Author: Mark Saldana

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Much like Woodward and Bernstein brought out the truth behind the Watergate scandal, the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team revealed the truth behind the Boston sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church.  Writer/director Tom McCarthy, who co-wrote with Josh Singer, does an outstanding job recreating these events… Continue reading Review: SPOTLIGHT

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Starting a new life in a foreign land can be both frightening and exciting.  It is more frightening for those who have had to do it alone.  Whether done legally or illegally, immigrants attempt this in our country all the time and have done so for… Continue reading Review: BROOKLYN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) My biggest complaint with Love the Coopers had to do with how formulaic it really is.  I also get somewhat annoyed with how wholesome holiday movies often are.  I do realize that holiday films usually have the goal of appealing to the entire family, and that’s… Continue reading Review: THE NIGHT BEFORE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The 2010 Copiapo mining accident was a frightening ordeal that should have killed the thirty-three miners trapped underground for over two months.  During the course of their cave-in and rescue attempts, the world was captivated by this story and sat on edge the entire time, hoping… Continue reading Review: THE 33

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) The legendary story of Freddie Joe Steinmark is one with which most Texas Longhorn football fans are familiar.  During the late 1960s, Steinmark played for the team under the venerable Coach Darrell Royal. He played safety during his career at the University and was a part… Continue reading Review: MY ALL AMERICAN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Almost every single modern, ensemble holiday movie seems to have the same structure.  Characters have problems.  The holiday, whichever one it is, seems to magnify the character’s woes.  Characters have to face their problems.  Characters develop new relationships or reinforce established ones and this helps with… Continue reading Review: LOVE THE COOPERS