John Hansen

Pieces of April

‘Pieces of April’ (2003) a harsh, sweet tear-jerker

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Katie Holmes’ standout film has a low budget but high value as it tells a sympathetic story of a dysfunctional family.

Dutch

‘Dutch’ (1991) focuses on characters, not laughs

Hughes Day Tuesday (Movie review): Hughes’ other Thanksgiving film is concerned with the relationship between O’Neill’s and Embry’s characters.

The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick

‘Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick’ (1995) collects odds and ends

PKD flashback (Book review): This collection of essays, speeches and journaling will be tantalizing for burgeoning PKD addicts.

Still Life with Crows

‘Still Life with Crows’ (2003) a small-town chiller

Preston & Child flashback (Book review): In addition to introducing Corrie Swanson, “Still Life” features a great villain and memorable scenes.

TMNT 2014

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2014) takes some getting used to

Superhero Saturday (Movie review): Well, this re-imagining of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” isn’t my “TMNT,” but it’s not as bad as it could’ve been.

30 Days of Night

‘30 Days of Night’ (2007) unleashes horror at the top of the world

Frightening Friday (Movie review): The northern Alaska setting is great, but slow pacing and choppy storytelling hamper this vampire flick.

Drive 2007

Short-lived ‘Drive’ (2007) doesn’t get up to speed

TV shows lost to history (Review): The cast is remarkable — including Nathan Fillion and Emma Stone — but “Drive” is unable to rev up in its six episodes.

Class Action Park

Documentary ‘Class Action Park’ captures nostalgia, danger

Movie review: The documentary bounces back and forth between gleeful descriptions of the dangerous rides and more sobering facts.

The Hunt

Gilpin is great, but ‘The Hunt’ is unpolished

Movie review: More of a collection of brain droppings than a tight plot, “The Hunt” is the latest take on “The Most Dangerous Game.”

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Candy, Martin shine in ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ (1987)

Hughes Day Tuesday (Movie review): This popular pick for “best Thanksgiving movie” is an all-timer among the catalogs of Hughes, Candy and Martin.