film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
See it if you love movies with compelling characters doing fascinating things and overcoming tremendous obstacles to get to an immensely satisfying end. You know: the things that movies are supposed to do, but rarely seem to manage.
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but you’re still working on putting together your Michael Jackson costume for Halloween; sewing all those sequins onto that glove is taking forever. But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when … more…
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… In other words, Jonathan Demme gets Anne Hathaway to wallow in indie grunginess, and smoke in artistically appropriate ways (because movies are no longer allowed to approve of tobacco use). I bet she gets to indulge in some creative swearing and nudity, too. You know, purely … more…
The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller of the highest order, and well deserving of the unusual Oscar nod for Best Picture, never before bestowed upon a film like this. Before or since, action/horror has never been done so well or so cerebrally.
