Author: Laurie Coker

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Old-school, gritty Westerns are challenging to come by, or so it seems, but ‘Old Henry,’ starring Tim Blake Nelson, comes as close to a true cowboy flick as any of late. Writer/director Potsy Ponciroli has created a slow-burn Western filled with twists and turns. The perfect vehicle for Nelson, ‘Old… Continue reading OLD HENRY

By Laurie Coker Rating: C- Clint Eastwood’s filmmaking in front and behind the camera is legendary and iconic. He has created unique, memorable characters and directed impressive films. Now in his 90’s, the veteran is still drawing at the box office, but perhaps, this is the time to sit back and enjoy his later years.… Continue reading CRY MACHO

By Laurie Coker Rating: C There seems to be a more noticeable trend now for taking traditional male roles and casting women in them, especially in the violent action film genre. The problem with this lies in the fact that these stories aren’t fresh. Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan makes a genuine effort to create an action-packed… Continue reading KATE

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- Admittedly, horror films don’t thrill me. I prefer old-school scary movies like Hitchcock’s. He knew how to terrify with implication and camera angles and not gratuitous violence and floods of blood. Director James Wan’s ‘Malignant’ does use some impressive approaches to the terror factor, but ultimately, he relies far too… Continue reading MALIGNANT

By Laurie Coker Rating: A- When is too soon, after a tragedy – to move on, to forgive, to laugh?  ‘Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11’ answers the question of when it is too soon to be situationally funny. The nation and the world witnessed the horrific events of the terror attack on the United States,… Continue reading TOO SOON: COMEDY AFTER 9/11

By Laurie Coker Rating: D+ Well-crafted, slow-burn character-driven dramas can entertain more effectively than those riddled with nonstop action. Still, under the hand of an ineffective director, slow-burn can turn to listless and dull. ‘The Gateway,’ starring Shae Whigham and Oliva Munn, smolders so sluggishly and somberly that the story gets lost in the shadows… Continue reading THE GATEWAY

By Laurie Coker Rating: C- Our memories, good or bad, often drive us and guide our lives. Still, some events are better forgotten, like the over two hours spent watching ‘Reminiscence’ starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, and Thandie Newton. Writer/director Lisa Joy bites off a lofty challenge of playing with time and memories and ends… Continue reading REMINISCENCE

By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ Director Shawn Levy with a crisp, although not particularly fresh, script by Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn, creates a wild world where gaming and reality intersect in an action-packed, hilarious character-driven romp. ‘Free City’ creators don’t draw from a single video game, or a sitcom, or any other source material,… Continue reading FREE GUY