McCarthy’s ‘Life of the Party’ dies on the screen

McCarthy’s ‘Life of the Party’ dies on the screen

By Chic DiCiccio Here’s a non-gender specific movie premise: Divorced, middle aged, college dropout decides to finish college with their about to graduate daughter. Hijinks ensue. No, it doesn’t star Adam Sandler. This is, in fact, another horrendous Melissa McCarthy comedy vehicle with an equally horrendous title, “Life of the Party.” It’s the third clunker […]

Movies and meatballs? Vetted Well says, ‘Yes!’

By Sara Newberry Alamo Drafthouse started in Austin in 1997 and has since expanded to 29 locations nationwide. The first Dallas-Fort Worth theatre opened in 2013, in Richardson, fo llowed by The Cedars in 2016 and now, Lake Highlands. The movie-going experience is the best I’ve had; they are serious about the no talking/texting rule, […]

Silly ‘Super Troopers 2’ offensive without offending

By Chic DiCiccio Do you remember “Caddyshack 2” or are you actively trying to forget that it exists? That’s what happens when comedy sequels go bad. A movie studio wants to cash in on the good ol’ days and tries to force a homogenized piece of garbage down the movie going public’s collective throat. Some […]

Johnson and friends go on violent but silly ‘Rampage’

Johnson and friends go on violent but silly ‘Rampage’

By Chic DiCiccio While making their press tour rounds, the cast of “Rampage” mentioned that they felt ridiculous acting against a green screen that would eventually become a giant albino gorilla. If that’s the case, it’s tough to fathom how they were able to spout out some truly insane dialogue. The urge to burst out […]

Monterrey’s great food stops traffic

By Sara Newberry It’s not a challenge to find a Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood, and it seems like I’ve visited all of them at least once. But I realized recently that I hadn’t tried the newer Monterrey on Garland Road. I visited the Monterrey on Greenville Avenue several years ago and, while it was […]

‘A Quiet Place’ must be experienced to be believed

By Chic DiCiccio “A Quiet Place” may be one of the best movies about the ups and downs of parenting ever. Of course, the ups include living to see another day and the downs involve a potential ghastly death. This thriller/horror film is a giant metaphor designed to prey on every nerve in the body […]

Pie Tap creates solid foundation with crust

Pie Tap creates solid foundation with crust

When Mellow Mushroom opened on Henderson, my firm opinion was that the last thing that stretch of road needed was another pizza place. That was, of course, before Pie Tap opened its doors. Mellow Mushroom closed in the summer of 2016, after less than a year. Pie Tap will be around for the duration. Pie […]

‘Death of Stalin’ takes unbelievable leaps for laughs

‘Death of Stalin’ takes unbelievable leaps for laughs

By Chic DiCiccio By Chic DiCiccio In January of this year, the Russian Ministry of Culture banned “The Death of Stalin.” Their office called this scathing, bitingly funny satire an example of “ideological warfare.” That information alone should be the biggest selling point for “The Death of Stalin.” Anyone who has seen “In the Loop” […]

Vikander’s choices inspired in ‘Tomb Raider’

Vikander’s choices inspired in ‘Tomb Raider’

By Chic DiCiccio There really isn’t a more perfect choice to play an adventure-seeking video game heroine than Alicia Vikander. Like Angelina Jolie before her, Vikander has the athleticism and screen presence to make an outrageous premise like that in “Tomb Raider” seem plausible. It’s a shame that this reboot is an overcooked assault on […]