Author: Laurie Coker

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Disney has done it again and this time the sun shines brightly on Moana, a delightful inspiring animated feature showcasing the vocal talent of Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Auli’i Cravalho a Hawaiian native who steals the show with her magnificent singing. Boasting four directors and a host of screenwriters, Moana… Continue reading Review: MOANA

By Laurie Coker Rating: A- Last year’s Creed manage to make boxing interesting to the masses and this year, Bleed For This, starring Miles Teller, sets its sights on doing the same. Director and screenwriter Ben Younger, tells the true story of Vinny Pazienza, the only boxer to compete and win championships in three different… Continue reading Review: BLEED FOR THIS

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+ After this bizarre election year, nothing should surprise us, not even the arrival of aliens from another planet. While communication and unity seem to be eluding us of late, Arrival, starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, plays on these premises that we, flawed humans, need to stop, look within and must… Continue reading Review: ARRIVAL

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Starting out this fall season, Doctor Strange, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, is a virtual cornucopia of visually stunning imagery and seamless CGI. Director Scott Derrickson, along with a plethora of writers, including Austin’s own C. Robert Cargill, give us a droll comic book hero with more arrogance and issues than Tony… Continue reading Review: DOCTOR STRANGE