Star Wars: Smuggler’s Run (2015) – Greg Rucka

  So how many times have I seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens by the time this post goes up? Who knows!!! This week on the Book Shelf I dug into the third of the new ‘Young Adult’ books written around our original heroes, set during the original trilogy, but with tie-ins to the new…

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – J.J. Abrams

  Sure, the film has only been open for one weekend, but at this point, there is absolutely nothing new for me to add to the discussion of the film. I’m still processing it so much of it, I mean after 30 years we get to see what really happened to our favorite characters, and…

Superman Returns (2006) – Bryan Singer

  It’s back to the Sci-Fi Chronicles book (I realize this one is starting to overshadow the Great Movie – 100 Years of Film book, but I’m really enjoying it, especially when I can chain-watch a series of films one after the other). This time, I have a look at Bryan Singer’s 2006 update of…

Superman II (1980) – Richard Lester

  The Sci-Fi Chronicles book just keeps paying off, I’m loving this incredibly large tome, and I can’t believe how quickly I’m working my way through it (admittedly I’ve seen, and reviewed a lot of the stuff before). Having previously reviewed Superman: The Movie, I moved forward to the next title, Superman II. Now, I…

Jurassic World (2015) – Colin Trevorrow

  The Park is open! It’s time to go back to Isla Nublar to take a look at the latest update to the world created by Steven Spielberg (who serves as Executive Producer), and author, the late Michael Crichton. And while it is fun to see dinosaurs on the big screen again, there is only…

War of the Worlds (2005) – Steven Spielberg 

  I dive back into more HG Wells cinematic adaptations with the Sci-Fi Chronicles book, settling in to rewatch the Spielberg take on the classic invasion tale, done so well in the previously reviewed 1953 film. Spielberg’s updated take on the story is a modern, post 9/11 version which tries to walk the line, mostly successfully between modern sensibilities…

The Book Thief (2013) – Brian Percival

  I read the book for this one some time ago, and had forgotten enough of it so that I was coming in to the story fresh, and wow did I enjoy this one. Great performances, a stirring score, thank you John Williams and an emotional and human tale from a script by Michael Petroni,…

Trailer Tracks: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – Steven Spielberg

One of the biggest influences on my childhood, if not my entire life, alongside Star Wars, is this homage to the adventures of yesteryear, Raiders of the Lost Ark… that music (John Williams), that cast (Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies), those stunts (Vic Armstrong)!!! Often imitated, and sequel-ized, but never matched…