A QUIET PLACE Review — The Sound of Brilliance
A QUIET PLACE Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell If you would have told me I’d be absolutely riveted and wide awake through the entirety of an hour-and-a-half film with only about five minutes of dialogue, I would have told you you were demented. But to his ample credit, writer/director/star John Krasinski has come up with something…
ISLE OF DOGS Review — Labradoodle Frankie Feldman Says 'Bow Wow WOW!'
ISLE of DOGS Review — Good Boy, Wes Anderson! by Hollywood Hound Frankie Feldman As a furry family family guy who watches many a movie on the couch, I can tell you that the tastiest of all treats, writer/director Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, could change canine cinema forever. There is no doubt that this fido-licious…
LOVE, SIMON Review, TOMB RAIDER Review — Neither is What You Expected
TOMB RAIDER Review — LOVE, SIMON Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell LOVE, SIMON Review If John Hughes were making films today, Love, Simon might be what they’d look like. Although it treats a very current topic, it still has the same warm and shiny innocence of teen films of the ’80’s. Simon could well be…
A WRINKLE IN TIME Review — A Beautiful Mess
A WRINKLE IN TIME Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell At least it’s pretty Lovely to look at, impossible to follow, A Wrinkle in Time feels more like a psychedelic acid trip than a noble hero’s journey (not that I’ve ever been on either one). That might be acceptable for a grownup arthouse flick, but as an adaptation…
GAME NIGHT Review – ANNIHILATION Review — Laugh On or Nod Off
In her Game Night review and her Annihilation review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says one is frightful and the other is frightfully funny. GAME NIGHT Review You know those films where you feel like you’ve seen all the best parts in the trailer? This is not one of them. In fact, the trailer doesn’t do the…
BLACK PANTHER Review: It's a Girl Thing
BLACK PANTHER Review: I realize the film is significant for many reasons, but to me, one extraordinary aspect stands out above all others… by Lisa Johnson Mandell Marvel Comics geeks are swooning over what they say is one of the most brilliant and soulful adaptations ever, and zillions are celebrating the fascinating and diverse aspects…
Valentine Red — Celebrity Color Expert Jill Kirsh Reveals Which Hue is Right for You
The Perfect Valentine Red — Hollywood’s Guru of Hue Jill Kirsh and A-List celebs show you your true colors Valentine Red. Admit it, you’ll be wearing it this month, even if you’re not observing Feb. 14th or trying to shine on the red carpet. But caution, my dears. The wrong red for your coloring can…
PETER RABBIT Review — 15:17 TO PARIS Review – I See London, I See France
PETER RABBIT Review — 15:17 TO PARIS Review — A Clint Eastwood/James Corden Showdown PETER RABBIT Review You can feel just fine about hippity hopping to the theater with your children to see this part live action, part animated take on a beloved Beatrix Potter bunny tale. The animation is terrific, and the plot is adorable,…
12 STRONG Review – FOREVER MY GIRL Review — Surprising Reactions to Both
12 STRONG Review – FOREVER MY GIRL Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell 12 Strong Review – Unlikely heroes are a bright spot in a never ending war War movies are not usually my favorite genre, and even though 12 Strong stars the captivating Chris Hemsworth and the magnetic Michael Shannon, I was not looking forward…
Go Inside the 23rd Annual Critics Choice Awards
23rd Annual Critics Choice Awards — Everyone knows we’re among the best predictors of the Oscars While I didn’t personally pick all the winners, I certainly had a great time schmoozing with them at the 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards, Thursday, January 11, broadcast live on the CW from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. As…
