Author: Mark Saldana

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOLUME 3 Delivers a Satisfying Conclusion

Filmmaker James Gunn has completed his work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and now sets his sights on his contributions to all future DC/Warner Bros. products. As most movie fans know, Gunn has been chosen as one of the heads of WB/DC’s new studio and will write and probably direct a new Superman movie. That… Continue reading GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOLUME 3 Delivers a Satisfying Conclusion

POLITE SOCIETY Delivers Soapy Fun & Action

I missed/overlooked this delightful movie at this year’s SXSW, and now I am kicking myself for not experiencing it with a festival audience. Going into this movie, I had already watched the trailer and was somewhat annoyed with the preview. The entire presentation of that glimpse came across as silly, ridiculous, and grating. Thankfully, despite… Continue reading POLITE SOCIETY Delivers Soapy Fun & Action

CITADEL Could Be Solid, But the First Episodes Don’t Deliver That Promise

The Russo Brothers, who had much success with their entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, have yet to have much success with any of their other projects. I am sad to say that their latest foray leaves much to be desired. From Amazon Studios comes a series that promises espionage action, intrigue, and action; however,… Continue reading CITADEL Could Be Solid, But the First Episodes Don’t Deliver That Promise

GHOSTED

Mientras que algunas personas pueden conocer la definición de “Ghosted” utilizada en tiempos más recientes, otras personas no lo saben. La respuesta de búsqueda de Google: “terminar una relación personal con (alguien) retirándose repentinamente y sin explicación de toda comunicación”. Los escritores Rhett Reese (Zombieland), Paul Wernick (Deadpool) y Chris McKenna (Spider-Man: No Way Home)… Continue reading GHOSTED

BEAU IS AFRAID is Actually The Cinematic Understatement of the Year.

Yes, Joaquin Phoenix’s protagonist, Beau, is afraid, but it is much worse than that. His condition is more like severe anxiety with paranoid delusions. These illnesses make Beau a very unreliable main character, as it is so difficult to tell the movie’s reality and what isn’t. It is probably safe to say that the entire… Continue reading BEAU IS AFRAID is Actually The Cinematic Understatement of the Year.

CHEVALIER: Racism Mutes A Gifted Musician in 18th Century France.

Most cinephiles have experienced biopics about classical music artists that attempt to add more drama to their lore, whether it is genuine or not. The story of talented composer/musician Joseph Bologne is unique in that not many people know his story, nor do they know the real struggles he faced in expressing his art and… Continue reading CHEVALIER: Racism Mutes A Gifted Musician in 18th Century France.

THE COVENANT Promises a Riveting and Harrowing Journey

This particular subject matter is an odd choice for director Guy Ritchie. This film comes across as an American movie, with much jingoism and purpose that would typically come from an American propaganda film. Still, the writers and director hope to tell a realistic story that appeals to its core audience’s hearts. That particular element… Continue reading THE COVENANT Promises a Riveting and Harrowing Journey

SHOWING UP

Art is a rather complex concept. Art can have no rhyme or reason but still reflect some genuine feelings, ideas, or observations by the artists. Art can also be simplistic, primary, and even silly. Writer/director Kelly Reichardt explores these ideas on a much simpler and more humble level with her new film Showing Up. With… Continue reading SHOWING UP

RENFIELD

As the title of this movie indicates, Renfield stands front and center in this new comedic action/horror feature. Most iterations of the Renfield character present him as a raving, mentally unstable, devoted servant of Dracula. While he isn’t precisely a babbling lunatic, he has his problems. There usually is a limited amount of depth to… Continue reading RENFIELD