Author: Mark Saldana

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Daniel Defoe’s novel about fictional castaway Robinson Crusoe has inspired multiple sequels and interpretations in cinema and television.  The latest one is a Belgian-French produced animated film that tells a version of Crusoe’s story from the perspective of the animals he befriends on the island.  Despite… Continue reading Review: THE WILD LIFE

By Liz Lopez Rating: A As soon as I learned that Tom Hanks was to portray Capt. Chesley Sullenberger in Sully, a Malpaso production directed by Clint Eastwood (who also is a producer), there was no doubt in my mind that this was going to be a well told story of Sullenberger’s actions as he… Continue reading Review: SULLY

By Liz Lopez Rating: B There are generations over three centuries that have heard the name of Robinson Crusoe, aside from those of us who have read books about this character, as well as seen television programs and films about the man who was a castaway. I tend to think anyone that has ever landed… Continue reading Review: THE WILD LIFE

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Many people have stories about their childhood when their life was altered by the departure of a parent and the impact it has on their life, either then or in later years. Filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda (Nobody Knows, I Wish, and 2013 Cannes jury prizewinner Like Father, Like Son) has written,… Continue reading Review: OUR LITTLE SISTER

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The remarkable true story of US Airways Flight 1549 and it emergency crash landing in the Hudson River is not only one for the history books, but is tailor-made for a feature film treatment.   On January 15, 2009, this incident made a media celebrity of… Continue reading Review: SULLY

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Writer-director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines) has a new feature film, The Light Between Oceans, a romantic period story, adapted from the 2012 novel by M.L. Stedman. For fans of this genre of film, be prepared to take the tissues to the theater, as some of… Continue reading Review: THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Despite a solid cast and decent characters, but a cliche premise, Morgan ultimately disappoints and has little entertainment value to offer movie goers.  One thing is to take an unoriginal premise and do something exciting with it; however, the filmmakers of this movie riddle their plot… Continue reading Review: MORGAN