Movies

‘Vegas Vacation’ (1997) finds laughs without Hughes

Although not as much of a classic as “Vacation” (1983) and “Christmas Vacation” (1989), “Vegas Vacation” (1997) proves that National Lampoon’s series chronicling Griswold family

READ MORE

‘Steel’ (1997) forges claim as worst superhero film

“Steel” (1997) is so boring, dumb and uninspired that it’s hard to imagine it was any fun to make the movie; it’s certainly no fun

READ MORE

‘Monster Squad’ (1987) like a proto-‘Stranger Things’

Fans of “Stranger Things” who are curious about the influences behind Netflix’s 1980s-set series have probably already seen “E.T.” (1982), “The Goonies” (1985) and “Stand

READ MORE

‘The Martian’ (2015) one of century’s elite hard SF films

The story of “The Martian’s” publication is as good as the book itself, maybe even better. Computer programmer and amateur author Andy Weir published it

READ MORE

‘European Vacation’ (1985) fails to make memories – or humor

With “European Vacation” (1985), the first sequel to “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), we’re forced to conclude that either 1, John Hughes is capable of writing

READ MORE

‘Green Hornet’ (2011) is so unfunny it stings

My pal Michael likes to say that there’s nothing worse than a bad comedy, and “The Green Hornet” (2011) is a prime example. Flat and

READ MORE

‘The Thing’ (1982) simmers in atmospheric dread

John Carpenter has built up enough of an oeuvre that everyone has their own pick for his elite work, but for me it’s “The Thing”

READ MORE

‘Escape from New York’ (1981) a classic gritty actioner

I appreciate “Escape from New York” (1981) more as an influential piece of history in the action genre than as a film that stands the

READ MORE

Chase shines as ‘Vacation’ (1983) puts Hughes on map

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983) both makes fun of and lauds the archetypal dad who wants to show his family a fun time but runs into

READ MORE

Urban’s ‘Dredd’ (2012) goes simpler and grittier

“Dredd” (2012) — the second go at bringing comicdom’s single-minded future cop to the big screen — is tight, simple and brisk. It’s objectively better

READ MORE