film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
A mesmerizing, haunting contemplation of the headiest issues we ever confront: evolution and extinction, the depths of time, the meaning of life. Screams with ominous alarm for the human future.
Alongside plenty of heist-movie humor and suspense is a bleak fatalism grounded in depressing reality and resignation to the miserable necessity it demands.
Now updated with all the winners…
A real-life action thriller, a terrifying companion piece to Sicario. Do we want the wild West in the 21st century? Because that’s what we’ve got.
Spotlight takes four awards, including Best Film…
In a year when badass women are obviously doing very well for Hollywood, this is no explanation for this beyond unthinking, reflexive sexism.
Mad Max: Fury Road gets a lot of love…
The female protagonist is smart and competent, wields authority like a total badass, and is an intriguingly conflicted, wonderfully awful mess.
The “War on Drugs” has never felt more like an actual war in this brutal, scathing condemnation of the lawlessness of the battle… on the “good guys” side.
