‘In the Heights’ not quite great, but hard to hate
Movie review: Based on the stage musical, “In the Heights” has simple arcs and lacks a breakout song, but its people and places are easy to embrace.
‘In the Heights’ not quite great, but hard to hate
Crichton’s ‘Scratch One’ (1967) a too-tangled web
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Crichton introduces an Everyman answer to James Bond in his overly ambitious second John Lange novel.
Christie delivers variety in ‘Regatta Mystery’ (1939)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Poirot and Christie’s other top detectives trade the stage in this excellent collection of nine short stories.
Winslet leads stellar cast in gripping ‘Mare of Easttown’
TV review: A loaded cast and an emphasis on characters makes this HBO miniseries stand out despite its standard murder-mystery trappings.
‘Deep Rising’ (1998) is weird, watery, wild
Frightening Friday (Movie review): “Deep Rising” doesn’t try to compete with “Titanic” or smart ocean-based SF films. But it’s a ton of fun.
‘Awake’ a woke but tired spin on the apocalypse
Movie review: Gina Rodriguez is great, but that’s not enough reason to stay “Awake” for this science fiction take on the zombie genre.
Adventurous ‘Lost in Space’ (1998) updates 1960s series
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): “Lost in Space” isn’t “cool,” but it does stay true to the TV adventure series while updating the effects.
In ‘Blue Jasmine’ (2013), there are no shortcuts
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Cate Blanchett steals the show from a stellar ensemble in one of Allen’s best straight dramas.
‘Futureworld’ (1976) a blueprint for TV’s ‘Westworld’
Michael Crichton Monday (Movie review): This sequel to Crichton’s breakthrough film has been mined for ideas by the writers of TV’s “Westworld.”
Christie tries novella form in ‘Dead Man’s Mirror’ (1937)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): I enjoyed all four of these Poirot yarns from Agatha Christie. The last two have particularly satisfying endings.