Whoa. Years later, we’re back in the Matrix as we cover the sequels to the mind-blowing 1999 original. First up is “The Matrix Reloaded,” which features thrills, spills, underground orgies, and long philosophical monologues. How well does it hold up? What surprised us? Were we excited, or terrified, to see Zion and all those mech suits? Take the appropriately colored pill and join us.

"The Matrix Reloaded"

Jason Snell with Joe Rosensteel, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth

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We’ve reconvened Mad Max Club to come up with some word burgers about “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the 2024 prequel to the iconic 2015 film “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Does the prequel match up to the original (aka the fourth) film in the franchise?

"Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga"

Steven Schapansky with Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Brian Warren

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Our Ape Club returns to cover 2024’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Yes, it’s apes and humans again, but this is a new era with a lot to consider about how history is distorted to serve present-day politics, the value of saving or destroying past knowledge, and the best way to protect an eagle egg.

"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"

Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, David J. Loehr and John Moltz

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Our Book Club wraps up its 2024 walk through nine shortlisted SF/F novels with our overall rankings, some short fiction recommendations, and a quick dip into what we’ve read recently and really enjoyed.

2024 Shortlist Book Club: Rankings and Short Fiction

Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet

The Incomparable Book Club Consensus

Novellas

Novelettes

Short Stories

What Are We Reading?

Scott:

Heather:

Erika:

Aleen:

Jason:

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We discuss the recently concluded (first?) season of the Star Wars series “The Acolyte.” The show offers a mix of stuff we like about “Star Wars”, but the panel’s split on whether it managed to do a good job executing its ambitious agenda.

"The Acolyte"

Jason Snell with Tony Sindelar, Dan Moren, Moisés Chiullán and Chip Sudderth

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Have you been watching Prime Video’s “My Lady Jane?” Our panel is so sure you will like this alternate history show that there’s been a minor coup to take over the Mothership. Join us for a spoiler-free opening pitch to entice you into watching this show, then come for the full spoilery episode.

"My Lady Jane"

Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign and Kirsten Goruk

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Our Book Club convenes for its final set of shortlisted novels, including “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi,” “The Water Outlaws,” and the Nebula-winning “Saint of Bright Doors.” Plus: What are we reading?

2024 Awards Book Club, Part 3

Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet

What are we reading?

Scott:

Erika:

Heather:

Aleen:

Jason:

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Our Summer of the Planet of the Apes reaches its exciting conclusion with “War for the Planet of the Apes,” which starts out as a war movie but continues mutating into different genres as it goes. We really enjoyed our walk through this underrated trilogy of 2010s action movies, and we hope you did too!

"War for the Planet of the Apes"

Jason Snell with Brian Warren, John Moltz, Annette Wierstra and David J. Loehr

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The Summer of the Planet of the Apes continues with 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” It’s a sequel that’s superior in almost every way, but somehow seems a little less fun, since we can no longer root for the apes. Now there are bad guys on both sides, as Gary Oldman and a chimpanzee named Caesar act out a tragedy of Shakespearean levels.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"

Jason Snell with Brian Warren, Annette Wierstra, David J. Loehr and John Moltz

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You did it, you blew it all up! And now it’s… the Summer of the Planet of the Apes! Our own troop of hairless apes tackles the well-regarded modern “Apes” trilogy this month, beginning with 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” James Franco is a scientist? Brian Cox runs a sketchy ape facility? Tom Felton thinks his dates want to see caged primates? Just when you think this movie has it all backward, that’s when you realize: we’re actually all rooting for the apes.

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, John Moltz and David J. Loehr

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