John Hansen

Event Horizon

‘Event Horizon’ (1997) remains a creepy cult classic

Frightening Friday (Movie review): It might not be the “scariest movie you’ll ever see.” But “Event Horizon” is deserving of its cult status.

Contact

‘Contact’ (1997, 1985) makes science accessible, lovely

Throwback Thursday (Movie, book reviews): In the late-1990s gamut of space-visitor movies, “Contact” is the mainstream one – in a good way.

Radio Days

‘Radio Days’ (1987) a trip back to medium’s heyday

Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Understated yet deftly crafted, Allen’s film gives us a good grounding in the ubiquity of radio in the 1930s and ’40s.

Odds On

Crichton’s career stealthily begins with ‘Odds On’ (1966)

Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): The layperson knows his first novel as “The Andromeda Strain,” but it was actually “Odds On.”

Death in the Clouds

Poirot airs his theories in ‘Death in the Clouds’ (1935)

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie tries a new riff on the closed-room mystery with a closed-cabin mystery.

Those Who Wish Me Dead

‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’ blends personal tale, grand disaster

Movie review: Director Taylor Sheridan’s thriller keeps the focus on characters, including a standout Finn Little as a kid in a harrowing situation.

Woman in the Window

‘Woman in the Window’ is too transparent

Movie review: Based on a 2018 A.J. Finn novel, “The Woman in the Window” never got under my skin the way I think director Joe Wright wanted it to.

Hellbound Hellraiser II

‘Hellbound: Hellraiser II’ (1988) another gore-effects feast

Frightening Friday (Movie review): It’s nice to have Ashley Laurence back, but the story loses tension in this grander “Hellraiser” sequel.

2001 A Space Odyssey movie

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968) is as cold as space itself

Throwback Thursday (Movie, book reviews): “2001: A Space Odyssey” influenced later works such as “Contact,” “Event Horizon” and “Ad Astra.”

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Daniels shines in sweet ‘Purple Rose of Cairo’ (1985)

Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Featuring a nice early Jeff Daniels turn, the fantastical “Purple Rose of Cairo” demonstrates Woody Allen’s love for cinema.