The 20 best female ‘Star Wars’ villains before Captain Phasma
Commentary: Captain Phasma is not the first female “Star Wars” villain, let alone the best. Here are my picks for the best female “Star Wars” villains.
Television
10 ‘first’ female ‘Star Wars’ villains before Phasma
Commentary:Despite the hype, Phasma is not the first female “Star Wars” villain. Here are 10 other characters who could stake that claim.
Movies and TV shows John is looking forward to in 2016 (Commentary)
Here are some movies and TV shows on my radar in the year ahead: “The 5th Wave” (movie, Jan. 22) – Chloe Grace Moretz stars in this “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” riff. While the preview […]
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2015
These were my 10 favorite TV shows of 2015: 1. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (Season 1, The CW) – In blending musical numbers, broad comedy and genuine character drama about a troubled 20-something, Rachel Bloom’s brainchild is the most […]
Why is Katniss Everdeen so reluctant to be a hero? (And why ‘Gotham’ features the rarest of heroes)
Movie and TV commentary: John Hansen examines the odd trend of fictional cinematic heroes who are initially unwilling to fight for what’s right.
John’s top 10 songs from ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ so far (TV commentary)
Two new shows I kept on my viewing schedule have already been canceled – “Wicked City” and, for all intents and purposes, “Minority Report,” which had its episode order cut to 10. But the TV […]
‘The Walking Dead’ teaches us about the value of life (TV commentary)
Sunday’s episode of “The Walking Dead” featured cinematographically beautiful scenes of Morgan and his mentor, Eastman, practicing the martial art of aikido, along with powerfully acted moments of Morgan begging Eastman to kill him. But the most […]
Pre-‘Lost’ Matthew Fox stars in moody ‘Haunted’ (2002)
One-season wonders (TV review): Lost in a glut of post-“X-Files” shows from the time, “Haunted” is a like a less dire “Millennium.”
First episode impressions: ‘Wicked City’ (TV review)
“Wicked City” (10 p.m. Eastern Tuesdays on ABC) is a mix of one thing I really like (20th century period pieces) and one thing I don’t care for (murder mystery shows where we are told who […]
‘Supergirl’ makes a slick but unimaginative debut
First episode impressions (TV review): “Supergirl” struggles to make a case for its existence.