JAMES H. SCHMITZ – THE GOOD OL’ STUFF
James H. Schmitz is often cited as writing “Space Opera.” But is that really so bad? Space Opera is usually, at its core, highly entertaining—and who doesn’t like a bit of popcorn now and again?
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MOVIE REVIEW – PROJECT HAIL MARY
Ryan Gosling’s new movie, based on Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary,” is well done. Except for brief flashbacks, he’s the only actor present in the whole 2 1/2 movie, and he carries it off well. This should be as big or bigger than his previous Weir movie, “The Martian.”
MOVIE REVIEW – OPERATION TACO GARY’S
This would be a great movie to review if I could just figure out how to review this film. It’s not an easy movie to describe—or possibly even to watch—and I think you have to be a little bit odd to enjoy it. What does it say about me that I really enjoyed it? Read the review then see it for yourself
RETRO REVIEW – DIE, MONSTER, DIE! (1965)
In 1965, a non-Hammer movie, made and set in England, starring Boris Karloff and Nick Adams, came out called “Die, Monster, Die!” Suprisingly enough, it’s a science fiction movie, not a horror/monster movie. Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space,” it’s a different retelling of a classic story. Did I like it? Well, yes and no. Read and find out why.
RETRO MOVIE REVIEW – TIMECOP (1994)
In 1994, Peter Hyams, who had been known for directing genre films Outland (1981) and 2010, The Year We Make Contact, made an SF action-adventure film called Timecop, starring “The Muscles from Brussels,” action star Jean-Claude Van Damme. Not surprisingly, it was a pretty good movie with excellent special effects for the time (including some early CGI) and some not terribly deep subtext. Did you see it? Did you like it? Read what Steve thinks.
JOHN C. WINSTON COVER ART
As a follow-up to his 2014 columns about the Winston “juveniles” SF series in the 1950s, Steve today looks at some of the significant covers and cover artists who helped make these books a commercial success, and which also helped spur many young people into reading science fiction.
MOVIE REVIEW – GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE
Sam Rockwell has been in some good SF films, like MOON, and TV series as well. Here’s another great outing for this talented actor. A man from the future comes to LA to save the human race. Is it real? I don’t know, do you?
MOVIE REVIEW – WORLDBREAKER (2025)
Every movie made in Ireland I’ve seen for the past, I dunno, 40 years, I’ve either liked or loved. Until this one. If you’ve seen it, read the column to see why I didn’t like it, then make up your own mind. And let me know if I was right or wrong, in your opinion.
MOVIE REVIEW – SINNERS
I heard nothing about Sinners before I watched it. I thought I’d be watching a period piece about African-American gangsters, probably during Prohibition. Little did I know I was stepping into a musical genre film!
MOVIE REVIEW – DRACULA 2025
For the umptieth time since 1922’s “Nosferatu,” Bram Stoker’s seminal novel has been made and remade, not always successfully. Some say Luc Besson ripped off Coppola’s 1992 remake. Steve has opinions, and he’ll tell you what he thinks.
MOVIE REVIEW – DUST BUNNY
I like quirky movies, especially when they might be genre and they might not; you’re never sure until about halfway through—like Sinners, where it takes a while before you find out it’s a v… er, genre movie (no spoilers here). But there are spoilers (some) in this review. It’s a great movie and one we wouldn’t mind watching again!
RETRO REVIEW – IN THE ELECTRIC MIST
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.
LOOK AGAIN! UP IN THE SKY! IT’S… COMMANDO CODY?
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!
REVIEW – BRIGHT WEAVING BY MARTIN SPRINGETT
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.
REVIEW – DEAN KOONTZ’S “DEVOTED”
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.
THE SCIENCE-FICTIONAL SAINT
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.
REVISITING LASER BOOKS
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…
BOSS LEVEL REVIEW (Recent Retro Review)
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…
TALKIN’ ABOUT A SUPERMAN (Part One)
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.
RETRO REVIEW REDUX: DAMN YANKEES (1958)
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…
BACK TO A FUTURE—Howdershelt’s 3rd World Products (and self-publishing)
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.)
NEW BOOK REVIEW: SQUAD THIRTEEN by D.G. VALDRON
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!
HOW TO ATTEND A WORLDCON AND MISS EVERYTHING!
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.
REVIEW – SHATTER DARK by R. Graeme Cameron
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!
THREE QUICKIE REVIEWS (BRICK, JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH & THUNDERBOLTS*)
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!
RETRO REVIEW: SPACE PLAGUE aka HIGHWAYS IN HIDING
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.
REVIEW — WRITERS OF THE FUTURE, VOL. 41
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!
CON REPORT: NORWESCON 47
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.)
BAD MONKEY! FILM REVIEW WITH SPOILERS
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 STATE Movie Review (maybe some spoilers)
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.
About Author
Steve has been an active fan since the 1970s, when he founded the Palouse Empire Science Fiction Association (PESFA) 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 chairing or helping run Canadian cons, including ConText (’89 and ’81) and VCON. As a fan, he’s published a Hugo-nominated (one nomination) fanzine, New Venture, and he’s founded two writing groups (Writers’ Bloc and Writers of the Lost, Ink). He’s emceed and auctioned art at many West Coast and Northwest conventions including one Westercon. As a writer, he’s published a couple of books and a number of short stories (including one in Compostella [Tesseracts 20], 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 Rhea Rose’s 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.
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