John Hansen

Better Call Saul Season 6

‘Better Call Saul’s’ ending is more gray than great 

TV review: The sixth and final season is frontloaded with thrilling episodes, but it ends in anticlimactic fashion.

Open Water

‘Open Water’ (2004) might be too realistic for some 

Toothy Tuesday (Movie review): Chris Kentis’ film ranks as a classic of shark horror, but for entirely different reasons from “Jaws.”

Chrysalis

Lincoln Child’s ‘Chrysalis’ peers into virtual future 

Book review: Jeremy Logan plumbs the glorious possibilities of interfacing tech while duly investigating a corporate terror plot.

Caribbean Mystery

Murder follows Marple across pond in ‘Caribbean Mystery’ (1964) 

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): A rare Agatha Christie yarn that crosses the Atlantic, “A Caribbean Mystery” is otherwise reliably basic.

The Hills Have Eyes 2006

‘The Hills Have Eyes’ (2006) a tasty cannibal remake  

Frightening Friday (Movie review): The anti-nuke theme is old hat, but this bigger-budget remake certainly delivers bloody thrills.

Prey

‘Prey’ brings ‘Predator’ series back to basics 

Movie review: “Prey” goes way back in time to chronicle a good old-fashioned clash of warriors – but without machine guns and one-liners.

Jaws 2 novelization

‘Jaws 2’ novelization (1978) reveals film’s early draft 

Toothy Tuesday (Book review): “Jaws 2” eventually got simplified, but an early draft – as captured in the novelization – riffs on the original novel.

The Pale Horse

‘Pale Horse’ (1961) adds supernatural spin to mystery 

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie taps into the supernatural to a greater degree than most of her novels, and with good effect.

Gone in the Night

Ryder’s ‘Gone in the Night’ will age well 

Movie review: Winona Ryder and Dermot Mulroney display easy likability in this twisty horror film debut from director Eli Horowitz.

Triangle

‘Triangle’ (2009) untethers us from safety blanket of time 

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Melissa George carries us through a fun little mind-tripper that gets swept away in this century of mind-trippers.