Stargate: Atlantis (2005) – Condemned, and Trinity

Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), Teyla (Rachel Luttrell), McKay (David Hewlett), and Ronon (Jason Momoa) arrive on a planet via puddlejumper and a stargate that they have never been to before. Moments after arrival, they fall under attack. They are rescued, and learn from their rescuers that the stargate is located on a prison island. Condemned was…

Farscape (1999) – Durka Returns, and A Human Reaction

The Farscape universe expands again as we are introduced to the Nebari, Chiana (Gigi Edgley)! Durka Returns first aired on 13 August, 1999 and was written by Grant McAloon. When Moya starbursts and accidentally collides with a small craft, Aeryn (Claudia Black), Crichton (Ben Browder), Zhaan (Virginia Hey), D’Argo (Anthony Simcoe) and Rygel (voiced by…

Farscape (1999) PK Tech Girl, and That Old Black Magic

When I got to PK Tech Girl in my original viewing of the series, this was the point that I realized I was getting hooked on the series. Written by Nan Hagan, it was first broadcast on 16 April, 1999. Moya discovers a massive derelict Peacekeeper battleship that has been lost for a hundred cycles,…

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) – Andre Ovredal

We just can’t leave the undead alone. It seems every couple of years someone trots out another Dracula update, or a new take on vampires. Some of them are good, some of them are not. The Last Voyage of the Demeter falls into the former. It’s bloody, and it’s fun. Based on a small five-page…

The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) – William A. Fraker

There are a few things to redeem the 1981 iteration of the Lone Ranger story, it has a score by John Barry, and features Christopher Lloyd as the film’s baddie. But beyond that, this one is pretty horrible. The story, while violent, isn’t layered, sophisticated or much stronger than a grade-school tale. And that’s to…

Rocky IV (1985) – Sylvester Stallone

There are some flaws in the fourth entry in the Rocky series (I’m looking at that ridiculous robot) and I’m not sure the themes of East vs. West, hubris, and capitalism carry through all the way, because, despite all of the things Rocky (Sylvester Stallone who also wrote and directed) gives up during the course…

Smile (2022) – Parker Finn

Paramount Pictures’ latest theatrical release is an unnerving look parable for what happens with trauma when we just simply grin and bear it, instead of speaking of it openly, freely and dealing with it when it happens. Doctor Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) works as a psychologist in the emergency department of a major hospital. She’s…

Battle Royale (2000) – Kinji Fukasaku

It’s been over a decade since I last watched this iconic action film. And while I didn’t remember all of the characters and details of the film I knew it was a kick-ass film and was eager to take a look at it. Wrapped in blood and violence the film is a harsh coming of…

The Final Girl Support Group (2021) – Grady Hendrix

I’ve been a fan of Grady Hendrix’s writing since I first discovered the vhs looking cover of My Best Friend’s Exorcism. Since then, I hunted down anything he’d written before and after that (two last titles to read and I’m caught up) so I dug eagerly into The Final Girl Support Group. A Final Girl…