‘Piranha’ (1978, 1995) cheaply knocks off ‘Jaws’
Frightening Friday (Movie reviews): “Piranha” is often called a “Jaws” parody, but really it’s a knockoff. Still, it has a place in film history.
Science Fiction
‘Piranha’ (1978, 1995) cheaply knocks off ‘Jaws’
‘Supernova’ (2000) spaces out on its big ideas
Frightening Friday (Movie review): “Supernova” isn’t as bad as its reputation, but it doesn’t live up to its potential as a deep-space fright flick.
Depressive ‘Solaris’ (1972) is the anti-‘2001’
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This Russian sci-fi classic is even slower-paced than “2001.” But it offers more intellectual rewards.
‘Event Horizon’ (1997) remains a creepy cult classic
Frightening Friday (Movie review): It might not be the “scariest movie you’ll ever see.” But “Event Horizon” is deserving of its cult status.
‘Contact’ (1997, 1985) makes science accessible, lovely
Throwback Thursday (Movie, book reviews): In the late-1990s gamut of space-visitor movies, “Contact” is the mainstream one – in a good way.
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968) is as cold as space itself
Throwback Thursday (Movie, book reviews): “2001: A Space Odyssey” influenced later works such as “Contact,” “Event Horizon” and “Ad Astra.”
‘Sphere’ (1998) takes its place among sci-fi mind-benders
Michael Crichton Monday (Movie review): I can see why “Sphere” is disliked by many, but I’m surprised it’s not loved by more SF enthusiasts.
Crichton opens a smart puzzle box in ‘Sphere’ (1987)
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Unlike most Crichton novels, “Sphere” is a puzzle box. On your first read, you don’t know what it’s about.
‘Slither’ (2006) a fun small-town infestation romp
Frightening Friday (Movie review): “Slither” isn’t scary, but it is disgusting. Yet the gross-out imagery is so cartoonish that it’s more funny than gross.
Whedon dreams up Victorian superheroes in ‘The Nevers’
First episode impressions (TV review): This is HBO, so there’s more nudity and violence than we’re used to, but “The Nevers” is recognizably Whedonian.