Matthew J. Brady

Since Project Hail Mary is opening in theaters today, here’s the review I wrote of the book. I thought it was great, and I hope the movie manages to replicate at least some of what made it so enjoyable. Feeling Bookish: Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

My Blaxploitation review for this week covers Mandingo, which does a good job of depicting the horrors of slavery, but focuses too much on the white characters to be a satisfying Blaxploitation film. Blaxploitation Education: Mandingo open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I wrote about the excellent sci-fi horror novel There Is No Antimimetics Division, which is one of the best books I’ve read recently. There Is No Antimimetics Division: You don't want to know about █████████ open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I reviewed Splitsville, which is the funniest movie I’ve seen in a while. Splitsville: Relationships are hard, especially when you're an idiot open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

My latest Blaxploitation review covers the Western Take a Hard Ride, which was disappointing due to its failure to fulfill the expectations it set. Blaxploitation Education: Take a Hard Ride open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I wrote about a new book that covers the tumultuous period that the movie industry experienced during the 1970s. It’s pretty great reading. The Last Kings of Hollywood: Some are more regal than others open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I wrote about the latest issue of Jonathan Baylis’ autobiographical comic So Buttons. Support it on Kickstarter! So Buttons #15: Fathers and movies open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

My Blaxploitation review for this week covers Together Brothers, which provides a realistic depiction of life in the inner city, but loses points for ugly depictions of queer characters. Blaxploitation Education: Together Brothers open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

For this week’s Blaxploitation review, I went back to 1970 to look at an early attempt to capitalize on the trend that failed due to its insistence on approaching racism from the white perspective. Blaxploitation Education: The Liberation of L.B. Jones open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I wrote about the adventures of thicc Batman, and I’m confused about what people seem to find so great about it. Absolute Batman, Volume 1-2: It's the same old story, even with cosmetic differences open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

My latest Blaxploitation review covers Let’s Do It Again, which has some pretty funny bits if you can find it in yourself to laugh at Bill Cosby. Blaxploitation Education: Let's Do It Again open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I wrote about the final volume in the manga series Search and Destroy, which was a highly enjoyable example of violent action involving rage against injustice. Search and Destroy, Volume 3: Cyberpunk violence never needs to end open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

My latest Blaxploitation review covers Darktown Strutters, a very strange musical comedy that ended up being pretty bad, even if it did provide some food for thought: Blaxploitation Education: Darktown Strutters open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I wrote about Angel Down, a horror novel set during World War I that I found to be a pretty incredible experience. Angel Down: Literary gimmickry can sometimes be effective open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

My Blaxploitation review for this week covers the second Cleopatra Jones movie, which is enjoyable in terms of action but offers little else. Blaxploitation Education: Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I wrote about the horror novel When the Wolf Comes Home, which I liked quite a bit, even if it wasn’t the scariest thing I’ve ever read. When the Wolf Comes Home: Fear is different for everyone open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I reviewed the recent adaptation of The Running Man, and I did not like it very much: The Running Man (2025): Schwarzenegger > Wright + Powell, surprisingly open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

My Blaxploitation review for this week covers Bucktown, a Fred Williamson/Pam Grier joint that’s an unfortunate example of white filmmakers struggling to find the right focus for these types of stories. Blaxploitation Education: Bucktown open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I’m continuing to work my way through the Murderbot books, and the novel Network Effect is another excellent entry in the series: Network Effect, a Murderbot Novel: Robotic relationships can be confusing open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…

I forgot to share this yesterday: my latest Blaxploitation review covers the pimp-centric action movie The Candy Tangerine Man: Blaxploitation Education: The Candy Tangerine Man open.substack.com/pub/matthewbra…