‘Terminator’ flashback: ‘The Terminator’ movie (1984) and novelizations (1984-85) (Review)
“The Terminator” (1984) is a pivotal movie in sci-fi history. Wanting to make his own “Star Wars”-level blockbuster, director James Cameron drew upon the tropes of time travel and robots – and more specifically and controversially, a couple of “Outer Limits” episodes (which is why Harlan Ellison is credited in the closing scrawl) — to launch a
Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’ blends science and spirituality
Movie review: Like “2001” and “Contact,” “Interstellar” shows science and spirituality can coexist in a grand space adventure.
Fincher’s stylish touch makes flawed ‘Gone Girl’ more engaging than it deserves to be (Movie review)
Since it’s the latest film from director David Fincher, who has a stylish knack for capturing the gritty essence of neighborhoods and bars and police stations, I recommend seeing “Gone Girl,”albeit in the cheap theater or when it gets to Redbox. At the same time, this marks Fincher’s second-straight adaptation of a mainstream beach read, following
Villeneuve’s ‘Prisoners’ is one of the year’s best thrillers (Movie review)
I held off for a while on seeing “Prisoners” because the previews seemed to give away the whole movie: 1) Girls kidnapped, 2) dad (Hugh Jackman) tortures suspect (Paul Dano) who is obviously innocent, 3) the film gains a second meaning as he’s imprisoned by his rage and frustration.
30 reasons ‘Return of the Jedi’ rocks (and no, ‘Jedi Rocks’ is not one of them) (Movie commentary)
“Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi” turns 30 on Saturday, and it’s still looking good. So much so that George Lucas recently gave the nod to a sequel. But the J.J. Abrams-helmed “Episode VII” is still a couple years away, so in the meantime, let’s take a look at 30 reasons why “Jedi”
20 observations about ‘Jurassic Park’ for 20th anniversary
Movie commentary: With “Jurassic Park” back in theaters for a 3D 20th anniversary release, here are 20 reasons why I love the movie.
Tarantino fans will likely love everything about ‘Django Unchained’ (Movie review)
I’m not naturally inclined to see a Quentin Tarantino film, but a couple of friends’ excitement about “Django Unchained,” combined with the generally positive reviews, got me to say “What the heck — I’ll give it a fair shot.” As I expected, it’s really violent — it’s not that I’m in danger of barfing in my popcorn
‘Dark Knight Rises’ doesn’t take Batman to new heights
Movie review: Still, this is a solid conclusion to a trilogy that brings Batman into the 21st century.
This time it’s war in Cameron’s thrilling ‘Aliens’ (1986)
‘Aliens/Predator’ Universe flashback (Movie review): James Cameron delivers one of the best sequels ever made.
‘Alien’ (1979) sets the monster-flick template, and a high bar
‘Aliens/Predator’ Universe flashback (Movie review): Ridley Scott’s masterpiece sets the monster-flick template, and a high bar.