Movies

‘Fantastic Beasts’ is an enjoyable expansion of the ‘Harry Potter’ universe (Movie review)

In 2009, I predicted – not particularly daringly – that we’d get another “Harry Potter” novel someday. Seven years later, while that prediction isn’t precisely on point,

READ MORE

Hailee Steinfeld shines as self-centered teen in ‘Edge of Seventeen’ (Movie review)

“The Edge of Seventeen” is the latest entry in the “teenage girls who are so obsessed with their dream of a perfect life that they make

READ MORE

‘Snowden’ is a warm portrayal of a modern hero, but without many surprises (Movie review)

Whether Trump or Clinton wins the election tonight, the NSA’s spying program will continue, so it seems like a good time to watch “Snowden,” the most hyped-up

READ MORE

‘Conjuring 2’ is a heartfelt horror flick from Wan

What makes “The Conjuring 2” one of the year’s best horror movies is that it’s not just a horror movie. When it is, it’s really scary. Writer-director

READ MORE

EW’s 50 Most Powerful Superheroes list has absurd omissions

I asked my friend Jeremy if he had checked out Entertainment Weekly’s 50 Most Powerful Superheroes list in the latest issue and he said he doesn’t “pay

READ MORE

The 5 best and 5 worst Special Edition/DVD/Blu-ray changes to the ‘Star Wars’ films (Movie commentary)

As longtime fans are well aware, the “Star Wars” films as we know them from the 2011 Blu-ray release are different in several small but

READ MORE

It’s logical that Anakin appears as ghost of younger self

When George Lucas replaced Sebastian Shaw with Hayden Christensen in the Force ghost scene for the 2004 DVD of “Return of the Jedi” (and therefore the 2011

READ MORE

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

READ MORE

What John thought about ‘Revenge of the Sith’ in 2005 (Movie review)

To round out the “Star Wars” film reviews on my blog, I thought it would be fun to look back at my review of “Episode III:

READ MORE

What John thought about ‘Attack of the Clones’ in 2002 (Movie review)

Just for fun — and to round out the “Star Wars” film reviews on my blog – I decided to look back at what I

READ MORE