James Pyles's Blog, page 29

Movie Review of “M3GAN” (2022)

Last night (as I write this), I watched the 2022 horror film M3GAN.I normally don’t watch horror films. I’m not overly fond of being terrified and calling it “entertainment.” However, I do have an interest in AI and humanoid robots. So a few days ago, when I saw the Blu-Ray at my local public library, […]

The End of the Punisher

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. Although I’ve heard of the Marvel comic book character The Punisher (Frank Castle) over the years (He first appeared in Spider-Man #129 in 1974), I’ve never been a fan. I don’t know why. I guess I prefer the more traditional costumed […]

Unbreaking Chains

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. “There’s no going back.” Leonard sat on the metal chair opposite her, casually running his index finger across the symbols etched on the tabletop. It was a public garden, quite lovely. The summer morning was humid but still cool. “I didn’t […]

This Isn’t Me

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. How did I end up like this? Look at this. A baby walker, little kiddie motorized truck, and the worst of it, a mega-propane barbecue. This isn’t me. It was never me. I guess that’s the point, though. “Alan? Can you […]

Haunting Jack

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. The loud rock music and fireworks were perfect to cover up her last screams. All Jack had to do was dump her corpse into one of the cheap seats and walk away. Anyone noticing her would think she’s stoned. He’d be […]

Visiting Heaven

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. The gate at the top of the stairs was open. God again allowed mortals to have visiting hours in Heaven. She could see Mom once more. How long since the last visitation? God saw when He first allowed this, it turned […]

Book Review of “Ancillary Justice” (2013) by Ann Leckie

I first heard about An Leckie’s flagship novel Ancillary Justice by reading an article at Tor called Power, Responsibility, and Revenge: Ancillary Justice Ten Years On by Adrienne Martini. The book is now ten years old, but I’ve never been known as being on the bleeding edge of whatever’s new and fresh in science fiction. […]

Comfort Food

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. “What’s this?” Aaron viewed the cutting board with dismay. “You wanted to know how to cook. This is your first lesson.” It was his third date with Melissa. He’d been divorced for two years. He didn’t want to at the age […]

The Galaxy Coloring Book

I stoked the fireplace while contemplating the unusual coloring book I bought at the Flea Market last Sunday. I was referred to the vendor rather mysteriously. She suggested that I would find this particular book especially interesting. I thought I’d reserved my “coloring between the lines” behavior for playing with my grandchildren, but this wasn’t […]

Science Fiction Featuring Commentary vs. Commentary Disguised as Science Fiction

Oh good grief. I signed up to receive email notifications from Tor.com because they occasionally offer free downloads of books that I (or someone) think I should read. I opened up one such email this morning and discovered this article: Power, Responsibility, and Revenge: Ancillary Justice Ten Years On. Whenever the word “Justice” is used […]