John’s top 10 TV shows of 2024
2024 television: Network shows held on to some viewers thanks to diversity of main characters and premises, but streaming and premium channels continued to dominate.
‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ Seasons 7-8 (2000-02) are a joyful – if darker – return
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): The show returns from a four-year hiatus with a last go-around of the ensemble format and one of the series’ best episodes.
You’ll go ‘Cuckoo’ trying to connect with this movie
Movie review: This is not phoned-in horror trash; it’s trying to be something cuckoo-bananas different. But it failed to make this viewer care.
‘Heretic’ a revelation of theological-discussion horror
Movie review: Three masterful performances and a razor-sharp screenplay from the “Boogeyman” guys (!) make this one of the year’s best horror films.
Beyond a reasonable doubt, ‘Juror #2’ isn’t half bad
Movie review: Although Eastwood’s film, perhaps accidentally, makes us want to throw the justice system in the garbage, a stellar Nicholas Hoult drives the suspense.
Preston & Child hop dimensions in ‘Angel of Vengeance’
Book review: The authors intriguingly wrap up their time-travel saga as their long-running protagonists and antagonists meet.
‘The Apartment’ (1960) is worth renting, maybe even owning
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The Oscars were right: Lemmon and MacLaine are delightful in this light-touch, heartfelt romantic dramedy.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946), but is it a wonderful movie?
Christmas movie flashback: Frank Capra’s classic must be the most widely beloved movie about the business of real-estate loans. (Plus: A look at the film’s influence on “Buffy” Season 3.)
‘Valley of Fear’ (1915) does the multi-genre riff even better
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Doyle improves on “Study in Scarlet’s” blend of mystery and flashback in his final Sherlock Holmes novel.
‘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.