Katie Rife

Katie Rife is a writer and film critic based in Chicago. She worked as the Senior Writer for The A.V. Club from 2019-2022, and News Editor from 2014-2019. She currently freelances for outlets like Rolling Stone, Vulture, Indiewire, EW, and Fangoria, and assists with year-round horror programming at the Music Box of Horrors.
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Old Enough!

Though the idea of sending a three-year-old to the supermarket by themselves might seem terrifying, the Japanese documentary series Old Enough! is hardly a white-knuckle experience. It’s a sweet and watchable show showcasing the kids’ natural charisma.

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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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Awards Season Catchup: A Watercooler Guide to Shōgun

An immersive must-watch embraced by critics, the new Shōgun brings a new perspective on the epic historical drama about the battle between East and West in 17th century Japan.

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What the Netflix Hit The Diplomat Can Teach Us All

In the midst of all the hype about a dating show (Love is Blind) and a dark, LA-set comedy (Beef), a complex political drama that requires undivided attention rose to the top of the Netflix chart in 2023.  At its core, The Diplomat is a series about bureaucratic machinations, yet the show ups the ante

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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Recap Episode 1: “New World Order”

We’re only one episode in, but so far The Falcon and the Winter Soldier doing a great job of navigating the new post-Endgame Marvel reality.

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Ginny and Georgia

Deeper and more complex than it might seem, this is the kind of show that draws you in and keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next.

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Here’s Where the 2021 Oscar Nominees are Streaming

For those who are more likely to watch movies from their couches than a movie-theater seat, catching an Academy Award nominated film has never been easier.

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Star Trek: Lower Decks

An action-packed sci-fi comedy set in a Star Trek universe that it both reveres and lovingly mocks.

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Behind Her Eyes

This twisty, sexy psychological thriller is like a well-acted, visually polished beach read for television that will keep you guessing right up to the end.

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The Best Shows to Watch on BritBox

From classic comedies and period dramas to current events and breaking news coverage, BritBox is truly a sampling of the best of British television.

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Coming 2 America

A wildly fun, all-star sequel to the 1988 comedy classic, Coming 2 America brings back the greatest hits of the original and adds in just enough fresh faces and hilarity to be worth the watch. A great three-generation family watch for the kids (11+), parents and grandparents.

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WTF: WandaVision Episode 9 “The Series Finale”

With its ninth and final episode officially out in the world, WandaVision is complete. And what a ride it was.

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Yellowstone

Yellowstone has secured its place in the cultural zeitgeist due to a strong cast, headed by Kevin Costner, and a true-to-life examination of how each character’s development impacts everyone around them.

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