film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
obsession: still Doctor Who (most recent episode blogging: “Journey’s End”) boyfriend: David Tennant as the Doctor (see my summer of Tennant and Hamlet) psyched: Igor (because it looks dementedly adorable) dreading: My Best Friend’s Girl (because the world has seen enough dumb “romantic” “comedies”) enemy: Nicolas Cage, who’s not as Bangkok Dangerous as he thinks … more…
Look, Nicolas Cage is an assassin, okay? He’s tough. And hardened. And impervious to human emotions. He doesn’t care what you think.
Oh, yeah, Nic Cage is so tough with his long hair and all the guns and his traveling around the planet to kill people for hire and his world-weary ennui, but he can’t face a few pathetic film critics? Yup, Bangkok Dangerous, the only new wide release today, was not screened in advance for us … more…
Update: A last-minute addition to my screening schedule this week: Happy-Go-Lucky [opens limited October 10]. This is the new one from Mike Leigh, who made the wonderful Vera Drake, though this one’s a comedy. It’ll be a selection at both the upcoming Toronto and New York film festivals. It’s another sloooow movie week for me, … more…
obsession: still Doctor Who (most recent episode blogging: “Journey’s End”) boyfriend: David Tennant as the Doctor (see my summer of Tennant and Hamlet) psyched: Burn After Reading (because the Coen Brothers are gods) dreading: Bangkok Dangerous (because it won’t screen for critics, and the Thai movie it’s based on wasn’t so hot, either) enemy: Anna … more…
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… Aw, it’s the loneliness of the international hitman. I’m expecting a poignant, pathos-laden tale of how the doers of morally questionable deeds find themselves in gray maelstroms of doubt, guilt, and interpersonal isolation. Well, that, or an adrenline-fueled heart-pumping brain-thumping orgy of nonstop ultraviolence. From what … more…
These reviews have moved — sorry for the inconvenience. click here for Bangkok Dangerous review click here for Good for Nothing review click here for Joy Ride review click here for Jung (War) in the Land of Mujaheddin review click here for Novocaine review click here for Sidewalks of New York review click here for … more…
