John Hansen

Anaconda 1997

Snakes alive! ‘Anaconda’ (1997) a standout of natural-world horror

Frightening Friday (Movie review): It’s debatable who gives the better reptilian performance: the snake or Jon Voight. But suffice it to say both are entertaining.

Princess Bride

‘Princess Bride’ (1987) both less and more than I remembered

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Some of the simplest films are the most beautiful, as this ubiquitous childhood gem gets more timeless with time.

Anaconda 2025

‘Anaconda’ (2025): Don’t want none unless ya got laughs, hun

Movie review: More clever than “Anaconda” (1997)? Sure. More entertaining? Not even close.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III’ (1993) and the multiverse that might’ve been

Turtle Tuesday (Movie commentary): “TMNT” came tantalizingly close to creating a cross-media multiverse the likes of which hadn’t been seen before.

High Anxiety

‘High Anxiety’ (1977) a Hitchcock celebration with some chuckles

Mel Brooks Monday (Movie review): Though Brooks doesn’t reach Master of Comedy status, the film is a loving parody of the Master of Suspense.

Selling Superman

In ‘Selling Superman’ (2024), a family’s story illuminates hobby’s healthy and unhealthy traits

Superhero Saturday (TV review): This odd hero’s journey asks: Can a hoarder’s legacy be redeemed by spreading his comics to people who will love them?

Blood on Satan's Claw

‘Blood on Satan’s Claw’ (1971) washes off rather easily

Frightening Friday (Movie review): It’s a folk-horror classic in film-nerd circles, but I suspect most viewers will find it slow and cheesy.

Splash

‘Splash’ (1984) makes a name for itself despite being simple, silly

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The off-screen stories are better than the on-screen one, namely the popularization of the name Madison.

TMNT II

‘TMNT II: The Secret of the Ooze’ (1991): Was Shredder almost Michael Myers?

Turtle Tuesday (Movie commentary): Eastman and Laird themselves made sure “TMNT” didn’t drift too close to “Halloween.”

Young Frankenstein

‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974) among the best – and funniest – adaptations of the classic novel

Mel Brooks Monday (Movie review): Brooks and Wilder insert jokes while staying true to Mary Shelley’s work.