Happiness is voting rights and a warm puppy: ‘You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown’ (1972)
Throwback Thursday (TV review): This “Peanuts” half-hour special boasts timeless observations about politics, plus great music.
Happiness is voting rights and a warm puppy: ‘You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown’ (1972)
‘The Cycle’ rolls out old-school monster-movie mood
Movie review: It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but for a Shudder original, this is a classy throwback treat.
‘28 Years Later’ wallows in the darkly beautiful ‘Bone Temple’
Movie review: Cerebral zombie fiction can be as horrific as the action-based variety as the saga turns into “Walking Dead” for the other side of the pond.
First screen Poirot is (mostly) on point in ‘Lord Edgware Dies’ (1934)
Sleuthing Sunday (Movie review): Austin Trevor doesn’t look like what we now know as Poirot, but the screenplay wonderfully adapts Christie’s case of switched identities.
‘Crystal Lake’ is partly a trick but ultimately a treat
TV review: The “Friday the 13th” prequel series retcons the timeline, but with a purpose, as we finally get the backstory of Pam and Jason Voorhees.
In ‘Island of Doctor Moreau’ (1896), the horror stays behind the wall
Frightening Friday (Book review): The mad science is maddeningly vague in H.G. Wells’ classic, hampering the scare factor for today’s readers.
‘Tommy & Tuppence’ – the show, not the characters — can’t catch a break
TV review: Christie’s lovebird detectives, who we follow through their whole lives, have had a tough time getting a second season on TV.
‘Hook’ (1991) fails to get off the ground even with Spielberg directing
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Even the masters can misfire, as seen in this “Peter Pan” riff that doesn’t firmly plant its hook.
‘Backrooms’ a liminal vibe in need of a story
Movie review: It’s an amazing technical achievement for a 20-year-old director, but there’s not enough narrative to make it stick.
‘Murder with Mirrors’ (1985) reflects well on Hayes
Sleuthing Sunday (Movie review): Though beginning to be overshadowed by Hickson, the American Marple actress bows out with aplomb.