Coughlan goes to head of the class in ‘Teaching Mrs. Tingle’ (1999)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): In his schizophrenic dark comedy, Williamson understands (and perfectly casts) the teens more than the adult.
Author: John Hansen
Coughlan goes to head of the class in ‘Teaching Mrs. Tingle’ (1999)
‘Imaginary Strangers’ (2024) excitingly internalizes the mystery-thriller
Book club book report: Minka Kent convincingly brings us into the mind of a nonviolent sociopath who pursues clues that her children are in danger.
McGee takes on the Drug War in ‘Dreadful Lemon Sky’ (1974)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Under the pen of John D. MacDonald, even a case the media loses interest in becomes a page-turner.
‘Phantom of the Paradise’ (1974) is De Palma’s ambitious pop opera
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Some will get into the groove of this “Phantom of the Opera” for the ’70s, others will be bored. I was somewhere in between.
Sandler fans will be ‘Happy’ with ‘Gilmore 2’
Movie review: It’s not merely a hangout film; the comic actor finds something to say about the absurdity of modern sports entertainment.
This is how it is in suburbia: ‘American Beauty’ still does 1999 proud
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Even in a year of “Office Space” and “American Pie,” “American Beauty” stands out as something beautiful.
‘TMNT’ goes wildly off track with Season 5’s ‘lost’ episodes (2008)
‘TMNT’ flashback (TV review): The final season directly overseen by Peter Laird proves that more (a bigger threat) can turn out to be less.
Jane gets nosy in ‘Agatha Christie’s Marple’ Season 2 (2006)
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): I know some people see her as an interfering old biddy, but even so, it’s ridiculous that she intrudes in two non-Marple stories.
Argento finally wraps trilogy with ‘Mother of Tears’ (2007)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This capper to the “Three Mothers” trilogy unfortunately gives way to Aughts trends, but it’s better than no movie at all.
Courtroom drama ‘Runaway Jury’ (2003) avoids running off rails
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): By mixing the gun debate with tech surveillance of jurors, this Grisham adaptation is thrilling and thoughtful.