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
Author: Mark Saldana
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
PAINT
From 1983 through 1994, painter Bob Ross hosted the PBS show, The Joy of Painting, on PBS. This movie is probably different from his story. Writer/director Brit McAdams has conceived of a comedy film based very loosely on the impact of Bob Ross and his program. The movie is intended as a parody of Ross… Continue reading PAINT
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE
Anyone who has followed the progress of this movie may already have some preconceived notions of its quality. I went into this screening with some trepidations; however, after enjoying all that it has to offer, I sincerely feel that the filmmakers behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie have much love for the abundance of the… Continue reading THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE
A THOUSAND AND ONE
Black Americans are no strangers when it comes to systemic problems. Whether it is the racial bias within our public educational institutions, the divide within the criminal justice system, or troubles that plague the foster care of children, racial equality still has a long way to go. Writer/director A.V. Rockwell tells a fictional but all-too-real… Continue reading A THOUSAND AND ONE
SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING
Filmmaker Quentin Dupieux is undoubtedly a unique voice in French cinema. The wild mind behind Rubber, Wrong, and Wrong Cops is known and admired for his surreal and absurd comedy. His sense of humor and filmmaking style is not for everyone, but for those who love Dupieux’s twisted and subversive sensibilities, he has a brand… Continue reading SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING
SXSW 2023: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES
Adventure, excitement, a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast craves precisely these things! However, D&D fans would have to wait a very long time before they would see their beloved game well represented on the big screen Well, that time has finally come. I was able to behold the magic, action, and beautiful worlds revealed during this… Continue reading SXSW 2023: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES
SXSW 2023: AIR
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
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