science fiction

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: A Somber Tale Of Superheroes Makes For Engaging Television
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: A Somber Tale Of Superheroes Makes For Engaging Television

The Umbrella Academy is an exciting and free-spirited edition to Netflix’s catalog of binge-able TV series.

WORLD ON A WIRE: Second Sight’s Simulacrum

Second Sight’s revival of World on a Wire is vital for not only highlighting one of Fassbinder’s more underrated efforts, but for resurrecting one of the essential texts of science fiction.

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL: A CGI Canvas Splattered With Cringe
ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL: A CGI Canvas Splattered With Cringe

Besides some noteworthy acton sequences, Alita: Battle Angel is otherwise a disappointing affair, even moreso given James Cameron’s involvement.

BEFORE WE VANISH: Alien Invasion With A Twist

Before We Vanish is always working in two dimensions at the same time: it’s gross and funny, incisive as a work of modern commentary and blunt as a dozen hammers.

Sundance Film Festival 2019 Report 8, Australian Domination: I AM MOTHER, TOP END WEDDING & LITTLE MONSTERS
Sundance Film Festival 2019 Report 8, Australian Domination: I AM MOTHER, TOP END WEDDING & LITTLE MONSTERS

This year at Sundance there were six films from Australia, and we were able to catch three: I Am Mother, Top End Wedding and Little Monsters.

IO: Grand Ideas With Underwhelming Execution
IO: Grand Ideas With Underwhelming Execution

A forced romance, lackluster execution, and a tendency to pander to its audience makes IO come up far shorter than it otherwise could’ve been. 

The 'Space Wizards' Argument: Why Sci-Fi and Fantasy Narratives Need To Be Better
The “Space Wizards” Argument: Why Sci-Fi & Fantasy Narratives Need To Be Better

Fantasy and sci-fi films push our suspension of disbelief regularly – but can we complain about them being unrealistic if this is pushed too far?

Fantasy Science Pt. 19: GATTACA, Genetic Engineering & CRISPR
Fantasy Science Pt. 19: GATTACA, Genetic Engineering & CRISPR

Today we are going to look at the biotech tool called CRISPR that may have the potential to bring the future depicted by Gattaca to life.

Away From The Hype: INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
Away From The Hype: INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

In the latest of our Away From the Hype series, we examine Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to see whether it is deserving of its negative reputation.

MARVEL'S RUNAWAYS Season 2: As Bingeable As Ever
MARVEL’S RUNAWAYS Season 2: As Bingeable As Ever

For viewers tired of the gloom and doom of most superhero TV series, Marvel’s Runaways is more than worth escaping to.

BIRD BOX: Tonally Baffling, Neither Entertaining Nor Moving
BIRD BOX: Tonally Baffling, Neither Entertaining Nor Moving

There are successful films buried within Bird Box, but it refuses to build any identity as a film beyond its concept.

DOCTOR WHO (S11E10) "The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos": Much-Needed Closure Finally Found For Season Finale
DOCTOR WHO (S11E10) “The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos”: Much-Needed Closure Finally Found For Season Finale

Episode 10 brings Whittaker’s first Doctor Who season to a close, and after her first series of expeditions, it is clear that the writers have struggled to balance a female Doctor.

The Beginner's Guide: Joe Dante, Director
The Beginner’s Guide: Joe Dante, Director

In this beginner’s guide we look back at the career of director Joe Dante, focusing mostly on his iconic 1980s hits.

DOCTOR WHO (S11E9) "It Takes You Away": Mirror of Terror
DOCTOR WHO (S11E9) “It Takes You Away”: Mirror Of Terror

“It Takes You Away” takes us to another foreign land, where the story is at times weak, but the script is always punchy and progressive, with unexpected twists, moths, and frogs throughout.

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE: Kaleidoscopic Spectacle Of Heroic Pop Art
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE: Kaleidoscopic Spectacle Of Heroic Pop Art

As a stylistic achievement of world-building, the animated saga Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is just bursting at the seams with an infectious energy that can barely be contained by a single film.