One of the benefits of the comic book media explosion – one that we need to enjoy before the inevitable implosion – is that production companies are more willing to fund experiments. This spring two companies with non-traditional distribution methods lept into the world of comic book adaptations.
Sci-Fi, 169 Minutes, 2014
Smart sci-fi has seen something of a resurgence in the past few years (let’s just forget how stupid “Lucy” and “Prometheus” were). People seem more willing to actually think about the stories and so production companies seem more willing to fund them. Of course, the fact that this particular movie is from a guy that’s made gajillions (yes, that’s gajillions with a “G”) of dollars could also have something to do with that.
Sci-Fi/Action, 113 Minutes, 2014
I’m having some trouble. I am absolutely convinced that I reviewed this movie months ago. More than that, I remember really liking my review of it. I remember it being clever and funny and insightful – one of my best, really.
“Love & Teleportation” on IMDB
Romance/Sci-Fi, 92 Minutes, 2013
[Disclosure: This was screened at the request of the filmmakers. No other considerations were made.]
Why hello there sir, a moment of your time – a mere moment! Now sir, what if I told you that there’s a no budget movie – yes, no budget at all – that’s actually good? Even really good? Yes sir, you’d call me crazy!
As fans know, the Marvel cinematic universe is split across multiple production companies; the result of a coordinated sell-off to stave off bankruptcy years ago. This is why you won’t see an X-Man helping out an Avenger or Spider-man chatting with The Fantastic Four even though they live a few blocks from one another. It’s worked out well enough for all involved, but it does create some friction.
Action/Sci-Fi, 113 Minutes, 2014
Hey teenage girls, we turned one of those young-adult fiction books you seem to like so much into a movie! We crammed in a whole variety pack of 20-something heart-throbs you can pretend are in their teens! We’ll have posters for sale and everything!
Action/Sci-Fi, 89 Minutes, 2014
I told you, Hollywood, all the way back in 2011, when I saw “Limitless” [my review]: stop saying that we only use 10% of our brains! I’m warning you! It was wrong and stupid then and it’s wrong and stupid now. Now one of my favorite directors, Luc Besson [IMDB], goes and bases an entire movie on it.
Sci-Fi, 109 Minutes, 2011
This is a good movie. It’s exciting, interesting and action-packed. Good performances, good direction and interesting pacing. It’s a good movie. Go ahead and watch it.
Because now I’m going to rip it all apart by taking it way too seriously.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” on IMDB
Sci-Fi/Adventure, 121 Minutes, 2014
Before I get into the movie I’m going to begin with a totally harmless spoiler about the end-credit tease. It has nothing to do with the main plot of the movie and I won’t give anything meaningful away. Sometimes coincidence can blow your feeble brain.
Sci-fi/Comedy, 102 Minutes, 1999
In celebration of its 15th anniversary, MTV has put together an oral retrospective of this classic. In “Galaxy Quest: An Oral History” they interview the cast, the crew and the creators to paint an intensely interesting narrative of how the movie was made.
“In Time” on IMDB 
“Galaxy Quest” on IMDB