John Hansen

Christmas Bloody Christmas

‘Christmas Bloody Christmas’ (2022) is chilly in the wrong way

Frightening Friday (Movie review): The final act has “Terminator” and “Rambo” flavors, but the film lacks scares, tension or even gore.

Edward Scissorhands

‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990) a too-thin slice of heartfelt weirdness

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): For many Burton fans, this Christmastime film is a cut above, but I find it slices too thin.

Lifepod

Hitchcock gets transported to space in ‘Lifepod’ (1993)

On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): This TV movie makes good use of its strong cast with sharp themes, future tech and a whodunit.

Poirot Season 6

‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ Season 6 (1994-95) adds Christmas cheer

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Which isn’t to say everyone is jolly in the Lee household for “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas,” but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Night We Lost Him

Dave’s ‘The Night We Lost Him’ blends romance, mystery

Book club book report: The author draws us in with questions, and smoothly builds believable characters amid the quest for answers.

Rental

‘The Rental’ (2020) plays up creepiness of being a stranger in a strange home

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Worth a rental? Well, it’s definitely worth a streaming viewing, as it gets in on the ground floor of Airbnb horror.

Challengers

Smartly structured ‘Challengers’ breaks at love

Movie review: The plot is that of a soap opera, but the structure, style and psychological honesty put it on the short list of tennis-movie GOATs.

The Holdovers

‘The Holdovers’ (2023) merely a placeholder for Payne

Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The director has delivered many 21st century masterpieces, but this Christmas film falls short of that status.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 1

‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ Season 1 (1955-56) brings the macabre into living rooms

On a Hitchcock kick (TV review): As a holiday treat, we look at “Back for Christmas” and Hitchcock’s three other directorial efforts from “AHP’s” first season.

I Saw the TV Glow

‘I Saw the TV Glow’ a mesmeric metaphysical journey

Movie review: Though a lack of a clear plot makes it sometimes slip from a viewer’s grasp, Schoenbrun’s film is loaded with feelings and ideas.