‘Replacements’ (2000) strikes balance of heart, dumb humor
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This loose riff on the NFL’s replacement-player period stands out due to Hackman and Reeves.
Comedy
‘Replacements’ (2000) strikes balance of heart, dumb humor
‘Piranha 3D’ (2010), ‘3DD’ (2012) have gory fun with modern effects
Frightening Friday (Movie reviews): “Piranha 3D” blends laughs and shocks at an entertaining clip, but the law of diminishing returns kicks in on “3DD.”
‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Season 5 looks to the future
First episode impressions (TV review): The flash-forwards provide talking points, but Tony Shalhoub and the gorgeous sets are what make “Maisel” marvelous.
‘Buffy: Big Bad’ (2022) a fun alternate-dimension romp
Book review: Lily Anderson makes a respectable Buffyverse debut by breezily presenting a neighboring dimension from Evil’s point of view.
‘John Dies at the End’ (2012) a flat adaptation, as expected
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Some books don’t translate well to film. Especially when the narrator’s wit disappears in the adaptation process.
‘John Dies at the End’ (2009) a passion project, despite myriad influences
Book club book report: David Wong’s comedic horror novel is written in such an entertaining manner that it almost doesn’t matter that the story is familiar.
It’s freaky how great ‘Freaks and Geeks’ (1999-2000) still is
One-season wonders (TV review): It’s time to geek out over the brilliance of this breakthrough teen TV series from Paul Feig and Judd Apatow.
‘Yoga Hosers’ (2016) colorful but utterly uninspired
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Kevin Smith hits a low point with this laugh-lacking horror comedy starring his daughter and Johnny Depp’s daughter.
Smith’s ‘Tusk’ (2014) gosh-dang original for a lark, eh?
Frightening Friday (Movie review): It’s not quite great as horror, and not quite great as a comedy. But the events are so bizarre that it’s hard to look away.
‘The Menu’ (2022) serves up weirdness, skimps on horror
Movie review: Director Mark Mylod’s film has the presentation of great psychological horror, but it’ll leave you hungry for plausibility and scares.