“Valerian” vs. “Rogue One”: The Freedom and Slavery of a Science Fiction Franchise
“Valerian” and “Rogue One” illuminate the current state of science fiction and help us consider the purpose of science fiction in general.
Author: Douglas Van Hollen
My Five Favorite Movies with John Heard (1945-2017)
Character actor John Heard, who died this month, made a bright impression across an long and wide-ranging career.
The Top Five Films of Martin Landau (1928-2017)
Martin Landau brought a unique gravel-throated intensity to every conceivable genre and medium. He will be sorely missed.
Top 10 Movies About Finding Your Adventure
You know you’re a hero and that the world is not dull as it seems. So do these ten films.
Plot Points: The Wraith and the World-Building Power of Insufficient Exposition
The movie poster, the year, and the cast trick us into thinking The Wraith is just another cheesy 80s flick. In reality it is something much more perplexing.
A Case Against Film Noir: Why “The Blue Gardenia” is ‘merely’ a great crime thriller
“The Blue Gardenia” is not a film noir. Neither is “Key Largo,” “Gun Crazy,” or “The Naked City.” Blogger Doug van Hollen spoils for a fight in this Film Spotlight essay!
“Kong: Skull Island” – Now is the Time
We are witnessing a unique moment in the evolution of the kaiju film.
Streaming Showcase: Men Dealing with Women (Poorly)
Despite having all the advantages of Western society, men sure seem to need a lot of help when it comes to love.
Soundtracks of Significance: “The Truman Show”
Are we hearing the score of a television show or of a movie? What can the characters on the screen hear? What makes it so beautiful? Why am I crying?
Top 10 Movies Featuring Slime – Part 2
It’s thicker than seepage, it’s thinner than sludge. It’s the secret weapon of speculative fiction that you may never have noticed. We count down the top 5 movies to feature ooze, ick, goo, and plasm (ecto or otherwise).
