‘Batman: The Dark Knight Returns’ (1986) examines superheroes’ roles in a corrupt world
‘Batman’ flashback (Comic book review): Miller’s “What if” story examines Batman’s and Superman’s roles in a country with corrupt governance.
‘Labyrinth of Evil’ (2005) goes to brink of ‘Revenge of the Sith’
‘Star Wars’ flashback (Book review): James Luceno takes us right up to “Revenge of the Sith” in this thrilling prequel that tells Grievous’ backstory.
Negan, the scariest TV villain of all time, has turned ‘The Walking Dead’ into a slog (TV review)
Inevitability doesn’t make for great TV. That’s what fans of “The Walking Dead” are finding out in this seventh season (which will resume Feb. 12). It began with a masterful (if utterly harrowing) episode: Negan (Jeffrey Dean […]
Movies and TV shows John is looking forward to in 2017 (Commentary)
Here are 10 movies and TV shows I’m looking forward to as a new entertainment year begins:
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Clone Wars’ (2008) launches in a small way on the big screen (Movie review)
Disney’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is getting a lot of buzz, an odd contrast to the last time a “Star Wars” film outside of the numbered episodes premiered. In August 2008, I mentioned “The […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Clone Wars’ movie novelization (2008) (Book review)
Having just read Karen Traviss’ first four “Republic Commando” novels, it’s abundantly clear that she’s handcuffed on “The Clone Wars” movie novelization (2008). She tries to do what Matthew Stover did for “Revenge of the Sith” three […]
‘The Secret Circle’ (2011-12) is secretly kinda good
One-season wonders (TV review): Britt Robertson takes a crack at a witchy lead role in this book adaptation.
John’s top 10 movies of 2016
These were my 10 favorite movies of 2016: 1. “The Witch” – This horror film set in Colonial America delivers a striking sense of time and place (so much so that you might want to put […]
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2016
These were my 10 favorite shows of 2016: 1. “Atlanta” (Season 1, FX) – Donald Glover’s brainchild is a crazy mix of “Curb Your Enthusiasm”-esque wry observations (Earn’s inability to order a kids’ meal), envelope-pushing storytelling […]
Williamson gets groove back with ‘Hidden Palms’ (2007)
One-season wonders (TV review): Kevin Williamson returns to teen drama and adds a juicy mystery in this eight-episode series.