December 2015 saw Star Wars return to our screens for the first time in over a decade. Although its arrival was met with initial praise – not to mention the third healthiest global box office of all time – there was a wee bit of anxiety kicking off behind the scenes over at Lucasfilm. DisneyContinue reading “‘Burning the Past’ – Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Author Archives: Amber Poppitt
Anticlimactic Affairs – Justice League
DC had a pretty satisfactory summer this year. No less than twelve months since the abysmal Suicide Squad (2016) hit theatres, director Patty Jenkins gave us the wonderfully realised Wonder Woman (2017). Finally, after several false starts attempting to kick start this extended universe, we received a story packed with engaging character arcs and charmingContinue reading “Anticlimactic Affairs – Justice League”
Wizards in Manhattan – Doctor Strange
The long awaited Doctor Strange (2016) was greeted by an overwhelming $86 million overseas during its opening weekend alone; making this yet another sure fire success for the suits over at Walt Disney Studios. Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is an egotistical neurosurgeon who also happens to be extraordinarily brilliant at his profession. Strange’sContinue reading “Wizards in Manhattan – Doctor Strange”
From the Ashes of Asgard – Thor: Ragnarok
With the exception to The Incredible Hulk (2008) the Thor movies had often been considered to be something of the MCU’s weaker link. Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 opening chapter was relatively serviceable, largely because its Shakespearean flair played into the source material’s more whimsical side. 2013’s Thor: the Dark World, however, fell flat on its backside.Continue reading “From the Ashes of Asgard – Thor: Ragnarok”
Beautiful Nightmares – Blade Runner 2049
Ridley Scott’s original Blade Runner (1982) got off to a wobbly start during its initial release. Studio interference resulted in a film suffering from a tonally inconsistent ending and some ghastly voice-over exposition. Critically and financially, it suffered. After seven (yes, seven!) revised editions, however, the film gained a cult following. By the time 2007’sContinue reading “Beautiful Nightmares – Blade Runner 2049”
IT Chapter One
In conjunction with its horror element, the novel which IT (2017) is adapted from is something of a phenomenal experience. On the surface, this might come across as a daft claim. I mean how impressionable can a novel about an interdimensional shape-shifting killer clown really be? Except in classic Stephen King fashion, IT the novelContinue reading “IT Chapter One”
Small Town Boy – Spider-Man: Homecoming
Sony Pictures hasn’t had much luck when it comes to Spidey in recent years. First came Sam Rami’s fall from grace with the painfully disheveled Spider-Man 3. Soon after arrived a retooled-yet-unimaginative origin in the form of The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). After its 2014 sequel failed to prematurely kickstart an Expanded Universe, it seemed as though the storyContinue reading “Small Town Boy – Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Wonder Woman
When reviewing Suicide Squad (2016) I suggested that despite the DCEU’s problems, there remained plenty of time to make amends. Just because Warner Bros got off to a wobbly start didn’t mean they were doomed to a lifetime of everlasting failure. It was still early days, meaning teething trouble was to be expected. Patty Jenkins’Continue reading “Wonder Woman”
‘Digital Fictions’ – Doctor Who 10.6: Extremis
In the Vatican’s secret library of blasphemy lies an ancient book known as The Veritas. Whenever anyone throughout history has read this book, they’ve taken their life immediately. When a new translation leaks online, the human race finds itself in great danger. The Doctor decides to read this text in a bid to uncover theContinue reading “‘Digital Fictions’ – Doctor Who 10.6: Extremis”
Alien: Covenant
It’s possible Alien: Covenant exists because Ridley Scott grew envious toward Neill Blomkamp. Regarding Prometheus (2012), Scott seemed adamant on steering the Weyland Yutani franchise away from Xenomorph carnage. Although designed as a prequel, the film’s absence of LV 426, facehuggers and all other Gigeresque designs confirmed the 79-year-old’s initial decision. After many years ofContinue reading “Alien: Covenant”
Oblivious Insomniac 