‘Batman Begins’ reviews
John’s “Batman Begins” flashback review, Jan. 14, 2019 “Batman Begins” – This prequel sets aside the grandiose stunts long enough that we actually get a sense of who Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is – like Dawson Leery, he grew up with Katie Holmes next door. When director Christopher Nolan (“Memento”) introduces us to Wayne Manor,
‘Memento’ review
John’s top 10 movies of 2001, NDSU Spectrum, Jan. 18, 2002
‘A Beautiful Mind’ review
John’s top 10 movies of 2001, NDSU Spectrum, Jan. 18, 2002
Wolverine trilogy goes out on top with unshackled ‘Logan’
Movie review: “X-Men’s” Wolverine trilogy goes out on top with an unshackled finale.
What John thought about ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ on its 30th anniversary in 2007 (Movie commentary)
To round out the “Star Wars” movie reviews on my blog, here’s a look back at my 30th anniversary essay for “Episode IV: A New Hope,” published in the Brainerd (Minn.) Dispatch on May 24, 2007, one day short of the 30th anniversary of the film’s premiere. Although my views haven’t changed much as we approach the
‘Die Hard’ Christmas movie poll is dead wrong
Movie review/commentary: Poll results say “Die Hard” isn’t a Christmas movie. It makes me wonder if Americans should be trusted to vote on anything.
‘Spotlight’ is a crisply crafted thank-you letter to investigative journalism (Movie review)
“Spotlight” almost brought tears to my eyes with the way it respectfully portrays the Boston Globe’s 2001-02 investigation into the Boston Catholic church’s systemic sexual abuse of children by its priests. In the vein of “All the President’s Men” and “Zodiac,” “Spotlight” is a procedural about the down-and-dirty details of investigative newspaper work, and it might
Countdown to ‘Creed’: Boxer’s underdog journey parallels Stallone’s in all-time masterpiece ‘Rocky’ (1976) (Movie review)
The buzz is heating up for the seventh movie in a legendary film franchise that dates back to the 1970s. I’m referring, of course, to the “Rocky” series, which will continue with “Creed” on Nov. 25. (You want “Star Wars Episode VII” coverage? This isn’t the blog you’re looking for.) Let’s start the countdown with
As Disney mulls Indiana Jones’ future, here’s a look back at the ‘Indy’ quadrilogy (Movie reviews)
My 11-day stretch without cable or Internet as I moved into a new apartment presented a perfect opportunity for an “Indiana Jones” quadrilogy rewatch on DVD. Although “Star Wars” is of course my No. 1 Lucasfilm franchise, I’ve always admired the fedora-wearing archaeologist and his world-hopping adventures as well.
‘Terminator’ flashback: ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ movie and novelization (1991) (Review)
The latest issue of Star Wars Insider (No. 155) espouses ring theory as a way to glean greater depth from the repeating motifs in the “Star Wars” films. The theory could also be applied to James Cameron’s two “Terminator” films: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991) copies so many plot points and set pieces from the first film