film criticism by maryann johanson | handcrafted since 1997
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but you’re late, you’re late, for a very important date. 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 Alice in Wonderland this … more…
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…
A slowish week for DVD releases… Out April 13 in Region 2: green light (definitely check it out): • Inkheart: read my review/buy at Amazon U.K./preorder in Region 1 at Amazon U.S. • Meeting Resistance: not reviewed/buy at Amazon U.K./already available in Region 1 at Amazon U.S. yellow light (worth a look on DVD) • … more…
I’m late with everything this week, but I can at least get in a quick look at last weekend’s box office before the next weekend starts: 1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop: $21.6 million (2nd week; drops 32%) 2. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans: $20.8 million (NEW) 3. Gran Torino: $16.2 million (3rd week in wide … more…
Could be Thursday Next’s favorite movie of late…
Oh boy: Fanboys (opens in the U.S. on February 6; no U.K. release date has yet been announced) is about a buncha geeks who, a decade ago, made a pilgrimage to Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of The Phantom Menace. It’s sort of adorable, now, how much we all thought that movie wasn’t … more…
Just a note for newcomers to the site: there’s a reason why you’re not seeing last weekend’s box office numbers for the U.K. here until the day the new weekend is starting. The actual numbers for the overall British box office (which, as an aside, also includes the Republic of Ireland) are far less readily … more…
As in the U.S., the U.K. debut of The Day the Earth Stood Still looks good at first glance, but it pales next to, say, last week’s bow of Madagascar 2… or even this second weekend of that animated flick, even after it took a big drop: 1. The Day the Earth Stood Still: £2.8 … more…
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… Yeah, it does bear a certain resemblance to Bedtime Stories, the Adam Sandler comedy opening in the U.S. on Christmas Day, what with stories coming alive when read, and I’d suspect that’s why this film isn’t opening in the U.S. today, as it is in the … more…
