Fans of Stephen King’s eerie novel ‘Pet Sematary’ and those who remember the chilling 1989 adaptation might have once wished for a sequel or a remake. Hollywood granted those wishes, but the results were mixed. Too often, Hollywood attempts to create equally successful prequels or sequels and fails. And we now have ‘Pet Sematary: Bloodlines,’… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023 Pet Sematary: Bloodlines – the Idea Should have Stayed Buried
Author: Laurie Coker
Fantastic Fest: The Creator – Intense and Awe-inspiring
Gareth Edwards delivers an epic sci-fi fantasy film at Fantastic Fest 2023 and in theaters nationwide on Friday, September 29th. The Rogue One director has given us an impressively stunning, visually exciting take on AI and humankind in the future with a clear and timely message. Surprisingly, he doesn’t put the United States at the… Continue reading Fantastic Fest: The Creator – Intense and Awe-inspiring
Fantastic Fest: Strange Darling – a Thriller filled with Surprises
True crime, murder porn (as some call it), and serial killers, like train wrecks, mesmerize many. People seem fascinated by podcasts, shows like Dateline and Cold Case Files, and movies depicting the likes of Ted Bundy and Son of Sam and all those who came before and after. In line with public appeal, Strange Darling… Continue reading Fantastic Fest: Strange Darling – a Thriller filled with Surprises
Fantastic Fest: Last Stop in Yuma County – Not a Typical Western
Gems pop up unexpectedly at festivals. Sometimes more than anticipated. This year’s Fantastic Fest has several. My favorite so far is The Last Stop in Yuma County, starring Jim Cummings, for its quirky western (not a western) feel and well-crafted scenarios and characters. Writer/director Francis Galluppi creates a clever, crisp, and crafty situation that builds,… Continue reading Fantastic Fest: Last Stop in Yuma County – Not a Typical Western
A Million Miles Away – Shoots for the Stars
We never forget certain things, like when Kennedy was shot, towers went down, and each of the NASA Space shuttles exploded. Events such as these stay in our collective memories, and we pass those memories on to our children. A Million Miles Away doesn’t follow one of these ill-fated events; rather, it reminds us of… Continue reading A Million Miles Away – Shoots for the Stars
A Haunting in Venice – Not True to Christie, but Close
I first fell in love with mysteries as a child with The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, but Agatha Christie lit the fire that keeps me reading, watching, and writing mysteries. It is a passion I used to share with my mom. Director Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green adapt (changing many aspects of the… Continue reading A Haunting in Venice – Not True to Christie, but Close
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3: Unnecessary but CUTE
When a film does decently at the box office, filmmakers often consider sequels. Sometimes, the sequel pays off, and other times not. If a second film bombs, it’s best to let the series lie, but despite abysmal reviews, for number two, the makers of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise have made a third… Continue reading My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3: Unnecessary but CUTE
Bottoms – A Rauncy, Coming-of-Age Comedy
I feel like little surprises me these days, but Bottoms, a high school coming-of-age film with a twist, did. Bottoms, directed by Emma Seligman, opened at SXSW this year and nationwide this week, making many teen angst movies seem pale regarding vulgarity and brutality. Produced by Elizabeth Banks, Bottoms’ takes girl empowerment to an entirely… Continue reading Bottoms – A Rauncy, Coming-of-Age Comedy
Shrapnel – Jason Patric Can’t Save this Tired Tale
Shrapnel, starring Jason Patric suffers from a stock, overused storyline that is only saved by Patric himself. Director William Kaufman takes a basic missing child story and, along with Patric, creates a decent if not a bit slow and predictable, tale of a father’s determination to find his daughter. While it could be better, Shrapnel… Continue reading Shrapnel – Jason Patric Can’t Save this Tired Tale
Meg 2: The Trench – So Ridiculous, It Entertains!
There are two simple reasons why a film company doesn’t offer critic or fan pre-screenings – the franchise creators feel no need and expect to make millions easily, OR the filmmakers want to sell as many tickets as they can before word gets out that the movie sucks. Ironically, Meg 2: The Trench falls somewhere… Continue reading Meg 2: The Trench – So Ridiculous, It Entertains!