Stellar Picks

Below find reviews of all the best movies, shows, books, games, and more according to Cosmic Circus contributors and writers.


Book ReviewsBooksReviewsStellar Picks

‘Bullets in the Dark’ by Cath Lauria (An Arkham Horror Novel) Book Review

It’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

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ReviewsStellar PicksTV/Streaming Series & Specials Reviews

‘Bait’ Is A Tremendously Unexpected Showcase For Riz Ahmed

In 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

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Movie ReviewsReviewsStellar Picks

Happy Feet: Revisiting the Beloved Animated Classic

Producer 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

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Book ReviewsBooksReviewsStellar Picks

‘Mother of Death and Dawn’ by Carissa Broadbent Book Review

Tisannah is used to being the underdog. After signing her life to the Order to help save the slaves in Threll, she was double crossed by the very people she helped. In a desperate power grab, Nura ends up on top, Max ends up in a magical prison, and Tisannah ends up back in Threll, continuing to lead the rebellion while

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Game ReviewsGamingReviewsStellar Picks

‘Key Fairy’ Game Review: Full of Fantasy and Wonderment

Key Fairy is a new action role-playing game with bullet hell elements, developed and published by the Australian-based studio Owl Machine.  Key Fairy is not a short game, nor is it an easy one. What it is, though, is a delightfully fun and whimsical game. You’ll get to explore beautifully hand-drawn areas, strategize against dangerous creatures, and look forward to non-linear

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Movie ReviewsReviewsStellar Picks

‘Hoppers’ Brings Pixar Back to Its Glory Days

For a long time, I’ve asked myself the following question: Have I aged out of Pixar, or has Pixar lost its magic? With Daniel Chong’s Hoppers, we finally have an answer to this question. It was the latter. In a post-Incredibles 2 era, only Turning Red felt like the masterpieces the animation studio consistently released and pushed the medium forward in

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Game ReviewsGamingReviewsStellar Picks

‘High on Life 2’ Game Review

High on Life 2 was one of my most anticipated sequels from Squanch Games. It immediately steals the show by being a very confident sequel that knows exactly what kind of experience it gives the players. It was built directly on the foundation of the first High on Life game, but it clearly aims to be bigger and better in every

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Movie ReviewsReviewsStellar Picks

‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’ is a Cinematic Miracle

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is Matt Johnson’s continuation of the television series of the same name, which follows the fictitious antics of Johnson and his best friend Jay McCarrol as they attempt (and fail) to book a show at The Rivoli, as if the Toronto-based café was as complex to book as Madison Square Garden. Before propelling into the

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Game ReviewsGamingReviewsStellar Picks

‘Dogpile’ Game Review: A Relaxing Doggie Deckbuilder

Whenever I find a title that pairs fun with soothing gameplay into a creatively wholesome package, I am always going to end up a happy customer. Dogpile is developed by Foot, which is a joint effort by both Studio Folly and Toot Games, and published by WINGS. From the moment I noticed the game’s listing on Steam, I knew I had

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Book ReviewsBooksReviewsStellar Picks

‘Blood for the Undying Throne’ by Sung-Il Kim translated by Anton Hur Book Review

In Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-Il Kim, Arland struck a decisive blow against the Empire. But that doesn’t mean that they’re safe in the next installment of the Bleeding Empire Trilogy, titled Blood for the Undying Throne. The last time a territory tried to break away from the Empire, the Empire unleashed the Star of Mersia and wiped the rebels

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Book ReviewsBooksGamingReviewsStellar Picks

‘Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon’ by Mike Chen Book Review

Star Wars Outlaws was released in mid-2024 as the first true open-world Star Wars game. It thrust players into the underworld of the galaxy, allowing them to work for syndicates during the time of the Empire as Kay Vess, a new scoundrel on the scene. Outlaws received some rather unfair criticism before its release, which led to middling sales. Unfortunate issues

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