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FlickFilosopher.com

handcrafted film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997

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Los Angeles

Bill & Ted Face the Music movie review: not-so-strange things are afoot…

Sat, Aug 29, 2020
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The chill zen and goofy charm of GenX’s philosopher-fools remains intact, but their latest adventure is too familiar a retelling. Still, “Be excellent to each other” won’t ever not be worth heeding.

| 18 Comments

She Dies Tomorrow movie review: when it feels like we all die tomorrow

Wed, Aug 19, 2020
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Filmmaker Amy Seimetz evokes a taut, cursed mundanity, an allegorical contemplation of culture at its most basic level: when it fails and everyone is hopeless. Accidentally hits our pandemic mood.

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Endings, Beginnings movie review: when it ends is the best part

Thu, Apr 16, 2020
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Love this cast, but, my god, I hate these characters. I hate this miserable take on romance, which mistakes wallowing in self-pity for introspection, and people being awful for philosophical depth.

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A Simple Wedding movie review: spoiler, it’s not so simple

Fri, Feb 14, 2020
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Charming culture-clash rom-com is full of life, celebrating human universals of family and love, and embracing differences that make the world so interesting. Smart and spritely, feminist and funny.

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movies by or about women opening US/Can Dec 06

Sun, Dec 08, 2019
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Jessica Hausner directs and writes, with Géraldine Bajard, Little Joe, starring Emily Beecham; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]

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movies by or about women opening US/Can Nov 27–29

Fri, Nov 29, 2019
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Melina Matsoukas directs and Lena Waithe cowrites Queen & Slim, costarring Jodie Turner-Smith; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]

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Le Mans ’66 (aka Ford v Ferrari) movie review: when “circle back” meant something else in corporatespeak

Thu, Nov 14, 2019
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A winning (if overearnest) depiction of manly friendship, with some pretty thrilling (if only technically so) racing stuff. But it doesn’t see its potential to be actually culturally significant.

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Brian Banks movie review: calling out corruption, mildly

Thu, Aug 15, 2019
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There’s plenty injustice here to enrage the thinking, feeling citizen, but despite a passionate performance by charismatic Aldis Hodge, this docudrama is nowhere near incensed enough on his behalf.

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movies by or about women opening US/Can Aug 09

Sun, Aug 11, 2019
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Andrea Berloff writes and directs The Kitchen, starring Elisabeth Moss, Melissa McCarthy, and Tiffany Haddish; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]

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Dora and the Lost City of Gold movie review: archeology is her religion

Thu, Aug 08, 2019
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Raiders of the Lost Ark lite for kids, but juvenile humor and a derivative plot limit its appeal for adults. Teen Dora is really cool, though, and a great role model for girls and boys alike.

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