X JAPAN Founder Yoshiki Opens His Amazing Studio to Introduce New Documentary
We Are X documents flamboyant X Japan drummer and founder Yoshiki in his efforts break into the American market by James Mandell Credited for bringing metal-head culture and spectacle to Japanese audiences in the late 80’s, X Japan, billed as “the world’s biggest band you’ve never heard of,” was revered for their high energy performances and melodic anthems. They sold 30…
Sully Review — Grounded by a Leaden Script
Sully is one of those films you hate to criticize because of its pedigree: Clint Eastwood directing Tom Hanks in a film about American hero Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who was somehow able to make an emergency landing in an Airbus A320 on the Hudson River, and not lose a single passenger. And while I will say the film has…
Panting for the New Malibu Mix from Gaslamp Popcorn
Film critics can’t help but become popcorn aficionados. It’s one of the hazards of the job. I’ve doubtless sat in hundreds of theaters, watched thousands of movies, and downed millions of kernels of popcorn in my day, and I hate to say it, but I’ve gotten to the point where I mostly mindlessly munch. The big…
THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS Review — Mournfully Beautiful
The Light Between Oceans Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell Relentlessly beautiful, relentlessly sad. I’m not quite sure who the audience will be for this well-acted heartbreaker. Doubtless the book club members who sobbed over the period bestseller by M.L. Stedman will throng the theaters, as well as those who are fans of the uber talented Michael Fassbender…
Rent a Mermaid — L.A.'s Hottest New Must-Have Party Favor
Lisa Johnson Mandell and Hollywood Hound Frankie Feldman are lured by the siren song of Rent a Mermaid Linden Just when I thought I’d covered all the essentials for Frankie Feldman’s Barkmitzvah, (he’s almost 13 in dog years). I attend The Agency‘s amazing “Midsummer’s Night Dream” party at a lavish estate in The Oaks of Calabasas, and I realize…
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS Review — An Early Oscar Contender
In her Florence Foster Jenkins review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says the tender comedy is something to sing about. I need to state right up front that I’m not of the impression that just because a film stars Meryl Streep, that doesn’t necessarily make it Oscar worthy. Just take a look at Ricki and the Flash, The Giver and Death…
SUICIDE SQUAD Review — Wildly Entertaining
Suicide Squad Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell Sometimes I feel like throwing Rotten Tomatoes at Rotten Tomatoes, and I know I’m not alone. While my Suicide Squad review is quite positive, on the whole, the latest film from the DC Comics universe only rated 30% fresh on RT, when last I looked. According to Business Insider, the fans…
WAR DOGS Review — A Bone to Pick
War Dogs review — Lisa Johnson Mandell thinks the subject is no laughing matter If you’re looking for the raucous comedy you might be expecting from Jonah Hill, director Tod Phillips of the Hangover trilogy, and the bouncy trailer, you’re going to be a wee bit disappointed. Although War Dogs has it’s lighter moments, mostly…
JASON BOURNE Review — Enough Already!
I need to preface my Jason Bourne review by telling you that I am not a fan of the franchise, nor the style of director Paul Greengrass. That handheld shaky cam makes me seasick, and the incessant two second cuts give me an eye strain headache. I am a fan of character development and dialogue, however, both…
STAR TREK BEYOND Review — Pretty Damn Fabulous
STAR TREK BEYOND Review – by James Mandell The thing about all those overblown special effects blockbusters is there’s only so much real estate you can appropriate when battling super villains and destroying multiple metropolises on Earth. So the folks at Bad Robot, after what can only have been exhaustive rounds of gathering focus group…
