John Hansen

‘Black Christmas’ (1974) a gift to future slasher flicks

Movie review: The original “Black Christmas” was a great slasher flick before slasher flicks were cool.

It’s the Sixties, man, in ‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Season 3

TV review:“Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s” third season discovers subtlety to go with its usual bombast.

Tarantino loves, lampoons motion picture industry in luscious ‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ (Movie review)

Quentin Tarantino low-key makes fun of 1969-era movie- and TV-making in “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.” But the production design by Barbara Ling and cinematography by Robert Richardson are as lush as “La La Land” (2016) and arguably even more impressive because this film is recreating a very specific time. So there’s no […]

‘Peanut Butter Falcon’ transcends the novelty of an actor with Down syndrome (Movie review)

The familiar following-your-dreams story of “The Peanut Butter Falcon” comes alive thanks to vibrant Savannah-area locations and three engaging performances. Most unusual is that of Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome who was told it would be tough to have an acting career because there aren’t many roles for people like him. So writers-directors […]

Calling ‘Impostor’ (2002) ‘padded’ is a fair statement

PKD flashback (Movie review): This short story adaptation truly was padded out after its original cut.

Skeletons in the Closet

‘Skeletons in the Closet’ (2002) probes ‘Roswell’ origins

‘Roswell’ flashback (Book review): Andy Mangels’ and Michael A. Martin’s book clarifies a lot of the show’s alien origin mythology.

Superman II

Which is the better ‘Superman II’? A case for the Lester Cut

Superhero Saturday (Movie review): There was a lot of excitement when the Donner Cut of “Superman II” came out. But is it the superior version?

Die Hard 2

‘Die Hard 2: Die Harder’ (1990) is a stone-cold classic

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Like an action film set in a snow globe, this DC-set sequel is the second Christmas classic in the saga.

‘Total Recall’ (1990) is vintage Verhoeven

PKD flashback (Movie review): But it’s not vintage Dick, even though it comes from his short story.

‘Roswell’ flashback: ‘Shades’ (Book review) (2002)

Mel Odom, who wrote many outstanding “Buffy” and “Angel” novels, makes an all-over-the-place debut in the “Roswell” universe with “Shades” (September 2002), the fourth tie-in novel. It’s a daring novel in a way, as it introduces a whole new alien race plus the supernatural into the mythos, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing. Set […]