Review: PHILOMENA

By Laurie Coker Rating: A- I realize it’s completely cliché to say this, but Dame Judi Dench could read a phone book and people would listen. Ms. Dench’s remarkable, venerable performance and the screenplay, adapted by her co-star Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope from Martin Sixsmith’s 2009 nonfiction book, The Lost Child of Philomena Lee makes every… Continue reading Review: PHILOMENA

Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) I enjoyed watching the first installment of this series and looked forward to seeing the latest film.  Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of… Continue reading Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ If ever a franchised relied on a key actor and his or her portrayal of the story’s protagonist, Jennifer Lawrence is to The Hunger Games, what Daniel Radcliff is to Harry Potter. Her embodiment of Katniss Everdeen in the series’ latest installment captivates more even than any of the film’s… Continue reading Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Screening Pass Giveaway: THE BOOK THIEF

TVR invites you and a guest to a SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING 7:00 PM Thursday, November 21 Regal Arbor @ Great Hills 9828 Great Hills Trail, Suite 800 Austin Based on the beloved bestselling book, THE BOOK THIEF tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when… Continue reading Screening Pass Giveaway: THE BOOK THIEF

AFF 2013 Review: ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) The final night of the Austin Film Festival fell on October 31 this year. Appropriately, the programmers of AFF chose to screen a horror film for their closing night movie.  Mixing comedy, horror, and some action, All Cheerleaders Die does deliver some laughs and thrills, but… Continue reading AFF 2013 Review: ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE

AFF 2013 Review: CHILD OF GOD

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) James Franco’s adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s third novel is appropriately as raw, primitive and coarse as its feral title character.  Franco, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vince Jolivette, never filters or dilutes the sometimes sickening and often disturbing subject matter. This faithfulness to McCarthy’s novel makes… Continue reading AFF 2013 Review: CHILD OF GOD