M3GAN 2.0 Review — What’s Creepier Than an Evil Doll? AI!
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s M3gan 2.0 review says the sequel doesn’t reach the level of the original, but what sequel ever does? It’s still a good time. While the original M3gan was a nice mix of three parts horror, two parts comedy, Meg3n 2.0, as the title indicates, is an advanced conglomeration of genres, including sci-fi,…
F1 THE MOVIE Review — Brad Pitt is Back On the Fast Track
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s F1 the Movie review says it’s the summer blockbuster we’ve been waiting for. Just watch the speedometer on your way home. Cars, chemistry, charisma, competition, crashes, and Brad Pitt — what more could you ask for in a movie? If this Pitt vehicle about the twist and turns of Formula One racing…
SEVERANCE Review — THE WHITE LOTUS Review — 2 Buzzy Dramas
Film and TV Critics Lisa Johnson Mandell and Tandy Culpepper give their Severance review and The White Lotus review on The Hollywood Beat podcast. Both series come with flaws, but they’re highly entertaining. The White Lotus review — Season 3 differs from 1 and 2 Mike White’s biting satirical dramedy The White Lotus…
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…
2 Laughs in 1 — THE STUDIO Review, THE BEAR Review on The Hollywood Beat
The Hollywood Beat Podcast reveals that Lisa and Tandy are pretty much on the same page in their The Studio review and The Bear review. The question is, how will Emmy voters decide between these two? The Studio review — 4 Thumbs up The Studio is Hollywood’s funhouse mirror. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg—alongside…
2025’s HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Review — Moving and Magical
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s How to Train Your Dragon review says the live action version of the animated favorite is a feisty feast for a new generation. It was only a matter of time before Universal joined Disney in reimagining their animated favorites as live action versions. The Mouse House, after all, seems to be raking…
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…
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…
