elements of the franchise — from lightsabers to Jedi to the Force — in favor of a more grounded story with parallels in both history and our current moment. While it sets up the legendary world of

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Inside the War Zone: A sit down with Warfare’s director and cast

A harrowing new film from Alex Garland’s production banner, Warfare drops viewers into a real-time combat mission in Iraq. Set in 2006, it follows a team of Navy SEALs on a surveillance mission gone awry. Co-written and co-directed by Garland and Ray Mendoza—whose own platoon was ambushed during the real-life event—the film is both brutal

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Black Bag

A taut, stylish and steamy take on the high-stakes espionage thriller, Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag keeps you second-guessing every character’s motives until the very end. The tension, the suspicion, the sense that the walls are closing in? It’s all here.

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The Icon Party: The Cast & Producers on Mid Century Modern

A nostalgic tribute to classic sitcoms that adds some R-rated edge, Mid Century Modern has all the making’s of a breakout hit. It follows three gay best friends – played by Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham – who decide to live out their golden years together in Palm Springs after the unexpected

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Lonely Planet

If you’re starting over after a breakup, facing some midlife questions, or looking for a date night movie that might inspire a romantic vacation, add this Moroccan adventure to your watchlist.

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A Watercooler Guide to Hollywood Satire The Studio

A perfectly-timed send-up that is already driving more water cooler talk than the blockbuster movie machines it satirizes, Apple’s star-studded new comedy The Studio just dropped its first two episodes, and the series is sure to be watched and discussed all the way to September’s Emmy awards. Created by one of the most prolific producing

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Moonstruck

Warm and comforting, Moonstruck feels like spending time with people you love. It does exactly what you want a movie like this to do, which is to warm your heart, make you laugh, and feel a little wistful. It’s perfect.

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Loki Episode 4 Recap: “The Nexus Event”

In our latest Loki episode breakdown we examine the questions of what the big Nexus Event was and who the real power behind the TVA might be.

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Physical

Physical is an in-depth character piece that can be uncomfortable at times, but thanks to Rose Byrne’s performance and the totally awesome period setting it’s a fascinating watch.

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Loki Episode 3 Recap: “Lamentis”

In our Episode 3 recap, Loki reveals himself to his “match” – Sylvie. Has she enchanted him with her spell? Will they fall in love? Will they team up to destroy the world or save it?

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Beautiful Thing and the Importance of LGBTQ Representation

As much about a class as it is about sexuality, Beautiful Thing bucked tradition by focusing on working class teens coming out. Even now, 25 years after its release, it is an intersection rarely depicted on-screen.

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Ted Lasso

Earning the most Emmy nominations for a freshman comedy, Ted Lasso delivered the role model we didn’t know we needed, and proved that upbeat comedy can win over critics, academy voters, and fans across the generations and political divides.

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The Watercooler Guide to Tuca & Bertie

A sleeper hit with a cult following that’s grown across social media, the animated grown-up comedy starring Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong drops its third season July 10th, 2022 — this time on HBO Max. The clever one-of-a-kind show was canceled by Netflix before making an unlikely return on Adult Swim. Here’s what you need

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The Best James Bond Movies to Stream (According to My Dad)

In honor of Father’s Day, I interviewed my dad about his favorite James Bond movies and why you should stream them.

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Celebrate Pride with this LGBTQ Watch List

With an explosion in representation over the past decade, coupled with the advent of streaming, LGBTQ audiences are spoiled for choice in a way we never were before.

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