Author: Mark Saldana

Review: STARBUCK

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Typically when a film’s story has a ridiculous or implausible premise, it is a huge turn off for me.  Occasionally, though, a film comes along that can take the preposterous and run with it so well that it becomes easy to forget its absurdity. French Canadian… Continue reading Review: STARBUCK

Review: 42

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) In 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers broke some major racial barriers when they signed African American baseball player Jackie Robinson. This courageous decision would set a precedent which would later influence efforts to remove the policy of segregation in all facets of everyday life, a policy first… Continue reading Review: 42

Review: THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

By Mark Saldana  Rating 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Derek Cianfrance really is an exceptional film writer and director.  His romantic tragedy Blue Valentine broke the hearts of film audiences and earned the acclaim of critics in 2010.  He has such wonderful grasp of human relationships and the consequences of our behavior and actions.  While… Continue reading Review: THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

Review: TRANCE

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Acclaimed director Danny Boyle, the filmmaker who brought audiences 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire, brings a film to theaters which feels a bit closer to his earlier work (Trainspotting, Shallow Grave), though not as satisfying. Trance is a sometimes mesmerizing head-scratcher of a mystery thriller that… Continue reading Review: TRANCE

Review and Interview: AFF Best of the Fest Presents JUNK

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4) The Austin Film Festival has continued their post-festival film series showcasing the Audience Award winners from last year. At the 2012 festival, Kevin Hamedani’s Junk took home the audience’s choice for best film in the Narrative Feature category.  On April 1, AFF screened the film with writer/director/star… Continue reading Review and Interview: AFF Best of the Fest Presents JUNK

Movie News: ELYSIUM TRAILER LAUNCH

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH MEDIA RIGHTS CAPITAL UNVEIL THE TRAILER AND GIVE FANS A SNEAK PEEK AT “ELYSIUM”   CULVER CITY, Calif., April 9, 2013 – Sony Pictures Entertainment today unveiled a first look at writer-director Neill Blomkamp’s new film Elysium by bringing it directly to the fans in anticipation of the launch… Continue reading Movie News: ELYSIUM TRAILER LAUNCH

Review: JURASSIC PARK IN 3D

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) To celebrate the twentieth anniversary, Universal has released a 3D version of Steven Spielberg’s science fiction thriller, but before a collective groan arises from any nay-sayers, hear me out.  The people who worked on converting the 1993 film to 3D deserve a standing ovation.  This film… Continue reading Review: JURASSIC PARK IN 3D