By Mark Saldana Rating: 1 (Out of 4 Stars) I received some grief from friends and fellow critics for actually enjoying the first Grown Ups and for giving it a favorable review (3 Stars). The humor in that Happy Madison movie is juvenile and sophomoric, but what can I say? It made me laugh. I… Continue reading Review: GROWN UPS 2
Author: Mark Saldana
Review: PACIFIC RIM
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) As a kid I grew up watching animated stories of robots or robot-like machines operated by people (mecha). In fact, my first exposure to Japanese anime came courtesy of cable television which would broadcast the Force Five episodes that inspired the Shogun Warrior toys. As a… Continue reading Review: PACIFIC RIM
Review: THE WAY WAY BACK
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) After reading a synopsis of this film or watching a trailer, one might question the need for another coming-of-age summer vacation movie. Especially after watching and enjoying The Kings of Summer quite recently, not to mention years of countless other films I watched in my youth,… Continue reading Review: THE WAY WAY BACK
Red Band Movie Trailer: OLDBOY
Here’s the first trailer for Spike Lee’s remake of the highly acclaimed South Korean film. This is the red band trailer which is recommended only for mature audiences (17 & older).
DVD Giveaway Contest: THE HAPPY POET
TVR has a pair of DVD copies of this Austin homegrown indie comedy.
Surprise Screening Pass Giveaway: TURBO
TVR has some passes good for four to give away to an advance screening of this movie scheduled for Saturday July 13 at 10:00 am.
Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Despicable Me 2 is one of those rare sequels that manages to deliver more laughs and entertainment than its predecessor. While I enjoyed the first film, I left this sequel feeling nostalgic as this film obviously channels the spirit of Tex Avery who made his mark… Continue reading Review: DESPICABLE ME 2
Review: THE LONE RANGER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Humor, realism, heroic action, peril, fantasy and drama are all elements that a good hero story should have. As with my review of Man of Steel, I will delve into these elements and how the right mix/balance of all these ingredients can make or break a… Continue reading Review: THE LONE RANGER
Review: THE HEAT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Bridesmaids director Paul Feig tackles a buddy-cop comedy bringing back his Bridesmaids break-out star Melissa McCarthy, but the results are a bit mixed. Actually, this comes as a relief to me as I felt somewhat burned by how bad McCarthy’s Identity Thief turned out. On… Continue reading Review: THE HEAT
Movie Spotlight: Scene Stealers From PRINCE AVALANCHE
While David Gordon Green’s PRINCE AVALANCHE (opening on August 9th) is largely a two-hander between stars Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch, the performances many people walk away from the film remembering is from non-professional Joyce Payne and veteran character actor Lance LeGault. In just a handful of scenes, Joyce gives the film its real emotional core, and… Continue reading Movie Spotlight: Scene Stealers From PRINCE AVALANCHE