Spielberg’s go-to guy for gravitas takes on The BFG
Why Mark Rylance left Shakespeare for Roald Dahl
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Brian D. Johnson
Brian D. Johnson writes about film and the arts for Maclean’s. He’s also a filmmaker, and director of the annual Toronto Film Critics Association Awards Gala.
Mine chief-turned-activist: The startling backstory of ’Konelīne’
With her Hot Docs award-winner, Konelīne,’ Vancouver filmmaker Nettie Wild taps her family heritage as a wilderness lover who inherited a mine
Brian D. Johnson on the films that surprised in Cannes
British director Ken Loach and Canadian director Xavier Dolan pick up top prizes at the festival
For Canadians, Cannes is only the end of the world
Three Canadian-directed films premiered at Cannes. Xavier Dolan’s latest was on the festival’s front burner.
’Cherchez la femme’ in Cannes
As women fight for equality on screen, the battle is even tougher for those directing the films—though Maren Ade might just challenge for the Palme D’Or
Cannes Day 1: Woody Allen, Xavier Dolan (déja vu!) & what’s hot*
*Not Donald Sutherland! Longtime Maclean’s film critic Brian D. Johnson on the Cannes Film Festival’s highlights—and opening day’s oddball moments
Best movies of 2015
Our (lapsed) film critic Brian D. Johnson returns from making his own movie to produce a list of his favourite films of 2015
Blown away by Xavier Dolan’s ’Mommy’
Brian D. Johnson on Quebec’s enfant terrible
Best movies of 2014
From the critical darling ’Boyhood’ to a Canadian auteur’s Cannes success, Brian D. Johnson picks his 10 favourite films of the year
TIFF, the Enigma Machine
Brian D. Johnson recaps a festival defined by binge-watching, urban oases, and the craving to find film magic