film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
I don’t see how the astonishing “Opera,” by Erick Oh, doesn’t win the Oscar for Best Animated Short. This is a stupendous achievement, a cartoon clockwork depicting life, the universe, and everything.
An absolute mess, and nowhere near enough monster action. Does not give good disaster. No fun at all. Makes me long for guys in rubber monster suits awkwardly sparring. At least you could see them.
I correctly guessed 15 out of the 24 categories, which is one of my better showings ever, I think.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri wins big…
Saoirse Ronan has a difficult senior year in high school, Sally Hawkins falls in love with a monster, and Lupita Nyong’o is the conscience of a male hero (and her whole nation)…
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.
Get Out wins Best Film and Best Original Screenplay. Call Me by Your Name, Dunkirk, and Three Billboards also take two awards each.
There is such kindness here, such humanity, such warmth and optimism. This is a fantasy of unique scope and astonishing emotional depth beneath the silliness.
Don’t piss me off, del Toro…
An honest, heartfelt film, full of lovely performances, yet one that ends up rather unexpectedly conventional.
