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…
X MEN APOCALYPSE Review — Too Too
X Men Apocalypse Review by Lisa Johnson Mandell Of all the multitudinous superhero movies out this summer, X-Men: Apocalypse is certainly one of them. Not as dark and dreary as Batman vs Superman, but not as fun and clever as Captain America: Civil War.
MONEY MONSTER Review — A Great Investment
Money Monster is my kind of movie — talented, proven actors, lofty subject, twisty script and tight direction. But while I immensely enjoyed the film, and think you will too, the one element I anticipated would be its biggest asset turned out to be it’s biggest disappointment. George Clooney, one of my all time favorites, simply does not…
CAPTAIN AMERICA – CIVIL WAR Review — One of Marvel's Best and Brightest
One of my biggest concerns about superhero movies is that the main characters zip around, crashing and bashing bad guys, and leave a trail of collateral damage and decimated cities in their wake. No one seems to address that…until now. In fact, taking responsibility for the casualties is the very essence of Captain America – Civil…
