film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
For a film critic, there are few pleasures more satisfying than ripping into a bad movie. But one of those few is discovering that a film that you were expecting to hate — a movie that you had no doubts whatsoever would turn out to be utterly awful — turns out to be wonderful.
U.S. AND CANADA/OPENING WIDE Inception: Leonardo DiCaprio will blow your mind… much as other thieves blow vaults. If you can’t make it to the multiplex, try: • Memento (2000): Christopher Nolan plays with the depths of the human mind and the limits to which narrative time can be stretched in both films. • Catch Me … more…
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but all those zombies roaming the land aren’t gonna kill themselves. But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when someone asks you on Monday, “Hey, did you see Zombieland this weekend?” … more…
Steven Spielberg has never made a film like this one before, sharp and bright, lighthearted and witty, underplayed and — dare I say it? — hip.
