Jokerside pop culture reviews and features

Critical thoughts on speculative fiction & fantasy

A Jokerside Reviews site

September 20, 2026

Reviews

Pop culture reviews and ratings.

Batman Of Two Worlds (Review) – Way To Keep The Crossover At Bay

The long-fabled meeting of the two Batmen doesn’t happen in Batman of Two Worlds #1, the special one-shot to mark the Dark Knight’s special day, and that’s a good thing.

Batman: Knightfall–Part 1: Knightfall (Movie Review)

A long-brewing epic, the Knightfall saga has finally arrived in animation, taking inspiration from one of Batman’s truly epic storylines. It was the early ‘90s and, true to the decade, the glorious continuity streamlining DC Comics brought about with 1986’s Crisis on Infinite Earths had to reach a catastrophic crescendo.

Star Trek 60th Anniversary Special – A Muted Celebration

Star Trek’s 60th anniversary anthology dips into the vast history of Starfleet’s finest. Trek and comic legends combine for tales stretching from the Original Series to Starfleet Academy to mark the big milestone, and as fans might expect, that means the range in tone and quality is almost as vast as the galaxy.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Re-Release Review)

On Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, what could be better than watching the space saga at its finest? The fourth Star Trek film, The Voyage Home, which uncoincidentally celebrates its 40th birthday this year and is re-releasing in cinemas this month, is perhaps the franchise’s perfect mix of concept, action, humour, message, and humanity.

Supergirl (Movie Review) — Gritty But Soaring Comic Adaptation

Supergirl, the second film of the DCU, is all about setting pieces in place with a simple tale of revenge ravaged by grief, heart, belonging and a whole load of dystopian (true) grit.

The Mandalorian and Grogu (Movie Review) — Where There’s a Will There’s a Way

Star Wars returns to the big screen for the first time in seven years with a spin-off from the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Can Grogu Force-sieze his crown as the new leader of the franchise?

Doctor Who: The Story And The Engine (Review) – Unravelling The Tale

Another solid story that revels in the show’s flexibility and heightened existence in a world of gods. Despite a weaker resolution than it deserved, the mechanism of the story and the sharpness of the concept shine through. 

Doctor Who: Lucky Day (Review) – Behind The Mask

‘Lucky Day’ is another exploration of what it is to be Doctor Who the series, and continues this year’s theme of deconstructing its narrative elements. On the way, there’s a broken companion, a misguided UNIT, a furious Doctor and an uncomfortably good villain.

Doctor Who: The Well (Review) – Unsettling Confidence In The Far Future

Fans should relish this spell of Doctor Who. It feels like the production deal that allowed the show to work well ahead of time, and the return of Russell T. Davies is finally paying dividends. Tonally different from its immediate preceding episodes, ‘The Well’ is an immaculately well-made slice of scary Who.

Doctor Who: Lux (Review) – Shining A Light On The Metaverse

Lux continues Series 15’s strong start with a confident format-breaking story that has a lot to say about grief, belief and Doctor Who itself. Get ready to cry at yourself, fans.

Batman: Knightfall–Part 1: Knightfall (Movie Review)

Batman: Knightfall–Part 1: Knightfall (Movie Review)

A long-brewing epic, the Knightfall saga has finally arrived in animation, taking inspiration from one of Batman’s truly epic storylines. It was the early ‘90s and, true to the decade, the glorious continuity streamlining DC Comics brought about with 1986’s Crisis on Infinite Earths had to reach a catastrophic crescendo.

Star Trek 60th Anniversary Special – A Muted Celebration

Star Trek 60th Anniversary Special – A Muted Celebration

Star Trek’s 60th anniversary anthology dips into the vast history of Starfleet’s finest. Trek and comic legends combine for tales stretching from the Original Series to Starfleet Academy to mark the big milestone, and as fans might expect, that means the range in tone and quality is almost as vast as the galaxy.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Re-Release Review)

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Re-Release Review)

On Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, what could be better than watching the space saga at its finest? The fourth Star Trek film, The Voyage Home, which uncoincidentally celebrates its 40th birthday this year and is re-releasing in cinemas this month, is perhaps the franchise’s perfect mix of concept, action, humour, message, and humanity.

Doctor Who: Lucky Day (Review) – Behind The Mask

Doctor Who: Lucky Day (Review) – Behind The Mask

‘Lucky Day’ is another exploration of what it is to be Doctor Who the series, and continues this year’s theme of deconstructing its narrative elements. On the way, there’s a broken companion, a misguided UNIT, a furious Doctor and an uncomfortably good villain.

Doctor Who: The Well (Review) – Unsettling Confidence In The Far Future

Doctor Who: The Well (Review) – Unsettling Confidence In The Far Future

Fans should relish this spell of Doctor Who. It feels like the production deal that allowed the show to work well ahead of time, and the return of Russell T. Davies is finally paying dividends. Tonally different from its immediate preceding episodes, ‘The Well’ is an immaculately well-made slice of scary Who.

Doctor Who: Thin Ice (Review) – Swimming The Undercurrents

Doctor Who: Thin Ice (Review) – Swimming The Undercurrents

Back to London for the third episode of Series 10, as the Bill’s grand entrance continues. Can writer Sarah Dollard’s second stab at the Time Lord do justice to the oh-so neglected Regency period? the Thames is frosted, and there’s a beast below…

Doctor Who: Knock Knock (Review) – Someone’s in the Door

Doctor Who: Knock Knock (Review) – Someone’s in the Door

Doctor Who | Series 10 | Episode: 4 | 'Knock Knock' | Duration: 50 minutes | Writer: Mike Bartlett | Director: Bill Anderson | Starring: Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, David Suchet, Mariah Gale, Mandeep Dhillon, Colin Ryan, Ben Presley, Alice Hewkin, Bart Suavek Bill's...

Doctor Who: Smile (Review) – Though Your Heart Is Aching

Doctor Who: Smile (Review) – Though Your Heart Is Aching

Ah, that second episode slot of New Series Doctor Who — it’s been a patchy one. We’re still in new companion mode as we head to this series happy place — Smile, the first time in six years the second story hasn’t had Steven Moffat’s name on the writing credits…

Doctor Who: The Pilot (Review) – A Strong Steer

Doctor Who: The Pilot (Review) – A Strong Steer

Time Lord, it feels good to write that title! 10.1. After 12 years the new, rebooted Doctor Who has made it to 10 series. And of course, as sure as the show combines fire and ice, there’s sorrow hitching a ride with that joy.