If you’re going to watch a heart-string tugging Christmas special with children on or around the holidays, why you’re not watching the 1966 animated adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is beyond me. Hell, I used to babysit for twins who liked watching it in the middle of August, and why not? The Grinch both steals and saves Christmas (spoiler alert!), so it’s best to feel comfortable about that well before December hits. The point is, the original 1957 picture book and the ‘66 cartoon version are genius and showcase Theodore Geisel at possibly the tippy-top of his powers. Not only does The Grinch story make Christmas vaguely secular with a snap of its fingers, it does so without offending anyone and with silly amounts of originality.

But just what are the Whos down in Whoville? Are they human? What is the Grinch? What’s the connection between these Whos and the Whos living on the speck-of-dust planet in Horton Hears a Who!? Are those Whos who Horton heard the same species of Whos of which Cyndi Lou Who (who was not more than two) is a member?

[Read more]

Sure, we like “chosen one” heroes like Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Rand al’Thor, and Superman, but it’s no big plot twist when they end up doing great things. Sometimes the best adventurers are ones without a chosen destiny, like Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit who just wanted to be left in peace, and who are these people in his house anyway?

So in Bilbo’s honor, here are six other heroes who stumbled (haltingly, but bravely) into greatness.

[Read more]

While Gaiman’s two picture books with Charles Vess have a lyrical, meta-fictional quality, the stories with illustrator Dave McKean seem more traditional in structure, by comparison. But of course this is Neil Gaiman we’re dealing with, so just because they have a more traditional structure doesn’t mean that the illustrations or story content is remotely humdrum or unexciting… It’s just an interesting paradox that the more narrative-centric stories contain almost surreal, off-the-wall illustrations from McKean, while the meta-fictional stories feature more straightforward (albeit lush and gorgeous) illustrations from Vess.

With the three Dave McKean picture books—The Wolves in the Walls, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, and Crazy Hair—Gaiman presents us with a trio of clever, humorous fables which read as delightful page-turners for adults and children alike.

[Read more]

Your favorite place is in ruins, and a really mean guy is behind it all. He’s so bad, he’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. He’s the definition of fear, and other things which are very…unpleasant. Nothing will be the same ever again after this. Your favorite person or persons in the world will be pushed to the limit in a new adventure that will shatter their world, and yours. If you thought things couldn’t get harder, grittier, or contain more monotone music, you’d be wrong. The next installment in your favorite movie series is here, and it’s similarity to other movies is striking, but not unsurprising.

Sound familiar? Have you seen twenty versions of this trailer?

Calling the majority of big franchise movies formulaic would be almost a compliment at this point, because it would denote some sort of basic originality. But with the release of the Star Trek Into Darkness trailer, I’m worried that all of these popular franchise films have become not just formulaic, but straight-up copycats of one another.

[Read more]

Famed fantasy illustrator Charles Vess has been collaborating with Neil Gaiman since 1989, producing three acclaimed issues of The Sandman and the novel Stardust along the way. Their collaboration has also led to the creation of two eminently lovely and memorable children’s picture books. Not surprisingly, neither of these books is approached conventionally—in both Blueberry Girl and Instructions, Gaiman doesn’t employ a traditional narrative, but instead creates whimsically earnest prose poems that almost seem like songs for the page.

[Read more]

When it comes to blockbuster films featuring action hero protagonists, the collective consciousness seems to have adopted a “if you can’t beat them, join them” attitude. James Bond is back this year, and more dramatic and full of pathos than ever. Bruce Willis’s John McClane is set to yippee ki yay for the millionth time, pulp novel character Jack Reacher is Cruising to the theatres this winter, and even Jack Ryan is getting rebooted as Chris Pine. This plethora of truly popular action heroes has Indiana Jones to thank. After he swung onto the scene in the 1980s, action hero movies certainly experienced a renaissance in legitimacy.

But what if Indy had never existed? What if Steven Spielberg had directed a James Bond film instead? In an alternate pop dimension, it almost happened....

[Read more]

In San Diego California, there’s a storytelling/reading/indie lit press called So Say We All. One of its founders, Justin Hundall, once described his viewing of Battlestar Galactica as “the most loving relationship I’ve ever had,” and as such took the name of his lit-project from that famous Adama call-and response-mantra. But far from being monotone or bossing people around, SSWA’s mission has been one of diversity. Their live show VAMP (video, art, music, performances) marries the sensibilities of all sorts of creative folks in an innovate and unique show.

But with the release of their first anthology, SSWA’s editors are tackling the what’s really on everyone’s minds lately: the end of the world.

[Read more]

Though the quirky conceit of fairytale characters/folk heroes suddenly being presented as badasses is fairly tired at this point, it persists nonetheless. From whatever number Shrek movie they’re on now, to Tangled, to the inevitable next “not-your-daddy’s-Rumpelstiltskin-Snow-White-Ginger-Bread-Man” movie, the amount of “straight” fairytales/folk tales in the cinemas surely outnumbers the “funny” ones in the minds of most contemporary children. (And maybe certain 20-somethings.)

But, while employing this trope, Rise of the Guardians manages to make it new. This is a charming and exciting movie that doesn’t just reimagine Jack Frost, The Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, et al—it makes them seem brand new.

[Read more]

It’s impossible to sit through the entirety of Life of Pi and not get a little weepy. It’s no spoiler that the majority of the plot centers on a 16-year-old boy who is stranded in the nowhere part of the middle of the ocean in a small boat with only a boy-eating Bengal Tiger as his companion. This is riveting material to be sure, and the sort of high-concept daring notion that made the novel upon which the film is based so popular. In theory, this is why we go to the movies. Emotion! Danger! Family drama! The big questions! TIGERS! Life of Pi is a beautiful, moving and (somewhat) original film. And yet, despite everything it has going for it, thematically it proves just as murky as the waters upon which Pi and Richard Parker the Tiger float.

[Read more, Spoilers]

Does making the protagonist of your story a science fiction writer create built-in sympathy? Do we automatically feel bad for these spacy souls? Does the occupation come with a natural hardship?

Beyond pulling emotional strings, a science fictional science fiction writer inside of a science fiction story creates an even bigger conundrum: it’s the kind of paradox one could potentially use to the destroy the universe! Is this my real life or is the “story” of my “life”  ultimately the fabrication of a blogger named “Ryan” on a science fiction blog?

I better stop thinking that thought or I may cease to exist. While I struggle with the existential reality of being a science fiction version of myself, treat yourself to these six examples of invented SF writers who exist in science fiction narratives.

[Read more]

Published for the first time ever in today's issue of The Strand Magazine—the venerable publication that first brought Sherlock Holmes to the world—is perhaps the final lost story from the late Ray Bradbury. Among the endlessly appealing aspects of Bradbury; his insistence upon clinging to childhood at all costs remains perhaps his most consistent theme. Bradbury believed that “If you enjoy living, it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder.” Further, he was delightfully immature about his interests, asserting “I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.”

And in keeping with his desire to live in childhood perpetually, this new story “Dear Santa” brings us a young man who would like to be twelve forever.

[Read more]

Three weeks ago, the notion of new Star Wars feature films was preposterously absurd. A new Star Wars movie that wasn’t animated or some kind of meta-fictional fan thing was about as a likely as...well, I’m sure C-3PO can tell me the odds. But an actual sequel to Return of the Jedi wasn’t even a thought in our minds until the startling news that Lucas was selling Star Wars to Disney and they were immediately going to make an Episode VII. Since then, the news keeps coming: the screenwriter has been confirmed. Lucas may have over-sight on the script after all. Everyone in the galaxy has an opinion!

But what’s the biggest challenge for the movie? It’s not expanded-universe continuity, interference from Lucas, or big casting. The most vexing thing about a new Star Wars is that it must introduce new characters. And worst of all, they have to seem familiar and be brand new at the same time.

[Read more]

Bombastic, kitsch, or catchy, there’s something unique about a James Bond theme song. There are a few timeless classics, but most either represent a weird moment in the zeitgeist, or are downright embarassing. Uniquely, James Bond theme songs are often better than the films they kick off, though the reverse can occasionally be true, too. Now that Skyfall is out and we’ve all had a chance to enjoy Adele’s new theme song, it’s time to determine once and for all which 007 tunes are better than their respective films, which ones are worse, and which ones fit just right.

Shake up a martini, and grab your headphones. The James Bond Theme Song Dossier is declassified!

[Read more]

Back in 2007, while Battlestar fans were waiting for the 4th season, the prequel/flashback TV movie Razor served as a kind of snack to tide us over. Among various flashbacks, one story focused on the young version of Admiral William Adama, fighting as a young man in the first Cylon war. These sequences featured 1970’s old-school Cylons, cool action, and really helped to advance the show’s mythology. Also, Nico Cortez was thoroughly convincing as a young Edward James Olmos.

But now, inexplicably, another BSG prequel has arrived in the form of the webseries thingamabob Blood & Chrome; which is all about young William Adama fighting in the first Cylon war. Again. And it’s so inferior to the brief flashback sequences in Razor that I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.

[Read more]

Though 007 himself tends to travel sans luggage, the cultural entity known as James Bond comes with a lot of baggage. Since Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s James Bond has been trying to grow up. With such a juvenile core concept, however, it’s almost impossible: asking Bond not to be a skirt-chasing, hard-drinking jerk is like pretending a wolf isn’t dangerous. But director Sam Mendes might have changed that forever, because this Bond outing feels like a real movie. James has been humanized again, because Mendes turns the world of 007 into a family drama.

[Read more. Full spoilers!]

While not a regular component of the original Fleming novels, the super-spy gadgets of James Bond have defined the long-running film series, for better or worse. Though certain Bond films go out of their way to tone down some of the crazy gizmos, there are still several of Q’s contraptions which are a bit confounding. There’s no denying the coolness of Bond’s Aston Martin, complete with an ejector seat, but the following seven devices are not only uncool, but totally silly, too.

[Do Not Return this Equipment in Pristine Condition!]

If you were to describe the 23rd official James Bond film without revealing that it was a James Bond film, it might sound something like this: “Oh, you know, it’s that movie with Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Dame Judi Dench and stars Daniel Craig as a guy who works for the government; it's basically about all the issues with security in a digital age and whether certain agencies should have more transparency. Yeah, and it’s directed by that American Beauty guy, Sam Mendes.” Oscar bait, right?

Luckily, I got myself into a press screening of Skyfall this week, and while I’m not sure it will be nominated for Best Picture, there is certainly some award-worthy stuff in this movie. Skyfall may be the first James Bond movie that is actually a movie first, a spy movie second, and a James Bond movie third. We’ll have a crazy spoiler-filled review for you on Friday; but until then, here are seven spoiler-free reasons why you’ll probably love it.

[Read more]

With Wreck-It Ralph poised to bring video game-related inside jokes to a whole new level on the big screen, I figured it’s a good time to look at which video game movies define and create this specific niche genre. Whether it be 8-bit classics, or wacky cinematic gaming creations, good movies or bad movies, here are 11 films essential to understanding the phenomenon of video games adapted for the screen. 

[Read more (With Bonus Level!)]

Four years ago, a historic election rocked America...but 2008 was also the year Battlestar Galactica went off the air, to the dismay of fans everywhere. The story of our distant human relatives forever in conflict with their robot creations—The Cylons—was not only super entertaining, full of real drama and some of the best sci-fi television ever; it was also politically charged in surprising and unexpected ways. BSG was a show where the good guys waterboarded the bad guys, and the lines between terrorist, political idealistic, freedom fighter, religious zealot and more were all blurred and discussed in a big, messy, outer space opera.

With the U.S. Presidential election approaching, I'd like to take a break from all the current political divisiveness to talk about my favorite president—Laura Roslin—and her fascinating ideological shifts throughout the long road to a planet called Earth.

[Read more]

In the past decade or so, New York City and other cultural meccas have been overrun with the highly-self aware, sometime sexy, sometimes ironic, revivals of burlesque shows. The va-va-voom, pasty-twirling, glove-slowly-removing phenomena seems to have attracted a geeky angle to it, as I’m constantly made aware of Doctor Who burlesque, Game of Thrones burlesque, Star Trek vs. Star Wars burlesque and so on.

So how do you make the most sexist action character of them all the centerpiece of a burlesque show and still make it sexy? Easy. You make James Bond a girl, you refer to him as a guy, and you write an awesome and funny script.

[Read more]