John Hansen

Blade Runner Black Lotus

‘Blade Runner’ makes stylish move to TV with ‘Black Lotus’

First episode impressions (TV review): Through two episodes, the anime assets are in place for a visually and aurally evocative adventure.

Shang-Chi

MCU machine rolls into China for ‘Shang-Chi’

Movie review: Asian fans have their huge Marvel movie with “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” It’s a lot like other Marvel movies.

A Pocket Full of Rye

‘Pocket Full of Rye’ (1953) a pocket full of tropes

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie pulls out all the rules of the game in “A Pocket Full of Rye,” a comfortably familiar murder tale in a manor.

The Grudge 3

Scares diminish, but ‘Grudge 3’ (2009) is rather sweet

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Although not very scary, “G3” is quite watchable thanks to a cute little family unit led by Johanna Braddy.

The Air I Breathe

‘The Air I Breathe’ (2007) is short on filmmaking oxygen

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This SMG film is more interesting on paper than in execution as it explores strangers’ interactions in the vein of “Crash.”

Another Woman

Rowlands shines in character study ‘Another Woman’ (1988)

Woody Wednesday (Movie review): A personal yet relatable analysis of a professionally successful woman at 50, “Another Woman” is among Allen’s elite dramas.

Yellowjackets

‘Yellowjackets’ soapier than I’d like, but has some sting

First episode impressions (TV review): This miniseries has a great premise of teen girls thrown into an extreme situation, but it’s also a little soapy.

Dune

Slow-burn ‘Dune’ illustrates imperial machinations

Movie review: Villeneuve’s film is homework more than entertainment. But it’s interesting to see how “Star Wars” was influenced by “Dune.”

Next novel

‘Next’ (2006) a weirdly engineered novel about genetics

Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Crichton experiments with structure, making “Next” as much a scrapbook as a plotted story.

Funerals are Fatal

‘Funerals are Fatal’ (1953), especially in this family

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie doesn’t reinvent anything here, but this family-based mystery does offer a few wrinkles.