film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
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.
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.
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.
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.
A magnificent science fiction drama, and a beautiful one. Wonderfully radical for the simple fact that it is ruled by principled ideas.
Star Wars is stuck “a long time ago”: in a 1950s mindset that was already outmoded when the first film was released in 1977.
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?
Michael Fassbender? Tilda Swinton? Michael Shannon? Elizabeth Olsen? But Jonah Hill gets a nom… *sigh*
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…
A soulless CGI-animated remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Without a Harrison Ford to smirk and snark his way through it, natch.
