The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

In the near-future, the Earth is teetering on the brink of apocalypse, with energy shortages driving countries to increasingly desperate measures to survive.

Meanwhile, in orbit, as society breaks down below them, an international team of scientists - on the massive spacestation Cloverfield - are attempting to fire up The Shepherd, a particle accelerator that could could provide unlimited energy for the planet and save mankind.

Unfortunately, after two years of failure, just as the scientists think they've got The Shepherd working - something goes horribly wrong...

The station loses sight of Earth as bizarre phenomena begin to plague its crew, and down on the planet chaos erupts.

Full marks to producer JJ Abrams for keeping The Cloverfield Paradox pretty much off the radar until it appeared on Netflix this morning.

A companion piece to the original Cloverfield monster movie, this light-weight slice of fun makes liberal use of weird science to explain the goings-on of the first movie, while serving up a pulpy action horror tale of its own.

With echoes of Event Horizon and recent episodes of Star Trek: Discovery, The Cloverfield Paradox is a fine example of the "haunted house in space" sub-genre.

Occasionally formulaic and occasionally surprising, the breathless adventure is broken up with a sprinkling of thematic nuggets ranging from the strength of familial bonds, and heroism and sacrifice, through to moments of delightful dark humour.

It's also one of those wonderful works of sci-fi and horror that you can't really say anything about without spoiling the surprises.

Just sit back and enjoy.

The Cloverfield Paradox isn't high art, but it's a fun romp and proves that there's still life in this odd, episodic, franchise.

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008)

If you got the dark humour and brilliant satire of the original Starship Troopers, then you will love Starship Troopers 3: Marauder.

From the outset it's clear that writer/director Ed Neumeier gets it - something I'm not sure the makers of the rather disappointing Starship Troopers 2: Hero Of The Federation did.

Helped by the return of Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico (where would Casper be without the Starship Troopers franchise?) and a widening of the satirical targets to, topically, embrace religious fanaticism, this latest release breathes new life into a series many thought long dead.

Fans of the original novel will also be pleased by the fact that we finally get to see Mobile Infantrymen fighting alien bugs while wearing powered battle armour - the "Marauder" of the title.

As with the original, Starship Troopers 3 is very much a part of the Federation universe - almost a recruitment film for the war on bugs - and, again, like the original the over-the-top jingoism and heroics are served with a slice of sexiness; this time in the form of the poor man's Angelina Jolie - and the only reason anyone watched Star Trek: Enterprise - Jolene Blalock as Captain Lola Beck.

Escaping from a front line massacre, Beck's ship - carrying Sky Marshall Anoke (Stephen Hogan), probably the most interesting character in the film - is shot out of the sky and has to escape to desert planet OM-1 and await rescue.

However, for some reason, the Federation don't seem that eager to rescue their stranded Sky Marshall, until Intelligence Officer Dix Hauser (Boris Kodjoe) sends in Johnny Rico and a squad of Marauders.

Obviously, for budgetary reasons, there were never going to be any scenes to rival Starship Trooper's Zulu-like siege by legions of bugs, but this second sequel has its fair share of action and excitement, as well as black humour and almost slapstick violence.