Author: Mark Saldana

Movie Review: PIECE BY PIECE Takes An Inventive Approach To Documentary/Biopic Filmmaking

Pharrell Williams has made a name for himself as a musical artist in his own right. Still, he is also a significant contributor to the advancement of the careers of other musical artists. His story is worth telling through film, and the artist himself wishes to reveal his story. However, Williams wants to tell his… Continue reading Movie Review: PIECE BY PIECE Takes An Inventive Approach To Documentary/Biopic Filmmaking

Fantastic Fest 2024 Movie Review: SATURDAY NIGHT

The programmers of this year’s film festival decided to up the ante by scheduling a record number of “Secret Screenings.” In past years, the festival usually only offered two or three of these mystery offerings, but this year, four was the magic number. The first of these was the new film by Jason Reitman, Saturday… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024 Movie Review: SATURDAY NIGHT

Fantastic Fest 2024: TEACUP

TEACUP -- "Think About the Bubbles" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Luciano Leroux as Nicholas Shanley, Emilie Bierre as Meryl Chenoweth— (Photo by: Mark Hill/Peacock)

In recent years, Fantastic Fest has opened its lineup to include television series that fall under its genre label. This year, I attended screenings for two TV shows, one of which was Teacup. One thing that caught my attention about Teacup was that one of the executive producers is James Wan (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring).… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024: TEACUP

Fantastic Fest 2024 Review: WILL & HARPER

Comedian/actor Will Ferrell met writer Andrew Steele when he got his big break as a performer on Saturday Night Live. The two entertainers not only became creative partners, but they also became the best of friends. This relationship would endure the tests of time and a major change that Andrew undertakes with his life. Andrew… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024 Review: WILL & HARPER

Fantastic Fest 2024: Overall Review

What is arguably the most popular genre film festival returned to Austin, Texas, during the last two weeks of September. Hosted by the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar (in Austin, Texas), Fantastic Fest 2024 treated its attendants to a diverse array of films and tantalizing teases of television programs that are due to be released soon,… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024: Overall Review

Movie Review: THE SUBSTANCE Is Currently My Favorite Horror Film Of The Year

I know we’ve only begun the Halloween movie season, but thus far, The Substance has risen above all the other horror flicks I have enjoyed this year. 2024 has been a great year for scary and wicked fare. Among my other favorites are The First Omen, Late Night With The Devil, Abigail, Longlegs, and Strange… Continue reading Movie Review: THE SUBSTANCE Is Currently My Favorite Horror Film Of The Year

Movie Review: HIS THREE DAUGHTERS Officially Kicks Off Awards Season

His Three Daughters. (L-R) Carrie Coon as Katie, Elizabeth Olsen as Christina and Natasha Lyonne as Rachel in His Three Daughters. Cr. Netflix ©2024.

For Austin film critics, a press screening in a theater for a Netflix release means it is awards season. For most of the year, if an Austin critic is assigned a Netflix movie or chooses to review it, the streaming service provides a digital screener. However, when Netflix wants us to consider a feature for… Continue reading Movie Review: HIS THREE DAUGHTERS Officially Kicks Off Awards Season

Movie Review: TRANFORMERS ONE Delivers More Than What I Expected.

I shouldn’t pre-judge a movie based on a trailer, but I couldn’t help it. After watching the joke-heavy trailer for Transformers One more than once, I couldn’t envision that this film would be as compelling or entertaining as it turned out to be. I should have remembered that a context-less trailer can be quite deceiving.… Continue reading Movie Review: TRANFORMERS ONE Delivers More Than What I Expected.