‘Teacup’ extends the ubiquity of Puzzle Box shows
First episode impressions (TV review): This short (?) and stout series is the latest in a genre with decreasing thrills and surprises.
Author: John Hansen
‘Teacup’ extends the ubiquity of Puzzle Box shows
‘Chinatown’ (1974) links two eras of film noir
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Polanski blends an iconic Nicholson turn, a good political mystery and California water-utilities history in this classic.
‘Alien: Romulus’ is saga’s best follow-up since ‘Aliens’
Movie review: Alvarez reminds us of the pleasures of a legacy sequel done right as he taps into 1979 futurism while also respecting Scott’s glossy “Prometheus” concepts.
‘Secret Agent’ (1936) serves up early, inconsistent spy gaming
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): The Master of Suspense is still learning his craft on this ambitious but muddy British picture.
‘Speak No Evil’ imports chillingly awkward horror
Movie review: Strong performances make this remake gripping, even if it doesn’t break new ground.
‘Beloved’ (1987) makes brutal U.S. history achingly personal
Book club book report: The evils of Slavery become less abstract in Morrison’s psychologically rich Great American Novel.
‘Repulsion’ (1965) provides searing peek into a troubled autistic woman
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Polanski’s breakthrough English-language film retains strikingly modern insights into a neurodivergent brain.
‘Dressed to Kill’ (1980) is De Palma’s Hitchcock master class
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The writer-director expands on the filmmaking principles and themes of “Psycho” in a candidate for his best film.
‘78/52’ (2017) analyzes ‘Psycho’s’ Shower Scene, and makes a case for its obsession
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): This should be near the top of the list of documentaries for Alfred Hitchcock fans, as it’s not watered down in the least.
‘Jurassic Park’-style concepts don’t face ‘Extinction’ yet
Book review: Douglas Preston uses a Crichtonian concept as a launching point for a mysterious page-turner up to his usual standards.