John Hansen

Chad Powers

‘Chad Powers’ powers forward as best of the ‘Ted Lasso’ ilk

TV review: By being the strangest and most daring of 2020s uplifting sports redemption fiction, it’s also the strongest entry.

C is for Corpse

‘C is for Corpse’ (1986), and for character building, in third Millhone book

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): This time it’s personal as Sue Grafton’s private eye befriends a client who becomes a murder victim.

The Paper 2025

‘The Paper’ is worth a subscription as it nails modern journalism

TV review: Being real without being too depressing, this “Office” spinoff is blessed by wonderful character creations and cast chemistry.

Chucky Season 2

Character exploration takes a backseat in rompish ‘Chucky’ Season 2 (2022)

‘Child’s Play’ flashback (TV review): The show is filled with pop-culture riffs but isn’t interested in going deep into the soul of its many Chuckies and humans.

Running Man 1987

‘The Running Man’ (1987) charges ahead to a dystopian future

Stephen King flashback (Movie review): The Eighties aesthetic is a core appeal of a film that gradually moves from satire to accurate portrayal as time goes by.

Echoes of Guilt

‘Echoes of Guilt’ is like a Lifetime movie without an editor

Book club book report: Beyond the standard mystery lies an existential one: How good could this novel have been if it was copy-edited?

Murdaugh Death in the Family

‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’ makes true crime chillingly personal

First episode impressions (TV review): Driven by stellar performances, the Hulu miniseries is among the fall’s best shows.

B is for Burglar

Grafton doesn’t bungle sophomore Kinsey novel ‘B is for Burglar’ (1985)

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): The private eye uncovers a who’s who of suspects, and it’s entertaining to try to guess who is who.

Badlands

‘Badlands’ lands as another good novel from Preston & Child

Book review: In their fifth Nora Kelly Novel, the authors expertly weave a bizarre ancient mystery with a modern one.

Chucky Season 1

‘Chucky’ makes a killer move to prestige TV in Season 1 (2021)

‘Child’s Play’ flashback (TV review): Falling short of the writing and acting of influences like “Hannibal” and “Cobra Kai,” these eight episodes are nonetheless bizarrely watchable.