The Uplift War
{5/5} “The intricacies of a three-billion-year-old culture made up of a thousand diverse, bickering patron-client clan lines, held together loosely by a network of ancient institutes and traditions, made Fiben’s head swim… But then something would crystallize, and Gailet would make clear to him some tradition or principle that displayed uncanny subtlety and hard-won wisdom.” […]
Sing
{4.5/5} “Behold the very first stage lit entirely by squid power!” Sing, released in 2016 Buster Moon owns a theatre but his productions haven’t done well lately. In fact, the bank is about to foreclose on him. He comes up with one last idea — a singing competition. He was going to make the prize […]
Orphan Black (season 2)
{5/5} “You’re not really the smartest clone, are you?” Orphan Black season 2, aired in 2014 Alison has signed a deal with Dr. Leekie. But Cosima discovers that they, the clones, have been patented — so any deal is worthless. When Sarah rejects the deal she returns home to find Mrs. S. and Kira gone […]
Spider-Man: Homecoming
{5/5} “Can you summon an army of spiders?” Spider-Man: Homecoming, released in 2017 Peter Parker is foiling local bad guys as Spider-Man but he’s eagerly awaiting a call from Tony Stark. Then he comes across some guys who have stolen some alien technology, including the leader who’s built himself a pair of wings that lets […]
The Cat Returns
{4/5} “Always believe in yourself.” The Cat Returns, released in 2002 Haru saves a cat from being run over. It turns out that cat is a prince. In return for saving him the king wants to shower her with gifts — but they aren’t gifts that she really wants. Then the king decides that Haru […]
War for the Planet of the Apes
{5/5} “Apes together strong.” War for the Planet of the Apes, released in 2017 Caesar doesn’t want to go to war with the humans. After one failed attack on them he sends back the human survivors alive. But the Colonel thinks humans must defeat the apes at all costs. When he sneaks into Caesar’s camp […]
Startide Rising
{4.5/5} “The senior patron races see the Terrans as a threat. They are wolflings, and therefore dangerous. They preach revolutionary uplift practices… more dangerous still. They are allies of the Tymbrimi, an insult beyond forbearance. And they proselytize — an unforgivable offense.” Startide Rising by David Brin, published in 1983 The Streaker, a ship of […]
Orphan Black (season 1)
{5/5} “How many of us are there?” Orphan Black season 1, aired in 2013 Sarah witnesses a young woman — who looks exactly like her — jump in front of a subway train. She then impersonates the late Beth for the purpose of taking her money. While that’s happening Katja, another woman who looks like […]
Zygote (volume 1)
{4/5} “I was born to die, Class Ones were born to live.” Zygote volume 1, released in 2017 Quinn and Barklay, a synthetic, are all that’s left of a crew of 98. The creature who has killed everyone else is after them. When Quinn ran into the creature before there was a light that was […]
Life
{4/5} “‘What is the primal instinct of any lifeform?’ ‘To survive.’” Life, released in 2017 A satellite with samples from Mars is retrieved by the International Space Station. When they start studying one sample it moves — and then it grows. And then things get out of control. The six astronauts must pit their wits […]