Author: Mark Saldana

Artist biopics, particularly those of musical artists, often cannot avoid the tiresome tropes and cliches of the subgenre. By now, James Mangold is entirely aware of this problem. After all, the filmmaker made a solid film with his Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. However, that movie has flaws and missteps, and the biopic spoof… Continue reading Movie Review: A Complete Unknown – Director James Mangold Recreates Bob Dylan’s Early Years With a Phenomenal Turn By Timothée Chalamet

In 1922, during the silent era of cinema, F.W. Murnau revealed his German-expressionist take on the story of Dracula. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror initially received moderately positive reviews; however, it would eventually become a legendary horror classic. In 1979, German filmmaker Werner Herzog released Nosferatu the Vampyre, a mostly faithful retelling of the Dracula… Continue reading Movie Review: NOSFERATU – Robert Eggers Brings His Bleak Horror Style To The Classic Tale

I am unsure why the studios behind this film decided to release this erotic drama during the holiday season. Still, perhaps they hoped to duplicate Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut‘s impact in 1999. That said, Babygirl is no Eyes Wide Shut, but the movie does have some things in common: it involves a woman who… Continue reading Movie Review: BABYGIRL Spices Up The Holiday Season

Cinephiles have previously experienced various underdog stories about boxers. Still, it isn’t often that we witness one about a female boxer and the struggles involved in making this career choice viable. Writer Barry Jenkins and director Rachel Morrison, who makes her directorial debut, tell the story of Olympic boxer, Claressa “T-Rex” Shields and how she… Continue reading Movie Review: THE FIRE INSIDE Tells An Inspiring True Story Solidly

In the third movie of this successful franchise, Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Miles “Tails” Prower (Colleen Ann O’Shaughnessey), and Knuckles (Idris Elba) must face off with another powerful and fiery hedgehog named Shadow (Keanu Reeves). Shadow has endured much pain and heartbreak at the hands of G.U.N., a government organization that hopes to exploit Shadow’s power.… Continue reading Movie Review: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Delivers Another Fun Installment

Say what you will about Jon Favreau’s photorealistic remake of The Lion King. Still, Disney has decided that they should make a similar prequel that tells the backstory about Mufasa and how he became the king, along with how he and his brother Scar became adversaries. For some reason, director Barry Jenkins signed on for… Continue reading Movie Review: MUFASA: THE LION KING

The oddly titled Sony Spider-Man Universe has finally ended after a string of mostly poorly conceived and executed films that all struggled at the box office. This news hit the internet just a few days before the release of its latest entry, Kraven The Hunter. Sony announced that the Kraven film would be the final… Continue reading Movie Review: KRAVEN THE HUNTER Concludes Sony Spider-Man Universe

I have never read the novel, Queer, and I am not that familiar with Wiliam S. Burroughs’ life and career. That said, the film adaptation, Queer, has piqued my interest in the enigmatic writer. Writer Justin Kuritzkes and director Luca Guadagnino have developed an adaptation of the book and have made a solid case for… Continue reading Movie Review: QUEER Offers Some Insight Into The Life Of William S. Burroughs, But Feels Incomplete

Initially, I found that idea exciting and fun, but after watching the latest film from director Steven C. Miller, I quickly dismissed that feeling. I understand this new movie had a limited budget, but that does not excuse the ridiculous and nonsensical writing that derails the overall experience. Though refreshingly unseasonable, Werewolves is one of… Continue reading Movie Review: WEREWOLVES Has A Solid Idea, But Never Develops It Well