John’s “Planet of the Apes” (2001) flashback review, April 13, 2018 “Planet of the Apes” — Director Tim Burton and writer William Broyles’s re-imagining of the 1968 sci-fi classic isn’t exactly an intellectual exercise, but […]
John’s “Jurassic Park III” flashback review, johnvhansen.com, Jan. 29, 2015 “Jurassic Park III” — Director Joe Johnston cuts out the fat and gets right to the meat, giving ample screen time to up-and-coming stars Spinosaurus […]
“Pearl Harbor” — Saying that “Pearl Harbor” features horrific war scenes, strong acting from an all-star cast and a bit of a history lesson is stating the obvious. However, the obvious can be quite powerful […]
NDSU Spectrum: Movie review ‘Vertical Limit’ will leave you gasping for air By JOHN HANSEN Dec. 15, 2000 Even before the first climber-falling-to-certain-doom scene in “Vertical Limit,” it’s tempting to make a mental note: never […]
NDSU Spectrum: Movie review ‘6th Day’ asks moral questions and blows stuff up By JOHN HANSEN Dec. 1, 2000 A filmgoer couldn’t be blamed if they experience déjà vu all over again during “The 6th […]
NDSU Spectrum: Movie review ‘Red Planet’ is a beautiful journey to nowhere By JOHN HANSEN Dec. 1, 2000 Prior to this year, no one had really attempted a big budget blockbuster about Mars. Unfortunately for […]
Shaune’s “Mission: Impossible II” review, Dec. 6, 2018 John’s “Mission: Impossible II” flashback review, May 3, 2020 “Mission: Impossible 2” — With director John Woo at the helm, you’d think “M:I-2” would deliver enough gratuitous action and […]
“The Patriot” — There’s a good movie buried somewhere in this Revolutionary War yawner, but neither writer Robert Rodat or director/editor Roland Emmerich are quite able to find it. Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) seeks revenge against […]
“Space Cowboys” — In an interesting change of pace, four old guys – Clint Eastwood (who also directed), Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland and James Garner – get a chance to shine in a summer […]
“Battlefield Earth” — This adaptation of L. Ron Hubbard’s saga of a human who rebels against his Psychlo captors in the year 3000 has everything except originality and an engaging story. It’s like a “Star Wars” […]