film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
Aaron Cutler at Slant Magazine opens an essay on a Cary Grant retrospective at the Brooklyn Academy of Music — which is, for the New York neophyte, a major forum for film, too — like this: Viewership is by nature bisexual. It compels us to take on the perspectives of men desiring women, of women … 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…
Take a break from work: watch a trailer… I’m real excited about this one, for a couple of reasons. First: Kathryn Bigelow has demonstrated more than once that a chick can make a kickass action movie (Blue Steel, Strange Days, Near Dark) that is also smart and complicated and provocative and offers a new perspective … more…
Lots of famous people suddenly appear on DVD this week: Richard Nixon, Doctor Who, Keanu Reeve, Notorious B.I.G. Lucky us. Out April 20 in Region 2: green light (definitely check it out): • The Tale of Despereaux: read my review/buy at Amazon U.K./already available in Region 1 at Amazon U.S. • Doctor Who: Image of … more…
Big big numbers in the U.K. this past weekend, just like in the U.S.: 1. Bolt: £5.5 million (NEW) 2. Slumdog Millionaire: £1.82 million 3. He’s Just Not That Into You: £1.78 million (2nd week; drops 7%) 4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: £1.77 million (2nd week; drops 20%) 5. Hotel for Dogs: £1.5 … more…
Movie posters spotted around London these last ten days. Some are exactly the same as those in New York; some are very different. I love seeing how movies are sold in different ways in different places. The U.K. Bride Wars poster is way worse than the U.S. one: The tagline is: “Before the rings go … more…
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend isn’t traditionally a big weekend for moviegoing, but wow, this four-dayer was a record breaker: 1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop: $39.2 million (NEW) 2. Gran Torino: $25.6 million (2nd week in wide release; drops 13%) 3. My Bloody Valentine 3-D: $24.1 million (NEW) 4. Notorious: $23.4 million (NEW) … more…
Gives new depth of meaning to the word “hagiography.”
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… Just an FYI, in case you weren’t already aware, Duran Duran not does appear in this movie. Not even sampled. Notorious opens wide in the U.S. on January 16 and in the U.K. on February 13.
And so another movie year begins, and it’s time to get back on the hamster wheel of screenings. I was all set to say, “You know, maybe The Unborn (opens wide in the U.S. on January 9, and in the U.K. on February 27) ain’t gonna be so bad after all. Yeah, it looks rather … more…
