del Toro’s ‘The Strain’ deliciously dark and stylish
First episode impressions (TV review): The novel and comic book series now gets a small-screen adaptation.
Science Fiction
First episode impressions: ‘Extant’ (TV review)
“Extant” (8 p.m. Central Wednesdays on CBS) unveiled a tasty hodgepodge of science fiction ideas in its premiere episode. For now, they are comfortable clichés, but I hold out hope that the show will coalesce into […]
‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part IV: Do plot holes in ‘Star Wars’ make it ill-suited to a smart viewer? (Commentary)
Here is the fourth and final part of my series inspired by Benbella Books’ “Star Wars on Trial”(2006), a collection of essays responding to eight charges against the “Star Wars” franchise. Sci-fi author David Brin, a […]
‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part III: Does ‘Star Wars’ portray women as fundamentally weak? (Commentary)
Here is the third installment of my series inspired by Benbella Books’ “Star Wars on Trial” (2006), a collection of essays responding to eight charges against the “Star Wars” franchise. Sci-fi author David Brin, a critic of […]
‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part II: Has the success of ‘Star Wars’ been bad for other sci-fi? (Commentary)
Here is the second installment in my series inspired by Benbella Books’ “Star Wars on Trial” (2006), a collection of essays responding to eight charges against the “Star Wars” franchise. Sci-fi author David Brin, a critic of […]
‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part I: Does ‘Star Wars’ promote bad political, ethical or religious values? (Commentary)
In 2006, Benbella Books put out “Star Wars on Trial,” a collection of essays responding to eight charges against the “Star Wars” franchise (plus a ninth, overriding charge: Considering all the factors above, ‘Star Wars’ has been […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Jabba the Hutt,’ ‘The Jabba Tape’ and ‘This Crumb for Hire’ (1995-98) (Comic book reviews)
In its nearly quarter-century as the home of “Star Wars,” Dark Horse often gave fans what they clamored for (see “Boba Fett” or “Darth Maul” or the Royal Guard-centered “Crimson Empire”). In other cases, the […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood’ (1998-99) (Comic book review)
The main thing I remembered from my first reading of “Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood”(1998-99) was that it was really hard to follow. And I wasn’t the only one. A letter writer mentioned the confusing […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Crimson Empire’ (1997-98) (Comic book review)
“Crimson Empire” (1997-98) is one of the most popular Dark Horse “Star Wars” titles, and I suspect it gets a ton of mileage out of the fact that it focuses on the Emperor’s Royal Guards, arguably […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Planet of Twilight’ (1997) (Book review)
In my re-read of the Bantam novels, I thought I was saving the worst for last with “Planet of Twilight” (1997). My 18-year-old self hated this novel, and I remember why: This is the final chapter […]