film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
A triumph. McQueen brings history to life and makes it sing with zest and passion, with a spirit that endures beyond the strife. A celebration of Black joy alongside a raging against Black oppression.
Tina Gordon and Jas Waters cowrite fantasy comedy What Men Want, starring Taraji P. Henson; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
Bridey Elliott directs dramedy Clara’s Ghost; Alexis Bloom directs documentary Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes; more…
Reminders to be kind are all very well, but it’s time to move past the idea that it’s up to people who are different to inspire everyone else to be better people.
Moonlight leads, with seven awards…
Gets close to representing women well but falls down, and ends up a story about a man obsessed with the rape and murder of a pretty blonde teenaged girl.
The 2009 Oscar-winning Best Foreign Language Film has been given a listless Hollywood makeover, one that wastes Chiwetel Ejiofor’s effortless sincerity.
We see a lot of insincerity at events like the Oscars, but everyone in this photo looks like they’re genuinely having a good time.
Winners are indicated. I got 16/24. Pretty good, if I may say so myself.
It’s astonishing how little crazy one needs to bring to a movie at the moment to make it leap out as fresh and distinctive.
