- John Hansen
- December 31, 2021
John’s top 10 movies of 2021
Although the pandemic didn’t end, 2021 rebounded nicely from 2020, with a lot more movies – both big and small – released. Heck, a case
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- John Hansen
- December 30, 2021
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2021
I used to count the days before a new season of a favorite show, or a new series starring a favorite actor. Now, it’s like
- John Hansen
- December 29, 2021
‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’ (2010) … but he’ll be familiar
It’s hard to describe “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger” (2010) and not make it sound derivative of other Woody Allen movies. The way
- John Hansen
- December 27, 2021
Crichton’s directorial career begins in not-so-hot ‘Pursuit’ (1972)
Michael Crichton started modestly as an author with the John Lange books, and he likewise starts slow as a director with “Pursuit” (1972). Although it’s
- John Hansen
- December 26, 2021
Party vibe makes ‘Dead Man’s Folly’ (1956) a fun read
“Dead Man’s Folly” (1956) is a page-turner with an evocative main setting of a carnival on a country mansion’s grounds, humorous interplay between Ariadne Oliver
- John Hansen
- December 25, 2021
‘8-Bit Christmas’ joins pantheon of holiday classics
Television and streaming have produced so many Christmas movies in recent years – most of them mediocre at best — that one could be forgiven
- John Hansen
- December 24, 2021
Matrix reboots for thrilling remix ‘Matrix Resurrections’
I was mildly annoyed that the must-see “Matrix Resurrections” (HBO Max) cut into my Christmas-movie viewing time. But actually, this fourth entry fits thematically with
- John Hansen
- December 23, 2021
‘Night Before,’ (2015), ‘Office Christmas Party’ (2016) offer holiday chuckles
Movies made by friends who like to hang out together can be almost unwatchable (recent Adam Sandler comedies), but sometimes they can be great. “The
- John Hansen
- December 22, 2021
‘Melinda and Melinda’ (2004) explores comedy-tragedy line
In “Melinda and Melinda” (2004), Woody Allen posits there’s a thin line between comedy and tragedy, then successfully proves it. A group of writer friends
- John Hansen
- December 21, 2021
‘Till Death’ can’t escape the ole ball and chain
In “Till Death,” Emma (Megan Fox) can’t escape the old ball and chain, Mark (Eoin Macken) … and that’s before she wakes up handcuffed to