- 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 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 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 20, 2021
Crichton previews ‘24’ in last Lange book, ‘Binary’ (1972)
I knew Michael Crichton dipped his toe into a lot of genres and ideas, but until I read “Binary” (1972), the last of his eight
- John Hansen
- December 14, 2021
Craig’s Bond bows out with uneven ‘No Time to Die’
James Bond remembers Vesper Lynd by visiting her grave early in “No Time to Die.” It encourages us to think about Daniel Craig’s and Eva
- John Hansen
- December 13, 2021
‘Great Train Robbery’ (1978) a sharp but stiff procedural
Writer-director Michael Crichton turns around his 1975 novel “The Great Train Robbery” for a 1978 film that reaffirms his technical competence but lacks flair. It’s
- John Hansen
- December 6, 2021
‘Drug of Choice’ (1970) a pulpy ride of pharma paranoia
“Drug of Choice” (1970), the sixth John Lange book, can be described as John Lange meets Michael Crichton. It has the dime-store plotting and short
- John Hansen
- December 5, 2021
‘Army of Thieves’ a ‘safe’ ‘Army of the Dead’ prequel
“Army of Thieves” (Netflix) might be the first movie where a zombie apocalypse happens in the background, with people barely mentioning it. That uniqueness comes
- John Hansen
- November 22, 2021
If ‘Rocky IV’ can change, everyone can change
“Rocky IV” (1985) is my favorite “Rocky” sequel because it’s near-perfect in what it aims to do. In chronicling Rocky’s (Sylvester Stallone) toughest and most