film criticism by maryann johanson | “tinged with the pungent liquor of cynicism“
Honestly, it’s tough to think of many films that do a good job of this! But Tod Browning’s controversial 1932 film Freaks might be, at least, better than many others.
Two brilliant dramas upend cinematic tropes of male vengeance with precision, patience, and grim humor. These are radical rethinks in emotional maturity surrounding men’s grief, remorse, and shame.
Terrific doc unpacks trans representation in Hollywood, unspoken attitudes about gender, sexuality, and race that most people, trans and cis, may never have clocked before… ideas that affect us all.
Our expectations are a lot higher now after the unexpectedly wildly inventive first movie… and this sequel delivers, digging with witty subversion into Hollywood’s glorification of its male heroes.
OMG! My feminist-rating criteria has a fancy name like The Bechdel Test! Apparently people are calling it “The Johanson Analysis.” I am floored and immensely flattered.
Some significant additions. Please keep your suggestions coming! (This post is not behind the paywall.)
