FREE STATE OF JONES Review plus 3 More Big Indies
FREE STATE OF JONES REVIEW — THE NEON DEMONS REVIEW — INTO THE FOREST REVIEW — WEINER DOG REVIEW So many independent films were released this week I can’t begin to review, or even see, them all, but I thought I’d give you a rundown of the films you’ve probably heard the most about. FREE…
FINDING DORY Review — Absolutely Adoryble!
I always like to take a precocious child or two with me when I review animated films, because no matter how much I love or loathe the script, animation, music, etc., in the end, all that matters is whether it can capture the heart of a child. And my Finding Dory review will assure you that Pixar’s…
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE Review — Little Hart, Big Johnson
Slap my face and call me puerile, the new buddy comedy from Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson had me giggling and guffawing throughout. And no, it had nothing to do with “The Rock’s” perky pecks, although I’m with Melissa McCarthy in her response to them. Her Central Intelligence review would probably be the same as…
Dog Film Festival — Pooch Party Premiere and Screenings
Haute dog! My three favorite things: Dogs, movies and my husband (not necessarily in that order) all came together at once over the weekend, in the first-ever LA Dog Film Festival and Pooch Party premiere, hosted at the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital. Hollywood Hound Frankie Feldman was thrilled, and in fine form.
NOW YOU SEE ME 2 Review — Not as Magical as the First, But Still…
Now You See Me 2 Review — By Lisa Johnson Mandell A movie based on glitzy, glamorous magic tricks performed by magicians played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Lizzy Caplan (the Masters of Sex star filling in for Isla Fisher) can’t help but be some fun. Especially when they’re back as the fabulous…
ME BEFORE YOU Review — A Whole Lot of Crying Going On
ME BEFORE YOU Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell If you liked Jo Jo Moyes’ novel Me Before You (which I did) and if you’re semi-obsessed with Emilia Clarke’s Daenarys Targaryan in Game of Thrones (which I am), you are SO going to love this movie! Sure, it’s as treacly sweet and sunshine saturated as the weepiest Nicholas…
ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS Review — An Unflattering Reflection
Alice Through the Looking Glass starts out with one of the best, most riveting pirate ship chases I’ve ever seen, promising Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as a kickass heroine on a first rate adventure. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t keep that promise.
POPSTAR Review — NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING
PopStar Review by David Freedman Andy Samberg co-wrote and stars in this on-the-nose mockumentary about Conner4Real, a hip-hop teen idol whose newest solo release bombs, forcing him to consider reuniting with his former boy band members, The Style Boyz. What makes this movie so much fun is that no one is safe from being skewered…
THE NICE GUYS Review — Boogie, Booze, Broads, Brilliance
THE NICE GUYS Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell Even if you didn’t grow up in the ’70’s, you’ll love this retro cop comedy starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. And if you did grow up in the ’70’s? You’ll love it even more. The music, the clothes, the cars, the hair, the banter — even the…
