Lauren Veneziani

Lauren Veneziani

Advertising Sales Executive & Film Critic

Articles by Lauren Veneziani

‘The Visit’ Review: M. Night Shyamalan Combines Horror and Comedy

Director and writer M. Night Shyamalan’s 11th film is possibly his best work since 2004’s The Village. In The Visit, Shyamalan blends classic horror and comedy together to make a film ideal for a fall season release and to show he still has what it takes to be a fine filmmaker in the horror and suspense genres.

Blinding Edge Pictures/Blumhouse Productions/Universal / The Kobal Collection/AFP

‘Minions’ Review: Family-Friendly Prequel to ‘Despicable Me’ Films

It’s been five years since we were first introduced to super villain Gru (Steve Carell), the lovely three girls he adopted, and his adorable yellow Minions who can only speak in Minion talk, yet have assisted Gru in stealing the moon and capturing other villains for the Anti-Villain League. But how did these little yellow guys come to find Gru, and what was their life like before they met him? Minions is a sweet prequel highlighting these little yellow supporting characters of the Despicable Me films and their journey in finding their new villain mastermind.

Minions-hug-ap

‘American Sniper’ Blu-ray Review: One of 2014’s Best Films Available in High Def

One of the most striking, memorable, and talked about films of 2014 has finally come to Blu-ray. Director Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper dominated the box office, earning over $543 million worldwide, and received much praise from both critics and mainstream audiences. The film also received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and had one win for Best Sound Editing.

Warner Bros. Pictures

‘Furious 7’ Review: ‘Fast & Furious’ Film Pays Tribute to Paul Walker

Furious 7 has been one of the most anticipated films of 2015. With the Fast & Furious franchise earning over $2.3 billion worldwide at the box office since the original film was released in 2001, the franchise has proven to grow even stronger and gain even more fans in these last few years.

AP Photo/Joel Ryan

‘Focus’ Review: Will Smith and Margot Robbie Lead Fun Heist Flick

A mix of the Thomas Crown Affair and Ocean’s Eleven, Focus is a surprisingly fun flick that’s outrageous in its plot twists and thrills in the best way possible. Directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (2011’s Crazy, Stupid, Love) give us a fun heist story, while Will Smith and Margot Robbie elevate the plot with their electric chemistry.

Chris Pizello/AP

FX's 'The Americans' Season 2 Premiere Showcases Family Values

Warning: Spoilers ahead! The popular espionage series The Americans premiered its second season Wednesday night on FX. The show focuses on two Russian spies (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) who pose as a married couple in D.C. during the 1980s. The

FX's 'The Americans' Season 2 Premiere Showcases Family Values

'About Time' Review: Rom-Com Spiked with Fatherly Love

Director/writer Richard Curtis (2003’s Love Actually) steps up his game in the romantic comedy genre by adding a more serious underlying theme in About Time. His typical rom-com flair is pushed to the side a bit in order to unveil

'About Time' Review: Rom-Com Spiked with Fatherly Love

'Rush' Review: Ron Howard's Racing Drama is a Winner

Rush is one of those films where the studio releases a weak trailer because they aren’t quite sure how to market the movie. The first trailer looked like a melodramatic soap opera; the second trailer was 100 percent Chris Hemsworth

'Rush' Review: Ron Howard's Racing Drama is a Winner

'Getaway' Review: 2013's Most Boring Action Film Is Here

Getaway could have been a successful five-minute short about the Shelby Super Snake Mustang. It’s the hour and 25 minutes around those five decent minutes that are completely horrible. Director Courtney Solomon’s Getaway is the one of the most boring

'Getaway' Review: 2013's Most Boring Action Film Is Here

'The To Do List' Review: Teen Sex Comedy Lacks Likable Heroine

The To Do List is full of ’90s nostalgia, hilarious one-liners and a talented ensemble of comedic actors. Director and writer Maggie Carey’s film had a lot of promise with it being that rare teen sex comedy from a female

'The To Do List' Review: Teen Sex Comedy Lacks Likable Heroine

'Only God Forgives' Review: Haunting, Beautiful and Empty to the Core

Director and screenwriter Nicolas Winding Refn has made several interesting and versatile films since he started in Hollywood. Those include the Pusher series, Bronson, Valhalla Rising and my all-time favorite, Drive. Drive is one of the best films of the

'Only God Forgives' Review: Haunting, Beautiful and Empty to the Core

'Turbo' Review: Underdog Snail Story Packs 3D Punch

Whoever thought that snails would be the focus of an enjoyable 3D animated film one day? It seems like animation has brought almost everything to life … cars, bugs, monsters, minions, robots, planes and even a toaster (remember that one?)

'Turbo' Review: Underdog Snail Story Packs 3D Punch

'Despicable Me 2' Review: A Satisfying Minion Filled Sequel

We’ve seen a few fantastic animated films released this year. DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods was original and fun and last month Disney Pixar’s Monsters University, the satisfying prequel to the 2001 film, brought in over $170 million at the box office. Universal Pictures’

'Despicable Me 2' Review: A Satisfying Minion Filled Sequel

'The Bling Ring' Review: Fame-Obsessed Teens Captured without Judgment, Spin

Inspired by actual events that took place between October 2008 through August 2009, Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring follows fame-obsessed teenagers who robbed celebrities’ homes. Coppola’s screenplay is based off of the Vanity Fair article written by Nancy Jo Sales titled,

'The Bling Ring' Review: Fame-Obsessed Teens Captured without Judgment, Spin