As a longtime fan of the momentous anime Cowboy Bebop — it’s been literally twenty years since it first aired on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim — I wasn’t sure I’d ever really want to see a live action version. But when John Cho was announced as the lead, I began to hope for the best…
REVIEW: The Feast Serves Up Anti-Colonial Welsh Folk Horror
Folk horror often examines tension between the “modern” and the “premodern,” the latter represented by folklore, witchcraft, and superstition which threaten the “modern” protagonist. Many folk horror flicks, like the classic The Wicker Man and the more recent The Witch, use this dynamic to critique modernity, traditionally defined by western white men and used to…
Patreon Exclusive: Revisiting the MCU’s Blip From a Pandemic Perspective
Our monthly Patron-exclusive essay series continues. You can read all of these incredible analyses for as little as a dollar a month on our Patreon. In comics, a crossover event is when something happens that’s so big, the implications from it are felt across the entire shared universe, rather than just a single comic series. People…
REVIEW: The Eternals Is Imperfect, But It’s a Fun Film With A Charming Cast
The Eternals, Jack Kirby’s cosmic tale of space gods, was always a weird choice for an MCU adaptation. Kirby’s psychedelic colors and bombastic designs are a poor match for the pseudo-realistic militarized costumes of our current heroes. When you think “adaptable” you don’t really think Eternals. So how did the MCU version fare? Well, it…
Shang-Chi Isn’t Watershed Representation, It’s a Stepping Stone
It’s becoming a real Hollywood marvel.
Bang in the Coffin: Looking Back at Gatiss and Moffat’s Dracula
The BBC’s three-part adaptation of Dracula, written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, did not air very long ago at all — just last year, in fact. However, it aired in the January of last year. This places it in the slice of 2020 termed pre-pandemic: an already antediluvian era that must surely be due…
REVIEW: Batwoman’s “Mad as a Hatter” Chooses Found-Family Over Blood
Gotham City is in danger once again, and it’s up to Team-Batwoman to protect the people. But in the Batwoman Season 3 premiere, Batwoman and her fellow heroes are going to have to make some uneasy alliances if they hope to save the day.
A Black Girl’s Self-Love Shines Bright in Stargirl: Summer School
I love a story that sits at the intersection of superheroes and teens. These characters are at a time in their lives when they’re trying to figure out who they are as a person and what they want out of the world, while also juggling the responsibility of powers, fighting dangerous foes, and protecting those…
TIFF 2021 Reviews: Genre Films Round-Up
TIFF 2021 featured numerous films from a variety of genres, including science-fiction, thrillers, documentaries, and animation. We round up the genre films from the festival that we loved.
TIFF 2021 Reviews: Drama Films Round-Up
There were a host of dramatic films at TIFF 2021. While many of the films tugged at our heartstrings, some didn’t quite hit the mark. We review a selection of international dramas from the festival.
TIFF 2021 REVIEW: Silent Night Should Have Gone Further With its Premise
In Silent Night, friends and family gather for one final Christmas together. But a night that should have been ordinary turns out to be momentous.
TIFF 2021 REVIEW: Are You Lonesome Tonight? is a Fabulous Rollercoaster Ride
In the neo-noir Are You Lonesome Tonight?, an air-conditioning repairman runs over someone in the middle of the night. Out of guilt, he starts an unusual relationship with the deceased’s widow. But the late husband may not be as innocent as he first appeared.