By Laurie Coker Rating: D+/C- Dog lovers will flock to see A Dog’s Purpose, based on the 2010 best-selling novel written by American humorist W. Bruce Cameron, but most will leave the theater disappointed. Top-billed veteran Dennis Quaid and actress Peggy Lipton (of Mod Squad fame) star alongside a variety of dogs in this overly… Continue reading Review: A DOG’S PURPOSE
Author: Laurie Coker
Review: SPLIT
By Laurie Coker Rating: C- Night Shyamalan wowed us all with The Sixth Sense, amused us with Signs, and some will say impressed viewers with Unbreakable, but since then, he has failed to offer anything in the way of shock and awe in storytelling. His latest film, Split, starring James McAvoy, does little to improve his… Continue reading Review: SPLIT
Review: 20th CENTURY WOMEN
By Laurie Coker Rating: A Many things delineate a generation – years, decades, the culture and the people. 20th Century Women manages to perfectly depict a period in the past, all the while making its themes feel 21st century relevant. Starring Annette Bening in an award-worthy performance, director Mike Mills’ semiautobiographical story is a showcase… Continue reading Review: 20th CENTURY WOMEN
Review: PATRIOTS DAY
By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ The Boston Marathon bombing is one of those events that embed themselves in the collective memory, like the shuttle explosions (the first in 1986), the Oklahoma City (1994) bombing and the twin towers going down (2001). We remember the good too, but the bad seems to burn far more deeply.… Continue reading Review: PATRIOTS DAY
Review: SILENCE
By Laurie Coker Rating: A- Martin Scorsese’s ambitious film Silence, starring Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver, delves into Christian ministries to Japan in the 15th century. Scorsese, who co-wrote Silence with Jay Cocks, took nearly three decades to get this visually passionate epic journey to screens. The emotional impact of Silence resonates long… Continue reading Review: SILENCE
Coker’s Morphing List of Best (and 10 Worst) for 2016
By Laurie Coker I am always perplexed this time of year when I hunker down and try to lay out a “best of” list. I scour over the names of films that I watched over the past nearly twelve months, and I peek at the lists created by other critics, even the ones in my hometown and… Continue reading Coker’s Morphing List of Best (and 10 Worst) for 2016
Review: FENCES
By Laurie Coker Rating: A- A fine line exists between creating an outstanding film from a stage production – be it a musical or standard play. Many have accomplished it successfully – consider Chicago, Pygmalion (aka My Fair Lady), Barefoot in the Park, Casa Blanca and the list goes on and on. It’s more difficult,… Continue reading Review: FENCES
Review: PASSENGERS
By Laurie Coker Rating: D+ It’s happening – the end of year, holiday, and pre-Oscar rush to entertain audiences of all ages. From sci-fi spectaculars to singing animals and serious drama to trashy comedy, it is all in theaters this week and next. Filmmakers vie to make it on critics’ list whether it is the… Continue reading Review: PASSENGERS
Review: ASSASSIN’S CREED
By Laurie Coker Rating: D- Video games rule the world of entertainment, at least if we take into consideration how many hours kids and some adults spend playing them. Many parents struggle this time of year to find gifts for children who statistically participate in far fewer outdoor activities and who ride bikes less often… Continue reading Review: ASSASSIN’S CREED
Review: SING
By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ With the wonderful and whimsical musical La La Land hitting theaters for the adults, Illumination Entertainment delivers the animated feature Sing to entertain children and adults alike. With the expressive and fun voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reece Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Riley, Seth MacFarlane and Taron Egerton writer, and… Continue reading Review: SING