- John Hansen
- August 9, 2025
Have the ‘Jurassic Park’ films really gotten that bad? Or have tastes changed?
If I took a time machine from 1993 – the day after seeing “Jurassic Park” – to today, then watched the six sequels, I’d figure
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- John Hansen
- June 16, 2023
‘Poltergeist’ (1982) the most huggable haunted-house movie ever
“Poltergeist’s” (1982) status among haunted-house films has been equaled many times, but in one way it stands as unique. It was released on June 4,
- John Hansen
- March 27, 2022
‘West Side Story’ (2021) an ugly tale presented with false beauty
“West Side Story” (2021), director Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the 1957 stage musical, chronicles an ugly 20-block area of New York City fought over by
- John Hansen
- November 19, 2019
Sci-fi masters meet for engrossing ‘Minority Report’ (2002)
Director Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report” (2002) isn’t the most by-the-book adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story (most agree that’s “A Scanner Darkly”). But it
- John Hansen
- July 14, 2018
In Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One,’ is the Oasis a fun game or a stultifying trap? (Movie review)
Director Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of “Ready Player One” – now available for home viewing — captures the spectacle and banter of Ernest Cline’s novel without
- John Hansen
- June 19, 2018
All 18 ‘Jurassic Park’ stories, ranked from tame to tops
“Jurassic Park” might not seem like a candidate for lots of spinoff material – and indeed, the franchise has contented itself with blockbuster films as
- John Hansen
- February 23, 2018
‘The Post’ reviews
John’s “The Post” review, Jan. 21, 2018 Michael’s “The Post” review, Top 20 films of 2017, Jan. 21, 2018
- John Hansen
- February 19, 2018
‘Duel’ review
“Duel” – Steven Spielberg’s made-for-TV debut wrings maximum tension out of a simple premise: A beleaguered businessman (Dennis Weaver) cuts off a semi on the
- John Hansen
- January 21, 2018
‘The Post’ fondly recalls the old days of a respected press, war protests (Movie review)
One of my bosses encouraged us to attend “The Post” (2017) – which recently got a wide theatrical release – to rekindle our passion for newspapering.
- John Hansen
- December 5, 2017
‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ reviews
John’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” Completely Random Slice of Pop Culture column, Brainerd Dispatch, May 29, 2008 John’s “Indiana Jones