Author: Mark Saldana

STRAYS: If You Have Seen the Trailers, You’ve Seen the Best Parts

Everyone knows that trailers are supposed to pique people’s interest in movies. However, if a trailer reveals too much, there is little else to enjoy or appreciate once one has spent money on a movie ticket. Sadly, such is the case with Strays, a movie that attempts to deliver a comedic take on “talking animal”… Continue reading STRAYS: If You Have Seen the Trailers, You’ve Seen the Best Parts

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER Delivers Thrills, Suspense, and Bloody Kills

Based on “The Captain’s Log,” a chapter from the Dracula novel by Bram Stoker, The Last Voyage of the Demeter builds on this section of the iconic horror story and delivers a chilling and creepy feature film. With a solid screenplay by Bragi Schut Jr and Zak Olkewicz, director André Øvredal beautifully builds up the… Continue reading THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER Delivers Thrills, Suspense, and Bloody Kills

JULES Charms Audiences With A Very Sweet Disposition

There have been lots of movies about humanity’s contact with extraterrestrial life. Still, most of these films have either very young protagonists or those who fall under the demographic range of adult to middle-aged. Now, before anyone can yell “Cocoon,” you should know I am well aware of this movie and its sequel. I am… Continue reading JULES Charms Audiences With A Very Sweet Disposition

SHORTCOMINGS: CATCHER IN THE RYE meets Relationship Comedy

A still from Shortcomings by Randall Park, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute

Even though it has been over seventy years since J.D. Salinger’s novel was first published, The Catcher in the Rye continues to influence multiple types of entertainment media today. In the case of Shortcomings, the iconic book has had a noticeable impact on both the comic book of the same name and its film adaptation.… Continue reading SHORTCOMINGS: CATCHER IN THE RYE meets Relationship Comedy

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM Offers Fans of the Franchise Great Fun

There is quite a variety of TMNT adaptations in cinema and television. However, only some of these interpretations have entirely captured the heart and spirit of the property. That is, until now. Writers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, and writer/director Jeff Rowe have come up with a thoroughly entertaining and exciting animated… Continue reading TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM Offers Fans of the Franchise Great Fun

TALK TO ME Is the Australian Horror Sensation of the Year

It is safe to say that during their teenage years, most people have toyed with horror at parties and social gatherings, whether it is a house party or a campfire. For whatever reason, kids love to scare each other and test the courage of one another. This exciting Australian horror import attempts to frighten audiences… Continue reading TALK TO ME Is the Australian Horror Sensation of the Year

HAUNTED MANSION Attempts To Offer Audiences Something Deeper

Based on the attractions at Walt Disney parks, Haunted Mansion is not the first attempt at adapting the theme park “ride” for cinema. In 2003, Disney released a movie called The Haunted Mansion, which is moderately entertaining and somewhat fun but needs more great storytelling. Disney has decided to develop and create a reboot with… Continue reading HAUNTED MANSION Attempts To Offer Audiences Something Deeper

OPPENHEIMER Is Christopher Nolan’s Masterpiece

The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer is a rather complex one. On the one hand, he was one of the most brilliant physicists of our time, but he is also the primary person responsible for the invention of nuclear weapons. Based on the Oppenheimer biography, “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,”… Continue reading OPPENHEIMER Is Christopher Nolan’s Masterpiece

BARBIE Offers Social Commentary Within a Lovable and Colorful Film

The history of the intellectual property of Barbie and all of its toy merchandise has, in recent decades, raised many conversations about women and their status in our world. While on the one hand, the Barbie lore elevates women and honors all they have to offer, the reality is our world spins very differently, as… Continue reading BARBIE Offers Social Commentary Within a Lovable and Colorful Film