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.
Murder mystery almost an afterthought on ‘American Rust’
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.
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 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.
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’ (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.
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 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.
‘A Case of Need’ (1968) makes case as Crichton’s first gem
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): What was Crichton’s first great novel? A case could be made for the medical thriller “A Case of Need.”
Makeovers, musings come to fore in ‘Moving Finger’ (1943)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): This isn’t Christie’s deepest work, but it’s an enjoyably brisk yarn touching on small-town gossip and self-confidence.