KLARA AND THE SUN Review — A Moving, Playful, Hopeful Adaptation
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Klara and the Sun review reveals the film beautifully merges high touch with high tech, to emerge gently, humorously soothing. I haven’t been this excited about a book adaptation since Project Hail Mary. I think every bookclub on the planet read Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s prescient novel, published in 2021 and long…
YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING Review — 8 Spoiler-Free Fascinating Facts
In order to avoid spoilers, Lisa Johnson Mandell’s You Can See Everything review is not so much a critical examination of of the film, but gives you critical information that will hopefully enhance your viewing experience. First and foremost, if you would have told me a week ago that I would be supporting a Best…
FJORD Review — A Quiet Movie That May May Blow Your Mind
In their Fjord review, Lisa Johnson Mandell and Canine Critic Rocky agree that the film is a quiet yet commanding revelation, food for unending thought and discussion. Some movies shout, groan or scream. Fjord barely raises its voice above a whisper, and still shakes you to the core. The setup is simple. Mihai (Sebastian Stan)…
POSSIBLE LOVE Review — The Quiet Film That Roars
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Possible Love review says that director Lee Chang-dong’s latest work is a masterpiece, with subtle images speaking louder than words. It takes an extraordinary filmmaker to craft every one of a film’s 164 minutes feel absolutely necessary. Not in an OMG-what’s-gonna-happen-next-train-wreck-who-dun-it? sort of way, but with a subtle hand that makes you…
THE SOCIAL RECKONING Review — The Battle of Words I’ve Been Desperately Craving
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Social Reckoning review tells you to put your phone away. The film will punish you if you don’t, and the irony is the point. Writer/director Aaron Sorkin has made what I like to call a verbal action thriller. There are no explosions, no car chases, and no gratuitous sex to jolt…
DIGGER Review — Damn the Naysayers, Tom Cruise’s Latest is Genius!
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Digger review says the film is either brilliantly outrageous or outrageously brilliant. Canine Critic Rocky agrees. This is the controversial film you’ve been hearing so much about, in which Tom Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an all-powerful, all-insane oil baron whose drilling has threatened the lives of millions of Europeans and then some.…
Now Playing — Canine Critic Rocky’s Reviews – 5 Favorite Films of Summer
The origin story of canine critic Rocky’s Reviews, and why it’s rapidly becoming the pick of the litter. Welcome to the Rocky Road to Hollywood! Little did I know that when I gave my Australian Labradoodle pup the cinematic name of “Rocky” — not for Balboa but for the charismatic, universe saving extra terrestrial in…
HEART OF THE BEAST Review — Wild Tears, Fears and Action
This Heart of the Beast review says Brad Pitt and his trusty dog Odin are an irresistible team, and Rocky the Canine Critic agrees. Whether you see it as manipulative or masterful, Heart of the Beast knows exactly where your soft spot is and leans into it with pure intent. Even if you think of…
Fabulous Crown Pigeon Island: The Latest Celebrity Must Have
Crown Pigeon Island in the Bahamas offers a cleverly designed golf course and eleven acres of luxe, private resort type amenities. What more could a multimillionaire desire? Larry Ellison has Lanai. Johnny Depp has Little Hall’s Pond Cay. David Copperfield has Musha Cay, and Richard Branson has Necker. Now a buyer whose fantasy runs to…
COYOTE VS ACME Review — The Anvils Drop, By Popular Demand
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Coyote vs Acme review says that this animated/live action Looney Tunes movie is finally getting its closeup, and most fans will find it worth the wait. After three years of shelved release dates, a tax write-off, a fan uprising, and one very unlikely rescue by an independent distributor most audiences have never…
