John Hansen

Irrational Man

‘Irrational Man’ (2015) held back by the ‘rational’ world

Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Stone’s second Allen film is again only a middling entry, although it offers insights about relative morality.

Grave Descend

‘Grave Descend’ (1970) flirts with high-seas thrills

Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): The seventh John Lange novel isn’t as deep as it could’ve been, but the mystery plot makes it a page-turner.

American Rust

Murder mystery almost an afterthought on ‘American Rust’

First episode impressions (TV review): The genre of a dead body in a dying town is well-worn. But “American Rust” is at least appealingly well-worn.

Malignant

Wan’s ‘Malignant’ delivers weird – and creepy – science

Movie review: “A new vision of horror” is slightly overstating it, but “Malignant” uses its bizarre premise and wild action to stand out from the horror pack.

Sparkling Cyanide

Christie reflects on death in ‘Sparkling Cyanide’ (1945)

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): One of Christie’s most cinematic novels shuffles the chronological approach but in other ways goes by the book.

Fall Movie Preview

Fall movie preview 2021: Release dates, plus 7 films in the spotlight

Fall movie preview: The fall offerings return to normalcy with theatrical releases. Many will be immediately available for home viewing, too.

The Return and Possession

SMG sticks with supernatural in ‘Return’ (2006), ‘Possession’ (2009)

Frightening Friday (Movie reviews): After “The Grudge,” Sarah Michelle Gellar sticks with supernatural horror in these two films from her period between “Buffy” and “Ringer.”

I'm Reed Fish

‘I’m Reed Fish’ (2006) is tasty small fry from great cast

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): A strangely stellar cast brings to life the quirky small-town semi-autobiography of one-and-done screenwriter Reed Fish.

Match Point

Allen’s game has delicious variety in ‘Match Point’ (2005)

Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Neither a rom-com nor a grim tragedy, “Match Point” is among Allen’s best films in the middle ground of “character drama.”

Fall TV Preview

Fall TV preview 2021: Release dates, plus 10 shows in the spotlight

Fall TV preview: Networks and streamers are in a race to capture our attention. Lots of these shows will be discards, but the best ones should be good.