Science Fiction, Film Objective

Debunking the Strawman Campaign of Don’t Look Up

June 15, 2023June 1, 2023 by M.C. Myers

Don’t Look Up swaggers through tired political divisions for the sake of its out-there comedic premise. Its confidence is more impressive than its point.

Why Speed Racer May Be the Greatest Comic Book Movie

April 21, 2023April 4, 2023 by M.C. Myers

Speed Racer unconventionally adapted the comic book formula to a unique emotional high that now stands out in a crowded genre.

The Mandalorian Season 3: Episode 1 Review

April 18, 2023March 16, 2023 by M.C. Myers

The Mandalorian slides into its third premiere without a strong suggestion that this will be more than a content extension for a profitable series.

Illusions of Relevance in The Invisible Man (2020)

March 1, 2023February 19, 2023 by M.C. Myers

Whannell drenches the action of his remake in expository relevance to cover for a lack of basic thriller rationale in the screenplay.

Wearily Wading Through Avatar: The Way of Water

March 11, 2023January 30, 2023 by M.C. Myers

Avatar: The Way of Water is a monument to James Cameron’s business model but stutters on every other artistic or dramatic criterion imaginable.

What is Everyone’s Problem With Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

April 5, 2023December 15, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Star Wars: The Last Jedi continues to be debated out of passionate frustration. This is an exploration of what’s right and wrong with this bizarre movie.

The Crisis of Believability in A Quiet Place Part II

November 16, 2022November 12, 2022 by M.C. Myers

A Quiet Place Part II tries to squeeze more sequence out of a great concept. It succeeds despite straining for believability amid conflicting rules.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) – Imposter Horror

October 3, 2022October 2, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers remakes a great B-movie with intellectual terror. It knows that irony makes it even scarier. This is pure horror joy.

Samaritan – Bum Rap

September 2, 2022August 29, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Samaritan accepts on faith that the audience thinks Stallone is a superhero. His charm, and almost nothing else, makes it sporadically watchable.

Prey: Consent to Kill

November 16, 2022August 5, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Prey expresses a strong period aesthetic powered by fresh performances but relies on a screenplay that misplaces its series’ core values.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Part V Review

June 22, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Part V continues Obi-Wan Kenobi’s habit of steamrolling plausibility with reverse-engineered plot directions, with a small twist.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part I-III Review

June 8, 2022 by M.C. Myers

So far, Obi-Wan Kenobi seems to be relying more on Star Wars fans to be excited in the absence of creativity than on its own inspiration or technical ability.

Prometheus: Creator’s Angst

April 18, 2023June 1, 2022 by M.C. Myers

The much-maligned Prometheus hides an epic sci-fi fable despite failing to satisfy its own ambitions. Fassbender is genre-defining.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters – Faithless Tribute

September 11, 2022June 1, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Godzilla: King of the Monsters avoids the essence of its brand almost as aggressively as it avoids working on its script.

Interstellar: Feeling Machine

April 29, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Interstellar’s brilliant technical filmmaking hinges on a story thwarted by melodrama. Its head is full of ideas, but its heart is empty.

Jurassic World Dominion Trailer: How Jurassic Park Evolved Into This

June 8, 2022February 11, 2022 by M.C. Myers

Jurassic World Dominion is supposed to be the climax of decades of franchise build-up. Here are my thoughts on the trailer and how this series got here.

Zack Snyder vs Superman: Why Intent Became Conflict in Man of Steel

June 14, 2022February 2, 2022 by M.C. Myers

A response to Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel as well as to the debates about it, including both its problematic execution and its honest desire for greatness.

Superman: Mythic Origins

June 12, 2022December 8, 2021 by M.C. Myers

Superman creates a well-meaning mythology that predicts the most profitable film genre. Its many imitations are only partial, however. The original still soars.