GLASS ONION Review — A Many Layered Mystery
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Glass Onion review says that if you liked director Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, you’ll love his followup—it’s more fun than the first! The only thing awkward about Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is the official title. Once you get past it, the film flows fabulously, flaunting fun, frolic, fashion and flash at…
THE FABELMANS Review — Every Movie Lover’s Must See
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Fabelmans review says that the semi-autobiographical coming of age film about one of the world’s greatest filmmakers reminds us all why we go to the movies. Without depending on flashy special effects, extreme violence or major shock value, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a truly epic film, relying on superlative storytelling and…
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER Review — The Cub Comes of Age
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Black Panther Wakanda Forever review says that despite the fact that it falls sort of its predecessor and lacks gravitas, it’s still highly entertaining. My feelings about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are complicated—as is the film. There are some great moments, but do they add up to an overall great film? Not…
BLACK ADAM Review — Let’s Just Say It Doesn’t Rock
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Black Adam review says the film misses just about every mark it intends to hit, ending up as an origin story better left untold. Oy vey, I was SO unprepared for the mind boggling mess that is Black Adam. With a seemingly unlimited CGI budget, one of the most charismatic and one…
TICKET TO PARADISE Review — Lands Safely, Full of Charm
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Ticket to Paradise review says if Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Bali can’t save the great American romcom, nothing can. We all know the American romcom is in trouble. Movies about boy (or girl) meets girl, boy loses girl (or guy), boy or girl get girl or guy back, just don’t fill movie…
All You Need to Know About LIMITLESS WITH CHRIS HEMSWORTH
Disney+ recently revealed the official trailer for the original series Limitless with Chris Hemsworth from National Geographic, and we are so ready! In the six-part documentary series, global movie star Chris Hemsworth (Extraction, Thor, The Avengers) takes viewers on a rollercoaster personal journey as he explores how to combat aging and discover the full potential…
AMSTERDAM Review — A Quirky, Convoluted, Comedic Thriller
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Amsterdam review says you should come for the cast, stay for the intriguing, although convoluted, story and message. Half of this review could be taken up just by mentioning the A-List actors, most giving performances that are refreshingly unlike anything we’ve seen from them before. Their numbers are great and mighty. Let’s…
DON’T WORRY DARLING Review — A Lush World of Controversy
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s positive Don’t Worry Darling review says it’s a riveting psychological thriller in lovely, lush and lascivious wrapping. Don’t Worry Darling has had so many rumors swirling around it that it’s almost impossible to separate the drama off screen from the drama on screen. While that, and Harry Styles’ lusty and intrepid fan base,…
Blonde Review — Marilyn Monroe Exploited Further in Fiction
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Blonde review says that this fictional take on the life and times of Marilyn Monroe plays dark and dirty with the beloved American icon, although Ana de Armas in the lede role is a true revelation. In preparation to the film Blonde, I started to read the source material, Joyce Carol Oates’ critically…
CONFESS FLETCH Review — A Low Key Revival of the Chevy Chase Comedy Classic
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Confess Fletch review says the film is a bit of a yawner, despite the best efforts of Jon Hamm and a game cast. Jon Hamm as the low-key, wise cracking investigative reporter “of some repute” appears to be promising casting. While he’s not known for his slapstick comedy ala Chevy Chase who…
