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Thomas West

Thomas J. West III earned a PhD in film and screen studies from Syracuse University in 2018. His writing on film and TV has appeared at Screen Rant, Screenology, FanFare, Primetimer, Cinemania, and in a number of scholarly journals and edited collections. He co-hosts the Queens of the B's podcast and writes a regular newsletter, Omnivorous, on Substack. He is also an active member of GALECA, the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.

The 20 most devilish depictions of hell in film & TV

Movies and TV shows have sought to explore the more sinister side of the afterlife with their depictions of hell and Hades. While some of these have tended to the comedic, others haven’t shied away from showing the true horror of what waits for many after death.

The 20 best sci-fi movies and TV shows based on books

As a genre of literature, science fiction has always been adept at grappling with issues that feel present yet distant. It’s thus unsurprising that the cinema and TV would turn to the genre in search of compelling and fascinating stories to tell, and some of the most exciting films and series would draw on sci-fi novels for inspiration.

20 iconic horror movies you can watch year-round

Unsurprisingly, there is a strong connection between horror films and Halloween, which explains why the genre always experiences a resurgence during autumn. However, several horror movies can be enjoyed throughout the year. 

Legend has it: The 20 greatest mythology-based TV shows

While many of the most notable myth retellings have appeared on the big screen, several TV shows — drama and comedy — have looked to various mythological traditions to tell exciting, and sometimes deeply moving, stories to modern audiences.

Best served cold: 20 iconic revenge scenes

The best payback scenes are those that provide both the audience and the characters a sense of catharsis, a feeling that, no matter how bad things are and how much the bad guys might seem poised to win, there is some justice in the universe that will see them get their just desserts.

20 long movies that are worth their runtimes

Brevity might be the soul of wit, but this doesn’t always apply to films. In many cases, longer runtimes allow these types of films to explore issues and characters in greater depth than possible in a more limited temporal frame. 

20 movie endings that leave the viewers completely devastated

A solid ending can rescue even a mediocre film. It’s also true that the best horror films have an ending that leaves the audience feeling deeply disconcerted. 

20 A-list actors who ruined the entire movie

It’s a rule of Hollywood that even a good film can often be brought down by an actor's performance that isn’t up to the level of the people around them. As such, these various bad performances are a reminder of how important proper casting is to the success of any film.

The 20 best movies and TV shows featuring Black women

The experiences and lives of Black women have often been overlooked in Hollywood, but in recent decades, this has thankfully begun to change. 

20 movies that make people paranoid

Several extraordinary films have encouraged viewers to be more than a little paranoid about the world around them and, very often, even their sense of self and identity. These are the types of films that perfectly capture all of the angst and paranoia of the 20th and 21st centuries.

20 films where a supporting actor outshined the star

Such films are important reminders of the extent to which supporting roles are just as important to the success of a given film as the lead and how a truly great performance can often exceed expectations and transform an entire movie.

20 films that absolutely ruin your day when you watch them

While many people watch movies to escape from the miseries of everyday life and find some measure of happiness, some seek out movies designed to ruin someone’s day. Such films are important reminders that the job of the cinema is to explore the human condition, both the good and the bad.

20 actors who played creepy perfectly

Some actors are so successful at portraying creeps of any sort that they run away with the film, even (especially) if they’re the villain.

The 20 most disturbing horror TV shows

As is the case with horror cinema, horror TV takes the fears and anxieties that are prevalent at a given moment and gives them back to the audience in a form that is both digestible yet still terrifying.

Mesmerizing TV shows with magical realism

Magical realism is a sensibility that has proven remarkably enduring and flexible in the realm of TV, appearing in various genres, from sitcoms to thrillers and everything in between. 

The 20 best tech-themed TV shows

In genres as wide-ranging as sitcoms and thrillers, TV has immersed viewers in new and strange worlds where technology can be both a blessing and a curse (sometimes both at once). 

The 20 best TV housekeepers

They often become vital members of their families, which helps to explain why so many housekeepers remain so beloved among TV fandoms.

The 20 best TV shows about grief

Most people have experienced grief at one point or another in their lives, whether it’s the death of a loved one or some other form of loss. Given the power of television as a medium, it makes sense that it would address the issue of grief in myriad ways.

The 20 best horror remakes

There is a unique pleasure in seeing what a new pair of hands, eyes, and sensibilities can bring to an established property. At their best, horror remakes manage to pay homage to the original while also putting a fresh spin on it.

20 movies and TV shows about the pope

Whether set in the unruly period of the Renaissance or the equally tumultuous 20th century, movies and TV series focusing on the pope show the extent to which this religious leader has remained a key source of stability for millennia.

The 20 best bottle movies

It’s often the case that actors give some of their best performances when cast in bottle movies, and as such, this genre shows how very important character remains to the magic of the cinema.

20 enjoyable musicals for people who don't like musicals

There are actually several musicals out there that are ideal for viewing, even for those who don’t consider themselves fans of the genre.

The 20 greatest misfit comedies in film & TV

Whether on TV or in the movies, there seems to be something innately fun and pleasurable about watching the world’s misfits and strangers band together, whether to save their houses from foreclosure or engage in some lighthearted piracy. 

20 iconic film scenes that leave viewers emotionally devastated

The most remarkable of such scenes are those that are particularly devastating for the audience, and several of such moments have become indelible parts of the childhoods of many millennials.

20 classic books that deserve a blockbuster adaptation

Even though many Hollywood studios have recently been more focused on reboots and franchises than they have literary adaptations, there are signs that this may be changing.