Reel Perspectives October 6, 2025 Hulu's annual  Huluween  season is in full swing with a special episode of Family Guy's "A Little Fright Music," that's a part of their  Huluween  lineup. The Halloween episode premiered exclusively on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ today and you can also catch up on previous Huluween editions "Halloween on Spooner Street," "Petergeist," and last year's "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater." "Family Guy" has been one of the longest running, critically acclaimed, and multi-award-winning sitcoms since its debut in 1999.  The series follows the dysfunctional Griffin family - parents Peter and Lois, their children, Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their pet dog, Brian. Set in the fictional city of Quahog, Rhode Island, the series has long been hailed for its dry humor, sharp wit, and hilarious comedy. In this year's special episode, Brian and Stewie realize there is a shortage of quality Halloween songs, so they set out to write a hit, and Peter and the guys discover that lying about trick or treating can have deadly consequences. The talented cast includes MacFarlane as Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, and Glenn Quagmire. Alex Borstein voices Lois Griffin; Seth Green voices Chris Griffin; Mila Kunis voices Meg Griffin; and Arif Zahir voices Cleveland Brown. Don't miss the hilarious special episode streaming now on Hulu and Disney+. Additional credits: Created and executive produced by SetMacFarlanene, Family Guy is a 20th Century Fox Television Animation production. Rich Appel and Alec Sulkin serve as executive producers and showrunners, while Steve Callaghan, Tom Devanney, Danny Smith, Kara Vallow, Mark Hentemann, Patrick Meighan, and Alex Carter are executive producers.

Reel Perspectives October 3, 2025 "The Lost Bus" is an electrically charged, high-octane thriller that grips you from start to finish long after the closing credits roll. The film is based on Lizzie Johnson's non-fiction book, Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire , about the 2018 Camp Fire that swept through Northern California and became the deadliest wildfire in California history. McConaughey stars as Kevin McKay, a courageous bus driver who risks everything to save a teacher and 22 students from a raging wildfire. It first premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival in September and was followed by a limited theatrical release on September 19, 2025. It is now exclusively available on Apple TV+ starting today. Very few films leave you speechless, immersing you so completely that you cannot peel your eyes away even for a second. "The Lost Bus" is one of those movies. It delivers raw and unrelenting tension fueled by McConaughey's gripping performance as a dedicated father filled with regret for past mistakes after losing his father while caring for his disabled mother. His troubled relationship with his son adds to the tension (played by McConaughey's real-life mother and son), and you feel the emotional weight of the burden of both relationships as McKay grapples with anger and frustration. The stunning backdrop of the simmering inferno around him is a visually stunning juxtaposition of McKay's life. McKay is presented with a life-defining choice: choose to deliver meds to his sick son or respond to an emergency call to help rescue 22 children and two school teachers who need to evacuate Ponderosa Elementary school. In addition to McConaughey, the cast for the film includes: America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig Yul Vazquez as Ray Martinez Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby Levi McConaughey as Shaun McKay Kay McCabe McConaughey as Sherry McKay Kate Wharton as Jen Kissoon Danny McCarthy as McKenzie Spencer Watson as Hopkins Nathan Gariety as Levi Gary Kraus as Sheriff Thomas Each scene becomes increasingly perilous, creating a genuine sense of dread, and McConaughey delivers an outstanding performance, fully immersing himself in the horror and desperation as survival instincts kick in. Ferrera, best known for her role in the series  Ugly Betty , is also fantastic, adding emotional depth as they both struggle with determination and palpable fear. They quickly realize that every attempt to escape for themselves and the children leads to a dead end and you literally feel the tiny bit of hope diminishing with each passing second. Ferrera superbly displays a quiet strength that is both nuanced and heartbreaking. The special effects throughout the movie are stunning, with relentless pulsating horror as the inferno destroys everything in its path, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. The film features some of the best action sequences executed to perfection. With a screenplay by Brad Ingelsby and directed by Paul Greengrass, the film vividly brings to life the absolute horror and devastation caused by the Camp Fire in 2018. Over 50,000 residents were displaced, 85 fatalities were recorded, and thousands of acres in Northern California's Butte County were affected due to a poorly maintained transmission line from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The company ultimately settled, agreeing to a $25.5 billion compensation package for the victims and their families. The film takes creative liberties to enhance the cinematic experience, bringing to life every single emotion of heightened anxiety and dread as our heroes struggle to survive while the fire rages around them. The film serves as an impactful reminder of the catastrophic devastation that wildfires can cause and highlights the necessary steps that should be taken to prevent them from happening. With outstanding performances, exceptional special effects, and stunning cinematography, "The Lot Bus" delivers a thrilling, suspenseful rollercoaster of emotions that comes close to perfection. "The Lost Bus" is streaming now on AppleTV+. The film is produced by Ingelsby, Gregory Goodman, Jason Blum for Blumhouse Productions and Jamie Lee Curtis for Comet Pictures.

Reel Perspectives October 2, 2025 "Prime Minister" is a captivating documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is now available exclusively on HBO Max. The film offers a fascinating glimpse into Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's 40th Prime Minister, who unexpectedly became the leader of the opposition party just weeks before the national election. Directed by Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz, the documentary premiered on September 30 on HBO MAX and provides an intimate, behind the scenes look at her administration and private life. The documentary follows Ardern over the course of seven years, offering viewers unparalleled access as she is catapulted to the top of New Zealand politics, becomes a global political icon, resigns from office, and continues to champion the fight against isolationism, fear, and the distortion of truth. Intimate home footage shot by her husband and audio interviews from her time in office give viewers an unfiltered window into her years in power. Magnolia Pictures "Prime Minister" offers a captivating portrayal of Jacinda Ardern, showcasing her as an extraordinary and inspirational leader who led her country with compassion and integrity, faced with significant challenges. Her effective response to a mass shooting in Christchurch in 2019, a volcanic eruption that killed 22 people, and then the global pandemic of COVID-19 that arguably made her approach a shining example of her leadership.   At just 37 years old, in 2017, after becoming  Prime Minister and having just learning she was pregnant, she would become the second head of state in history to give birth while in office. Ardern quickly became one of the most recognizable leaders globally. In private, she struggled with new motherhood and proving herself to a public skeptical of female leadership, she resigned from office in January 2023, shocking her supporters and critics alike. The documentary expertly navigates the complexities and challenges of leading a country, but more importantly, it provides viewers with insight into the woman behind the role of Prime Minister. An empathetic and courageous woman who led her country with dignity, yet with vulnerability as the layers are peeled back to reveal, with unexpected emotion, a woman tasked with leading her country with nothing but the best of intentions, while being scrutinized to unprecedented levels, a level no male politician would ever have faced. "Prime Minister" is a thought-provoking and revealing film that highlights Ardern's personal journey, allowing her to reflect candidly on the past - a rare opportunity provided by few global leaders. Long after the credits roll, viewers are left with a sense of optimism and inspiration, with a clear understanding of what positive leadership should look like and why it is more essential and crucial in today's world. "Prime Minister" is now streaming on HBO Max. Additional credits:  Magnolia Pictures, HBO Documentary Films, CNN Films, and Madison Wells present PRIME MINISTER, a Dark Doris production in association with Divergent Pictures. Directed by Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz; produced by Cass Avery, Clarke Gayford, Leon Kirkbeck, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, and Katie Peck; executive produced by Chris Matson and Michael Cleaver; edited by Grace Zahrah and Enat Sidi.

Reel Perspectives October 2, 2025 The Chicago  universe made an exciting return on October 1 on NBC, bringing major changes and drama to all three shows! "Chicago Med," "Chicago Fire," and "Chicago P.D." follow the lives of dedicated professionals from a bustling hospital, a brave fire squad, and a tenacious law enforcement team as they navigate their intense line of work with their professional and personal lives. Produced by Dick Wolf's Wolf Entertainment and NBCUniversal, this season promises to be an exciting ride for all three shows, with storylines that will impact the entire universe! "Chicago Med" returned for Season 11 after ending on a shocking cliffhanger in Season 10, leaving fans wondering who the father of Hannah's (Jessy Schram) baby is. Dr Dean Archer (Steven Weber) or Dr Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell)? Created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead, the series premiered in 2015 and follows the professional and personal lives of doctors and nurses at the fictional Gaffney Chicago Medical Center's emergency department.  Teasing the possibilities for Hannah's baby, showrunner Allen MacDonald told NBC , "A lot of people, when the pregnancy came up, they assumed that it's Ripley that is the father, and that might be correct," MacDonald said. "And there was a whole group of people that want Archer and Hannah to be together, and they were very upset by that. And all through the season, depending on where we took the story, there's one group that wants that to happen with Dean, there's one group that wants it to happen with Ripley." The series stars Nick Gehlfuss, Yaya DaCosta, Torrey DeVitto, Rachel DiPillo, Colin Donnell, Brian Tee, S. Epatha Merkerson, Oliver Platt, Marlyne Barrett, Norma Kuhling, Dominic Rains, Steven Weber, Guy Lockard, Kristen Hager, Jessy Schram, Luke Mitchell, Sarah Ramos, and Darren Barnet. Season 11 will continue to explore romance, suspense, and drama both in and out of the hospital, as the show will continue to focus on the weekly medical crises that will keep you on the edge of your seat. New episodes will drop every Wednesday at 8/7c on NBC and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock. Chicago Fire returned for Season 14, and this season promises major drama. Created by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, the series premiered back in 2012 and has been a hit ever since. The series follows the professional and personal lives of the firefighters and paramedics of the Chicago Fire Department at the fictional Firehouse 51 and will see a shakeup this season. Per NBC, after the emotional highs and jaw-dropping heartbreaks of "Chicago Fire"   Season 13, viewers can expect some gripping drama in the series' next chapter. Some firefighters are starting families, some are making massive career moves, others are trying to find their footing at a new station amid squad shakeups. Along the way, Season 14 promises adrenaline, heart, and more of the jaw-dropping rescues that have kept fans glued to their screens for over a decade.  In August, Daniel Kyri bid an emotional farewell to his role as Ritter, and returning to the series the cast includes Taylor Kinney as Lieutenant Kelly Severide, Miranda Rae Mayo as Lieutenant Stella Kidd, Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal, David Eigenberg as Chief Christopher Herrmann, Joe Miñoso as Firefighter Joe Cruz, Christian Stolte as Lieutenant Randall "Mouch" McHolland, Hanako Greensmith as Paramedic Violet Mikami, Jocelyn Hudon as Paramedic Lyla "Lizzie" Novak, and Brandon Larracuente as Firefighter Sal Vasquez. Look for Larracuente to really shake things up as the new Firehouse 51 firefighter, Sal Vasquez, and be a rebel, resistant to authority. Teasing his new character to TV Line , executive producer Andrea Newman shared, "There is a mystery as to why, when all of this is going on and all these layoffs are happening and brownouts and new policies happening in the city, why is this guy being moved, not only to a new position, but to what's known as the best firehouse in the city? How did that happen? And why did that happen?"  New episodes will drop every Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock. Chicago PD returned for Season 13, capping off premiere week for One Chicago Wednesdays. Per NBC, the Intelligence Unit finds itself at a crossroads in  P.D.'s  next chapter. Relationships will be tested, and new faces will shake up the squad room as Sgt. Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) attempts to right his ship after the Intelligence Unit's disbandment by a corrupt CPD higher-up, Chief Charlie Reid (Shawn Hatosy). Created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead, the series premiered in 2014, and showrunner, Gwen Sigan, spoke to  NBC  about what fans can expect from the action-packed season. Fans will catch up with the Intelligence Unit a month following Voight's decision to take justice into his own hands. "What we find is that Voight's simple solution that he thought he had found was not so simple," Sigan shared. "So the team is actually disbanded, and we are, in this first episode, exploring how the heck is he gonna get them back together? The bullpen has just been empty for a month, so it's a very different feel to our start." "Nobody is thriving. Some are doing better than others. Voight's trying not to lose it. As we see through the first episode, he is trying his very best to remain calm, face his consequences, and do the right thing. And we'll see how that goes." The cast for this season includes Jason Beghe, Jon Seda, Sophia Bush, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick Flueger, Marina Squerciati, LaRoyce Hawkins, Archie Kao, Elias Koteas, Amy Morton, Brian Geraghty, Tracy Spiridakos, and Lisseth Chavez. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 10/9c on NBC and are available to stream the next day on Peacock.

Reel Perspectives September 30, 2025 Hulu's hilarious new sports comedy "Chad Powers" debuted today with the first two of its six episodes. Glen Powell stars as hotshot quarterback, Russ Holliday, who tries to resurrect his dreams by disguising himself as Chad Powers, a talented oddball who walks on to the struggling South Georgia Catfish, after an unforgivable mistake nuked his promising college football career eight years ago. New episodes will drop every Tuesday through its finale on October 28. Directed by Tony Yacenda, the series was co-created, co-written, and co-produced by Powell and Mike Waldron, along with Eli and Peyton Manning, Luvh Rakhe, and ESPN. The show features a stellar supporting cast, including Perry Mattfeld as Ricky, Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett as Tricia Yeager, Frankie A. Rodriguez as Danny, and Steve Zahn as Coach Jake Hudson. What initially seemed like a "Ted Lasso" imitation turned into Powell giving a riveting performance, teetering between a self-absorbed Holliday, looking to blame everyone but himself, and a redemptive Powers as the lines blur between funny and entertaining to deeper questions in the half-hour episodes. The result is Powell delivering one of his best performances to date in a series filled with funny characters, hilarious one-liners, and a meaningful, redemptive arc that makes the entire series worth watching. "Chad Powers" is outrageous, heartfelt, and with Powell leading the charge - both in front of and behind the camera - this series takes a wild premise and turns it into one of the most entertaining limited series of the year. Part "Ted   Lasso", part "Eastbound & Down", the series is bold, funny, surprisingly smart, and all heart. The first two episodes of "Chad Powers" are streaming now on Hulu.

Reel Perspectives September 29, 2025 For over 30 years, everyone's favorite American family has been entertaining audiences. Fans of the iconic animated series "The Simpsons" can breathe a sigh of relief - Marge is still alive! The thirty seventh season premiered on Fox on September 28, assuaging everyone's fears about the fate of the beloved matriarch. The premiere episode, which saw Lisa Simpson become a member of Springfield Elementary's exclusive fashion club, continued it's special brand of satirical comedy. This season will consist of 15 episodes and two special episodes, exclusively on Disney+. Earlier this year, it was announced that the series was renewed for three additional seasons through Season 40 in 2029, so fans of the venerable series can breathe a huge sigh of relief. The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, "The Simpsons" first debuted on December 17, 1989, and exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990, remaining one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world.   Created by Matt Groening and developed by James L. Brooks, the series is set in the fictional town of Springfield and iconically consists of Homer living at 742 Evergreen Terrace with his blue-haired matriarch, Marge, troublemaking son Bart, overachieving daughter Lisa, and pacifier-sucking baby Maggie.  The voice talents bringing The Simpsons and other Springfield denizens to life are Dan Castellaneta brilliantly voicing Homer, while Julie Kavner portrays Marge and her twin sisters, Patty and Selma. Nancy Cartwright captures the spirit of Bart and Maggie, and Yeardley Smith lends her voice to the lovable Lisa. The talented Harry Shearer voices characters Mr. Burns and Smithers, with Hank Azaria adding his flair to characters such as Comic Book Guy and Super Nintendo Chalmers. Fans can look forward to a star-studded guest list shaking things up in Springfield this season as guests include Kieran Culkin, Glenn Howerton, George Strait, A. Brooks, Cole Escola, Danny Pudi, Adam Pally, John DiMaggio, Brendan Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Idris Elba, Rob Schneider, Michael Keaton, Christopher McDonald, Seth Green, and Viola Davis . "This historic four-season order from our longtime partners at FOX is truly monumental for these iconic animated series," 20th Television head Marci Proietto said in a statement. "We are so proud that these legendary shows will continue for hundreds more episodes, allowing new and longstanding fans to watch, rewatch, and experience more of  The Simpsons ,  Family Guy ,  American Dad ,  and  Bob's Burgers  for years to come." Fans can expect the annual "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween special, and ahead of its upcoming milestone 800th episode, two separate episodes that will air on the same night. "The Simpsons" airs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox and is also available exclusively on Disney+.

Reel Perspectives September 26, 2025 DeVon Franklin and Tyler Perry have undertaken the ambitious task of retelling the powerful biblical love story of "Ruth and Boaz" with a modern twist rooted in faith, healing, and second chances. The film stars Serayah McNeill and Tyler Lepley in the titular roles, and follows rising Atlanta hip-hop artist Ruth Moably, who gives up the glamorous life to start anew in rural Tennessee, where she cares for Naomi, her surrogate mother, and meets the man of her dreams - a grounded and generous vineyard owner.  Directed by Alanna Brown and written by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan, the new film will be the first of many faith-based, inspired movies from the Perry-Franklin creative partnership with Netflix, under a multi-year, multi-picture first-look deal. "Ruth and Boaz" also features an original song by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and performed by Serayah, placing their unique stamp on the film.  Netlfix In an interview with Netflix's Tudum , Perry expressed his enthusiasm about partnering with DeVon Franklin. "I couldn't be more excited for the world to get this look at such a powerful love story", he shared. "I can't wait for audiences everywhere to experience the film." Franklin realying his excitement about the opportunity to collaborate with the prolific mogul, stated, "Tyler and I have been great friends for over 15 years," Franklin adds, "so when he called me to team up on movies that can uplift the human spirit, I jumped at the chance and we couldn't have a better partner than Netflix to help us inspire the world. Ruth & Boaz has been a true labor of love. This classic story has held such deep meaning for me and so many others for generations. I'm beyond excited for audiences to experience this film!" In addition to McNeill and Lepley, the film stars Phylicia Rashad as Naomi, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Walnette Santiago, Nijah Brenea, James Lee Thomas, Jermaine Dupri, Lecrae Moore, Christopher Broughton, Gregalan Williams, James Thomas, Chaundre Hall-Broomfield, and Yung Joc. Taking creative liberties with the original story from the "Book of Ruth" in the Old Testament of the Bible, Ruth follows her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem after the death of her husband and two sons. In Bethlehem, she finds honor through her loyalty to Naomi and eventual marriage to Boaz. The biblical story is an incredible story of hope, love, and redemption, and the modern adaptation is just as powerful, capturing the same powerful themes and making them inspiring and relatable today. Ruth & Boaz is streaming now on Netflix. The film is executive-produced by Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, and Bart Lipton.

Reel Perspectives September 26, 2025 The highly anticipated sci-fi romantic film "All of You" made its streaming debut today exclusively on Apple TV+. Premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, this captivating film stars Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots. Goldstein co-wrote the film alongside Emmy Award winner William Bridges ( Black Mirror ), who also made his directorial debut. Best friends since college, Simon and Laura drift apart when she takes a test that finds her soulmate despite years of unspoken feelings between them. Over the years, as their paths cross and diverge, neither can deny the feeling that they've missed out on a life together. Faced with the uncertainty of changing the course of their lives, are Simon and Laura willing to risk everything to experience the love that had been between them all along, or should they accept their fate? "All of You" explores whether one person can ever be your everything in this humorous and heart-wrenching romantic drama. In addition to Goldstein and Poots, the film features an impressive cast, including Zawe Ashton, Steven Cree, and Jenna Coleman in supporting roles. This deeply moving and heartfelt film will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of everlasting love. It takes viewers on an incredible journey filled with sadness, hope, regret, yearning, and a happily ever after. Anchored by the soulful performances and effortless chemistry between Goldstein and Poots, the film elicits genuine, raw emotions that elevate and sets it apart from other romantic films in the genre. "All of You" is available to stream now on Apple TV+. Production companies for the film include Republic Pictures, MRC, and Ryder Picture Company.