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A look at ‘Firefly’s’ ‘Holiday Special’ (2021) and ‘20th Anniversary Special’ (2022)

Special issues of franchise tie-in series are always irresistible, and always risky. Discerning readers of Boom! Studios’ “Firefly” will want to be cautious with “The

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Stupnitsky’s ‘No Hard Feelings’ is easy to like

As big-screen comedies die out, director/co-writer Gene Stupnitsky’s career comes alive with “No Hard Feelings,” one of 2023’s funniest films. The former “Office” writer had

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‘Dead End’ (2003) is darkly comedic Christmas horror

“Dead End” (2003) is one of the most efficiently budgeted Christmas horror films out there, but luckily it’s not a dead end of entertainment. Balancing

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Roth’s ‘Thanksgiving’ is an undercooked turkey

“Thanksgiving” promises “there will be no leftovers.” If you believe that, you haven’t noticed how modern horror films let not only the Final Girl but

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‘Love Actually’ (2003) hangs wide array of emotions on the Christmas tree

“Love Actually” (2003) starts off so lovable – safely mainstream, but with touches of cynicism to undercut that when needed — that one wonders if

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Hitchcock smartly threads theatrical ‘Rope’ (1948)

“Rope” (1948) makes it onto a lot of Alfred Hitchcock top 10 lists despite being his simplest story. (SPOILERS FOLLOW, in the sense that this

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Hannah tries to get into the spirit with ‘Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night’

“Hercule Poirot’s Christmas” (1938) is a solid book with one of the most unlikely types of killers in Agatha Christie’s catalog, but it’s a little

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‘Marple: Twelve New Mysteries’ (2022) honors, expands character

“Marple: Twelve New Mysteries” (2022) – the first officially published prose about Miss Jane Marple written by someone other than Agatha Christie – should please

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Unfunny horror-comedy ‘Jack Frost’ (1997) shouldn’t be thawed

There’s nothing worse than an unfunny comedy. But in a close second place is an unscary horror movie. And next is a Christmas movie without

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‘Strangers on a Train’ (1951) a first-class suspenser

The Alfred Hitchcock classic “Strangers on a Train” (1951) starts with a hooky premise, then keeps a viewer engaged with twists and turns. It begins

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