ELIO Review — Pixar Swings Sticky Sweet
Look out! Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Elio review places this children’s alien buddy movie near the bottom of Pixar’s illustrious heap. But that’s still not so bad. I need to ask this question yet again: why do so many Disney films lead with a protagonists who have lost their parents, either permanently or temporarily? I…
2025 Fathers Day Gift Guide — Make Dad Feel Like a Star
Your dad, friend, uncle, whomever will feel like a celebrity when you give him any one of these original, fun and festive prezzies from our annual Fathers Day Gift Guide. When preparing our annual Fathers Day gift guide, there were several things we crossed off the list immediately. Ties? Don’t even think about ’em! Ties…
ZERO DAY Review, PARADISE Review — Tandy vs Lisa on The Hollywood Beat
In their Paradise review and Zero Day review, Tandy Culpepper and Lisa Johnson Mandell give their takes on two TV dramas that are already getting Emmy buzz. High concept. It’s a compound adjective used to describe certain film and TV projects, and it’s defined as “a simple, easily grasped idea or premise that forms the…
BALLERINA Review — John Wick Inspired Mayhem on Point
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Ballerina review notes that although the film stumbles on occasion, it’s a satisfying addition to the John Wick universe. Ballerina, the much anticipated John Wick spinoff, takes place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, which is a really slick way to tie-in the iconic Keanu Reeves character, reported…
MOUNTAINHEAD Review — Fleece Clad, High Tech Terror
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Mountainhead review says that HBO Max’s latest streaming film is razor sharp, frightfully prescient and punctuated by some of the best acting you’ll see on a small screen. Succession director, writer and executive producer Jesse Armstrong didn’t intend for the HBO Max streaming film Mountainhead to be a horror film, yet it…
Results of the Critics Choice Real TV Awards — Don’t Judge!
Even if you claim to hate reality TV, betcha some of your favorite shows are among this year’s winners of the Critics Choice Real TV Awards. I know a lot of you erudite small screen fans turn up your noses at reality TV. “I don’t watch that stuff, it’s dreadful!” you scoff, then you start…
JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE Review — A New, Top 5 Romcom
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Jane Austen Wrecked My Life review says this literary, French/English romcom is the best in show for the ages. I sure didn’t see this one coming! I now have a new favorite movie of the year so far, and and a strong addition to my list of Top 5 romcoms of all…
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE–THE FINAL RECKONING Review — It’s Everything!
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning review says the action will keep your heart pumping and your head spinning. Thrilling? Check! Adrenalin pumping? Of course! Action filled? Obviously! Absurd? Absolutely! That very absurdity is half the fun. It’s called Mission: Impossible, for heaven’s sake. It’s supposed to be filled with death-defying stunts…
LILO & STITCH Review — 1 of the Best in Genre
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Lilo & Stitch review says this is one of the best, least gratuitous live action versions of a Disney classic yet. In general, I’m not a big fan of the live action remakes of Disney classic animated films. Not that they’re poorly made movies, it’s just that they seem like such callous…
THINGS LIKE THIS Review — A Refreshingly Authentic Rom Com
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Things Like This review says it’s not just “feel good” movie, it’s much more. With Pride Month approaching in June, there’s no better time to celebrate authentic queer storytelling, and Max Talisman’s feature directorial debut Things Like This delivers exactly that—a romantic comedy that ditches Hollywood’s tired formulas in favor of genuine…
