John Hansen

Tron

‘Tron’ (1982) is groundbreaking, but a chore to watch

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): If you come for the early CGI effects, you might end up taking a nap during the story.

Avanti

‘Avanti!’ (1972) not among Wilder’s elite, but it certainly avoids cliches

Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): By not challenging its own morality (or immorality), the film oddly encourages us to think outside the box.

The List

Add ‘The List’ (2023) to your list of contemporary culture dramas

Book club book report: Debut novelist Yomi Adegoke takes an engrossing dive into the good and very bad of cancel culture.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 2

‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ Season 2 (1956-57) explores flickering morals

On a Hitchcock kick (TV review): The Master of Suspense directs two stories of murder cover-ups and one of an overactive imagination.

Big Book of the Continental Op

Hardboiled fiction that goes over easy: ‘Big Book of the Continental Op’ (2017)  

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Nearly a century after Hammett invented him, all of the Continental Op’s world-spanning adventures are cozily combined into one book.

Bird with the Crystal Plumage

Enter giallo gallery in ‘Bird with the Crystal Plumage’ (1970)

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Rome architecture and cinematography elevate this tale of an American trying to solve Italian serial murders.

Karate Kid 2010

‘Karate Kid’ (2010) and the problem with sticking to the script

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Somehow Daniel’s exact journey is repeated by another kid 26 years later. But the remake isn’t without its merits.

Seven Year Itch

‘Seven Year Itch’ (1955) had me itching for more laughs

Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): That classic shot of Marilyn Monroe over the storm grate comes from this film, but it’s not too memorable otherwise.

Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3

‘Cobra Kai’ Season 6, Part 3 ties the belt on Johnny’s journey

TV review: The final five-episode batch of the 65-episode series has some wildly illegal punches, but ultimately lands a winning kick.

Hitch biography

Taylor’s ‘Hitch’ (1978) is cornerstone bio of Hitchcock

On a Hitchcock kick (Book review): A mix of objective and subjective analysis of the man and his works, the well-timed book also goes deeper into Hitchcock’s final film.