Frankenstein (2025) is not for fans of the book

Hello readers! Last week I watched Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which released on Netflix on the 7th of November. The film has received very positive reviews from audiences and critics alike – but now that it has breached containment and is reaching people beyond the del Toro fanbase, I am sensing a shift in opinion. … Continue reading Frankenstein (2025) is not for fans of the book →

Amazon’s War of the Worlds: so bad it’s good advertising

Hello readers! I’m a bit late to the party on this one, so I suspect that many of you are already familiar with this cinematic travesty… But, for those of you who dwell outside the YouTube and Letterboxd bubbles, it is with deep regret that I must inform you about Amazon’s recent film adaptation of … Continue reading Amazon’s War of the Worlds: so bad it’s good advertising →

Dune (1965) is a timeless classic

Hello readers! I finally got around to reading Frank Herbert’s Dune. Not sure why it took me so long, as I’ve been curious about the book for as long as I can remember. It is so well-known, so well-loved, and so well-integrated into the public imagination that most of us have felt its influence, either … Continue reading Dune (1965) is a timeless classic →

The Last Man (1826) is a miserable read…

Hello readers! I recently finished reading The Last Man, a dystopian novel written in 1826 by Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. I first learnt of this book’s existence when I was researching the origins of science fiction, as The Last Man is often listed as the earliest example of the dystopian, apocalyptic genre. The … Continue reading The Last Man (1826) is a miserable read… →

Van Helsing (2004) is worse than I remembered

Hello readers! Do you remember the film Van Helsing, from 2004? It starred Hugh Jackman as a legendary vampire-slayer, and also had Kate Beckinsale in it. Count Dracula was the main villain, but there were plenty of other enemies. Frankenstein was in it. So was the Wolf Man. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde had a … Continue reading Van Helsing (2004) is worse than I remembered →

Thoughts on Doctor Who Series 14

Hello readers! It is once again time for me to critique Doctor Who and confront my conflicted feelings towards its existence. I don’t count myself as a Doctor Who fan, but I am fascinated with its concept, and the bizarre but enduring niche it has carved in the TV ecosystem. Doctor Who is now on … Continue reading Thoughts on Doctor Who Series 14 →

Event Horizon (1997) is better than I expected

Hello readers! I recently watched Event Horizon, a science-fiction horror film from 1997. It has been largely forgotten, and a quick Google search unearths a host of unflattering reviews. The film was received poorly by critics and was a box office flop – and it didn’t make much of an impact on popular culture. However, … Continue reading Event Horizon (1997) is better than I expected →

TV review: 3 Body Problem

Hello readers! Last month saw the release of 3 Body Problem on Netflix, an adaptation of a science fiction series by Liu Cixin. The show has received mixed to positive reviews, but I bet it hasn’t made as much of a splash as Netflix hoped, given that it was produced by the creators of Game … Continue reading TV review: 3 Body Problem →

Film review: Dune (1984)

Hello readers! This week I watched the original adaptation of Dune from 1984, directed by David Lynch. The film is divisive, to say the least. Reviews at the time were overwhelmingly negative, and it was a commercial catastrophe, recouping only $30 million of its eye-watering $42 million budget. David Lynch refused to discuss the film … Continue reading Film review: Dune (1984) →

Film review: Damsel

Hello readers! This week I watched Damsel on Netflix, mostly out of morbid curiosity after seeing the trailer. To my surprise, I didn’t hate it – but I didn’t really like it either. Damsel is a “dark fantasy” film about a young woman (Millie Bobby Brown) trying to escape a dragon’s lair. It styles itself … Continue reading Film review: Damsel →