film criticism by maryann johanson | handcrafted since 1997
Biggest ever for both star DiCaprio and director Scorsese: 1. Shutter Island: $41.1 million (NEW) 2. Valentine’s Day: $16.7 million (2nd week; drops 70%) 3. Avatar: $16.2 million 4. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: $15.3 million (2nd week; drops 51%) 5. The Wolfman: $9.9 million (2nd week; drops 69%) actual numbers, not … more…
Though not by much: 1. Valentine’s Day: £3.7 million (NEW) 2. Avatar: £3.3 million 3. The Wolfman: £2.4 million (NEW) 4. The Princess and the Frog: £1.504 million (2nd week in wide release; drops 32%) 5. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: £1.502 million (NEW) (actual numbers, not estimates) It was a huge … more…
And the monster fantasies have astonishing launches, too: 1. Valentine’s Day: $63.1 million (NEW) 2. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: $38.7 million (NEW) 3. The Wolfman: $35.6 million (NEW) 4. Avatar: $28.8 million 5. Dear John: $18.2 million (2nd week; drops 40%) actual numbers, not estimates, for the 4-day weekend Last week, … more…
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but they never let you bring champagne, truffles, and candlelight into the theater with you. But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when someone asks you on Monday, “Hey, did you … more…
We get yet another cinematic vision of the afterlife this weekend in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: Percy and pals go to Hell… the underworldly realm of his uncle Hades, and it’s the usual sort of Hell, all sulfurous air and flames and chicks in S&M gear. (Steve Coogan as Hades is … more…
So it can be told: The road to hell isn’t paved with good intentions, it’s paved with Harry Potter wannabes. Now, now — I know that’s not quite fair to anyone involved with this perfectly inoffensive, occasionally clever kids’ movie…
Fun for Wednesdays! We look at an image from an upcoming movie or TV show and write snarky, witty, or otherwise entertaining captions for it. No prizes, it’s just for fun. When someone asks if you’re a god, you say yes: 20th Century Fox tells us about the movie: Trouble-prone Percy Jackson is having problems … more…
It’s starting too look like a more typical movie week: Five, maybe six flicks? That’s what I’m talkin’ about… Where was it that I was reading (or maybe it was in a video somewhere?) that the FX guys had a particular challenge on their hands with The Wolfman (opens in the U.S., Canada, and the … more…
As of this writing, 8 movies will open wide in North America in the month of February. Which means that even if you’re an active moviegoer and see a movie each week, you’ve still gotta pick and choose (and it’s even worse if you’re in a city on the arthouse circuit, but let’s not make … more…
Take a break from work: watch a trailer… Hey, it’s Clash of the Titans meets Harry Potter! Awesome! Or maybe not. “I definitely have strong feelings for you. I just haven’t decided if they’re positive or negative yet.” Who says that? What teenager says anything like that? Also: the title of this film may be … more…
