handcrafted film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
There is little here we did not already know, but this is nevertheless a fascinating counterpoint to royal propaganda. Kudos to Harry’s audacity at being unwilling to perpetuate a noxious paradigm.
Plus a teenage con artist, a skewering of late-night comedy, and more… (First published September 18th, 2022, on Substack and Patreon.)
A portrait of Diana’s depiction in the press that is incendiary, incisive, and transfixing. A litany of horror, in retrospect, and an incredibly valuable look at how public stories are shaped by media.
Two new documentaries tell inspiring stories about ordinary women radicalized into revolutionary action, from anti-nuke protests in the 1980s to anti-corporate and anti-corruption activism today.
A terrific legal procedural about defending factual truth and smacking dishonest sowers of doubt. An essential film for our era of “alternative facts.”
Two compelling documentaries about famed competitive cyclists and the corrupted sport that chewed them up.
Transforms the beloved “People’s Princess” into a drippy, unappealing rom-com heroine, sort of like Bridget Jones with bodyguards.
Is this graffiti on a Martha Marcy May Marlene poster trying to suggest something even more nefarious?
If you don’t care for Watts in the role, whom would you cast?
It’s the Diana conspiracy flick! With a new trailer released on what would have been her 50th birthday! Run in circles, scream and shout!
