In the Features archive, find a wide array of articles, interviews, reviews, podcast discussions, and posts from Cosmic Circus writers and contributors.
Refer to the Stellar Picks archive to find some of our top-rated movies, shows, books, games, and more!
If you were disappointed by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, look no further than Exit 8, a video game adaptation that actively respects fans of the original source material. Writer/director Genki Kawamura develops a visual language that’s very much in line with the atmospheric experience of playing Kotake Create’s mind-bending walking simulator. In fact, Kawamura is more concerned with the atmospheric
Read MoreAt one point or another, most genre fans are always willing to get down with a good shark movie. The shark movie has virtually formed into a whole subgenre of its own, with many films playing within its confines of providing either sharp B-movie thrills or cheesy campiness that rolls with the absurdity. Thrash is the latest shark movie to attempt
Read MoreFishbowl is the debut narrative indie title developed by imissmyfriends.studio and is published by my new favorite publisher, Wholesome Games Presents. Throughout this emotional game, you’ll live day to day for a month-long period as you take on the role of Alo. Your character must adjust to the recent loss of a family member as she struggles with grief and childhood memories.
Read MoreFor years, Sam Witwer fought for a Maul solo project, and he worked really hard to achieve it. Even when animation expanded his story in The Clone Wars and Rebels, the character remained more myth than man. And now it’s finally time to explore what happened in between those projects. Thankfully, this isn’t just another side story project. It’s an attempt
Read MoreIt’s been a few months since the incident in Arkham. The one where the water wouldn’t stop rising, and something else was rising with it. The city is working on rebuilding, but some things should never be rebuilt, and Isabelle Barnes is determined to make sure those things aren’t. With the help of maybe the only decent cop in Arkham, Tommy
Read MoreIt is extremely difficult to talk about Kristoffer Borgli’s latest movie, The Drama, without mentioning the big twist that looms large regarding Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma’s (Zendaya) union. What starts as a carefree, dynamic romantic comedy morphs into something else entirely… fifteen minutes after an opening montage that distills a picture-perfect marriage proposal between Charlie and Emma. The former is
Read MoreIn February 2025, Amazon gained full creative control of the James Bond franchise. Although audiences are still eagerly awaiting what Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will do with the property in the eagerly awaited next film involving the character, actor Riz Ahmed‘s new Prime Video series Bait takes a different angle. It’s a sort of meta-commentary on the cultural weight of the role of James Bond. Bait sees Ahmed playing a British Pakistani actor
Read MoreThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie has prompted deep reflection in me. Back in 2023, I was still a new writer here. In fact, The Super Mario Bros. Movie was one of my first reviews here at The Cosmic Circus. At the time, I called the animated film “an acceptable nostalgic delight.” My reasons were that the animated film embraced the game’s
Read MoreThe very first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon on May 1, 1999. I was twelve years old at the time, and I remember thinking I was too old for a ridiculous-looking cartoon about a juvenile sea sponge. I watched the premiere with a close childhood friend, fully intent on mocking what I was certain would be a cringe-inducing flop of
Read MoreProducer George Miller, co-producers Judy Morris and Warren Coleman, and John Collee’s musical comedy adventure animated film, Happy Feet, briefly returned to Regal Theaters this past weekend. This is due to their “And the Award Goes to…” daily re-release of award-winning films for the month of March, from the classics to this year’s Academy Awards nominees. Revisiting Happy Feet I remember
Read MoreProject Hail Mary took audiences by storm last weekend. Adapted from the groundbreaking science fiction novel written by Andy Weir, the film achieved a record-breaking box office opening and is beloved by critics and audiences alike. I’d go so far as to call the novel near-perfect! Produced by and starring Ryan Gosling, the movie is a faithful adaptation in most respects
Read MoreThose who expected another Raw or Titane may be disappointed while watching Julia Ducournau’s latest movie, Alpha. This film takes a more subdued approach than the character-centric insanity pieces that immediately propelled the French filmmaker to critical acclaim. With only three features under her belt, Ducournau has already established herself as one of the most compelling genre artists working today. Especially
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