‘Solaris’ (2002) fails to find purpose of its existence
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The second big-screen adaptation of “Solaris” doesn’t find enough of a new reason to exist.
Mystery
‘Solaris’ (2002) fails to find purpose of its existence
Crichton’s ‘Airframe’ (1996) reaches new heights
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): In the last of his three 1990s non-SF novels, Crichton again makes a seemingly bland topic enthralling.
Poirot, dog sniff out Christie’s ‘Dumb Witness’ (1937)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): The Belgian detective’s sense of justice stands out in this Agatha Christie novel.
‘Devil Made Me Do It’ cursed by high ‘Conjuring’ bar
Movie review: “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” creates a workmanlike fright flick out of real events that warranted a deeper dive.
With 2 episodes left, 10 ‘Cruel Summer’ questions
TV commentary: Is it possible to believe both Jeanette and Kate? We examine this and other “Cruel Summer” questions as the first season nears its finale.
‘Cards on the Table’ (1936) shows closed-room mystery mastery
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie’s closed-room mystery had me guessing till the end about which of the four suspects did it.
Depressive ‘Solaris’ (1972) is the anti-‘2001’
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This Russian sci-fi classic is even slower-paced than “2001.” But it offers more intellectual rewards.
‘Rising Sun’ (1992) makes trade pacts thrilling
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Crichton mixes a hardboiled murder mystery with Japanese corporate intrigue. It’s outdated but engrossing.
Poirot all business in ‘Murder in Mesopotamia’ (1936)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): You could hand this Agatha Christie novel to a newbie and say “This is the template for a Poirot mystery.”
Poirot airs his theories in ‘Death in the Clouds’ (1935)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie tries a new riff on the closed-room mystery with a closed-cabin mystery.