handcrafted film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
It’s always an evening of surprises at the Oscars, of course, but I’m not talking about dark horses coming from behind to snag a little golden guy or some chick tripping over her gown in her four-inch heels as she climbs to the podium. I’m talking about this: LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Oscar organizers on … more…
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… So all through this trailer I’m thinking, Is that Liev Schreiber? And then, at the end, it’s clear that it is. And that is seriously cool. There really is no one our age (he’s two years older than me) who isn’t a comic book geek, is … more…
If director Baz Luhrmann had decided to shoot in black-and-white, you’d hardly be able to tell this wasn’t made around 1939 or so. Sure, all those gorgeous helicopter shots of the wild and dangerous and beautiful Outback would be a dead giveaway, so they’d have to go. But otherwise…
All this week! 5 movies I’m psyched for in November — well, 3 movies I’m psyched for and 2 I’m not yet totally sure about but would like to be psyched for — and 5 reasons why. No. 2: Australia [opens wide November 26]. 1. That trailer! It’s pretty rare that a trailer actually gives … more…
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… Oh, man, does this give me shivers of old-fashioned Hollywood sweep and glamour. I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much, because that’s just asking for disappointment, but pleaseohplease let this be as good as it looks. With Baz Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman, and Hugh … more…
Fluffy baby penguins dancing and singing and waddling around their world with wide-eyed wonder? You have to have a heart of stone not to be a puddle of goo after coming in contact with that.
‘The Prestige’ is a fan-fuckin’-tastic popcorn flick that’s as smart as it is shifty, like some lost Alan Moore graphic novel come to life, like something Jules Verne would have written if he were Neil Gaiman.
Here, in one place, the funniest bad dialogue of the year 2004. They’re not ranked — they’re all equally awful. [Warning: May contain spoilers.] [click here for the best, most quotable snippets of dialogue from 2004] “Clearly, madam, genuis has turned to madness.” –Raoul (Patrick Wilson), to Madame Giry (Miranda Richardson), on the Phantom (Gerard … more…
Hugh Jackman? Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman. Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman — Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman. (Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman.) Hugh Jackman.
