film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
Wonderfully escapist, dripping with magnificently congenial charm thanks to the comic chemistry of Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. Plus it’s sure to enrage people who use “woke” as an insult. Yay!
The Shape of Water wins Best Film, and Best Director goes to Guillermo del Toro. Agnes Varda is Defying Age and Ageism, and Hollywood’s sexual tormentors are inducted in the AWFJ Hall of Shame.
About precisely nothing other than pure pulp comic-book soap-opera rigmarole, overshadowed by clichés, implausibilities, and missed opportunities.
A solid action fantasy more elemental and visceral than I expected, thanks to the potent presence of Luke Evans.
It feels smaller and more rushed — and less plausible — than it should, but Anton Yelchin is charming, and the snappy comic tone sometimes works.
What my followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ saw today…
Stefanie asked for Oded Fehr. If I could wrap him up for you, Stefanie, I would. Best I can do is this…
U.S. AND CANADA/OPENING WIDE Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: It’s tanking in the U.K., and now it gets a shot at tanking in North America. [trailer] review to come If you can’t make it to the multiplex, try: • Big Trouble in Little China (1986): In which Kurt Russell goes up against an … more…
U.S. AND CANADA/OPENING WIDE Shrek Forever After: Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss square off against the evil tyrant Rumpelstiltskin. Scary. [trailer] review to come If you can’t make it to the multiplex, try: • Shrek 2 (2004): Still the best in the series, with one of the greatest character intros ever (for Puss in Boots). … more…
So, we have Benicio Del Toro about to land as the Wolfman, and now we get word that Sam Worthington may be playing Dracula in a Summer 2011 flick. What’s going on is this: Universal is trying to reboot its Universal Monsters brand. Besides Dracula and the Wolfman, the Universal Monsters stable includes Frankenstein, the … more…
