‘Family Stone’ (2005), with loaded cast, better than a lump of coal
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Though it’s not a stone-cold classic, Bezucha effectively explores how different personalities play off each other.
Christmas
‘Family Stone’ (2005), with loaded cast, better than a lump of coal
‘The Holiday’ (2006) is impossible, and impossibly cute
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Four movie stars team up for the inevitable Christmas rom-com on their resumes; lucky for us, charm edges out schmaltz.
Gunn spends time with friends in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ (2022)
Superhero Saturday (TV review): It doesn’t rise to regular-rotation status, but hey, it’s loads better than when “Star Wars” tried this.
‘Christmas Evil’s’ (1980) reels should’ve been slashed up
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This film originally titled “You Better Watch Out” bungles its character study of a psycho Santa.
‘Go’ back to 1999 for a night of Xennial cool
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Doug Liman shows “Swingers” was no fluke with another core piece of Nineties indie attitude and style.
‘Hawkeye’ (2021) unleashes Christmas spirit and awesome arrows
Superhero Saturday (TV review): Though Clint Barton never got a solo movie, this six-episode series is an even better deal, as it allows Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld to act.
‘The Package’ (1989) theorizes a thrilling end to the Cold War
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The complex plot might drive off some, but Hackman and Jones make this a stealth alternate Christmas offering.
‘E is for Evidence’ (1988) that a more evocative tale could’ve been told
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): The fifth Kinsey Millhone novel is a plate of Christmas cookies when it could’ve been a satisfying feast.
Old friends, new enemies enhance ‘TMNT’ Season 3 (2004-05)
‘TMNT’ flashback (TV review): Smartly interlaced storytelling puts “TMNT” at its highest ebb of craftsmanship outside of early Mirage and the first movie.
‘Agatha Christie’s Marple’ Season 1 (2004-05) comes out of the garden gate swinging
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): The first four episodes under Geraldine McEwan’s watch nicely balance faithfulness with a brisker 21st century pace.