Josh Bell

Josh Bell is a freelance writer and movie/TV critic based in Las Vegas who covers sci-fi cinema for Inverse with a weekly column recommending lesser-known films to watch online. He's the former film editor of Las Vegas Weekly and has written about movies and pop culture for Syfy Wire, Polygon, CBR, Film Racket, Crooked Marquee, and more. With comedian Jason Harris, he co-hosts the podcast Awesome Movie Year.

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One of the Decade’s Most Groundbreaking Animated Movies Was About a Weird Little Guy

This tiny inspirational hero's Oscar-nominated movie is now on Netflix.

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Retrospective

The First 'Hellrasier' Sequel Turned a Personal Artistic Vision Into a Viable Franchise

We have such profits to show you.

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The Best Zombie Christmas Musical is One of a Kind

This Scottish indie production brilliantly executes an unlikely combination of genres.

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One of the Most Entertaining Creature Features Does a Lot With a Silly Premise

Alexandre Aja's alligator attack movie rises above its B-movie origins with genuine suspense and compelling characters.

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Last Call

Sylvester Stallone’s Ridiculous Time Travel Romp is Still a Blast to Watch Today

Two of the 1990s' biggest action stars face off in a future full of smart satire.

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'Dune' Is Denis Villeneuve’s Biggest Sci-Fi Movie, but It’s Not His Best

Villeneuve got his sci-fi start with this sensitive and cerebral masterpiece.

ByJosh Bell
Culture

With 'Antiviral,' A New Cronenberg Legacy Was Born

Starting with his debut feature, Brandon Cronenberg proved to be the perfect heir to his dad's body-horror throne.

ByJosh Bell
Retrospective

10 Years Ago, An Apocalyptic Comedy Predicted Lockdown Hostilities

If you or someone you know went squirrelly in 2020, this will look familiar.

ByJosh Bell
Retrospective

35 Years Later, 'Beetlejuice' Still Makes Tim Burton’s Style Feel Fresh

The entire Burton empire can be traced back to this wonderfully morbid comedy.

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Retrospective

25 Years Later, 'The Big Lebowski' is an Elegy for the ‘60s — and a Compelling Mystery

Both the Dude and The Big Lebowski contain multitudes.

ByJosh Bell
Retrospective

'Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man' Was the 'Batman v Superman' of the 1940s

Two iconic monsters made a mediocre movie and created the cinematic universe.

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Retrospective

Zombies Used to do More Than Eat Brains, and Wes Craven Showed Us How Scary Their Masters Could Be

Forget George Romero -- Craven's take on zombies recalls something more primal and real.

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Last Call

Wednesday has become a smash hit, but it owes much of its success to its ‘90s predecessor

Apparently, you can’t tell an Addams Family story without a dance scene.

ByJosh Bell
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How Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds made a shockingly good Alien ripoff

This take on the claassic is shamelessly derivative and totally thrilling.

ByJosh Bell
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Sick of Marvel? This understated thriller provides a refreshing take on superheroes

This Blumhouse production perfectly combines superhero action, coming-of-age drama and, of course, street magic.

ByJosh Bell
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Steven Soderbergh’s best thriller you’ve probably never heard of is streaming now on Netflix

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James Cameron already made the greatest sci-fi action sequel of all time

No matter how Avatar: The Way of Water turns out, this 1991 movie secured Cameron's place in cinema history.

ByJosh Bell
Last Call

If you’re tired of sprawling superhero franchises, a Netflix indie has the antidote

Forget cinematic universes. Sit down for a fascinating and heartfelt standalone superhero story.

ByJosh Bell
Retrospective

Ellen Ripley deserved better than Alien Resurrection

ByJosh Bell
Retrospective

Steven Soderbergh’s only sci-fi movie is better than you remember

The filmmaking icon proved himself a master of any genre with this 2002 film.

ByJosh Bell