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FlickFilosopher.com

film criticism by maryann johanson | handcrafted since 1997

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Oscar best pictures

My Octopus Teacher documentary review: out of the way, human

Sun, May 09, 2021
3 comments

This otherwise gorgeous nature documentary is marred by the banal self-therapy of its human protagonist… and he is nowhere near as interesting as the manic pixie dream octopus who changes his life.

| 3 Comments

Nomadland movie review: ain’t that America

Thu, May 06, 2021
no comments yet

Come on down for a gen-u-ine American dystopia at the crossroads of end-of-empire and late-stage capitalism. Chloé Zhao’s outsider’s eye is hugely sympathetic but unhindered by knee-jerk patriotism.

| Leave a comment

Toy Story 4 movie review: recycled playthings… again

Wed, Jun 19, 2019
no comments yet

The series’ saving grace is that, with humor and heart so beautifully wise and stunningly rendered (CGI pun intended), even as returns diminish, a new chapter is still warm and smartly entertaining.

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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movie review: animation gets reanimated

Wed, Dec 12, 2018
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Has a verve rare in big-budget movies at the moment. Fun and fresh and legitimately engages with its source material on the levels of story, visuals, and mythology all at once. It feels like discovering storytelling anew.

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Green Book movie review: a road frequently taken, but a lovely trip nevertheless (LFF 2018)

Thu, Nov 15, 2018
2 comments

The tune may be familiar, but it is performed with virtuoso style, its central characters drawn with wit, charm, and complexity and brought to life via the absolutely gorgeous performances of its stars.

| 2 Comments

A Fantastic Woman movie review: the horror of grief denied

Fri, Mar 02, 2018
no comments yet

A quiet yet resolute portrait of bravery and resilience in the face of unconscionable bigotry, and distressingly moving. Specific yet universal, and wonderfully human.

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Icarus documentary review: on athletes’ compromised wings

Wed, Feb 28, 2018
1 comment

Perfectly illustrative of the serendipitous nature of documentary filmmaking as it pivots from a personal investigation of doping in sports into a thriller with global geopolitical ramifications.

| 1 Comment

The Salesman movie review: marriage, Iranian style

Wed, Feb 01, 2017
2 comments

This delicately realized portrait of an intellectual Tehran couple could easily be taking place in New York, London, or Tokyo. The empathy machine strikes again.

| 2 Comments
Moonlight

Moonlight movie review: the empathy machine in action (but only if you’re watching)

Wed, Nov 16, 2016
25 comments

Luminous and plaintive, Moonlight is emotional virtual reality, transforming a unique human experience into something universal and unforgettable.

| 25 Comments

Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) movie review: creature feature

Thu, Mar 24, 2016
25 comments

Marvelous. A bouncy comedy mystery adventure parable in a fantasy world meticulously and cleverly conceived and gorgeously realized. I adore this movie.

| 25 Comments
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