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Mark Johnson
Tomatometer-approved critic
Publications:
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Saturday Night (2024) |
Saturday Night is a whirlwind of a film and a resounding triumph of stellar writing, acting, editing, and directing. It is absolutely hilarious and a thrilling experience. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Sep 02, 2024
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The End (2024) |
The story’s message, which feels like a tired rehash of themes we’ve been inundated with recently, fails to make any sort of impact. Unfortunately, the film just didn’t resonate on any level. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Sep 02, 2024
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A Real Pain (2024) |
A Real Pain is a beautifully crafted emotional journey cloaked in sharp, witty humor. I adored this film and cannot wait to see it again.
- Awards Daily
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| Posted Sep 02, 2024
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Nickel Boys (2024) |
Nickel Boys is undeniably unique, and avant-garde filmmaking often elicits mixed reactions. The film’s grandiose stylistic choices overshadowed the compelling story, resulting in a work that ultimately felt like it prioritized style over substance. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Sep 02, 2024
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Conclave (2024) |
The parallels between the papal election and our own American Presidential elections are striking, making Conclave a film that may resonate with the zeitgeist more powerfully than any other this year. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Sep 02, 2024
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Piece By Piece (2024) |
Piece by Piece is so full of love – a thunderstorm of electrifying colors brimming with infectious energy. It delivers uplifting messages: trust in yourself, work diligently, spread joy, and venture into new horizons. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Sep 02, 2024
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Trap (2024) |
Supporters praise Trap’s tongue-in-cheek humor, claiming that’s what makes it work. But as my mom used to remind me of the proverbial lesson: two wrongs don’t make a right, similarly, an intentionally bad movie is still just a bad movie. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Aug 21, 2024
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Alien: Romulus (2024) |
Galo Olivares cinematography is stunning, using light and shadow to create moments of eerie beauty. Combined with Naaman Marshall’s meticulously crafted set pieces, Alvarez and his team masterfully recapture the mood and atmosphere of the original classic - Awards Daily
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| Posted Aug 21, 2024
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Daughters (2024) |
Although the film occasionally glosses over the serious reasons for these men’s incarceration, it powerfully highlights the effects of growing up without a father. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Aug 21, 2024
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Sing Sing (2023) |
Sing Sing gradually works its way under your skin and into your heart, becoming one of the year’s most touching and reaffirming films. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Aug 21, 2024
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Abigail (2024) |
Dan Stevens’ performance brought a shred of excitement to the film, but overall, Abigail tried too hard to be funny and felt inconsistent in tone throughout. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jul 29, 2024
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A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) |
While anchored by strong performances from Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn, Day One brought nothing new to the franchise and relied too heavily on jump scares. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jul 29, 2024
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Longlegs (2024) |
Perkins’ tightly wound script builds tension and suspense – the main ingredients of pure horror – in a way that is rare today. He takes his time to create a suffocating atmosphere of impending doom. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jul 29, 2024
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Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) |
Like its prior two entries, the audacious humor and gratuitous violence is front and center. But after a while, the laughs die down and the humor becomes a bit tedious. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jul 29, 2024
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Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 (2024) |
Costner does a terrific job setting up the beauty & courage of post-Civil War America before unveiling the brutal reality that came with settling an already inhabited nation. Horizon is a remarkable achievement and a reminder of Costner’s enduring legacy. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jul 29, 2024
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Los Frikis (2024) |
Los Frikis offers a profoundly emotional journey, revealing new depths of Nilson and Schwartz’s artistry honed over the past five years. Their maturing sensibilities solidify their status as master storytellers. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 26, 2024
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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024) |
The film grapples with the question: what defines a hero? For Reeve, it was someone who found strength to persevere despite overwhelming obstacles. To me, it was simply Christopher Reeve. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 24, 2024
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Skywalkers: A Love Story (2024) |
Skywalkers: A Love Story is a thrilling film that also serves as one of the greatest modern love stories. Its a breathtaking and ballsy accomplishment that makes it a must-watch for both adrenaline junkies and hopeless romantics alike. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 24, 2024
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In the Summers (2024) |
...this observational style becomes the film’s primary mode, leading to a narrative that lacks a strong plot or conclusive resolution. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Porcelain War (2024) |
Porcelain War masterfully illustrates the enduring power of art in the face of adversity...a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who refuse to surrender their humanity, even in the darkest of times. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Never Look Away (2024) |
Never Look Away is an inspirational testament of fierce determination and incomparable perseverance, and works as a satisfying eulogy to Moth’s indomitable spirit. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Ghostlight (2024) |
Ghostlight is a profoundly moving and masterfully crafted film that captured my heart from start to finish. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Good One (2024) |
While I appreciate a gradual build-up in storytelling, the success of a slow burn hinges on an impactful payoff. Good One falls short in delivering that payoff – it ends in an anticlimactic manner that left me puzzled and questioning its purpose. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Between the Temples (2024) |
The storyline occasionally felt unfocused and lacking in depth. Although I appreciated seeing Schwartzman in a leading role and Weinstein left a strong impression, Between the Temples felt like a missed opportunity in many respects. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Love Machina (2024) |
Sillen offers a refreshing perspective on AI, a topic often clouded by apprehension and uncertainty. Love Machina challenges viewers to embrace AI’s potential as a force for positive change rather than fear its advancement. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Thelma (2024) |
Thelma is a joy to watch. A genuine crowd-pleaser and a laugh riot. Sometimes, the simplicity of a film is its greatest strength. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Dìdi (2024) |
Dìdi is a heartfelt portrayal of the chaotic awkwardness of adolescence with simplicity and effectiveness. Joan Chen is the heart and soul of the film as the weary but determined matriarch.
- Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Inside Out 2 (2024) |
In many ways, Kelsey Mann’s Inside Out 2 was significantly more emotionally resonant, profound, and insightful than its predecessor. I was pleasantly surprised by how deeply it moved me. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) |
While the action sequences, imaginative world-building, stunning visuals, and bleak narrative masterfully connect the films, Taylor-Joy brings a thematic and poignant weight to Furiosa that adds depth to the Mad Max saga. - Awards Daily
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| Posted May 31, 2024
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IF (2024) |
The real star of IF is composer Michael Giacchino, who turns out another banger score. For over 20 years, we’ve been privileged to witness his genius. It’s time to recognize Giacchino as one of the all-time great film composers. - Awards Daily
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| Posted May 31, 2024
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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) |
At 2 hours 25 minutes, Kingdom could have benefitted from tighter editing. Despite plenty of exciting confrontations and action sequences, for every step forward, the story takes two steps back into a lull. - Awards Daily
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| Posted May 31, 2024
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The Fall Guy (2024) |
A film as silly as this MUST be consistently funny for the premise to work. At the very least, the chemistry between the two leads is non-negotiable. And on both ends, The Fall Guy crashes to the floor with no safety net. - Awards Daily
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| Posted May 31, 2024
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Civil War (2024) |
While I admired its unbiased portrayal of a troubling hypothetical, the narrative’s execution left something to be desired, veering into a rather predictable finale. - Awards Daily
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| Posted May 03, 2024
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Monkey Man (2024) |
Monkey Man delivers a high-octane action/thriller reminiscent of the adrenaline-fueled John Wick series. It may appeal to fans seeking intense action, I found the emphasis on gratuitous violence and minimal plot development to be less satisfying. - Awards Daily
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| Posted May 03, 2024
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Challengers (2024) |
Challengers stands out as Guadagnino’s most accessible film yet, offering audiences entertainment over art... a mostly captivating blend of steamy suspense and intrigue cleverly disguised within the framework of a sports film. - Awards Daily
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| Posted May 03, 2024
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American Symphony (2023) |
Captures the contrast between his electrifying charm on stage and the challenging personal matters he faces offstage. An incredibly inspirational and illuminating tale, showcasing Batiste’s optimism and perseverance in the face of life’s challenges. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Nov 21, 2023
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Beyond Utopia (2023) |
Beyond Utopia is an eye-opening documentary, providing a vivid depiction of life under a tyrannical regime and the relentless pursuit of the most fundamental human rights. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Nov 21, 2023
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The Pigeon Tunnel (2023) |
The Pigeon Tunnel provides a captivating introspective with the esteemed author John le Carré, widely regarded as one of the greatest spy novelists of all time. For fans of le Carré’s work, this documentary is a must-watch. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Nov 21, 2023
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Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023) |
Poignant and powerful. Still skillfully weaves together humor and nostalgia using archival footage, scripted recreations, and a personal interview with Michael J. Fox. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Nov 21, 2023
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Society of the Snow (2023) |
Michael Giacchino’s exceptional score, resonating almost reverently with the tragic events that claimed 29 lives, enhances the film’s emotional impact. Pedro Luque’s breathtaking cinematography adds a layer of intensity to the incredible tale of survival. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Nov 21, 2023
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Flora and Son (2023) |
Flora and Son is a charming and lovely little film that completely took me by surprise. If you are in the mood for an enchanting, effortless, and warm flick, I would highly recommend Flora and Son. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Nov 21, 2023
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Napoleon (2023) |
Napoleon unfolds as a grand epic, marked by its ambitious scope, meticulous construction, and opulent set designs, accompanied by riveting battle sequences. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Nov 21, 2023
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Dream Scenario (2023) |
The first half is inventively hilarious, showcasing some of Nic Cage's best work. A rather jarring tonal shift in the second half didn't quite land for me. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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The Taste of Things (2023) |
This is a wonderfully languid, quintessentially French film. Juliette Binoche delivers a consistently elegant and extraordinary performance. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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Priscilla (2023) |
Sofia Coppola’s film has unveiled a budding star to the world: the enchanting Cailee Spaeny. The radiating chemistry she and Jacob Elordi share on screen is nothing short of mesmerizing. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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American Fiction (2023) |
American Fiction is nothing short of brilliant. It offers a blend of edgy humor, profound insights, and remarkable intelligence. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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The Killer (2023) |
The Killer is a gripping, stone-cold thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Fincher masterfully takes us into the psyche of a contract killer, a dark and haunting place that paradoxically exudes a sinister allure. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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May December (2023) |
May December is a captivating fusion of melodrama and camp, reflecting the allure of tabloid sensationalism. The film shines when it focuses on the intricate psychological tango between Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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Maestro (2023) |
Cooper’s portrayal is nothing short of extraordinary; it’s the kind of career-best work that is undeniable. The cathedral scene, in particular, is a moment that will be talked about for years to come. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) |
Despite its impeccable pacing and stellar performances, Killers of the Flower Moon may not quite reach the apex of Scorsese’s oeuvre, but even his second-tier work could easily surpass another director’s masterpiece. - Awards Daily
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| Posted Oct 24, 2023
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