John’s top 10 TV shows of 2021
2021 television: Mystery miniseries dominated 2021. But at least one reliable old standby cracks my list of the year’s 10 best TV shows.
‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’ (2010) … but he’ll be familiar
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Although this sounds like many other Allen films, the impeccable casting and British flavor make it engrossing.
Crichton’s directorial career begins in not-so-hot ‘Pursuit’ (1972)
Michael Crichton Monday (Movie review): The author starts his pursuit of a directorial career, but it’s not exactly hot pursuit in this bland thriller.
Party vibe makes ‘Dead Man’s Folly’ (1956) a fun read
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): As Ariadne Oliver and Poirot team up at a Fete gone awry, the mystery is compelling but the solution is hoary.
‘8-Bit Christmas’ joins pantheon of holiday classics
Movie review: “8-Bit Christmas” has nostalgia for 1988, but it remembers family and classmates as much as it remembers Trapper Keepers and Nintendos.
Matrix reboots for thrilling remix ‘Matrix Resurrections’
Movie review: Among the last decade’s spate of nostalgic reboots, a new “Matrix” film is perhaps the most appropriate. It’s also one of the best.
‘Night Before,’ (2015), ‘Office Christmas Party’ (2016) offer holiday chuckles
Throwback Thursday (Movie reviews): “The Night Before” and “Office Christmas Party” make for a solid double bill of modern Christmastime comedy.
‘Melinda and Melinda’ (2004) explores comedy-tragedy line
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): The interspersed stories don’t strike a viewer with bold conclusions. But the film has subtle appeal.
‘Till Death’ can’t escape the ole ball and chain
Movie review: This horror-thriller is served well by its minimalism, not so much by its reductionism as it comments on the inertia of awful marriages.
Crichton previews ‘24’ in last Lange book, ‘Binary’ (1972)
Michael Crichton Monday (Book review): If you want to know where “24’s” creators (maybe) got their ideas, check out the eighth John Lange novel.