The new Disney/Pixar feature film was an absolute joy to review. With its vividly gorgeous and colorful animation, brilliant world-building, and intense emotional impact, I was genuinely impressed with Elemental. It has been three years since a Disney/Pixar film moved me in many ways. That previous movie was Soul, and Elemental has loads of heart,… Continue reading ELEMENTAL Is Wonderfully Imaginative, Romantic and Beautiful
Author: Mark Saldana
THE FLASH has much heart, and is one of the DCEU’s better movies.
Regarding DCEU movies, The Flash is the most anticipated one for various reasons. Despite lead actor Ezra Miller’s recent disturbing allegations, most people can agree that their portrayal of Barry Allen/The Flash is one of the brighter moments in both versions of Justice League. It is mainly for this reason that people were initially jazzed… Continue reading THE FLASH has much heart, and is one of the DCEU’s better movies.
THE BLACKENING takes on Black Pop Culture within the horror genre.
For some reason, the trailer for this film rubbed me the wrong way. Though this preview had funny moments, I wasn’t convinced it would deliver genuine laughs and thrills and be as entertaining as I would find it. After watching this movie, I discovered that my trepidations were primarily unfounded, and I enjoyed this exercise… Continue reading THE BLACKENING takes on Black Pop Culture within the horror genre.
CLAIFF 25: FLAMIN’ HOT
Eva Longoria’s directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot, had its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival. Unfortunately, I had to miss this screening, as I had a family event to attend. Right before its release on Hulu, the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival had the movie as its opening night feature. Since… Continue reading CLAIFF 25: FLAMIN’ HOT
PAST LIVES: A Powerful and Moving Cinematic Experience
Writer/director Celine Song makes her feature film debut with an outstanding film that makes its audience reflect upon the various paths we have taken in life and those we didn’t. The movie focuses on the relationship between two former childhood friends who had the potential for romantic involvement, but life had other plans for them.… Continue reading PAST LIVES: A Powerful and Moving Cinematic Experience
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS
After the mixed-to-negative reactions to Michael Bay’s Transformers movie series and the more positive responses to Bumblebee, the robots in disguise are back and have their name in the title once again. People who despise Michael Bay and his take on battling robots can sigh relief because he is only a producer on this newest… Continue reading TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE Outdoes Its First Installment
In 2018, movie audiences experienced a fantastic movie, Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, which explores the possibilities of a multiverse existing within the world of Marvel Comics. Now, I am sure everyone going into this sequel has the expectations that the filmmakers cannot, in any way, top what they have accomplished previously. How can they? The… Continue reading SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE Outdoes Its First Installment
THE BOOGEYMAN Delivers Genuine Frights
Based on the short story by Stephen King, the movie adaptation of The Boogeyman delivers when it comes to supernatural horror. While it attempts to delve deeper into real human emotions of loss and mourning, it doesn’t succeed. I have never actually read the source material of the movie. Still, director Rob Savage and his… Continue reading THE BOOGEYMAN Delivers Genuine Frights
YOU HURT MY FEELINGS Gives a Charming and Comedic Glimpse Into Relationship Drama
In every type of relationship, most people have encountered the experience where sharing their opinion could hurt someone they hold dear. That is precisely the premise of this humorous and delightful film, where a writer values her husband’s opinion of her work but is floored when she accidentally discovers the truth. Featuring exceptional performances by… Continue reading YOU HURT MY FEELINGS Gives a Charming and Comedic Glimpse Into Relationship Drama
KANDAHAR Offers A Strange Mix of Action, Both Great and Undecipherable
Two recent films attempt to give audiences a “realistic” glimpse into the lives and work of American soldiers in Afghanistan and their relationships with their Islamic-bred translators. Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is one of them, and Ric Roman Waugh’s Kandahar is the other. While both films have riveting and harrowing moments, neither ultimately comes across… Continue reading KANDAHAR Offers A Strange Mix of Action, Both Great and Undecipherable