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John Serba is a film critic, unapologetic dad thrasher and writer of words. He's based in grand rapids, mi, but his mind occupies various pop cultural niches.

John Serba At Large
'Long Time Coming': A documentary on racism for yesterday, today and tomorrow
Sep 18

Sep 18 'Long Time Coming': A documentary on racism for yesterday, today and tomorrow

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Don’t overlook this smart, moving documentary showing at ArtPrize 2018.

'Mandy': Nicolas Cage goes crazy, as only Nicolas Cage does
Sep 18

Sep 18 'Mandy': Nicolas Cage goes crazy, as only Nicolas Cage does

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

This is the Cage we know and should love.

'Crazy Rich Asians': Don't call it a romantic comedy, please
Sep 10

Sep 10 'Crazy Rich Asians': Don't call it a romantic comedy, please

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

An inviting, commercially styled film decisively kicks down barriers.

'Eighth Grade': Adolescence, in close-up
Aug 14

Aug 14 'Eighth Grade': Adolescence, in close-up

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Filmmaker Bo Burnham crafts an extraordinary comedy about a teen coming of age one selfie at a time.

Slayer, Melvins, L7: concert review catch-up
Aug 9

Aug 9 Slayer, Melvins, L7: concert review catch-up

John Serba
DAD THRASH

Rounding up a few weeks’ worth of earplug use.

The auteurs of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies
Aug 1

Aug 1 The auteurs of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies

John Serba
CHUNKY TEXT

Here’s your guide to some ridiculously talented directors.

'Mission: Impossible - Fallout': Tom Cruise, running like never before
Jul 28

Jul 28 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout': Tom Cruise, running like never before

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

This may be the best in a series of excellent, pure action films.

Damn Classics: 'My Neighbor Totoro'
Jul 25

Jul 25 Damn Classics: 'My Neighbor Totoro'

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

An in-depth look at Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved animated film.

'Sorry to Bother You': Skewering America, one absurdity at a time
Jul 21

Jul 21 'Sorry to Bother You': Skewering America, one absurdity at a time

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Boots Riley’s satire is a vital - and utterly loony - provocation.

'Skyscraper': The Rock stands tall in very tall tale about very, very tall building
Jul 13

Jul 13 'Skyscraper': The Rock stands tall in very tall tale about very, very tall building

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

It’s one of the more entertaining stupid movies not featuring dinosaurs in recent memory.

The half-year in review: The best and worst movies of 2018, so far
Jul 11

Jul 11 The half-year in review: The best and worst movies of 2018, so far

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS, CHUNKY TEXT

Time for a progress report.

'Won't You Be My Neighbor?': Mister Rogers' clarion call for kindness
Jul 8

Jul 8 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?': Mister Rogers' clarion call for kindness

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Morgan Neville’s documentary is a warm, earnest biography.

'Ant-Man and the Wasp': Some necessary shrinkage for the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Jul 6

Jul 6 'Ant-Man and the Wasp': Some necessary shrinkage for the Marvel Cinematic Universe

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Paul Rudd keeps the tone light after the great heft of “Avengers: Infinity War.”

'Sicario: Day of the Soldado': Amoral men, stepping from the shadows
Jul 1

Jul 1 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado': Amoral men, stepping from the shadows

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin return for an unlikely sequel - but they pull focus from truer intentions.

BSOGM: My heavy metal podcast, newly launched on leathery bat wings
Jun 30

Jun 30 BSOGM: My heavy metal podcast, newly launched on leathery bat wings

John Serba
DAD THRASH

Bulls**t Old Guy Metal, a podcast that’s full of it. “It” being heavy metal worship.

'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom': Continuing the ridiculous new reign of the dinosaurs
Jun 22

Jun 22 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom': Continuing the ridiculous new reign of the dinosaurs

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Like the previous film, it’s brainless, entertaining escapism.

'First Reformed': Paul Schrader's essential ecclesiastical wrestling match, revisited
Jun 18

Jun 18 'First Reformed': Paul Schrader's essential ecclesiastical wrestling match, revisited

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Ethan Hawke anchors this riveting satirical drama, playing a preacher amidst a crisis of faith.

'Incredibles 2': The art of fun
Jun 16

Jun 16 'Incredibles 2': The art of fun

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Brad Bird’s sequel is a visually inspired display of scintillating action and rich comedy.

'Ocean's 8': A shallow but enjoyable dip into formulaic waters
Jun 13

Jun 13 'Ocean's 8': A shallow but enjoyable dip into formulaic waters

John Serba
FILM REVIEWS

Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett lead a team of all-female shysters interested in a big score more than sexual politics.

Dad Thrash 201: The thrashucation continues
Jun 12

Jun 12 Dad Thrash 201: The thrashucation continues

John Serba
DAD THRASH

Warning: contains advanced thrashing.

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John Serba at large: Writer. Film critic. Unapologetic metalhead. 

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