By Laurie Coker Rating: C- My preference in reading lies in mystery novels and not sappy, heart-wrenching, tortured romance, like those written by Nicholas Sparks, so his latest film, with which he is highly involved, Safe Haven, didn’t have me rushing to the screening. In fairness, I have enjoyed some of his films in the… Continue reading Review: SAFE HAVEN
Category: MAIN
Review: IDENTITY THIEF
By Laurie Coker Rating: D- I do not like stupid, trashy comedy. I do, however enjoy intelligent, tasteless humor. Identity Thief, starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, unfortunately, lacks intelligent, and frankly, even these exceptional comedic actors can’t save a tired road trip tale. With only the occasional laugh, and I mean OCCASIONAL, director Seth… Continue reading Review: IDENTITY THIEF
Review: Warm Bodies
By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ The idea of a teen zombie romance comedy didn’t impress me at first. I’ve had my fill of teen vampire romance, so I wondered whether I should even bother with Warm Bodies. Fortunately, because of a quality script, an engaging cast and excellent direction, Warm Bodies is a funny, smart,… Continue reading Review: Warm Bodies
DVD Review: Jerry Lewis As The Jazz Singer
By Laurie CokerRating: B Jerry Lewis as The Jazz Singer Unrated – February 7, 2012 List Price: $14.98 I grew up with Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, mainly because of my parents, the limited channel choices of my youth and I love to laugh. I can’t say Lewis made me laugh on every occasion, but… Continue reading DVD Review: Jerry Lewis As The Jazz Singer
Review: Quartet
By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ I hate getting older. Sure, there are some benefits, like reduced pricing at theatres, AARP membership, IHOP senior meals, and other perks, but I’m not quite there yet. Still it looms. Quartet, starring the irrepressible Maggie Smith, funny man Billy Connelly, lovable Pauline Collins and veteran British actor Tom Courtenay… Continue reading Review: Quartet
Review: Amour
By Laurie Coker Rating: B- I watched the critically acclaimed Amour over holiday break and afterward had an online discussion with a friend and former film critic about it and all the hype surrounding it. When he lived in Austin, our reviews of films rarely matched up. We have, at times, extremely diverse ideas about… Continue reading Review: Amour
Review: Broken City
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- While not overtly revolutionary, Mark Wahlberg’s new film Broken City does entertain and surprisingly, in spite of its faults, does keep the audience guessing. Even with its pat plot, director Allen Hughes (the first time at the helm without brother Albert) and his strong cast manage to toss in a… Continue reading Review: Broken City
Two for ONE Reviews: Gangster Squad and Zero Dark Thirty
By Laurie Coker Rating: Gangster Squad C+ Zero Dark Thirty A- With time running away from me, yet again, I’ve decided to review two films in one this week. Zero Dark Thirty and Gangster Squad. Both star exceptional, versatile actors and both entertain – one more for the overblown almost comic book feel, the other… Continue reading Two for ONE Reviews: Gangster Squad and Zero Dark Thirty
Review: THE IMPOSSIBLE
By Laurie Coker Rating: A Ah, the randomness of nature, it never ceases to amaze and stupefy even experts. When in Japan a few years back, my cohort of twenty teachers on a seminar there had to be evacuated from Okinawa early because of an oncoming monsoon. As disappointed as I felt, having to miss… Continue reading Review: THE IMPOSSIBLE
Review: PROMISED LAND
By Laurie Coker Rating: C- I have followed Matt Damon’s career, along with Ben Affleck’s, since their coupling in Good Will Hunting. Both have grown wonderfully as actors and men. Affleck’s Argo sits near the top of my best of list this year, but alas, Damon’s offering, Promised Land hardly qualifies to sit anywhere near… Continue reading Review: PROMISED LAND