film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but Harry Potter has been sold out since Christmas and, well, that’s the only new movie opening everywhere. But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when someone asks you on Monday, … more…
Lots of famous people suddenly appear on DVD this week: Richard Nixon, Doctor Who, Keanu Reeve, Notorious B.I.G. Lucky us. Out April 20 in Region 2: green light (definitely check it out): • The Tale of Despereaux: read my review/buy at Amazon U.K./already available in Region 1 at Amazon U.S. • Doctor Who: Image of … more…
Need new stuff to watch? Ya got a few good options this week. Out April 6 in Region 2: green light (definitely check it out): • Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter & Under the Hood: review soon/buy at Amazon U.K./already available in Region 1 at Amazon U.S. yellow light (worth a look on DVD) … more…
Here are the most quotable movie lines of the year 2008. I didn’t mean to hold these till the movie year was over — it just sort of happened that way. I’ll return to posting quotes as I hear them for 2009. No ranking — quotes are posted in reverse order of movie release dates, … more…
Just a note for newcomers to the site: there’s a reason why you’re not seeing last weekend’s box office numbers for the U.K. here until the day the new weekend is starting. The actual numbers for the overall British box office (which, as an aside, also includes the Republic of Ireland) are far less readily … more…
Yeah, I used that headline when the teen vampire movie opened in North America, too. Look, the holiday in the middle of the week has really thrown my schedule off, and I just want to get a quick look at last weekend’s U.K. box office numbers before this new weekend is over: 1. Twilight: £2.5 … more…
Just a quick look at last weekend’s number as we head into the long holiday stretch, which will, in effect, be one long “weekend” starting tomorrow, Christmas Day, and running through Sunday, January 4: 1. Yes Man: $18.2 million (NEW) 2. Seven Pounds: $14.9 million (NEW) 3. The Tale of Despereaux: $10 million (NEW) 4. … more…
He is a mouse. He is tiny — even for a mouse. He is smart and brave. He longs for adventure. He is a gentleman. He is adorable.
Take a break from work: watch a movie trailer… This really is just too cute for words. He’s not a mouse, he’s a gentleman? Awww. I was worried that that bit about the soup and the rat early on was getting a little too close to Ratatouille territory, but I think it’s okay. Banishing soup… … more…
obsession: Doctor Who (I’m wallowing in DVDs…) boyfriend: Lee Pace in Pushing Daisies (I’m making the most of him while the show is still on the air) psyched: The Tale of Despereaux (a mouse who wants to be a hero? adorable) dreading: Bedtime Stories (Zohan notwithstanding, I’m still not an Adam Sandler fan) enemy: anyone … more…
