ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

Female Film Critics 24/375

emily blunt

Reviews 

THE ENGLISH – Review by Susan Granger

Susan Granger , , , , , ,

This compelling revisionist six-part Western series reveals the most brutal aspects of the Old West – ones that are rarely acknowledged – like the genocidal consequences of Manifest Destiny, a phrase coined in 1845 to codify the belief that the United States was destined – by God – to expand its domination, spreading democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent, supposedly justifying the forced removal of Native Americans from their homeland.

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Reviews 

JUNGLE CRUISE – Review by Leslie Combemale

Leslie Combemale , , , , ,

Whoever pitched Disney’s new feature Jungle Cruise must have been a master of hyperbole. “It’s The Mummy meets Pirates of the Caribbean meets African Queen, but imagine Katherine Hepburn as a younger, smokin’ yet independent English hottie, and add the highest paid actor in the world.” If there were ever a final argument for ‘there’s nothing new under the sun’, Jungle Cruise would be it.

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Reviews 

JUNGLE CRUISE – Review by Martha K Baker

Martha K. Baker , , , , , ,

Erase all thoughts of Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn in African Queen from your mind. Delete scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Pretend you’re back at Disneyland on the Jungle Cruise because it lasts eight minutes compared to the film’s 127. The film version equals a theme park ride in fake-itude. Jungle Cruise, loud and long, is about as solid as the floating vegetation on the Amazon River.

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Reviews 

JUNGLE CRUISE – Review by Susan Granger

Susan Granger , , , ,

Encouraged by the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Disney launches this fantasy/adventure, based on the theme park attraction. It begins in 1916 London, where intrepid botanist/explorer Lily Houghton sneaks into a snobbish science society to steal an arrowhead thought to be the key to finding the Tears of the Moon, a sacred tree hidden in the Amazon jungle whose petals have miraculous healing powers.

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Reviews 

WILD MOUNTAIN THYME – Review by Martha K Baker

Martha K. Baker , , , , , ,

John Patrick Shanley’s Wild Mountain Thyme might have worked better as a play, especially in the intimate, yet opaque dialogues, but as the plot unscrolls, it works as a story, a classic Irish tale of love and land. As a film, it holds Ireland in the camera’s eye.

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Reviews 

WILD MOUNTAIN THYME – Review by Susan Wloszczyna

Susan Wloszczyna , , , , , ,

When the trailer for Wild Mountain Thyme first landed, Irish folk grabbed their verbal shalaylees and cried foul over what they condemned as dodgy Emerald Isle accents and corny “Erin Go Bragh” clichés. Having now seen the film myself, those impressions aren’t totally wrong.

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Reviews 

MARY POPPINS RETURNS – Review by Brandy McDonnell

Brandy McDonnell 0 Comments , , ,

Much of the sequel’s spellcasting must be credited to Emily Blunt who wisely avoids impersonating Julie Andrews’ iconic, Oscar-winning, movie star-making turn in the beloved 1964 classic Mary Poppins. Blunt plays the mysteriously magical nanny with a spoonful of sugar cut with a refreshing helping of tartness, mixed with her warm singing voice.

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Reviews 

MARY POPPINS RETURNS – Review by Susan Granger

Susan Granger 0 Comments , ,

If you’re looking for a jolly holiday gift that’s “practically perfect,” take everyone – kids and grandparents included – to see this enchanting, utterly delightful Disney sequel. It’s set in 1930s London, long after Mary Poppins original 1964 visit. Grown-up Michael Banks is now a widower, and his labor-activist sister Jane has come to help him with his three little children.

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