Review: MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL

By Laurie Coker Rating: D+/C- Sequels, sequels and more sequels. Angelina Jolie reprises her role from the 2014 film Maleficent, a live-action twist on Sleeping Beauty, in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Jolie along with Michelle Pfeiffer add class and charisma to an otherwise dull and predictable story of good versus evil. Disney, director Joachim Rønning,… Continue reading Review: MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL

Review: JUDY

By Laurie Coker Rating: C + Gearing up for or towards Oscar season, viewers can expect to see excellent films and excellent actors just not necessarily together. Renee Zellweger comes to the screen again in Judy, a movie based on the late, talented Wizard of Oz star, Judy Garland. Missing for a bit of time… Continue reading Review: JUDY

Review: JOKER

By Laurie Coker Rating: C Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker feels, at the same time, both disgusting and admirable. Joker’s director and co-writer, with Scott Silver, Todd Phillips explores the dingiest, darkest, and most disturbing aspect of the character and still, he disappoints with his dismal, in-your-face social commentary.  Were it not for its… Continue reading Review: JOKER

Review: ABOMINABLE

(from left) – Peng (Albert Tsai), Jin (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) and Yi (Chloe Bennet) with Everest in DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio’s Abominable, written and directed by Jill Culton.

By Laurie Coker Rating: A- In the hit and miss world of animated features, Abominable is far more hit than miss.  In a mixed-up world of mix-ups, an unlikely buddy story evolves between a trio of teens and an abominable snowman. Universal Pictures has created a cuddly cute character in “Everest” and kids will love… Continue reading Review: ABOMINABLE

Review: HUSTLERS

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Everyone hustles – for a job, to care for the kids, to win a race or earn a promotion, but no one hustles like actress Jennifer Lopez in her latest film Hustlers.  Writer-director, Lorene Scafaria brings out the best in her cast and Lopez uses every gift that nature gave… Continue reading Review: HUSTLERS

Review: AUGGIE

By Laurie Coker Rating: B What if someone could read your mind? And what if that someone came in the guise of a life-like AI image? Such is the case in Auggie, an Indy film co-written and directed by writer-director Matt Kane and Marc Underhill. Starring Richard Kind, Auggie plods along much like its lead… Continue reading Review: AUGGIE

Review – On DVD & Streaming September 9th: YESTERDAY

By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ Yesterday were the Beatles and today, only a glimmer remains – or no memory of them all. Director Danny Boyle takes his viewers on an enchanted journey in this twist on the music of the Fab Four. Written by Richard Curtis, Yesterday offers a modern mix of Beatles music in a sentimental and… Continue reading Review – On DVD & Streaming September 9th: YESTERDAY

Review – Now Available on Amazon Prime: GAGS the CLOWN

By Laurie Coker Rating: F- Gag! Everything in Gags the Clown is rotten. Taking the hand-held camera production approach does nothing to bring terror or entertainment to this half-baked, horror flick, now available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime. Director and co-writer, with John Pata, Adam Krause fails miserably at the found-footage genre, but not as… Continue reading Review – Now Available on Amazon Prime: GAGS the CLOWN