Author: Mark Saldana

Though this movie is fictional, it still rings accurately and genuinely about the immigrant experience of people escaping hardships and atrocities from their homes and seeking the promises of the American dream. Writer/director Brady Corbett and co-writer Mona Fastvold tell the story of László Tóth (Adrien Brody), a gifted artisan and architect whose life with… Continue reading Movie Review: THE BRUTALIST Reminds Us That The American Dream Can Be A Nightmare For Immigrants Seeking A Better Life

Writer/director RaMell Ross and co-writer Joslyn Barnes have adapted Colson Whitehead’s novel, The Nickel Boys, into a remarkable and outstanding film finally opening in theaters. I have never previously read Whitehead’s book. Still, after watching the film adaptation, I would love to immerse myself in this story, as Ross, Barnes, the cast, and the crew… Continue reading Movie Review: NICKEL BOYS Reminds Us of The Darker Chapters of Racist America

I am a massive movie fan. I love the theatrical experience. What scares me is the fact that this experience is on the verge of death. With all that is available for streaming now, it upsets me the most. Call me old. Call me old-fashioned. Call me out of touch. You can label me in… Continue reading 2024: A Year In Cinema, A Year That Scared Me

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