film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
A Star Wars–flavored juice drink* of a movie (*contains 10% real juice) that tells us nothing of significance we didn’t already know about Han Solo, in an incarnation that lacks his essential charisma and precarious danger.
Upends expectations, demythologizes the mythos, and takes an iconic series in a bold new direction with a story full of humor, courage, and dazzling imagery.
Earlier this week, I live-tweeted a rewatch of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Here’s how it went down…
[This post is not behind the paywall.]
[This post is not behind the paywall.]
One of the best SF series ever deepens its critique of the power of propaganda in ways complicated, intriguingly contradictory, and a little bit horrifying.
I had never before heard of “Black Angel,” a short film that accompanied The Empire Strikes Back in some non-U.S. cinemas in 1980.
I’m gonna go with all the Hoth stuff in The Empire Strikes Back. There’s a ton of humor and just plain human desperation connected to the cold setting — the weather and the environment isn’t just sci-fi dressing.
Or maybe just your favorite(s)? What makes a screen kiss great?
What my followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ saw today…
