Author: Mark Saldana

Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA HORA DE LA MERIENDA (TEA TIME)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Spain, this pleasing and lovable film won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short of the festival.  Though the film does call for a little suspension of disbelief, I still enjoyed and appreciated the message it offers, and a timely one it is.  The story… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA HORA DE LA MERIENDA (TEA TIME)

Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA SUERTE DEL SALAO (UNLUCKY’S LUCKY)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This Colombian entry in the Narrative Shorts Competition is an often hilarious and joyful film about an always down on his luck man, whose luck miraculously changes for the better just for one night.  Pelito, the protagonist, is currently unemployed, in debt and about to lose… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA SUERTE DEL SALAO (UNLUCKY’S LUCKY)

Review: BOOK CLUB

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now I know I am certainly not the target demographic of this film, nor is said film my cup of coffee, but I do hope to offer some insight as a male audience member and cinephile.  For Book Club, I will say this; the filmmakers have… Continue reading Review: BOOK CLUB

Review: DEADPOOL 2

Film Review: Don’t Hesitate to see “Deadpool 2” as part of your Summer Blockbuster Experience   By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ The highly anticipated arrival of the sequel to 2016’s “Deadpool,” arrives approximately two years and three months later, simply titled “Deadpool 2” with a script by returning screenwriters, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (with… Continue reading Review: DEADPOOL 2

Review: BOOK CLUB

By Liz Lopez         Rating: C+ I have viewed the trailer for the film “Book Club” for a couple of months and anticipated viewing it, despite feeling pretty sure that the story would be entirely too predictable by debuting director Bill Holderman and his co-writer Erin Simms. It has a great cast, but they can only… Continue reading Review: BOOK CLUB

Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: POLVO DE ESTRELLAS (STARDUST)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (4 Out of 4 Stars) Because parents often have to be realistic and practical, and usually have their children’s best interests in mind, they are not always supportive of their children’s dreams and aspirations.  Such is the case with Hilario and his son Adan.  Everyday, Adan works along side his… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: POLVO DE ESTRELLAS (STARDUST)

Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: PALENQUE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) This beautiful documentary short of the festival could easily get categorized as a music video.  San Basilio del Palenque is a humble Colombian town, but a very musical one at that.  The people have maintained a rich tradition of beats, rhythms and melodies for some time. … Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: PALENQUE

Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: KAYAK TO KLEMTU

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The closing night film of the festival was an inspiring and beautiful, family friendly film that not only honors Native American traditions, but also offers some heartfelt environmental messages.  Written and directed by Zoe Hopkins, Kayak to Klemtu tells the story of 14 year-old Ella (Ta’kaiya Blaney),… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: KAYAK TO KLEMTU

Review: POPE FRANCIS: A MAN OF HIS WORD

By Liz Lopez Rating: B Award winning filmmaker Wim Wenders (Palme d’Or winner “Paris, Texas”/ “The Buena Vista Social Club”) directs the new documentary, “Pope Francis: A Man of His Word,” and it recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival this month. Wenders received access to the pontiff after his selection in 2013 to lead… Continue reading Review: POPE FRANCIS: A MAN OF HIS WORD