The programmers delivered yet another treat to the festival attendees for the second “Special” screening and closing night headliner of SXSW. The film was the latest offering from filmmaker Ben Affleck, and his movie tells the true story behind arguably the most iconic labels in athletic shoe history. While everyone knows how this story plays… Continue reading SXSW 2023: AIR
Author: Mark Saldana
SXSW 2023: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
When the programmers at Austin’s largest media and arts festival announced their schedule for this year’s Film & TV section, two “Special” unnamed screenings were programmed on Monday, March 13, and on the closing night of Saturday, March 18. These secrets lasted only briefly, as their titles were revealed days before their screening dates. The… Continue reading SXSW 2023: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
SXSW 2023: RAGING GRACE
Undocumented immigration is not only a heated subject in America but also controversial in the UK. Writer/director Paris Zarcilla offers an insightful but haunting glimpse into the experience of an unauthenticated Filipina domestic employee. Joy (Max Eiggenman) struggles as a single mother to raise her daughter Grace (Jaeden Paige Boadill) and provide for both of… Continue reading SXSW 2023: RAGING GRACE
SCREAM VI
I have been a very loving fan since Scream took the world by storm. I will never forget the time I finally watched the first film and its impact on me. I watched the movie two times in the theater and many more times at home. While I have various feelings about the franchise, I… Continue reading SCREAM VI
CHAMPIONS
Based on a Spanish film of the same name, writer Mark Rizzo and director Bobby Farelly have adapted the movie for American/English-speaking audiences. Now, I usually have previously watched the source movie. Still, in this case, I have never seen Campeones, which has earned some critical acclaim and achieved enough praise for Spain to select… Continue reading CHAMPIONS
CREED III
Creed I and Creed II will forever get labeled as Rocky spin-offs. While nothing is necessarily wrong with that label, the main character of Adonis Creed deserves to stand on his own, out of the shadow of Rocky. Well, the beloved character gets that opportunity with this third installment of the spin-off series. Though I… Continue reading CREED III
COCAINE BEAR
What you see is what you get. I cannot think of a better summary of this movie than that. However, that is what made this movie all the more disappointing. With all of the hype and joyful excitement surrounding this film, I wanted a lot more. Maybe I set my expectations way too high, but… Continue reading COCAINE BEAR
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA
As a smaller part of the huge Marvel Studios franchise, the Ant-Man saga has never, previously, carried the responsibility of launching anything major within the greater whole of the MCU. Well, that has most definitely changed with this third installment. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantimania gets to be the one movie to introduce the next… Continue reading ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA
OF AN AGE
What makes this film so impactful is that it nearly, perfectly captures some moments of life that can change the course of its protagonist’s future. The writing and direction by Goran Stolevski, along with the excellent performance by the leads rbeautifully creates a scene where first love catalyzes what is the eventual destination of the… Continue reading OF AN AGE
SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW
I can definitely see people reading the synopsis of this movie and thinking, “Isn’t this the same premise as My Best Friend’s Wedding?” While that sentiment is true, as it turns out, Somebody I Used To Know acknowledges this fact, and delivers something more realistic and genuine. Directed by Dave Franco, who co-wrote the film… Continue reading SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW