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FlickFilosopher.com

film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022

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Andy Serkis

The Batman movie review: to bat, or not to bat

Sun, Mar 06, 2022
7 comments

No snark, no spandex pantomime spectacle. Just noir mystery, Pattinson’s sad recluse a detective in a cesspit of corruption. Relentlessly grim, all darkness and despair, not escapist but of our time.

| 7 Comments

Black Panther movie review: absolute Marvel

Thu, Feb 15, 2018
64 comments

Classic comic-book stuff made fresh by drawing on underexplored mythologies and cultures, yet still deeply resonant and deeply universal. An exhilarating pulp-fiction dream that ups the ante on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

| 64 Comments

Star Wars: The Last Jedi movie review: a great disturbance in the Force

Mon, Dec 18, 2017
228 comments

Upends expectations, demythologizes the mythos, and takes an iconic series in a bold new direction with a story full of humor, courage, and dazzling imagery.

| 228 Comments

Breathe movie review: paralyzed but determined to be mobile (LFF 2017)

Wed, Oct 11, 2017
1 comment

A romance and a real-life adventure, full of life-and-death peril and unexpected cheerful good humor, about a pioneer in disability rights and dignity.

| 1 Comment

War for the Planet of the Apes movie review: empathy for the ape

Mon, Jul 10, 2017
9 comments

A triumph of science fiction storytelling: a sweeping tale of mythological scope told with astonishing FX wizardry that brings emotion and intelligence to nonhuman people.

| 9 Comments

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes movie review: people get ready

Fri, Jul 18, 2014
6 comments

A magnificent science fiction drama, and a beautiful one. Wonderfully radical for the simple fact that it is ruled by principled ideas.

| 6 Comments

the Force is with white men, and hardly anyone else [update]

Wed, Apr 30, 2014
104 comments

Star Wars is stuck “a long time ago”: in a 1950s mindset that was already outmoded when the first film was released in 1977.

| 104 Comments

Wild Bill (trailer)

Wed, Mar 14, 2012
no comments yet

I’m hearing lots of my fellow critics here in London raving about this one. Maybe it’s got some more panache than the trailer suggests?

| Leave a comment

question of the day: What is the most egregious snub among the Oscar nominations for 2011’s films?

Wed, Jan 25, 2012
no comments yet

Michael Fassbender? Tilda Swinton? Michael Shannon? Elizabeth Olsen? But Jonah Hill gets a nom… *sigh*

| Leave a comment

question of the day: What part of Hollywood would you #Occupy?

Thu, Oct 27, 2011
no comments yet

I might #Occupy studio facilities where they do motion-capture, and allow it only for Andy Serkis to portray a hobbitlike creature or an ape…

| Leave a comment
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