‘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.
Author: John Hansen
‘Secret Agent’ (1936) serves up early, inconsistent spy gaming
‘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.
‘Capricorn One’ (1977) gets off the ground as a conspiracy tale
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The mission might stay grounded, but the dry comedy and thrills fly high in Peter Hyams’ film.
‘Rich and Strange’ (1931) cracks code of talkie filmmaking
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): In this Joan Barry-driven romantic drama, Hitchcock realizes the principles of silent filmmaking can still apply.
‘High Potential,’ ‘Brilliant Minds,’ ‘Penguin’ showcase diverse brains
First episode impressions (TV reviews): Good ole comfort TV is also on the docket this fall, with “Murder in a Small Town,” “Rescue: HI-Surf” and “Doctor Odyssey.”