HERETIC Review — Religiously Captivating and Creepy
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Heretic review recounts how the cerebral horror film turns every Mormon missionary’s nightmare into a psychopath’s dream. Long ago, in another life, I could truly relate to the harrowing experiences of Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton in Heretic. I wore the badge, I knocked the doors, and I feared the always terrifying…
GOODRICH Review — Michael Keaton Brings It Home
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Goodrich review says the Michael Keaton vehicle is deeper and more universal than your average dramady. On the surface, Goodrich might seem like a light-hearted modern family dramady starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, with notable supporting performances from Andie MacDowell, Kevin Pollak, Michael Urie and the extremely promising young Vivian Lyra…
JOKER: FOLIE à DEUX Review — Joke’s on the Haters – It’s Sublime!
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Joker: Folie à Deux review says the film is not at all what fan boys expected, and is all the better for it. Several months ago, when I saw the latest trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux, I was dazzled, and believed the film was going to be epic. Then it premiered…
THE SHADE Review — Family Trauma Meets Supernatural Chills
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Shade review says it’s a Halloween chiller with heart. The Shade is a dramatic horror film that offers a compelling exploration of family trauma, viewed primarily through the lens of twenty-year-old Ryan Beckman. Director Tyler Chipman, working from his own screenplay co-written with David Purdy, crafts a narrative that blends domestic…
MEGALOPOLIS Review — A Film Icon’s Fever Dream
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Megalopolis review says Francis Ford Coppola’s legacy epic is everything you’ve heard and more…but not in a good way. I’d heard from film festival goers that Francis Ford Coppola’s lavish epic was, in a word, a “mess,” but when I watched the trailer I thought it looked intriguing, and I was eager…
SUPERMAN – THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY Review — Packs a Punch
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Superman – The Christopher Reeve Story review says it’s an inspiring and surprising doc about a remarkable man, his family, his friends, and his fight. Bring plenty of tissues. There is so much I’d forgotten, or perhaps never knew, about Christopher Reeve. This moving documentary reminded and inspired me, in the warmest…
TRANSFORMERS ONE Review — Terrifically Transformed Animation
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Transformers One review reveals the heretofore inconceivable: It’s one of the best animated films of the year! I never thought I’d see myself write this about a Transformers movie, but Transformers One is actually an exceptional film! I used to dread going to these live action/animation mashups, because I found them to…
SPEAK NO EVIL Review — It Could Happen to You! Bwahaha!
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Speak No Evil review says James McAvoy is gleefully chilling on this weekend in hell. As you may know, I’m not a big fan of horror movies. If I can get someone else to review them for me I will, because I can’t get those images out of my head, I have…
I’LL BE RIGHT THERE Review — Edie Falco Battles the Middle Age Blues
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s I’ll Be Right There review says Edie Falco and a game cast give this subtle indie about when it’s okay to put yourself first. Ever since The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie, I’d happily be glued to the screen watching Edie Falco in anything — even an eczema medication commercial. So I was…
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE Review: A Frisky, Frantic Return
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice review says nostalgic viewers will enjoy it, but it may be tough on newbies. The first few minutes of the film set us up for something freakily familiar and fun. We get a drone’s eye view of a quaint, colorful New England town in autumn, accompanied by a Danny Elfman…
