Perhaps it was destined to be this way. 20 years ago, Sam Raimi swung into the superhero genre with 2002’s Spider-Man, thus changing the modern blockbuster landscape for decades to come. In a poetic, maybe ironic, twist of fate, Raimi returns—nearly…
Why Critics Hate the Movies You Love
The following is an edited transcript of the video essay above. You can subscribe to Jon in Theory by clicking here. When you think about a big-budget, blockbuster Hollywood movie, what comes to mind? For me, I immediately picture the…
The Film Canon: Spider-Man 2 (2004)
What a world of difference there is between the superhero blockbuster of today and the superhero blockbuster of 2004. What a vast, vast world of difference. Consider some of the best superhero films of recent memory – Logan, Guardians of…
10 Years Later: In Defense of Spider-Man 3
Much like X-men 3: The Last Stand and The Matrix Revolutions, Spider-Man 3 was initially received as yet another disappointing trilogy conclusion during the mid-2000s. Given the tumultuous development of a planned fourth installment, it seemed that the third Sam…
TV Review: Ash vs Evil Dead 2×01 “Home”
Season 1 of Ash vs Evil Dead was everything an Evil Dead franchise fan could ask for. Each episode stayed lovingly true to the blood-soaked mayhem and twisted humor of the original trilogy, but also delved deeper into the personal demons of beloved…
Spider-Man 2: The Pinnacle of Superhero Films
The first Spider-Man film directed by Sam Raimi tells the story of how Peter Parker became the title hero. The personalities and motivations of the characters are introduced and it is a great introduction for non-readers to the character. It…
TV Review: Ash vs Evil Dead 1×01, “El Jefe”
There is only one word that can aptly describe Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell’s latest collaboration, Ash vs Evil Dead. That word is… Groovy. The tone is undeniably nostalgic. The Raimi brothers have successfully recreated the movie magic of their first…