film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
Does an untimely death change our perspective on the work? (Should it?) Should how a filmmaker’s work was received during his or her life change how we honor them after they die?
Links my followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ saw today…
The Tree of Life is a “beautiful” film, even its detractors appear to agree. But so is every other TV commercial and throwaway police procedural.
A runaway freight train loaded with dangerous chemicals is heading into a densely populated area! It’s a missile the size of the Chrysler Building! But wait! A reliable old-hand Hollywood star and a hungry new up-and-comer will save us all! Though there will be some explosions for your entertainment!
We all know how it is. You’d like to get out to see a new movie this weekend, but you’ve been stuck on a hijacked subway train too many times to find any cinematic amusement in that scenario. But you can have something close to that blockbuster experience at home with the proper application of … more…
I’ve been waiting for a *Die Hard* movie to actually come close to approximating the spectacular cinematic experience that *Die Hard* was more than 20 years back, and this is the first movie to get real close to that.
Tony Scott’s updating of The Taking of Pelham 123 opens on Friday, and it turns out that it’s a remake that actually makes sense: Technology and practices — in the fields of filmmaking, subways, commmunication, and law enforcement — and culture have changed enough that this new film is different enough from the original to … more…
This ain’t the real *12 Rounds.* Not the actual movie. It’s more like a storyboard. Or an animatic. That’s it. Just to give you an idea of what the real movie’s gonna look like. Man, you’re gonna love it, I swear.
