John Hansen

Crooked House

‘Crooked House’ (1949) a stealthily tragic tale 

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): They aren’t criminals or even bad people. But there’s something not right in the titular household in this Christie classic.

Devil in Ohio

‘Devil in Ohio’: Horror miniseries as comfort food 

TV review: Adapting her own book, Daria Polatin delivers a safe and tame devil-worshiper saga. But it’s boosted by the excellent Madeleine Arthur.

Knock Knock

‘Knock Knock’ (2015) a welcome pop-in for home-invasion horror 

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Two beautiful women showing up at your door might not scream “horror film,” but Eli Roth pulls it off.

Jaws The Revenge novel

Even Hank Searls can’t save ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987) 

Toothy Tuesday (Book review): Sure, the novelization is better than the movie, but a tale of a voodoo shark remains inherently ridiculous.

Fall Movie Preview

Fall movie preview 2022: Release dates, plus 10 films in the spotlight 

Fall movie preview: Filmmakers look to the past this season, as several historical dramas, biopics and documentaries are on the slate.

Death on the Nile

‘Death on the Nile’ (1937) a romantic puzzler on river 

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): This classic ends up a brain-teaser, but for much of its page count it’s a great portrayal of romance gone bad.

Kolchak Volume One

‘Kolchak: The Night Stalker’s’ waters deepen with Volume One 

‘Kolchak’ flashback (Comic book review): Moonstone brings the reporter back with adaptations of the first movie and a lost episode, plus two originals.

Open Water 3 Cage Dive

‘Open Water 3: Cage Dive’ (2017) charts found-footage course 

Toothy Tuesday (Movie review): The trilogy capper dumps the trio in the water in an amusing way, and never becomes scary. But it’s cheesy fun.

Fall TV Preview

Fall TV preview 2022: Release dates, plus 7 shows in the spotlight 

Fall TV preview: Superheroes are on the wane, mysteries hold steady, and networks hang around. But streamers dominate as RFMC previews the season.

ABC Murders

Christie makes plotting seem as easy as ‘A.B.C. (Murders)’ (1936) 

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): For the first time, Poirot encounters a serial killer! And it’s no less compelling than Christie’s traditional puzzles.