film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
The Disney paradigm is hard at play again here, its familiarity offset by its inspiration in Southeast Asian culture and mythology. Sweepingly told, gorgeously animated, and audaciously optimistic.
And we have winners!
And we have winners!
It’s more of the same tedious nonsense, all action sequences bereft of excitement and body-swap comedy minus any real laughs. An abysmal lack of fun with stakes way too low to generate much suspense.
Lulu Wang writes and directs dramedy The Farewell, starring Awkwafina; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
Lulu Wang writes and directs dramedy The Farewell, starring Awkwafina; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
An opulent, juicy, splendidly silly, tears-of-joy spectacle reminiscent of the escapist fluff of 1930s Hollywood… yet also a romantic fantasy that a progressive, feminist gal can actually feel good about.
Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett plan a heist, Diane Kruger plots revenge, and more…
Breezy fun that sticks a shiv into Hollywood’s — and the larger culture’s — disdain for women. Wonderfully subtle comic performances from a great cast having a ball make for a perfectly suitable light diversion from the world right now.
Does every wide release in North America this week feature a female protagonist or female ensemble? Wow.
