‘Shining Girls’ (2022): Make it make sense

August 22, 2024August 22, 2024 John Hansen Television

Throwback Thursday (TV review): A shaky portrayal of a newspaper and even shakier time-travel logistics undercut nice design and good acting.

‘Presumed Innocent’ a slick spin on the classic book/film

August 8, 2024April 18, 2025 John Hansen New Releases

TV review: David E. Kelley’s melodrama and big personalities blend well with the compelling legal issues at the core of the Scott Turow potboiler.

‘Cobra Kai’ eventually gets its kicks back in Season 6, Part 1

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024 John Hansen Cobra Kai/Karate Kid

TV review: The storytelling and characters are at black-belt level, but the fight choreography and camera work have fallen off.

‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ takes step backward in Season 5 (1993)

July 7, 2024July 8, 2024 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): The writers adapt the final eight Poirot short stories, and take wild swings, before shifting focus to the novels.

‘Poirot’ skillfully adapts three novels in Season 4 (1992)

June 30, 2024June 30, 2024 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): The show momentarily sets aside short stories to tackle “The ABC Murders,” “Death in the Clouds” and “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.”

Suchet’s ‘Poirot’ gets classier in Season 3 (1990-91)

June 23, 2024June 23, 2024 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Along with 10 short-story adaptations, this lavish season features an outstanding translation of Christie’s debut novel.

‘Poirot’ Season 2 (1990) finds groove with Christie-Exton mash-ups

June 9, 2024June 9, 2024 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): David Suchet’s Poirot further branches into his own thing, and – while it’s not for die-hard purists — he finds an audience.