‘Sad Cypress’ (1940) a powerful Poirot potboiler
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Christie approaches this one from new angles: a court case, and relationships that seem real.
Romance
‘Sad Cypress’ (1940) a powerful Poirot potboiler
‘Fear Street Part Three: 1666’ ends trilogy with panache
Movie review: The “Fear Street” trilogy wraps with a decent young-adult version of Colonial New England horror that ties the story into a neat bow.
‘Major League’ (1989) inexplicably hits the sweet spot
All-Star Movie Break (Review): It’s kind of about real baseball, kind of a parody – plus it’s a comedy and a romance. Against the odds, it’s a winner.
Christie’s ‘Murder is Easy’ (1939) is easy to like
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie explores the idea that getting away with murder could be easy for someone of the right temperament.
‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ (2008) is sumptuously Spanish
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Allen’s tropes smoothly translate to Spain in this romance yarn featuring a standout Javier Bardem.
‘Fear Street Part One: 1994’ is slick (and sick) product
Movie review: While it could’ve benefited from a deeper mystery, the characters are solid and the horror slick in this take on the “Fear Street” books.
‘Café Society’ (2016) beats ‘La La Land’ to punch
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): “Café Society” was overshadowed by “La La Land,” but Allen’s film is likewise a worthy love letter to show business.
‘Wonder Wheel’ (2017) a stagy, gorgeous drama
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Kate Winslet has the showy role, but Juno Temple is a vision even against the vibrant 1950s backdrop.
‘In the Heights’ not quite great, but hard to hate
Movie review: Based on the stage musical, “In the Heights” has simple arcs and lacks a breakout song, but its people and places are easy to embrace.
Crichton’s ‘Scratch One’ (1967) a too-tangled web
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): Crichton introduces an Everyman answer to James Bond in his overly ambitious second John Lange novel.