Josh Bell

Josh Bell is a freelance writer and movie/TV critic based in Las Vegas who covers sci-fi cinema for Inverse with a weekly column recommending lesser-known films to watch online. He's the former film editor of Las Vegas Weekly and has written about movies and pop culture for Syfy Wire, Polygon, CBR, Film Racket, Crooked Marquee, and more. With comedian Jason Harris, he co-hosts the podcast Awesome Movie Year.

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Without 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture,' the Entire Trek Franchise Wouldn't Exist

The first Star Trek movie set the stage for the iconic sci-fi property to thrive for decades.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

'Ready or Not' Announced Samara Weaving as the Next Scream Queen

Til death do us part just doesn’t mean what it used to.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

Once Upon a Time, Superhero Movies Could Be Bold Auteur Visions

When the director comes before the property owner, magical things can happen.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

With the Marvel Multiverse in Disarray, an Old X-Men Movie Has a Solution

Do you have too many continuities? Try time-travel.

By Josh Bell
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One of the Decade’s Most Groundbreaking Animated Movies Was About a Weird Little Guy

This tiny inspirational hero's Oscar-nominated movie is now on Netflix.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

The First 'Hellrasier' Sequel Turned a Personal Artistic Vision Into a Viable Franchise

We have such profits to show you.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

The Best Zombie Christmas Musical is One of a Kind

This Scottish indie production brilliantly executes an unlikely combination of genres.

By Josh Bell
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One of the Most Entertaining Creature Features Does a Lot With a Silly Premise

Alexandre Aja's alligator attack movie rises above its B-movie origins with genuine suspense and compelling characters.

By Josh Bell
Last Call

Sylvester Stallone’s Ridiculous Time Travel Romp is Still a Blast to Watch Today

Two of the 1990s' biggest action stars face off in a future full of smart satire.

By Josh Bell
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'Dune' Is Denis Villeneuve’s Biggest Sci-Fi Movie, but It’s Not His Best

Villeneuve got his sci-fi start with this sensitive and cerebral masterpiece.

By Josh Bell
Culture

With 'Antiviral,' A New Cronenberg Legacy Was Born

Starting with his debut feature, Brandon Cronenberg proved to be the perfect heir to his dad's body-horror throne.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

10 Years Ago, An Apocalyptic Comedy Predicted Lockdown Hostilities

If you or someone you know went squirrelly in 2020, this will look familiar.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

35 Years Later, 'Beetlejuice' Still Makes Tim Burton’s Style Feel Fresh

The entire Burton empire can be traced back to this wonderfully morbid comedy.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

25 Years Later, 'The Big Lebowski' is an Elegy for the ‘60s — and a Compelling Mystery

Both the Dude and The Big Lebowski contain multitudes.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

'Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man' Was the 'Batman v Superman' of the 1940s

Two iconic monsters made a mediocre movie and created the cinematic universe.

By Josh Bell
Retrospective

Zombies Used to do More Than Eat Brains, and Wes Craven Showed Us How Scary Their Masters Could Be

Forget George Romero -- Craven's take on zombies recalls something more primal and real.

By Josh Bell
Last Call

Wednesday has become a smash hit, but it owes much of its success to its ‘90s predecessor

Apparently, you can’t tell an Addams Family story without a dance scene.

By Josh Bell
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How Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds made a shockingly good Alien ripoff

This take on the claassic is shamelessly derivative and totally thrilling.

By Josh Bell
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Sick of Marvel? This understated thriller provides a refreshing take on superheroes

This Blumhouse production perfectly combines superhero action, coming-of-age drama and, of course, street magic.

By Josh Bell
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Steven Soderbergh’s best thriller you’ve probably never heard of is streaming now on Netflix

By Josh Bell