This article seeks to offer a model of political consciousness rooted in spirituality as inspired by the ideas and writing of Philip K. Dick. It is one possible Dickian model, not the only possible one.
Read More »REVIEW: Perfection is skin deep in funny, terrifying ‘Extreme Makeover’
Dan Wells explores the dark side of genetic engineering in 'Extreme Makeover,' a satirical science-fiction novel that is equal parts terrifying and hilarious. Wells excels at gallows humor, blending the serious with the silly without collapsing into farce.
Read More »Magic and science go to war in ‘All the Birds in the Sky’
'All the Birds in the Sky' features compelling characters working through complex problems and emotions. Charlie Jane Anders sometimes struggles to find the right tone, and the novel’s sillier parts feel out of synch with the apocalyptic conclusion. But on the whole, this is a thought-provoking marriage of fantasy and science fiction that sheds light on the real-world problem of environmental degradation.
Read More »‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2’ goes into overtime
Rather than leave the audience wanting more, 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' is the type of conclusion that leaves the audience with far too much.
Read More »‘Lost Girl’ is a brutal, magnificent tale of personal & collective suffering
The end of the world as a whole is reflected brilliantly in the end of the world for just one man in Adam Nevill's dark and brutal 'Lost Girl.'
Read More »‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ revives the franchise in all its spiked, demented glory
With all of 'Fury Road's maddening splendor and gleeful insanity, it's clear why the 'Mad Max' series can't wait another 30 years between films.
Read More »Social media take over the future in ‘The Affinities’
'The Affinities' is a fast-paced and engaging story that foretells a plausible future in which social media become the most dominant force in society.
Read More »‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1’ leaves us hungry for more
'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1' confidently delivers on its themes, even as it holds back its biggest, boldest statements for the next film.
Read More »‘East of West’ is one of the best fantasy/sci-fi comics out now
'East of West' is a cross-genre epic, a dark and serious work for mature readers. Jonathan Hickman is a master of the art of the slow reveal, giving his readers just enough information to understand what’s going on and leaving them thirsting for more. Vol. 3 has the series building up to an explosive conclusion, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.
Read More »‘The Maze Runner’ stumbles but keeps moving
Although not entirely novel or even logical, the world of 'The Maze Runner' maintains momentum through its slow bits and cliches.
Read More »The dark mockingjay rises in new goosebump inducing Katniss poster
The new Katniss teaser poster for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 evokes The Dark Knight in its depiction of Jennifer Lawrence clad in a jet black outfit.
Read More »‘Lazarus’ remains one of the most unique and interesting sci-fi comics
Lazarus, Vol. 2 continues to impress on certain levels while slightly frustrating on others. Nevertheless, it is one of the most interesting comics out now and if you’re a fan of intelligent sci-fi, I’d advise you to pick it up.
Read More »‘The Boost’ is a fun and thought-provoking exploration of the long-term effects of the ever-shrinking computer
Set in 2072, 'The Boost' by Stephen Baker imagines a world in which everyone has a networked computer, called a “boost,” installed in his or her brain. Baker is a gifted futurist whose first stab at fiction is remarkably well written, although his inexperience does show in a few places. But Baker compensates with a fast pace and solid scientific grounding. 'The Boost' is a fun and thought-provoking exploration of the long-term effects of the ever-shrinking computer.
Read More »Hope springs eternal in Chang-Rae Lee’s ‘On Such a Full Sea’
The full message contained within On Such a Full Sea is not only the stark, wintery warnings of the dystopian genre, but the spring-like hope of how to find a better path.
Read More »All aboard the dark and claustrophobic ‘Snowpiercer’ | review
Snowpiercer is a well-timed re-release of a tightly presented, compelling story that considers the plight of one man caught inside a class struggle that has implications for the very survival of the human race.
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