Category: MAIN

By: Laurie Coker Rating: F Notably, as my male critic friends pointed out at the screening, I am NOT the target demographic for the new Hangover film, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Ken Jeong, reprising their roles and proving some men never learn. I went in whining from the start, convinced the… Continue reading Review: HANGOVER PART III

By Laurie Coker Rating: A- Not every film released warrants me driving over 40 miles round trip for a 9:00 PM screening (I have done such for some real stinkers), but a Star Trek movie does fuel my desire, if not my car. Since my youth, I religiously watched the first run series with a… Continue reading Review; STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS

By Laurie Coker Rating: C- Broken people make for extremely interesting stories to watch.  Like a train wreck, their lives, dysfunctional and desperate, are difficult to turn away from. Colin Firth and Emily Blunt star in Arthur Newman, and their powerful performances make up for a dreary tale, one with little going for it and… Continue reading Review: ARTHUR NEWMAN

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 3.5 (Out of 5 Reels) Believe it or not, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s THE GREAT GATSBY was not required reading for me in high school, so I went into this film with an open mind and no expectations. Mr. Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), is an eccentric millionaire who throws extravagant party’s every weekend… Continue reading Review: THE GREAT GATSBY

By Laurie Coker Rating: B- “Old dead white guys – that’s all we read!” These words have come from countless students of mine over the past 25 years. While we have worked to change that, some “old white guys,” will always be on high school reading lists. Thousands of teens across the nation read F.… Continue reading Review: THE GREAT GATSBY

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- With the huge popularity of shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You can Dance, many of us have dance fever. As a lover of dance (though I never took lessons), I watch those silly shows and enjoy movies with similar themes.   offers a twist on traditional… Continue reading Review: MUSICAL CHAIRS

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Few films can sustain characters like Richard Linklater’s films Before Sunrise (1994), Before Sunset (2004) and now, nine years later, his newest in the series Before Midnight, but because they are richly drawn and immensely engaging, we following along in their lives with interest and curiosity. We can find comfort… Continue reading SXSW 2013 Review: BEFORE MIDNIGHT

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 3.5 (Out of 5 Reels) I did not place my expectations too high going into this film because while I have enjoyed both of the previous installations I don’t have much faith in sequels like this. But, surprisingly, this one does have its moments. Overall, I still think the first one is the… Continue reading Review: IRON MAN 3

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) Adam (Richard E. Grant), a rich industrialist aspires to become an opera singer and decides to throw an opera in his lavish English country retreat.  He hires some of the best opera singers in the business and casts himself in the production. The entire cast of… Continue reading Review: 1st NIGHT

By Laurie Coker Rating: B While certainly not perfect, Iron Man 3  is, plain and simple, FUN!  Most of which can be attributed to Robert Downey Jr.’s playful, wit-ridden delivery and wild antics. Director (and co-writer with first-timer Drew Pierce) Shane Black who is better known behind the pen (Lethal Weapon) than in front, gives… Continue reading Review: IRON MAN 3