film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
green light (definitely check it out): The International: Clive Owen versus cheating banksters: it’s Bailout: The Revenge. [Amazon U.K.] [now available at Amazon U.S.] Marley & Me: Please to have some fuzzy cute puppies to make you forget why Clive Owen needs to kick some bankster ass. [Amazon U.K.] [now available at Amazon U.S.] Doctor … more…
Need new stuff to watch? Ya got a few good options this week. Out April 6 in Region 2: green light (definitely check it out): • Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter & Under the Hood: review soon/buy at Amazon U.K./already available in Region 1 at Amazon U.S. yellow light (worth a look on DVD) … more…
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend isn’t traditionally a big weekend for moviegoing, but wow, this four-dayer was a record breaker: 1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop: $39.2 million (NEW) 2. Gran Torino: $25.6 million (2nd week in wide release; drops 13%) 3. My Bloody Valentine 3-D: $24.1 million (NEW) 4. Notorious: $23.4 million (NEW) … more…
Just a quick look at last weekend’s number as we head into the long holiday stretch, which will, in effect, be one long “weekend” starting tomorrow, Christmas Day, and running through Sunday, January 4: 1. Yes Man: $18.2 million (NEW) 2. Seven Pounds: $14.9 million (NEW) 3. The Tale of Despereaux: $10 million (NEW) 4. … more…
Passionate performances aside, there’s an odd dispassion to this stage-to-screen adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name.
It looks kinda like a big number for the Keanu Reeves sci-fi flick, but it kinda ain’t: 1. The Day the Earth Stood Still: $30.4 million (NEW) 2. Four Christmases: $13 million (3rd week; drops 22%) 3. Twilight: $7.9 million (4th week; drops 39%) 4. Bolt: $7.5 million (4th week; drop 24%) 5. Australia: $4.2 … more…
I mentioned in comments here how December for film critics is so insanely busy it feels like there’s no time to sleep. A week like this is what makes me feel this way. Today’s not so bad, as far as being jam-packed with screenings goes, except that today my first screening was at 10am, and … more…
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… Meryl Streep as a scary nun? Awesome. Amy Adams as a sweet nun? Perfect. Viola Davis in anything? Yes, please. And, oh yeah, that Philip Seymour Hoffman guy is here too — I hear he’s not bad… Doubt opens limited in the U.S. on December 12, … more…
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… Heh: three gods of the screen — Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep and Viola Davis — and one future god — Amy Adams — in a story about how unwavering belief in a god can warp your mind. Doubt opens in December.
