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
Author: Laurie Coker
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
Review: ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
By Laurie Coker Rating: A For generations, fans have flocked to theaters to see the Star Wars films played out in impressive, visually magnificent sci-fi fashion. Nothing can surpass seeing something spectacular for the very first time – the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, the Great Pyramids and Star Wars. While perhaps linking… Continue reading Review: ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
Review: MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
By Laurie Coker Rating: A It could have been easy for actor Casey Affleck to fall under the shadow of his brother Ben, and for a time, it looked like he might, but in his latest film Manchester by the Sea, Affleck demonstrates why we should stand up and take notice. The tone of Manchester… Continue reading Review: MANCHESTER BY THE SEA