WILD HORSE NINE Review — Raucously Saddling Up for Awards
Lisa and Rocky’s Wild Horse Nine review says that this dark, off-kilter buddy comedy stars John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell in some of their best work yet—and that’s really saying something! At a time when dark and violent spy/special agent/secret service films seem to be relentlessly suffocating the average viewer, Wild Horse Nine arrives in…
LA BOLA NEGRA Review — A Massive Surprise
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s La Bola Negra review regrets that the stunning imagery and vision can’t quite stitch this patchwork quilt of a film together. Well color me surprised! I entered my critics screening of La Bola Negra (The Black Ball) with the highest of expectations. It was a critical darling, having won top awards at…
THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK Review — Mesmerizing Melancholia
Lisa’s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York review takes a somber and sentimental look at the Big Apple through the singular, soulful eyes of John Turturro in a career defining role. As the title craftily reveals, there are two stars in this Big Apple centered film: John Turturro’s waning and wistful pickpocket, and the…
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…
