This fascinating and relevant entry from this year’s Austin Film Festival examines the struggles of Black artists who hope their work can impact their culture. Through the eyes and mind of one particular writer, the protagonist struggles to remain a viable and successful artist, expressing his experience while also feeling the weight of his own… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2023: AMERICAN FICTION Depicts The Real Struggles of Finding One’s Impactful Voice
Author: Mark Saldana
WONKA Provides Light and Wholehearted Entertainment For Families
From filmmaker Paul King, the acclaimed director who helmed the movies Paddington and Paddington 2, comes a movie musical that envisions the humble beginnings of literature’s and cinema’s most celebrated Candy Man. Working with Simon Farnaby on the screenplay, King delivers a movie which beautifully captures the lovable and magical spirit of the Willy Wonka… Continue reading WONKA Provides Light and Wholehearted Entertainment For Families
CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET Is Entertaining But Not Quite As Brilliant As Its Predecessor
It has been twenty-three years since the original Chicken Run hit theaters and won people’s hearts worldwide. There seems to be no good reason why it took so long for movie audiences to get a sequel, but it is finally here. However, this new installment will not open in theaters; it is limited to Netflix… Continue reading CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET Is Entertaining But Not Quite As Brilliant As Its Predecessor
POOR THINGS Delivers a Bold Evolution of Feminism Within a Surreal Period Piece
From Yorgos Lanthimos, the visionary filmmaker behind The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and The Favorite comes what I believe is his latest piece de resistance. With an excellent screenplay by Tony McNamara, based on the novel Poor Things: Episodes from the Early Life of Archibald McCandless M.D., Scottish Public Health Officer, by… Continue reading POOR THINGS Delivers a Bold Evolution of Feminism Within a Surreal Period Piece
With MAY DECEMBER, Todd Haynes Offers His Take On Media Controversy
Controversy permeates our news, social media, television, and film. These often-disturbing stories often fuel melodramatic and hackneyed retellings of them, with little regard for the actual people involved. May December takes a genuine, scandalous event and deconstructs the public reactions to them and how opportunistic people vampirically feed off these moments in human history. Natalie… Continue reading With MAY DECEMBER, Todd Haynes Offers His Take On Media Controversy
WISH May Not Be The Answer To Disney’s Wishes, But Is Still Fun
2022 and 2023 have been tough years for Disney movies. People have talked about how the world’s biggest studio has recently failed to create magical cinema. Whether they are discussing and critiquing Disney Animation Studios, Disney/Pixar, or Marvel Studios, it has been challenging for the “House of the Mouse” to score hugely with mass audiences.… Continue reading WISH May Not Be The Answer To Disney’s Wishes, But Is Still Fun
DREAM SCENARIO Gives Nicolas Cage The Chance To Shine
One of the movies I most regretted missing at this year’s Fantastic Fest was one of the festival’s secret screenings, which just happened to be the latest film featuring Nicolas Cage. Dream Scenario allows Cage to shine in ways not previously attempted in his previous films. The actor portrays a very modest and unassuming college… Continue reading DREAM SCENARIO Gives Nicolas Cage The Chance To Shine
Eli Roth’s THANKSGIVING Has Finally Arrived
Sixteen years after Eli Roth contributed his fake trailer to Grindhouse, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s throwback double feature, Thanksgiving, the actual feature-length movie is finally in theaters. The result is an often hilarious but thrilling slasher flick that should please the fans of the fake trailer who have clamored for this movie since 2007.… Continue reading Eli Roth’s THANKSGIVING Has Finally Arrived
NEXT GOAL WINS Is a Lovable Crowd Pleaser
Filmmaker Taika Waititi has received a lot of flack after delivering comedic takes on MCU’s Thor (Ragnarok, Love and Thunder). I honestly don’t understand it. I found both movies highly entertaining and loads of fun. Well, Waititi is back with a non-MCU film based on an inspirational sports story involving The American Samoa soccer team.… Continue reading NEXT GOAL WINS Is a Lovable Crowd Pleaser
AFF 2023: SALTBURN
The newest movie from acclaimed filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) was one of several secret screenings at this year’s Fantastic Fest. It was also the opening night movie of 2023’s Austin Film Festival. Those who watched Fennell’s previous film should expect a bold and provocative new entry from this exciting and creative filmmaker. While… Continue reading AFF 2023: SALTBURN