Steve Fahnestalk
F&SF NOV-DEC 2020 REVIEW
This week Steve reviews the November-December issue of F&SF. It's also the second-to-last issue that will be edited by C.C. Finlay, who wants to return to writing. It's a fine issue to end the year on!
“SPOOK”TOBER – 31 DAYS OF SCARY MOVIES!
In probably his longest column ever, Steve talks about the movies (and a TV show or two) that he watched every night this month in preparation for a spooky, isolated Halloween!
F&SF SEPT.-OCT. REVIEW!
The current issue, Sept.-Oct., of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, is reviewed by Steve—and found to be good!
REVIEW: EDWARD WILLETT’S “MOONLIT WORLD” (New book!)
Today Steve reviews a new book by Edward Willett called “The Moonlit World,” part of his “Worldshapers” series. He thought it was a lot of fun.
LISA MASON’S “ODDITIES” REVIEW Part II
Part II of Steve’s review of an excellent SF and fantasy collection of stories by San Francisco’s Lisa Mason.
NEW BOOK REVIEW: Lisa Mason’s ODDITIES (Part 1)
In this, his 300th column for Amazing Stories® online, Steve checks out a collection of good stories by author Lisa Mason, who continues to impress him.
DAME ENID DIANA ELIZABETH RIGG, FAREWELL!
Yesterday, the world and our genre lost a terrific actress, Dame Diana Rigg (of The Avengers). Steve pays tribute to her this week.
CHADWICK… and SPUTNIK REVIEW (Some spoilers)
Today Steve reviews a Russian science fiction movie set during the days of the USSR. Russia’s putting out some pretty good SF movies these days!
REVIEW: F&SF July-August 2020 (Part II)
Steve finishes a two-part review of the July-August issue of F&SF—the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. It’s an excellent issue of a top SF/F magazine!
REVIEW: F& SF July-August 2020 (Part I)
Steve starts a two-part review of the July-August issue of F&SF—the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. It’s a very good magazine!
RETRO REVIEW: RED PLANET MARS (Spoilers!)
Again, Steve reviews a retro movie from the ‘50s. He must like them... except we don’t think he liked this one!
RETRO REVIEW: DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (Spoilers)
Some fans don’t like old black-and-white movies. This one, while not without a certain charm, may be part of the reason. Or not... you decide!
B-MOVIES: SHARK WEEK IS HERE AGAIN! A “CLASSIC” COLUMN REDONE
This week Steve brings back—in honour of Shark Week—a column from six years ago about the SYFY movie Sharknado. Does it hold up? Maybe we’ll all have to watch it to find out!
FLINT: ONE LAST KICK AT THE CAN!
What’s a “movie novelization”? Steve tells you about two of his favourite movies that were novelized. Was it well done? Yes... and no. Read it and find out!
F&SF REVIEW: MAY-JUNE 2020
Steve reviews the May-June issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and finds that it holds treasures for the readers of both science fiction and fantasy!
REDUX: SIXTIES, SCIENCE FICTION AND SECRET AGENTS
Steve repeats (with lots of new edits) a column from 2013 about one of his favourite movie series.
RETRO REVIEW: DAMN YANKEES (1958)
This week Steve retros back to 1958, taking a look at a fantasy musical, “Damn Yankees,” with Tab Hunter and Gwen Verdon. Did he like it? Seems like it, doesn’t it?
ROBERT J. SAWYER’s NEW BOOK – THE OPPENHEIMER ALTERNATIVE
Steve reviews Robert J. Sawyer’s terrific new book, The Oppenheimer Alternative, and loved it. Yes, really... he loved it.
BOND… THEMES BOND! (Part 2)
Steve finishes his list of, and rating of, 27 James Bond themes and theme songs, throwing in a bunch of related stuff about the films. Bet you can find at least one thing you didn’t already know!
BOND… THEMES BOND (Part 1)
James Bond themes: love ‘em or not, they’re an indisputable part of a long-lived franchise. SF or not, who cares? Steve talks about his favourites.
“NEAR-PERFECT MOVIE” REVIEW: ALIENS (MAJOR Spoilers) Pt. 3
Steve concludes his three-part review of James Cameron’s “near-perfect” SF movie, Aliens. Was it too much detail, just right, or too little? You tell us!
“NEAR-PERFECT” MOVIE (Spoilers)! ALIENS (PART 2)
Steve is continuing his very granular, spoiler-filled description and review of James Cameron’s Aliens, arguably one of the few sequels that’s as good as, or possibly better than, the original movie. Steve thinks it’s possibly even better. What about you?
NEAR-PERFECT MOVIE (Spoilers) REVIEW: ALIENS!
In the first of two columns, Steve deconstructs and reviews James Cameron’s “Aliens,” the first sequel in what proved to be a profitable franchise. What’s he got to say? Read it and find out!
TIMELY REVIEW! F&SF MARCH-APRIL 2020!
Steve continues his F&SF reviews with the current (Mar-Apr) issue. He finds it a nice blend of SF (even some “hard SF”) and fantasy (even “hard” fantasy!).
I’M LATE! F&SF JAN/FEB 2020 REVIEW!
Steve is unforgivably late with his review of the Jan/Feb 2020 F&SF. He hopes you’ll forgive him if he posts the next two issues’ reviews on time!
REVIEW (Spoilers!): Riddick (2013)
Adding to his list of perfect/near-perfect genre movies, Steve looks at Riddick, starring Vin Diesel. Is it one of them? Steve thinks so.
“PERFECT” MOVIES #2 — PITCH BLACK (Spoilers!)
For his second “perfect” genre movie, Steve calls your attention to gravel-voiced Vin Diesel’s first genre movie, Pitch Black. Science fiction films don’t get a whole lot better, in Steve’s opinion!
“PERFECT” GENRE MOVIES 1: NEAR DARK (Spoilers)
Few genre movies are perfect, but Steve will look at one he feels is nearly so. Whether vampire movies are your thing or not, Steve thinks you should look at this one!
QUICK MOVIE REVIEW: GEMINI MAN (Spoilers)!
Will Smith’s newest movie, Gemini Man, has not received a favourable response from viewers or critics. How about Steve? Did he like it? Check out his review!
BBC/NETFLIX DRACULA (Part 1 only) SPOILER REVIEW!
Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffitt, who created the BBC’s “Sherlock,” take on Dracula with the help of Netflix. Is it good? Well, yes and no. Read the review but BEWARE OF SPOILERS!