Author: Laurie Coker

By Laurie Coker Rating: B There is no fine line between “based on a true story” and reality in movie making. In fact, more often than not, embellishing rules out. Hollywood has a field day on adding elements to enhance the story for a film. War Dogs starring Miles Teller and Jonah Hill, much like Wolf… Continue reading Review: WAR DOGS

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Kubo and the Two Strings should be seen in 2D. Of course, this is a simple opinion, but the 3D aspect did little to enhance the exceptional animation from the director of Box Trolls and Paranorman, Travis Knight and LAIKA studios. Writers Marc Haimes and Chris Butler weave a visually… Continue reading Review: KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

By Laurie Coker Rating: C We have all had “bad mom” moments – some we admit and some we will take to our grave. With that in mind, three moms (of varying ages), a soon-to-be mom and I attended an Alamo Draft House screening of the new film Bad Moms, starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell,… Continue reading Review: BAD MOMS

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Nice Guys can finish first when it comes to guys like Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in particular. Their new buddy film works on a variety of entertaining levels because of their delightful onscreen chemistry, excellent comedic timing and an excellent ensemble cast. Co-writer/director Shane Black’s perfect 1977 period piece… Continue reading Review: THE NICE GUYS

By Laurie Coker Rating: D+/C- An all-star voice cast leads the charge in The Angry Birds Movie, based on the popular app game of the same name. For years, Angry Birds has challenged young and old alike. Birds of various shapes, sizes and hues are sling-shot with a drag and release of a single finger… Continue reading Review: THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+ Nothing about Neighbors warranted me wanting to see the second installment, Neighbors 2, but because I am part of a couple and he “likes this kind of movie,” I went grudgingly to the screening. Two years after the first, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising catches us up with Mac and Kelly… Continue reading Review: Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

By Laurie Coker Rating: A- The name Avengers makes us think of superheroes battling bad guys for the better of all human kind. What doesn’t typically come to mind is the idea of superheroes fighting each other. Batman versus Superman changed that, and now the Avengers are at each other’s throats verbally and physically in… Continue reading Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

By Laurie Coker Rating: A+ The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, the newest Disney version goes beyond what I imagined. I grew up with the original Disney animated cartoon, shared it with my son and then his children. Directed by Jon Favreau, the latest Jungle Book excites, engages and explores Kipling’s original themes with astonishing… Continue reading Review: THE JUNGLE BOOK

By Laurie Coker Rating: D Actress Melissa McCarthy churns out movies like a machine. Her talent for comedic timing is impeccable, but unfortunately, her choice of scripts, many written and directed by her husband Ben Falcone, leaves little to be desired in many cases. Foul language, filthy gags and silly pratfalls make for dull, dull… Continue reading Review: THE BOSS