Sci-Fi
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Time travel, legacy, and the “Survival of the Fittest.” X-Men ’97 began its second season with three propulsive episodes. The fourth episode marked a significant tonal shift for the series. In March 2024, Marvel Studios Animation let go of the show’s creator and primary writer, Beau DeMayo. After leaving, DeMayo said the rest of season…
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First Appearance Nostalgia This is a review of X-Men ’97, season one—finally written for darrylpotter.com in 2026, after a grueling two-year production hiatus delayed the show’s season two premiere. I couldn’t review season two without first giving season one its due. But first—a little nostalgia. Saturday, September 16, 1989: Pryde of the X-Men aired on…
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Streaming culture has a weird effect on the making of a movie and its reception in our modern times. Binge-watching, constant digital connection, and instant access to endless choices present unconventional possibilities for movie makers. Their Netflix Original could be an Oscar winner, like Frankenstein (2025) or Roma, or one of many forgotten about in…
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The Tragic Irony in the Title In Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), director Destin Daniel Cretton and the film’s writers make one thing clear: isolation consumes. Being your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man means trusting people and believing in community. That’s always been Peter Parker’s greatest strength. But since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter doesn’t quite…
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There’s something about Spielberg movies, right? For over 50 years, Steven Spielberg has directed almost 40 feature-length films. Giant great white sharks terrorize beachgoers. A mild-mannered archeology professor doubles as a globe-trotting adventurer. A German industrialist saves the lives of Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. Three of Spielberg’s films adapt well-written, cinematic books by my…
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Defending the Innocence Lost in the Regan Era Masters of the Universe (2026) came out for early access screenings on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Where I’m from, people say “pause” after a line like that. If my tongue-in-cheek lead already has you ready to debate (pause), this movie might not be your vibe. The film…
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Marvel Studio’s Secret Serum That Wonder Man Doesn’t Take Wonder Man, Marvel’s new mini-series on Disney+, deviates from Marvel Studios’ undefeated secret formula. This winning method has powered the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for nearly two decades. The formula is simple: relatable heroes, world-ending stakes, witty humor, breathtaking CGI, and those iconic post-credit scenes. It…