film criticism by maryann johanson | handcrafted since 1997
Here are the most quotable movie lines of the year 2009. No ranking — newer quotes are posted at the top. [Warning: May contain spoilers.] “I’m craving a burger. Is that strange?” –Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce), as he puts on his bomb suit, The Hurt Locker “If he wasn’t an insurgent, he sure the … more…
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but it’s raining spaghetti and meatballs out there. 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 check out that new 3D animated movie … more…
The grownup movies are not doing well at the box office at the moment. Duplicity, State of Play, The Soloist: none have caught fire with audiences. A recent article in The Hollywood Reporter worries: Pricey, star-driven thrillers and dramas will struggle for profitability as the recession intensifies a trend toward youth-dominated openings. That’s the consensus … more…
Alex Proyas, the filmmaker behind Knowing is in a bit of a scuffle with the Australian film agency, Screen Australia, over tax breaks for the film, according to IMDB’s Studio Briefing: Proyas is arging that the film deserves more tax consideration because while it is set in the U.S., the film was shot in Melbourne. … more…
People like cartoons: 1. Monsters vs. Aliens: $59.3 million (NEW) 2. The Haunting in Connecticut: $23 million (NEW) 3. Knowing: $14.7 million (2nd week; drops 40%) 4. I Love You, Man: $12.7 million (2nd week; drops 29%) 5. Duplicity: $7.7 million (2nd week; drops 45%) actual numbers, not estimates MvA enjoyed the third biggest opener … more…
Puppies! 1. Marley & Me: £2.2 million (2nd week; drops 51%) 2. Paul Blart: Mall Cop: £1.3 million (NEW) 3. Duplicity: £.8 million (NEW) 4. Lesbian Vampire Killers: £.6 million (NEW) 5. Watchmen: £.6 million (3rd week; drops 58%) (actual numbers, not estimates) Okay, so the language of moist noses and wagging tails and unconditional … more…
It’s the end of the world as we know it, but the multiplex is fine: 1. Knowing: $24.6 million (NEW) 2. I Love You, Man: $17.8 million (NEW) 3. Duplicity: $13.9 million (NEW) 4. Race to Witch Mountain: $12.8 million (2nd week; drops 48%) 5. Watchmen: $6.8 million (3rd week; drops 62%) actual numbers, not … more…
It’s not that I don’t like fluff: it’s that I don’t like dumb fluff. And yet clever fluff is so very rare. So of course I cheer a hearty “Hoorah!” for *Duplicity.*
Cutest monsters ever! At least that seems to be what Monsters vs. Aliens (opens in the U.S. on March 27, and in the U.K. on April 3) is promising. I’m especially thrilled because I’m seeing it in IMAX… real IMAX, not that fake stuff they’re trying to sell us these days with the phony “upgrade” … more…
Take a break from work: watch a trailer… Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen Clive Owen. That’s pretty much all I … more…
