Three Must See Shows on Max

       

Photograph by Lloyd Bishop/HBO

        On October 26, 2024, Max released 'Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the comedy special, "Known for his dry wit and sharp topical commentary as host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” the veteran comedian shifts his focus to his personal life – from the chaos of raising three young kids, to navigating different communication styles in marriage, to the proper way to cross the street in New York City." But what did the critics say?

       Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times says, "This is a no-frills special consisting of Meyers talking to the audience as if we’re all friends and we can all relate to the stories culled from his experiences as a husband and father — stories exaggerated for comedic effect, of course."

       Sean L. McCarthy of Decider notes,  "Late Night fans, take note: There’s a lot more about his home life than his work life or the current political landscape here, so this hour is much more “A Closer Look” inward on how Meyers is managing (or not) to balance it all personally. “I am happy to inform you I have no anti-trans material,” he makes a point of saying, but not so much to weigh in on his edgelord colleagues in comedy, as much as to draw a contrast between gender identity and dietary identity. In his worldview, transitioning to veganism, as Seth’s brother has, is much more of a disruption. And yet, even in his annoyance, he’s got to hand it to his brother for looking much healthier than him as a result. Although he sounds much more annoyed with his wife and kids than he is with his brother, his parents or even his in-laws. Making himself the put-upon dad who can only find peace by lingering underneath the couch for a few extra moments after crawling to fetch the dice his kids had thrown there during a board game. He and his wife might be teaching their children not to use the word “hate” in their vocabulary, but Seth has more than a few things he hates about them (kidding not kidding), to the point where he finds himself taking pleasure out of ripping the sweaters off of his children as a substitute for actually hitting them. And when he gets into arguments with his wife, Seth finds an ally in his mother-in-law. This is all kinda classic sitcom dad material to be sure, imagining Meyers as a version of Ray Romano’s Everybody Loves Raymond, for instance."

        On November 2, 2024, Adult Swim and Max released 'Invincible Fight Girl', which has earned rave reviews from critics. In the series, "A young girl named Andy, living in Wrestling World, endeavors to become the best pro-wrestler ever and takes on the alies of "Fight Girl." Sherin Nicole of RIOTUS says, "That’s where this show dives deeper, exploring the complexities of family expectations versus personal passion. Watching Andy hide her aspirations will ring true for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of familial pressure. Every beatdown, found friend, and new challenge resonates with resilience, redefining identity, and the unapologetic pursuit of greatness." 

Photograph by Courtesy of HBO

        On November 3, 2024, 'Like Water for Chocolate' was released, receiving a mixed reception from critics at the time of this writing. In the series, which is based on the novel of the same name, one "explores the idea that sometimes traditions can become a prison, an obstacle for love. Tita de la Garza and Pedro Múzquiz are two souls deeply in love, yet unable to be together due to entrenched family customs. The protagonists navigate a world of magical realism and rich flavors as Tita struggles between the destiny imposed on her by her family and her fight for love. Along the way, the audience will witness her greatest refuge: the kitchen. For Tita, her magical connection to cooking becomes an active resistance against oppression, allowing her to channel her deepest desires and passions into her recipes, transforming those who taste them. Set during the Mexican Revolution, the series also addresses the struggle of women to control their own destinies. The breathtaking locations in Tlaxcala and Mexico City provide an authentic and powerful backdrop for this adaptation of a beloved Mexican literary classic." The ensemble cast includes Irene Azuela, Azul Guaita, Andrés Baida, Andrea Chaparro, and Ana Valeria Becerril. Read the full review round-up below.

        Cristina Escobar of RogerEbert.com praises the series, stating, "HBO’s new “Like Water for Chocolate” is sumptuously shot. And it’s not just the costumes or the sets, although they are both clearly rendered with care. Gathered skirts, wide-brimmed hats, and lace-up black boots. Colonial archways and formal sitting rooms. What makes this show feel so rich is the cinematography, framing a kiss between the young lovers, an ill-fated wedding feast, and a painful birthing scene in ways that evoke magic. It’s all emotion and beauty and that’s before we get to the food. And the food is lovely too. I stayed through the credits to catch the close ups of bowls and big wooden spoons, ingredients combining and transforming. It didn’t make me hungry so much as comforted, offering a vision of food as an end in itself. The making is an art form and the consumption is the delightful result. Now, for those not familiar with “Like Water for Chocolate,” this famous tale originated in a 1989 book by ​​Laura Esquivel before hitting theaters in the States in 1992. The HBO series is the first adaption in more than 30 years, and it faithfully renders the tale of Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita), the youngest daughter of bitter widow Mamá Elena (Irene Azuela)." Adding, "Parts are imperfect – Nacha (Ángeles Cruz), Tita’s de facto mother and the one who teacher her how to cook, may get more of a backstory, but it is still grating that the darker-skinned woman exists solely as a vessel for Tita to learn. Yet still, it succeeds in making the decades-old story, set one hundred years ago, feel fresh and alive."