Category: MAIN

Review: ALL IS LOST

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- Fortunately or unfortunately, I watched Robert Redford’s new film All is Lost, about a lone sailor lost at sea, with two accomplished sailing women – my older sister and her friend. Because of their expertise and my own experiences aboard my sister’s boats, I looked on Redford’s character’s adventure with… Continue reading Review: ALL IS LOST

Review: FREE BIRDS

By Laurie Coker Rating: C- Just in time for the holiday season, Free Birds, starring the voice talent of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler and a host of others, comes to theatres. Just in case, we don’t get our fill on Thanksgiving, co-writer, director Jimmy Hayward brings us more. The kids will LOVE it,… Continue reading Review: FREE BIRDS

Review: ENDER’S GAME

By Laurie Coker Rating: B- Now part of many high school freshman English class curriculums, Orson Scott Card’s short story turned novel Ender’s Game finally comes to the big screen in a big (IMAX) way. Director Gavin Hood, who adapted Card’s novel for screen,  manages to stay true enough to the story and some of its… Continue reading Review: ENDER’S GAME

Review: LAST VEGAS

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+ Director Jon Turteltaub’s Last Vegas, starring Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline, plays out like a melding of Hangover and The Bucket List, but is not quite as entertaining as the first or as endearing as the latter, but likable nonetheless. While, upon the word of… Continue reading Review: LAST VEGAS

AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2013 SCREENPLAY & TELEPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS AND JURY AWARD WINNERS FOR ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

  AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2013 SCREENPLAY & TELEPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS AND JURY AWARD WINNERS FOR ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY YEAR  Competition Winners Awarded alongside Distinguished Awardees Vince Gilligan, Jonathan Demme, Callie Khouri, Barry Josephson, and Susan Sarandon                     AUSTIN, Texas—Oct. 26, 2013— Austin Film Festival (AFF) is pleased to… Continue reading AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2013 SCREENPLAY & TELEPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS AND JURY AWARD WINNERS FOR ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Review: THE COUNSELOR

By Laurie Coker Rating: D+ I’ve grown tired of pointless plots and tired tales. Casting excellent actors in a film doesn’t matter when the stuff of the story flows with flaws, holes and inconsistencies. Ridley Scott’s latest showing, The Counselor, falls into this well-cast, aimless narrative category perfects. Having liked all but the ending of… Continue reading Review: THE COUNSELOR

Review: I AM DIVINE

By Laurie Coker Rating: A SXSW always offers gems in the documentary category, and I try my best to see at least a few, because I too often focus more on the narrative categories. I did, however, find a true tale Divine, on one trip to the screening library. I thoroughly enjoyed I am Divine … Continue reading Review: I AM DIVINE

EXPERIENCE PARANORMAL THRILLS WHEN The Conjuring ARRIVES ONTO BLU-RAYÔ COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ON OCTOBER 22 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Posted by Laurie Coker Rating: A+ (for the Combo Set) Since I typically don’t like films like The Conjuring, I find it all the more important to recommend and get the word out about this remarkably realistic, suspense-filled film.  It’s perfect of Halloween get-togethers. I loved the cast, enjoyed the scares and appreciated the realistic feel… Continue reading EXPERIENCE PARANORMAL THRILLS WHEN The Conjuring ARRIVES ONTO BLU-RAYÔ COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ON OCTOBER 22 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Review: The Fifth Estate

By Laurie Coker Rating: D Benedict Cumberbatch impresses in spite of his one-dimensional character, while The Fifth Estate falls fatally flat. I truly do not know what else to say. Director Bill Condon manages to create a film about government secrets, deadly lies and the power of technology and turn it, not in to a film of… Continue reading Review: The Fifth Estate