By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Writer/director Alex Winter recounts the story of Napster in a fascinating and compelling documentary which details the birth, rise and decline of this groundbreaking internet company, as told mostly from the perspective of those who started it. Shawn Fanning, Sean Parker, and their techie friends began… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: DOWNLOADED
Author: Mark Saldana
2013 SXSW Review: SCENIC ROUTE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) This particular film actually was not on my originally planned SXSW schedule. I just happened to be at the Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter and since I had trekked south of all the madness downtown, I decided to remain at the theater and see the next film. After… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: SCENIC ROUTE
2013 SXSW Review: V/H/S/2
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In preparation for this screening at the festival, I made sure to watch the first film which I had never previously seen. The concept for these movies is really remarkable. For film buffs who have a love/hate relationship with “found-footage” movies, the first installment brought a… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: V/H/S/2
2013 SXSW Review: HEY BARTENDER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) I watched my first documentary of SXSW Film 2013 very early, courtesy of a screener. Writer/director Douglas Tirola educates his audience on the history of bartending and mixology, and showcases some modern masters of the art/science, as well as highlighting a simple bartender/bar owner who, in… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: HEY BARTENDER
SXSW Review: CHEAP THRILLS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Going into this movie, I had no idea what to expect. The fact that David Koechner, an actor known for goofy, cartoonish characters, has a starring role, really threw me off. While this film does have its silly, light hearted scenes, the film slowly devolves into… Continue reading SXSW Review: CHEAP THRILLS
2013 SXSW Guest Review: EVIL DEAD
By Jan Hamilton Rating: B+ This low budget gore-fest had the audience shrieking with laughter and approval. Set in a remote cabin, a drug intervention for one of the five young adults there goes horribly wrong, as one by one they are overtaken by satanic forces. Each new horror exceeds the last, as they fight… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Guest Review: EVIL DEAD
News/Local Events: The 13th Annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards
Article and Pictures by Mark Saldana While the South by Southwest Film Festival doesn’t officially kick-off until today, March 8, the signature event which has always begun the fest is the Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards, hosted by the Austin Film Society, honoring Texans who have had successful careers in acting and filmmaking.
Review: OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Director Sam Raimi’s latest film, not only serves as a prequel to Victor Flemming’s 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz, but also serves as an homage to the historical and iconic motion picture which has captured the hearts of several generations of movie viewers. Raimi, cast… Continue reading Review: OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL
SXSW 2013: ROGUE Viewing Party and Concert
Bummed that you can’t attend any of the SXSW events taking place? Do you need a break from films at the festival? Well, if you fall into any of these categories, TVR, DIRECTV and Allied-THA have just the events for you. If interested in attending two SXSW events for free, all you have to do… Continue reading SXSW 2013: ROGUE Viewing Party and Concert
Review: JACK THE GIANT SLAYER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the fairy tales Jack the Giant Killer and Jack and the Bean Stalk, director Bryan Singer and screenwriters Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie, Dan Studney and David Dobkin bring to the big screen a fun and exciting reinterpretation of these stories. Singer, his writers, cast… Continue reading Review: JACK THE GIANT SLAYER