By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) In London for the Prime Minister’s funeral, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders (IMDB). Most will think this is just another film in a long line of the repetitive plotlines about an evil Middle Eastern warlord who tries to get revenge… Continue reading Review: LONDON HAS FALLEN
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Review: RACE
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- Historical biopics hit and miss with audiences and sports films almost always lean toward the feel-good underdog narrative, but Jesse Owens’ story, as depicted in Race, plays on a balance of history and agreeable storytelling. More than just a snippet from the life of Owens’ himself, Race offers a tiny… Continue reading Review: RACE
Review: THE FINEST HOURS
By Laurie Coker Rating: B Countless films have been made about the American armed forces, even the Coast Guard, but rarely to our coastal guardians get the screen time afford the other services. The Finest Hours, starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck in the most notable performances of their careers, is based on the true… Continue reading Review: THE FINEST HOURS
Review: DIRTY GRANDPA
By Laurie Coker Rating: C- The title of veteran actor Robert De Niro’s latest film, Dirty Grandpa, makes me think of a tasteless Adam Sandler film – not good. Still, I love De Niro, in spite of his terrible choices in some roles like the Focker films and Anger Management. His main body of work speaks… Continue reading Review: DIRTY GRANDPA
Review: 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,
By Laurie Coker Rating: A+ In director Michael Bay’s latest film, 13 Hours, Chuck Hogan’s screenplay, based on a book by Mitchell Zuckoff, makes for vivid telling of the events that transpired on that critical night, when one American Ambassador and three other Americans were mercilessly killed in an attack on two American facilities on… Continue reading Review: 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,
Review: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
By Laurie Coker Rating: A+ From 1977 until now, I have watched the Star Wars saga unfold in theatres, either on an official opening day or at a preopening event. I am a fan, except that is for the weird Jar Jar character and a few other annoyances in Episodes I-III, of everything Star Wars. With… Continue reading Review: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Review: TRUMBO
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood’s top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs (IMDB). There are few actors who can convincingly transform into whatever character they choose to portray because they are just that good. Fortunately,… Continue reading Review: TRUMBO
Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 3 (Out of 5 Reels) As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow (Donald Sutherland), while all she holds dear hangs in the balance (IMDB). Finally… Continue reading Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2
Austin Film Festival 2015 Review: MISS YOU ALREADY
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
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