- John Hansen
- January 17, 2024
Reeve, Hannah make ‘Rear Window’ (1998) better than it should be
One of the reasons accepted as valid for remaking a perfect classic is if you have something new to say via the same (or very
Reeve, Hannah make ‘Rear Window’ (1998) better than it should be
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- John Hansen
- January 11, 2024
‘Mean Girls 2’ (2011) is far more plastic than the original
The inevitable sequel to the 2004 hit “Mean Girls” should’ve been called “Meaner Girls.” One of the smart things about the original film is that
- John Hansen
- January 10, 2024
‘Vertigo’ (1958) a surreal, maybe unreal, masterpiece
“Vertigo” (1958) is the second-best film of all time according to Sight & Sound’s 2022 worldwide poll of critics and directors, beaten out only by
- John Hansen
- January 7, 2024
Hollywood takes three shots at ‘Maltese Falcon’ (1931-41)
We have a tendency to think history is simpler than it really is. It’s tempting to think Dashiell Hammett wrote “The Maltese Falcon” in 1930
- John Hansen
- January 3, 2024
‘Rear Window’s’ (1954) views on privacy, spying remain relevant
A lot of single-apartment movies from the early decades of film feature a rear-projection backdrop out the window (1948’s “Rope”) or are shot from the
- John Hansen
- December 31, 2023
John’s top 10 movies of 2023
In movies, 2023 was a year of endings for major action franchises. Sort of; we know that nothing truly ends anymore. “John Wick” bowed out
- John Hansen
- December 30, 2023
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2023
We’re not exactly at a stable point in TV history, so it’s fitting that my list of 2023 favorites includes various types of series. Two
- John Hansen
- December 28, 2023
‘Strange Days’ (1995) rings in a future of untrustworthy institutions, virtual socializing
In his directorial work, James Cameron set aside sci-fi visions after 1991’s “Terminator 2” to prove he could do comedy (1994’s “True Lies”) and historic
- John Hansen
- December 27, 2023
‘Dial M for Murder’ (1954) … or for masterpiece
“Dial M for Murder” (1954) goes through phases of whodunit, “how are they gonna do it,” “how will the frame job work” and howcatchem. The
- John Hansen
- December 23, 2023
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