Crowe’s ‘Pope’s Exorcist’ adds some edge to familiar structure

August 24, 2023August 24, 2023 John Hansen Horror Movies

Movie review: Russell Crowe finds a middle ground between cocky hero and pious priest in this horror movie based on a true story.

‘Cobweb’ weaves a sticky blend of monster and mystery

August 22, 2023August 22, 2023 John Hansen Horror Movies

Movie review: The horror film has legs thanks to a mysterious backstory but is too timid to rank as a new Halloween classic.

‘Miss Marple’ (1984-92) stands as the spinster sleuth’s definitive portrayal

August 20, 2023August 20, 2023 John Hansen Agatha Christie

Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Joan Hickson is exactly how I pictured Marple from the novels, and many other actors follow her lead in this standout series.

‘Night Theater’ (2020) mixes body horror, spiritual questions

August 19, 2023August 19, 2023 John Hansen Books

Book club book report: Vikram Paralkar digs into the human body and dark ideas in an incongruously readable short novel.

Wuhrer wades into ‘Hellraiser’ weirdness in ‘Deader’ (2005)

August 18, 2023August 18, 2023 John Hansen Hellraiser

Frightening Friday (Movie review): For its seventh entry, “Hellraiser” piles on the surrealness more than ever, and it’s mostly effective.

Winters endures mysterious mayhem in ‘Hellraiser: Hellseeker’ (2002)

August 11, 2023July 19, 2023 John Hansen Hellraiser

Frightening Friday (Movie review): Ashley Laurence returns and Dean Winters shines in the lead role in one of the stronger “Hellraiser” sequels.

‘Hellraiser’ saga tries noir detective story for ‘Inferno’ (2000)

August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 John Hansen Hellraiser

Frightening Friday (Movie review): The “Hellraiser” saga starts its straight-to-video phase in respectable fashion with Scott Derrickson’s feature-length debut.