Mike Bedard

6 days ago | slashfilm.com | Mike Bedard

Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, is one of Marvel's golden geese at the moment. His combination of profane, fourth-wall-breaking jokes and hyper violence has gone a long way in making him a success in comics and film. He's so far the only X-Men character to have a solo trilogy that's solid all the way through, and even if he's not reinventing the wheel, his self-awareness makes him a breath of fresh air, as superhero stories continue to dominate the culture (even if they're at a bit of a low point).

6 days ago | looper.com | Mike Bedard

1987's "Predator" sowed the seeds for the titular alien hunter to become one of the most iconic creatures in action-centric horror. Predators — who technically belong to a species called Yautja — have killer designs and have proven their mettle repeatedly throughout the "Predator" story. They have an array of methods to subdue and kill their prey, who are often humans. Of course, with a whole universe out there, there are likely plenty of Yautja going to other planets to find worthy foes.

1 week ago | slashfilm.com | Mike Bedard

"Malcolm in the Middle" is hands-down one of the best sitcoms of the 2000s. It took the idea of a dysfunctional family, seen plenty of times before, but made it far more realistic. The central family with Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) literally in the middle of everything genuinely struggles to keep a roof over their heads. The kids regularly get into trouble, much to the chagrin of the overbearing family matriarch Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and her far more easygoing husband Hal (Bryan Cranston).

1 week ago | looper.com | Mike Bedard

Superman and Lex Luthor have one of the most iconic rivalries in comic book history. Their never-ending battle remains enticing over seven decades after their first clash because of what each one stands for beyond simply representing good versus evil. Superman embodies the virtues of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow. He's all-powerful yet all-good, and that's something Lex simply can't abide by.

2 weeks ago | slashfilm.com | Mike Bedard

Who could've ever guessed that "Mission: Impossible," a TV series that began in the 1960s, would go on to spawn one of the most epic action movie franchises of the 21st century? But that's simply the power of Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt willing to put his well-being on the line for the masses. AdvertisementNot only have the "Mission: Impossible" films been going strong since the first one came out in 1996, but they've also, somewhat amazingly, been surprisingly consistent.