film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but you really hate those 3D glasses– oh, who are we kidding: you’re gonna see Avatar this weekend if you have to knock over someone’s granny for a ticket. But just in case you’re feeling the slightest bit guilty about having … more…
How can there not be more installments, that definitive the notwithstanding? 1. The Final Destination: $27.4 million (NEW) 2. Inglourious Basterds: $19.3 million (2nd week; drops 49%) 3. Halloween II: $16.3 million (NEW) 4. District 9: $10.3 million (3rd week; drops 44%) 5. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra: $7.7 million (4th week; drops 37%) … more…
green light (definitely check it out): Slumdog Millionaire: Reality shows as poetry, as fairy tales, as dreams-come-true. Wow. [Amazon U.K.] [now available at Amazon U.S.] The Wrestler: Mickey Rourke’s big comeback. [Amazon U.K.] [now available at Amazon U.S.] Battlestar Galactica: The Final Season: This is what was called Season 4.5 in the U.S. [Amazon U.K.] … 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…
Aliens rule, superheroes drool: 1. Race to Witch Mountain: $24.4 million 2. Watchmen: $17.8 million (2nd week; drops 68%) 3. The Last House on the Left: $14 million (NEW) 4. Taken: $6.6 million 5. Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail: $5.1 million (4th week; drops 40%) actual numbers, not estimates Ouch, but that drop for … more…
I’m late with everything this week, but I can at least get in a quick look at last weekend’s box office before the next weekend starts: 1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop: $21.6 million (2nd week; drops 32%) 2. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans: $20.8 million (NEW) 3. Gran Torino: $16.2 million (3rd week in wide … more…
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend isn’t traditionally a big weekend for moviegoing, but wow, this four-dayer was a record breaker: 1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop: $39.2 million (NEW) 2. Gran Torino: $25.6 million (2nd week in wide release; drops 13%) 3. My Bloody Valentine 3-D: $24.1 million (NEW) 4. Notorious: $23.4 million (NEW) … more…
The Online Film Critics Society, of which I am a member, has named its awards for 2008. The winners: PICTURE: Wall-E DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight ACTOR: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler ACTRESS: Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Wall-E, Andrew … more…
If it’s January, it must be time for the platforming awards bait to start making a splash in wide release: 1. Gran Torino: $29.5 million (NEW in wide release) 2. Bride Wars: $21.1 million (NEW) 3. The Unborn: $19.8 million (NEW) 4. Marley & Me: $11.4 million (3rd week; drops 53%) 5. The Curious Case … more…
We had another five-day weekend this past week, what with New Year’s Eve falling on a Wednesday, but the ranking remains the same whether we look at the five-day or the three-day weekend, so for sanity’s sake, I’m gonna stick with the three-day figures… that is, Friday, January 2, through Sunday, January 4: 1. Marley … more…
