‘X-Men’ series ‘Legion’ is ambitious but convoluted
First episode impressions (TV review): The ambitious “X-Men” Universe series gets off to a messy start.
Science Fiction
First episode impressions: ‘24: Legacy’ (TV review)
It’s easy to forget how groundbreaking “24” was when it premiered in November 2001 in the wake of 9/11. I need to rewatch that first season (I see that Amazon Prime has it) to get […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader’ (2005) (Book review)
We knew Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader were the same person since 1980, but it wasn’t until after “Revenge of the Sith” came out that we learned how Anakin feels being Vader. For that reason, “Dark […]
‘Powerless’ taps into the funny side of living in a superhero world
First episode impressions (TV review): “Powerless” finds the funny side of living in a superhero world.
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Jedi Trial’ (2004) (Book review)
“Jedi Trial” (2004) isn’t on anyone’s list of the great EU novels, and indeed, I did put off my re-read for a while, recalling it to be a slog. However, it was a pretty easy read […]
‘Labyrinth of Evil’ (2005) goes to brink of ‘Revenge of the Sith’
‘Star Wars’ flashback (Book review): James Luceno takes us right up to “Revenge of the Sith” in this thrilling prequel that tells Grievous’ backstory.
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Clone Wars’ (2008) launches in a small way on the big screen (Movie review)
Disney’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is getting a lot of buzz, an odd contrast to the last time a “Star Wars” film outside of the numbered episodes premiered. In August 2008, I mentioned “The […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Clone Wars’ movie novelization (2008) (Book review)
Having just read Karen Traviss’ first four “Republic Commando” novels, it’s abundantly clear that she’s handcuffed on “The Clone Wars” movie novelization (2008). She tries to do what Matthew Stover did for “Revenge of the Sith” three […]
Cerebral alien visitation yarn ‘Arrival’ lacks a satisfying payoff (Movie review)
Like many alien visitation films before it, “Arrival” asks “What is their purpose on Earth?” After the requisite opening where the world tenses up as 12 giant egg-shaped spaceships take up stations around the globe, “Arrival” zeroes […]
The 10 best short stories in ‘The X-Files: Secret Agendas’ (Book review)
I’ll take my fix of new “X-Files” material where I can get it, but it’s irritating that in IDW’s third volume of “X-Files” short stories, “Secret Agendas,” Jonathan Maberry and his team (if there is one) still […]