Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) – James Cameron

Fire and Ash is an experiential popcorn movie. It needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible, and while 3D has some detractors, it is used beautifully in this film. This is a movie-going experience. Having said that, I miss James Cameron’s early work, Aliens, The Abyss, The Terminator, and T2, even True Lies….

Stargate: Atlantis (2007) – The Game, and The Ark

The Game first debuted on 11 May, 2007 and was written by Carl Binder from a story by Don Whitehead and Holly Henderson. Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and McKay (David Hewlett) are thrown into a game that the expedition finds in the Ancient database. But, as things continue to play out, everyone comes to realize it’s…

Stargate SG-1 (2007) – The Road Not Taken, and The Shroud

Carter (Amanda Tapping) finds herself in a parallel universe in The Road Not Taken. Written by Alan McCullough, this episode first debuted on 27 April, 2007. While testing an experimental device based on Merlin’s work, Carter’s arrival in a different universe allows her the opportunity to help hide the planet from the Ori. In effect…

Stargate: Atlantis (2006) – Inferno, and Allies

The penultimate episode of season two finds Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and his team discovering that some new possible allies not only have ancient tech, they may have an ancient warship. Inferno was written by Carl Binder and debuted on 3 March, 2006. While McKay (David Hewlett) helps Norina (Brandy Ledford) with the planetary defense shield,…

Companion (2025) – Drew Hancock

Companion was a super-enjoyable film with a not-so-subtle commentary about how we, as a society, use and abuse technology, including AI, for our comforts. Which shouldn’t be a surprise considering we do that each other. Often funny, and filled with sharp dialogue, and whip-smart performances from Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, and Harvey Guillen. You know…

Stargate SG-1 (2005) – Avalon: Part 1, and Part 2

Season nine got underway with Avalon: Part 1 on 15 July, 2005. It was written by Robert C. Cooper with excerpts written by Cooper and Brad Wright. And it is not the show it was at the end of the last season. Season nine features some big changes for the series. Sure we had Jonas…

Stargate: Atlantis (2004) – Poisoning the Well, and Underground

Ethical questions come up for Weir (Torri Higginson), though Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) doesn’t seem to have any in Poisoning the Well. Written by Damian Kindler from a story by Mary Kaiser this episode was first broadcast on 20 August, 2004. Sheppard’s team have made contact with the Hoffans, a human race that welcomes the team,…

The Andromeda Strain (1971) – Robert Wise

I greatly enjoyed reading Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain and then I decided to correct an oversight in my viewing history and check out the 1971 film directed masterfully by Robert Wise. I love that like the book, the film is played very straight, and consequently it makes the idea all the more frightening. When…

Stargate: Atlantis (2004) – Rising

Stargate: Atlantis launched with a feature length debut episode on 16 July, 2004. It was written by Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright. O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Daniel (Michael Shanks) shows up to assist in the launch. It’s fun, looks great and expands the Stargate universe. Dr. Weir (now played by Torri Higginson) has…

Stargate SG-1 (2002) – Shadow Play, and The Other Guys

Stargate Command is stunned when they are contacted by Jonas Quinn’s (Corin Nemec) people the Kelowans. They are seeking aid, and are offering naquadria in exchange. O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) is less than thrilled with the idea considering how some of the planet chose to paint Daniel (Michael Shanks) as a traitor. Things take an…