The Andromeda Strain (1971) — Review
Crichton’s first major bestseller, Robert Wise’s procedural patience, and Kate Reid’s underrated Dr. Leavitt. The Andromeda Strain reviewed at 6.5/10.
Movies
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) — Review
Rick Moranis at his peak, practical effects that put CGI to shame, and Disney back when it made original family adventures. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids reviewed at 9/10.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) — Review
Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, and John Hughes’s most ambitious teen film. Ferris narrates Cameron’s story. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off reviewed at 10/10.
The Breakfast Club (1985) — Review
Five teenagers, one library, one Saturday detention. John Hughes’s bottle-episode masterpiece with Paul Gleason as the principal. The Breakfast Club reviewed at 9/10.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Review
Sean Penn as Spicoli, Cameron Crowe’s undercover research, Amy Heckerling’s first feature. Fast Times at Ridgemont High reviewed at 9/10.
Die Hard (1988) — Review
Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman as god-tier Hans Gruber, and one perfect Christmas Eve at Nakatomi Plaza. Die Hard (1988) reviewed at 10+/10.
Die Hard 2 (1990) — Review
Renny Harlin takes McClane to Dulles Airport on Christmas Eve for the twistiest entry in the franchise. Die Hard 2 reviewed at 8/10.
Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson, John McTiernan returns to direct, Jeremy Irons as Hans Gruber’s brother. Die Hard with a Vengeance reviewed at 9.5/10.
Live Free or Die Hard (2007) — Review
Timothy Olyphant as the franchise’s third great villain, Bruce Willis at 52, and a cyberterrorism plot that is dumb in fun ways. Live Free or Die Hard at 9/10.
Home Alone 2 (1992) — Review
Tim Curry at the Plaza, the Pigeon Lady, and the rare sequel that surpasses a very good original. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York reviewed at 8/10.