John Hansen

The House of the Devil

‘House of the Devil’ (2009) goes back to ’80s to become a new classic 

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Even with writer-director Ti West revealing the conceit in the title, “The House of the Devil” has tricks up its sleeve.

Morbius

Jared Leto helps ‘Morbius’ fly up to mediocrity 

Movie review: Great actors sometimes give this Sony Spider-verse film the gravity of a staged morality play. But mostly, CGI bat swarms rule the screen.

Winning Time

‘Winning Time’ a winner, even if not entirely accurate 

TV review: A historian wouldn’t approve of the dramatic license, but these 10 episodes bottle the spirit of the Lakers dynasty.

The Reef

Traucki’s ‘The Reef’ (2011) delivers stark shark terror 

Toothy Tuesday (Movie review): Despite its low budget, “The Reef” — which has a sequel coming soon – is as nail-biting as “Jaws.”

Labors of Hercules

Poirot engages fairer sex in ‘Labors of Hercules’ (1947) 

Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Hercule Poirot in love? That’s the surprising part of an otherwise middle-of-the-road collection of stories.

The Boys Season 3

‘The Boys’ are back in town for still-excellent Season 3 

First episode impressions (TV review): Homelander’s evil and Starlight’s heroism take center stage as “The Boys” masters superheroes-as-parable.

The Dead Zone film

‘Dead Zone’ (1983) a lively translation, thanks to Walken 

Stephen King flashback (Movie review): Cronenberg’s film inevitably compresses King’s book, but Christopher Walken memorably brings Johnny Smith to life.

The Flight Attendant Season 2

‘Flight Attendant’ Season 2 a stark study of alcoholism 

TV review: When she’s not shilling for Smirnoff, Kaley Cuoco plays one-woman cautionary tale Cassie in the wild HBO Max thriller.

The Nineties

Klosterman smartly, engagingly dissects ‘The Nineties’ 

Book review: Chuck Klosterman lived through the last good decade of humanity, and now he entertainingly breaks down its disaffected glory.

Dead Zone novel

Life is at best bittersweet in King’s ‘Dead Zone’ (1979) 

Stephen King flashback (Book review): Johnny Smith’s tragic lost love hangs like a cloud over the novel even as it probes big moral questions.