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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Roadkill

Political leaders dedicating their waking hours to dodging scandals are not native to the U.S., but they’re more fun to watch when playing out in a fictional version from the other side of the pond.

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Eddie Pepitone – For the Masses

Pepitone helps us see the humor and light in all of this moment’s frightening and confusing nature.

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The Trial of the Chicago 7

The Trial of the Chicago 7 offers plenty of precedents, reminding us of philosopher George Santayana’s warning that “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”

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Homeland

The compelling qualities that first drew me to write in the genre are the same attractions that are abundant in Homeland: plot, tension, moral ambiguity, and paradigm-shattering twists.

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What the Constitution Means to Me

Well-written, heartfelt, and necessary, What the Constitution Means to Me isn’t your typical streaming special, but thanks to Heidi Schreck’s captivating performance and distinctive point of view, it’s a must-see on any platform.

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Secreto Bien Guardado (Argentina)

This Argentinian watercooler drama has sparked debate all around the world. Our Buenos Aires-based correspondent explains why.

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The Queen’s Gambit

Between the terrific performances, the fantastic period details, and the way it approaches chess as a thrilling, tension-filled competitive sport, this series makes braininess cool.

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The Haunting of Bly Manor

Though it’s only had two installments so far, the “Haunting” series is shaping up to be a superb showcase for long-form supernatural storytelling. If you like your horror more gothic than gory, Bly Manor absolutely fits the bill.

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What Lovecraft Country Can Tell Us About Our History

My husband and I first bonded over science-fiction and fantasy. He learned on our first date that I was a Star Wars fan and gave me a Millennium Falcon replica on our second. He had me at “I know.” We still watch sci-fi and fantasy movies and binge TV shows together. From the MCU to

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Holiday Movies to Watch with Each Generation

Deciding what to watch with your family over the holidays is akin to playing Mario Kart. You can be in first place, cruising along when BAM! One of those pesky red shells hit you and now you’re in last place. One minute, you’re sitting down for dinner and everything’s running smoothly, then someone turns on

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What to Watch on Your Holiday Flights

You’ve finally made it to your holiday break, to the airport, and all the way through the labyrinthine security and boarding lines. Now you’re faced with the labyrinth that is the in-flight entertainment guide. How to decide what to watch based on those tiny synopses?  We’ve combed through the airline releases and cross-referenced them with

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Transport Me: Holiday Movies from Around the World

If you and your family are getting tired of the same old Christmas stories year after year, why not dig a little deeper and try these picks from around the world?

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From SNL to the Director’s Chair: Kyle Mooney Talks Nostalgia, Freestyle Raps & Y2K

He stood out for hilariously awkward and offbeat SNL characters like the eccentric Bruce Chandling and the painfully relatable Chris Fitzpatrick. Whether parodying cringeworthy YouTube personalities or channeling the overly sincere energy of ’80s public access TV, Kyle Mooney’s knack for finding humor in the bizarre and uncomfortable has always set him apart. Beyond SNL,

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Romance Me: Meet Your Holiday Streaming Date

Single this holiday season? Luck-y you. You’re free to binge – and fall for – all the charming, seductive, irresistible protagonists across the streamers. Check out these holiday-themed stories for starters.

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The Holdovers

A cross-generation comedy drama that’s earned five Academy Award nominations, The Holdovers will tug at your heartstrings as it wrestles with themes of grief and loneliness, and it will ultimately nurture hope.

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Dune: Part Two

A mesmerizing immersive experience, Dune: Part Two is a film you won’t quickly forget. From the collective talents of its high wattage ensemble cast to the stunning cinematography, costumes and sound design, its a blockbuster that will stimulate all the senses along with your emotions.

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What to Watch (and Avoid) with Friends and Family over Thanksgiving

What to watch – and what to skip – if you’re spending Thanksgiving with kids, teenagers, older generations, or all of them under one roof? Your 2022 Watercooler Guide to holiday movies.

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Tokyo Vice

On one level, Tokyo Vice is the story of one man’s kamikaze mission to bring down the Yakuza. But it’s also a mesmerizing noir drama that unfolds into a tense thriller — and ultimately serves as an important reminder that freedom of the press is worth fighting for.

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