Russell gives powerful turn in ‘Soldier’ (1998)
PKD flashback (Movie review): This sidequel to “Blade Runner” criticizes war and the state, and celebrates the resiliency of the individual.
Science Fiction
Russell gives powerful turn in ‘Soldier’ (1998)
‘Jason X’ (2002) a futuristic guilty pleasure
Frightening Friday (Movie review): After so many bad “Jason” movies, this one is refreshing with its SF conceit, distinct characters and goofy one-liners.
‘Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said’ (1974) probes police state
PKD flashback (Book review): Dick masterfully continues his thematic drug war trilogy in a second book that looks at its impact on individuals.
‘Raised by Wolves’ offers little beyond its look
First episode impressions (TV review): The fall TV season gets off to a weak start with a show that suggests Scott-style greatness but doesn’t get there.
‘Alien’ short films mark 40th anniversary
‘Aliens/Predator’ Universe flashback (Reviews): The franchise gifted fans with several short films to mark its 40th anniversary.
‘Total Recall 2070’ (1999) taps into ‘Blade Runner’
PKD flashback (TV review): Despite its low budget, this single-season Showtime series taps into what makes Dick’s cinematic worlds so engrossing.
Amusing scares keep ‘Leviathan’ (1989) from sinking
Frightening Friday (Movie review): It doesn’t survive comparisons to “The Abyss,” but “Leviathan” boasts a strong cast and underwater thrills.
‘The Abyss’ (1989) a timeless underwater odyssey
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Overlooked compared to other Cameron films, “The Abyss” ranks among the great underwater SF epics.
‘Our Friends from Frolix 8’ (1970) takes on spy state
PKD flashback (Book review): Dick launches his thematic police state/drug war trilogy in thoughtful and entertaining fashion.
‘They Live’ (1988) a padded-out ‘Twilight Zone’ episode
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Carpenter’s alien-infiltration metaphor is so thinly veiled it’s hardly a metaphor at all.