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• A cherished Martin character gets show at BET+

• Prime Video axes Clean Slate, signaling the end of Freevee

Straight to Hell, Yeah!

Disney+’s experiment to bring Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil back from Netflix purgatory concluded Tuesday night. The finale painted a harrowing picture of New York City, where elected officials want to be king, check-and-balance-free.

The bloodied episode saw our two vigilantes pair up to take on Fisk’s task force, which was unleashed to impose martial law against citizens in a forced power outage. By dawn, Fisk reigned supreme, his enemies and detractors dead or imprisoned. But as he basks in his egotistical love for the city, Daredevil plots a course of resistance.

This was the series’ best, solidifying the rebirth of both our protagonist and his nemesis. Being one of three episodes free from reshoots, it’s clear to see the vision and direction the show plans to follow for its second season. While the other episodes were decent, some narrative choices felt too loose, especially given that Matt and Wilson existed outside their suits. We didn’t necessarily need the bank heist episode. Instead, we should have had an episode exploring Muse’s pathos — or at the very least, seen his various sessions with Heather.

Speaking of Dr. Glenn, I can’t reconcile some of her choices. I never thought her relationship with Matt would last, but her reactions toward Fisk did not seem plausible. A woman of that caliber of intellect, a whole psychiatrist, should see through the charade of both our co-leads. I’m hoping that where she ended up is an act.

While we await the second season, we receive a snippet of what to expect in Punisher’s one-off Special Presentation. Overall, season one of Daredevil: Born Again earned a B-.

Slowly…

Before Marvel wrapped things in Hell’s Kitchen, HBO returned to the desolate future of The Last of Us. The video game adaptation returned for its second season, five years after the events of the season one finale. Nineteen-year-old Ellie has matured into a rebellious young adult who views her father-figure Joel with teenage disdain. As they experience growing pains, the commune in Jackson, Wyoming, struggles to maintain resources for more refugees seeking sanctuary. But that isn’t the only thing coming in the wintry distance.

Reprucssions of Joel’s fatal choice have taken root in a young woman’s pursuit of vengeance; justice. And the perpetual threat of monsters on the other side of the wall has evolved, creating a more dangerous world no one could have predicted.

This episode was just a taste of the mayhem yet to be unleashed in the highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us. Watch new episodes on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.

Review: Coogler bites just right with ‘Sinners’

Ryan Coogler’s original supernatural horror film is a multigenerational love letter to the innate magic Black people possess. Intertwining gothic horror and Black ancestral roots, Sinners is an epic showcase of the freedom found in community, and how those without seek to covet or replace it with a false sense of sanctuary.

Originally set for a February release, Coogler’s bloodied tale centers the Jim Crow South. Returning from a stint in Chicago, twins Smoke and Stack open a juke joint in their native Mississippi. For one night, Club Juke is an escape for those seeking refuge from the various ills of life.

The twins, played decently by repeat Coogler collaborator Michael B. Jordan, gets butts in seats. But we experience this fateful day through the eyes of their younger cousin, Sammie, portrayed by newcomer Miles Caton. The son of a preacher, Sam yearns to play the blues against his father’s wishes. Debuting at the club, his powerful gift reaches beyond the bodies in the crowded barn, surpassing time and space, heaven and hell. Unfortunately, his music pricks the ears of some unwanted guests promising a song of eternal freedom.

The gradual burn ignites into a syrupy thriller, with great direction, awesome performances, and masterful musical sets. Coogler has this down to a science, where no scene is wasted. The initial setup and eventual fallout work seamlessly with a balance of comedy, drama, sex and action. And whoever edited the trailer deserves an award, because as simple as the plot is — fight vampires to survive the night — the narrative’s structure isn’t nearly anything I expected.

The acting is superb. Jordan, who has playfully received flak his entire career, holds his own in the dual role. He is evenly supported by a stellar cast that includes Delroy Lindo, Omar Miller, Jayme Lawson and Saul Williams.

However, Caton carries as our naive protagnist. He not only commands the screen in his official debut, but his musical prowess is astounding. The women of the film also shine with Wunmi Mosaku, Hailee Steinfeld, and Li Jun Li delivering poignant, nuance performances. Mosaku is masterful as Annie, one of the twins’ wives. She is the bridge to supernatural happenings, part of the Black ancestral tradition. Stienfeld’s Mary, a mixed-race woman, is electric in a role she rarely encompasses, that touches her personally. Finally, Li stuns in a scene-stealing performance that had me cheering in the theater.

Kudos must be given to Jack O’Connell, who is excellent as our resident villain(?). Incorporating O’Connell’s Irish ancestry showcases Coogler’s meticulous eye for detail to history and — dare I say it — the benefits of diversity. These touches embolden the film with a deeper authenticity that elevates the movie above one’s mere horror flick.

In addition to the script and performances, the film comes alive with the help of Oscar winners Ruth E. Carter with cosutming, and composer Ludwig Göransson, handling the score.

Not only is the film great, but its message is timely. As the power of white supremacy seeks to erase Black life, contribution, and tradition from the past, present and future, Sinners is a bold reminder that we survive. For centuries our songs — saintly or secular — have aided us against all odds. A beautiful, bloodied, soft, bold composition that can’t be shackeld. Freedom, personified.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Coming Attractions

• 4.22 Season two of Andor premieres