My relationship with comic book films is sort of like my relationship with science fiction novels–it’s complicated. There are some that rise to the level of art (The Dark Knight), while others are less than drivel (Iron Man 3). I find it hard to be truly a fan when the cycle swings so dramatically. In […]
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You may not think The Lego Movie is the place to go for political commentary, but you would be wrong. While it would not be fair to push the theme too far–after all, this is a children’s film based on interlocking plastic toys–The Lego Movie is about the fine balance between individualism and communitarianism and […]
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Ender’s Game
04 Nov 2013
Orson Scott Card wrote Ender’s Game in 1985. The novel quickly entered the science fiction canon, winning both the Hugo and Nebula awards, and Card joined luminaries like Asimov, Heinlein, Herbert, and Dick. Bringing Ender’s Game to film presented many challenges. After nearly 30 years in the development wilderness, technology finally caught up to Card’s […]
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Gravity is a Thin Marvel
20 Oct 2013
Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity is a perfect Hollywood experience. The visuals are revelatory, and likely historic, and the director wrings from his talented movie stars compelling, temperate performances in spite of the chilly sterility of space. These strengths cannot hide the reality that Gravity is still slight and as translucent, as flimsy as the space equipment that […]
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World War Zzzzzzzz
24 Jun 2013
I have to be honest with you–I have a thing for zombies. I think our current fascination with zombies reveals a good bit about our culture. Zombies are the perfect monsters for our age. They maintain a residue of humanity, which makes them recognizable and relatable, though they are inhuman enough for us to enjoy […]
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Jesus Christ Superhero
17 Jun 2013
We live in the golden age of superhero films. While largely a product of risk-averse Hollywood, which is always seeking another franchise to construct or exploit, these films have proven to be bankable and generally entertaining. While The Dark Knight, for me, remains the pinnacle of the genre, The Man of Steel is a worthy entry […]
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Now You See Me…Now I Want a Refund
01 Jun 2013
Many things make a film ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ We consider the acting, writing, visual imagery, plot, setting, tone, or myriad other factors. Sometimes it is a matter of execution. Sometimes it is the mere idea that never bears fruit. In every mediocre, or worse, Hollywood production, there is often a good film clawing to get […]
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Star Trek: Into Darkness
19 May 2013
Star Trek: Into Darkness (While the movie’s producers have determined not to use appropriate punctuation, I am not bound by such an agreement.) is the latest installment in the long-running television and movie franchise. While technically science fiction, Into Darkness (J.J. Abrams, Director) is an action, popcorn film, more in the mold of Star Wars than Blade […]
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