‘Ron’s Gone Wrong’ shows promising future for Locksmith Animation
The feature debut of Locksmith Animation, “Ron’s Gone Wrong” marks a strong start for the budding studio. Despite its familiar story beats and characters, the film provides enough heart and visual flare to make for a sweet, eccentric viewing experience. …
‘Last Night in Soho’ flirts with several genres, picks none
The latest Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead”) film, “Last Night in Soho” is a psychological thriller featuring Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Queen’s Gambit,”) Thomasin McKenzie (“Jojo Rabbit,) and Matt Smith (“The Crown”). The film sees Wright attempt another serious and…
Visually impressive ‘Dune’ honors Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel
From a troubled film to a forgotten miniseries, Frank Herbert’s “Dune” has grown infamously complicated to translate from page to screen. With a deep lore and expansive sci-fi world to depict, it once seemed impossible to adapt the novel without…
Laker Review highlights movies to watch during Halloween season
Every October, Halloween fans make it a priority to revisit certain films in preparation for the Oct. 31 holiday. From “Beetlejuice” to “Hocus Pocus,” certain films have remained popular options for Halloween lovers to watch on a yearly basis, especially…
Anderson film “Licorice Pizza” highly anticipated, casting ideal
Paul Thomas Anderson (“Phantom Thread”) promises the coming-of-age film of the year with the release of the trailer for “Licorice Pizza.” Set in the San Fernando Valley, 1973, “Licorice Pizza” follows the story of two teens “growing up, running around…
‘No Time to Die’ satisfyingly ends Daniel Craig ‘Bond’ era
The 25th installment in Eon Productions’ series of “James Bond” films, “No Time to Die” marks an end to actor Daniel Craig’s (“Knives Out”) time portraying the eponymous character. The fifth entry in the franchise to star Craig, the film…
“All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs,” must-watch for any hockey fan
Amazon Prime Video’s five-episode docuseries “All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs,” shows the inner workings of a professional sports organization from every angle and is a must-watch for any hockey fan. Narrated by life-long Leafs fan Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”),…
‘Venom: Let There be Carnage’ makes for exciting Marvel sequel
In the mid-credit scene at the end of “Venom” (2018), serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson, “Zombieland”) said, “there’s gonna be carnage.” Fast-forward to 2021 in “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” directed by Andy Serkis (“Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”),…
‘The Many Saints of Newark’ carries on ‘Sopranos’ legacy
Since its 1999 premiere, HBO’s “The Sopranos” has remained one of the most critically-praised and popular series in the history of American television. Media outlets such as Rolling Stone have even gone so far as to refer to it as…
‘Dear Evan Hansen’ clumsily transitions from stage to screen
“Dear Evan Hansen” has debuted on the big screen, and the result is semi-satisfactory. Although the important message has a clear impact, what was obviously supposed to be a movie-musical, should probably stay a musical. Ben Platt (“Pitch Perfect”) plays…
