film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
Probably the Brits were even more pissed about the trashing of Dickens: 1. A Christmas Carol: £1.9 million (NEW) 2. Michael Jackson’s This Is It: £1.4 million (2nd week; drops 52%) 3. Up: £1.3 million 4. The Men Who Stare at Goats: £1.2 million (NEW) 5. The Fourth Kind: £.85 million (NEW) (actual numbers, not … more…
But Precious is precious indeed: 1. A Christmas Carol: $30 million (NEW) 2. Michael Jackson’s This Is It: $13.2 million (2nd week; drops 43%) 3. The Men Who Stare at Goats: $12.7 million (NEW) 4. The Fourth Kind: $12.2 million (NEW) 5. Paranormal Activity: $8.3 million (4th week in wide release; drops 50%) actual numbers, … more…
Up is down after Michael Jackson’s arrival at multiplexes: 1. Michael Jackson’s This Is It: £4.9 million (NEW) 2. Up: £3.4 million (4th week; drops 10%) 3. Fantastic Mr. Fox: £1.5 million (2nd week; up 2%) 4. Saw VI: £.94 million (2nd week; drops 46%) 5. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant: £.54 million (2nd … more…
The Michael Jackson flick does well enough, but doesn’t approach the predictions: 1. Michael Jackson’s This Is It: $23.2 million (NEW) 2. Paranormal Activity: $16.4 million (3rd week in wide release; drops 22%) 3. Law Abiding Citizen: $7.4 million (3rd week; drops 40%) 4. Couples Retreat: $6.5 million (4th week; drops 39%) 5. Where the … more…
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but you’re still working on putting together your Michael Jackson costume for Halloween; sewing all those sequins onto that glove is taking forever. But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when … more…
Kenny Ortega, the director of Michael Jackson’s This Is It was sure to let everyone know prior to Tuesday night’s worldwide simultaneous premiere — at which lots of critics were present — that the film is “for the fans.” In case anybody missed his comment, a placard as the film opens reminds us of that. … more…
I just can’t stop talking about the hype surrounding the Michael Jackson movie, This Is It. And why should I? It’s too fun. I found the best blog comment yet. It was not, alas, posted here, but at Gawker, in response to a posting entitled “Michael Jackson Is Still a Gigantic Celebrity the World Over—Except … more…
Never mind what I or any other critics have to say about Michael Jackson’s This Is It. Elizabeth Taylor has tweeted the final words, 140 characters at a time: It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen. It cements forever Michael’s genius in every aspect of creativity. And we have … more…
In the Year of the Gloved One 50, which was also called in the old calendar 2009, the people of the town of London came unto Michael with much wailing and despair. “Michael!” they beseeched Him. “Bestow upon us Your awesomeness. Bestow upon us the wisdom of Your spirit, and telleth us once again how Billie Jean is not Your lover and the kid is not Your son, for we long to be reassured. Giveth unto us 50 shows, one for each year of Your beneficence.”
Busy, busy week. And awards season hasn’t quite hit yet (though screeners are starting to come). It’s gonna be a crazy couple months… Most hilarious title ever? Gentlemen Broncos (opens in the U.S. on October 30; no U.K. release date has been announced) looks to be a hoot… and I do really like Jared Hess’s … more…
