film criticism by maryann johanson | 25 years: 1997–2022
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…
If you regularly check my on-the-fly ranking of new theatrical releases as I see them, then my top 10 movies of 2009 are no surprise: I shuffled a few titles around a bit last month, but the films ranked in the top 10 for 2009 haven’t changed much in months. (The 2009 ranking is here; … more…
It might not live forever, but still, wow: 1. Fame: £2.4 million (NEW) 2. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: £1.4 million (2nd week; drops 11%) 3. Surrogates: £.96 (NEW) 4. District 9: £.56 million (4th week; drops 31%) 5. The Soloist: £.37 million (NEW) (actual numbers, not estimates) Being here in the U.K. this … more…
No, not classic movies: classical movies. September is Classical Music Month, the origin of which probably ties in to the whole “back to school, back to seriousness” idea. Which is sort of silly, actually: just because classical music is has stood the test of time doesn’t mean it has to be solemn. In fact, for … more…
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but Adam Sandler dying of some awful disease isn’t your idea of a good time. 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…
opening wide Up: It is balloons! (You probably don’t get that reference unless you were a kid in the 1970s in the New York metropolitan area and watched WPIX and saw its promos for F-Troop reruns. Sorry.) Drag Me to Hell: Sam Raimi tortures poor Alison Lohman. But might she maybe kinda sorta deserve it? … more…
Just a quick look at last weekend’s numbers before we head into the long holiday weekend: 1. Angels & Demons: $46.2 million 2. Star Trek: $43 million (2nd week; drops 43%) 3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine: $14.7 million (3rd week; drops 44%) 4. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past: $6.7 million (3rd week; drops 45%) 5. Obsessed: $4.6 … more…
Maybe they’ll figure out a way to beam Logan onto the Enterprise next weekend: 1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine: $85.1 million (NEW) 2. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past: $15.4 million (NEW) 3. Obsessed: $12.1 million (2nd week; drops 58%) 4. 17 Again: $6.4 million (3rd week; drops 45%) 5. Monsters vs. Aliens: $5.8 million actual numbers, not … more…
They didn’t screen it for critics, it’s a complete piece of tripe, and it wins the weekend? Oh no they didn’t. Oh yes they did: 1. Obsessed: $28.6 million (NEW) 2. 17 Again: $11.5 million (2nd week; drops 51%) 3. Fighting: $11 million (NEW) 4. The Soloist: $9.7 million (NEW) 5. Earth: $8.8 million (NEW) … more…
The grownup movies are not doing well at the box office at the moment. Duplicity, State of Play, The Soloist: none have caught fire with audiences. A recent article in The Hollywood Reporter worries: Pricey, star-driven thrillers and dramas will struggle for profitability as the recession intensifies a trend toward youth-dominated openings. That’s the consensus … more…
