By Laurie Coker Rating: A Miss you Already, starring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette, offers a warm embrace to friendship, love, and inner strength. While the subject matter isn’t always joyful, the themes presented by screenwriter Morwenna Banks are universal and director Catherine Hardwicke’s approach draws us into his dynamic and real characters. Collette and… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2015 Review: MISS YOU ALREADY
Category: MAIN
Review: PAN
By Laurie Coker Rating: D The new, prequel of sorts, to the tale of Peter Pan and Neverland, Pan, while visually stunning is fraught with blandness in storyline and in a one notable and annoying performance. Starring Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller, Rooney Mara and Garrett Hedlund, Pan may appeal to young children, by virtue of… Continue reading Review: PAN
Review: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
By Laurie Coker Rating: A The Man From Uncle is my favorite film so far this year – not because its stars are so sexy and good looking, but because co-writer (with Lionel Wigram) and director Guy Ritchie offers a fresh, fun, retro reworking of a beloved 1960’s television show of the same name with… Continue reading Review: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION
By Laurie Coker Rating: B- Fifty something or not, Tom Cruise still has it and he flaunts it in the new Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. While limited in plot Rogue Nation is an action packed thrill ride, director Christopher McQuarrie misses no opportunity to impress with high-speed chases, stunning stunts and witty dialogue. Rounding out… Continue reading Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION
Review: PIXELS
By Laurie Coker Rating: D+ The kids liked it. That is worth something, even if Pixels, starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James, doesn’t appeal to adults. Its throw back to 80s video gaming held some promise and hope for me, but after a few minutes, I was clock watching and relying on my guests reactions.… Continue reading Review: PIXELS
Review: SOUTHPAW
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+ Finding freshness in a film genre made memorable by films like Raging Bull and Rocky works against most directors, if for nothing more than the “been there, seen that” element. Having an exceptional cast can and does make up for a great deal, and having Jake Gyllenhaal as a leading… Continue reading Review: SOUTHPAW
Review: ANT-MAN
By Laurie Coker Rating: B- “Big things come in small packages.” True of many things and definitely true of Paul Rudd’s titular character Ant-Man. However, although it is highly entertaining, Ant-Man directed by Peyton Reed, is a good deal of what we have already seen in the super-hero genre – eminent world destruction, a reluctant… Continue reading Review: ANT-MAN
Review: MINIONS
By Laurie Coker Rating: C An entire film centered around yellow, tater-tot looking characters who speak a little more than gibberish seems a bit of a stretch, especially for adults, and I am afraid it is. Minions, a prequel to the Despicable Me movies, tells the story of how the minions became henchmen for Gru.… Continue reading Review: MINIONS
Review: TED 2
By Laurie Coker Rating: F Seth MacFarlane seems to love foul language and nasty crotch and potty humor. He masters the art of disgusting and try harder and harder in each of his film to shock his audiences. In is latest, the sequel to Ted, a story about a man and his teddy bear that… Continue reading Review: TED 2
Review: INSIDE OUT
By Laurie Coker Rating: A+ Growing up is hard to do – no doubt. Middle school is particularly difficult and if you add to that a big life changes, like a big family move. Pixar takes viewers in to the preteen mind of Riley, an adorable, hockey loving young girl whose life is turned upside… Continue reading Review: INSIDE OUT