It is only fitting that the Austin Film Festival accepts an entry from Austin filmmakers who conceived and shot a film in Austin. This town usually nurtures artists, particularly movie writers and directors. Though the city has changed a lot through the years, it is refreshing to see that movie artists still toil to express… Continue reading AFF 2024: PARTY PEOPLE Has A Familiar Premise, But Is Nevertheless Fun And Amusing
Author: Mark Saldana
AFF 2024 Review: *smiles and kisses you* Delivers A Stranger Than Fiction Portrait
Due to familial obligations and other responsibilities, my coverage of this year’s film festival was limited. I did make it a point to watch this intriguing documentary, which reveals a relationship between a charming but lonely man and the combination of a love doll/artificial intelligence. Though the idea sounds disturbing and unnerving, I was nevertheless… Continue reading AFF 2024 Review: *smiles and kisses you* Delivers A Stranger Than Fiction Portrait
Fantastic Fest 2024 Review: ANORA Is Not Only My Favorite Of The Fest, It Is One Of The Top Films Of The Year
When Fantastic Fest announced that Anora would get screened at this year’s festival, I knew I had to attend. Not only did the film’s trailer hook me, but I also had to be there because this is Sean Baker’s latest work (Tangerine, The Florida Project, Red Rocket). This fantastic film lives up to my anticipation.… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024 Review: ANORA Is Not Only My Favorite Of The Fest, It Is One Of The Top Films Of The Year
Movie Review: VENOM: THE LAST DANCE
Suppose your jam is a silly and goofy mix of physical comedy, gooey CGI aliens, and moderately bloody violence. In that case, you are probably already on board the Sony Spider Universe’s Venom train. While I have never completely loved this movie franchise, all three films have amused and entertained me to varying degrees. I… Continue reading Movie Review: VENOM: THE LAST DANCE
WE LIVE IN TIME Delivers A Relationship Drama That Feels Genuine And True
For cinephiles with soft spots in their hearts for romantic dramas like Love Story, We Live In Time is definitely for you. The film depicts an initially charming relationship between a man and woman whose meeting begins rather disturbingly. I will let my readers discover that on their own, but once the two connect, the… Continue reading WE LIVE IN TIME Delivers A Relationship Drama That Feels Genuine And True
SMILE 2 Is Actually More Entertaining Than Its Predecessor
I went into this film thinking this sequel would be another dour and sad extension of the first installment. Thankfully, that is not the case. Writer/director Parker Finn now has a sense of humor about his franchise, making this next chapter a more entertaining and fun experience, despite the film’s dark elements. Finn also wants… Continue reading SMILE 2 Is Actually More Entertaining Than Its Predecessor
Fantastic Fest 2024: MR. CROCKET
For the closing night film of this year’s Fantastic Fest, the programmers have chosen an unusual horror flick that offers up the premise, what if Mr. Rogers was a psychotic killer that preyed upon the parents of his most ardent fans, children? Writer/director Brandon Espy and co-writer Carl Reid have concocted an imaginative nightmare for… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024: MR. CROCKET
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
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