John’s top 10 TV shows of 2020
2020 television: Like everything else, TV took a hit in this year of the pandemic, but networks felt the impact more so than streaming and premium.
Author: John Hansen
Pratfalls, lovable kid drive ‘Home Alone 3’ (1997)
Hughes Day Tuesday (Movie review): Alex D. Linz gives an endearing turn as 8-year-old Alex Pruitt in a three-quel that’s actually not horrible.
Endearing chimp stars in Preston’s ‘Jennie’ (1994)
Preston & Child flashback (Book review): Preston’s nonfiction career starts with a heartfelt tale (based on true stories) of a chimp raised in a human family.
‘Murder at Hazelmoor’ a loaded wintry chiller (1931)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie crams perhaps too many characters into this novel also known as “The Sittaford Mystery.”
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ an overwrought ‘Monkey’s Paw’ riff
Movie review: While this sequel is overlong and meandering, the action scenes are top-shelf and it builds Diana’s character.
‘The Faculty’ (1998) a slick product with a point
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Williamson’s riff on “Body Snatchers” explores serious issues in public schooling, but it’s all in good fun.
‘Last Christmas’ (2019) has its heart in right place
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): It will stay in your head because of the title it shares with the song. It may or may not stay in your heart.
In the holiday spirit: All 10 Shane Black films, ranked
Movie rankings: Just in time for Christmas, here are my rankings of the 10 films written and/or directed by Shane Black.
Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ a confusing time-travel experiment
Movie review: Nolan’s films are always imaginative. But this time, a viewer spends more time wondering what’s happening than being entertained.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1994) has spirit and schmaltz
Hughes Day Tuesday (Movie review): Lovable Attenborough and Wilson drive Hughes’ simple update of the classic Christmas film.