Archive for Sci-Fi Reviews
Solomon Kane (2009) Movie Review
Conan wasn’t the only literary bad ass created by Robert Howard; the author was also responsible for the lesser known Puritan hero Solomon Kane. Although possessing a staunch morality, Kane was every bit as fierce as the famed barbarian. It’s a shame “Solomon Kane” sits on the shelf with no US release date, it’s an adaptation that would make Howard grin from ear to ear–wherever he is in the afterlife.
Doctor Who 5.11 The Pandorica Opens Recap
The end is here for this season of “Doctor Who”, with all the dire prophecies coming home to roost. So it’s put up or shut up time for Steven Moffat, time to make an episode that lives up to everything that’s been building up since “The Eleventh Hour”. And boy does Moffat ever put up, giving us a breathless and wild show that’s as clever as it is jaw dropping. Russell T. Davies, ya got schooled.
Repo Men (2010) Movie Review
A pinch of Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil”, a dash of David Fincher’s “Fight Club”, and some sprinklings of David Cronenberg’s “Crash”, and you have Miguel Sapochnik’s “Repo Men”. Made for $30-plus million (though the film looks much more expensive) and dumped into theaters without a whole lot of studio confidence earlier this year, you’ll be hard-pressed to know the film even exists unless you were looking for it.
TV Review: Haven – Pilot
The SyFy Channel’s new show “Haven” is essentially “The X-Files” if that show was set in one location and Fox Mulder was a spunky blonde, and instead of a doubting Dana Scully you have a doubting Detective who can’t feel pain.
DVD Review: Sanctuary Complete Seasons 1 and 2
SyFy Channel’s “Sanctuary” is an enjoyable show best described as “Hellboy” meets “Fringe” or “The X-Files” or even SyFy’s own “Warehouse 13.”
Doctor Who 5.10 Vincent and the Doctor Recap
We last left The Doctor in a pretty dark place. Rory had just died a senseless death near one of the cracks in the universe, and the cascading time energy erased him from existence. Even worse when The Doctor retrieved a piece of debris from inside the rift–only to discover an exploded piece of his TARDIS. So after those shocking events, it’s nice to have the show settle down and offer us some human drama before leaping back into cataclysmic events.
Doctor Who: Shada (1992) Movie Review
“Shada” has always had a dear place in the hearts of “Doctor Who” fans, especially the old timers who still think eight foot long scarves are still haute couture fashion. The episode in question was written by Douglas Adams himself, years before he gained fame by writing his infamous guide on how to see the galaxy and sold a zillion copies in the process .
Stargate Universe Episode Recap 1.20: Incursion Part 2
Well it’s the end. The first season of StarGate Universe is over. Drama just isn’t interesting unless the people you’re watching experience change. Space is stressful. Did the castaways evolve as human beings over the season? Did the year of dark corridors, invading aliens, bad food and grouchy Scotsmen culminate in a wicked finale or did it all just fizzle?
Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka (2003) Mini-Series Review
After the failure of the FOX telefilm, and subsequent attempts to make a big budget “Doctor Who” movie, the BBC regained the rights and tried a new tact. The series would return, in the form of an animated special set for release in November 2003.
A Celebration of Fan Love — Firefly: Still Flying Book Review
I’m a fan of Joss Whedon’s sci-fi space western, “Firefly” and the follow up movie “Serenity,” but I am by no means a “Browncoat.” That is the preferred name for the uber fans of the franchise that, even after cancellation and a movie to tie things up, are still rabid for more.
Stargate Universe Episode Recap 1.19: Incursion Part 1
My, how the time has flied this season on Stargate Universe. It’s already season finale time. It’s a two parter and it’s called Incursion. Let’s see which side, the good guys or those nasty Lucians, get to pretend to drive the Destiny.
Stargate Universe Episode Recap 1.18: Subversion
Lets just get this out of the way, Richard Dean Anderson is great. Before my little trip into Universe, I didn’t have a lot of experience with Stargate and I only knew Richard from his fun filled MacGyver days. I love him. He’s got that gravitas thing and in accompaniment, a light and funny approach. Please Stargate guys, find a way to get him on the Destiny forever.
FlashForward 1.22/Series Finale Recap
It’s a bizarre irony that “Lost” and the show touted to replace it ended in the same week. So what began with a bang for “Flash Forward” months ago, concludes tonight with dramatic whimper, doubtlessly forgotten by the viewers who abandon it months ago. All in all rather a shame, since the denouement is a fairly entertaining but confusing and uneven finale.
V 1.12 Red Sky/Season 1 Finale Recap
Wow, I can’t believe that the first season is over, but I am absolutely looking forward to the next. I applaud the writers, director, and entire creative staff for doing a great job of tying up enough loose ends to give us a sense of closure while leaving others wide open to bring us all back.
