Since this is an SF/F magazine, it seems odd to be putting a movie based on a mystery book up for review. But this is no ordinary mystery, it’s one that crosses the line into what might be fantasy—or it might not. That’s for you to decide.
Steve talks about super and non-super flying heroes: Commando Cody, Captain Marvel and Superman. Who didn’t want a rocket pack when they were growing up? Towels worn as capes just don’t seem to be able to get the job done!
This week Steve reviews a new art book by Toronto’s Martin Springett, artist, designer, musician, composer and writer. If you like fantasy art and illustration, you might just enjoy this book.
This is Steve’s first Dean Koontz book review in several years, because it’s the first new Dean Koontz book he’s read in that stretch of time. He thinks it was worth it, with a few caveats. What are they? Read the column and find out.
Ten years ago, Steve did a general column about Leslie Charteris’ action hero Simon Templar. Rather than redoing that column, Steve wants to focus on the Saint’s genre-type stories, whether SF or F, since TV & movies haven’t really touched on them.
This week Steve revisits a publisher’s SF line that took everyone by surprise, because they were known for romance novels, Gothic bodice-rippers and the like. Laser Books, edited by Roger Elwood, came and went within a few years, but left a mark on our genre. Was it a good or bad mark? Read and find out…
Did you like Groundhog Day? Do you like action movies? Well, this is the same idea reimagined as an action movie starring that unknown and unrecognized action star Frank Grillo, who’s been in a whole lot of stuff. Still don’t remember him? Read on…
Steve’s favourite onscreen superhero is an old standby: Superman! But which Superman? There have been so many! We’ll take a quick look at the whole video/film thing and the answer may surprise you.
This week Steve retro reviews what he considers to be a fun and very good Broadway musical on film. Do you like musicals? He does, and he gives us the whole story (yes, with spoilers). Read on…
This week Steve reviews a series that he spoke about ten years ago; the author recently died, and Steve has taken another look at the series. He thinks you might find it interesting. (You may thank him or curse him depending on how the books hit you.)
Den Valdron’s newest book will gladden the hearts of horror/slasher and splatterpunk fans everywhere. I’m not sure it’s possible to get more death and gore into a single medium-sized book. Check it out!
For Steve’s 50th year as a convention fan, he wanted to attend the closest one: Seattle 2025, the 83rd World convention. There is always a lot to do at a Worldcon, like panels, awards, parties, multi-track programming, films, get-togethers with old friends, etc. But Steve didn’t really do any of that. Read the column to find out why.
Graeme Cameron, Amzing columnist, has written his first novel, and it’s science fiction (surprise!). It’s a sardonic, funny, well-written, quite engaging book full of surprising characters and events. If we like it enough (and buy it), maybe he’ll write a sequel or two. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Although they may not be classically “good” movies for summer viewing, these three movies are worth watching in my opinion: Brick, Jurassic World Rebirth, and Thunderbolts* (*aka The New Avengers). Although they were all flawed, I found them eminently watchable. See what you think!
It has occurred to Steve that many of the SF books he grew up reading are totally unknown to today’s readers; after all, there are now dozens (if not hundreds) of new books published annually. He’s trying to change that in a small way. George O. Smith is a pretty good SF writer who’s somewhat dated, but still worth reading, Steve thinks.
L. Ron Hubbard started Writers of the Future contest back in the 1980s as a way of encouraging new writers (and later, illustrators) into the genres of science fiction, fantasy and light horror. The 41st collection of stories gleaned from a year’s worth of entries is a really good one. Get it!
In three years, the venerable Pacific Northwest’s home convention Norwescon will be half a century old, and we attendees likewise fifty years older. Is it worth it? Dang right, it is! Steve describes what goes on there (except for programming. He missed all that stuff.)
Horror movie The Monkey’s gore is occasionally inventive, but seldom funny. Which is odd, because it advertises as a horror movie but tries to be a funny horror movie. Save your money and watch on TV.
The Electric Zone, based on Simon Stålenhag’s paintings, looks as if it would really rock as a science-fiction movie. But visuals aren’t everything; a film needs involving characters and plotlines, and this one is woefully lacking. Enjoy the visuals and turn off the sound.
Terry Pratchett turned the world of fantasy on its head with the Discworld. Several live-action (and a few animated) shorts have been made out the Discworld; here’s a bit about them all and where to see them.
It got bad reviews and didn’t spark a series of sequels, but I maintain “Superman Returns” (2006) with Brandon Routh was a pretty decent Superman movie. It just got a bad rap. What do YOU think?
James Coburn had a long TV and movie career, but his first starring role in a movie was as Derek Flint, superspy, in the 1960s. Who is or was Derek Flint? Read and find out, young padawan!
For his last column of 2024, Steve takes a look at a science fiction “invasion” movie from 1998, directed by Robert Rodriguez, noted for working with Quentin Tarantino and for his “Mexico Trilogy” with Antonio Banderas, among other things. See how he does with this particular movie.
The book More Than Human is over 70 years old. In it, Theodore “Ted” Sturgeon posits that a superhuman “Homo gestaltus” can supersede us ordinary people. Is it possible? Steve remains skeptical, but the book’s a winner!
This week, Steve talks about the present Superman TV show and what it means to him personally. What does he think about it? What do YOU think about it?
Steve’s new Halloween column this month tries to do teeny-tiny reviews of 27 movies. Let us know if he succeeds or falls flat on his face.
Well, it’s October again, so movie reviews should probably include something scary, so Steve reviews the very first actual movie version of Stephen King’s ’Salem’s Lot. Boo!
For my 400th column for Amazing Stories® Online, I review two new movies. Well, the movies are new, but nothing in them is, really. One is recommended, one not. I’ll let you decide which is which and whether you agree.
A “family-friendly” movie that really is! These days, even Disney movies have to be screened before you let your kids watch them, but this movie seems to be actually suitable for all ages. It’s cute, well-acted, and brings out that childlike imagination even in grownups.
The Blue Rose (2023) attempts to walk the fine line between tribute and imitation, but almost falls into parody. It’s a movie that Steve can’t really recommend to anyone.
Steve has been an active fan since the 1970s, when he founded the Palouse Empire Science Fiction Association and the more-or-less late MosCon in Pullman, WA and Moscow, ID, though he started reading SF/F in the early-to-mid 1950s, when he was just a sprat. He moved to Canada in 1985 and quickly became involved with Canadian cons, including ConText (’89 and ’81) and VCON. He’s published a couple of books and a number of short stories, and has collaborated with his two-time Aurora-winning wife Lynne Taylor Fahnestalk on a number of art projects. As of this writing he’s the proofreader for R. Graeme Cameron’s Polar Borealis and Polar Starlight publications. He’s been writing for Amazing Stories off and on since the early 1980s. His column can be found on Amazing Stories most Fridays.
Recent Comments