The Penguin cast and crew explain the tragic ending(s) and what’s next for Oz

Last Sunday saw HBO airing the eighth and final episode of ‘The Penguin’. It was simply outstanding! I must admit, I never thought a spin-off series from the 2022 film ‘The Batman’ featuring a secondary antagonist would end up among my top picks for the year. But here we are. The show, ‘The Penguin’, was a captivating blend of darkness, humor, action, and tragedy. The character, Oz Cobblepot (Colin Farrell), finally achieved his dream of ruling the underworld of Gotham City, but at the cost of any vestige of goodness he once possessed.

Review: In the hardscrabble ‘Bird,’ hope is scarce — but sometimes it comes from above

The film “Bird” by director Andrea Arnold delves into a familiar setting of youth living on the outskirts, finding ways to survive with limited resources, oscillating between intense anger and moments of fun. However, this story, centered around a strong and perceptive 12-year-old named Bailey (newcomer Nykiya Adams), carries an undercurrent of optimism that seems like a fresh tone for Britain’s leading figure in social realism.