MONKEY MAN Review — Not for the Faint of Heart
In her Monkey Man review, Lisa Johnson Mandell writes that although it’s a well-made flick for the genre, the violence and mayhem are so disturbing she can’t recommend it. You can’t argue with Monkey Man‘s pedigree. It’s produced by Jordan Peele, while Slum Dog Millionaire’s Dev Patel writes, produces, and stars makes his directorial debut.…
GHOSTBUSTERS FROZEN EMPIRE Review — High Spirited Hijinks
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Ghostbusters Frozen Empire review says that the fantasmagoric film may not the best in the franchise, but there’s still much to like about the new generation that ain’t afraid of no ghosts. While this, the fifth installment of the something strange in the neighborhood franchise, may not be the strongest, it’s still…
MEAN GIRLS Review, THE BOOK OF CLARENCE Review — 1 Works
IIn her Mean Girls review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says the remake of the high school classic sings. But her The Book of Clarence review says the biblical dramady falters. Mean Girls Review Let’s settle one thing at the very beginning — if ‘rizz,’ a derivative of of ‘charisma,’ can be the 2023 word of the…
ARTHUR THE KING Review — This Good Boy Saves the Day
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Arthur the King review says that even though latest the Mark Wahlberg project may not be an award-worthy film, the dog, as usual, saves the day. Upfront, I’ll put out the reminder that I’m partial, susceptible and yes, hopelessly drawn to dog movies. Frankie Feldman is partially responsible for that. So yes,…
AMERICAN DREAMER Review — House Hunting Runs Amok
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s American Dreamer review says this home buying hell comedy is elevated by the soaring virtues of Peter Dinklage and Shirley MacLaine. You feel a bit of a kinship between The Holdovers and American Dreamer. Both center on curmudgeonly verging on misanthropic educators frustrated by their inability to reach certain goals, and get…
KUNG FU PANDA 4 Review — Packs a Lot of Punch
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Kung Fu Panda 4 review says that while this is not the most brilliant installment in the franchise, it’s bound to make a lot of kids happy, which will in turn satisfy the adults who see it with them. Really, does anyone expect much from the fourth installment of any series that…
Dune Part 2 Review — The First Glorious Epic of the Year
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Dune Part 2 review says that the year’s first blockbuster is a bracing spectacle that is well worth the wait. All the best movies take you on a journey through an intriguing world full of sights and sounds unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Even if you’ve read the books that inspired them,…
MADAME WEB Review — One for the Record Books, But Not in a Good Way
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Madame Web review wonders why a film with no romance, care, excitement or emotion was given a Valentine’s Day release. It seems a little cruel to dogpile on a movie that has been bashed even before it was released. But for the life of me, I’m having a really hard time coming…
ARGYLLE Review — Not the Cat’s Pajamas
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Argylle review says the film starts off as catnip and ends up as kitty litter, despite the best efforts of the engaging cast. Argylle starts out engagingly enough, with Bryce Dallas Howard (known mostly for her work in the Jurassic World franchise but whom we don’t see nearly enough of) playing introverted espionage…
NIGHT SWIM Review — Don’t be Afraid to Dive Right In
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Night Swim review says the latest Blumhouse movie is horror light, which is fine for those who don’t want to be too scared to go near the water. I usually defer to my fellow critic, horror expert Staci Layne Wilson, for reviews of frightening films. She knows so much more about the…
