Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) – Michael Bay

Hasbro and Michael Bay bring the Autobots and Decepticons to the screen for a second outing, as I continue my time with the Transformers in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. This one took a lot of flak for its racist stereotypes illustrated throughout the film even as our heroes both human and robot fight to save…

Doctor Who (Paul McGann) – The Movie

Seven years after Sylvester McCoy’s last story, Survival, a weird co-production involving Fox television and the BBC, introduced Paul McGann as the Doctor when McCoy regenerated into him after being shot in San Francisco (actually Vancouver), at the end of the 20th century. The story is deeply flawed, conflicts with canon in a number of…

The Couturier of Milan (2017) – Ian Hamilton

Next Monday, the adventures of Ava Lee continue in Ian Hamilton’s latest instalment in the addictive, page-turning series that began with The Water Rat of Wanchai and continues now with book nine(!) and one novella – The Couturier of Milan. Over the course of these books, I have grown to consider Ava Lee a friend,…

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) -Hayao Miyazaki

The next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book is a long overdue check-in with Miyazaki, the famed writer/director who has envisioned so many incredible tales. This time around, it’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. I didn’t have access to a subtitled version, so I went with the English dubbed (subtitle is ALWAYS the…

Doctor Who (Sylvester McCoy) – Dragonfire

The final story of Season 24, and McCoy’s first comes to a close this week, with the three part tale, Dragonfire. Written by Ian Briggs, this serial ran from 23 November to 7 December, 1987. This was Mel’s (Bonnie Langford) last adventure with the Doctor, and a new companion, Ace (Sophie Aldred) joins the Time…

The Shannara Chronicles: Season 1

Fantasy television series always have a hard time proving themselves on television. For every Game of Thrones or Xena: Warrior Princess, there’s a Wizards and Warriors or Covington Cross. While television viewers are happy to welcome superheroes and aliens into their living rooms on weekly basis, elves, dwarves and trolls have had a tougher time…

Star Trek: The Original Series (1967) – The Squire of Gothos and Arena

Captain’s log: stardate 2124.5 The Squire of Gothos. Oh man, what a fun episode. Penned by Paul Schneider this episode had it’s first airing on 12 January, 1967. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Lt. Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) vanish from the bridge, and when Spock (Leonard Nimoy) sends a landing party, led by…

The Passage (2010) – Justin Cronin

  Epic, majestic, terrifying and engrossing. And heartfelt thanks to Amanda for pushing it in my direction! These words perfectly define The Passage by Justin Cronin. A massive novel, coming in at 879 pages in paperback, the tale it unfolds is massive, engaging, and is almost mythic in nature. With a vast cast of characters,…