HAMNET Review, BUGONIA Review — 2 Top 5 Favorites
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Hamnet review and Bugonia review reveal two of the films in her Top 5 List of 2025. Their mastery and originality are staggering. Hamnet review There’s one word that I hear most often in descriptions, reviews or conversations about the film Hamnet, and that would be ‘tears,’ followed by ‘cry.’ That’s saying…
CAUGHT STEALING Review — Strikes Out With Savage Violence
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Caught Stealing review says that the clever story and game acting are overwhelmed by astoundingly savage violence. Caught Stealing is literally painful proof that you can’t judge a movie by its trailer, poster or director. From the promotion, you’d think it might be violent but tongue in cheek, somewhat amusing crime caper,…
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…
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…
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…
FURIOSA Review — Phenomenal 5th in a Full Throttle Franchise
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Furiosa review says the film is a blazingly brilliant and bizarre battle of the senses. More than a movie, it’s an experience. Buckle up, mates! Unrivaled Aussie director George Miller is back with his own brand of bombastic beauty. The adrenalin rush from Furiosa — A Mad Max Saga will rev your…
Which Pink Looks Best on Me? Your Celebrity Guide for How to Look Prettiest in Pink
Before you go shopping for something that shows your inner Barbie spirit, you may want to consider the question, ‘Which pink looks best on me?’ If there was ever a color of the year, without a doubt 2023 is the year of pink. All the pink publicity leading up to the Barbie movie, through the…
TICKET TO PARADISE Review — Lands Safely, Full of Charm
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Ticket to Paradise review says if Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Bali can’t save the great American romcom, nothing can. We all know the American romcom is in trouble. Movies about boy (or girl) meets girl, boy loses girl (or guy), boy or girl get girl or guy back, just don’t fill movie…
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Review — Other Worldly
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness review says it’s both darker and lighter than most other Marvel offerings, with special effects that can still thrill and chill. We all knew going in that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would not be like any other film in the Marvel Universe. Taking…
MARRY ME Review — Should You Say ‘I Do’ to This J-Lo Rom Com?
In her Marry Me review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says the film checks all the right boxes. It’s a See’s Scotchmallow, just in time for Valentine’s Day. How long has it been since we’ve seen a fun, flashy rom come in which boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy…. you know the drill. Too long in…
