By Laurie Coker You’re Next – Rating: A Cheap Thrills – Rating: B Lords of Salem – Rating: F- SXSW Film Festival 2013 came to a close for me at 2 AM Sunday the 17th of March. Whew! I took in one more film at midnight at the Alamo Ritz downtown – a screening of… Continue reading SXSW 2013 Review: You’re Next, Lords of Salem and Cheap Thrills – Laurie’s Take on 3 Midnight Screenings
Category: Film Reviews
2013 SXSW Review: YOU’RE NEXT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Ever since this movie made a huge impact at the 2011 Fantastic Fest, I had wanted to see this film so badly. Several friends and colleagues raved about this thriller, but lots of time passed and nothing had been announced regarding any kind of theatrical or… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: YOU’RE NEXT
2013 SXSW Review: ZERO CHARISMA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Scott Weidemeyer (Sam Eidson) lives for writing and developing role playing games. As the “Master” of his weekly gaming group, Scott takes his games way too seriously. So when a new member of the group challenges the master’s authority and game scenarios bringing an element of… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: ZERO CHARISMA
Review: OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN
By Laurie Coker Rating: D Independence Day meets Die Hard (the first one) is how I describe Olympus has Fallen, a film about a group of Korean rebels who attack the White House and take all key figures captive. Starring Gerard Butler and Aaron Eckhart, Olympus has Fallen works far too hard to pull on… Continue reading Review: OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN
Review: ADMISSION
By Laurie Coker Rating: B- From the opening scene of Admission a new comedy starring the talented and funny Tina Fey and the equally appealing Paul Rudd, I knew I wanted to share clips with my senior students as they prepare to write college essays. More than that, however, because of excellent comic and personal… Continue reading Review: ADMISSION
Review: SPRING BREAKERS (SXSW 2013)
By Laurie Coker Rating: D+ From 1973 to 1986, every year (yes, starting in high school), my friends and I traveled to South Padre Island (only 100 miles from home) for spring break. I know firsthand and all too well, having held many a head over the toilet, the decadence and pandemonium typical of this… Continue reading Review: SPRING BREAKERS (SXSW 2013)
Review: ADMISSION
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the novel by Jean Hanff Koelitz, screenwriter Karen Croner’s film adaptation is a bit messy. Directed by Paul Weitz, the film pushes for a more comedic angle than the novel that inspired it. The mix of drama and comedy works okay, but a romantic… Continue reading Review: ADMISSION
Review: The Croods
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+ There is great delight in finding a film that pleases the family – all ages. With so few animated features coming out each year – comparably – it’s nice to get one that holds the interest of both my grand kids. With one age eight and the other only two,… Continue reading Review: The Croods
2013 SXSW Review: SPRING BREAKERS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Given Harmony Korine’s reputation for making dark and often bizarre films, I really didn’t know what to expect from his latest entry. Considering that former Disney actresses were cast in lead roles made any kind of real expectations nearly impossible. Now as for audiences unfamiliar with… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: SPRING BREAKERS
Review: OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) This movie really does not feel like an Antoine Fuqua picture. I would expect something of this caliber from directors like Roland Emmerich or Michael Bay. Although not all of his films are winners, Fuqua has made some solid, gritty crime films such as Training Day… Continue reading Review: OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN