12 Wondrous Ways to Watch THE ODYSSEY in Theaters — Which One’s Right For You?
With so many different ways to watch The Odyssey in theaters, options seem confusing and surprisingly pricy. Here’s a guide explaining pros and cons, for your maximum viewing pleasure. Let’s get one thing straight from the very beginning: you absolutely, positively must see Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in a theater. Not on your couch in…
THE ODYSSEY Review — The Next Great Historical Epic
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Odyssey review cries all hail to Christopher Nolan’s awe-inspiring epic! It could be the cinematic event of the decade. Some time after I left my 70mm screening of The Odyssey, having spent the entire two hours and 52 minutes absolutely riveted to the screen without dozing off for even a second,…
THE DINK Review — Can This Warm, Clever Comedy Serve Up a Win?
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Dink review — Is this gentle pickleball comedy a hit or a whiff? A committed pickleball enthusiast weighs in. I couldn’t watch Apple TV’s new The Dink without my bestie Sara by my side. Several years my junior, she is the Queen of the Pickleball scene in our neighborhood, and has…
Take a Peek Inside the Gorgeous Hollywood Home of Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford
If you live in or around LA, you may have hiked right by the longtime Hollywood Hills home of Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford without even knowing it. Now it can be yours. I’d have to say my favorite Hollywood couple is the duo comprised of Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren and acclaimed director Taylor…
The High-Octane Digger Trailer Astounds
If the Academy gave out awards for trailers, you can be sure the Digger trailer would be a major contender. I haven’t been this excited about a trailer since, well, since…I can’t even remember a trailer that got me this excited. Just to clue you in, Digger stars Academy Award winner Tom Cruise in bizarre…
5 Exclusive Recipes From ‘RockTails: 102 Drinks That Rock’
Famous rock musicians share their favorite drinks, or “Rocktails” for fun and a good cause in Staci Layne Wilson’s raucous new book. When it comes to rock music and alcoholic beverages, you might picture Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones weaving around onstage clutching a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and…
MOANA Review — The Live-Action Version Still Enchants
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Moana review says the award-winning music, the setting, the story and the cast bring a welcome island breeze to the cineplex. As a film critic, wherever I go there is someone, or two or three who asks me, “Have you seen ___? I heard it’s _____.” Lately, there are two films that…
GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS Review — Totally Oz-Some!
Lisa Johnson’s Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass review took hours to write, because she was repeatedly interrupted by fits of lascivious laughter and lingering libidinous lines. The title pretty much sums up the movie — if you know what a Celebrity Sex Pass involves. And those who are aware will giggle about it…
THE INVITE Review — The Dinner Party From Sexy Hell
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Invite review predicts Olivia Wilde’s small film with a four person cast will garner big laughs and bigger accolades. Although The Invite is the ultimate couples clash—an intimate evisceration of two very different marriages, I’d advise you not to see it with your romantic partner, but a good natured friend. Otherwise,…
MINIONS AND MONSTERS Review — Too Much of a Good Thing?
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Minions and Monsters review says the adorable little yellow guys are as engagingly chaotic as ever, but this time around they’re a bit overwhelming, proving that you can have too much of a good thing. I shamelessly confess that I adore Minions. So when I went to my critics screening of Minions…
