32 WEEKS Review — An Unforgettable Millennial Amnesia Drama
32 Weeks review — Lisa Johnson Mandell says writer/director Brian Cavallaro zeroes in on the pre-pandemic Millennial lifestyle, spicing it up with romance and mystery. First of all, major kudos go to writer/director Brian Cavallaro (Against The Night, The Last Movie Star), for making a coherent film on a $10,000 budget. People spend more than…
What it Would Look Like if These Famous Directors Designed Your Home Office
What if iconic helmers like Sofia Coppola, the Wachowskis or Pedro Almodovar created your workspace? Behold these concepts of what it would look like if famous directors designed your home office. You loved our feature on how famous directors might design you professional workspace, so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give you some ideas…
All the Nominees for the Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards
The inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards will recognize movies and TV shows in the critically under appreciated genres of Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, Action and Animation. The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced the nominees for the inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards, a special event honoring the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across both television and…
HILLBILLY ELEGY Review — A Serviceable Vehicle for Award-Worthy Performances
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Hillbilly Elegy review says performances by Amy Adams and Glenn Close are sure to strum up Oscar attention. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis was written by J. D. Vance, a story of addiction, relationships, one family’s take on Appalachian values, and overcoming incredible odds. The book…
REBECCA Review — Lush, Lovely and Intriguing
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Rebecca review says this new take on an Oscar winning classic does not disappoint. It’s a daunting task to attempt a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s Best Picture winning 1940 classic starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. I’m giving writer/director Ben Wheatley major credit for even going near the project, and crafting his own…
THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 Review — The Whole World is Watching
In her The Trial of the Chicago 7 review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says the Aaron Sorkin written and directed film will be an instant classic. It isn’t easy these days to make a fresh, riveting and resonant legal drama. Some of cinema’s most memorable films have focused on trials (To Kill a Mockingbird, Judgement at…
THE GLORIAS Review — An Engaging Long Look at the Life of a Feminist Icon
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Glorias review says director and co-writer Julie Taymor brings a fanciful, artsy twist to an important biopic. I wasn’t old enough to be aware of Gloria Steinem’s both celebrated and vilified efforts on behalf of women’s rights. I do remember being lectured, at a conservative church girls’ camp, about the dangers of…
MULAN Review — Fine But Not Fantastic
Critic Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Mulan review says the long awaited live action Disney film is good but not great. Still, it’s definitely worth the $30. With all Disney’s resources of Disney, including all the bells and whistles an estimated $200 million can buy, I was expecting something a little more on the Crouching Tiger, Hidden…
The Penny Marshall Estate Sale — You Won’t Want to Miss It!
Highlights of the Penny Marshall Estate Sale — who knew she had so many fabulous things? And some are reasonably priced! Everyone knew that the great Penny Marshall, who passed away in December of 2018, was a superlative comedic actress, director and producer. But who knew she was such a fascinating collector? Fans and…
The LAST MOVIE STAR Review — Burt Reynolds’ Swan Song is a Real Treat
The Last Movie Star review— Lisa Johnson Mandell says Adam Rifkin’s film, Burt Reynolds swan song, is a poignant and entertaining treasure. Feeling like you’ve just about finished Netflix and Amazon and are looking for something new/old to watch? May I suggest a film that you might have missed if it ever came to a…
