A COMPLETE UNKNOWN Review, THE FIRE INSIDE Review, NOSFERATU Review — All Open Dec 25
Hopefully, this A Complete Unknown review, The Fire Inside review and the Nosferatu review will help you decide which, if any, to see if you’re heading to the cineplex on Christmas Day. A Complete Unknown Review Even if the Bob Dylan phenomena began well before you were born, you’ll be riveted by this soulful and…
MUFASA Review — Will You Feel the Love?
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Mufasa review says it may not soar to the heights of its predecessor but it’s still fun family entertainment. It ain’t easy coming up with a prequel to one of Disney’s most beloved musicals of all time. How can you possibly rival Elton John classics like “Hakuna Matata” and “Can Your Feel…
MARIA Review, NIGHTBITCH Review, THE SUBSTANCE Review — 3 Best Actress Noms?
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Maria review, Nightbitch review and The Substance review says Angelina Jolie, Amy Adams and Demi Moore outperform their films, and could well be nominated. Maria Review Sumptuous and stylish as a film based on the life of opera star Maria Callas should be, Maria, Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s latest film about iconic,…
BABYGIRL Review, QUEER Review — 2 Big Stars Take Huge Risks
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Babygirl review and Queer review says that even A-list stars like Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig can’t guarantee a film’s appeal. Babygirl Review Powerful CEO risks career and family by having a torrid affair with a much younger intern. It’s not the most original of concepts. Nor is starting out a film…
GLADIATOR II Review — Sacrifices Soul to Spectacle
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Gladiator II review says there are plenty of alt-Rome sword and sandals thrills, but few emotional chills in Ridley Scott’s intended epic. Gladiator II picks up some 20 years after the original, the Academy Award winning Gladiator, left off. The celebrated warrior Maximus (Russell Crowe) is long gone but not forgotten, and…
WICKED Review — Can It Really Defy Gravity?
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Wicked review addresses the question of whether or not the film lives up to the insane hype. Wicked could well be the most heavily promoted and anticipated film of 2024. Who doesn’t know that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo play Glinda and Elphaba, that Jeff Goldbloom is the Wizard, and that Jonathan…
NICKEL BOYS Review, A REAL PAIN Review — Could They Be Contenders?
In Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Nickel Boys review and A Real Pain review, two radically different Oscar hopefuls are explored and explained. Nickel Boys Review Nickel Boys is the gut wrenching story of the intellectually gifted Ellwood Curtis and his journey to adulthood via the brutal Florida reform “school” known as the Nickel Academy. The film…
EMILIA PEREZ Review — Completely Unexpected and Original
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Emilia Pérez review says it’s a grand musical crime thriller unlike anything you’ve ever seen—flamboyantly original. The less you know about the plot of the wildly creative and electrifying Emilia Pérez, the better. Let’s just say it’s about a vicious Mexican cartel leader who goes on a mission of redemption, and leave…
IT’S COMING Review — A Paranormal Doc That Hits Close to Home
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s It’s Coming review says this is an intriguing paranormal documentary with a twist. Director Shannon Alexander’s compelling new documentary It’s Coming brings a refreshingly authentic voice to the often-sensationalized genre of paranormal investigation. At its heart is Ashley Roland-White, a successful day trader and mother of five, whose matter-of-fact approach to her…
HERETIC Review — Religiously Captivating and Creepy
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Heretic review recounts how the cerebral horror film turns every Mormon missionary’s nightmare into a psychopath’s dream. Long ago, in another life, I could truly relate to the harrowing experiences of Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton in Heretic. I wore the badge, I knocked the doors, and I feared the always terrifying…
